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Here's to Your Health:  Fibromyalgia  |
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Georgia Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
212 Posts
Denise
Atlanta
GA
USA
212 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 22 2008 : 4:19:49 PM
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I know that many of you on the board have FMS. I wanted to find out what different people do to treat it. I am not looking for medical advice, just wondering what you do.
I am in so much pain right now. The girls and I had a wreck on 7/28 and I have yet to recover and now with Fay rearing its ugly head, the barometric pressure is changing and killing me. I have 2 broken ribs and a torn meniscus and it just won't heal. I am in the middle of a horrible flair right now which is making the wreck pain worse! I don't like taking all of the pain meds but am running out of options.
~Denise~
Proud Farmgirl Sister #113
http://mybigcityfarm.blogspot.com/ |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2008 : 5:27:26 PM
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Denise:
Sorry for your pain. I'll keep you in my prayers. The farmgirls will post to help. They always have great advice or ideas. I'm a farmgirl, but never had FMS. I don't care about taking meds, unless my back is out. Take care, and keep us posted.
Marly |
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StarMeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
940 Posts
T
MI
940 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2008 : 5:49:54 PM
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When I can, I see a massage therapist. I just took 800mg of ibuprofin and have my right arm ensconced in ice. I got tendonitis back in June clearing brush along a fence line. Now it's just not healing. I can barely hold a cup of coffee. My feet aren't much better but I just leave them alone unless I can ice around my ankles. I've added gel inserts to my shoes and use a pillow for my back at work. I take lots of breaks. I have ankle braces and also wrist braces. I have the real sturdy ones but I prefer the stretchy, elastic kind. They are more flexible and less hot. Plus they are easily washable. Pain-wise, I have vicodin and skelaxin but use both sparingly. (I have other issues that make it tough for me to take a lot of meds) IF I can't sleep (and I need my sleep) I may take a 1/2 of a vicodin for sleep and then take the other half if I still need it. I like long showers. I used to like the hot tub but now, it's just too hot for me. You might try that.
I am so sorry for your pain. I know that it's hard for those around you to understand and comprehend. It's OK to take your pain meds to function, you know. Sometimes, despite all our wants to be organic/all natural/tough...whatever the reason...taking the medication to rest allows us to be functional and more like ourselves. Take care. |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Aug 23 2008 : 05:56:23 AM
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I know you must be suffering terriby. The weather does play havoc with our bodies, especially when injured.
I would try ice on the areas that are especially painful, alternated with heat. For me, I do yoga everyday. (Which will not help you right now because of your ribs!) Maintaining flexibility is so important - I just work through the pain and it has really helped. Yoga has a way of detoxifying the body and helping it heal. I have a friend who teaches it, and she told me just the other day that, when you have finished your exercises, to lay still for 15-20 minutes so that the body can record what it has done so that the next time you do the exercises, it will be easier. Plus, it gives the body time to heal.
I have also switched my diet to include more whole foods- grains, friuts and vegetables, etc. I drink a ton of water to stay hydrated and limit red meat. This is a nice little article on anti-inflammatory foods: http://nutrition.about.com/od/dietsformedicaldisorders/a/antiinflamfood.htm
I hope that you are felling a bit better today. There is nothing worse than pain in the body. It takes every bit of effort to hold on.
(((hugs))) to you, Denise.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister
# 18 :)
www.perfectlittlemiracle.blogspot.com
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mommom
True Blue Farmgirl
854 Posts
Susan
Lancaster
Pennsylvania
USA
854 Posts |
Posted - Aug 23 2008 : 12:27:09 PM
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| Sometimes I feel as though my whole body is an intense ball of fire. Everything gets so tight and rigid that I could scream...but don't. During these times the dr. has given me Flexeril. Only thing that really takes that awful edge off. I now wear Birkenstocks which seem to help with my ankles and feet. I love it when I get out of a chair or out of the car and my feet won't bend! I have braces for my elbows and use a heating pad (the ones with rice) and try to avoid stress as much as is humanly possible. When it starts getting cold my body will go into shock and will have more episodes than I do in the summer....although I basically never feel well at all. Ever. But, I am thankful for my attitude of gratitude and I find that when I start to really get down from feeling bad I try to get up and do something constructive. I feel blessed to be able to walk, get out of bed everyday, and hold down a job! I'll be praying for you! Stay strong and keep your spirits up! Susan |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Aug 24 2008 : 8:34:10 PM
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Denise:
How are you doing? I hope and pray you are doing better. At least both of us can be happy that Tropical Storm Faye is nearly over and done with. Thank God for that. Of course, this is the worse time of hurricane season as you know. If you need to come to LA to evacuate, let me know.
Marly |
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Georgia Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
212 Posts
Denise
Atlanta
GA
USA
212 Posts |
Posted - Aug 25 2008 : 07:03:49 AM
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Today is still not good, thanks for asking Marly. We are still having storms here and it is just yucky. I have therapy today for the wreck so I am hoping they will be kind to me. My in laws are in MS so I watch the weather around there close. I was afraid she was going to get back out into the coast and pick up again! Prayers were answered on that one
~Denise~
Proud Farmgirl Sister #113
http://mybigcityfarm.blogspot.com/ |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 11:06:37 AM
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Ohhh, all you girls, I didn't realize you all had fibro. My heart goes out to you. I consider myself in "remission" though I think I still have times(??) It's confusing to me!! All I know is that I AM better but I still have joint pain so I am thinking I have arthritis with it, but then maybe it's just fibro. I started doing reiki healing and that helped tremendously. Watching what I EAT is a BIGGIE. Drink LOTS of water. Stay away from sugar and sodas, etc.
Lots of veggies and fruits. Vitamins and taking sublingual b-12.
Getting allergies in check. Also, meditating works for me.
And then ... sometimes..... pain meds are just necessary. I have had to do it, and just recently too.
The hurricanes make it worse! Any big changes in temperature.
If you can move to a better climate - dryer, it might be the best thing.
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"The Higher the Hair, The Closer to Jesus!" - Paula Deen
http://maggie.ecrater.com
http://maggiemerch.blogspot.com
http://www.myspace.com/hh_reiki
http://www.myspace.com/brookealyson |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Aug 30 2008 : 07:34:04 AM
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I have FMS. I take a healthy dose of malic acid, magnesium, MSM with glucosamine, AND Barleans Essential Woman with primrose oil/lignans and other stuff. If i dont get the barleans essental woman I'm in bad shape. I am a vitamin freak. I also take garlic every day along with a multi. It helps me....everyone is different. i also stay away from high fructose corn syprup (soda, jellies, etc) i have to be a label reader. In case of a really bad episode I detox with green tea and "green" foods which I get at a local natural health food store. I only do that for 2 days otherwise its unhealthy. I feel your pain. really i do. massage sometimes help and sometimes i cant stand for people to even touch me!
Dawn M. Sista #279 (big grin!)
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
http://gypsycowgirlcreations.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
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Room To Grow
True Blue Farmgirl
974 Posts
Deborah
Kingston
Georgia
USA
974 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2008 : 5:37:32 PM
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I would try massage.
we have moved to our farm...and love it |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2008 : 6:56:58 PM
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Its a capsule. The ingredients are: evening primrose oil, lignans, no flax oil, but another kind... I honestly swear by it. Go to: www.barleans.com adn research it for yourself. Like I said before, massage is great, but on tough days.... I cant stand to have someone touch me. IF i could get a massage weekly, I'm sure I'd do better, but I cant afford it. Room to Grow: congratulations on your farm! Fun stuff!
Dawn M. Sista #279 (big grin!)
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
http://gypsycowgirlcreations.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
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Sitnalta
True Blue Farmgirl
4208 Posts
Jessica
NJ
USA
4208 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2008 : 10:15:12 PM
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HI Denise,
I know a great person to talk to about this would be Carol Sue. I haven't seen her on too much lately, but she is a wealth of information on it. Good luck and lots of prayers!
Jess
Farmgirl Sister #235
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Carol Sue
True Blue Farmgirl
4033 Posts
Carol Sue
Washingtonian
USA
4033 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 6:48:32 PM
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Jessica, thanks for the support. Nope haven't been on as much.
Hi Denise, shall I give you a laugh first. I was talking to a fellow sufferer who had some good infor for me. I talked about how the weather affects my husband and me too now. She looked at me and said Barometric pressure. I still didn't get it, dahhhh pressure, the barometric is pressure on our joints, muscles ligaments. I lauhed so hard at myself. Come on I am almost 52 and just plain never thought about it.....
Laughter truly helps me and having a good one daily helps me with perspective.
I do take medications and pain ones. Here is my attitude, for each person this FMS can be different and you have to find what works for you. The challenge is that from one day to the next we never know how are bodies are going to react. Or for that matter from one hour to the next. I had a friend send me this and it was a dahhhhhh moment.
Today your Fibromyalgia is bothering you less. It's a good day, so take it easy, pace yorself and don't try to do too much.
So what have I been doing, on a better day I have been trying to get everything done before the bad day comes. And they came be serveral bad in a row. What I have actually done is set myself up for those bad days in overdoing it to the extreme. I have that little card sitting here at my computer and read it daily to remind myself.
There are lots of options out there for help with the pain.
My opinion is this, take the meds to get it backed down again, so you can function in daily life. It changes your entire outlook. Having our outlook look better makes us feel better and we tend to take care of ourselves better as well.
I take ultram, generic tramadol, I take Cymbalta which has given me some energy back,and neurontin. The neurontin has enabled me to be able to get up in the morning without the excrucitating pain. I have muscle relaxants and pain killers for break through pain. Ok, you are going along and it hurts but it gets intolerable, where you want to scream till you can't stop. I take the break through pain killer then. Learning that hard way that preventive is better than getting behind the 8 ball, if you know what I mean.
It is know that massage, acupunture and energy therapy can help so. For me, they are cost prohibitive.
One of the most important factors is finding a support group, finding a few people that you can tell about how you are really doing. No bs, just being real. Educating my family and friends about what I am going through so they are better able to support me.
I have only been dealing with this for 10 months, let me correct that, I got Diptheria bacteria exactly 2 years ago, went through excrucitating pain, thought it was from the meds I had had to take to get rid of the bacteria. It kept getting worse, a year ago this last August went in to get checked, finally in last part of October it was finally decided that it was Fibro. I sure had lots of blood taken.
There are so many unknows with this, but there are some knowns. Learn what you can but don't drive yourself nuts with it either.
Living one day and one moment at a time, is the journey that we have with this.
Know that there are going to be down days, let yourself have the good cry that is needed. This isn't easy, it isn't fun, but we choose to live our lives. So to your fellow journeyers, keep taking one step at a time and gentle hugs from this girl to each of you.
Carol Sue
listening to the quiet moments
Farmgirl #39
www.Quitemoments.blogspot.com |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 7:00:40 PM
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I have had the symptoms of what the docs think is FIBRO and I have been doing green smoothies. Boy..it sures seems to be helping a wealth of my issues. I read somewhere we don't get enough greens at all in our diets anymore, at least not the one's covered in Ranch dressing : ). I swear, I make a nice green smoothie and I feel energized the next day. I am going to the store tomorrow to stock up on some smoothie ingredients to start building up my system.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Sep 04 2008 : 12:17:40 PM
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Carol Sue: I could NOT have said it better. Every one is affected differently. For me, I do better when I take care of me through nutrition. I too have meds for breakthrough pain. Heather: the green thingie sounds interesting. I really need a natural food place around here! The closest one is over an hour away!!
Dawn M. Sista #279 (big grin!)
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
http://gypsycowgirlcreations.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
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Tapestry
True Blue Farmgirl
1223 Posts
Cheryl
Wisconsin
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - Sep 11 2008 : 11:46:21 PM
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| I saw this post and had to respond. I was diagnosed in 1995 with FMS after a few months of low grade fevers, severe muscle pain and inability to sleep. It took 3 drs. before I got a diagnosis and I'm a licensed practical nurse who had a clue what might be going on. I begged my family doc to send me to a rheumatologist who finally determined I had FMS and also bursitis in my left hip. The things I do to help myself are: hot shower or tub soak. Other days its a cold pack. I've used eucalyptus salts and lotions to help relieve muscle achiness. Also Vicks vapo-rub on sore muscles believe it or not it seems to help me better than many other muscle rubs and I think over the yrs. I've probably tried them all. I continued to work part time after diagnosis but finally this past June I had to give it up after getting adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) in not one but both of my shoulders. I've been on many medications over the yrs and continue to take antidepressants and Ambien for sleep. Recently I had to go on Morphine for the shoulder pain which for a few months was simply unbearable without it. I've weaned myself off of it for now but some days I regret that decision. Never worry about becoming a drug addict if you have pain. Prescribed medications for a very painful condition that allow you to have a life are sometimes necessary. Doctors and nurses will tell you addiction happens when you DON'T need the pain meds and take them solely for the purpose of getting "high". Try to remember to enjoy the good days. Those are red letter days in my book! And yes, I'm a bad one for overdoing it on those red letter days when it just feels so good not to have pain that I tend to jump into projects with both feet. To help remind me that even on the worst of days I have things to be grateful for I keep a "grateful" journal and try to write down a few things everyday or so that I'm grateful for. Some days it just reads, "that I'm breathing"...grinz. I'll keep you in my prayers for better days ahead Georgiann! |
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Sep 11 2008 : 11:57:11 PM
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My brother has this too. He now lives in Thailand.
Had he stayed in the znetherlands he would have stayed in his wheelchair for the rest of his life, but with the heat over there is still able to walk, rather well. Ofcourse he has pain most of the time, but being able to walk a certain distance is wonderful.
He was already in a wheelchair here, but moving there made him able to get out of it, for the time being. He might have to use it again in the near future, but for now....
Praying for you.
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
http://princess-of-pink-creations.blogspot.com/
my new BLOG.
I have added "new" creations, take a look :)
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eskimobirdlady
True Blue Farmgirl
700 Posts
connie
fairbanks
ak
USA
700 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 8:19:03 PM
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| i jsut saw this thread an dhad to say hi to all of you who also go thru the terrible times with fibro! i have that amongst other things. i used to be on very strong pain killers all the time (duragesic patches) and other stuff they made me take in order to give me the meds i needed. after losing my dr over an issue i had with his business office i had to go cold turkey off all those meds and it was terrible! would i do it again knowing that i would probably at some point, have to cold turkey again? YES YES YES!! right now i am killing my liver, kidneys and stomach with ibuprofen (huge doses!) just to get thru the day. when it gets too bad i use marijuana sparingly. it is legal here in alaska as long as you dont buy or sell it. i also use valerian root tea (the capsules dont do a thing!) even tho it stinks like 10 dead dogs in the hot sunshine! right now i am in somewhat of a remission but still have pain of about 7-8 (on 10 scale) daily. i live with a huge rice filled heating pad that i made. sadly my body is very resistant to any drug, be it natural or pharmacudical so even if i could get it things like flexeril, lortab and the like do almost nothing! when it have used my full arsenol of home remedies and am still in tears then i have to go in and pray that the er will give me a shot of somethign that will help. i try to educate the drs and the public to the relative dangers in nsaids and other otc and commonly used prescription drugs. the safest thing to use are herbs and "natural" drugs like opiates. they are safer than aspirin or anything else when used by someone who truly needs them. the government has made opiates look so bad to help them with their lucrative "war on drugs"! in the early 1900s the average person who used opiates daily was married with children, attended church regularly, held a job etc. it was only after the government found out how much $$ they could bring in by making it illegal that they portrayed them as something evil and useless. it is not inherantly bad it is the fact that it is illegal that carries a stigma. there is no upper lmit on dose as with virtually any other drug as long as it is titrated up correctly. yes your body does get "used" to having it but then it gets used to things like food, water, sugars, caffiene etc also! if a drug or anything else makes life better then it is good, if it interferes with life then you have a problem. for someone in intractable pain it can mean the difference between living life and just being alive. ok stepping off my soap box now lol. just a lttile somethign to think about. peace connie in alaska |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 08:03:59 AM
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I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 24 years ago, I just happened to have a doctor whose wife had it, so he recognized the condition. For years I was told that fibromyalgia was just some whiny imaginary condition that women seemed to think they had. It has been a long and rocky road, I use lots of ice, also rice heating pads, sometimes feline hotpacks when they are willing, and take neurontin, flexeril, and pain meds when i can no longer stand it.It is such an overwhelming condition sometimes, I don't sleep that well, I wake up and wonder if I'm just going to manage to fall out of bed, or if I will be able to walk upright. The stress levels in my life have reached gigantic proportions lately and I find it difficult to turn that around. Well, I think at this point I am just blathering so I will stop. I think the thing that is the most overwleming about fibro is that all the little things I took for granted are sometimes so very very hard to do, I agree with you, Connie, going the natural route with remedies is much better than the limited benifits of pharmaceuticals, but when the pain takes over, I'll reach for whatever I think might help.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
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Jana
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Jana
Eau Claire
Wisconsin
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 3:09:51 PM
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I couldn't agree more with Carol Sue. Keeping on top of the pain is important because by the time you try to get a bad flare under control it can take hours for meds to start working.
I've had fibro for 18 years and it has gotten worse over time. I have tried several medications and had dangerous side effects from some. Thats not to say that would be true for everyone. We all have different bodies. I also have other underlying medical conditions.
Finally my doc and I sort of threw in the towel and I went on hydrocodone-acetaminophene. There is a fatigue factor with opiate medications and monitoring for tolerance is important as well, but for me, for now this works. I at least can move!
Jana |
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Tapestry
True Blue Farmgirl
1223 Posts
Cheryl
Wisconsin
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - Sep 22 2008 : 7:47:30 PM
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I read everyone's posts and it does help, I think, to know a person isn't alone in their struggle with FMS. They say God never gives a person more than they can handle. I would say God believes us all to be very strong women. We haven't let this condition beat us and despite bad days we continue to do what we can, when we can. Gentle huggzz for all and I hope everyone has a pain free wk. ahead.
Happy farmgirl sister #353
Look for rainbows instead of mud puddles 
http://tapestrysimaginings.blogspot.com/ |
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MsCwick
True Blue Farmgirl
775 Posts
Cristine
Farmville
Virginia
USA
775 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2009 : 11:32:40 AM
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| Bump for the advice regarding my recent post! :) |
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corporatefarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
389 Posts
Tamara
Pikeville
TN
USA
389 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2009 : 1:22:35 PM
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Hey ladies, I had been out of the Mary Jane loop for a while due to family issues. I have been dealing with a horrible "episode" of Fibro and CFS. My legs and arms felt like they were on fire, my head hurt so bad that it felt like it was going to explode and I was tired to the bone. Then I found a couple of things that seem to help.
1. Nettle infusion. Take 1/2 cup of Nettles and place in a quart jar. Cover with boiling water and let set for 4 hours to over night. Strain and fridge. Dring a quart a day ( you can add honey if you like). Nettle helps clean the blood stream of toxins and encourages the kidneys to work really well. It also helps with energy.
2. D-Ribose - THIS STUFF IS A MIRACLE. Take 1 teaspoon 3x a day for increased energy and pain relief. It would take a LONG time to explain how it works so check it out on the web. D-Ribose is naturally occuring in the human body. Be sure to get the powder. - THIS WAS JUST ON GOOD MORNING AMERICA - They recommended for the exhaustion that comes with Fibro and CFS.
3. Dead Sea Bath Salt Soaks - Helps to ease the pain and reduce swelling. Put a big cup or two in a nice warm bath and soak.
Hope this helps someone else. It is sad to hear so many others are going through what I go through.
live well,
Tamara
www.thegoodearthfarm.com
"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children"
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2009 : 5:19:23 PM
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Thanks for the information, Tamara. I'll go to the food co-op tomorrow and look for the remedies you mentioned. If my driveway isn't a total ice slide...
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
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Here's to Your Health: Fibromyalgia |
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Fibromyalgia
