Stress Free Is The Way to Be

I can't express enough how important it is to be as stress free in your life if your dealing with these medical conditions: Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Stress affects our health in numerous ways. It makes us tired, it contributes to weight gain, it messes with our mental abilities and physical capabilities. If your dealing with alot of stress in your personal life I recommend you do what it takes to get rid of it. Whether that is marriage counseling if your marital life is suffering, personal counseling if your just not coping with anything, and if it is a family issue the family should all be there to give support, their time and their love to the one's who need it. If it is more serious, and the people you live with are not supportive or abusive I recommend at least a minimum of one year counseling for all people involved and if there is no change in attitude or behavior and no support then I recommend you seperate yourself from these people...I know thats not what most of you may want to hear but after living with it in my own life and dealing with some of these same issues...either counseling will improve things or if not, get out!!!! Your health and your life are what is important...not what this other person wants to control in your life.

If your not sure where to start in relieving stress I recommend some things to get you started:

1)Lock yourself in the bathroom, turn on the radio and soak in a hot bubble bath for an hour, or two.
2)Don't let your own family consume your every waking minute of each day...you also need your "Me" time...get out of that house and go for a walk by yourself or take your pet with you.
3)Exercise..ya, I know I said the dreaded word. But it truly does help with reducing the stress hormone Cortisol which adds to your ever increasing weight problem....so get outdoors for a walk even if you can only do 5-10 minutes a day. It's a start, don't push yourself hard...but take it easy for the first few weeks and listen to what your body tells you...you know those muscles and ligaments and tendons and organs really do talk to our brain.
4)Now a word to those who are unable to get out of bed or have problems with it...I was there once...I know what that pain is like, I've been curled up in a ball of pain crying my eyes out because it hurt so bad...something that helped me is I got myself an electric blanket and wrapped up in it before bedtime and kept it on all night on a low enough setting yet warm enough to keep my muscles smooth and limber in the morning. Heat really does help!!! So try this for a few days and once your up and about...keep moving, because the more you move the more limber and flexible those muscles will become.
5)Have a friend over and watch a movie and have healthy munchies on hand, like fruit, raw vegetables (no dip), and water with lemon or lime in it to substitute for that buttery popcorn and sodapop.
6)Plant some flowers in your yard, amazing what some beautiful color does to the mind.
7)If your not in school, or don't have the money for it...check out books at the library that will teach you new things...whether its "how to plant flowers, shrubs and trees" or "how to make candles, soaps, perfumes" or "how to make curtains, drapes, tablecloths, etc" or "how to start your own business" or "how to publish your book" or "100 things you can do with your kids"..and so much more. Read, Read and Read some more!!!
8)Sunshine...can't express enough that you must get at least 20 minutes a day of straight sunshine...good old Vitamin D. It not only lifts your mood, it keeps your bones strong and strong bones help support those muscles and body of ours.
9)Get out of debt...try Dave Ramsey...amazingly good. There are a few programs out there but each of you will have to find what works for you but once your on that road to getting out of debt you will be amazed at how the stress load lightens up and your moods are brighter.
10)Pray...I know some of you might not know what you believe in, or who GOD is, or just don't believe in GOD but I can share my walk of faith with you....and let you know that GOD has been there more times for me and lifted me out of those deep dark pits of despair more times than I care to admit even to myself. So pray every day...you just might be surprised at the outcome.

Ok, hoping someone out there who also struggles with their health has found some comfort in these blog messages of mine and on the road to recovery...may you each find blessings in your life daily and remember that each day has its own worries so leave tomorrows worries for the next day and focus only on this day, today, and rejoice for what you have been given.

Feelin' Like I'm 20 Something Again

Hmmm...sittin' here thinking about the past month since I started my new medication. Can't believe how much energy I've had and have been able to work full-time again and even doing some overtime at work...hopefully this will continue so can get caught up on stuff.

Some of you asked me to let you know how I did on the new medication...so here it is. I really do feel like I'm in my 20's again....amazing how much I've gotten done this month and have even been doing some spring cleaning in the house, going for long walks around the town (small quiet neighborhood) with my daughter at least 3 times a week now and doing a little bit of aerobics at the house.

And I also believe as it has turned warmer with the spring weather it has helped out too as I can soak up some much needed sunshine and get out and stretch my legs and work my muscles. I've been taking it slow and just building up to going a little further each time I walk and adding another stretch or aerobic move to my workout each week and yes I do still feel some pain after I've walked or exercised and use my heating pad and electric blanket at nights faithfully as heat really helps the aches and pains and when it is too much I do take my Flexeril and Mobic at nights...but it is not every night.

Oh Ya, and before I forget (lol...memory still foggy sometimes) I have started losing the weight...nearly 8 pounds total now....wonder what I will weigh next month on my checkup?!! The new medication is working and helping my metabolism swing back into gear...slowly but nonetheless it is starting. This won't be something I will take permanently for several years but a few months this year to revv up my metabolism and give me the energy needed and then will see how things go.

Even though I am using medication to help me out now I am a believer also in doing all natural if at all possible and I did do that for a couple of years (still eat as all organic as possible and try to use as many natural products as possible) but there are also times you just have to take that step and tell your doctor you need help because your a mom, a wife, a career woman, and you can't spend every day in bed trying to fight off the bone draining exhaustion and the deep muscle ache and burn - so thankfully after much prayer about it I chose to ask my doctor for help with getting my metabolism kickstarted and having enough energy to do my job, take care of my kids and husband and sleep well during the night.

I don't regret any of the decisions I've chosen so far about regaining my health and will keep you posted on my progress.

God Bless to All.

Medication's

Well, I can say I honestly don't like taking medications, though I do. I'm on three medications right now for my Fibromyalgia.

Mobic (to help relieve the inflammation this disease brings into my joints and muscles)
Flexiril (to help my muscles relax enough so i am not in so much pain all the time)
Phentermin (this is my newest med, to help me lose weight and speed my metabolism back up)

My goal is to lose the nearly 50 pounds I've put on since my hysterectomy seven years ago with the help of the newest medication, Phentermin. It is only a temporary medication to speed up my metabolism and help me get started in losing the weight..not something I am taking for a long period of time. Right now, my doctor is prescribing it for 30 days...I am hoping and praying it gives me the energy needed to get through my days better and to speed up my metabolism enough that I can actually see the weight loss.

The exercise and diet changes I have done the past two years have done absolutely nothing to help me lose weight...in fact, the opposite occurred...i gained about 8 pounds. It is really frustrating to me too...as I never had an issue with weight or weight problems growing up or even after I had my children. Only after my hysterectomy and a serious 3 car wreck I was in which brought out the Fibromyalgia did I see my weight increase each year.

Of course I am over 40 and all our metabolism's slow down considerably as we age..it is a part of life. My concern is though with so much heart disease in my family I am at more of a risk now due to the weight gain not only for heart problems but diabetes as well. So I've got to lose this weight and be more energetic like I was in my late 20's and early 30's!!!

Wish me luck and pray all works...not only does my health depend on it but my career and family too.

The Cost

I was checking online at some of the different doctors who claim they can cure Fibromyalgia to see what all was involved and how much it cost. Below is a copy of an email I was sent by one of the representatives for The Fibromyalgia Relief Center. It is expensive so I would definitely check further and make sure that this place is legit and there are alot of reports of people you can speak with who have gone through this treatment and either cured now or at least living a more normal life before flying out there.


Copy of Email Below:

Dear Cindy, it was great visiting with you today. I've attached the treatment cost information for you and Shaun to go over. I have some great news for you, the doctor is offering $1000 off the treatment cost. You can apply that towards your lodging. Look over the information and I will get back with you. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Gentle Hugs,

Sharon Bach
Fibromyalgia Relief Center

Costs for Treatment, Travel and Stay in Lake Tahoe California at the Treatment Center Below:
FIBROMYALGIA RELIEF CENTER
*TREATMENT COST INFORMATION*


Cost for 8 Weeks of Treatment: $300/initial consult $7000 pd in full or
$65/treatment x 15/wk x 8 wks

Airfare: Cost varies

Lodging: Selected hotels start at around $700/month. You may rent a cabin or condo prices will vary depending on location, size and season.

Transportation: A rental car is recommended if you do not already have your own vehicle. The approximate cost for a vehicle is around ($600-700+/Month). The city of So. Lake Tahoe does however have a transit bus system for a minimum amount.

Massage: Most patients start massage on their 3-4th week of treatment. You will have two (2) l hr. massages a week. Cost is $75/hr. (massage is highly recommended, but not mandatory).

After-Care: Pronex or adjusting tool for $320. You will need one of the two devices when you complete treatment for the at home care.

Financing: Care Credit is a medical/dental credit card company. The financing application is processed through our office and only takes a few minutes to complete. (Excluding: Canada)

Insurance: (we are not an insurance provider)

We do not file with insurance. Once treatment is completed we will provide a statement of treatment and claim form. You can submit the claim forms to your insurance carrier for reimbursement. Each insurance company is different, so check with them to find out what they will pay for chiropractic care.


The doctor's name is Dr. Whitcomb and his website is: www.stopfibro.com. For your own research and info. I would look up this website and check directly with them on costs, time, and treatment. I personally can not afford this amount as I am a young mom, working, raising kids and just don't have 8 to 10 weeks I can take away from work...though a stay in California would be wonderful : )

Tis the Season'

Winter time is the worst!! This illness is running through the house, no sooner does one of us get better than the next one is coming down with something..uggg!

I went to the doctor today as Sunday night I started coughing and sneezing and just feeling miserable and by Monday I could barely talk, my throat hurt, ears stuffed up and nose all stuffed up and feeling like my head is going to explode.

My strep test came back negative thankfully but I do have the flu so was told to rest in bed alot, drink lots of fluids and could think about going back to work Thursday. So am putting a call into work tonight as know I may not have a voice come morning as scratchy as my throat is.

The time away from work taking care of my daughter, then son and now myself has really hurt financially but I know God will provide for us, I have faith He is always there taking care of our needs. But as soon as I am better and up I am seriously going to look for a part-time second job on top of my first job for some evening hours and possible weekends to make up financially what all the down sick time has done over the past few weeks.

Well, I'm off to bed and drinking some hot tea.