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Stopping back in a bit and hoping for ideas

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 4/26/2016 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Well, the weather hasn't been cooperative enough to continue gardening, so I thought I'd stop by the forum and hopefully get some wise wisdom!

I've been carefully pacing myself, yet feel quite, well---wimpy, I guess, is the word. This isn't terribly unusual for me this time of year, but there are some additions. My breathing isn't as shallow as it is some Springtimes, but it's still not good. I have to remind myself to take good, deep breaths, and that helps a little. Off and on I feel a little light-headed, and maybe that's just due to the shallow breathing.

Another thing: I'm wondering if I might have Sjogren's syndrome, along with my other issues. I started piecing things together when my dentist commented last year that my health seemed to have something to do with rapidly forming cavities. I go back to the dentist next week and hope for the best, but already, I can see there are tooth issues and my mouth is always so dry, especially at night. I'm not currently taking any meds, but did take a very low dosage a few weeks back. Before that, I hadn't taken anything for a few months, so I don't think such dryness is from any medications.

I sip water and chew sugarless gum during the day and avoid caffeine. I get up a couple times at night and drink a little water and rinse my mouth. I'm well into menopause and have had no issues until a couple months ago---extreme 'female' dryness (I know some dryness is common, but 'very dry' can also be related to Sjogren's). An OTC gel does help, and I'm seeing an OB/gyn next week for that and another related "older female" issue. Whew! All this is a little stressful on one hand, but on the other, at least I'm getting everything checked out. As for getting checked for Sjogren's, I'm waiting a bit past these other appointments.

There are important events coming up in the family, including one relating to my future D-I-L. Right now, there are two "biggies" and I'd hate to miss out on either, but one is a graduation that's 2 hours long! I've been very achy this Spring, especially at night and early morning (unusual leg achiness for me--might this go with Sjogren's?). It's a little better now, but not good. I just can't see myself seated someplace for 2 hours, not feeling all that well, and it appears there's no place or way I could do even part of the ceremony. The past several weeks, it's all I can do to go to Mass for nearly an hour, and I change positions (sit, stand, kneel) there, so 2 hours of sitting sounds like agony. What do I do? I'd also hate to miss out on the other with future D-I-L, but wow, I've just been sort of wimpy and don't feel up to much running around at all.

I do blame the weather. It warmed nicely, briefly, then it's cool and damp and windy. Big-time rebellion for my body!

I don't want anyone to have hurt feelings, but just wonder how I'm going to get through these events. I really, really hate saying 'no' to anything, but also feel like I stick out like a sore thumb if I even mention my health isn't up to where it should be right now (I'd guess just about everyone on this forum can relate to that one). I'd like to "just do it," but try telling my body that! rolleyes I just don't want anyone to have hurt feelings, but how am I going to do these, feeling like I do?

Wise wisdom, anyone?
Posted 4/26/2016 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. Stop worrying! You are worrying about something that might not bother you at all. For graduation, get there early and snatch an aisle seat. So, if you really need to scoot out and stretch and walk, you can without really disturbing anyone. Trust me. You are not the only one who might get up. Most people can't sit still for two hours! Don't worry about it! You can do anything if you want to badly enough.

When my son wanted to go to DisneyWorld for his birthday I KNEW I didn't want to be pushed around in a wheelchair. I wanted to be with my kids in as normal a way. I had no idea how I was going to walk all day but I knew I was going to give it the old college try. I made it, was practically shuffling out to the car at the end of the day but was soooo proud of myself! I put my illnesses on the back burner and had a great time. I even rode the Mad Hatter Teacup ride and Splash Mountain with its 55 foot drop...in the front seat of the log! LOL. I get such joy telling this story and I would miss out on this if I had limited myself. Oh, I was sore and very tired but I sure had sweet dreams that night and I have wonderful memories for the rest of my life!

These things with your future daughter-in-law are important, once in a lifetime type things. I think you would really regret not giving it your best shot. You will be fine. You might be tired after it and sore for a few days but the memories will definitely be worth it.

Now, it's springtime and there is a bunch of pollen floating around. I didn't realize how much until I hosed off my deck a couple of weeks ago. We don't see the pollen but the water was yellow with pollen when I hosed the deck off! This pollen can cause people problems. I can't breathe as deeply in the spring, get a little short of breath when I walk and I also can get lightheaded and sometimes a wave of dizziness washes over me. I don't worry about it. It's spring...allergy season! Sinus season! Maybe you are a little stuffy and end up breathing through your mouth this time of year. I do but not every night. I hate that because my mouth will be absolutely dry and that is an awful feeling. But you could have dry mouth but not necessarily Sjogren's. I know I don't even think about adding another illness to my long list. I don't think all dry mouth is caused by Sjogren's. Some people deal with dry eyes too and that's not Sjogren's. See what I mean? Biotin is a product people use to help with dry mouth. (I think that's the right name.) You can try that and see if that helps.

I have a friend who has very soft teeth and gets a lot of dental caries and he also could chip his teeth just biting into something. He isn't having that problem now but I'm not sure why. He just said the dentist said his teeth were soft.

Luvs, please stop worrying about your health and instead focus on the good times that are coming up. You will be fine. Remember...you can do all things through God who gives you strength!

Sherrine
Posted 4/27/2016 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
Cupcake61, I started a new thread for you with your post in it. This way you will get more responses.

Sherrine
Posted 4/27/2016 1:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Sherrine (also, welcome Cupcake61!).

Great advice and food for thought as always, Sherrine. I think you're right on all counts, and I especially like your last sentence and the reminder, which is so true.

I think my indecision comes from feeling like I'm on a hamster wheel, dealing with fibro, then several other health-related issues. The new issues are especially troubling, and I think some things will disappear once our weather finally settles. That will be a relief. But there's a time to just 'take the bull by the horns,' 'bite the bullet,' and all that. It does seem when action is taken after indecision, it has a way of working out one way or another.

Hope you're having a wonderful day and week. :)
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