Fibro for 15 + years

 Hello...I have had fibro for a very long time now.  One thing that I notice is that my weight matters A LOT.  I am 5'7" and about 173 lbs. at my heaviest.  And that when I drop about 25 lbs...which I did about 3 years ago...I felt much better.  Not pain free by any means....but I was then able to walk for excercise without being in excruciating pain.

I have switched to biking...but only about 2 times a week right now...cause it still is new and my fibro body is trying to adjust.  But when I exercise my body....I am taking deeper breaths...which increases my oxygen intake....my seratonin levels increase.....and I am sweating toxins through my skin...not to mention that I "eliminate my bowels" more frequently.  So overall I feel like I have some control over the disease....instead of the disease controlling me.

The problem that occurs for me is the lack of energy.  Sooo....I am trying to do some other things to increase that issue....so that I have the energy to exercise.  I don't know about you guys...but I am SICK AND TIRED....of being SICK AND TIRED!!!!

Medications are:  Inderal....(generic Propranalol) for migraines.  Singulair....for allergies and Asthma (and Inderal spikes my asthma...so I take it also to help with that side effect.)  And finally....Cymbalta (60mg)...which was supposed to help me with "brain fog"....but the fog is getting worse.

Anyway....would love to hear from anyone on what is working for them....and not working.  I also take Malic Acid...Magnesium....Calcium...and a whole list of vitamins that I am taking..I'll list them another night....and a vitamin B shot once a week that I inject myself.    Ok...enough for now. 

Sweet Dreams...... 

                        

Hi Jacks Wife, welcome to our fibro family! I find that my energy level increases with
exercise. The days that I don't walk I tend to feel like a slug, so I really push myself to
try to make walking a part of my daily routine. I have started walking with a friend and
we motivate eachother.

There are days when overwhelming fatigue hits me. My rheumy suggested that I take
5000 mcg of B12 daily. It is the type you put under your tongue and let disolve. I buy it
at a health store. It has helped me. I tend to feel more fatigued when I'm flaring.

Your weight loss will make a differance on your joints and make it easier to exercise.
I have lost weight and I think it helps with the energy too. Diet also makes a big differance
in how I feel so I work on eating healthier...trying to eat more protein than the refined
carbs.

Be sure to checkout fibro 101, the second thread on page one there is good info for
the fibromite. Glad you have joined us!

Hugs, Robin

Hi Jack's Wife and welcome to the forums!! I'm sorry it's pain that brought you here, but I'm glad you found us!

My diagnosis of Fibro came last year, but I've had it for 35 years now. Add in all the other stuff that's going wrong in my body and you can see there's a lot of stuff going on. Combined with severe exhaustion, and it's been really hard to get out there and do anything physical to keep me flexible and strong. I had been walking as much as possible, but that's become hard to do now and I have to use a cane when I'm out because of my right hip.

What I've ended up doing is AquaFit. I go at least 2X a week, and sometimes 3, and I work at my own pace if I can't keep up with the instructor. I have been loving it!!! Working out in the water has been so soothing and supportive...and if the group is doing a movement that I can't manage, I simply keep jogging in place (or working whatever the last move was). It's a solid 45 minute workout with excellent results. I have been losing weight for the last few months, mostly because of the drugs I'm on, so I've lost approximately 40lbs now this year. The AquaFit has been a huge part of the weight loss, and I can see definite curves at my waist and hips and a lot less belly bulge!!!

I do a lot of gentle moving throughout the day to keep from getting stiff. That and AquaFit have done wonders for me.

Pam

First of all...WOW!!! I have never been a part of a "chat" before...and I thank you all for making me feel so welcome.
I'll try to reply to as many as I can in this one post...it's late and I'm very tired...but I want you all to know how much I appreciate your input.
Chutz....it's good to know there are "others" out there with this painful and disabilitating disease....but also good to hear how they are dealing with it. What has worked and what hasn't. My doctor tested for Fibro. and have MANY of the tell tale trigger points originally...and now have more than ever. Also deal with needing 10 hours each night for sleep...and still wake up sometimes feeling tired. So...don't know if it is sleep apnea....or fibro...or CFS or just peri-menopause. So many choices yet so little time....YIKES!!!!
Krazy Kitty....thanks for the encouragement to keep exercising. Also the comment..."My rheumy suggested that I take 5000 mcg of B12 daily. It is the type you put under your tongue and let disolve. I buy it
at a health store. It has helped me. I tend to feel more fatigued when I'm flaring." I will check into that on my next trip to the health food store. Great suggestions. I will also look into the fibro 101. I have been trying the more protein than carbs thing for the past couple of weeks and haven't noticed anything yet....but am hopeful to lose weight in the process...;)
Libby08....wow....sorry that you too are "foggy"....seems to be a problem with this silly condition. Not to mention that life has gotten WAY more complicated now than ever...so YIKES....I "feel" ya! Also...I'm taking all the same stuff holistically that you are....and add in Wobenzyme for inflammation. But I will list all the supplements next post.
alwayssick......I have been taking 2 Aleve at night to help me get as much rested sleep that I could. But it is tearing up my stomach. So I have stopped for a little while...hence the Wobenzyme (health food store) for inflamation. The Cymbalta 60 mg. is supposed to be for fibromyalgia as well.
MsBunky.....thanks for the welcome and the information about the water exercising...my sister lives in a condo with a pool....I may utilize that this summer to help me take some of the pressure off of this achey body. Not to mention lose some of this extra weight that I have "picked up". :) Is Laxaday a laxative? And does anyone else experience constipation with this condition...cause I do too! And I eat loads of salad....but now it is not working as well either. Hate it...cause when I don't eliminate...I feel like crap...no pun intended.:/
gettingby.....I pray that your Jack was as supportive as mine is...
Also...I am not familiar with too many medications for this condition. Other than the ones that I am on. Cymbalta...inderal...singulair. My doctor tried to get provigil for me...but my insurance wouldn't cover it. Is Adderal as tough to get ahold of...insurance wise? And what are the "major side effects" that you are experiencing...if any?

Thank you all....from the bottom of my heart for allowing me into your lives and your illness. Your transparency is touching...and my prayer is that we all share our knowledge and encouragement to help each other through this strange condition!!!

Going to bed now...cause I need my sleep....not a happy girl without it!!!!!!!!! I know that you guys know what I mean....tee hee!!!!

Glad to be here!!!!!!!!

Katbmom.....I am so glad that your Jack has been as supportive as my husband has.  That makes such a difference!  Living with chronic pain...wears me out....mentally...physically...spiritually and emotionally.  Having a loved one in my corner is so helpful.....and as you know...even they forget....cause we "look" ok.  There are no casts..scars..wheelchairs..walkers involved..so they can get overwhelmed with their own issues and lean heavily on us. 

I know how important it is to eat healthy and yet sometimes that takes WAY MORE ENERGY than I have.  So now...in the morning I have 2 scoops of a protein drink called....Source of Life...it is a lovely shade of green and makes me feel full till time to eat.   So once a week I reach for a can of tuna fish and hot sauce and call it lunch.  Most days I eat at least 4 cups of salad.  A couple of pieces of fruit.  Nuts...either in my salad or for snack.  A dinner consisting of protein and veggies.  And occassionally a sweet potato or reg potato when I feel the need.  Every night Before bed I heat up a mug of a Herbal supplement called "Natural Calm"..which is a powder magnesium citrate (615mg) 1 tsp. and mix it with orange juice after it "fizzes".   Then...when I can get to bed before 2 am....it's off to bed I go...NO TROUBLE SLEEPING!!!!  It's one thing that I can do VERY WELL ;)

I pray that all of you are getting a wonderful refreshing night of sleep tonight....Sweet Dreams.

Here is the list of supplements that I told you about a couple of days ago.  Just got the energy to type them all.

  

Breakfast Powder: 

Source of Life- Protein  two scoops mixed with 2 cups of Lactaid Lowfat Milk...Hormone Free.  Protein Powder Supplement...too many vitamins  to list separately.

Pills and Capsules- Taken Daily..... 

FibroMalic..which has Vit.C(8mg), Vit.B6(4mg), Magnesium Hydroxide (200mg), Malic Acid (800mg),Olive (dried powder extract), MSM (66.67 mg). 

Lecithin (soy) (1000mg), Phosphorous (from Lecithihn) (30mg), Mag-Oxide, Mag Sterate. 

Ubiquinol-QH Absorb (reduced from CO-Q10 (100mg)

CoEnzyme B-Complex Caps-Vegetarian Caps,Thiamine,Riboflavin, Niacin, Vit.B-6,Folic Acid, Vit B-12, d-Biotin

Pantothenic Acid

Inositol Hexanicinate, Soy Lecithin, PABA,PAK, Inositol, Alpha-lipoic Acid.