Voodoo Doll
This week someone who hates me is definitely holding my voodoo doll!
This week someone who hates me is definitely holding my voodoo doll!
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fibromyalgia
Showing posts with label fibromyalgia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fibromyalgia. Show all posts
Treat Yourself Tuesday
Good evening Readers!
So I received my Amazon Prime package today just in time for #TreatYourselfTuesday! The contents definitely don't look like I used the Amazon gift card from my twenty-eighth [28th] birthday; more like 70th.
I had a very rough morning in regards to pain and fatigue. I didn't leave the bedroom until noon because my hip pain was excruciating if I sat or stood in addition to terrible shooting pain in my wrists. So even though I had a list of tasks I wanted to get done today - in the bed I stayed. The additional laying helped my hip subside and it was time to get up. The fact that I came downstairs to see my Treat Yourself Tuesday package waiting at the front door was refreshing.
What did I get?
Every time that I drive in the car my back and hips scream at me! And as the story goes ususally that will trigger other issues. The slippery slope theory actually does apply to chronic pain, haha! To try and prevent this I wanted to purchase a pillow or cushion for my drivers seat. I click over to Amazon as always. I searched for a bit to see the best rated in combination with the best price; because I beleive there is no reason to spend more money than necessary on a product. [Though you don't want to be left with a P.O.S. either] so always do at least 5 minutes of researching before clicking, 'Add to Cart.'
Any links below are affialiate links and may provide a small commision without effecting your price.
My search for the cushion brought me to the ComfiLife brand options, I decided on the Gel-Enhanced Cushion for Sciata & Back Pain. [Like I said, it seems like it was more like my 70th birthday] There is a memory foam like cushion with a gel topper and it comes with a soft crushed velvet removable cover. It's like a dream to sit on!! It's only been a few hours but with constant pain it doesn't take long to make me uncomfortable. The cushion promotes good posture while providing a soft, contoured, and level seat. After a few hours of not moving out of this chair [which is very uncommon] the cushion rose back to original form immediately. We'll have to give it time to test out the longevity of that feature. Overall I'm very happy with my purchase and I am excited to be releived of pain while traveling! My mom also got me a travel neck pillow as an addition to my birthday gift so I should be much happier in the car.
I didn't just get a seat cushion with my giftcard though! HAHA I also got a sweater that for some crazy reason didn't arrive with everything else? I bought a new pair of leggings that came and could probably fit someone who's legs are the size of my ARMS. So those will be returned!
I got a suction cup handle for our shower to make sure I don't fall. A shower ususally takes a lot of energy out of me so just in case!
And lastly, I bought a bluetooth keyboard to accompany our recently refurbished Verizon Ellipsis 10 Tablet. Yay! I'm using it right now to write up this post. It's just slightly bigger than our 10in. tablet which gives it a perfect fit for me to type quickly. What I liked about this option in particular: NO cords! It's a bluetooth connection and it doesn't need to be charged you simply need 2 AAA batteries. Which was a plus for me; less parts to loose while traveling and you can always find batteries! It is exactly what I wanted; the Amazon page created a perfect decription for me.
Acceptence?
I realize I need to start to accept how my life has changed and will most likely continue to change. I CANNOT be upset about what the 'old me' could do. These are the first steps to moving away from those thoughts. Focus on positive thoughts about what I can do and what I have accomplished.
I cannot wait for my appointment on October 28th with Dr. Jerden! Even though a prescription will not garuntee any releif and never full releif; I'm still very hopeful to get back to a regular schedule.
...the future is bright!
xoxo
D.Hord
Good evening Readers! So I received my Amazon Prime package today just in time for #TreatYourselfTuesday ! The contents definitely don...
Rhuematologlist Appointment
What do I know Now?
Well I didn't find out much! Though I now feel much more positive going forward. I met with Dr. Jerden after completing all the new patient forms. Everyone in the office felt genuinely kind. Dr. Jerden looked at my file then we had a discussion of all the symptoms I've been having, when it had all started, and how bad it is. He did some physical movement tests proceeded by some pressure point checks. That is when he explained the result of the degeneration in my neck.
The primary care doctor had told me that two areas in my neck x-rays show degeneration. Dr. Jerden explained that this was osteoarthritis. It may have been caused by my accident or by strain and overuse through life. This happens normally but mine is more progressed than normal, though it is not something to be concerned with.
I learned that there is another similar condition Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome that I hadn't seen in my research. Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome can co-exist. The doctor suggested that I could have Fibro as a secondary or even third level condition. Seriously?
Clearly I'm hoping there is not more than one thing we have to treat.
After reviewing the labs that had been requested by my primary care doctor, Dr. Jerden explained the the C-reactive protein was taken for cardiac instead of regular. So that is one of the tests that needs to be taken. More blood work yay!
He asked about family histories and places we've gone. Covering everything. I felt he heard me, I was very comfortable at this office and with this doctor. I felt positive and hopeful that I will get some relief from my symptoms.
I'm having blood drawn for 11 different tests. Dr. Jerden listed some of the items that could be diagnosed from these tests: Autoimmune diseases like lupus, inflammatory markers,a more definite rheumatoid marker, and as the doctor said, a bunch of other stuff you don't want to worry about. When he heard we had been in Punta Cana and Jamaica right around the time my symptoms began he ordered some extra tests. He wanted to be sure to cover all bases even though I have had vaccinations. Which I definitely support!
At the end of the appointment he said,
"Don't worry if it was anything too bad I'd be sending you to the hospital"
I'll be getting my blood taken tomorrow, Thursday, October 4th. The office will call me is there is anything else pressing to speak about. So now it is wait until my next appointment, Friday October 28th at 10am. The waiting game for a diagnosis or test results oscillates between positive and negative. There are so many worse diseases or disorders that I could find out I have. Though there is HOPE that it's something even less serious, not chronic, and curable!
I'm going to stay positive through these next three and a half weeks. (I say to myself still only half believing it )
I'm so happy with my decision to see Rheumatology Specialty Center & Dr. Jerden.
I feel positive, comfortable, and trusting.
...the future is bright
xoxo
D. Hord
What do I know Now? Well I didn't find out much! Though I now feel much more positive going forward. I met with Dr. Jerden after complet...
Invisible Illness. What does it feel like?
So I have an invisible illness...
My Invisible Illness is almost definitely Fibromyalgia with the possibility of other disorders. My first appointment to discuss what I had been going through happened in June, see my first post on the possible cause and beginning stages of the illness: I'm not crazy...
As I mentioned in that post, it took me a while once my new insurance was in place to make the correct appointments. I was scared. I was scared it was going to be something worse than Fibro (short for Fibromyalgia).
I track all my symptoms, supplements, & medications in a google drive doc so I can always access it and add anything needed. Since I now forget everything, this is great. I then just print it out and bring it to the doctor. I think I was just scared to find out a definite reason for my symptoms. When you are sick and you don't understand why; you tend to read a lot online. The articles and papers you read normally tend to focus on the negatives. I'm still paranoid that I have cancer or some other more serious disease. I have an appointment on Tuesday with the Rheumatologist so I'm hopeful that will bring some answers. I found that Pinterest is the best place to look for resources and helpful tips about Fibro.
Symptoms: What do I feel?
It started with just being tired all the time. After the wedding in February, it seemed I never felt normal. The first sign that manifested was that I was getting over 8 hours of sleep a night and still was never refreshed. I was working everyday during the summer (even weekends) which was adding to the fatigue. I had never been someone who needed much sleep to be productive. I could get 4 hours and you would never know. That quickly vanished and I needed sleep whenever I could get it in.Then came the exhaustion in my body. At first it wasn't that intense, I thought it had just been due to my lack of exercise and weight gain. As time continued it worsened, at the start of June it reached the point where it is now. I don't know that you can truly understand what this means without feeling it, but I will attempt.
It feels like a Gravitron ride that never stops.
This exhaustion came from deep in my muscles. My limbs would be too tired to use, stairs and quick walking were issues. Sometimes my arms/legs will go numb from a normal sitting position. I am weak when I used to be strong. I have trouble opening jars. I feel like I have aged 50 years. I've always been very independent and sadly I need help often now. It's definitely been a difficult transition but I don't really have a say, my body is going to do what it wants.
Next on the list was the soreness!
This was like I've never felt in my life, in every single part of my body. It felt like I had completed a full body workout the last several days ...which would be impossible in my current state. The soreness is worst when I wake and at the end of the night. It aches from your muscles and joints. Walking down a set of stairs is painful, getting up out of a chair is painful, pretty much living a normal life creates pain, exhaustion, and soreness. The worst part is it never goes away. There are times when I'm feeling better than others but there are also days of worst pain. I have a new normal that I am still adjusting to.
The full blown pain came in June. I mostly feel it in my neck, lower back, knees and ankles (Though is can be felt in all areas.) The different pains are weird, random, and varying in degree. I get these needle like pin pricks with stabbing pain which feels like getting a needle pushed into your skin that makes my body jerk in reaction. It is a jabbing painful sensation that happens random times and places in your body. My pain comes in many ways: stabbing, shooting, throbbing, and aching.
Joints ache, some days I can't even hold up my phone or type because it's more pain than the text is worth. Joints also have these shooting pains sometimes, feels like the inside of your bone in a way. A lot of this is even hard for me, the person experiencing it, to understand.
One of my most hated symptoms is the itching (apparently this is a less common symptom), but unfortunately it's on my list. Scratching does nothing to soothe the itch and sometimes just causes pain. Literally driving me crazy. The itch happens in all different areas but most commonly my feet.
I also experience pelvic pain/pressure similar to a menstrual cramp. Which is annoying but one of the symptoms I often forget about as the severity is way less than everything else.
My feet and hands swell if I've been active over about 15 minutes. After standing for long periods, usually when I'm making dinners, my heels feel like they are being sliced off. It's incredibly painful I immediately have to sit down.
Headaches are more common (I've always gotten more than average). I've had TMJ since I was very little. Wikipedia gives a full explanation here, wikipedia/Temporomandibular Joint. My jaw clicks when I open it, the click is the two bones rubbing together. This pain has worsened with the Fibro as well.
Over the summer I started to notice that I was sweating way more than I was used to. After a little research I realized that it was normal with Fibro. Temperature sensitivity - too cold or too hot. Behind my knees and face would be dripping after only a few minutes being warm or outside. Now that the season is changing I have noticed the sensitivity to the cold. I get shivers and goose bumps so quickly. My body is never a comfortable temperature.
I am barely able to get a good nights sleep. I have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. All of the symptoms above are what aid in the lack of sleep. We are in the process of replacing our mattress so hopefully that will help in the long run. I get about 3-7 hours of sleep per evening. It is never consecutive because I wake with pain, ache, or having to use the bathroom. After waking during the night, I am often left awake wishing to be back to sleep for 30 minutes up to several hours.
Intestinal issues are an everyday struggle.
Mental fog and forgetfulness: I have moments where in the middle of a conversation I'm blank, all thoughts are cleared and it takes a few secs to mins to regain my thought [or help from Jason as he fills in words in conversation for me <3 ]. I forget everything! I used to remember everything, now I walk out of the house with out something go back in get it then drive down the road and realize I forgot 5 other things. I forget conversations that I've had just a few days ago. It's the opposite of how I used to be and it's so aggravating.
That's most of the stuff that happens on a daily or weekly basis.
The stuff that helps:
(I carry a bag everywhere that has all of these items in it)
The links below are affiliate links, your price will not be effected, though I may make a small commission.
Itching: Capzasin, Fibro Cream
Pains in joints and muscles: Capzasin, Fibro Cream, Icy Hot
Headaches & General Soothing: Eucalyptus Towels
Exercising is difficult and can end up causes more pain than relief so starting very slow with low impact is the best. I've started practicing yoga. So far just about once per week.
Lots and lots of gentle stretching. For me this is the hardest thing to remember to do even though it's so simple. I'm working on it though.
Weight lifting of 5-10lbs and low reps can be beneficial. I just started this last week and I think going to be very beneficial.
Supplements: After researching I have found some supplements that have helped others with fibromyalgia. I think these are helping but I also started them all not long after I quit which took away all of my stress.
- Florastor 250mg
- Citrucel 900mg (a.m.), 900mg (p.m.)
- Fish Oil 300mg (a.m.), 300mg (p.m.)
- Magnesium 500mg
- Melatonin 10mg (p.m.)
- D3 3000IU (was taking 2000IU/day but D was low in blood work so doc increased a 1000IU)
- B12
- Tumeric 538mg
- Folic Acid 400mg
- Ibprofen 400-800mg/day
I also get a massage every other week. I found Cindy at Hand and Stone who is very knowledgeable with Fibro and has been able to really help me. If a masseuse doesn't have experience they can end up leaving you with more pain.
I hope this can help the people who didn't know what Fibro is to understand a little better.
...the future is bright!
xoxo
D.Hord
So I have an invisible illness... For people who do not understand, that means that I have a condition of sorts that does not show on the e...
Hummus Salsa Snack
Need a quick snack to tie you over without packing on the calories?!
Look no more...
And there you have a quick yummy snack. I am not the biggest fan of hummus but once it is mixed with the salsa it sort of tricks your taste buds into thinking you're having a queso of some sort. QUESO is my mother f*ckin jam! It's one of the best things to eat. Sadly isn't not the best for you! This is a new option for me now to substitute when needed to try to keep those pounds I've already lost off!
Look no more...
Hummus Salsa Dip for Corn Chips
You'll need to buy some hummus & salsa of your choice. We used Sabra Roasted Red Pepper hummus.Simply mix the hummus container with about a 1/4 cup of salsa.
And there you have a quick yummy snack. I am not the biggest fan of hummus but once it is mixed with the salsa it sort of tricks your taste buds into thinking you're having a queso of some sort. QUESO is my mother f*ckin jam! It's one of the best things to eat. Sadly isn't not the best for you! This is a new option for me now to substitute when needed to try to keep those pounds I've already lost off!
...the future is bright!
xoxo
D.Hord
Need a quick snack to tie you over without packing on the calories?! Look no more... Hummus Salsa Dip for Corn Chips You'll need t...
Lettuce Wrap Burger
Weekend of Protein Part 1 of 3
This afternoon Hubby and I went to Haring Brothers Meats to pick up some meat that will be used in a future post. While we were there we decided on dinner for the evening...burgers made from ground sirloin!
Haring Brothers menu above their order counter.
Cheeseburgers are my favorite food.
I eat about 1-3 burgers a week so I think I know what makes a great one. Hubby and I have even developed our own rating system where burgers are rated 1 to 5 Dickey's [my maiden name].
This burger tonight was 5 Dickeys for sure!
It's not that often I find a 5 Dickey burger. To keep my health in mind and in the on going quest to lose some pounds I went sans-bun tonight instead opting for Boston leaf lettuce to wrap my burger. Let me tell you it was every bit as satisfying as with the bun. WHAT? Did I just say that?! Well I never thought I would, but it's true I didn't miss the bread. It's definitely been an on-going journey of shutting up that little fat bitch in my tummy. I just keep on keeping on. Mess up with one meal or snack and decide to do better the rest of the day. I don't always make the right decision with food but I am actively thinking about it every time I do now. That in itself I see as a bit of a win! SO back to what you came here for; an amazing and delicious burger recipe!
Lettuce Wrap Burger
[Affilitate links below, they will give a
small commision at no charge to you]
Items Needed:
- 1 lbs Ground Sirloin
- 4 leaves Boston Lettuce
- Pickles
- 6 tbsp Sabra Spreads Honey Mustard (YUM!)
- Grill (or alternative cooking method)
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp McCormick Grill Mates Hamburger seasoning*
- 4 tbsp Montreal Burger & Steak Rub*
- 2 slices of your favorite cheese (I chose white cheddar tonight)
- Meat thermometer
*After trying many spice blends for red meat I highly recommend the two above. They both provide delicious taste and ease of use.
Recipe makes 2 burgers if you want them large!
The first step is to gather all of your ingredients, you'll want to double check you have everything before you get started! The worst is when you are partially through a delicious recipe when you realize that you need to make a grocery store run, UGH!
I often grab spices at the dollar store for a great discount!
Grab your ground sirloin and toss it in a medium size mixing bowl. Dump in each of your spices. Use your hands [Yes it is gross, but it really is the best way to do it] to thoroughly mix the meat and all of the spices. Split the meat into two equal parts. Form each into a ball, flatten, then push a thumbprint into each side the of burger. [This is to help prevent your hamburger patty from turning into a ball during the cooking process.] Repeat with the second patty. Now you'll want to start up the grill! Finally toss the burgers on the grill. - Tip from Jason -
(know as Hubby on HordAholic)
If you followed this recipe you probably have some pretty thick burgers. To be sure that these burgers are cooked properly it is wise to use a meat thermometer to ensure that your burgers have cooked through to at least 160 degrees fahrenheit. Safety in cooking is always priority!
Once the burger reached the
magic number of 160 degrees, it's time for cheese!
Our burgers took about 15 or so minutes to cook. Grab your cheese and lay it on the burger. Let the cheeseburgers cook for an additional 2-3 mins so the cheese can melt.
Once the cheese is melted bring the burgers in. Let the burger sit for at least two minutes. Cut the burger in half. Lay out the Boston lettuce leaves onto your plate. Place a pickle on each. Put each half burger into a leaf. Top it with Sabra Spreads Honey Mustard and ENJOY!
Tonight I paired my lettuce wrap
burger with a large bowl of applesauce.
The future is bright...
xoxo
D. Hord
Left to right: Jason's Bacon topped Bacon BBQ Burger (yes, Bacon topped Bacon Burger!) with mayo & BBQ sauce with a side of macaroni salad. HordAholic's Lettuce Wrap Burger w. Sabra Speads Honey Mustard and a side of applesauce.
Jason's burger is Part 2 of The Weekend of Protein, STAY TUNED!
Weekend of Protein Part 1 of 3 This afternoon Hubby and I went to Haring Brothers Meats to pick up some meat that will be used in a future ...
I am not crazy...and now I can prove it!
Hello Everyone, welcome to HordAholic!
I woke up today to a voicemail on my phone that made me feel positive about my health for the first time in months. I had gotten X-rays done on Friday and the results came in to the doctor this morning. The areas that came back normal were my ankles and lumbar. My neck however came back with at least two degenerative areas. The plan was already to make an appointment with the Rheumatologist. My appointment is now set for October 3rd. I will be seeing Dr. Dennis Jerdan, MD, MDA at the Rheumatology Specialty Center in Willow Grove. Dr. Jerdan has a long list of credentials and having this result on the X-ray and my appointment have given me a plan of action for the next few weeks.
The X-ray coming back with proof of something wrong with me was so uplifting today. Sometimes I sit here in pain and wondering if my mind is making it up. How could I really be hurting and aching this much at 27? Well today I received evidence!
Now the history behind why I'm feeling pain and aches, as well as a long list of other symptoms.
#LongReadSo let's start by going back to a little under a year ago when this journey began.
November 2nd, 2015 was the day after I ran my last half-marathon with my best friend, Kit! I had stayed in the city and gotten home around 8pm. I realized that I was out of Kale and I wanted to keep being healthy and make a smoothie for breakfast. So I got in my car to head to the store.
At the stop sign of Kellers Church and 611 I waited as a truck of some sort was approaching. The truck pulled to the side slightly and flashed his lights for me to go. (Often happens at this stop sign as the stop light for Stump is very close.) I make my right and brake behind a Highlander at the red light.
For some reason I look in my rear view mirror and see the truck coming at me at what seems like full speed. The next thing I know the truck hit my back end, slamming my car into the Highlander. The truck then throws it in reverse and slams into a Cavalier that was approaching. The truck turns right down Kellers Church and disappeared forever.
My 2015 White Mazda3 totaled after the crash.
Now you're probably thinking ‘well that really sucks,’ two cars totaled and the Highlander with damage and no one to take the blame. The police never found the driver of the hit and run.
I had some soreness over the next few days, which was to be expected, but that went away and I moved on with my life…but as we were prepping and planning for our wedding through the coming months and our travels afterwards I began to feel tired and weak often and I was starting to have issues walking up and down the stairs.
There was no time to give it too much thought though as I was back to work in March as busy season at my job was approaching. I had been working as a personnel manager at a pool management company, overseeing about 300 employees, usually between the ages of 15 and 24. This was my 9th year at the company and I had always envisioned working there forever. I had no plans to leave.
As the work got busier, the stress increased and more symptoms began to emerge. With only one day off per month I wasn't able to cope. I had trouble sleeping, I was aching in my muscles and joints consistently. My neck and back pain grew by the day and even a monthly massage did not ease any of the pain. I knew something was not right with my body. At the age of 27 I should not be in pain, and especially not every day. I knew something had to change.
Sometime in late June I had seen a commercial for a medicine that treated Fibromyalgia. The person in the commercial moved a certain way when reacting to pain and it just caught my attention. It sounded like what was happening to me. So I started researching. I went to the doctor on June 22nd. Dr. Lemen, my normal physician, was out on maternity leave so I saw someone new. I told the doctor about all of my current symptoms and that I had done research on Fibromyalgia because I was concerned that it could be my issue. She tested me for Rheumatoid Arthritis and said if the test is negative you probably do have Fibromyalgia. I left the appointment feeling like I didn't know anything new. Tests for Rheumatoid came back negative and there was no follow up communication from the doctor after.
I continued to try to deal with all of the symptoms, while the list of what was wrong seemed to grow by the week. I called off from work and tried to work from home but that didn't seem to help. I was mentally breaking down every day; I would start crying randomly and wouldn't be able to control my emotions. I decided that morning, with the blessing of my truly amazing husband, that I could no longer put my job before myself. I walked in and told the owner I just couldn't do it anymore. I felt guilty and knew I was leaving them high and dry, especially before the July 4th holiday weekend. I just couldn't make it through even the rest of the day. I was not me.
After leaving my job, I had to get new insurance settled and wait for Dr. Lemen to return to the office. I then procrastinated on making an appointment for some reason. I think I was just worried what I would find out. It is very scary when your body is making you feel terrible and you don't know why.
I went to see Dr. Lemen on Thursday September 8th. This appointment made me feel positive. I was to have blood work done, x-rays taken, and make an appointment with a Rheumatologist. The next day I had the blood work and x-rays taken. The bloodwork results are not available yet, but the x-rays showed two areas of degenerative changes. The neck degeneration is almost certainly from the car accident. Fibromyalgia is usually triggered by a trauma to the body of some sort. From what I know so far there is no way to know for sure if the accident triggered the Fibromyalgia (if indeed that is what I have). Once Oct. 3rd arrives I will know a lot more.
I feel positive with the doctor and facility I chose. I am feeling hopeful that this will bring me to a course of treatment and I can feel normal at some point again.
The future is bright.
xoxo
D. Hord
Hello Everyone, welcome to HordAholic ! I woke up today to a voicemail on my phone that made me feel positive about my health for the fir...
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