New Research

That's really interesting Konnie, has your fibro got better since you have been treated for hypothyroidism? 

Actually, Meg, my fibro got better after a year of acupuncture.  Since we've moved to Poland I haven't found a practitioner close enough to my home.  It has been a few years, but I'm still better than I was.  I also have added a full range of B vitamins and 2000 mg of vitamin D to my low sugar, low meat, lower fat diet.  This all seems to help with the "fibro fog".

When I lived in the States, I had access to a gym with a heated pool.  There they offered aerobic exercises to those with arthritis or who were otherwise handicapped.  It was miraculous how much that helped.  Where I am now, there is a pool but I haven't been brave enough to try it yet.  I've heard it's not so warm which for someone with fibro wouldn't be too smart.

My rhumatologist in the US stressed exercise as a great reliever of pain for those of us with this problem.  I was very reluctant to get in the water because after trying walking, dance, and yoga to no avail, all I envisioned was more pain.  But the exact opposite happened, and I really miss it.  It boosted my energy levels.

I also miss my chiropractor who really knows how to press on those trigger points to relieve pain rather than cause it, and how to release muscle spasms.  I would go into his office limping like an old woman, but come out standing tall and pain free for a few hours at least, lol.  I always make a point to see "Magic Mike" when we go back to visit family.  There is a massage therapist here that a neighbor raves about, and I'm thinking of trying him out.  All of this is how I've learned to live with this because I can't take the usual fibro meds.  They knock me out and I can't function.  I do take a German anti inflammatory called Olfen Uno which is very helpful, but that's it, and I'm sure having gotten my hypothyroidism under control probably has helped as well.

A long winded answe to a very short question.  Sorry about that!   😃

Please don"t apologise for your long answer it made great reading and your methods of coping sound good to me. I also have found water exercise really benefical just wish there was a heated pool nearby. Diet in my case also helps, though I have to be quite strict, adhering to a whole food diet, plus eliminating certain,foods that I am intolerate too. 

Good luck finding the right facilities in Poland, it can't be easy switching countries like that.

If you are anaemic it is usually a lack of iron I think, not an expert  in this field. That is unless it is pernicious anaemia and then it is a lack of B12. Has your doctor told you how to remedy it ?

Hi Kaz, sleep not too bad at present, thank you. Sorry to hear you are going through so much pain at present, it really is so exhausting and just plain horrible. Thinking of you and hubby, it sounds like he needs to take things easy for a while, I am sure the kitchen renos can wait. Sounds like you both need a nuturing weekend, Lots of hot chicken soup, and fresh fruit and vegetables. Many gentle hugsxxx

Hi meg Pleased to hear your sleep is good ata present we need a good nights sleep. I woke up once last night managed to go back off which is good for me. Back pain today is on a scale of 10 I have a high pain threshold but Ive really struggled today it reduced me to tears. never mind plod on. Hubby not feeling great either, I think we both need a weekend away.Kitchen is on hold till January. I love chicken soup and my vegetables I like some fresh fruit, we eat lots of salads. I try to eat as health as I can but do have lapses at times. you take care hun big gentle hug coming to youxx

HinKaz, so very sorry to hear your back id so bad, is it worth seeing some one about it, in case there is something they can do. One of my friends develpoed a bad back it turne out she had bacterial infection in the spine. After massive antibiotics in hospital and then a maintenance course at home she is feeling a lot less pain. Apparently becterial infections of this type are much more common than people think and detection would halt a lot of unnecessary back surgery. Makes you think. I spoke too soon, my last sleep was dreadful. Oh well shouldn't tempt fate. A relaxing time for you and hubby sounds wonderful, just what the doctor ordered, relaxation free from stress is our best medicine.

Gentle Hugs Meg

Hi Meg Sorry to hear youve not slept well, its a nightmare for us trying to get some decent sleep. I woke up at 5am this morning hubby went off to work at 8. I fell back to sleep got up at 11. I am booked in at the drs on monday, so will see what dr has to say. I wasnt good at all yesterday what with severe back pain and Ibs, not a good day. Hope you get some sleep tonight hun Hope you have a lovely weekend. Take care gentle hugs xx 

Hi Kaz,weekend not too bad, managed a couple of good night sleeps, after three shockers. It is all so up and down, never know were one is. So sorry to hear that you made no progress with your doctor. Yes the memory thing is annoying, especially when one use to have a reasonable memory. I am at the point where I refuse to worry about things, trying to be more compassionate to myself, I mean what else can you do, only  maybe keep your brain working with crosswords scrabble, or suduko puzzles. I work on the principle use it or lose it.

You take care too and many very gentle hugs xxx

Hi meg My sleep is very irratic at the moment. one night I can sleep well, and other nights no sleep at all. I try to keep my brain as active as I can like you I think use it or loose it. I like doing word searches I sometimes watch count down. I think we need to try and not stress worry as it certainly doesnt help our condition, being kind compassionate to ourselves is important. especially when weve always put others 1st now its our time to come 1st. Enjoy the rest of the week and hopefully not too much pain.take care hun gentle hugs xx

Hi Kaz, weird isn't it when we can't predict whether we sleep or not. My last sleep was fantastic, though I had been in pain during the day, my hands just ached. At present I am trying to go for a gentle walk each day, even if in pain and that seems to help a little. You obviously like words,like I do, though I must admit, numbers and maths are not my forte. I like doing crosswords online, a certain news publication starting with the letter g, has good online crosswords. Yes I must admit worry is a habit I am trying to banish, must try harder. I like the idea of being number one, just have trouble putting it into practice. Hope you are having some fun this week, not too much pain, gentle hugs to you too😎xxx

 

Hi Meg Its great when we are able to sleep well, it helps us to feel that little bit brighter.I really miss not being able to walk my dog, and going for long walks by the canal. and  in the country side. I cant unfortunatly walk any more mobility is really bad. If I go out I have to be pushed in the wheelchair which I hate. But unfortunatly it is how it is.Maths is not my forte either how I managed to pass my maths exam I will never know. Its easier said than done for any of us not to worry and stress its human nature. I do think though that we have to now put ourselves 1st and concentrate on us and our well being. Ive always put others 1st and my self last. hope the pain your in soon eases I find the daily pain draining all this week Ive been absolutly drained and tired out. never mind battle on. lets hope we both sleep well tonight take care hun very gentle hugs xx 

I know where you are coming from I also get so tired, I think it is because our bodies are carrying constant pain and naturally some weeks are worse than others. I am so sorry you can't walk your dear little dog anymore, and walking by the canal sounds lovely. I guess I am lucky in that I still have mobility even if I can't go on the long walks anymore. I can still go down to the beach and walk on the flat, where there is always something to see, or people saying hello, it makes me feel like I am still part of the world.  I hope you still get out of the house sometimes? This week has been a funny one some days more painful than others. Do you find if you have a better sleep you are in less pain than other's. Please give your dog a hug from me and look after yourself xxx

Oops meant to say if I have a good night's sleep I seem to be in less pain the next day. Sorry very vague today!!!

morning Meg How are you ? Hope you have a lovely day today and a good weekend. My pain varies daily some days are more painful than others, yesterday was a good day hardly any pain at all.I cant say that Ive noticed, that if I sleep better the pain is less. The pain is definitly variable every day. Its a case of seeing what Im like when I get up you never know how your going to be each day with fibro.Its heart breaking for me not being able to walk charlie. I use to enjoy walking along the different canal paths we went to. I loved walking in general I would walk miles I loved walking so much. Hubby walks charlie between 2-3 x a day. My mobility and memory has got worse since last year. my husband takes me  for a ride out on a weekend, but we cant go to far as it hurts my back being in the car. I use to love our rides out on a weekend, but when your in constant pain it takes the enjoyment out of it. never mind onwards upwards, just get on with it. I would love to live near the sea, I love going to the sea side and just listenng to the sea. I dont see any one during the day once hubby has gone to work and son at college. friends havnt wanted to know since  got fibro. so it can be very lonely at times during the day. still got charlie for company at least he doesnt answear back hes a joy to have.and never leaves my side bless him. take care meg hope we both have a good nights sleep and a pain free weekend. gentle hugs xx.

Hi Kaz, I totally understand what you are saying, especially being so crippled by this dread curse. Yes long walks use to be a real joy for me too, now I can only manage, short pathetic little strolls. My husband loves walking too but he gets up early in the morning and will go for an hour's brisk walk, not something I can manage anymore. Long drives in the car are a problem for me too I always set out with a hot water bottle at my back I find heat keeps the muscles/joints loser and less painful. I also have a special heat pack which I can deploy when the hot water bottle cools. Another strategy is to take a thermos flask which I can refill the hot water bottle with, all very tedious isn't it. It is worth it so as to feel connected with the world. I also know what you mean about friends, suddenly they don't reall want to know, they are awkward and don't know how to treat you. I feel like saying hey I am still the same person inside this treacherous body of my, talk to me like you use to. What can you do? You are lucky having Charlie he sounds so adorable, a true friend. I hadn't thought about memory deterioration so closely but thinking over it, I certainly have got more vague recently, I am hoping it is a side effect of Fibro and not the dreaded A word. When you have a good day can you identify what you did the day before, or didn't do that might have contributed to you having a good day? You have a wonderful weekend too, hopefully pain free and fun many gentle hugsxxx🐳

Hi Meg Hope your not in too much pain hun and your manageing to sleep ok. Thats a good idea about the hot water bottles I never thought about that. Hubby took me for a a short drive out yesterday. when we got back I was in sheer agony with my legs back and neck. I felt so poorly was in soo much pain it spoilt the ride out.  on a happier note our new bed came yesterday. ohh meg its wonderful its comfotable didnt want to get up this morning. I slept really well and woke up at 7. we are chuffed to bits with it. when I have a good day I cant remeber what might have contributed to me having a good day I cant remeber from 1 day to another what Ive done whats gone on the day before nothing. yesterday when we were out I thought we were near home and about to go down our road, we were no where near where we lived. My memory and mobility have deteriorated since last year. when I spoke to the gp about it she said shes going to monitor me for 2 months and if no improvement refer me back to the memory clinic.she said what may be going in is vascular dementia. its where you can have a mini stroke thats not noticeable. so just got to see how I go on. charlie is fast a sleep by my side hes such a loyal and loving dog he never leaves my side. hope you have a lovely day today and tomorrow. take care very gentle hugs xx.

Oh Kaz, I am so sorry to hear the drive didn't go well, not sure what you can do about it. On the other hand your new bed sounds divine, maybe it will help with muscle pain? A good night sleep is such a bonus, makes life living.  I do not want to tempt fate but the last few nights sleep have been miraculous, right through. Our bodies really are letting us down, your memory problems sound a worry, hope the doctors can help? Please give Charlie lots of pats from me. Look after yourself xxx😎

Morning meg Hope you have a good, with little pain and good sleep. It took me ages to get off to sleep last night, I am in alot of pain with my legs feet and back. I eventually went off woke up at 7.30. we have had a stressful weekend, we have got a problem with our car. so hubby having to have lifts to work. Just hope his boss will loan us a car until ours is fixed.Theirs always something. Im so pleased to hear youve had some good nights sleep. Its wonderful when that happens for us. charlie is fast a sleep bless him. it was foggy here this morning, its now starting to lift. Im going to get me a cupa, see if I can muster some energy to do something.and try work through the pain Im in. never mind onwards upwards. take care meg big hug from me to you xxxx

Oh no Kaz, your family doesn't need car trouble as well, hope it is fixed soon. I spoke too soon, bad night the other night, no predicting what is going to happen, just have to carry on and hope for some good moments. Look after yourself and hope the pain eases soon xxx😴

Hi Meg Car is now fixed thankgoodness. hubby got some more jobs to do on it at some point. But at least its running now we can use it. sorry to hear youve not slept well, doing well between us as Im not sleeping due to the pain Im in. Im like a zombie today haha. Im going for a lie down in a min just feel so tired worn out. Hope your not in too much pain hun. rest plenty hope you get a better nights sleep tonight. you take care thinking of you gentle hugs xx

Good news about the car, I am sorry to hear the pain is bad, you must be exhausted. Hopefully tonight my good sleep patterns of last week will resume, fingers crossed.😀xxx

Evening meg Hope you have a good day fibro has been behaving itself. I hope we both get some sleep tonight. Ive been like a zombie today. Hope tomorrow is a good day for us both.Im off to bed now sleep well meg gentle hugs xx