Do you suffer from neck pain? Do you know why?

When I first started getting sick and had all kinds of symptoms, my neck was in pain and my natural instinct was to hold the front of my neck with my left hand. The pressure I placed on it helped the pain. However, I found that massaging the top of my head helped relieve the pain. I figured out that when I did not get enough rest I would end up with neck pain.

Well, I have been experiencing it for a few days and decided to share my thoughts. I always tell people to listen to their body, and I should have done that when I started to feel fatigued. I feel so great and believe I can keep working while forgetting that I am chronically ill and require a certain amount of rest. Yes, it is great that we feel good, but we have to remember to "PACE."

I am thinking about posting signs on my refrigerator and bedroom door. Or maybe I will post a list of rules. What do you think? Any suggestions?

I hope someone will learn from my own experience how important it is to pace yourself. Slow down, even if you feel great.

Soft hugs and I pray and hope everyone has a pain and fatigue free day.

B12 for the Brain and Central Nervous System

I have been spending time organizing my medications and vitamins. I figured this was a good time to mention the importance of vitamin B12. Previous research indicated B12 and folic acid, another B vitamin helps maintain our brain and might help fend off Alzheimer's disease.

The lack of B12 could diminish cognitive function, so make sure you are eating properly and if you are a vegan, consider sublingual B12 supplements. Try to remember that older people have trouble absorbing B12.

B12 can be found in oysters and other mollusks, fish, meat, eggs and milk. You can take sublingual B12 supplements which dissolve under the tongue for better absorption. There are other factors to consider, people who don't make enough stomach acid or intrinsic factor become anemic and need to have B12 shots or large amounts of vitamin B12 as pills or tablets. I remember my PCP offered me B12 injections. They can be expensive which is why I decided to change my diet and take B12 supplements.

Lastly, researchers found that people with depression responded better to anti-depressants if they had higher blood levels of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is also important for our metabolism and central nervous system.

I hope and pray this information has helped someone today.

Fibro Viv

What is a healthy healing in refection?

Hello Everyone,

Today I found an interesting question on one of my community sites. Here is what was asked: In your opinion or basing from your experiences, what is healthy healing in reflection? I found myself thinking about the question and decided to share my answer on my site as well as on blogcatalog.com.


In my point of view, the following technique is a good way to reflect in a healthy way:


- an individual must first decide to choose a specific time to reflect,
- be specific about what you want to focus on,
- think about one challenge (issue) at a time,
- determine what you want and decide if it is realistic,
- be open and non-judgmental,
- realize the answer to your questions or issues may require sharing your feelings with another individual,
- if you have a difficult time expressing your feelings with another individual, write them down on paper,
- if you shared your feelings with someone, reaffirm your respect for their opinion and end on a positive tone.

This technique or strategies enables an individual to establish an atmosphere of cooperative problem-solving and/or reflection.

I hope and pray this post has helped someone today.

Fibro Viv

Dropping a Note to Say Hello

Hello My Dear Readers,

I have been very busy with my dear husband chronically ill with COPD. He has been in and out of the hospital and this last visit was from May 30, 2008, then transferring to another extended care hospital until yesterday. Thank you for your prayers and notes. It has been very touching and more importantly helpful. As I have always said, "People need some type of support, even if it is from strangers." Thank you and God Bless You All!:) He is doing good for now and I pray he will continue to do so.

On another note, I have not been practicing my own tips...such as "PACING", it is so important to pace and take time out for yourself. If you do not take care of yourself, you cannot help others. Please remember that. I have already slapped myself on the hand for not slowing down. I am going back to therapy.

One thing I always do is stay positive because that helps me survive every new challenge in my life. I feel stronger and better as a person each time I take time to pray, meditate, and most importantly forgiving myself for not being able to do everything perfectly. Small reminders from my youngest sister on saying no, plus not placing so much pressure on myself has helped me. I thank my God for my family, friends, other people that suffer from chronic illness, doctor's, etc.

Take care and know that I want to continue posting, I have just been slowed down for awhile. Do not give up on me and please continue to read old tips, notes, etc.

I pray and hope you have a pain free day,

Fibro Viv

Just a note-found a site on "Disability"

Hello Everyone,

I am sorry I have not written anything lately. However, I was notified about a blog site that offers information on disability and the site includes questions and answers on Social Security SSI Questions and Answers. I hope this site helps you! Just click check out my blogroll list.

I was just asked about the site, sorry for not adding a link. Here it is: Disabled Not Mislabeled

Here is another disability blog site: My Disability Blog

Thank you for asking about the site Cheryl:)

Soft hugs and God Bless!

Fibro Viv

Are you Credible?

Hello Everyone,

I have not posted for awhile. I thought I would just write a few words about credibility. I started off with my title: Are you Credible?

Credibility makes or breaks an individual. You must be honest and upfront about everything in your life. I have tried to be honest with my viewers to help them understand how difficult it is to deal with a chronic illness. This is why I share my own experience, tools, and information.

In order to start feeling good about yourself you have to learn to be honest and upfront about your illness. I know some people have had to deal with criticism, judgment and sometime even loose their jobs. In the end those that are judging them will have to deal with their actions.

It is difficult to accept we are ill, but we cannot start the healing process until we are honest about how we feel. Yes, I have heard many woman state their spouse is not listening or yells at them. Try the following:

1. Go get brochures about your illness and place it in front of them, tell them to read them.

2. Ask them, why were we married? I am suffering from an illness that many people do not understand, please take the time to try and understand what I am dealing with. If my own family does not support me, what am I to do?

3. Do not get angry, sincerity and openness while informing them lays out a solid foundation of credibility.
If your own family does not believe you, seek out friends, doctors, etc.

4. Do not make any promises you cannot keep. If you cannot do the laundry, clean the house, etc., then just let them know. Eventually they will understand and hopefully they will start helping you out.

I just want people to understand that the healing process starts with you acknowledging your illness and sharing that information with your loved ones.

I hope and pray this post has helped someone today.

Fibro Viv

Cheer You Up Award

Hello Everyone!

I just started to look at some sites and noticed I was awarded the You Cheer Me Up Award! Wow!!!

I know there are many bloggers' that make people laugh, write comforting information, and inspire us to continue on our quest to help people. I know I will miss some people, and for that I want to send my sincere apologies.

An honorable mention to the individual who started this award:


A Nice Place In The Sun

THEN THERE ARE OTHERS:

Bangsboy

Facibus On Blogging

Speedcat Hollydale

Love is a Four-Legged Word

Fossforous

My Passion for Fashion!

Battling For Health

Revellian Dot Com

PoeARTica

Snoskred's Blogroll | Snoskred - Life in the Country

terri terri quite contrary

antibarbie.net - Delightfully Demented Musings

Fighting Fatigue

Make Money Online with Rhyan

The ICI Experience

TechTreak.com

Sephy's Platzish

I just know I have missed so many, but I am late in doing this and a bit worn out. I just happen to notice I receive this award.

Pass the award to the bloggers you have an opportunity to thank for cheering you up. Here are the rules or instructions:

If you are a recipient of the You Cheer Me Up Award, please find the blogs that cheer you up, copy the code to post on your sidebar and pass Ethel and Lucy across the blogsphere. In order to do this you must go pickup the code for the award picture and leave a comment on the award post so they can add you to the list of award recipients.

Go to : A Nice Place In The Sun.

God Bless Everyone and soft hugs to those in pain

Fibro Viv