After all this time, haven't posted on this blog in over a year and now I'm faced to deal with a new issue, these ice pick your headaches. Having to go in for MRI tomorrow and have been having lots of panic attacks over the past week to go with the headaches. These headaches pop in and pop out. They come without warning like I'm being stabbed in the temple with an ice pick, hence, the name. The is no garment of medication one can take, cause a quick as they come, they go. Some last a few seconds a couple times a week, shine come several times a day

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

Invisible Illness Week September 12th-18th. We all know that awareness is so important, and part of events for that week is the 30 things that affect us living with illness, and perhaps will help to gain a wee bit of understanding. 1. The illness I live with is: Fibromyalgia, Degenerative Bone Disease, Depression, Gulf War Symptom. 2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2011, 1999 3. But I had symptoms since: My entire life. 4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Losing the ability to just GO when I want. 5. Most people assume: That I need to press harder and pray more and it will be better 6. The hardest part about mornings are: Getting up when I just went to sleep 7. My favorite medical TV show is: Dr. Oz 8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: My cell phone and laptop 9. The hardest part about nights are: They end too soon, I stay up most of the night. 10. Each day I take 3 pills for blood pressure when I can remember, have dozens more for other symptoms. I hate taking pills 11. Regarding alternative treatments: I Prefer them to meds if I can. 12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Cancer, at least they treat you for it without accusing you of being crazy. 13. Regarding working and career: I am currently unable to work like I use to. Crushing and devasting to my bank account. 14. People would be surprised to know: The amount of times that I CRY~ 15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: The constant thought of being homeless, again. 16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: Move 17. The commercials about my illness: What commercial? 18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: Travelling 19. It was really hard to have to give up: My control over my body. 20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: Jewelry making, blogging, researching 21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: Return to church to teach/preach 22. My illness has taught me: God is always with me 23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: Don't you remember. 24. But I love it when people: Call for no particular reason. 25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: God is a present help in the times of trouble and Psalms 23, HE restores my soul~ 26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: If your doctor is not for you, or don't believe you, you will know in 5 minutes, get a new doctor. 27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: The fight is relentless and so am I. 28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: All expense paid trip to the beach in Gulf Port, MS, overlooking the ocean~ 29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: Awareness is important so we can get the research we desperately need. 30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: Loved, cared for, supported. GO RHIARMY! Thank you - if you made it this far, thank you so so much. Subscribe, follow, share. It helps make the extra tough days a little easier with a bit of hope in the darkness.

Know the Signs of a Heart Attack and Strokes

Warning Signs of Heart Attack

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most start slowly with mild pain or discomfort with one or more of these symptoms:

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

•Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

•Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.

•Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.


Warning Signs of a Stroke/CVA

The key to recognizing signs of a stroke is that they are SUDDEN:

•Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

•Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

•Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

•Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

•Sudden severe headache with no known cause

If you or someone you know experiences any of the heart attack or stroke warning signs, call 9-1-1 immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms started. It’s very important to take action immediately. Getting to the hospital in time may help reduce the devastating effects of these medical emergencies.

Where to Get More Information about Heart Disease and Stroke

•Talk to your doctor or healthcare professional. If you have heart disease or have had a stroke, members of your family may also be at risk. It’s important for them to make changes now to lower their risk.

•Call 800-AHA-USA1 (800-242-8721) or browse americanheart.org to learn more about heart disease.

•Call 888-4-STROKE (800-478-7653) or visit strokeassociation.org to learn more about stroke.

Fleeting and Fastly Fading Friendships

I have been having "Pains" for as far back as I can remember, and I do know that upon every visit to the doctor, my pain level was 8-10. But over time and of being overlooked and dropped through the cracks when the Home Invader moved in and slammed me, I soon found out QUICK who was my real friends, and I learned the painful truth about Fleeting, and Fastly Fading Friends. When the pain became so overbearing to the point, I was going days without sleep, because whenever I would lay down, night or day, the pain would tap me in the back and remind me that it was still there, still active, and still awake.

Not really knowing what was going on with me, (go figure) and even got to the point, I felt like I was losing my mind, I couldn't remember things, the PAIN was/had taken over. When I finally mustered up enough strength to try to find out what was going on, all roads were leading to the Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. I slowly began to tell friends, and as I told them, they slowly started to flee and fade away fastly.

Overtime, some of my friends, who I thought were really good close friends just quit calling, quit replying to my texts, my emails, my phone calls, well reluctantly, I quit too. It had become too much for me to keep up, because by now, it is like the water dams have broken and not only am I dealing with pain, I am dealing with a entourage of symptoms that has literally consumed me and exaperated all my STRENGTH.

There is a friend who has not faltered nor failed me. He has been there to wipe away the tears I cry at night, He is there to speak LIFE, HOPE and HEALING into my heart, my mind, my body, my spirit. He is always there. At first, for a brief moment, I took for granted that I didn't deserve His presence, His mercy, His grace, because surely, I did something to bring this on, and my Friend reminded me that His grace is sufficient and that His strength is made perfect in my weakness. So these days, when I have no one to rely on, no one to talk to... no one that "really" understands who I am and what I am dealing with, this ONE FRIEND, yet remains faithful and unfailing. I AM so grateful to have a friend like the Lord, a Friend who will never leave you, never forsake you, a friend who will be with me always, even to the very end.

I just believe that even in the confusion of all this pain, that on the last day of this life of mine, HE will be there holding me, and welcoming me into His eternal home, I see we embracing each other as friends, yet in love with each other, with a story in my eyes that simply said, "I kept the faith, I fought a good fight, had it hard, had to walk this road many times alone, clouded from my tears, but I kept the faith. Family turned on me, friends walked away without an understanding, but Jesus, Lord Jesus I kept the faith, then for one quick moment, I close my eyes just to reopen them in the New Jerusalem.
Jesus is a friend who has never, will never fail.

WedMD health assessment on my Fibro

You report that you have already had a doctor diagnose you with fibromyalgia and that you are taking prescription medication for the condition. If your pain has been reduced or eliminated, you should continue with the treatment recommended by your doctor. But if your pain is not well-controlled, your doctor may keep adjusting your treatment regimen to find a combination of medication and nonmedication therapies that work for you. Responses to treatment vary by person, and finding the right mix that eliminates or reduces your pain may take a few months. MEDICATIONS A wide variety of prescription medications are used to treat the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Although all of the prescription medications mentioned below have been studied in people with fibromyalgia, only three medications have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for use in those who have fibromyalgia: Cymbalta (duloxetine), Lyrica (pregabalin), and Savella (milnacipran). *Analgesics. Although pain is a key symptom of fibromyalgia, certain types of analgesics, or pain relievers, have not been found effective, including some opioids, such as OxyContin (oxycodone) or Percocet (acetaminophen and oxycodone). The mild opioid Ultram (tramadol), with or without acetaminophen, has been shown to be effective for those with fibromyalgia. However, due to side effects and dependency issues, opioids should be used only when other medications and therapies have proven ineffective. Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen and NSAIDs, may also benefit those with fibromyalgia. However, NSAIDs have been shown to be ineffective when used alone for fibromyalgia pain, which may be because fibromyalgia pain is not related to inflammation. * Antidepressants. Many people with fibromyalgia also suffer from depression. The relationship between the two is unclear. Depression may be due to fibromyalgia symptoms, such as chronic pain and fatigue. It may also be related to imbalances of the brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine, which are seen in both conditions. For many, taking an antidepressant often helps decrease the sense of pain. While Cymbalta (duloxetine) is the only antidepressant FDA-approved to treat fibromyalgia, others prescribed for people with chronic pain or depressed mood associated with fibromyalgia include Elavil (amitriptyline), Paxil (paroxetine), and Prozac (fluoxetine). While not an antidepressant, Savella (milnacipran) is approved for fibromyalgia and works much like an antidepressant by altering chemical imbalances in the brain. * Antiseizure Medications. Recent fibromyalgia research has found that altered function of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) may play a role in fibromyalgia symptoms. Antiseizure medications that act on the central nervous system have been proven to sustain pain reduction and improve sleep quality in people with fibromyalgia. Lyrica (pregabalin) is the only antiseizure medication approved for fibromyalgia, although Neurontin (gabapentin) is also used. * Muscle Relaxants. These medications help relieve painful muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants commonly used in people with fibromyalgia include Cycloflex (cyclobenzaprine), Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine), Norflex (orphenadrine citrate), and Soma (carisoprodol), and Zanaflex (tizanidine). * Sleep Medications. When pain prevents you from getting an uninterrupted night's sleep, your body will feel the effects, which may include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, a weakened immune system, weight gain, irritability, and an increased sense of pain. If you are waking unrefreshed due to poor sleep caused by fibromyalgia symptoms, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications to help with sleep such as Ambien (zolpidem), Lunesta (eszopiclone), or Sonata (zaleplon).Medications are just part of the treatment plan for people with fibromyalgia, however. Studies have also shown that exercise, patient education programs, and cognitive behavioral therapy can treat fibromyalgia. COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT) Studies show that CBT, which adjusts maladaptive patterns of thinking, can be as beneficial for treatment of pain and depressed mood. Working with a therapist, you can learn how to overcome negative thoughts and to learn to focus on activities and thoughts that bring you pleasure instead. PATIENT EDUCATION CLASSES There is strong evidence showing that such classes, especially when combined with CBT and exercise, greatly help reduce some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia for three months to one year. In a patient education class, lectures, written materials, and demonstrations are used to teach people with fibromyalgia how to reduce their symptoms and maintain control of their condition.

WELL-BEING

Sounds like you are having a tough time. Your responses to several questions indicate that fibromyalgia significantly affects your life and health. That's understandable, but it's time for you to start feeling better more often by considering whether you are doing everything you can to help manage your fibromyalgia. Focusing on living a healthy lifestyle certainly can make a big difference in how you feel. EAT RIGHT AND LIGHT Everybody, regardless of health condition, should strive to eat a balanced diet in the right portion sizes. Optimal nutrition contributes to optimal health. The body simply works best when it gets the nutrients it needs through a wide variety of foods taken in moderation. EXERCISE A LITTLE EVERY DAY Aerobic exercise and muscle strengthening have been found to improve the ability to function, boost mood, and decrease fatigue. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consider beginning an exercise program. However, do not start any exercise program until you have gotten your doctor's approval. You may experience mild-to-moderate muscle pain at first as the body adjusts, but the long-term benefits of sticking with exercise far outweigh any short-term discomfort you may experience. Some exercise may be less painful than others, such as walking or doing aerobics in a heated pool, although doctors suggest experimenting to find a program that you feel most comfortable doing. Eventually, you can gradually increase how often and how intense you exercise, so your body can benefit even more. KEEP STRESS IN CHECK The standard pace of life these days seems fast and furious, so slowing down to relax may feel like a waste of time. But it's not. In fact, finding time every day to slow down and take it easy is an extremely valuable part of a healthy lifestyle. Reducing stress reduces the intensity of pain. Simply sitting comfortably in a quiet room and breathing deeply can help. If you have trouble simply letting stress go, therapists can help you learn simple mind-over-matter techniques, such as guided imagery to visualize a calm place, progressive muscle relaxation to eliminate tension in the body, meditation, biofeedback, and even hypnosis. BE A SOCIAL ANIMAL It's true: People do need people. If you have a strong, supportive social network, tapping into it to visit friends or asking for help when you need it may help with some of your symptoms. Being connected to others has been shown to reduce pain and anxiety. One-on-one counseling, group counseling, and support groups also provide a place to vent about your frustrations, while receiving encouragement and coping techniques from others who may share similar symptoms.

If you are doing everything you are supposed to be doing and still suffering, then you should set up an appointment with your doctor to have your treatment plan re-evaluated. Perhaps it is time for a change in medication or medication dosage.

KNOWLEDGE

How much do you really know about fibromyalgia? See how your answers stacked up. You answered 5 of 5 questions correctly or 100 percent.


There are no blood tests that help to diagnose fibromyalgia. [TRUE] Fibromyalgia is a condition that affects mainly women, mostly between the age of 20 and 50. It is characterized by widespread pain and aching in the body, as well as fatigue, sleep problems, and morning stiffness. Blood tests cannot pinpoint the source of the pain or measure fatigue. Instead, doctors examine 18 specific tender points on the body. If a patient reports widespread pain (that is, in both the top and bottom of the body and on both the left and right sides) and experiences pain in 11 or more of the 18 tender points during a physical examination, a doctor may diagnose fibromyalgia. If a patient had previously been diagnosed with another significant condition, such as a rheumatic disorder like rheumatoid arthritis, and yet experiences widespread pain and pain in tender points, a patient may also have fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia does not shorten life span. [TRUE] Fibromyalgia doesn't directly decrease the quantity of years lived, but it can greatly impact the quality of them. Pain and severe fatigue can make keeping up with responsibilities at work and at home quite difficult, leading some people with the condition to file for disability. Fibromyalgia can make physical movements painful, so many people with the syndrome tend to limit exercise; some even develop a fear of physical movement. Ultimately, avoiding movement reduces fitness level and leads to a sedentary state, which can increase the risk for other health problems, such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, or stroke. Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia, proper treatment can help improve the quality of life and help prevent further health problems that could shorten life span.

All doctors know how to diagnose and treat fibromyalgia. [FALSE] Diagnosing fibromyalgia can be tricky, and not all doctors are experienced in doing so. For many people with fibromyalgia, the doctor initially may suspect that symptoms, such as widespread pain, fatigue, waking unrefreshed, and headaches, are caused by another condition with overlapping symptoms. If you have been diagnosed with a condition that has the same or similar symptoms and your symptoms are not improving with treatment, talk to your doctor about the possibility of a fibromyalgia diagnosis.

People with fibromyalgia feel pain when they start to exercise, but they should continue to exercise anyway. [TRUE] Scientific studies show that when people living with fibromyalgia participate in a daily exercise routine, they have less pain and experience improved function. Talk to your doctor about your exercise regimen. Depending on your health and physical condition, some exercises may not be recommended. When beginning an exercise program, you may experience mild-to-moderate muscle pain as the body adjusts, but the long-term benefits exceed the short-term pain experienced. The key is to overcome exercise-related pain, along with any fear of pain exercise might cause, by preparing the body for exercise and finding an exercise program that you feel comfortable doing. And some exercises may be less painful than others, such as walking or doing aerobics in a heated pool instead of walking or doing aerobics on land. You should speak with your doctor for help finding the right exercise routine for you.

Strong narcotics, such as Lortab (hydrocodone) or Percocet (oxycodone) are recommended for the pain of fibromyalgia. [FALSE] Narcotic opioid pain relievers, such as Lortab (acetaminophen and hydrocodone), OxyContin (oxycodone), or Percocet (acetaminophen and oxycodone), are not recommended for treating fibromyalgia pain simply because they don't work for many people who have the condition. A study from the University of Michigan helps explain why. Researchers there found that the opioid receptors in the brains of people with fibromyalgia have a decreased ability to bind and therefore less of a chance for medications targeting those receptors to ease fibromyalgia pain. The study also found that people with fibromyalgia and depression had the least available opioid receptors, making pain relief even more challenging. Because researchers have learned more about how fibromyalgia affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), they have found that anticonvulsants (antiseizure medications) are helpful. These medications include Lyrica (pregabalin), which has been FDA-approved for fibromyalgia, and Neurontin (gabapentin). Both work directly on the brain and spinal cord to reduce the production of pain signals. These medications not only ease pain but also decrease fatigue and help patients get more refreshing sleep, which also helps improve symptoms.


1. Wolfe, F, Smythe, HA, Yunus, MB, et al. American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990 Criteria for the Classification of Fibromyalgia. Arth & Rheum 1990; 33(2):160-172.
2. Goldenberg, DL, Burckhardt, C, Crofford, L. Management of fibromyalgia syndrome. JAMA 2004; 292(19):2388-2395.
3. Carville, SF, Arendt-Nielsen, S, Bliddal, H, et al. EULAR evidence based recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome. Ann Rheum Dis 2007; online.
4. Burckhardt, CS, Clark, SR, Bennett, RM. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire: Development and validation. J Rheum 1991; 18(5):728-733.
5. Crofford, L. Pain management in fibromyalgia. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2008; 20(3):246-250.
6. Harris, R, Clauw, D, Scott, D, et al. Decreased central mu-opioid receptor availability in fibromyalgia. J Neurosci 2007; 27(37):1000-1006.
7. Zautra, A. Strengthening resilience capacity might light the way to a brighter future for patients with fibromyalgia. Nat Clin Pract Rheumatol 2008; published online.
8. Gowans, S, deHueck, A. Effectiveness of exercise in management of fibromyalgia. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2004; 16(2):138-142.
9. Rooks, D, Gautam, S, Romeling, M, et al. Group exercise, education, and combination self-management in women with fibromyalgia: a randomized trial. Arch Intern Med 2007; 167(20):2192-2200.
10. Jones, K, Clark, S, Bennett, R. Prescribing exercise for people with fibromyalgia. AACN Clin Issues 2002; 13(2):277-293.
11. Chakrabarty, S, Zoorob, R. Fibromyalgia. Am Fam Physician 2007; 76(2):247-254.
12. Goldenberg, D. Multidisciplinary modalities in the treatment of fibromyalgia. J Clin Psychiatry 2008; 69(Suppl 2):30-34.
13. Zozulya, A, Gabaeva, M, Sokolov, O, et al. Personality, coping style, and constitutional neuroimmunology. J Immunotoxicol 2008; 5(2):221-225.
14. Karp, J, Shega, J, morone, N, Weiner, D. Advances in understanding the mechanisms and management of persistent pain in older adults. Br J Anaesth 2008; 101(1):111-120
15. American College of Rheumatology:”Fibromyalgia.”
16. Nickerson , B PharmD, BCPS; Recent Advances in the Treatment of Pain Associated With Fibromyalgia; US Pharm. 2009;34(9):49-55.
17. Russell IJ, Kamin M, Bennett RM, et al. Efficacy of tramadol in treatment of pain in fibromyalgia. J Clin Rheumatol. 2000;6:250-257.
18. Bennett RM, Kamin M, Karim R, et al. Tramadol and acetaminophen combination tablets in the treatment of fibromyalgia pain: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Am J Med. 2003;114:537-545.
19. Bennett RM, Schein J, Kosinski MR, et al. Impact of fibromyalgia pain on health-related quality of life before and after treatment with tramadol/acetaminophen. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;53:519-527.
20. Buckhardt CS, Goldenberg D, Crofford L, et al. Guideline for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome pain in adults and children. Glenview, IL: American Pain Society; 2005.
21. Fibromyalgia Symptoms.Org: “Muscle Relaxants”
22. Tofferi, J. Jackson, J. O’Malley, P. Treatment of Fibromyalgia With Cyclobenzaprine: A Meta-Analysis; Arthritis & Rheumatism; 2004; 51: 9–13.
23. Bernardy K, Fuber N, Kollner V, Hauser W.; Efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapies in fibromyalgia syndrome - a systematic review and metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials; J Rheumatol. 2010 Oct;37(10):1991-2005.
24. Fors EA, Sexton H, Gotestam KG. The effect of guided imagery and amitriptyline on daily fibromyalgia pain. J Psychiatr Res. 2002;36:179

The Quilt

As I faced my Maker at the last Judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives, like the squares of a quilt, in many piles.

An Angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that was our life.

But as my Angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares were. They were filled with giant holes! Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I had endured, (which were the largest holes of all).

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Others had a tiny hole here and there, other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune.

I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My Angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light and the scrutiny of truth. The others rose each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been.

My Angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, death, and false accusations that took from me my world as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I had spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully; each time offering it up to the Father, in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me. And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it had been.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with eyes wide. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded through the many holes, creating an image.

The face of Christ.

Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said,

"Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.

Welcome Home My Child"

Author "Unknown"

Feeling raped

Today, I had to visit the doctor recommended by the Social Security. I am not sure how one 15 minute break would give him the qualification to determine my eligibility of disability, but I left his office, feeling as I had been raped. No he did not touch me, just the 'feeling' of helplessness. Called my own Social Worker, because I am having such a hard time getting through to the X ray department for the Xray of my heart and carotid arteries, only to find out the PCP I thought I got rid of back a few months ago, she is still my PCP, just been letting her interns see me, after speaking with the nurse in the Pain Clinic was told that she "the quack doc" was notified back in May, so here I sit in all this pain all this time, called also to patient affairs to find out why she is still my PCP and NO response from them. I am really trying NOT to go to the hospital to handle this............................. Another Fibro day from hell, migraine, stress, back aching, foot rash and needing to be removed!!!, Neck and shoulders in spazms, it can't get no worse, or can it.