I Received the "Happy Award"

I have been given the "Happy Award" from Michele of Do Beautiful Things. I first met Michele when she started to follow my blog. She frequently leaves very nice comments and I want her to know how much I appreciate that. It keeps me going.

The Happy comes with a few conditions, which I repeat for you here:

1. Copy and paste the award on your blog.

2. List who gave the award to you and link to his/her blog.

3. List 10 things that make you happy.

4.Pass the award on to other bloggers and visit their blogs to let them know!

The 10 things that make me the happiest would be...

1. The early morning time before anyone else is up. It's when I think.

2. Hugs from my grandchildren.

3. Time alone with my thoughts and God.

4. Knowing that I may have helped make someone's life better.

5. Listening to the waves of the ocean.

6. The passion that stirs when I get a great idea for a mosaic.

7. Taking long walks with my husband because we have time to talk uninterupted.

8. Walking through history museums. I just love to read about people from other periods and how they lived.

9. Listening to Enya

10.Long, meaningful conversations with my daughter.

I would like to give the "Happy"award to:

Natalie of Tins and Treasures as she is one of the nicest people I have met online and her blog is heartwarming and always a delight to read.

Felicia of Another Bright Idea as she always has fun things going on with her blog that make me smile.

I have been researching what a diet might look like for someone suffering from fibromyalgia if they were to eat all the right foods. Unfortunately there are more lists of what not to eat than what you should be eating and I list many of them here. I am sure this will not be at all surprising to you as just about anyone who has ever looked into healthier eating can tell you this.

I will say there is a surprising amount of information regarding high acidity in the body and the roll it plays in how you feel. People with fibromyalgia generally have too much acid and not enough alkaline in their system so I will post a list of the foods for each at a later time. You will be surprised to find what's on the lists.

One thing you can do for yourself is to get some of those ph tester strips to find out whether you have too much acid in your system. This might be what is contributing to your symptoms.

Foods and Substance to Eliminate :

Alcohol and Tobacco

The Chinese believe these substances are very hot and drying. The significance of this is that most fibromyalgia patients have too much heat (yang) and not enough fluids (yin). These two substances are considered very drying to the body which can make you stiff and sore. Moisture is needed in the body especially in the muscle tissues and joints to work properly.

Some other foods that are considered taboo, not only for fibromyalgia suffers, are chocolate, carbonated beverages, and coffee.
There will always be contradictions to this so I would say to either eliminate them or try to cut down on your consumption.


I won't even pretend that I am not going to eat chocolate again, but I do not keep it readily available in my home. I will by one candy bar or something like that, eat it, and be done with it.

When you make a batch of cookies or brownies or buy a bag of chocolate kisses you will be pulled toward them if you don't have a lot of willpower. People who are already fatigued and worn out have a harder time with willpower than someone who is fit and healthy.

Generally fibromyalgia sufferers already have a depleted digestive and immune system so anything you can change for the better is a good idea.


Foods to avoid when possible:

High fat dairy foods
White sugar and white flour
Fried foods
Preservatives, junk food, and salt
Red meat (especially salt cured, cured bacon, smoked)
Coffee and caffeinated teas
Colas, soda pop, and carbonated beverages
Liquid with your meals
Nutrasweet and saccharine



If you subject your body to highly refined, over-processed foods, sugar, caffeine, pork, junk food, highly processed starches, additives and preservatives, and highly acid foods, it is possible that your body will suffer because of an already compromised immune system that may be found in many Fibromyalgia sufferers.

When you live a high stressed life and/or are battling symptoms of chronic illness you can deplete your adrenal glands. Here are some signs to look for:

Reliance on stimulants like caffeine
Cravings for carbohydrates or sugars
Cravings for salt
Poor immune function/lots of colds, flu, sickness
Intolerance to cold
serious weight gain around stomach area
hairloss
depression
fatigue

I will be posting more on the acidic and alkaline foods as well as some good substitutes for the foods we crave.

Each person is different so it is up to you to determine if some of the above mentioned foods are creating havoc on your system. I would suggest writing down what you eat for one week (that means even the stick of gum you chew). Keep track of how you feel each day and cross reference it with your food list and maybe you can find out which foods trigger your symptoms.
Fibromyalgia does not have a cure but we can help to control it with good wholesome food, exercise, a positive attitude, medications (if needed), and lots of support.

Lupus and Fibromyalgia Similarites

I have an online friend who mentioned the symptoms of lupus being similar to fibromyalgia so I decided to look it up. Without getting into all the specifics of this disease I do want to say that the people suffering from this certainly have my admiration because on top of all the aches and pains, severe life-altering fatigue, skin rashes and fevers there is also the possibility of loss of kidney function, anemia and hair loss. This is only a partial list of what lupus can do to your body so my heart really goes out to those sufferers.


The reason I brought this up is because so many illnesses start out similarly in symptoms and can so easily be misdiagnosed, therefore, it is crucial that you become aware of your own body so that when you do go into the doctor you will be able to accurately describe your symptoms. I would write them down and keep a running list as certain problems arise because some are infrequent and you might have forget to mention it.

I also want to invite anyone suffering with aches and pains that seriously alter your life to feel free to comment and be a part of this blog. Fibromyalgia happens to be my diagnosis and I am doing everything I can to educate myself and others about this chronic illness but as I mentioned before, pain is pain, and we all can relate to one another regardless of the label put on the diagnosis.


I would love to hear from each of you how you deal with your illness on a daily basis. Do you find yourself scheduling your activities around it or do you press on and just bite the bullet. For me, the best time of the day is about 2 hours after I have taken my tramadol. I am in the peak of performance and I know I can last several hours before I start to fade. My friends and kids know that I am a morning person and don't bother to ask me to do something late in the afternoon.

I take a 2nd set of my pain pills around 4:30 or so and then I am generally pretty good until bedtime at 11:30.

I have had this long enough to have figured out what works for me. Many times things need to be done or appointments are scheduled in the latter part of the day, but on a regular basis I try to have everything finished before 2:00 in the afternoon. Working on my mosaics is not in this category. I love to work on them anytime of day as long as I feel comfortable enough to sit for a long period of time.


I am not a person who deals well with pain, so if I can take something to release the tension and pressures of the pain then that is what I am going to do. The quality of my life is much better if I am either pain free or experiencing minimal pain. I do know several people, my son included, that simply won't take anything unless the pain gets so bad they have little choice.

I can't honestly say I understand that concept unless there is concern for addiction or reliance on it as I can't imagine having pain constantly and try to get much done. But I want to make it clear that I recognize that each of us has their own way of coping and what may work great for some may not work at all for others.

What do you do?

Treatments for Fibromyalgia

I didn't do a lot of research on the medications available for sufferers of fibromyalgia before I was diagnosed because, frankly, I didn't think that was what was wrong with me and once my rhuematologist confirmed my illness she immediately put me on a pain pill called "Tramadol" or "Ultram"and it has worked fabulously for me.

But I would like to take a moment and mention some of the natural and prescription treatments that are available on the market today. Because fibromyalgia has so many varied symptoms it's difficult for doctors to really know what to prescribe and I am sure they are concerned about over medicating as well as dependency or addiction.

Each person's symptoms vary so each person's medication will vary too. It's not as simple as some illnesses where there is maybe one medication type and several brands of that type.

The most important thing to remember when you are seeking treatment for your fibromyalgia is to take a look at which of your set of symptoms seems to be the worst. For many it's the overall aches and pains, but for others it's the fatigue and depression.
I think I have had fibromyalgia for many years but there were times when I felt fine physically and could get by with some ibuprofen so it didn't really occur to me to pursue any kind of diagnosis. I had the depression, fatigue and insomnia but I thought it was more situational rather than symptoms of a chronic illness.

Here is a list of the 5 categories of treatment that are currently used for patients suffering from fibromyalgia. I am by no means endorsing any of these personally, but I thought it was pertinent information for this blog.

Anti-convulsants-which were designed for seizures have been known to help many sufferers.
One of the most commonly known one is Lyrica. Two new medications being studied are Neurontin and Ativan, each known for changing chemicals in the brain.
Anti-depressants-some of the properties in anti-depressants seem to work very well for many fibro patients and the most commonly known ones are Cymbalta and Effexor, however, last I heard Cymbalta is the only one recognized by the FDA for treating fibromyalgia.
Apparently the changes in the chemicals of the brain that these drugs bring about has a positive affect for many people. My sister-in-law has a severe case of fibromyalgia and this has improved her life considerably.

Pain Relievers: I was told Ultram or Ultracet was called the "Business mans pain pill" because it is non-narcotic and you will not become addicted. I am not certain how true this statement is but I do know that without the use of the Ultram in my life on a regular basis I would be functioning by at least half the level I am now.
Flexerill is a muscle relaxer that can really help a person, especially during sleep, as it does make you feel calm and relaxed. I use this if my pain is flared up at night as the Ultram has a tendency to keep me awake.

The WebMD states "that insomnia is a big problem in people with fibromyalgia. Research shows that frequent disruptions in sleep prevent growth hormone -- the important restorative hormone -- from being produced by the body. Without growth hormone, muscles don't heal and neurotransmitters (like serotonin) are not replenished.
Without deep sleep, the body can't recuperate from the day's stresses. This can overwhelm the body’s systems, creating a great sensitivity to pain."

There are any number of medications including Ambien, Lunesta, and Rozerem prescribed for sleep that if used carefully and on a short term basis can make a huge difference to people with fibromyalgia. So many times during the night you might be experiencing just enough pain to keep you from reaching that REM state of sleep and when you wake up you are just as tired as you went to bed, if not more. Sometimes we don't even know this is going on and are confused as to why we feel so draggy in the morning.

I would wake up feeling great most of the time but around one or two in the afternoon I just had to take a nap or I wouldn't make it through the rest of the day and I am grateful that I was home and allowed to do that.

Combination Medications: I would imagine this is more common for most of us who suffer from fibromyalgia and are aware of it. We recognize the need for better sleep so we might be taking something for that as well as a muscle relaxer or pain pill for the muscle aches. After all, we have lives to live and we can't do it if we are at half capacity.

Lifestyle Change: This is the last and most important treatment for fibromyalgia patients. We must be willing to take a look at what areas of our life could use and overhaul and work towards a better option.

Excercise and stretching is essential to feeling better. The key is to figure out what works for you and what works against you. Don't overdue, but be consistent and I believe you will feel a difference in a short amount of time.

The foods we consume are also a factor in how we feel whether we have an illness or not. Eating healthy, whole foods on a regular basis can also make a huge difference in your mood and well-being.
I will post on some of the foods that are recommended for those with fibromyalgia at a later time.

I believe we have to take an active part in our overall health and pay attention to our bodies. We need to realize that we can't always keep up with everyone else. The sooner we can figure out what does and doesn't work for us the sooner we can start to enjoy life more.

More Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

I just got back from my 7 day cruise with my husband and I invite you to my blog Chris' Comments to see some of our pictures and to read my journal of our trip.

In the meantime, I was doing a little more research on fibromyalgia and thought about listing some of the other symptoms associated with this illness.

I have listed the top 9 tender spots on the side of my blog that are used when diagnosing fibromyalgia, but there are definitely many other factors involved when trying to determine this elusive illness.


Here are a few of the more commonly known symptoms you may experience if you suffer from fibromyalgia:

Pain: First of all the pain is not muscular it is more neurological. Fibromyalgia sufferers experience an increased sensation of pain due to a glitch in the central nervous system's processing of pain information. In short, the pain you feel is very real, but the brain has amplified it many times over. Maybe that is where the stigma "It's all in your head" attached to this chronic problem might have come from.



Pain is pain whether it's your brain telling you incorrectly or not. Some sufferers have mild aching pain, while others feel like you might it you had an ongoing flu. That allover aching, tired, worn down feeling.


One of the first things I told my doctor when I was being diagnosed was that the tasks I perform do not warrant the pain I experience the next day. Now I know why. It's not really anything seriously wrong with my muscles, just my brain telling me there is.


Sleep and fatigue: Because your brain does not shut off at night you could be feeling spurts of pain and discomfort that may be keeping you awake or making you feel restless. Either way, your sleep suffers and you wake up tired before you've even started your day. Sleep Apnea and Restless Legs Syndrome are rather common for patients with fibromyalgia.


I suffer from restless legs and have found a natural remedy online called Great Night Sleep that works wonders. It is designed for sleep, but the combination of ingredients is what seems to work for me.


Memory problems: Difficulty in concentrating and remembering is also something you may experience with fibromyalgia, but oftentimes it is difficult to know as we generally lose a bit of that as we age anyway.


Depression: There are varying degrees of depression from the mild lack of interest in activity to the all encompassing black cloud of despair. For many fibro patients depression can arise due to a lack of proper sleep, fear of a life-changing illness, and the constant pain that can wear down your body and mind. Fibromyalgia is definitely a life-changing illness and depression often follows.


The good news is that it doesn't generally get worse with time and there are medications that can help with the various symptoms. I will be writing about some of these medications in a later post.

I think it takes such a long time to diagnose fibromyalgia because of the type of symptoms associated with it. Many people experience depression or have problems sleeping, but they do not have fibromyalgia. It is a combination of the tender points, the aching muscles or overall fatigue along with some of the above symptoms that can finally bring about a true diagnosis.

One of the things you can do when you have fibromyalgia is to not over exert yourself physically, if possible. Don't start up some new exercise plan to lose weight or whatever, because your brain will be telling you for days that you are in extreme pain.

Go slowly and see how long it takes for your body to respond and condition. Truthfully, I have been told by a physical therapist not to even start any kind of major exercise program, ever. Not because your muscles can't take it, but because your brain misinterprets it and can cause serious havoc on your system.

It's unfortunate that many medical professionals still roll their eyes when you mention the word "fibromyalgia" because it is a very real illness. It is also unfortunate that many people abuse the term and it becomes their excuse for their life. Fibromyalgia may not get worse, but it may be here to stay so we have to learn to make adjustments in our lives to work with it.

One of the main reasons I started this blog is so that others will have a safe forum to talk about their frustrations, their symptoms, their highs and their lows. Having a support system is key in dealing with these issues on a daily basis as it can get overwhelming at times and so many people just do not understand what you are experiencing.

I hope each of you will feel free to comment about whatever comes to mind when reading my posts.

I appreciate each comment and will always comment back.

The Frustrations of Living with Fibromyalgia

I wasn't planning to post again before we left for vacation but yesterday I experienced a small setback with my fibromyalgia and it's times like this that frustrate me more than others.

I am not always sure whether it's the fibromyalgia or other problems I have with my neck and back, but either way, they can certainly get in the way sometimes.

Yesterday I sat in the hair salon for 3 hours. I knew when I made the appt. (something you learn when living with fibromyalgia) that I shouldn't have made it so close to the time we were leaving town, but the stylist who cuts my hair wasn't going to be in that week except for yesterday. Anyway, this is a fairly new salon for me and she was still trying to understand what it was I wanted done with my hair, so that took quite a bit of extra time(in the chair).

When she was putting the highlights in my hair she kept telling me to put my head back and then she was putting unusual pressure on my neck and now I am paying for it.

Last night I could tell things weren't right. I don't know if you experience this or not but you can just tell that either your back is on the verge of "going out" or something's going to give real soon.
I felt a pull from my lower right side of my back all the way up my neck into the base of my skull. Nothing real major, but from experience I knew to treat it carefully so I used my electrode machine on it as well as a heating pad for a while, then did my stretching exercises very carefully.

This morning I wake up and now I am trying to decide if I should make an emergency appt. with my chiropractor or wait and see what happens today.

As I have mentioned before, for me, the sitting too long is a killer especially in a hard chair. Having sat for 3 hours in the salon chair was a definite mistake and now I am looking at around 3 1/2-4 hours of traveling in a car.

If I weren't going on vacation I wouldn't stress this as I have the resources available to me here at home if things don't get better, but when you are in the middle of the ocean you don't have a lot of choices.

I would love to know if anyone else ever experiences a sudden kick up of their fibromyalgia and what triggers it for you.

Living with fibromyalgia certainly changes everything. You get so used to working around it you don't really think too much about it until something like this happens. Normal people don't have to worry about sitting in a salon chair for too long, nor do they suffer after affects from holding their neck a certain way.

One time I had such severe problems smack in the middle of a cruise that my husband and I spent all day in one of the ports (fortunately it was a U.S. port) looking for a chiropractor that would take me at the last minute.

I did find one eventually, but that is a story in itself.

Heading Out on a Cruise

I am looking forward to the cruise my husband and I have planned and we leave on Friday. I have spent all day getting everything ready to pack. My mattress and pillows will be ready to go. LOL

We are traveling to Miami so we plan to stay overnight and have a fresh start in the morning. I also gives us one more day of vacation!!

One thing I always enjoy on most cruises, aside from the obvious, is the rocking of the ship when you sleep. I wish I could bottle that and bring it home. Maybe it's because I am a fidgety sort or maybe it feels like it did when I was a baby, I don't know, but whatever it is I sleep better on a cruise ship than any other time.

Our last cruise was to the Bahamas so the ships don't go far enough away to warrant fast speeds so you never get that rocking motion, and I seriously missed that part.

Cruising has become one of our favorite kinds of vacations because we don't have to take a plane and we don't have to stay in those awful hotel beds for a week (which are too hard for me). We always get lots of walking in at each port and that really helps me with the fibromyalgia. Sitting day in and day out traveling is not fun for me so roadtrips are not on my agenda.

I will be posting pictures on my blog Chris' Comments if you want to see some of our trip.