Got My Venlafaxine! (Sort of)

I need to make a correction to my last blog post. I DON'T take 325 mg of Venlafaxine. I take 225 mg.


Went to the pharmacy yesterday. The doctor had ok'd my refill of Venlafaxine. However, the pharmacy didn't have enough to fill my prescription. They gave me ten tablets and said I can pick of the remainder in two days. That's ok with me.

I did notice the instructions on the prescription bottle states to take one tablet in the morning and two tablets in the evening. I looked at the just emptied bottle and it had the same direction. I have been taking this medication for nearly ten years and my doctor's verbal instructions were for one a day, taken in the morning. I have been taking this prescription bottle out of my medicine cabinet everyone morning for nearly a year and I did not notice the additional two at night. I must call my doctor for clarification. We are not in an area where our telephones work so will call tomorrow when we go to town.

Two questions arise for me. One, if I had seen and accepted the additional two pills a day and took them would I have had a reaction? The second question is if I had taken the two additional pills, could I have felt much better starting a year ago? Guess I will wait until Wednesday to find out and will only take my usual one tablet in the morning.

This will be a good lesson to ALWAYS read the directions on my prescriptions, even if I've been taking the medication for years.

We are due to warm up and rain tonight. Right now it is still freezing outside. the transition could be nasty.

Football and Fibromyalgia

I love watching football! I don't have a favorite team right now, but I enjoy if the guys are playing the top of their game. This time of year we are headed for playoff season, which starts next Sunday. They will eliminate teams down to the last two, who will play in the Superbowl.

Football is good for my Fibromyalgia. It holds me in my chair. My body relaxes and sometimes I sleep through a quarter. There are times that I get excited and my body tenses, my mouth starts blabbing, which causes my head to hurt, so I need to be careful.

This week I've spent a lot of time in my chair. I am out of my Venlaflaxine 75 mg. I take 325 mg total and am thankful it was not my 150 mg prescription. I didn't know my doctor's office was closing the week between Christmas and the new year. The pharmacy sent a request for a refill and it's sitting in the fax machine waiting for the office to open Monday morning. I've been out since Wednesday. I have tried to keep my activity at a low level, afraid I will flare. My busiest activity has been carrying items downstairs. I limit myself to three carries each day. Thankfully, I'm done with that activity. Tuesday, I will take down the Christmas tree and decorations. A trip to the pharmacy is at the top of my list on Monday. I must make priorities. If I go to the pharmacy and pick up a few groceries, that's the end of my day...back to my trusty chair. :-)

Our Future is Spotless

"Our future is spotless" I interpret this to mean that the year 2011 is about to begin and what we do with 2011 as a blank slate, is our individual choice.

Will you choose to be positive?
Will you recognize when others need your help?
Will you choose to take the class you want to take because it's what YOU want for yourself?
Will you choose to eat well? Drive carefully? Tend to your health?
Will you choose to parent well?
Will you choose to share your wealth? I'm not talking about money.
Will you choose to believe in a higher power? Or not?
Will you find the style of book you enjoy?
Will you be proud of your tone of voice?
Will you volunteer for those less fortunate?

I hope that you will recognize that YOUR "future is spotless" like a blank canvas...paint your life colorful and clear.

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

I apologize for not posting the last few weeks. In preparation for the holiday and our kids (and their kids....am I sounding old?) to come home, I found myself eliminating, in order to get through the day. I know you all relate, with or without Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue.

I wish you all a happy holiday season. I hope you are able to be with your family or friends and to enjoy the love you share with each other. Try to remember to take breaks and allow others to help. If it isn't done by now, resign to the realization, it doesn't need to be done. Now this last comment I should erase as I will definitely have trouble following. ;D

My love and friendship I send to you. You all are a part of my daily living with these dreaded diseases and I wish you well.

Fibromyalgia is the Pitts!!!

I'm tired of this disease! Can we get back to the original "normal"?

My hands are more stiff than usual and they have been shaking today. Actually, everything has been stiffer. Light head and more mucous. Neck is tight as well as my lower back. Cramping in my back muscles and thighs. Having trouble raising my left arm.

Have I bitched enough?

Today was a beautiful day on the Oregon coast. Can't believe it is December. Rain will be moving back in and I will believe.

Collected a few Christmas decorations for our RV and moved the rest to Grandpa's house. On the 15th we will be moving our RV to Grandpa's. Will use most of my holiday decorations there. The kids will be home for the holiday. Will be wonderful to have them together.

We will join our friends, the Fergusons and Parkes for a seafood dinner at Norma's on Monday. Wednesday we will have a crab lunch with our friends, the Rickerts.

Hoping for a good night sleep!

"God Knows What He Is Doing"

"God Knows What He Is Doing"

Dolly Parton

I watched The Nat Berkus Show this morning. His guest was Dolly Parton. As she spoke to a gentleman who lost his wife during childbirth, she made the above quote as part of their conversation. When I heard the quote I immediately thought about myself dealing with Fibromyalgia. I'm sure most of us have wondered why the Good Lord gave us this disease. Because there is no cure, we are left to cope with a variety of symptoms as long as my arm.

I go on blind faith that God knows what he is doing.

Dogmom Diva: IT ARRIVED AND I ALMOST MISSED IT!

Dogmom Diva: IT ARRIVED AND I ALMOST MISSED IT!: "comments"

Thanks for posting photos of your handiwork. They are beautiful.

I need to apologize upfront...I need a "bitch post."

The last several weeks have been difficult. My cognitive is in left field. I can tell by looking at Dwain's face that he is getting tired of trying to understand me. I can't blame him. It's frustrating for me also. He will never truly understand how much.

The work we do in the park includes cleaning Yurts. We clean Yurts minimum four days a week. My neck, arms, wrists, shoulders and remaining back area are aggravated. I have had strong cramping in my back. Only way to have them relax is for Dwain to massage the cramping area. I'm thankful that he understands my mime because sometimes it hurts to bad to speak. We only have two weeks left at the park and I will be glad to move on.

I am sleeping well, which is helpful (thank you Trazodone!), even when I can't feel that it helps. This is a typical complaint with Fibromyalgia patients.

Fibromyalgia is playing havoc with my broken finger. Most of the time, it feels like it is healing. Then my finger will feel different sensations like burning and aching. The burning is a Fibro sensation. The aching may be Fibro or just that it is broken. Who knows! I still can't use it. Who knew that little pinky did so much!

My IBS is starting to raise its ugly head. Right now I'm managing well but I can tell it is just on the edge of blowing up. I'm sure it is from over working my body and the stress of the holiday season.

Christmas is coming. I've done very little shopping. My stomach is starting to turn...no gifts purchased and wrapped, haven't figured out menus for the time kids will be home.

I can't get ahead, let alone even.

Dwain has been snappy. I feel I'm walking on egg shells. My reaction is to tense, causing additional pain.

I can't move very fast. Seems everything happens in slow motion. So frustrating.

On a happy note. I have an appointment to get my haircut. That will be nice.

A second happy note...a former classmate was in the park today...Bill Potter. We visited nearly an hour. It was nice to see him.

A third happy note....Had a wonderful telephone visit with Lyla. How happy she is. I also did texting with Patrick and Joshua. I spoke with Seth briefly on Friday and Adam and Heather on Saturday.

Glad to be able to pour out some frustrations.

Leave The Rest To God

Live Simply

Love Generously

Care Deeply

Speak Kindly

Leave The Rest To God

I received this quote (author unknown) as a part of an email from a friend. We should strive to follow this advice. I believe "Leave The Rest To God" is difficult for some. If I leave me worries and troubles to God, I have less stress. The physical act of "letting go" is different than merely thinking about it. It takes practice. I'm so much better at letting go after a lifetime of practice. I hope my children will be able to give their worries to God sooner.

In relation to my Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, living simply, loving generously, caring deeply and speaking kindly, all provide my illnesses a better chance of "laying low."

Learning to "Live Simply" has brought its challenges. I must break down my life to short, simple experiences but enjoy them to the fullest. I can no longer participate in outside activities as I once did. I must be more selective, rather than trying to accomplish more than I can handle.

Wrinkles Don't Hurt!

"There is always a lot to be thankful for

if you take the time to look.

For example,

I'm sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt."

Anonymous

Bet you can't think of a good reason for weight gain. My Mother-in-Law told me not to worry about the weight I was gaining. She said the weight filled in any wrinkles I may have, "If you loose weight you may have wrinkles." I was so lucky to have her in my life, the lives of my children and their children. I am thankful for the best Mother-in-law.

Mother-in-Laws and Wrinkles Don't Need To Hurt

Today is a rainy day. What's to be thankful about the rain? The rain waters the grass, foliage and trees. It makes the "green" greener, flowers bloom and rivers run deeper. The sound of the rain on our roof is comforting. Rain is relaxing for me. I am thankful for the rain.

Rain Does Not Hurt

My dog Lucy provides lap therapy. She loves me unconditionally and I her. Lucy does not lick my face, she bumps it with her nose....sometimes a lot. :D She tries to protect me. She doesn't know she is only nine pounds. I'm one of her favorite people friends. She provides me with endless comic relief. I am thankful for Lucy.

Lucy Does Not Hurt

Dwain is playing his harmonica, learning a new song. Because of my proximity to him, the sounds is shrill. Fibromyalgia increases my hearing sensitivities. When I hear him play from a distance, I can appreciate his musical talent and I am thankful.

Music Does Not Hurt

I have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I have pain throughout my body. I choose to live my life the best I can. Yes, I do not sleep but 1.5 hours a night. I always remember to take my sleep medication. Yes, I have IBS, but have learned how to control it. Yes, I have Restless Leg Syndrome and am fortunate not to know when I am kicking Dwain. Yes, I have hearing and visual sensitivities, but I have learned how to cope. Yes, I am always fatigued. Remembering to pace myself is an on going battle.

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue DOES Hurt

So be thankful for everything you have or wished you didn't have. There is a silver lining for everything. If you choose NOT to see it and let Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue plunge you to the depth of despair, you loose.

Loosing DOES Hurt