Comments on: Diagnosis: Fibromyalgia http://www.chubbymommy.com/exercise/diagnosis-fibromyalgia/ Diet, low-calorie recipes, weight loss, fitness and plus-size fashion Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:27:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Chubby Mommy http://www.chubbymommy.com/exercise/diagnosis-fibromyalgia/#comment-1915 Chubby Mommy Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:56:16 +0000 For years now, my doctor and I have been sporadically trying to pinpoint the reason for my fatigue, aches and pains. I say "sporadically" because my pain itself isn't a constant: there are days when even brushing my teeth seems like a Herculean task, and#comment-1915 I was so excited when we first arrived to find that the Ft. Leavenworth commissary actually stocked Tab soda, the original one. I bought up every 6-pack they had, and every time VH or I went to the store I cleaned them out again. At one point, I had a shelf full of the stuff, which VH used to call my "Preparing for Armageddon Supply". I eventually realized that with nineteen 6-packs, it was probably safe to stop stocking up and start drinking it. Wouldn't you, as soon as I ran out the commissary stopped carrying Tab? I'm livid. The Bialetti is amazing: it makes a wonderful cup of coffee, and it's unbelievably easy, too. I put mine on the stove before jumping in the shower, and by the time I'm done so is it. Love it! Just don't put it in the dishwasher if you want to keep it nice and shiny. :( Unfortunately, it looks like that place is out of Kauai beans, but I'll be sure to check back with them. Their "Breakfast at 11:00" blend sounds yummy, though! I was so excited when we first arrived to find that the Ft. Leavenworth commissary actually stocked Tab soda, the original one. I bought up every 6-pack they had, and every time VH or I went to the store I cleaned them out again.

At one point, I had a shelf full of the stuff, which VH used to call my “Preparing for Armageddon Supply”. I eventually realized that with nineteen 6-packs, it was probably safe to stop stocking up and start drinking it.

Wouldn’t you, as soon as I ran out the commissary stopped carrying Tab? I’m livid.

The Bialetti is amazing: it makes a wonderful cup of coffee, and it’s unbelievably easy, too. I put mine on the stove before jumping in the shower, and by the time I’m done so is it. Love it! Just don’t put it in the dishwasher if you want to keep it nice and shiny. :(

Unfortunately, it looks like that place is out of Kauai beans, but I’ll be sure to check back with them. Their “Breakfast at 11:00″ blend sounds yummy, though!

]]> By: wg http://www.chubbymommy.com/exercise/diagnosis-fibromyalgia/#comment-1914 wg Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:43:50 +0000 For years now, my doctor and I have been sporadically trying to pinpoint the reason for my fatigue, aches and pains. I say "sporadically" because my pain itself isn't a constant: there are days when even brushing my teeth seems like a Herculean task, and#comment-1914 I did not recall that bit of information, no. :) That's funny. Ok, I must own a Bialetti. That's just all there is to it. As for a bean, actually, yes, I do have a suggestion. <a href="http://allannbroscoffee.com/" rel="nofollow">Allann Brothers Coffee</a> based in Albany, OR has a 100% Aged Kauai blend that is <b>really</b> good, but they don't make much of it and it's usually gone very quickly. You're the one from Hawaii, you should know coffee! :) I did not recall that bit of information, no. :) That’s funny.

Ok, I must own a Bialetti. That’s just all there is to it. As for a bean, actually, yes, I do have a suggestion. Allann Brothers Coffee based in Albany, OR has a 100% Aged Kauai blend that is really good, but they don’t make much of it and it’s usually gone very quickly.

You’re the one from Hawaii, you should know coffee! :)

]]> By: Chubby Mommy http://www.chubbymommy.com/exercise/diagnosis-fibromyalgia/#comment-1907 Chubby Mommy Wed, 28 Nov 2007 01:45:04 +0000 For years now, my doctor and I have been sporadically trying to pinpoint the reason for my fatigue, aches and pains. I say "sporadically" because my pain itself isn't a constant: there are days when even brushing my teeth seems like a Herculean task, and#comment-1907 <em>Tab Energy Drinks are exactly the right size, are pink and made for women...</em>. You DO remember that I'm a <a href="http://www.electricvenom.com/2004/06/04/let-there-be-tab/" rel="nofollow">die-hard Tab soda (the original) addict</a> don't you? That pink stuff is sacrilegious. But I've got a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBialetti-Moka-Express-6-Cup%2Fdp%2FB000CNY6UK%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dhome-garden%26qid%3D1196214229%26sr%3D8-1&tag=electricvenom-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325" rel="nofollow">Bialetti</a> and I'm not afraid to use it. In fact, I *love* using it. I just have yet to find a bean worthy of the time it takes. Any suggestions on those? Tab Energy Drinks are exactly the right size, are pink and made for women….

You DO remember that I’m a die-hard Tab soda (the original) addict don’t you?

That pink stuff is sacrilegious.

But I’ve got a Bialetti and I’m not afraid to use it. In fact, I *love* using it. I just have yet to find a bean worthy of the time it takes.

Any suggestions on those?

]]> By: wg http://www.chubbymommy.com/exercise/diagnosis-fibromyalgia/#comment-1906 wg Wed, 28 Nov 2007 01:22:51 +0000 For years now, my doctor and I have been sporadically trying to pinpoint the reason for my fatigue, aches and pains. I say "sporadically" because my pain itself isn't a constant: there are days when even brushing my teeth seems like a Herculean task, and#comment-1906 Red usually starts the day with a cup of coffee. Or two. Or three, on really cold days. She occasionally will start the day with an energy drink containing taurine, L-carnatine, ginseng, guarana, and caffeine - Tab Energy Drinks are exactly the right size, are pink and made for women, and are low in carbs, sodium, and other assorted bad stuff. Most energy drinks aren't (such as the ridiculously oversized Monsters I drink from time to time). Anyway, we've found that the use of those has a diminishing effect on the amount of pain medication she needs, which is a good thing all around. Red usually starts the day with a cup of coffee. Or two. Or three, on really cold days. She occasionally will start the day with an energy drink containing taurine, L-carnatine, ginseng, guarana, and caffeine - Tab Energy Drinks are exactly the right size, are pink and made for women, and are low in carbs, sodium, and other assorted bad stuff. Most energy drinks aren’t (such as the ridiculously oversized Monsters I drink from time to time).

Anyway, we’ve found that the use of those has a diminishing effect on the amount of pain medication she needs, which is a good thing all around.

]]> By: Chubby Mommy http://www.chubbymommy.com/exercise/diagnosis-fibromyalgia/#comment-1901 Chubby Mommy Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:21:01 +0000 For years now, my doctor and I have been sporadically trying to pinpoint the reason for my fatigue, aches and pains. I say "sporadically" because my pain itself isn't a constant: there are days when even brushing my teeth seems like a Herculean task, and#comment-1901 Ironically, it also ushered in an era where women find themselves wondering how to measure up to their mothers' standards when, as you pointed out, that generation had plenty of "mother's little helpers" to get them through their day. (Oh great. Now I'm going to have that Rolling Stones song stuck in my head AGAIN!) Mine never did take meds to keep her house spotless. She had child labor (me) and what I now realize was a distinctly bipolar personality to help her get things done. Ironically, it also ushered in an era where women find themselves wondering how to measure up to their mothers’ standards when, as you pointed out, that generation had plenty of “mother’s little helpers” to get them through their day. (Oh great. Now I’m going to have that Rolling Stones song stuck in my head AGAIN!)

Mine never did take meds to keep her house spotless. She had child labor (me) and what I now realize was a distinctly bipolar personality to help her get things done.

]]> By: Chelle http://www.chubbymommy.com/exercise/diagnosis-fibromyalgia/#comment-1895 Chelle Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:04:06 +0000 For years now, my doctor and I have been sporadically trying to pinpoint the reason for my fatigue, aches and pains. I say "sporadically" because my pain itself isn't a constant: there are days when even brushing my teeth seems like a Herculean task, and#comment-1895 It's so funny that you should mention the mini-whites. My mother was absolutely neurotic about keeping her home clean. Guests couldn't excuse themselves to use the bathroom without coming back to find their drink gone and the mug or glass already washed and put away. My sister and I had the same conversation as that author did with her sister. My mother had a passion for black beauties and blue diamonds. Until they nearly killed her with sky high blood pressure. June Cleaver, Donna Reed... please, they had their mother's little helpers.Every generation did until the late 80's & early 90's that ushered in the self-help and group therapy era. It’s so funny that you should mention the mini-whites. My mother was absolutely neurotic about keeping her home clean. Guests couldn’t excuse themselves to use the bathroom without coming back to find their drink gone and the mug or glass already washed and put away. My sister and I had the same conversation as that author did with her sister. My mother had a passion for black beauties and blue diamonds. Until they nearly killed her with sky high blood pressure. June Cleaver, Donna Reed… please, they had their mother’s little helpers.Every generation did until the late 80’s & early 90’s that ushered in the self-help and group therapy era.

]]> By: Chubby Mommy http://www.chubbymommy.com/exercise/diagnosis-fibromyalgia/#comment-1893 Chubby Mommy Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:49:56 +0000 For years now, my doctor and I have been sporadically trying to pinpoint the reason for my fatigue, aches and pains. I say "sporadically" because my pain itself isn't a constant: there are days when even brushing my teeth seems like a Herculean task, and#comment-1893 Funny you should mention the Jekyll/Hyde thing: that's exactly what messing with my serotonin levels does to me, with similar "blink of an eye" speed. Stimulants, on the other hand, make me a happy little camper. One that's very productive, relatively pain-free, energetic and not all that interested in food. Some days, I really do feel like hunting down the legislators who outlawed mini-whites and asking <em>them</em> how on earth <em>they</em>'d have the energy to clean their own homes, take care of their own children, cook their own meals, work AND have something of a normal life on top of it. As <a href="http://uppoppedafox.blogspot.com/2006/09/frosted-mini-whites.html" rel="nofollow"> someone wrote</a>, "How about that? Better home management through chemicals." Funny you should mention the Jekyll/Hyde thing: that’s exactly what messing with my serotonin levels does to me, with similar “blink of an eye” speed.

Stimulants, on the other hand, make me a happy little camper. One that’s very productive, relatively pain-free, energetic and not all that interested in food.

Some days, I really do feel like hunting down the legislators who outlawed mini-whites and asking them how on earth they‘d have the energy to clean their own homes, take care of their own children, cook their own meals, work AND have something of a normal life on top of it.

As someone wrote, “How about that? Better home management through chemicals.”

]]> By: Chelle http://www.chubbymommy.com/exercise/diagnosis-fibromyalgia/#comment-1892 Chelle Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:25:17 +0000 For years now, my doctor and I have been sporadically trying to pinpoint the reason for my fatigue, aches and pains. I say "sporadically" because my pain itself isn't a constant: there are days when even brushing my teeth seems like a Herculean task, and#comment-1892 I've read of the great success many are having with stimulants and antidepressants. Unfortunately I have two things standing between me and stimulants, the bad heart valve and a mood disorder that only rears its ugly head in the presence of stimulants. They turn me into Jeckle & Hyde gone horribly wrong (think of the cartoon version where he keeps switching back and forth in the blink of an eye). Makes treating the asthma tons of fun because there isn't a single asthma medication that isn't a stimulant that's when they bring on the mood stabilizers. Currently the one my neuro-shrink has me trying, topamax, has shown some success in treating FMS as well and I can see a difference. It has my flare-ups cornered to that lovely hormonal time of the month. I’ve read of the great success many are having with stimulants and antidepressants. Unfortunately I have two things standing between me and stimulants, the bad heart valve and a mood disorder that only rears its ugly head in the presence of stimulants. They turn me into Jeckle & Hyde gone horribly wrong (think of the cartoon version where he keeps switching back and forth in the blink of an eye). Makes treating the asthma tons of fun because there isn’t a single asthma medication that isn’t a stimulant that’s when they bring on the mood stabilizers. Currently the one my neuro-shrink has me trying, topamax, has shown some success in treating FMS as well and I can see a difference. It has my flare-ups cornered to that lovely hormonal time of the month.

]]> By: Chubby Mommy http://www.chubbymommy.com/exercise/diagnosis-fibromyalgia/#comment-1885 Chubby Mommy Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:50:12 +0000 For years now, my doctor and I have been sporadically trying to pinpoint the reason for my fatigue, aches and pains. I say "sporadically" because my pain itself isn't a constant: there are days when even brushing my teeth seems like a Herculean task, and#comment-1885 Chelle, that's an excellent suggestion about the pedometer. My doctor definitely does seem to think that I'm more of a couch potato than I actually am. She doesn't seem to remember that a parent of a 7 y/o boy never really gets to sit still all day long. I'm running up and down two and sometimes three flights of stairs at least twice an hour (and even more often than that on days I do laundry), walking all over the house picking up messes and putting things away, standing for 30-minute stretches while cooking dinner, and doing whatever walking is involved when we go to the store or playground. And that's on days when I'm in pain. Like you pointed out, when I'm not having a flareup I'm more active. Granted, it's not as much as someone doing all of that in addition to aerobics, but it's a far cry from sitting immobile all darned day. I doubt I try the memory foam mattress. I bought one for my son's bed a while back and, although he loves it, the few times I've laid down with him I've found it to be less comfortable than our Sleep Number bed (which I'm not all that big a fan of). I have a feeling the night sweats would drive me nuts on a foam topper, too. Oddly enough, a lot of what I've found lately suggests the use of low-dose stimulants to treat fibromyalgia. Apparently, they not only counteract the fatigue but also help with the "brain fog" that WG mentioned. They also work on the dopamine levels without messing with serotonin, which would accomplish the same thing as the antidepressants that WG mentioned. I figure, hey, I'm a BIG fan of stimulants... or was in the early 90s (ahem). I've also noticed that when I take meds with pseudoephedrine for my allergy-related congestion, I tend to feel a bit more perky. So if she's going to insist on exercise for pain (which the Motrin 800s she's prescribed do nothing to relieve) then I'm going to demand something to help with the mental and physical exhaustion to make complying with her instructions a bit easier. Chelle, that’s an excellent suggestion about the pedometer. My doctor definitely does seem to think that I’m more of a couch potato than I actually am. She doesn’t seem to remember that a parent of a 7 y/o boy never really gets to sit still all day long.

I’m running up and down two and sometimes three flights of stairs at least twice an hour (and even more often than that on days I do laundry), walking all over the house picking up messes and putting things away, standing for 30-minute stretches while cooking dinner, and doing whatever walking is involved when we go to the store or playground.

And that’s on days when I’m in pain. Like you pointed out, when I’m not having a flareup I’m more active. Granted, it’s not as much as someone doing all of that in addition to aerobics, but it’s a far cry from sitting immobile all darned day.

I doubt I try the memory foam mattress. I bought one for my son’s bed a while back and, although he loves it, the few times I’ve laid down with him I’ve found it to be less comfortable than our Sleep Number bed (which I’m not all that big a fan of). I have a feeling the night sweats would drive me nuts on a foam topper, too.

Oddly enough, a lot of what I’ve found lately suggests the use of low-dose stimulants to treat fibromyalgia. Apparently, they not only counteract the fatigue but also help with the “brain fog” that WG mentioned. They also work on the dopamine levels without messing with serotonin, which would accomplish the same thing as the antidepressants that WG mentioned.

I figure, hey, I’m a BIG fan of stimulants… or was in the early 90s (ahem). I’ve also noticed that when I take meds with pseudoephedrine for my allergy-related congestion, I tend to feel a bit more perky.

So if she’s going to insist on exercise for pain (which the Motrin 800s she’s prescribed do nothing to relieve) then I’m going to demand something to help with the mental and physical exhaustion to make complying with her instructions a bit easier.

]]> By: Chubby Mommy http://www.chubbymommy.com/exercise/diagnosis-fibromyalgia/#comment-1878 Chubby Mommy Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:52:08 +0000 For years now, my doctor and I have been sporadically trying to pinpoint the reason for my fatigue, aches and pains. I say "sporadically" because my pain itself isn't a constant: there are days when even brushing my teeth seems like a Herculean task, and#comment-1878 That bit about the coffee might be the best news I've read in a while. (Last year's best bit of news was the announcement that Starbucks was putting a counter in at one of our grocery stores.) Yes, indeed, I do love my coffee. The type who likes to "Know Things And Do Research To Have An Informed Opinion"? Oh, yeah. Very much so. But I hate online groups. Hate, hate, hate 'em. That bit about the coffee might be the best news I’ve read in a while. (Last year’s best bit of news was the announcement that Starbucks was putting a counter in at one of our grocery stores.) Yes, indeed, I do love my coffee.

The type who likes to “Know Things And Do Research To Have An Informed Opinion”? Oh, yeah. Very much so. But I hate online groups. Hate, hate, hate ‘em.

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