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English Essay on Fibro....also a patient

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Posted 11/9/2010 8:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I am new here. I was googling "best places to live with fibro"and a thread of this website came up. I was so intrigued that I joined. The question someone else asked was were the best place to live with fibro was. Many people mentioned where not to live and somebody mentioned Northern California and Oregon. Well living in Northern California myself, I would say Eureka and Redding are good places to live. The pain never goes away, but it does calm down in those areas. I think it has a lot to do with the elevation. Redding is 500 feet above sea level, I actually live at 2000 feet above sea level and I can feel the difference while driving home from Redding! In traveling I think my body would feel better in warmer climates such as Arizona or New Mexico. Since receiving this illness, I have had to change my car, my bed, what clothes I wear, how I travel, what I eat, etc. I am not complaining, just being aware of my fibro. I am also wondering what others have had to do for their fibromyalgia to make it more bearable. If you would move, where to?

I am putting myself through college and as the weather patterns change, I find myself wondering if it is possible to make it through. If the temperature changes by a 20 degree swing, I am immobilized! I don't take prescription medication for my fibro, but I do take Flexseed oil, all natural anxiety medication and evening primrose. I prefer the natural way. Besides I don't know if the prescription medications really work! Can anyone help me out there?

Before I write a novel, Have a great day!

(As someone wrote:) gentle hugs!
Posted 11/9/2010 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Nicincali, and welcome!  I'm glad you decided to join us!  It's good that you are so in tune with your body and seem to be adapting and changing things to work around the fibro.  That's great!  You don't want to give in to this illness and you CAN have a full and enjoyable life in spite of it.  I know because I have!

 

I live in Florida and there is a big difference to me over where I used to live....northern Ohio.  Yes, summers here are more painful for me because of the rain and humidity, but most of the year is very good for my fibro.

 

Be sure to check out Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum.  There are links to good information about fibro and you can learn a lot there and possibly find things that will help you. 

 

I don't take prescription meds either.  I use ibuprofen with food, extra strength Tylenol, malic acid/magnesium supplements, and vitamin D3 supplements to help with pain and fatigue.  You will find links in Fibro 101 about these supplements and how they work in your body.  Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist first to make sure there would be no interaction with anything you are now taking.

 

Also, you do need to keep moving.  If you sit or lay with this illness, you will be stiff as a board but I think you already know this.  I'm glad to see you are active.  But gentle exercise is great...walking, swimming, yoga, etc.  If you can do more, that's terrific!  But, keep moving.  I know I have less pain and fatigue because of this.

 

I'm so glad we popped up when you googled.  We have wonderful members that love to help one another and, as a bonus, we really do care about each other, too.  Don't hesitate to ask questions and I am looking forward to getting to know you.  Hope to hear from you soon.

 

Sherrine

Posted 11/9/2010 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
hi nicincali, welcome to our fibro family, Im glad that you found us. One thing I have learned with fibro is that what we all tolerate or what helps us as far as meds is so totally different with each of us. Alot of us are ultra sensitive as far as what we can take and there is no miracle drug out there. It is a trial and error sort of thing. Once again welcome and feel free to ask questions, vent if you need too and offer advice to others. Hope to hear from you soon.
Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 11/9/2010 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi nicincal,

Welcome to our fibro family. I 100% agree with Shirley about what she said in her post.
Once again welcome and hope you keep in touch.

Stacy

Gentle Hugs
Posted 11/9/2010 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome!!

I have found that different climates really make a huge impact on me. I was in the snow-belt for a few years for a job... and that really was no fun. Here in the mid-atlantic is much easier for me. Today was sunny and warm, around 68 or so.

As far as meds go, everyone is different, as is their tolerance. I couldn't continue to work without my meds, including pain and sleep pills. Though I will say that the so-called fibro drugs made me worse, not better.

Have a warm and fluffy day.
Posted 11/9/2010 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
 

Hi nicicali, 

 I'm glad you found this caring, and supportive group here.

Your post caused me to think of where I spent most of my life in the desert southwest of Cali.  I'm in Maryland now, but am hoping to move back there soon.

I think you live in a very nice area too, I've been to Merced and Redding, Merced is such a pretty town, well, it was when I visited there a long time ago.

I lived in the very lowest part of Cali, and though the summers are brutally hot, the winters are great, which average from 60 to 80 degress, and it is a nice arid heat, unlike here in MD, here the summers are very humid, and I have found the humidity to be pretty hard on me physically, it seems to make my joints ache much worse.

If you can get by with supplements for your fibro, that would be great, some people can. but if you need something more please talk about it with your doctor.   It does sound like you are adjusting well to this sometimes quite mystifying illness, which is really great.

Unfortunately I have found out I do need some help with pain medication, I take Tramadol, it really helps, plus I take a muscle relaxer called Flexeril, I only take the Flexeril at night, and it helps some with my sleep problems.

You will not see me all the time here because sometimes I cannot handle sitting and writing on the puter, (I wish I could more.)  I'm sure I'll see you around once in awhile though. Anyway I'm glad you joined us!

Take care, and God bless

Debbie

Posted 11/10/2010 7:39 AM (GMT 0)
I want to thank all of you who welcomed me! I thank you for your kindness. I wanted to mention to Debbie that if she has problems with sitting and typing, she might look into a software program called Dragon Naturally Speaking. It works with Microsoft programs, Internet, just about anything. You talk and it types! As for pain medication, I have taken it, but only when needed and for some reason muscle relaxers don't touch the fibro pain. Today I needed a pain killer, but couldn't take it! I had to attend school and impending weather didn't want to let me move very well today! You know it's bad when brushing your hair puts you in tears, LOL!

I have another question... I have noticed some people's allergies become hyper sensitive, is this common? I have an allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock) to all melons and cantaloupe, but since the fibro hit, even the smell of them now become just as dangerous.

Have a great day!
Posted 11/10/2010 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Nicincali!

Glad you joined us!! Man, you are so lucky to be able to get by with supplements alone. I tried that route. I was all but immobilized. I did it for 6 weeks. Couldn't take it anymore. I'm on Lyrica and just started Cymbalta with it. I was taking tramadol nearly daily till I started the cymbalta. It can cause seritonon syndrome so I don't take the tramadol anymore. I hate being so reliant on my meds but I can't live anywhere near close to normal without them.

As for me and where I'd like to love? Florida. My inlaws live there and I always feel better when I am there. Right now I live in where I like to call the "great white north" (especially after last winter) and I hate it. Warm always treats my body better!

Nice to meet you and looking forward to getting to know you!
Posted 11/10/2010 2:37 PM (GMT 0)

Wow...where to live.  I was born and raised in Central NY.  Moved to VA Beach for many years where I was dx'd with fibro.  It was very hot there, for many months out of the year, and the heat/humidity bothered me.  Plus the noise of jets roaring overhead night and day from the military training stations.  We moved three times to get out of the path only to have it changed over and over.  Finally, six years ago, we moved back to Central NY to take care of our ailing parents.  The snow has been brutal as I live t on Lake Ontario, an hour and a half from the Canadian border.  We have a four foot tall chain link fence and last winter the snow was so high the dogs could walk over it into our neighbors yard.  The steaming heat or the freezing cold...it's a toss up for me.  (I can remember getting blisters on my hand from going to the car in VA and touching the steering wheel)  My husband loves it here and keeps telling me 'it's easier to warm up than it is to cool off.'  Yet...no sunlight and months of snow.  Moving is not an option for us at the moment but I am thinking I might head off to neutral ground if I had a choice.

Donna

Posted 11/10/2010 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, welcome to the family! I lived in 5 differant states, originally from Wisconsin
and my body can no longer tolerate the cold winters. The southern states have
been somewhat kinder to my body. Presently I live in Arkansas. One thing for
sure is that I love the sun...it helps make me feel better. Cold, damp rainy weather
seems to trigger flares for me. Don't know where we will end up when hubby
retires...climate will certainly be a factor. All of my family live in cold weather
climates and it is difficult living so far away. I do visit throughout the year, but
am dressed for the North Pole when I visit during the winter.

I take Savella daily and use a muscle relaxer for flares. I use moist heat often,
do relaxation therapy during the day...deep breathing & meditation and walk
daily. Also use B-12 for energy and Vitamin D for achiness.

Glad you joined us!

Hugs, Robin
Posted 11/20/2010 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
To: Mrs. Mike,

The natural path I chose probably doesn't come close to helping with the pain that Lyrica or Cymbolta probably does. I chose this path 1.) because I can afford it and 2.) I think I might have a mental block when it comes to prescription medications. I was misdiagnosed as bipolar for 15 years and they gave me everything under the sun for that illness.

Since I have gotten older, I do not have proper insurance, so I can't afford prescription meds. I paid out of pocket for my visit to the Rheumatolgist. ($600.00 for 2 visits!)
Don't get me wrong, I think I would benefit from prescription meds, but I can't afford them and I am afraid to take them! Thank you for your kind post though! I hope you begin to enjoy visiting Chicago!
Posted 11/20/2010 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome to the forum!! I think you will find as many answers about where is the best place to live and what meds work best LOL. I have lived near Pittsburgh all my life so I really don't have anything to compare it to, although the winters are getting harder to deal with.

I tried most of the fibro meds and so far about the only thing that is helping is seroquil recently added to the zoloft.....zoloft in the am and seroquil at night. Tramadol in the afternoon on some days, soma as needed along with fioronol for migranes. My profile says I take neurontin but I don't and can't seem to change it.

We do have insurance but have a large deductable so it still seems to cost a small fortune for some of the meds.....LOL
Posted 11/20/2010 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
Cold is murder on me. So is a really high altitude. I live in Colorado, and I find I feel better whenever we travel to sea level. When we go to the mountains, I never feel good.

Debbie
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