intro to fibromyalgia

FIBROMYALGIA

INTRODUCTION

You hurt all over, and you frequently feel exhausted. Even after numerous tests, your doctor can’t find anything specifically wrong with you. If this sounds familiar, you may have fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points — places on your body where slight pressure causes pain. Fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men. Previously, fibromyalgia was known by other names such as fibrositis, chronic muscle pain syndrome, psychogenic rheumatism and tension myalgias.

Although the intensity of your symptoms may vary, they’ll probably never disappear completely. It may be reassuring to know, however, that fibromyalgia isn’t progressive or life-threatening. Treatments and self-care steps can improve fibromyalgia symptoms and your general health.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Widespread Pain

Fatigue and Sleep Disturbances (due to muscle spasms, restless legs, lack of REM sleep)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Headaches and Facial Pain

Heightened Sensitivity

Depression

Numbness/Tingling

Difficulty Concentrating

Mood Changes

Chest Pain

Dry Eyes, Skin and Mouth

Dizziness

Anxiety

i just might break

right now i feel so broken… physically, emotionally, mentally & spiritually.

all of life is hitting me hard.  there are so many things i would like to accomplish this month and the list is just getting longer and more overwhelming.

i’m suppose to do something creative outside of work but i can’t seem to find the motivation.  my lack of space and the fact that i’m living out of boxes thwarts my desire to paint.

whether work or play it is all causing me anxiety, heightened irritablility and depression.

my birthday is less than 2 weeks away.  i’ll be thirty, yes the big 3-0.  and i want to have a big party to celebrate but just the thought of all that entails is making me think twice.  besides i don’t know how i will feel tomorrow let alone a few weeks from now.

i know its the fibromyalgia.  its getting harder and harder to keep everything under control.

so i need your help. i need you to pray for me.  call.  encourage me to paint.  go to disneyland with me.  help me plan my thirtieth birthday.  don’t let me break and fall into a funk.

i’m in the box

the jury box that is.  part of the first 21 prospective jurors.  i almost didn’t make this morning.  but i finally found something that did a good job of settling my stomach and help me sleep.  if i am chosen it will be full days of trial starting friday and finishing on wednesday jan 2nd.  if i don’t get sick it might be fun to be a part of the final selection.

right now i’m on break for lunch.  not very hungry but needed something harm to drink.

on the couch

i haven’t been “throwing up sick” since just before christmas last year.  i spent the day on the couch, catching up with new and old friends on “myspace” and watching “the village” for the first time (thanks to daley).

this day hasn’t been that fun.  my sister left today for georgia and i didn’t get to go to the airport with her.   and to top it all off i have jury duty first thing in the morning.  8:15 am is crazy early when i have to leave here by 7:30 to get a parking spot and over to the courthouse on time.

must have been something i ate

i woke up this morning feeling not so hot.  it came on so suddenly i wonder if it could be something i ate.

i hate being sick.  but at least i have gilmore girls to watch.

cozy christmas

we are watching “miracle on 34th street” all cozy on the couch.

my sister is here for just one more night and our longtime friend, amanda, is hanging out before she flies off to hawaii to get married this saturday.

christmas isn’t christmas without friends and family cozy on the couch.

music from my dads youth

we watch “jethro tull” at the isle of wight on dvd with my dad.

never heard of him until he opened for led zepplin.

crazy guy, but good music. he ended up leaving because led zeppelin was trashed and sloppy.

good grief

 

come celebrate this christmas with us at sandals church.

just barely

i made to church this morning… just barely.

i have been battling my health for the past several weeks.  apparently fibromyalgia & cold weather bring on some very uncomfortable issues. worship was great this morning.  the band sounded amazing.  matt spoke about how the glamorous life causes us to worry whereas the kingdom life brings peace and contentment.

i’m so glad i made it.  thanks to everyone who stopped to say hi and see how i’m doing.  please keep me in your prayers.

grandma, bing crosby & christmas

my favorite christmas memory is decorating at grandma lynn’s house with all my cousins while listening the “white christmas” on the record player (i know i aged myself).

what is yours?