Diagnosed on Tuesday while seeing a doctor that my comp doctor sent me to, who was supposed to fix what the specialist out of the area thought I had. Instead she gives me this diagnosis!
I promptly went to the library and checked out every single book on the subject. Having been in the medical field for over 30 years, I know this started out as an "all in your head" type of thing that many doctors did not believe in, so I was not thrilled for this reason to be given this diagnosis.
However, research has come a long way. Apparently exercise is not going to be optional anymore for me. AND I had better start taking my vitamins along with a B-complex. AND diet, forget anymore yummy fall desserts made with apples and pumpkins... sugar is bad. Milk and gluten are iffy.
I am like the worst person in the world to be given this diagnosis as I am totally not into holistic medicine. Apparently I have to start being into it as this seems to be the only treatment, other than a few drugs.
So this should be fun! At least I live in Northern California where alternative medicine is abundant. Hey maybe I can get my 215 card!
On the frugal front, I am trying really hard because I really don't see myself going back to work now. DH and daughter are both being supportive and daughter has been helping out much more (anything other than what she was doing is much more!)
Luckily before being diagnosed I put up 12 jars of apple butter and 7 quarts of apple filling and froze some more chopped apples (for those yummy fall desserts). I also made an apple pie that morning. The pie is gone so I will not be making another one until I see if this giving up sugar thing helps. The apples were "free" and after buying a new water bath canner and the jars, I still think it was a good investment.
I plan to get better and use the canner in the coming years.
Oh and my left leg is shorter than my right, so I had to get one of those gel insert thingees to put in my left shoe.
I am trying to be positive (since that is another treatment), but having always been a very busy person, it is going to definitely be a challenge to "take care of myself" as I am always taking care of everyone else.
I bought some new fabric that I love! I am also supposed to do something every day I enjoy... quilting!
Of course this little face along with my neighbor's little girl is enough to make me happy.
Okay....time to get up. It took forever to catch up on everyone's blogs! Reading them does remind me of things I need to do and I do appreciate everyone's blogs. Yes I read every entry! That is why I blog so little. I get too caught up in everyone else!
Fibromyalgia....who, me?
October 21st, 2010 at 05:19 pm
October 21st, 2010 at 05:38 pm 1287682697
Well I wish you every success with your lifestyle(food/exercise) changes and I hope the symptoms weaken soon !! :-)
Love the pic of the kids - like me - Chocolate monsters ! hehe
October 21st, 2010 at 05:57 pm 1287683874
October 21st, 2010 at 06:04 pm 1287684279
October 21st, 2010 at 06:39 pm 1287686357
Sorry about the diagnosis... it sounds like you're staying very positive about it all and willing to try out new things. I can imagine that little girl will be what keeps you going and motivated! Hugs and best wishes!!
ps - I too spend more time reading than writing :-)
October 21st, 2010 at 07:42 pm 1287690163
October 21st, 2010 at 08:04 pm 1287691486
October 21st, 2010 at 08:57 pm 1287694653
Anyway, good luck to you. I'm a sugar monster, too, but I understand the craving lessons when you cut it out.
October 21st, 2010 at 09:46 pm 1287697606
Love those cute kiddies, BTW! They'd make me smile if I was feeling bad, too!
October 22nd, 2010 at 01:40 am 1287711611
I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Hopefully the changes you're making will start to help you feel better, and you at least know what is going on with your health.
October 22nd, 2010 at 04:26 am 1287721595
October 22nd, 2010 at 11:39 am 1287747591
The two babies are adorable; and you have been doing some canning - Love it.
October 22nd, 2010 at 01:38 pm 1287754713
I think a diagnosis is good in that now you can find a course to feel better!
October 22nd, 2010 at 09:50 pm 1287784232
However, when I think about waking up being in pain the rest of my life, I get a bit teary, at least it is manageable pain. I know there are people who are way worse off than me, and hopefully I can reverse it to some extent.
My husband is supportive, my daughters are fairly supportive, and yes I have that sweet little face every day for the next several months!
I am trying to be as gluten and sugar-free as possible (but I am human!). I also plan to quilt or knit for at least 30 minutes every day, and of course exercise (well okay maybe not EVERY day). Luckily I have a treadmill so that makes it easy, especially with the rains coming to Northern Coastal California.
October 22nd, 2010 at 10:21 pm 1287786104
Jerry
October 23rd, 2010 at 12:54 pm 1287838483
October 23rd, 2010 at 03:23 pm 1287847435
Those lids and bands are your jars photograph as if they were stainless steel. Would that be a good idea? Especially if the lids would have enough rubber on them to actually be reusable.
And those fabrics really look cheerily familiar from my childhood days. I notice the 1960's popping up in interior decor a lot lately.
October 23rd, 2010 at 09:18 pm 1287868687
I agree about the fabrics, some I don't like, but this Moda series, I am totally in love with. The colors are actually a little brighter and I did not lay out my favorites either as well.
October 25th, 2010 at 06:51 pm 1288032711
October 26th, 2010 at 07:42 pm 1288122150
October 27th, 2010 at 01:50 am 1288144256
I am sorry that it seems to be something that is iffy and not a simple diagnosis, but you seem positive about it. In the end, the changes you are about to make can only be GOOD for you, even if initially you don't want to. You will probably find it will get easier as you go along.
October 28th, 2010 at 11:55 pm 1288310145
Sorry to read about the fibromyalgia diagnosis. However, I get the feeling by reading your blog that you are a positive person; which is half the battle, right? I've heard accupuncture is helpful. And I'm shocked you don't have a 215 card already. lol. I mean LOOK at WHERE you live!
October 29th, 2010 at 11:47 pm 1288396037
I read a book long ago by Jon Kabit-Zinn titled "Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness". I think his scientific/ medical background and approach would be compatable with a non wholistic medical background. I read it because back then there was very little written on mindfulness.
A book I have not read is "Break Through Pain: A Step-by-Step Mindfulness Meditation Program for Transforming Chronic and Acute Pain". I have read everything else Shinzen Young has written and he has a gift for making things easy to understand. His writings have definate Zen overtones.
Hope this helps.
October 30th, 2010 at 07:17 pm 1288466268
I agree with CB, that you might want to get a second opinion too be sure.
Glad hubby is onboard with you though, what a tremendous help that should be!
I LOVED the fabric! Enjoy your quilting!