A night of fun = A day of pain

Why is it that when we spend a night out having fun we have to pay for it all day the next day? My friend Lella and her boyfriend, Allen, had us over for a cookout and to play cards last night. We went about 6 PM and came home about 2 AM and had a GREAT time. However, the old monster Fibro raised it's ugly head this morning when I tried to get out of bed. It took me several minutes, and tries to even move. Of course I slept so hard and I had laid on my back -- which is a NO NO that I thought it was broken. After I finally managed to get up came the legs and arms and on and on. Gee it's the best time I've had in ages and then today is crap. :(

They say to pace yourself and make sure you get rest. I took a nap yesterday and didn't get up until 3 PM to get ready to go. So it's not like I was up all day and night. But I feel like I was drunk (NO we weren't drinking) and walked out in front of a truck. Maybe if I was drinking I still wouldn't feel it LOL

I write this knowing that only those of you that have this dreaded curse can understand. Others say it's cause you're getting older, need to exercise more, blah, blah, blah. I really dislike those people that think all you have to do is exercise and eat veggies and you'll be just fine. I don't think setting in a chair and eating has anything to do with lack of exercise. Well that's my gripe for the day and aren't you glad I'm finished with it :) Maybe next time we'll play football or go roller skating so I can have a reason to feel this way.

I'm sorry I haven't been here much, but life keeps keeping me away from here. I am pretty sure my comment section is working now so I'm hoping some of you will let me know what subjects you would like for me to discuss. I saw a very interesting subject (at least for women) on another website that I am planning on discussing soon. It seems that I am not the only one that thinks the "bra companies" should come up with a Fibro friendly version. What do you think? More to come on that later.

Also coming up is my life as "The Princess and the Pea" -- so stay tuned and keep coming back.

God's Blessings for pain free days for all of you -- Darla

New card sheet for charity

I have made this sheet as a tribute to all of our service members past & present. Please do NOT use it for personal gain, upload to any other site or put on CD's. etc. This is copywritten to me and I will prosecute for this one. You may use it for personal and/or charity work - as long as the money goes to charity.

Please let remember September 11 !

Please feel free to post any comments you may have as I THINK my comment section is working now :)
{gentle hugs} & blessings Darla

Check out the FREE blog candy on fibrocrafts.blogspot

Hello all my fellow fibromites :) I wanted to pass this post along with the link so you can win you some nice blog candy. This comes from another fellow fibromite that also had to quit working because of Fibro. I just want to say welcome to my site Amy :) I didn't add all her wonderful teasing pictures here as I wanted you to go have a look around her site. Good luck and don't forget "Sharing is Caring" so if you need my address let me know LOL

ALSO MY COMMENT SECTION IS NOW WORKING -- well at least it was so give it a try:)

Friday, August 6, 2010

1000 sheets for A thousand sheets... and then some! :)
http://athousandsheetsofpaper.blogspot.com/2010/08/1000-sheets-for-thousand-sheets.html

Today is a special day here at the ol' A thousand sheets of paper blog. No, it's not quite the one year anniversary, as that was on July 16th. Instead I thought it would be fun to combine that celebration with another crazy milestone that I've been keeping track of and finally hit this past week... you see, since I started making cards and posting them here I've been keeping track of the number of different sheets of pattern paper that I cut into for my cards just to see how long it would take to get to 1000. I'm excited to say that it only took a couple weeks over my year anniversary to get there! I told you this was crazy! LOL!

Crazy or not though, I'm in the mood to celebrate (and clear out some paper) so I've got A THOUSAND 6x6 sheets of paper that I'm giving away! Wanna see what 1000 sheets of paper looks like? Take a look-see...

That's a lot of paper, huh? Perhaps just a bit crazy to send all to one person, so I'm breaking it apart into five candies of 200 sheets each. And the fun doesn't stop there! I couldn't celebrate a wonderful, exciting, surprising and simply amazing year of stamping and blogging without throwing some stamps into the mix as well! So I have collected stamps from all of my most favorite companies into one MEGA CANDY! Wanna know who all is included? There is:

Sweet November Coral Reefweaver, Chanter Heartsong, Coriander Fairy and Darby & Penelope
CC Designs Lil Emma Bug, Cherry Emma and Halloween Hansel
The Greeting Farm Miss Anya Dressy set, Fairy Chloe and Fairy Eva
Tickled Pink Lil Lolita Ivy and 60's Mod Ivy
Simply Betty Stamps Lola and Miller
Stamping Bella Maisy Ketto
Christy Croll Appley bowl Huggabug (since I couldn't include one of her fab Tiddly inks digis)
My Favorite Things Pure Innocence Fairy Girl
Sugar Nellie Gorjuss Girl "Just a girl"
Kraftin' Kimmie Drucilla and lots of little extras
Lili of the Valley Tiptoe fairy

Wondering what you need to do for a chance to win all of these plus some yummy paper? Well, because this is pretty big and I'm pretty excited about it, I really want to spread the word sooooo... in order to be eligible to win the grand prize you have to post about the 1000 sheets blog candy on your own blog (feel free to right click and use the paper photo above or even the stamp photo below), linking directly back to this post. Once you've done that, just leave a comment here and you will be entered... easy peasy! Like always, I will ship anywhere so all are welcome to play! :)

I will leave this candy open through Friday, September 3rd then random generator will pick a winner and I will announce on Saturday, September 4th


Gentle hugs - "see ya when I see ya" -- Darla

Fibromyalgia and Fatigue

I found this wonderful article on WebMD about Fibro and fatigue and wanted to share it with you. (see link at the bottom of my post) It has been one of those weeks for me to fight for energy every step of the way. I had to force myself to go to physical (water) therapy yesterday. But I did and after only one hour of easy exercise I came home and took a 3 hour nap! There are so many days I fight with myself because I still have that little voice inside saying "You are just lazy." So I get up and do something - anything to see how the day will go. Sometimes it works and I feel better, but other times I feel worse. I think with us Fibromites it is sometimes trial and error. At the same time I have to be careful not to hurt myself by letting what society (family, friends, spouses, etc) thinks I should do and what I can do get confused. If I do then I end up doing way too much and suffer for 2-3 days after. They call this an invisible disease for one reason and that's because no one except ourselves can know what's really going on with us.

My story may be like that of many of you. I hear rumors all the time about someone saying "What's happened to Darla, Mom, Auntie, etc, she used to have a spotless house and now it's like she only does what she has to". Or "She stays up all night and sleeps in the day time and takes naps". Oh my how horrible is that? lol I am way past 21 and I don't have any kids to raise so now I try and take care of myself and do what my body tells me I need too. I spent way too many years pushing myself to do what was expected of me and often ended up in the hospital from exhaustion. Of course now I realize it wasn't just "nerves", as I was told many times. Actually a lot of it was the stress I was putting on myself by thinking all this pain was in my head and I was just being lazy. So while I was trying to live up to what others thought I should be doing I was actually hurting myself.  I pray that for many of you this information will help you to understand that what we suffer from IS REAL and if no one else can see it and they don't understand what we tell them then it's "their problem." A little thing I learned when I was working was trying to decide "whose problem is it?" and if it's not mine I will not own it and let it go. Please try not to worry about what others think or say! You know how you feel and so go with that and take care of yourself.

Till next time I pray y'all have pain free and restful days.
Gentle hugs - Darla
http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/fibromyalgia-and-fatigue

Updates and supplements

Hi all - Sorry I haven't been here for a few days, but have been busy trying to design cards. I will have a new "charity" freebie up soon. Have been going to PT - water therapy - twice a week and it seems to be helping. However, Medicare only pays for a maximum of 8 visits. I am blessed though as the place where I go will let you come back when you want for only $3 per visit. So I hope I can keep up with it.

I did want to include a short message here about all the supplements you hear about for Fibro. It seems like every one in their brother has a "quick fix" for us. However, PLEASE check with your doctor or Pharmacist before you take them. Many medications start with the same "herbs" that these companies are trying to sell you. Many of them are nothing but sugar pills to make you "think" you feel better and TAKE YOUR MONEY. Others will counteract the medications you are taking and can cause serious side effects. Be sure and checkout some of the links I have posted to find new reseach and medications that are proven to work.

I have a link to get a free Fibromyalgia cookbook, if anyone would like to try it. I CANNOT attest to it's helpfulness, as I haven't tried it but eating healthy never hurt anyone. Please email me if you are interested.

Well it's to bed for me I have a long day tomorrow. Hope to be back very soon! Till then I wish everyone a blessed and pain free day. 

Ok so here's my back up plan :)

It seems that me comment section is NOT working as it did for me last night. So could everyone just email me your comments to fibromite05@yahoo. com and I will post them. Sorry for the inconvience, but I'm new at this ya know. I'll get it worked out sooner or later :)

Comments

My comment section may say that it does not take your comment. However, if you notice it took mine twice. So please check before you post a second time -- unlike me :)

Be more aware and importance of support groups

WOO HOO - Comments are now working - can't wait to hear from you!!

Hey everyone I hope you have had a good and somewhat pain free weekend. It has been crazy here the last few days - but what's new right? First of all we went to see Scotty on Thursday and had planned to have my Granddaughter, Christina's, cake while we were there. Most of that went fine. However, Darren ended up with a big blood pressure drop and racing heart. Which meant a trip to the hospital in the ambulance no less. I don't even want to see that bill :(  Anyway it turned out OK as it was just his medicine. The Doc at the VA had given him some new meds and told him when to take them. Well he did what they said, but they were wrong. At the hospital they gave him 2 bags of IV fluids and told him NOT to take the 2 meds at the same time any more. It just goes to show you that you always need to check with your Pharmacist when you get new meds to make sure you can take them together and/or at the same time. Then on Friday we had to go to VA for him to have more blood tests. This makes our 3rd trip there this week. It is a 45 minute drive - which is not bad. Except when it's 95 and you have no air conditioning in the truck - then it's BAD. 

Of course Saturday the ugly monster that lives within me had to rear it's ugly head.  Add I was in major pain all day. I know it was just a combination of the heat and stress, but it just loves to sneak up on us doesn't it?

I had a very enlightening experience while I was at the hospital. There was a nurse there who was very sluggish and seemed "out of it". I thought "Geez, oh Pete, can't this woman speed up a little"? Then it was like I slapped myself! What if this woman has Fibro and she can't go any faster? What if she is in so much pain, but has to work anyway, that it takes her forever to move? Oh my it really shook me up for a minute or so. Here I am judging others the same way I curse others for judging me. It's just like when I use the handicap parking and someone walks by and makes a snide remark like "She doesn't look handicapped to me".  How I hate that!! It sure will make me more aware of how I look at others in the future -- although I have always tried.

I did create a new t-shirt design that night that depicts "the monster within". To me our attitude is just as damaging sometimes as our pain. It makes us want to strike out at others because they do not understand. But how can they? If you saw someone with a heart condition -- would you know it? What about first stages of cancer?

As with anything else in our lives we must be aware of our thought and feelings, as much as our pain. Our "monster within" causes us more pain than just physical, but others can't know that unless we share it with them.  So please be kind to yourself and let others around you know when it's a "bad" day. It's VERY IMPORTANT to find a support group in your area and attend those meetings.  If there aren't any listed on the National Fibromyalgia website, check your local paper or call the local information and referral line at your local hospitals. Just like doctors - groups are not always set up the way you would like. Go a couple of times and then make a decision as to whether you want to go back or not. If you can't find a group -- find a few friends who support you and/or also have Fibro and go out for coffee or meet at some one's house (where you can openly cry and bitch if need be) .  From support groups I have ran and attended in the past here are a few things I feel they should include:
(1) Education about all aspects of Fibro and Chronic Fatigue
This can include speakers, handouts, flyers on events, etc - but don't blog a person down with too much information at once. Our foggy brains get confuzzled easy enough with only a few pieces of info. Pick your speakers wisely. I hate to go to groups and hear about a great new treatment only to find out it costs a zillion dollars -- which insurance doesn't pay for.
(2) Support - all groups should have some meetings where there is no speaker so those attending can share their support, strength and hope with others. This is NOT to TELL others what to do. It's to let them know what has and has not worked for you. Decisions about treatment, medications, etc should be left up to the individual. What works for one of us may not work for another. Our "monsters" have different appetites and some won't like what others do. :) Mine is very picky and only likes to eat certain meds for a limited amount of time. Then he doesn't let it work any more, so back to the doc I go to get another kind. :( 
NO MEDICAL ADVICE -- Unless you are a trained professional DON'T DO IT

Well that's about it for today as my vaccum is waiting on me :) I have attached a link (if I did it right) to my Cafe Press store where you can buy my t-shirts, hats, etc. I will be adding more later, but as with this blog it's a learning process.

http://www.cafepress.com/2heartsDesigns

Sending blessings and a wish for you to have pain free day
Darla

Comment Section not working

Sorry but my comment section isn't working, but I am working on it and some other things here. Will be back later :)
Wishing everyone is a blessed pain free day!

Some links and general info today :)

Well here it is another day already. Where does time go when you are having so much fun LOL However, I know with us fibromites "fun" is something rare. We have to take it in the sparse minutes when we can endure the pain and/or have the energy at the same time. I don't know about everyone, but for me, those two things rarely occur together. I try to pace myself - as is very important with us -- but it just doesn't seem to work. Being a type "A" personality I tend to always find 48 hours of things to do in 24. Of course it takes me about 72 hours to do what I used to be to do BF (before Fibro). I get so mad and frustrated at times that I am not able to do what I used to. I know age has some to do with it, but dang does it have to wear you out to take out the trash, do a few dishes or clean 1/2 a room? Many days just getting out of bed is a chore. I think God made me love dogs so I would have to make myself get up and let them out.  :)  Only He knows I don't have the energy to clean up after 3 of them, so not getting up is not an option. lol

I am thrilled at all the emails I got supporting my blog. I have been procrastinating about this for so long. However, I decided that although it's not fancy it's MINE and I can share my knowledge, strength and support with other Fibromites, such as myself, as that's what it's all about -- helping others! The help and support I get help in the process is just a double blessing.

I have had some medication questions from some readers. Since I am not a qualified medical professional I can only tell you what has and has not worked for me. None of what I share here is to be taken as medical advice. Talk everything over with your doctor. If he or she won't listen them it's time to find another one! My first Doc told me I'd be cured in 6 months - what an idiot!! One of the MOST IMPORTANT things for us is to have a doctor who truly understands our condition, is compassionate and is up to date on the latest treatments. Since I was diagnosed in 2000 there have been many new medications and treatments that have become available. Believe me I have tried almost all of them. Tomorrow I will let you know what meds, treatments. etc I have tried and if the worked or didn't work. Well -- er -- as many as my foggy little brain (and hubby) can remember. :)

For now these are the current medications and treatments I am receiving:
Cymbalta - I just started on this Monday so not sure how it's going to work, but it feels OK for now. (Coming off my old medication and switching to this is another story - for another day.)
Water Therapy - I will start this again next week. I have I have had it before in North Carolina and it worked great.
Trigger point injections - OH my Lord - if there's a place you can have them - then I've been stuck there lol Some worked and some didn't. Again it depends on who the Doc is that is giving them to you. My best experiences have been with Rheumatologists and Anesthesiologists. I just had one in the palm of my hand for a "trigger finger" and one in my hip last week. I am happy to say that they both worked! 
Ambien - this helps with my sleep but I rarely take it. It makes me too tired and gives me a headache if I take it for 2 or 3 days in a row.
Soma - generic - I take this a muscle relaxer once a day. It was prescribed 3 times a day but I know how addicting it can be so I won't let myself take that much.
Lorazepam - another one for the muscles and joints. It helps me be able to relax and sleep.  
Nexium - for acid reflux

OK so now you know most of my secret meds that keep me going. :) Many of these are VERY expensive. If you do not have insurance or are on a limited income - like most of us. Come back tomorrow and I will have some links for you to find out how the drug manufacturer may GIVE them to you.  

I wish everyone a virtually pain free day -- sending gentle hugs to all. (Isn't it a shame that we can't even stand to receive a BIG hug without cringing!) Don't forget to leave your comments and questions here so I can address the things you want to know about. A couple of links that may help you out with some of your Fibro questions :)
http://www.patientslikeme.com/home
http://www.fmaware.org



Love, Hugs n Blessings -- Darla

I dream of crafting & then
Craft my dreams


If God brings us to it ...
He will bring us through it

Symptoms of Fibro - not inclusive

What Are the Common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?


Common symptoms of fibromyalgia -- also known as fibromyalgia syndrome or FMS -- may include:

Pain
Anxiety
Concentration and memory problems -- known as "fibro fog"
Depression
Fatigue
Headaches
Irritable bowel syndrome
Morning stiffness
Painful menstrual cramps
Sleep problems
Swelling, numbness, and tingling in hands, arms, feet, and legs
Tender points  - at least 11 of the 18 body trigger points
Urinary symptoms

Although there are many more these are some of the most commom.

The first day of the rest of my life

Gee how many times have we said that. I say it everyday and so far it's been true LOL I'd like to welcome you to my little corner of the world. I will be sharing a lot of different things here. But mostly I have created this for those of us who suffer from the "curse" of Fibromyalgia. I will be posting whenever possible, hopefully daily, and sharing with you what's been going on in my life as well as any new things about Fibro I can find. So somedays it will be happy thoughts and some days I'll be whining and bitching about Docs, pain and laws. Whew - I think my foggy brain can handle that :)

I will also be posting some of my 3D sheets here that can be used to make a sell cards for CHARITY .  As long as the sheets are used to make cards or other crafts and the money goes to that charity I don't have a problem. However, if I find my cards and/or sheets on any other website, CD, DVD, etc. I WILL Prosecute. These sheets are my labor of love and my way of contributing to various charites. So be KIND and MIND the copywrite. Here's my first sheet to share. Hopefully before October some of you can get some use out of it.