A place to buy Ice Pack Wraps

Hi Everyone,

I found a site that sells ice packs. Get your gel packs, cold therapy ice packs and heating pads to treat your leg pain, elbow joint pain, hip pain, knee pain, foot pain, or arthritis pain! I have used cold therapy ice packs and heating pads to treat my pain. They were first introduced to me during my medical rehabilitation for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. Here is the link and a coupon code that is available until May 9, 2013:

http://www.pjtra.com/t/RT9GSkVFSD9LS0lGST9GQ0hC
10% off your IceWraps.net purchase with coupon code SPRING10! Expires 5/9/13. 

I hope and pray you feel good today. Try the cold and hot therapy options. I personally like the hot therapy option.

Prayer for Jerry

God our Father,
Your power brings us to birth,
Your providence guides our lives,
and by Your command we return to dust.

Lord, those who die still live in Your presence,
their lives change but do not end.
I pray in hope for my husband Jerry,
relatives and friends,
and for all the dead known to You alone.

In company with Christ,
Who died and now lives,
may they rejoice in Your kingdom,
where all our tears are wiped away.
Unite us together again in one family,
to sing Your praise forever and ever.

Amen.


I pray and hope everyone experiences a day without fatigue and pain.

The Start of a New Year 2013

Hello Everyone,

I am starting off the new year without my soul mate, Jerry. I miss him so much and I hope that I can move forward without always feeling so sad. The fatigue and pain I have felt on a daily basis is nothing when compared to the sadness I feel because of the loss of my husband. It helps me to write to him everyday. Jerry completed me and made me want to be a better person. I will never forget Jerry's courage, compassion for others, wisdom, and infinite love. He made a difference in my life. I thank him for the beautiful, blessed journey in life we shared.

On another note, I would like to remind everyone to update their medication list and try to keep a daily journal. The journal does not have to be fancy. Write down your symptoms, thoughts and find a way to measure your pain. After a few weeks or months you can review and re-examine your symptoms, thoughts and pain level. I have been able to monitor activities, medications and found ways to improve my health and quality of life.

The most critical part of learning to live well with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue is making lifestyle adjustments. We cannot change the past or our genetic makeup. However, there may be aspects of our lives that we can change or ‘adjust’ in order to improve our health and quality of life.

Also try to simplify and balance your life.

Today’s message: Never take life for granted, cherish the people you love and take control of your health.

Meanwhile I hope and pray everyone has a wonderful new year filled with love, good health and happiness.

With Warm Regards,

Viv

Requesting Prayers for Jerry

Hello Everyone,


My husband is in ICU at Brackenridge Hospital. He needs your prayers and strength. He was placed in an induced coma and now is in the awakening stage. We are waiting to see if he responds to us. PLEASE PRAY for him, I love my husband and want him to recover and come back home. I would die for him, he is a good person with a kind heart. He is a husband, Father, Grandfather, Son-in-Law, Uncle, Brother-in-law, and friend to many. PLEASE PRAY FOR HIM.


Sincerely,

Viviana

P.S. Tomorrow I will post more information with progress reports. Please keep him in your prayers.

Requesting Prayers for Family

Hi Everyone!

I hope everyone is having a pain and fatigue free day.  I have been busy trying to keep up with my Hubby and Mother. They are both in the hospital and could use the power of prayer.

My Mother fell down in May and later somehow broke her pelvis bone. She had surgery and is currently trying to recover. The future may include a Rehabilitation Facility and she is not looking forward to it. The family is collectively trying to find the proper facility and continue visitations to the hospital. We do not want her to feel lonely at the hospital.

My hubby still suffers from his chronic breathing challenges. He some how twisted his arm today and is experiencing extreme pain.  Poor baby:( He has been in the hospital since June 2, 2012.

There is something positive, they are both currently residing within the same hospital, just different floors. I travel from the 4th floor (Jerry's room) to the 6th floor (Mom's room).

I am requesting and would appreciate any prayers you guys can send our way.

Thank You....going to bed now.

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

Hi Everyone,

I once again am starting to feel like a hypochondriac and becoming sensitive to odors, bright lights, and loud noises. While there are many situations that can contribute to my fibromyalgia symptoms, the weather, quality of my sleep, and over-exertion have contributed to my flare-up.

I recently experienced a bit of nausea preceded by vomiting. It felt like the nausea was never going to stop. The nurse was concerned about dehydration and I was concerned about not being able to hold down any type of medication. I felt like my stomach was never going to be the same. I was worried that the nausea was an indication of something more serious. I am finally feeling normal again. My eating habits have changed, I am now eating several small meals (snacks) throughout the day. My water intake has not improved however, I am slowly getting back to drinking the recommended amounts of water.

My current goal includes decreased visits to the doctor, learning to control recent spikes in my blood sugar levels, choosing healthier foods and increasing exercise without fatigue and pain. It felt like I was doing so well and all of the sudden I am back to experiencing symptoms! No fun!

Read my tips on dealing with nausea:

Instinctively after experiencing nausea we tend to temporarily discontinue medications (which can irritate the stomach and make vomiting worse), avoid solids, and liquids. To prevent nausea from developing, try the following:

• Eat small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals.
• Eat slowly.
• Consume foods that are cold or room temperature to avoid nausea from the smell of hot or warm foods.
• Avoid hard-to-digest foods.
• Rest after eating with your head elevated about 12 inches above your feet.
• Drink liquids between meals instead of during meals.
• Drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration.
• Try to eat when you feel less nauseated.

If you begin to feel nauseated, try drinking small amounts of clear, sweetened liquids such as soda or fruit juices, avoiding the juices that are acidic (orange or grapefruit).

As we all know by now, a person can't get over fibromyalgia and we will always have to remain mindful of what may trigger symptoms. 

Unfortunately, I am yet again reminded of my illness. I hope and pray my journey allows you to know....you are not alone.

 

Viv's tip: Acknowledge your situation, accept yourself (you are okay), and remain optimistic.

Pain Management - Alternative Tools

Hello Everyone,

There are a variety of tools available to manage pain. One option is the use of a TENS UNIT.  T.E.N. unit stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. While on medical leave I attended a physical rehabilitation class.  The Physical Therapist introduced the use of a tens unit/muscle stimulator. The point of using a tens unit is to alleviate pain by sending mild electrical pulse through the skin to stimulate the nerves beneath my skin. The unit is lightweight and easy to carry. I was able to carry the unit attached to my belt, jeans, or sweater. These portable units are very convenient and an effective way of managing pain. The units are battery operated and rechargeable.

While these units are not a permanent solution to managing chronic pain, they can be incorporated with other pain management tools. The muscle stimulator can be customized in accordance at an electrical level acceptable to each individual. The therapist will set the unit at a low level, later increasing the unit to an appropriate level of stimulation. Chronic and acute radiating pain relief is managed without the use of drugs and is used in parallel with physical therapy that includes yoga, gentle stretching, later using hot and cold compression pads.

The tens unit is prescribed by a pain management doctor, chiropractor, or physical therapist. A physical or occupational therapist or nurse explains the proper use (when and where to place pads). The device includes electrode pads, electrode conductive preparation spray (one can use alcohol wipes), a battery, and battery charger. The unit and accessories are available via the internet or at a medical supply retail store. Quality electrode pads contain non-irritating gels that are sticky providing comfort, reusability, and performance. 

A unit, LG-TEC Dual Combo TENS Unit /and or Muscle Stimulator is an alternative, safe, non-addictive, and effective treatment for chronic pain. Talk to your doctor about this form of managing your pain.

Visit LGMedSupply Online and read their customer blog to get additional information.

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