Today I’m writing about my health, something I don’t often do. You see, I have a host of auto-immune issues I’d love to forget about. Unfortunately the pain that keeps me company around the clock won’t allow that.
I have advanced osteoarthritis in my spine (degenerative disc disease), complete with spondylolisthesis and stenosis. What all that means is that my spine is deteriorating.
Visits to the spine institute here in central Ohio proved that surgery would help neither my spine nor my knees.
I endured not one set, but two, of epidural steroid injections—a most unpleasant experience—hoping to stop the pain radiating from my lower back to my knees. Each time, I had two and one half days of relief. Certainly not enough to make another round worth the effort. My specialist agreed.
Back to my primary care physician. She, like the two doctors I’d seen when we lived on the west side of the state, diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia. Damn.
There is nothing quite like having all over flu-like muscle pains and cramps for three years straight. I had to accept that I must have this disease, disorder, or syndrome—what it’s called depends on which report you read. Many doctors believe Fibro is all in your head. May they be blessed to receive it. I’m sure the other three million Americans who have this would agree.
I’ve set out on a self-directed study to find something that will help me—other than the brain-numbing, bone-killing, cancer-causing drugs touted as the end-all by the big drug companies.
Depression is a big part of Fibro. At the urging of my insurance company’s “chronic care” nurse I joined an online self-help group. After two weeks of the pity party, I unsubscribed.
I don’t want pity. Even on the bad days. I want to know how to deal with this frustrating disease to improve the quality of my life. It IS a quality of life issue because the disease, while not fatal, is life-long.
I’m not a doctor, I’m a patient. What works for me may or may not work for you. Fibro has no set-in-concrete symptoms or treatment. Fibro “flares” are caused by any number of things, but stress is highly regarded as a main trigger.
A multi-vitamin, good for most people, isn’t good for me. They are loaded with vitamin C and bee pollen. Vitamin C gives me hives and bee pollen gives me the headache from hell.
After much research, this is what I’m currently doing and taking to deal with MY fibromyalgia:
Yeast Fighters, Inflamation/Immune system
Zinc, Immune system
Vitamin E, Immune system
Echinacea, Immune system
Beta Carotene, Immune system/anti-oxidant
Calcium w/vitamin D, Bone health
Magnesium, Joint health
Glucosamine sulfate, Joint health
Mucinex (guaifenesin), Pain relief
Cayenne Fruit, Pain relief
Alpha Lipoic Acid, Anti-oxidant/free radicals
Fish Oil, Heart health
Folic Acid, Heart and nervous system
Vitamin B-12, Cardiovascular and nerve health
DGL (licorice extract), Enzymatic therapy
Cinnamon, Regulate blood sugars
Odorless garlic, Cholesterol
I take naps when I need to. I work from home so that I can take care of my health. My husband gives wonderful massages—and NO, I won’t rent him out.
Please check with your doctor before adding any of the above to your health regimen! This combination works for me, but it may not work for you.
Other than the vitamins, I’ve added one supplement at a time. Over time, some that had been added have been dropped because they simply didn’t help.
I also take Neuronton (Rx) for the nerve damage and stenosis in my spine, and have muscle relaxers and pain remedies to be used as needed. I avoid NSAIDs like the plague—I do not suffer from an Aleve deficiency.
So there it is. I haven’t had a Fibromyalgia flare since two days before Christmas. My arthritis also seems to be under control. I’m sleeping better. I’m writing every day and meeting my goals.
I urge you, if you have Fibromyalgia, to do your homework. The disease is NOT in your head. You do NOT have to suffer.
Recommended:
http://www.fmaware.org/index.html The National Fibromyalgia Association
“Get a Grip on Arthritis, and Other Inflammatory Disorders” by Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe
That’s it. I’m done writing about my health. I have four articles to get out this week. Deadlines don’t wait.
