UPDATED JULY 20, 2011
Well, it's been about 3 years and I'm feeling great. I found that over time, the medication I take for sleep and the supplements needed adjustment (like I was getting too much of them). Bottom line - listen to your body and continually experiment.
So let me describe an amazing day to you - up at the crack of dawn, cleaned the kitchen, on the elliptical until I realized I was bored, put on tennies and jogged (yes, jogged) - 1 whole mile!, finished the laundry (all the laundry that is), picked up a load of hay, washed the truck and then loaded up the family and drove 90 minutes to take an afternoon hike at the falls. Sound impossible? 5 years ago, I would have agreed. That was my last Saturday. It can be done. Don't give up hope.
That said - I overdid it and felt "some" pain and fatigue the next few days. I am learning to manage the condition (rather than letting it manage me). Knowing what my priorities and limitations are helps to do that. It is ok to rest!!! It is ok for the dishes to pile up and the yard work to not get done. One day at a time.
In His Grip,
Shawn
Stuff You Need to Know!
After years of feeling crummy, I was officially diagnosed with fibromyalgia in Dec 2007. There is no identifyable cause. There is no single cure-all.
I've tried numerous prescriptions, most of which either made it worse or added unbearable side effects. The doctors have all but given up on me. So I set out to find my own remedy.
Finally, I began to find solutions that actually work. I'm still looking for additional help, but I'm finally at a point that I can function normally most of the time. I've thrown a lot of information on this site. And what works for me may not work for you. But I hope you find it helpful.
Begin by reading the "STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW". Everything I am trying stems from that research. Please, please, please Email Me at copingwithfibro@yahoo.com with questions or just to have someone to talk to who gets what you're going through! Believe me, I need the support too!
I've tried numerous prescriptions, most of which either made it worse or added unbearable side effects. The doctors have all but given up on me. So I set out to find my own remedy.
Finally, I began to find solutions that actually work. I'm still looking for additional help, but I'm finally at a point that I can function normally most of the time. I've thrown a lot of information on this site. And what works for me may not work for you. But I hope you find it helpful.
Begin by reading the "STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW". Everything I am trying stems from that research. Please, please, please Email Me at copingwithfibro@yahoo.com with questions or just to have someone to talk to who gets what you're going through! Believe me, I need the support too!
- This is a game of trial and error - which can be costly. Start with the DHEA, L-Tyrosine & Emergen-C as a baseline. If you can afford nothing else - do these first! Add other stuff as you can afford to.
- Try only one new thing at a time so you can know what works and can adjust as needed. You need to pay attention to what your body tells you and make decisions based on what makes sense for you.
- Don’t give up! This is not a hopeless situation, even though it feels that way sometimes. I may not be back to “normal” but I’m improving significantly! We need support from each other so please contact me if you need help doing research, have questions about anything I’ve written here or just want to talk. You’d be surprised at how many people are affected by fibromyalgia – check out local support groups and let people know you have it. Sharing success stories is good!
- ASK FOR HELP! Keep talking and researching everything you can. Please e-mail me if I can help! I will offer suggestions as I can and will help you do research.
