Comments for Women and Fibromyalgia

Comment on Fibromyalgia and ‘flare-ups’ by Barbara Keddy

Barbara Keddy — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:40:04 +0000

Dear Judy: You most certainly are not a candidate for a wheelchair if you continue to move, exercise as much as possible and not become immobile. Just because you are 72 does not mean that a diagnosis of fibromyalgia will make an invalid of you. I understand the desire to take medications for this dis-ease, but if they are causing too many side effects it is much better for you to exercise, avoid certain foods that overstimulate the nervous system, learn some relaxation techniques, preferably Mindfulness Meditation and rest when over tired. Remember: fibromyalgia is a hyper-aroused nervous system and anything you can do to quiet it will be beneficial…move, do not avoid mild to moderate exercise! Very best wishes, Barbara

Comment on Fibromyalgia and ‘flare-ups’ by JUDY KNOPPEL

JUDY KNOPPEL — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:10:05 +0000

i found out 2 days ago i have fibromylagia. i already take rx for anxiety and the cymbalta gave me a horrible reaction.i felt like i got a shot in my arm with speed. i couldnt close my eyes,sleep and was up walking around all night long. i had this horrible feeling inside me …like i was gonna take off.not going to take it again.
my concern is how will i proceed as i get older. i am 72 now and there are days i cant even roll out of bed. and the pain and no enerrgy level is horrible. i’m taking oxy 5/325, only 1 a day and it helps some what. but am i going to need a wheel chair later on????????? frustrating cause i just had both kneess replaced so i could dance again………….not. i am single with 2 cats and live in a senior apt bldg.so keeping up with house work isnt too bad. thanks for your help. )

Comment on Fibromyalgia: The Mark of Shame? by Barbara Keddy

Barbara Keddy — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:05:58 +0000

Thank you Valda:
I hope you have that appointment soon to find out what is actually going on with your muscles.
Isn’t it interesting that when we lose weight we are congratulated on it even if we didn’t need to? The more skinny a woman is the more beautiful. Have you seen the sizes oo? What does that mean? A woman can be no size??? Gone are the Marilyn Munroe, Sophia Loren sizes of 12 or 14. Yet who cares to find out what we are going through on the inside? That isn’t to say that obesity is healthy but who has defined the ‘ideal’ when all those young girls are suffering from anorexia?
Ah, so much to struggle with and we have to try to aspire towards unrealistic standards.
Take good care and hopefully you will have some answers soon,
Barbara

Comment on Fibromyalgia: The Mark of Shame? by Valda Garner

Valda Garner — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 05:14:40 +0000

Hi Barbara. I really identify with your post about Healthy Privilege. I too have many chemical sensitivities and have blepharitis so I am able to use only one face lotion that seems to agree with me and very little cosmetics. I am currently trying to get an appointment with Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ, because I have muscle wasting in my legs, feet, arms, hands and face in addition to all my other symptoms. In fact a person I haven’t seen in a while complimented me for losing weight. What she actually saw was the muscle wasting in my face. So it seems that I probably do not have fibromyalgia, but a disfiguring musclular disease. So I went out and bought some shorts, which I haven’t worn in several years. I’m going to show off my disfigurement and be cool and comfortable. It is really unfortunate that our culture doesn’t value older people. It’s a sign of a superficial culture. It’s an eye opener to get older and be chronically ill and not be able to keep up with the rest of the world. Even those friends that know I am ill will ask me what I’m doing with my time as though I should be accomplishing great things with all the time I have on my hands. We certainly do find our inner strength, our respect for oursleves, and develop a peace with our vulnerabilities. Thanks for a great post. Warmly, Valda

Comment on Medications, Medications and more Medications: Fibromyalgia Medicalized by Barbara Keddy

Barbara Keddy — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:08:48 +0000

Thank you so much Valda. Your comments are of course right on! Anxiety is based on fear and the more the amygdala is aroused the more anxiety we have! Mine is life long and I suspect most who suffer from fibromyalgia also have a lifetime of anxiety. But, we can indeed change our brain pathways even though it takes hard work and discipline…that is the good news!
Regards, Barbara

Comment on Medications, Medications and more Medications: Fibromyalgia Medicalized by Valda Garner

Valda Garner — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:00:22 +0000

Hi Barbara, I have found the less I feel in control the more anxiety I experience. I also seem to have fewer coping mechanisms for some of the daily stressors and this adds to my anxiety. The more anxiety I experience the worse my chronic illness symptoms become. The ill effects of altering cardiac medications without the expertise of a physician are more readily noticed and can be life threatening. The ill effects of insomnia are more tolerated in the short run, but getting enough good sleep has dire consequences too. There is so little known about sleep, but it is as critical as a nourishing diet. I too have limited the medications that I take and I have adjusted doseages to a minimum in partnership with my doctor. Combining Western Medicine with the wisdom of the East is a good marriage for better pain control, anxiety control and for a happier life. To live in the “here and now” is a beneficial practice that keeps us moving forward. I’m careful about how much reminiscing I do since that interferes with creating new memories from today’s experiences. I think of you often and follow your blog, because you always deliver a post that is thought provoking. I am hoping you find yourself well and that spring comes to you soon. Fondly, Valda

Comment on Fibromyalgia: Suffering With The Itch You Can’t Scratch by Barbara Keddy

Barbara Keddy — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 21:01:00 +0000

Hi Sharon: Have you asked the doctor about fibromyalgia? If this is the only symptom you have it seems unlikely that your physician would suspect fibromyalgia? Your itching sounds dreadful and I wish you the best of luck trying to find out the cause. Hopefully you will find relief. Best wishes, Barbara

Comment on Fibromyalgia: Suffering With The Itch You Can’t Scratch by sharon ferrell

sharon ferrell — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 09:42:10 +0000

Hi my name is Sharon and for almost 15 years I have itch all over my body daily all day, especially in my vaginal area and my thighs and now my rectum , I can think of something that would make me go into and scratching spell, I notice when I’m nervous I will start to itch or if I’m driving I itch, I find myself scratching in front of my family because it is so hard to contain it now,being around others I would get to itching that I have to make an excuse to go somewhere to scratch, I get some relief from itching cream but its to the point its not working or I’m something as now as I’m typing this I’m itching just thing about it,I went to the GYN she gave me some tropical cream it worked but I’m out,I feel as I have a nervous condition that makes me it and it wait until I’m out in public and starts,I just want to jump out of my skin because I can’t hide it any longer, and I could never explain to anyone what was going on with me for the lack of being embarrassed of my virginal itchiness, I wake up in the middle of the night scratching to so bad it wakes my husband up, my husband tells me not to scratch but I can’t help myself, it has become a big part of my life and its taking advantage of me because I can’t do any thing without an itch I can’t scratch, my life is on hold until I fix my problem with itching. I read that these ladies here have Fibromyalgia what is that? I have not been diagnose with anything yet, but its making me feel as I’m crazy because I don’t know what is going on with me, please can somebody help me…..

Comment on Fibromyalgia, Heart Disease and Women by Barbara Keddy

Barbara Keddy — Thu, 30 May 2013 01:16:21 +0000

Thank you Rosita. Please continue to keep in touch and let me know how you are doing, Best wishes, Barbara

Comment on Fibromyalgia and Buddhist Practice of ‘Tonglin’ by Barbara Keddy

Barbara Keddy — Thu, 30 May 2013 01:15:06 +0000

I agree with all you say, Georgia and Mindfulness Meditation is the practice for me during this stressful time of my life. I too like the 3 minute practice and I have just finished an 8 week course in which we did this each evening at the end of the 2 hour session.
Thank you for the tip on Ruby Wax an the other links. I will look them up. Keep in touch, Kind regards, Barbara