Fibromyalgia [OT]

On Aug 4, 4:15*pm, wrote:
"Smokie Darling (Annie)" wrote:

* By "cheap carbs", do you mean simple carbs? Carbs that very quickly turn
* to sugar in your system? Eg, bread, crackers, potatoes, etc? (As opposed to
* complex carbs such as veggies?)

* Actually, it's reducing all carbs and completely avoiding "simple"
* carbs. *I knew there was a better word, but couldn't think of it.
* Can't have peas, carrots, corn either.

That's similar to the kinds of food the diabetics I know have to avoid.
Those foods have a high "glycemic index" meaning that they turn to sugar
very quickly. I guess sugar isn't so great for fibro either?

I know RA that the disease creates its own carb within the synovium
(according to one study), so reducing the carbs available seems to
reduce intensity and duration of flares. I've noticed with my fibro
that the same is true with the muscle pain. It doesn't seem as bad
when there aren't alot spare sugars running around (lol).

My rheumatologist modified Atkins for me, and when I'm good and follow
it, I have fewer problems.


* What is RA, by the way? I've heard it mentioned a couple of times but I'm
* not familiar with that name.

* RA, shorthand for rheumatoid arthritis.

OK, thanks. Ugh, that's awful having two kinds of body-pain conditions.
It must be hard sometimes to know which thing is causing some specific
pain or discomfort.

Actually, in my case it's pretty easy. Stress, any form. Creates all
kinds of problems. Most can be dealt with mentally, others just have
to be allowed to run their course. You get used to it. At least I
have, not too big a deal.

"Ginger-lyn" wrote in message
...
I've always suspected, but finally, last week, I got the diagnosis.

I'm supposed to exercise an hour a day (say WHAT????? Not with THIS
ankle, dude!) and double my Neurontin at night for two weeks, then triple
it if I am not doing better (which I am not, at the almost one-week mark).

I don't know much about the disease; what I've read is pretty confusing.

Anybody else here have it and want to share a bit about it?

Thanks,

Ginger-lyn

I don't have it, but I knew somebody who did. It sounds like a miserable
thing to have. I hope you can find something that will help. The same goes
for everybody who has it.

Joy

"Smokie Darling (Annie)" wrote in message
...
On Aug 4, 4:15 pm, wrote:
"Smokie Darling (Annie)" wrote:

By "cheap carbs", do you mean simple carbs? Carbs that very quickly
turn
to sugar in your system? Eg, bread, crackers, potatoes, etc? (As
opposed to
complex carbs such as veggies?)

Actually, it's reducing all carbs and completely avoiding "simple"
carbs. I knew there was a better word, but couldn't think of it.
Can't have peas, carrots, corn either.

That's similar to the kinds of food the diabetics I know have to avoid.
Those foods have a high "glycemic index" meaning that they turn to sugar
very quickly. I guess sugar isn't so great for fibro either?

I know RA that the disease creates its own carb within the synovium
(according to one study), so reducing the carbs available seems to
reduce intensity and duration of flares. I've noticed with my fibro
that the same is true with the muscle pain. It doesn't seem as bad
when there aren't alot spare sugars running around (lol).

My rheumatologist modified Atkins for me, and when I'm good and follow
it, I have fewer problems.


What is RA, by the way? I've heard it mentioned a couple of times but
I'm
not familiar with that name.

RA, shorthand for rheumatoid arthritis.

OK, thanks. Ugh, that's awful having two kinds of body-pain conditions.
It must be hard sometimes to know which thing is causing some specific
pain or discomfort.

Actually, in my case it's pretty easy. Stress, any form. Creates all
kinds of problems. Most can be dealt with mentally, others just have
to be allowed to run their course. You get used to it. At least I
have, not too big a deal.

================================================== =====

I think that stress causes problems for just about anybody who has *any*
chronic condition. It depletes the immune system and even perfectly healthy
people can contract illnesses when that happens.

It's funny, I can keep from stressing almost entirely at work - I'm the one
who breezes around the office saying "no problem, no problem". I can,
mostly, do that at home also - but then it sort of builds up, undetected,
for months and then I'll just erupt like Mount St. Helens! I just had a
*huge* fight with Ben over nothing, really, and that ends up making me feel
bad, physically *and* emotionally, for about a week until I can get over my
"snit"! ;

I don't have RA, I have OA - osteo-arthritis, which is *nothing* compared to
RA, so I have lots and lots of sympathy for what you're living with!
Girlfriend, I don't know how *you* do it! I know the flexeril helps a
little with the FM, but I can't see it doing much for the RA. Do you take
pain meds (aside from the "natural" ones ;)? I can't - they upset my
stomach too much, and in a way I'm glad since I'd probably be addicted to
them I'd have to take them so often.

Nose Kisses,

CatNipped

Ginger-lyn wrote:
Ginger-lyn

Mess Extraordinare

We're sending lots and lots of healing purrs and good karma your way.

--
Victor M. Martinez
Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)
Send your spam he
Email me he

On Aug 4, 7:24*pm, "CatNipped" wrote:
"Smokie Darling (Annie)" wrote in messagenews:2582f803-a9dc-

Actually, in my case it's pretty easy. *Stress, any form. *Creates all
kinds of problems. *Most can be dealt with mentally, others just have
to be allowed to run their course. *You get used to it. *At least I
have, not too big a deal.

================================================== =====

I think that stress causes problems for just about anybody who has *any*
chronic condition. *It depletes the immune system and even perfectly healthy
people can contract illnesses when that happens.

That's the funny thing (or rather another one) about RA. When the
immune system has something to "attack" (like a virus), then the joint
inflammation pretty much goes away. Part of the problem with RA is
that your own immune system starts attacking your joints as though
they were foreign bodies. So, you'll hear RA-babies wishing everyone
a "little" sick. Enough to send off the immune system, but not so
much to be unable to do every day things smile.


It's funny, I can keep from stressing almost entirely at work - I'm the one
who breezes around the office saying "no problem, no problem". *I can,
mostly, do that at home also - but then it sort of builds up, undetected,
for months and then I'll just erupt like Mount St. Helens! *

Guess what, you can't. Not really. You sound like me, you hide your
symptoms. That's why you explode. If it didn't bother you, that
wouldn't happen. Welcome to the "weird" club. Glad I'm not alone
anymore (lol).

I got to a point where when my body wants me to know I'm in pain,
since pain signals stopped working, I sweat. For no reason
whatsoever. I can be sitting on the sofa, and I just break out in a
sweat. That's when Jim goes and gets my meds for me. Granted, by
that time, it's pretty much useless, but hey... We try.

I just had a
*huge* fight with Ben over nothing, really, and that ends up making me feel
bad, physically *and* emotionally, for about a week until I can get over my
"snit"! *;

I don't have RA, I have OA - osteo-arthritis, which is *nothing* compared to
RA, so I have lots and lots of sympathy for what you're living with!
Girlfriend, I don't know how *you* do it! *I know the flexeril helps a
little with the FM, but I can't see it doing much for the RA. *Do you take
pain meds (aside from the "natural" ones ;)? *I can't - they upset my
stomach too much, and in a way I'm glad since I'd probably be addicted to
them I'd have to take them so often.

I have OA in one knee, that was operated on when I had an infection.
I wouldn't say RA is worse, they both suck.

I ain't nothin', I whine too much (and yes, I'd like some cheese
pleez). I'm amazed at other people, like you for example, who manage
through this crap and manage to still function at a high level.

I have oxycodone for the super bad times. I don't take it too often.
I'm afraid of one of two things, either becoming dependent (a nicer
word for addicted g) or building up a tolerance and having to take
more to relieve the pain. For what it relieves anyway.

I also have motrin and vicuprofen (vicoden without tylenol but
ibuprofen). The vicuprofen is for before the massive sweats start,
and it takes Jim to notice that too. Good thing he likes me,
otherwise, I'd be suffering for no good reason (lol)..

"Smokie Darling (Annie)" wrote:

That's the funny thing (or rather another one) about RA. When the
immune system has something to "attack" (like a virus), then the joint
inflammation pretty much goes away. Part of the problem with RA is
that your own immune system starts attacking your joints as though
they were foreign bodies. So, you'll hear RA-babies wishing everyone
a "little" sick. Enough to send off the immune system, but not so
much to be unable to do every day things smile.

Interesting - it's like your immune system gets bored, like teenagers
in a small town with nothing to do, who then start looking for trouble.
Or like a border collie who doesn't have a task to work on.

--
Joyce ^..^

(To email me, remove the X's from my user name.)

"Smokie Darling (Annie)" wrote in message
...
On Aug 4, 7:24 pm, "CatNipped" wrote:
"Smokie Darling (Annie)" wrote in
messagenews:2582f803-a9dc-

Actually, in my case it's pretty easy. Stress, any form. Creates all
kinds of problems. Most can be dealt with mentally, others just have
to be allowed to run their course. You get used to it. At least I
have, not too big a deal.

================================================== =====

I think that stress causes problems for just about anybody who has *any*
chronic condition. It depletes the immune system and even perfectly
healthy
people can contract illnesses when that happens.

That's the funny thing (or rather another one) about RA. When the
immune system has something to "attack" (like a virus), then the joint
inflammation pretty much goes away. Part of the problem with RA is
that your own immune system starts attacking your joints as though
they were foreign bodies. So, you'll hear RA-babies wishing everyone
a "little" sick. Enough to send off the immune system, but not so
much to be unable to do every day things smile.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That's weird - I didn't know that about RA. Maybe you should hang out a
grammar schools and pick up the cold kids always seem to swap back and
forth! ;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


It's funny, I can keep from stressing almost entirely at work - I'm the
one
who breezes around the office saying "no problem, no problem". I can,
mostly, do that at home also - but then it sort of builds up, undetected,
for months and then I'll just erupt like Mount St. Helens!

Guess what, you can't. Not really. You sound like me, you hide your
symptoms. That's why you explode. If it didn't bother you, that
wouldn't happen. Welcome to the "weird" club. Glad I'm not alone
anymore (lol).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh, I passed weird *decades* ago - I'm now living somewhere in the twilight
zone! ;
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I got to a point where when my body wants me to know I'm in pain,
since pain signals stopped working, I sweat. For no reason
whatsoever. I can be sitting on the sofa, and I just break out in a
sweat. That's when Jim goes and gets my meds for me. Granted, by
that time, it's pretty much useless, but hey... We try.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It amazes me what the body can do. I just wrote in another post that I have
a tooth with an infected nerve that also spread the infection into the jaw
on the right side of me face. The dentist prescribed Vicodin for me
thinking I would be in agonizing pain. Nope, didn't feel it - I almost
didn't even go to the dentist, but my tongue kept catching on the broken
tooth.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I just had a
*huge* fight with Ben over nothing, really, and that ends up making me
feel
bad, physically *and* emotionally, for about a week until I can get over
my
"snit"! ;

I don't have RA, I have OA - osteo-arthritis, which is *nothing* compared
to
RA, so I have lots and lots of sympathy for what you're living with!
Girlfriend, I don't know how *you* do it! I know the flexeril helps a
little with the FM, but I can't see it doing much for the RA. Do you take
pain meds (aside from the "natural" ones ;)? I can't - they upset my
stomach too much, and in a way I'm glad since I'd probably be addicted to
them I'd have to take them so often.

I have OA in one knee, that was operated on when I had an infection.
I wouldn't say RA is worse, they both suck.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But OA only affects one or a few joints at a time - RA affects *every*
joint.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I ain't nothin', I whine too much (and yes, I'd like some cheese
pleez). I'm amazed at other people, like you for example, who manage
through this crap and manage to still function at a high level.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh please! Want to talk about pity parties?! Come on over to my house
towards the end of the work week (and yeah, do bring the cheese)! ;
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have oxycodone for the super bad times. I don't take it too often.
I'm afraid of one of two things, either becoming dependent (a nicer
word for addicted g) or building up a tolerance and having to take
more to relieve the pain. For what it relieves anyway.

I also have motrin and vicuprofen (vicoden without tylenol but
ibuprofen). The vicuprofen is for before the massive sweats start,
and it takes Jim to notice that too. Good thing he likes me,
otherwise, I'd be suffering for no good reason (lol)..

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ben gives *great* massages - but it's also a bit frustrating... it helps the
muscle pain, but my real pain is *inside* the joints and bones (from my neck
and arm injury). Also, because of the FM, the massage will feel great, but
if he rubs too hard then I'll have 10 times the pain a few days later from
bruised muscles (I once made the *HUGE* mistake of going for a professional
"deep tissue massage" - good gawd, I thought I was dying (and afraid I
wasn't) for two weeks afterwards)

I just use ibuprofen - and try not to use that too much since I've been
getting little "mini hemorhages" under the skin (which tells me that my
blood is getting a bit too thin).

Ear Twitches,

CatNipped

On Aug 4, 10:01*pm, wrote:
"Smokie Darling (Annie)" wrote:

* That's the funny thing (or rather another one) about RA. *When the
* immune system has something to "attack" (like a virus), then the joint
* inflammation pretty much goes away. *Part of the problem with RA is
* that your own immune system starts attacking your joints as though
* they were foreign bodies. *So, you'll hear RA-babies wishing everyone
* a "little" sick. *Enough to send off the immune system, but not so
* much to be unable to do every day things smile.

Interesting - it's like your immune system gets bored, like teenagers
in a small town with nothing to do, who then start looking for trouble.
Or like a border collie who doesn't have a task to work on.

Actually, what the first rheumatologist told me that the immune system
gets amped up (and the doctors don't know why that happens), then
never settles back down. If you carry the tendency for RA (or the
gene or whatever), it gets set off, and it never settles back.

The major downside, even considering the pain, is that the medication
they use to treat RA, and prevent damage, suppresses the immune
system. To the point that you catch every blasted thing that is "out
there". Makes for an interesting time.

SD (Annie)

On Aug 5, 7:10*am, "CatNipped" wrote:
"Smokie Darling (Annie)" wrote in messagenews:10952149-0f90-

So, you'll hear RA-babies wishing everyone
a "little" sick. *Enough to send off the immune system, but not so
much to be unable to do every day things smile.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------*------------
That's weird - I didn't know that about RA. *Maybe you should hang out a
grammar schools and pick up the cold kids always seem to swap back and
forth! *;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------*------------

LOL... It's amazing what you learn when you have a disease/disorder.
The worst part with the RA is that it's *all* in the immune system.
At least docs know that. Now, if they can figure out how to reduce
it, without completely knocking out your white blood cell count (I
hover around 2, when normal is 4.1 to 6.something).

Welcome to the "weird" club. *Glad I'm not alone
anymore (lol).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------*-----------
Oh, I passed weird *decades* ago - I'm now living somewhere in the twilight
zone! *;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------*-----------

doo,doo, doo, doo.... me too. Actually, according to family, I've
been in the twilight zone since about birth.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------*-----------
It amazes me what the body can do. *I just wrote in another post that I have
a tooth with an infected nerve that also spread the infection into the jaw
on the right side of me face. *The dentist prescribed Vicodin for me
thinking I would be in agonizing pain. *Nope, didn't feel it - I almost
didn't even go to the dentist, but my tongue kept catching on the broken
tooth.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------*-----------

Yep, I remember reading that (and offering silent purrs and
offerings). I just remember thinking that your body decided you had
enough to deal with. When they say it's mind over matter, who knew
that it really is?


---------------------------------------------------------------------------*------------
But OA only affects one or a few joints at a time - RA affects *every*
joint.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------*------------

Okay, I give... That's true, and I won't say it isn't. What I will
say is that I never try to downgrade anyone else's pain. I know what
I can handle, and I know I'm strange. I have a very high tolerance,
but it's been built up over years. I know many people who appear to
be in more pain than I am, and maybe they don't have RA, but that
doesn't mean they don't hurt horribly.

Heck, I can remember hurting worse than I do now, so I'm grateful.
Gotta love the good days, and just deal with the bad ones.


I ain't nothin', I whine too much (and yes, I'd like some cheese
pleez). *I'm amazed at other people, like you for example, who manage
through this crap and manage to still function at a high level.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------*-----------
Oh please! *Want to talk about pity parties?! *Come on over to my *house
towards the end of the work week (and yeah, do bring the cheese)! *;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------*-----------

You know, if I ever get to visit my dad again, I'm writing to you and
taking you to lunch. He lives in Lufkin (we've talked about that
before). When I fly down, I go through Bush Airport, but I'm sure I
could find you. Nope, not a stalker, don't sweat that.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------*----------
Ben gives *great* massages - but it's also a bit frustrating... it helps the
muscle pain, but my real pain is *inside* the joints and bones (from my neck
and arm injury). *Also, because of the FM, the massage will feel great, but
if he rubs too hard then I'll have 10 times the pain a few days later from
bruised muscles (I once made the *HUGE* mistake of going for a professional
"deep tissue massage" - good gawd, I thought I was dying (and afraid I
wasn't) for two weeks afterwards)

A few years ago, Jim and I went to a casino/resort in Mesquite,
Nevada. My Aunt was also there (with her husband and my dad) since it
was for my birthday. Nope, won't say which one (lol). My Aunt
decided to 'buy' a spa treatment (with the hot rocks on the spine?).
I went. Big mistake. See, I can't be touched, not massaged, can't
even have my back scratched when it itches. Weird, huh? I miss
massages, I used give great neck and shoulder massages too, and still
can, but I pay for ages for it.


I just use ibuprofen - and try not to use that too much since I've been
getting little "mini *hemorhages" under the skin (which tells me that my
blood is getting a bit too thin).

I take a minimum of 1600 mg of ibuprofen every day. Unless I take
some vicuprofen, then add 200 or 400 to that, depending on one or
two. Fortunately, I don't bruise from that, but I do bruise when they
make me an insane b*tch and put me on Prednisone.

"Smokie Darling (Annie)" wrote in message
...


You know, if I ever get to visit my dad again, I'm writing to you and
taking you to lunch. He lives in Lufkin (we've talked about that
before). When I fly down, I go through Bush Airport, but I'm sure I
could find you. Nope, not a stalker, don't sweat that.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would *LOVE* to meet you IRL. I live pretty close to IAH - I could come
get you and take you to Papa's Seafood (they actually fix food here that any
restaurant in New Orleans would be proud to serve). So let me know next
time and we'll make plans!

Fluffy Spotty Tummy Rubs,

CatNipped