Friday, June 10, 2011

Update On My Knee

So as you all know, I have been having problems with my knee for forever now. It looks like they have finally figured out what it is, but it also looks like some of the problems may actually be chronic.

The official name of my diagnosis is Pes Anserine Bursitis. It basically means that the pes anserine bursa (located right below the knee) is inflamed. While although it can be calmed down, it can also flare again whenever it pleases. When it flares it is some of the worst pain I've ever been in, even worse then most of my fibro pain. It gets to the point where just bending and straightening my knee hurts, let alone walking.

My physical therapist, Scott, has been working hard on getting it to calm back now. I don't know the names of all the different kinds of treatments he has been trying, but they are seeming to help, at least some. I just hope I don't have to go back for a cortisone shot, those things kill me, in so many ways.

I'm really not excited...just another diagnosis to add to my list, and yet even another one that can flare whenever it wants....*sigh*

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Rain, rain, go away...

It's been raining here for the past week and is supposed to for at least another week as well. This rain is killing me. Not only am I in lots of pain, but I also have wicked fatigue, to the point where it's hard to stay awake. I've had it now for a few weeks, but of course the rain is making it even worse.

This having no energy thing is harder for me then the pain. I feel as if I can't do anything at all. Even sitting up on the couch for too long is hard on me. Dan and I really need to be doing some cleaning as we have friends coming over tomorrow night, but where is the energy for that?

I am so tired I just feel like crying. Like all the time. It's really messing with my emotions and it's driving me absolutely crazy. I don't know what to do. I really take Vitamin D3 and a B complex. I take iron as well. I don't know what else to do or try.

Anyone have any advice?

Friday, May 13, 2011

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 2011

(This was supposed to be posted yesterday, but due to blogger's issues, it couldn't be.)

Here it is again, May 12th. Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. Awareness is SO important because so many people don't know what these illnesses are, or have misconceptions about them. They are NOT psychological, though that is the common belief. Personally, I sometimes wish they were psychological, because then maybe I could just take a pill and see a psychiatrist and be cured. But no, it really isn't that easy. Another reason awareness is so important is because maybe it will help inspire people to do more research, and hopeful
ly even find an effective treatment or cure. Awareness is also important because we have an "invisible illness" and people cannot tell we are sick just by looking at us, which often tends to make people believe that it is not real. Many doctors still don't believe it is real either, because there is no simple test to confirm Fibromyalgia, it is a diagnosis of elimination.

So, what did I do this year? Well, I did a couple of things. First of all, I wore my Fibromyalgia T-Shirt that I had gotten free from Vistaprint. I also participate
d in a balloon release. I only got three balloons, as I couldn't afford many, and also didn't want to do more harm to the environment. I wrote on them. They all said, on one side, "Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, May 12, 2011" and then each had their own writings on them. One was for Felicia Fibro because she wasn't able to do it herself, and her's said: "Hope is my future." I also had one that said "Hope for a cure" and the other one said "I long to be free again" which is a quote from a fantastic song written for awareness. Dan and I took them to the park and set them free. We clipped the strings from them, because I had read that those are the worst part for the environment. It was hard to take pictures of them as they flew away, but we did our best. Other then this adventure, I mostly posted lots of things on facebook and twitter.




Fibromyalgia is truly a debilitating disease. I am currently unable to find a job that my body can handle, and even though I now go to school online, that can be hard as well. The main parts of it are chronic fatigue and chronic pain, but honestly, that is just the beginning. Another big problem I have with it is the fibro fog. Someone can tell me something and I might forget it as soon as 5 minutes later, or sometimes something simple will really confuse me. It is very frustrating. I am only 22 years old and often feel as if I am at least 80. Fibromyalgia has taken many parts of my life away, and I can truly say that my life is not the same as it used to be.

Here is a link that might help you understand some symptoms: http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/understanding-fibromyalgia-symptoms

Do you still have more questions? Ask me, I'm always here and willing to answer.

Also, if you or a loved one suffers from Fibro, what did YOU do for awareness today?

Last, but by no means least, I wanted to share a video I made for Fibromyalgia & CFS/ME Awareness. It looks better on youtube though, so here is the link: Fibromyalgia & CFS/ME Awareness Video.


Monday, May 2, 2011

The News of May 1, 2011 - My Thoughts



Last night, I was bored and on twitter. I started seeing all these tweets about how President Obama was going to make a speech about a national security development at 1030pm. My first thought was, "what can be so important that he announces it late on a Sunday night?" Then my thoughts turned to fear. I wasn't sure what was going on, but I thought it couldn't be good, and must be some kind of emergency or something. I turned on CNN and started watching the news. The reporters were sounding like it was something huge, and that we should be prepared for whatever he has to say. My fear kicked in even more. After waiting over an hour, President Obama finally made his speech at 1130pm. He announced that Osama Bin Laden was dead, and that the US had completed a high risk mission in order to do this. I was still on twitter, and the amount of tweets I saw about this was astounding. Many people rejoiced, many people made jokes, and many people seemed outraged. I continued watching the news, and saw how people had gathered at the White House to celebrate and also at Ground Zero. People were chanting "USA! USA!" and were singing the national anthem. The amount of patriotism at the time was intense. I honestly kinda wished I was in either place to take part in this. I can only imagine how it must have felt to be in the middle of it. Several people spoke about how it finally brought some closure to the horrific event of 9/11.

I wish I could say that this is the end. But it's not. We still have to worry about Al Qadea planning a retaliation. I don't believe that they will take this sitting down. And honestly, that scares me to death. Obama said in his speech that they are preparing for it just in case, but honestly, how much can you prepare without knowing where they are going to strike?

Even if Al Qadea is too weak to plan a retaliation now, there is still terrorism. This is not going to end it. I wish it did, but it doesn't. It's also not the end of the war. I don't foresee them bringing our troops home because of this. The United States is always sticking their nose where it doesn't belong and always getting into wars.

This is big news for America, and don't get me wrong, I feel relieved that he is gone. But it just isn't the end, no matter how much we all want it to be.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Have you seen this?


In case you haven't seen it, I wanted to show you all the tattoo I got for Fibromyalgia awareness. A purple ribbon with the word HOPE also in purple. We all need to keep hope, keep hope that one day there will be a cure. And of course, we all need to keep hope in general.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Update-ish.

Well, I still seem to suck at updating this blog. Go figure, right?

So, my heart murmur is gone. Apparently it was the Trazadone that was causing it. Isn't that a scary thought? A medication that they gave me to help me sleep was screwing with my heart. I always knew that medications could be dangerous, but wow, I've never really had it happen to me.

A lot has gone on this month, and there is a lot that I really just don't want to talk about on here. Some of you know what's gone on, and I really want to thank those of you who have been there for me through it all. I really appreciate it. You all are the best! And in case you're wondering, I'm pretty sure things are getting better.

My friends Nicole & Jess came up this past weekend and it was a lot of fun. They live in NY/NJ so I don't get to see them very often. We did a lot of touristy stuff and had a good time. Boy did I pay for it afterwards though! I think I'm STILL in a bit of a fibro flare from it. But it really was worth it. I think that sometimes we have to do what we want/need and then pay for it later. I can't live my life doing nothing. I really think I would absolutely go crazy.

I'm starting back into counseling. I finally found a place that will help me out with my ridiculous copays. I met with Jodi today for the first time, and she seems awesome. She actually has Crohn's Disease herself, so she understands chronic illness, which is amazing. Not that I'm happy she's chronically sick herself, but it helps so much that she completely understands. I'm going to be seeing her weekly, and I'm actually happy about this. I hope to get myself feeling better.

Well, I guess that's it for now. Hope everyone is doing well!

Friday, April 1, 2011

There's Always More.

Well, I've been having more issues, but really are we surprised here?

I ended up having to go to FirstCare the other day because I was quite sick. I was dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous, unsteady, weak, felt dehydrated, etc. The doctor first thought I had developed diabetes, but my blood sugar was in normal range, so they then decided it must be side effects from the trazadone, since it had only been a week since I started. So on their instruction, I stopped the trazadone that night. Since it didn't really help with my sleep anyways, it wasn't that big of a deal. I felt better the day after, but now I'm starting to feel like that again. I have no idea what is wrong with me this time. And to be quite honest, I don't think anyone else does either. Back to my regular dr I will have to go at some point, oh boy.

Also at this last appointment, the doctor discovered that I had a heart murmur. He obviously must not of thought that it was anything to be overly concerned about, because all he told me to do was talk to my regular dr about it. But still, seriously, another thing wrong with me? *sigh*