Wednesday, March 10, 2010

March 10, 2010 - My Journey

After reviewing my notes from the past, I know I am feeling better and in a better place. I remember the days I could not get out of bed, the fatigue, and pain I felt every moment of my life. While my pain and fatigue has decreased, I am experiencing some of those unpleasant symptoms again.

I do not stick to a schedule unless I have scheduled appointments or plans. I think it would be best to set a waking and bedtime schedule to follow on a daily basis. When you have no work or school schedule, you tend to be more relaxed and maybe even lazy. I am speaking from personal experience, perhaps nobody else falls under this category. I plan to start tomorrow, letting my hubby know when to give me my wake-up medication. I am just not sure I want to commit to it. I have to get motivated.

Today, Jerry gave me my medication (Concerta ER 54 MG) and pain medication at 8:30 AM, so I could wake up, bathe, get dressed, and take him to his doctor’s appointment at 11:30 AM. While I was in bed, I completed stretching exercises by slowly moving my arms, legs, hands, fingers, and toes. This gave me time to gain enough strength to get out of bed and bathe. It seems after a long hot bath my body tends to feel a bit more energized. Prior to the appointment, I took time for meditation and prayer. It cleared my mind from any negativity.

My planned activities were stretching, prayer time, driving Jerry to his appointment, updating my blog, washing a load of clothes, and cooking dinner. I was successful and completed my planned activities. I feel fatigued and unable to relax when I lie down to rest. I will have to figure out a way to relax.

I ate small meals throughout the day, watched television, and snacked on popcorn (my favorite). I can make a meal out of popcorn. Try to remember that during meals you should reduce the amount of fluid you drink (prevents the dilution of stomach acids). Drink water throughout the day (I did) and eat small meals, snacking on something before and after lunch to help stabilize stomach acids. I am eating very small meals because I do not have an appetite. I need to build up my strength.

I practiced stress relief by breathing deeply from my abdomen, not my chest. I also took time out to stretch throughout the day. I still feel fatigued. I am still struggling with headaches, stiffness of the neck, nausea, and dizziness. That might be the reason I cannot relax, the pain in my neck is uncomfortable. I may end up having to call my doctor prior to March.

I am experiencing pain on the bottom of my feet, neck, and ribcage. My concentration is off because my neck feels so uncomfortable. Hence, the reason I can't figure out how to post my daily journal creation! I have tried exercises, a heating pad, and massage. My head feels fuzzy, my nose feels stuffy, my ears are ringing, and I cannot relax. This process of recording my activities, pain and fatigue may help me identify problems. It is a struggle, but I want to keep it up. Wish me luck.

Meanwhile, I hope and pray you did not experience pain and fatigue.

13 comments:

Dominqiue said...

If I didn't know better, Viv, you were recording my pain symptoms lately.

I too like a hot bath. It is the only thing that helps take off the edge of the pain and I stretch in the water like you do.

Hoping this find you feeling a little better. :-)

Fibro Viv said...

Hello Dominqiue,

I am sorry to hear you are experiencing the same symptoms. I know how hard it is to deal with them, but all we can do is move forward.

I have not posted because my neck is giving me so much trouble. Completing certain exercises has helped.

I hope you are feeling better:)

Diane J Standiford said...

I am a journal keeper since the beginning, over 20 years ago. Can't say I learned much from them, but fun(fun?) to read now. I do believe in them though, sometimes the dots connect. I am sending wishes for a better day soon.

Sherrie Sisk said...

Hey Viv - boy, do I feel your pain, literally. Hee.

I can recommend two resources that might help. One is what you already mentioned - sticking to a schedule. When I began waking up earlier and going to bed earlier on a consistent basis, it did have a significant improvement effect on my symptoms.

The other is restorative yoga. I cannot overstate how helpful this has been! Especially with meditation added to it, it's truly helpful. Not just mentally (though that's nothing to sneeze at) but also physically. I can recommend a really good book by Kelly McGonigal called "Yoga for Pain Relief." Kelly also guest posted on my blog, The Tramadol Diaries - really interesting stuff, and an explanation of why this works on pain.

Hang in there. There IS hope and healing for us, I'm certain of it.

Bryan said...

Hi Fibro,

Hope you get well soon :) I also love having a hot bath in a hot spring located near our place which really helps to remove some of my stress from the office. You should do more exercise which will surely help you to recover.

Michael Davis said...

Hi Fibro,

Been reading some of your posts and thanks for all the reminders about taking care of our health. Glad to know that you are getting well, hope that goes on and God bless you

Fibro Viv said...

Hello Diane,

I have not been posting because I seem not to have time or energy. I am starting to feel stronger.

My past journals remind me of the beginning stages of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. It does help to know I improve and sometimes go back down hill. However, the improvement gives me hope for the future.

Take care my friend,

Fibro Viv said...

Hello Sherrie,

I agree with the use of Yoga and sticking to a schedule. Sometimes due circumstances beyond my control I am unable to stick to my schedule, but I am working on it.

Thanks for the comments, I do appreciate them.

God Bless

Fibro Viv said...

Hi Bryan,

Yes, low to moderate exercise is good for me. If I overdo I end up in the ditch. Some people simply cannot exercise, so I suggest yoga or very gentle stretching exercises. When one starts off again, it is very difficult to believe gentle stretching, yoga, and exercise can help. It truly depends on the individual circumstances.

Thank you for commenting. God Bless

Fibro Viv said...

Hello David,

I completed your survey, I hope it helped. I will do anything within my power to help others understand what people with chronic illness deal with on a daily basis.

Take care,

Fibro Viv said...

Hello Michael,

I am so happy to hear my information is useful. My goal is to help others understand they are not alone and there is hope.

Again, thank you for reading my posts. God Bless

Unknown said...

Viv, This is my first time visit your blog. I understand your situation and i can say that you are not alone. God is always with you,

Fibro Viv said...

Hello James Oh,

Thank you for stopping by and commenting. It makes my day.

God Bless