I have been having a fibromyalgia flare up all week this week, worse than I have for a long time. Then to top it off, I slipped down the stairs when my left leg gave way, and hurt my wrist, ankle and elbow. Being in chronic pain and trying to keep up with everything doesn't always work no matter how hard I try. I am determined though to keep claiming God's healing though in Jesus Name!!!
For those of us who have fibromyalgia (or anything else similar), whichever works FOR YOU, complete faith or seeing your doctor, "Thank God for your healing - HOWEVER it comes! - and do NOT let Satan put you under condemnation. It is none of his business!!!" (a quote by Kenneth Copeland)
Showing posts with label Fibromyalgia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fibromyalgia. Show all posts
Friday, May 27, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
As Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor, put in to words exactly what I am feeling right now when she said, "I need a fresh start. I mean, I really need a fresh start. I have so much I want to do and share with my children and yet lack either the time or motivation or energy to do it all." I have especially found this to be true since I found out what has been wrong with me and was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. The lack of energy is one of my biggest struggles! Many nights, I sleep "okay," and many other nights, usually for days in a row, I will sleep "miserably" at best. When I sleep miserable, getting up by 7:30 is a true struggle for me. It is something I have to force, and I mean literally force, myself to do. But to be a good example to my children, I make myself. Oh I desire to wake up full of energy like I used to. I used to be, and had always been, a morning person. From the time I was a kid, and had to wake up my mom, brother and sister, I used to go in and start saying, "Rise & Shine! Give God the Glory!" Ask my older kids, they were less than thrilled to hear me come in in the morning saying this, much like my brother and sister were years back. Now while I do still say that some mornings to my younger children who are still in the nest, I am not so cheerful and enthusiastic as I used to be. When I first wake up, I am most always stiff and sore, and at first walking anywhere in the morning is painful, especially walking down the stairs to the main floor!!
So, what do I need more than a fresh start for this upcoming school semester in this new 2011 year? I need fresh help!!! And after reminding myself who this fresh help comes from, I am reminded that it comes from the Lord Jesus Himself.
"I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me." Psalm 57:2
And another verse that says, "Be confident of this very thing: that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6
I need the excitement and enthusiasm that I remember having had in the past. This is our 18th year of home schooling. 18 years! Home schooling in IA has only been legal for I believe 20 or 21 years now. When we first felt led to home homeschool our children, it was new and very people heard of it, and even fewer dared to actually admit that they were doing it! Back then, it was so new, and different. Now, it is as common as flowers blooming in the spring. I want and need that excitement again! I want and need that enthusiasm and energy again! Please Lord, I pray and ask YOU to give me that back again. This comes from the bottom of my heart Lord, from the depths of my soul. Please, Lord, perform all these things for me.
So, what do I need more than a fresh start for this upcoming school semester in this new 2011 year? I need fresh help!!! And after reminding myself who this fresh help comes from, I am reminded that it comes from the Lord Jesus Himself.
"I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me." Psalm 57:2
And another verse that says, "Be confident of this very thing: that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6
I need the excitement and enthusiasm that I remember having had in the past. This is our 18th year of home schooling. 18 years! Home schooling in IA has only been legal for I believe 20 or 21 years now. When we first felt led to home homeschool our children, it was new and very people heard of it, and even fewer dared to actually admit that they were doing it! Back then, it was so new, and different. Now, it is as common as flowers blooming in the spring. I want and need that excitement again! I want and need that enthusiasm and energy again! Please Lord, I pray and ask YOU to give me that back again. This comes from the bottom of my heart Lord, from the depths of my soul. Please, Lord, perform all these things for me.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
A Life With Fibromyagia
This is something that I feel deserves to be repeated, though I know I have put it on here once before. It speaks volumes to what I wish people could understand. I am not just trying to "be lazy" or am "just getting old." To those of us who have this, it is very real to us!
Having chronic pain means many things change.
I have to spend most of my day in considerable pain and exhaustion, and if you visit, sometimes I probably don't seem like much fun to be with, but I'm still me-- stuck inside this body. I still care about schooling my kids, about my family, my friends, and most of the time - I'd still like to hear you talk about yours, too.
When you've got the flu, you probably feel miserable with it, but I've been sick for over a year with this but it wan't diagnosed yet. I can't be miserable all the time. In fact, I work hard at not being miserable. So, if you're talking to me and I sound happy, it means I'm happy. That's all. It doesn't mean that I'm not in a lot of pain, or extremely tired, or that I'm getting better, or any of those things. I am merely coping. I am sounding happy and trying to look normal. If you want to comment on that, you're welcome.
Being able to stand up for ten minutes doesn't necessarily mean that I can stand up for twenty minutes, or an hour. Just because I managed to stand up for thirty minutes yesterday doesn't mean that I can do the same today. I never know from day to day, how I am going to feel when I wake up. In most cases, I never know from minute to minute. That is one of the hardest and most frustrating components of chronic pain.
Chronic pain is variable. It's quite possible (for many, it's common) that one day I am able to walk to the park and back, while the next day I'll have trouble getting to the next room. In a similar vein, I may need to cancel a previous commitment at the last minute. If this happens, please do not take it personally. If you are able, please try to always remember how very lucky you are--to be physically able to do all of the things that you can do.
"Getting out and doing things" does not make me feel better, and can often make me seriously worse. You don't know what I go through or how I suffer in my own private time. Sometimes participating in a single activity for a short or a long period of time can cause more damage and physical pain than you could ever imagine. Not to mention the recovery time, which can be intense. You can't always read it on my face or in my body language. Also, chronic pain may cause secondary depression (wouldn't you get depressed and down if you were hurting constantly for months or years?), but it is not created by depression.
If I say I have to sit down/lie down/stay in bed/or take these pills now, that probably means that I do have to do it right now - it can't be put off or forgotten just because I'm somewhere, or am right in the middle of doing something. Chronic pain does not forgive, nor does it wait for anyone.
If you want to suggest a cure to me, please don't, except my the Lord's complete healing. In all likelihood, if you've heard of it or tried it, so have I. It also includes failure, which in and of itself can make me feel even lower. If there were something that cured, or even helped people with my form of chronic pain, then we'd know about it. There is worldwide networking (both on and off the Internet) between people with chronic pain. If something worked, we would KNOW. It's definitely not for lack of trying. If, after reading this, you still feel the need to suggest a cure, then so be it. I may take what you said and discuss it with my doctor.
If I seem touchy, it's probably because I am. It's really not how I try to be!! As a matter of fact, I try very hard to be normal. I hope you will try to understand. I have been, and am still, going through a lot. Chronic pain is hard for you to understand unless you have had it. It wreaks havoc on the body and the mind. It is exhausting and exasperating. Almost all the time, I know that I am doing my best to cope with this, and live my life to the best of my ability. I ask you to bear with me, and accept me as I am. I know that you cannot literally understand my situation unless you have been in my shoes, but as much as is possible, I am asking you to try to be understanding in general.
In many ways I depend on you - people who are not sick. I need you to visit me when I am too sick to go out... Sometimes I need you help me with the shopping, helping me cook or clean something for me. I may need you to take me to the doctor, or to the store. You are my link to the normalcy of life. You can help me to keep in touch with the parts of life that I miss and fully intend to undertake again, just as soon as I am able.
Having chronic pain means many things change.
I have to spend most of my day in considerable pain and exhaustion, and if you visit, sometimes I probably don't seem like much fun to be with, but I'm still me-- stuck inside this body. I still care about schooling my kids, about my family, my friends, and most of the time - I'd still like to hear you talk about yours, too.
When you've got the flu, you probably feel miserable with it, but I've been sick for over a year with this but it wan't diagnosed yet. I can't be miserable all the time. In fact, I work hard at not being miserable. So, if you're talking to me and I sound happy, it means I'm happy. That's all. It doesn't mean that I'm not in a lot of pain, or extremely tired, or that I'm getting better, or any of those things. I am merely coping. I am sounding happy and trying to look normal. If you want to comment on that, you're welcome.
Being able to stand up for ten minutes doesn't necessarily mean that I can stand up for twenty minutes, or an hour. Just because I managed to stand up for thirty minutes yesterday doesn't mean that I can do the same today. I never know from day to day, how I am going to feel when I wake up. In most cases, I never know from minute to minute. That is one of the hardest and most frustrating components of chronic pain.
Chronic pain is variable. It's quite possible (for many, it's common) that one day I am able to walk to the park and back, while the next day I'll have trouble getting to the next room. In a similar vein, I may need to cancel a previous commitment at the last minute. If this happens, please do not take it personally. If you are able, please try to always remember how very lucky you are--to be physically able to do all of the things that you can do.
"Getting out and doing things" does not make me feel better, and can often make me seriously worse. You don't know what I go through or how I suffer in my own private time. Sometimes participating in a single activity for a short or a long period of time can cause more damage and physical pain than you could ever imagine. Not to mention the recovery time, which can be intense. You can't always read it on my face or in my body language. Also, chronic pain may cause secondary depression (wouldn't you get depressed and down if you were hurting constantly for months or years?), but it is not created by depression.
If I say I have to sit down/lie down/stay in bed/or take these pills now, that probably means that I do have to do it right now - it can't be put off or forgotten just because I'm somewhere, or am right in the middle of doing something. Chronic pain does not forgive, nor does it wait for anyone.
If you want to suggest a cure to me, please don't, except my the Lord's complete healing. In all likelihood, if you've heard of it or tried it, so have I. It also includes failure, which in and of itself can make me feel even lower. If there were something that cured, or even helped people with my form of chronic pain, then we'd know about it. There is worldwide networking (both on and off the Internet) between people with chronic pain. If something worked, we would KNOW. It's definitely not for lack of trying. If, after reading this, you still feel the need to suggest a cure, then so be it. I may take what you said and discuss it with my doctor.
If I seem touchy, it's probably because I am. It's really not how I try to be!! As a matter of fact, I try very hard to be normal. I hope you will try to understand. I have been, and am still, going through a lot. Chronic pain is hard for you to understand unless you have had it. It wreaks havoc on the body and the mind. It is exhausting and exasperating. Almost all the time, I know that I am doing my best to cope with this, and live my life to the best of my ability. I ask you to bear with me, and accept me as I am. I know that you cannot literally understand my situation unless you have been in my shoes, but as much as is possible, I am asking you to try to be understanding in general.
In many ways I depend on you - people who are not sick. I need you to visit me when I am too sick to go out... Sometimes I need you help me with the shopping, helping me cook or clean something for me. I may need you to take me to the doctor, or to the store. You are my link to the normalcy of life. You can help me to keep in touch with the parts of life that I miss and fully intend to undertake again, just as soon as I am able.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
A Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia
About 3 weeks ago, I decided that I had procrastinated about going to our doctor long enough, and that I needed to find out what was wrong with me because I had been dealing with pain in my muscles, joints, ligaments, etc., for over a year now. The pain was getting worse and worse. There had to be a reason, right? However, there had been so much going on in our lives (like 3 new grand babies!) so taking care of myself wasn't my highest priority. :+) Well I went in and explained my symptoms, she ran a bunch of tests on everything from my thyroid to checking for arthritis. My low thyroid came back fine with the medicine I am already on, and it is not arthritis. However, I do have fibromyalgia. I have all the "tender points" that this disease has, as well as the "fibro fog" that makes me forget some things (so lists are becoming a necessity for me), the sleeplessness, the Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) which makes me absolutely crazy many nights, and of course, the Chronic pain that comes with this disease. Some days the pain is so bad that I can barely move. Some days I hurt so bad that I want to nothing but cry. However, my doctor started me on a medicine geared toward Fibromyalgia called Savella. I have finished my two week titration pack, and am now on a full dose of it, morning and night. I pray that it helps!!! Living with chronic pain is not something that I thought I had in my future. However, what I have always assumed was my "mono achiness" as I called it, (since I have had it since I was a Junior in high school), I assumed that this was just that stuff getting worse for whatever odd reason. Well, now we know what it actually is, and I know what I can do to better control it and hopefully reduce much of the pain.
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