[lizardlady]

Been flaring the last few days. Don't know what triggered it.

[Pflowers]

I'm sorry @lizardlady ...

I hope it eases up soon ...

Those flares are spawns of the damned old devil!

[lizardlady]

Thanks Pflower.

[lizardlady]

Folks, please help me try to sort this out. I'm having a flare - tired all the time, pain, fibro fog making me feel stupid. I know the best thing to do for myself is to hang out around the house and rest. Problem with that is I start to feel useless and lazy, which sets off my depression. I know I'm not being lazy or useless. I know I'm taking care of myself. All the positive self talk in the world does not help. This is the second day in a row of vegging. Any suggestions how to defeat the rising depression? I washed my truck and played with my plants in the yard, but it didn't help.

[Pflowers]

I'm sorry @lizardlady ...

I don't think there is a way to defeat the depression ...

I just ride with it until it eases off, but sometimes that takes a bit longer than other times.

Being out in nature seems to help a little bit, or even just riding around listening to music ...

Dirt roads seem to be especially useful for me somehow.

Sometimes it scares the 🤬 out of me how morose I feel ...

It can be extremely isolating and lonely when nobody seems to understand or care.

I wish I had words of wisdom to offer on how to deal with it better but I don't ...

Well, except to cuss a lot ... I do find that to be very helpful!

But only when out of earshot of others ...

Unless they have it coming of course!

[lizardlady]

Just tide it out is what I usually do. I'm in one of those moods that I want it to end RIGHT NOW DAMMIT!!! (envision me stomping feet and pounding fists up and down) Fog and achiness worse today than yesterday. Have come up with some ideas for somethings I can do while parked on my butt. Hopefully doing some things will help me feel less useless.

Ooooh, cussing! I have a swearing cats coloring book! I can combine two things that help... coloring and cussing.

[Pflowers]

Cussing Cats!

If you can get one colored & posted here, I'd love to see it!

Oh, and just so you know, you are quite useful here ...

So, whenever you're feeling useless, please remember that!

[MuseumGhost]

Hello, old friends. I'm here because I strongly suspect I have developed a full blown case of fibromyalgia.

It's been coming on in dribs and drabs---phantom pains with no particular cause. But now I've experienced 2 and a half straight days of hell---with all the classic signs. I haven't had fog like this in a very long time. The pain I've endured for the last two days has been mind-blowing.

I am seeing my G.P. next week, it just so happens. From the distant interactions I've had with him so far (he's a new doc for me), he seems to be much more aware and humane than physicians I've had in recent years (fingers crossed).

Any direction you can point me in regarding reading up on my condition would be appreciated. (I know there's probably tons on the 'net, but first-hand experience is most reliable, I've found.)

A big ole hug for both of you. I'm trying to keep busy doing small, manageable tasks---the kind that don't require much physicality or brain power.

I am doing what I can to stay in a good place, emotionally. That's my vulnerable side. So I am talking to myself a lot, using a lot of the CBT stuff I learned years ago when the depression was new. I find concentrating on what's good, beautiful, funny, and positive helps the most.

And thanks for the cussing kitties share. Made me smile! (Experts say that cussing can help release a LOT of bad energy. I find it helps me!!!---just not in public, where I already feel like an oddball.)

Stay strong and beautiful!

[lizardlady]

Pflower, I deleted the two pictures I posted when I realized they have words i can't post on the forums.. You can see them by going to my photo album in my profile.

[lizardlady]

MuseumGhost, sorry you've joined us. How about discussing fibro with the new doc? I haven't found any meds I can take that help with fibro, but I know there are some others take. I resort to using non-med things like

- heat - rice packs heated in the microwave, hot pad, for all body coverage I have a heated throw I can wrap up in

- LIGHT exercise like walking

That's all I can think of with my foggy brain.

[MuseumGhost]

Thanks, LL. I know---it's a Club you don't want to have to welcome anybody into, except maybe your worst enemy.

I instinctively dug out the ole heating pad the very first night. Used it again last night, and it did help.

I did read that light exercise can be helpful. There's not much danger of me over-doing anything, as I have a problem with my spine, and so avoid heavy lifting and exertion (I've learned the hard way!). I do have to get back some of my core strength (years of little physical exercise, because of agoraphobia), and walking would be great. I used to walk and cycle everywhere, and I miss doing that so much. I am going to look into water exercise classes at our local (new and awesome) senior's center.

Thanks for the reminder of the microwavable warm packs---I have two of those around here, somewhere.

I'm relying on my tried and true combination of Tylenol and Advil when the pain gets bad. I would love it if I could get something stronger, however.

Kindness is such a wonderful thing. Thanks for the welcome.

[Pflowers]

Oh, @lizardlady ...

I love those!

Which reminds me of this website I like to visit now and again ...

Effin Birds Store – EFFIN BIRDS

I keep saying I'm going to buy one of the calendars, but haven't done it yet.

He's really proud of his 🤬, which in Southernese means it's way overpriced!

I do love the merchandise though!

Good to see you @MuseumGhost ...

Just wish it wasn't under such sucky circumstances!

Gentle hugs for all of us ...

[lizardlady]

MuseumGhost, yoga is a good exercise for fibro.

[lizardlady]

Flare seems to be fading a bit. If the heat doesn't drive me back in the house going to play with my outside plants a bit.

[lizardlady]

Fellow fibro folks I could use some suggestions.

I saw my PCP last week. My blood pressure is elevated. She told me to get more exercise. Okaaaaay...

In addition to fibro I have chronic fatigue. Exercise recommendation for fibro is light exercise. For CFS avoiding exercise during periods of fatigue is recommended. So, I try to walk a fine line between too much and too little exercise. I overdid this week getting ready for the hurricane. I knew I was overdoing at the time, but had to get the stuff done. I'm paying the price today. I HURT. I know what I need to do for the next few days - rest. Yet the doc told me to exercise.

So, anyone have any ideas how I am supposed to get 30 minutes of cardio exercise 5X per week and not end up exhausted and in pain?

[Pflowers]

I'm sorry @lizardlady ...

I'm of no use when it comes to the exercise thing!

I think it gets to a point that the doctors are being quite unreasonable with their expectations!

They tell me the same thing and I'm like YOU SEE ME, RIGHT?

On two canes, in much pain & barely able to ambulate?!

And you want me to exercise?!

I'm so over the Medical Industrial Complex!

🤬

[Pflowers]

Good Morning Fibro Friends ...

Did a little road trip up to the Casino yesterday and it proved to be more than my body could handle.

So, there goes another fun hobby I'll have to sacrifice because of PsA.

It sucks to live with so much pain, fatigue and loss of function ...

This is a very cruel disease!

[lizardlady]

Oh Pflower, I'm so sorry you've lost going to the casino. This damned disorder steals so much from us.

As for the exercise, I've decided to do what I can. I've been told by others that I am pretty active for someone with these disorders. Going to tell the doc I'm doing the best I can

[Pflowers]

Thanks @lizardlady ...

It is a thief for sure.

And, regarding that exercise stuff ...

Doing the best you can is good enough.

Have A Safe & Happy Friday!

[Pflowers]

Good Morning Fibro Friends ...



Happy Saturday!
________

I'm going to create a facebook page called Able-Bodied AssTwits, and when somebody that is NOT disabled illegally parks in a disability spot (or the wheelchair load/unload zone), I'll snap a photo of their vehicle and tag (along with date, time & location) and post it publicly on that page! So over the Pricks & Prickettes that do this. You're illegally parked & you're hindering disabled people's access --- MOVE YOUR SORRY, ABLE-BODIED ASSES ALREADY! 🤬

[MuseumGhost]

Thanks for the kind welcome backs, Pflower and LL. I can only come back when I'm feeling stronger.

I would automatically got to the types of exercise that do not put pressure on joints: as in, swimming, light stationary cycling, and light, but repetitive weight lifting (take it very easy). Swimming is awesome because it can burn so many calories (and build up/ maintain so much muscle mass) without harming. Those are the first three I can think of.

There might be more suggestions online.

[lizardlady]

I discovered I am already getting cardio workout doing chores around the farm. I decided for the days I'm not doing anything anything around the farm that gets my heart rate up I will do yoga or drag my exercise bike out. MusemGhost, I love the idea of swimming but don't have access to a pool.

[emily1890]

All this cold weather is certainly taking it's toll on my pain.

My body's ****ed anyway, but the rain and the cold really isn't helping

[lizardlady]

Oh Emily, I hear you about cold and damp. The weather here is still nice, but...

[emily1890]

shoulder especially was so sore yesterday. so sore and stifff.