Okay, I didn’t accomplish all of what I set out to do yesterday. I did start the laundry, I delagated the dishes to Natalie (totally counts) and I got to the doctors.
So today, I need to shower, like right now, make 4 phone calls, and pay bills. I also have PT this evening and want to get another load of wash done.
My doctor didn’t diagnose me with anything yet; instead he upped my meds (again) and has given me a referral to a Rhuemotiod. That’s fine with me, it’s progress. My blood work came back fantastic (I think that is normal with FMS) and he was happy about that. My blood pressure was high, but that could be from the meds, it was also confirmed my rediculous brusing is from the meds. Yea, I’m pasty white with black, blue, yellow and brown spots. Attractive!
Anyway, today is the first day of 200 mg Savella, it usually takes a week or two to feel the full effects but I am feeling jittery right now, instead of tired like I usually am around this time of day. Hopefully this will keep the fatigue away for a few hours. I slept well last night after I finally fell asleep after 1:30am. Maybe if I stay up late every night I will be able to sleep longer hours straight through? All together I am happy to say I had 6 hours of uninturrupted sleep. Fantastic! I hope that becomes the norm 🙂 My pain level is a 6 now but I am not going to feel sorry for myself today.
I hope to have something fun to write about soon, I am sorry if this topic is stretching out too long. I’ve gotten some good feedback and tons of much appriciated support from a lot of you though and right now this is my stupid life. Key words: Right Now. I gotta believe! Thank you so much everyone for being so kind, it means more to me than you will ever know.
I did start up a new blog just for this topic, but I’m kind of afraid I will just wallow in self pity and pain, that is why I haven’t written there yet. If this kind of post really starts to take over on this site though I will move it over there so I don’t drive you all insane.
I am setting a fun goal for myself today to balance all of the boring dreaded things on my to do list: take a picture of something that makes me smile and post it with a happy Ginger post. Have a nice day everyone 🙂
Ginger Couturier 
I am so proud of you that you were able to let go and delegate! I was wondering when you would get around to this…
CAN YOU SEE ME SMILING!
Lynda
Thank you!! Natalie helps so much around the house, I am very lucky. She did the laundry last week and I didn’t even ask her to. My son, however, is an intirely different story. Getting him to help out is something that will definitely deserve applause… If that day ever comes, lol. I need to find some chores for him that he can do without a screaming fit or a bigger mess than it was to begin with.
Hi Ginger,
I was going to try to write to you via email but then figured, ‘what the heck, blogging is what we all do so why worry about sharing my story with you here’? I’ll do my best to keep this brief, though…
I do understand your pain and frustration; I too suffer from fibromyalgia, but the good news for me is that, for the most part, I have it under control to the point where I can function most days like a ‘normal’ person. It wasn’t always like this.
I was in my thirties when the symptoms hit. My husband and I and our two children had just moved to a new city once again, due to a work transfer, and the house we bought had never been lived in. This was 1989 and almost every room in the house was carpeted. New carpet. In hindsight I wonder if chemicals in the new carpet could have triggered my body to respond the way it did, but of course will never know for sure. All I do know is that a fairly healthy young woman quickly became ill.
My doctor was positive that I had rheumatoid arthritis–all the symptoms were there, but the blood tests remained negative for it. Besides being fatigued to the point where I couldn’t function–couldn’t walk the aisles in the grocery store, couldn’t help the children with their homework, couldn’t stay awake more than a few hours at a time (except in the night, of course, when I didn’t sleep much at all), I also suffered sore throats, aching joints and muscles (especially my thigh muscles, for whatever reason), and severe memory issues. In short, I was a wreck, and the doctors were not very helpful.
We have to keep in mind that this was before fibromyalgia as a condition was accepted by the medical community so being diagnosed was extremely difficult. I’m not sure that I ever was, back then, and I do remember being made to feel that my problems were in my head, which I definitely knew they were not.
Okay–guess I should stop this raving for now. It’s just hard to stop writing about this once I start–it is still very fresh in my mind, even after all these years. Maybe I need to write a blog post about it too, as I know there are so many people out there (mainly women but also some men), that suffer in silence from this condition.
Long story short, I did improve in time, but it took time. I still have the condition, although I don’t often talk about it; I still have trigger-points that can drop me to the floor if one is pressed (hip joint, outside knee joint, breastbone, shoulder blades, etc); still have joint aches and muscle pains; and I still have trouble sleeping a full night, but for the most part I am okay.
So please try to remain as positive as you can while you are going through this terrible ordeal. I wish I could offer real advice or a magic pill, but I can’t. All I can do is let you know that there are many of us out there who understand and empathize with you, and wish you a speedy recovery.
I apologize again for this long comment–please feel free to edit it for length if it is too long.
Sylvia
Sylvia,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with me and everyone else. I just commented on someone’s blog last night that I felt so terrible for the ones who have suffered with this before it was recognized as “real”. The stupid fools who don’t understand it should walk one day in your shoes, they would certainly get it then. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone though, I just wish they would find some more solutions. I am so happy that you are managing the pain successfully, I am determined to do the same, which is why I am so eager to receive answers from the doctors. I’ve been doing so much independent research and I hope that will help also. Can I ask how you manage your symptoms or do you think that you have just learned to live with the pain and accept it? My mothers friend had this for 2 years before getting it under control. 2 years seems long to me to live like this but I know there are so many that have had it for 20 years and it still debilitates them. I want control now, I am so determined to not let this take me down. I hope thinking like that won’t set me up for total disappointment and leave me defeated. I have so many questions about diet and weather. Are there any tips you have found to work? How about exercise? I am eager to start yoga and I’ve been given the green flag for about 5 poses from pt so far.
Thank you again for sharing this, I think talking about it is the best thing that can be done to help others.
I hope you get a diagnosis soon. In the meantime no shame in delegating.
Thanks Greg! I think delegating is a must 😀 I’m sure the babes disagree but they will appriciate knowing how to take care of themselves when they are older.
Delegating totally counts! 🙂 I hope they are able to give you some answers soon… I can’t imagine the frustration at all of the “guess work” with the meds and such. Hang in there girl!
Thanks Amy! It is frustrating and there’s not much I can do other than what they tell me, at this point. Have a great day 🙂
Isn’t that why we have babies? I love putting mine to work to help me out. Unfortunately, I tend to be the person to redo everything they have done. I am working on my Type A tendencies. Hope you begin to feel better soon. Have you looked into any holistic therapies?
It’s funny that you say you have a type A personality, I never in a million years thought that I did but I took a silly online test and my results were all around type A. I either redo what they’ve done or make them do it again. They are doing pretty well overall 🙂 I have heard a lot of good things about acupuncture and will give that a try someday in the near future. I’d also love a massage but don’t think I can handle it at this point. I’m not sure of other holistic treatments there are, if you have any suggestions for me that would be great! Thanks for commenting it’s nice to meet you 🙂
I really hope you get a diagnosis soon, and I am glad your blood tests were great 🙂
The kiddies are there to help; I put my little punks (brothers) to work all the time- and you have a GOOD reason to get some rest and extra help! Hope you have a wonderful night.
Praise the kids seven times over for what they do to help out.My son is a real sweetheart but a messy housekeeper. I just didn’t worry about it. When he walked the dog , shovelled the snow, took out the garbage or carried in groceries I praised him….your daughter sounds like a good help, just let her know how much she is appreciated. Try to get the help you need and don’t overdo it. I’m glad to hear that some days are good.
Ginger as always I wish you only good and positive thoughts. Keep writing to rest your mind and keep resting your mind to try to focus on your body and health. Much love, xx
We all have ups and downs in our lives, it’s getting back up which is important and until you do, just follow the process, stay positive and look ahead! Meanwhile, write to express your feelings and get things off your chest; your blogger friends are here to support you and wish you well soon!
Really hope you get a diagnosis soon and that everything turns out OK. I agree with Linda, it’s the getting back up that’s important. xx
OH Hey, I know this is so off topic, but I really love this new blog design! Very fresh and cheerful! ~ Lynda 😀
Hi Ginger–haven’t seen you posting for a couple of weeks now–hope you are okay. Just wanted to let you know that I’m thinking of you. Take care. Sylvia