FIBROMYALGIA

DADGUMMIT!!! Sorry - I don't generally give air to my frustration - but I have just spent 30, count em, 30 full minutes trying to get to my blog! I'm just not technical by nature - and so capturing the joy of blogging is really not my experience yet.

But - enough of the complaining - let's get on with life - after all, no one is perfect, not even great gramma's!!! Well, that is to say - not this great gramma although I am sure there are some gg's out there who come close. But again, I don't count myself among them. Most of the time, I figure if all my kids are talking to me - I'm grateful.

My subject for today is weather. Not whether - that would be whether or not. But weather! You know - cold, hot, raining, snow etc.

Now why would I be interested in weather? Maybe because it has so much to do with my usefulness and joy as a fibromyalgia victim. Weather determines much of what I do or don't do. It's a dadgum bother at times. For instance, take my social calendar.

My grandson called me today and invited me to a family barbecue this weekend. My immediate response - was "Great! What can I bring? "
And since I am proficient at teasing Costco's potato salad into something edible, everyone knows that's the first thing I will offer. He was delighted and we hung up, both pleased with our conversation and the anticipation of a fun day with the gang.

Then - I stopped rejoicing and thought about the weather. This can radically effect my keeping this appointment. I used to think that rain was the culprit. Having shared with several of my fibro friends, I have come to realize it 'ain't necessarily so'. Some cramp up if it's sunny - cloudy - rainy- or snowing.

I think I have a reaction to change. For instance, if it's a beautiful sunny day today - and tomorrow the horizon is peppered with teeny tiny little clouds - I become useless! On the other hand, after three days of clouds the sun comes out - I can have another rough day. Now I know that this really isn't interesting to you - but maybe it should be.

Fibromyalgia is one of the most misunderstood syndromes in the medical
field. It is estimated that about 20 - 25% of adults have it - and most of them don't know it. It's very hard to diagnose as it usually has a very long history of symptoms that most docs haven't strung together.

I diagnosed mine after checking it out by listing symptoms and finding fibro as a possible cause. I checked it out with my doctor - and although he wasn't aware of everything about it - he did find after looking at my many kinks through the years ( ie. heel pain for four years; migraine headaches; shoulder pains; pain in my forearms and legs; cramping etc.) that he agreed and started treatment.

I wasn't convinced since I had led him to the decision, so I went to a Rheumatologist and told her nothing but my symptoms. She stepped behind me and stuck her finger in two of the trigger points in my back which I immediately responded to by 'ouching' rather loudly. And she said, "You have fibromyalgia" and here's what we're going to do."

There are things that fibro patients have in common - but are not necessarily the cause of the syndrome. ie. a head injury; a car accident; mononucleosis; or possibly a virus; insomnia; stress; anxiety; etc. They are even finding that some people think it's generic. The only thing I haven't had is a car accident.

The symptoms are extreme fatigue; headache; pain througout the body; severe cramping anywhere in the body; depression etc.

As a matter of fact - there are so many symptoms that this contributes to its difficulty to diagnose. Most fibro patients have trigger points all over their body that can go haywire. For instance I have one in my back that will start my back cramping. The best thing to do with these trigger points is to have someone poke a finger into it as hard as they can, and hold it for about 30 seconds and then the cramp stops. Of course the pain from the cure may continue - but that's preferable to the cramp. The fatigue is another matter and the best thing I have found to do is to give into it and take a nap.

It is not a death threatening syndrome and most people can learn how to live with it in time. Everyone has their own idea about how to deal with it.

I have meds that I take that are helpful but amazingly enough,
I have discovered that the best pill for me is distraction. When I am having an episode I cuddle up with my blankie in front of the TV and find a good movie to watch. I take my meds - love a hot cup of coffee - and quiet. If I don't move too much - it's usually over in a day or so and I feel great again.

Anyway - the reason I am going to the trouble to explain all of this is because sometimes I have to bow out of an obligation at the last minute. I don't want my loved ones to think that I don't value their invitations - I do. I've always been a people-person and love a party.

I have found that it's a very manageable syndrome and regular exercise is essential. I go to a pool (water temp 92 degrees) five days a week and stretch and walk and sometimes do 'ai chi'. But that's another story. It's so relaxing.

If you want to further understand this syndrome - you can check it out on fibromyalgia.com.