I'm Back

It's been awhile since I have written here.  I was struggling with overwhelming feelings in my last post.  Most of the time I try to remain upbeat and thankful that I do not have a life threatening illness.  But, like everyone, I have moments when it all feels like its too much to handle.  So, I stopped writing for a bit.

I have continued my chiropractic therapy and I now only go once a week.  I do believe with all my heart that it is helping me.  I am not *pain free* so to speak, but my pain tolerance has improved.  I also saw my rheumatolgist a few weeks ago and we talked a bit about my pain and energy levels.  I told her that my energy was still low and she doubled my dose of Effexor.  I don't have depression, just fatigue.  She also told me something I didn't know.  She said I should be taking my muscle relaxers every night.  I was only taking them every once in awhile and she said they don't really work that way.  In order for them to be effective, I need to take them every night.  Since doing that, my pain tolerance is a bit better.  Maybe its b/c I am sleeping much more solid on the pain killers.  The only downside is that I need to take them early so they don't affect me in the mornings.  So, I try to take them anywhere between 6-7pm.  I am usually asleep by 9ish.  From a health standpoint, that is awesome!  But, it isn't great for my relationship with my husband.  I am asleep and he is alone watching tv.  It really stinks, but I need that sleep to function.  So, very little alone time right now.  But, I have come to learn that things constantly change.  This current sleep pattern won't last forever, but its working now.  Eventually, I hope to get off medication some day!
Oh- and good news!  I was promoted at work and we also are buying a new house.  It's going to be a new build and has lots of storage space.  This means so much as I feel like I can't stuff anymore in this house!  I don't mean big stuff, I mean like bookbags and bike helmets!  Stuff kids use!  It won't be ready until April of next year, but I hope to get through the holidays stress free!

That's all for now!

Medication

I have completed my 1st week of chiropractic treatment.  I am going to go 3 times per week - for 4 weeks.  Week 1 is complete.  I can honestly say, it is helping.  I haven't been hobbling around in the morning with the pain in my legs.  But, I also haven't been doing any exercise lately.  Maybe that is the true test.

Whatever the reason, I am just going to accept it and be happy about it.  I am going to live in the moment and enjoy some pain free days.  I am not going to wait for the pain to start or read into it too much.  I am pretty darn happy about it!

As I continue with chiropractic treatment, I wonder if I can acheive my ultimate goal:  cut out medication.  I hate taking pills everyday and if I can get off some of it, that would be wonderful.  I know many people with fibro take a lot more than I do, so I can't complain much.  But, it's an expense and a pain in the butt remembering to take it everyday.

My routine for medication is:

• GNC Women's Ultra Mega Vitamin with breakfast.  This vitamin rocks!
• YAZ birth control pill & Effexor with lunch.  I really don't need birth control, my husband had a vasectomy after Austin was born.  But, I take it because the pain with my periods was so bad (since Austin's birth) and it was irregular, plus endometriosis..  I also had dramatic mood swings during this time, so it helps with that as well.  Effexor is what the dr. prescribed for the fibro pain.
• Zyrtec before bed.  This stops the wierd itching I get if I don't take it.  It's expensive over the counter, would love to drop this one!

Sometimes muscle relaxors or tyelenol pm before bed.

I have had no difficulty getting out of bed the past 2 mornings either.  I haven't exactly jumped right up, but I haven't been as sleepy and foggy in the morning.

Mondays hurt most

Mondays are usually the worst day of the week for me (with the exception of yesterday, a very sore Sunday).  My job requires very little physical effort, mostly sitting at a computer.  So, on Saturday and Sunday I tend to be more active and also spend 99.9% of my waking time with the kids.  So, by Monday I tend to feel like I didn't get any sleep all weekend.  The strange part is I actually got more sleep than during the week.

This morning I am having a hard time waking up.  Because I was so sore yesterday, I took muscle relaxers at 6:45pm last night.  I was asleep by 9:30pm and still had difficulty when the alarm clock started to go off at 6:30am.  I finally got up at 7:10 and then was 30 minutes late for work.  Unfortunately, this is a common occurance.  I can't seem to get out of bed in the morning, even after a good night of sleep.  I wish I could wake up refreshed.  The only time that ever happens is on a rare occassion that I can sleep in until noon.  I am not joking when I say that I could sleep for 15 hours without any problem.

So, here I am on Monday.  I feel a little better physically, but still sore.  Mentally, I am in a bit of a fog and feel like I can't get my engine started.  I had a little over 2 cups of coffee and breakfast, but its not helping.

I know tomorrow will be better.  I seem to gain energy throughout the week and then fizzle Friday night.  Saturdays are usually great because I sleep in a little later.  Sundays usually aren't too bad, unless I did extra activities on Saturday.  Then there are Mondays...