OOPs, a Bit Too Much!

I need to start following my own advice and pay attention to how much I am using my muscles in my pool.

I have been swimming in the evenings with my husband and spending about 15 to 20 minutes stroking through the water hoping to build back some strength in my legs after the fracture on my foot kept me from walking.  The first few times went very well and I thought I was on a roll. Wrong!

I woke up yesterday with aches and pains all over and my pain pills only lasted about 3 hours instead of the usual 6-7.

I won't say it isn't frustrating to have a body that won't cooperate with what I want to do, but at least I can still swim and soon I hope to be walking around my neighborhood again.

Without telling my real age, lets just say I am past 50 and am wondering what it must be like for some of you younger people to have to deal with this.  I can't even imagine trying to raise children and not having the full capabilities of my body.

I admire anyone dealing with chronic illness and pain that just keeps going and makes their life work.

Until next time :)

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

I was just talking on the phone to my sister and she was asking me exactly what are the symptoms of fibromyalgia, so I got online and found this article from Puristat Digestive Wellness Center that I thought detailed it the best. The article is an excellent read for anyone that wants further information on this.

From Puristat:

Formerly referred to as fibrositis, fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by muscle pain, fatigue, stiffness, and tenderness of the muscles, tendons, and joints.

Rather than being caused by tissue inflammation, the pain of fibromyalgia seems to be brought on by an extremely low pain threshold. Patients have an increased sensitivity to numerous sensory stimuli that are not normally perceived as painful to others. Emotional stress, noise, and changes in the weather aggravate the condition.

Sufferers have what are known as tender points, specific places that hurt when pressure is applied to them. These points are normally found at the back of the head, front of the neck, sides of the breastbone, shoulders, around the elbows, hips, and knees.

Exercise and Fibromyalgia

O.K., so far so good on the positive outlook, however yesterday I was a bit on the restless side so I decided I needed to get into my pool and work some of it off.  Exercise can be beneficial to those of us with fibromyalgia if we are careful to go very slowly.

So, I have this pool "noodle" that I use when I am trying to exercise my legs as I am able to concentrate solely on working the muscles I want and not be concerned with over doing it on my arms.  With the fibromyalgia I have found it pays to be careful when swimming as you have no idea how much you are using your muscles until they hurt days later.

Anyway, it was great to get out a bit and use muscles that haven't been used much lately and try to use up some of this restless energy I have.  I know when I get this way my mind can't seem to focus on anything so nothing really gets accomplished that day.  I have had the same mosaic sitting in front of me for about 3 days now because I can't make up my mind what I want to do for the background.

On a good note, I am walking better each day and am hopeful to be back to my neighborhood walks very soon.

Working on the Positive Things in Life

When I got up this morning and was sitting outside by my pool and just enjoying the peace and quiet I decided that I was going to focus on the positive things in my life.

This recession has hit my husband and I very hard in the pocketbook and it's easy to start complaining about how unfair life is but really all that does for me is make me depressed and angry so focusing on what I "do" have rather than what I don't is what I plan to do.

It will be a one-day-at-a-time kind of thing, but I will strive to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.  I have even decided to write down all the good things I have in my life because once it's on the page it becomes more real.

As many know, it's very easy to get lost in the unfairness of living with a disease or illness that changes your life so drastically, but the truth is-it isn't going to change a thing!

So maybe I am the one who needs to change.  Sounds so very simple doesn't it?

Until next time:)

What Now?

Enough is enough! I felt great for one day then plummeted down again. Back with the fevers and so very tired.

I was on the Prednisone for 5 days then off for 3, now back on again so I am still hopeful it will kick whatever I have.

It is affecting my interest in making my mosaics as every time I go into my room I feel ill.
My husband went in there early this morning and checked for any mold or mildew(which I am allergic) and steam cleaned all the powdery substance on the carpets that creep in there from cutting dish tiles.  He also sprayed some Clorox and water solution along the baseboards to kill any molds.

I sure hope this helps because I don't know what I will do if I can't make mosaics.  I have a sinking feeling the powder is getting to me.  This is something that I remember learning about having fibromyalgia; a heightened sense of smell as well as higher sensitivities to airborne particles.  All the nasal sprays I have been using arent' helping at this point.

I am beginning to get a small picture of what Job must have felt. lol

However, my foot seems to finally be on the mend. I quit stretching it and just let it be the last several days and it seems so much better.

Until next time :)

I Have Joined the Living

OMG, I cannot believe how much better I am feeling now that I have my sinus infection under control.  I get up and actually have interest and energy to do something. Hurray!

I still can't walk.  I can get from point A to point B, but actually walking for exercise is not happening.  Honestly, who would think this foot thing would still be a problem all these months later.  Anyway, I am swimming now just to keep the body from getting too stiff, bringing on fibromyalgia problems.

I use one of those "noodles" to hang on to and kick my legs back and forth not only to keep the circulation going, but hopefully to loosen whatever it is that keeps my ankle stiff and making it hard to walk. 

I tried just swimming around the pool without any floaty but the days following were killer on my back and shoulders as it was just too much for me all at once. Gotta go slow which is a hard thing to do in the pool as you can't really feel what you are doing to yourself.

I hope each of you had a good 4th of July.

Until next time :)