Month: October 2021

Welcome to Fibromyalgia land where pain, tingling and feeling bugs on you are now your new norm.

If you haven’t guessed by my opening sentence, I am in a flare.  The Fibromyalgia flare.  For the first time in over a year, I had to go home early a week ago because I just couldn’t handle being  in pain and dealing with the with the imaginary millions of ants crawling up and down my body.  Regular pain killers did not help, heating pads did help, but not enough.  I ended up at home in bed on a heating pad, extra strength Tylenol and watched movies behind closed eyelids (I was awake, I just couldn’t keep my eyelids open).

I have never been laid out from symptoms like this before.   It scared me to where my rheumatologist and I had a serious conversation.  This is not the first time I have complained about it.  Did you know that there is a treatment that can help?  I didn’t.

Here is the basics of it for me….. Cymbalta-  lowest dose.  Wait- isn’t that an anti-anxiety pill? Yup.  But, it is been shown to decrease the pain and neuropathy associated with Fibromyalgia.

I hemmed and hawed some.  Dr. suggested that I fill it, have it available.  Only I can decide when it becomes too much.  It does have some side affects.  Good news is that is has no contraindications with my other medications.  Down side is that it takes 2 – 4 weeks to be fully effective.

Additionally, it has been decided to finish the process of getting off steroids.  Taking it even slower than this spring.    I will be dropping down to 0 mg.  Cool, huh!

If I add the new medication, I won’t be able to tell what is from the Cymbalta and what is withdrawals.  After mulling it over for a while, I am going to work at getting off the other medication before starting the new one, if I can wait that long.

There is never nothing going on.  (Peaceful Warrior-movie)

The doctor was pleased with my weight loss and stated that I looked good.  Joints felt great and it seems that Mr. Arthritis is letting me rest for a while.

I know that somehow God will help me to decide if and when I need to take the additional medicine.  I am hoping never.

Please understand that I am not a medical professional.  I am sharing my experiences, treatments and opinions with you to help you on your own journey through this adventure of dealing with auto immune disorders.

Remember your vitamins, complimentary therapies, massages and self-care.  Most of all, stay hydrated.

May God continue to hold your hand and body, just as He holds me.

 

My arms hurt.  My hands hurt.  My back hurts.  My legs hurt.  I am grumpy and short with people.  What does that tell me?  I am in a flare.  Honestly, it is my own fault.  I was trying to be everything for everyone but myself.  Now, my body is letting me know that I need time for myself.

I then remembered my grateful journal.  As much as I really hate that journal right now, I make myself every morning come up with at least 5 things I am grateful for.  Believe it or not, it does help with the grumpiness.  Even the pain gets a grateful line.  If I was not feeling pain, I wouldn’t know to slow down.  Or, I guess I would be dead! (hahaha)

Being in pain has also made me turn to more prayer and communicate with God more.  It reminds me to pray for others who are currently in physical or emotional pain.  I connect with God on how to make it through the day when I just want to stay in bed.  I have had to admit to God that I can’t do it without Him.

Additionally, it made me have a talk with my husband about how I am struggling.  I don’t really know if he got what I was saying.  But, I did ask God to open his eyes.

The pain will subside once I get myself back into balance emotionally and physically.  In the mean time, I will keep myself in continuous contact with God.

The final key is that I need to be more aware of myself, my limitations and communicate with God daily.