Physical Therapy, Ahoy!

Last week I went to see my PCP, she wanted to check in and see how things were going. I explained that I was still having a hard time between my stomach and the pain from the fibromyalgia. I also told her about how my arms and hands will go numb sometimes and spasm. If I'm holding anything I drop it (thats why lately plastic cups and paper plates have been what I've been using). When I finished, she started looking at different medications, but was worried since most medications end up making my symptoms worse. So she decided to take a different approach and asked if I felt comfortable trying physical therapy. Since at this point I'm willing to try anything, I gave it the thumbs up. 

I'm a bit apprehensive, I've tried to do some yoga stretching, but sometimes I'm so tight I can't. I'm hoping a physical therapist might be able to give me some sort of idea on how to help my muscles carefully. If you guys could keep your fingers crossed for me, that would be much appreciated! I'll keep you all posted on how it works.

Till next time guys! 

P.S. I've still been doing my 100 days of happiness. If you want to check it out here's my instagram account http://instagram.com/lifechallaccept

100 days of happiness

Happy almost April everyone! 

Hard to believe we are almost into the 4th month of 2014, time is flying! A year that, for me, started with feelings of frustration and anger. Medications not working, not being able to really move or focus, my doctors not having any answers, not being able to drive, etc. It can be so hard when living with chronic illnesses/pain to see only the happiness and joy around us. We live in a world where pain (physical and emotional) is always present and it is a constant drain on not only our bodies, but on our psyche. We have our "good days and bad days (sometimes weeks)" since we live in a body whose health can change directions faster than a street racer. Thats why it's so easy for us to get stuck in a rut with no way to get out of the sadness and anger we sometimes feel.

And then on Instagram I began to see my fellow spoonies taking the 100 days of happiness challenge. Something that is most definitely not easy for a healthy person to do, let alone a spoonie. As I watched a few of my friends begin, it dawned on me how truly brilliant this idea was. You could be having one of your worst days and yet be happy, curled up on the couch having a cup of tea watching one of your favorite movies (Monty Python and the Holy Grail, thank you very much). Does it take away the pain, no. But instead of focusing on the pain, you focus on being happy with what's helping you get through the day. 

So, after talking with a friend on twitter who helped lift my mood, I have decided to take the 100 days of happiness challenge starting tomorrow! Everyday, I will try not to focus on the negative, but on the positive! Something that has made me happy each day. Will I still be in pain and having stomach flare ups, of course. It's what my body does and will always do. But, I'm choosing to not let it ruin my happiness...

Who's with me?    

Long time no write....

Sorry guys, (hides behind The Hulk) please don't smash me. I know its been two months since I last wrote. Time has flown by and I've been trying to stay positive considering my body has been giving me a run for my money. Between spending most of my days in the bathroom getting sick, being in constant pain, and dealing with "fibro fog" episodes its been hard to concentrate on anything. I've at least been able to do some tweeting and uploading photos on Instagram. It's easy enough to write little snippets about whats happening in the moment on twitter or uploading a picture and giving a brief description about it. But, actually sitting and trying to write an entire blog entry is no easy feat. A few times I would set up an entry, begin to write, then completely zone out and just stare at the computer screen for 45 minutes. Most. Annoying. Experience. Ever! *sigh and face palm* 

Hopefully soon, I'll be able to start this new form of natural medication, that both my PCP and specialist (not from Boston), have recommended. I'm not going to go into much detail about it yet. I'm still a bit skeptical, lord knows how many times over the past 15 years I've heard the phrase "Trust me, this medication will definitely help you"and then have it make things worse or not work at all. But, I will try and keep you updated on if it could really help those of us in need of serious relief from our chronic pain and chronic illnesses. 

I'm not going to promise that I'll be writing soon. Right now, I just can't guarantee it. But, I will promise that I won't wait two months to write. Even if it's two sentences long, I won't make you wait this long to know whats been happening in my crazy spoonie life. If you would like to follow me on twitter I'm @LifeChallAccept.  

Till next time folks!

Happy Belated New Year!

Hi Everyone! I can't believe we've already hit 2014, 2013 just flew by. I know I haven't written since December 10th, but I've been going through a lot. Trying new medications, having more testing done and coming to a (for me at least) big decision.

I've decided to take a break from my Boston doctors. They've just about given up on helping me, pretty much saying that they're isn't much else they can do. I've retaken tests (some hitting double digit times) and retried medications and I'm sick and tired of the round robin game they're playing. At this point I'm relying on my PCP (thank god she has been amazing, always there for me) and am going to change my strategy. For 15 years I've relied on Western medicine, being a good patient, doing exactly what the doctors say, verbatim. Yet it's gotten me absolutely no-where, except frustrated, angry, and placed me in constant pain and dehydrated because the diarrhea never stops. And they seem to want to put all the blame on me, like this whole situation I'm in is my fault, yea not going to take the abuse anymore. Might be time to call in the butt kicking ninjas…

Now since I'm choosing a different path, my mom and I have been researching Eastern medicine. We're looking into teas and massage and other things that might help. I'm not saying I'm giving up Western medicine completely, like I said I'm sticking with my primary and in April I'll go see my gastro in Boston. Hopefully by then I'll have found the proper combination of Western and Eastern Medicine to at least alleviate some of my symptoms. Not looking for miracle cures, just looking for a little bit of relief. My PCP and I even discussed some "alternate" forms of medication (I'll talk more about that in another post).

As for my fibromyalgia, since the Nortriptyline and Cymbalta only made me sicker my PCP is placing me on a muscle relaxant with liquid Tylenol for now. I start it on Monday, we'll see how it all works out.

So for 2014, I've made the decision to not let the medical field push me around or make me feel like this is all my fault. I'll take into account what they suggest but in the end if they try me on something I've already tried before and it failed, not trying it again. I'm going to take control, I'm tired of feeling helpless. Alright butt kicking ninjas lets go kick some ass!