30 things about my invisible illness you may not know...

September 10-16 2012 is National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week and the folks at invisibleillnessweek.com have come up with a list of "30 things about my invisible illness you may not know."  I’m participating in the challenge to answer the questions and posting them so that others can get to know me a little more.  If you also have an invisible illness, please copy the list, answer the questions for yourself and post them on your blog or facebook so that others might understand what it’s like for you to live with a chronic condition.  You can then post a link to invisibleillnessweek.com to let them know you are participating in spreading awareness.

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness I live with is: fibromyalgia

2. I was diagnosed with it in the year:  2011

3. But I had symptoms since: 2008

4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: cutting everything out of my schedule that didn’t involve family

5. Most people assume: that nothing is wrong, or that I have changed

6. The hardest part about mornings are: getting moving

7. My favorite medical TV show is: is General Hospital a medical TV show?  Ha ha

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my laptop!

9. The hardest part about nights are: worrying I won’t get to sleep and won’t have enough energy for the next day

10. Each day I take 1 prescription & 4 vitamins/supplements

11. Regarding alternative treatments I: do some research, pray and try what I feel led to

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: visible

13. Regarding working and career: it’s disappointing that I can’t do more, but I’m building an art career from home

14. People would be surprised to know: for me it’s not the pain that is hard to manage, it’s the fatigue

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: that I can’t take care of my little one the same as I did for my older 2

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: run!!

17. The commercials about my illness: don’t really cover it

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: exercising like I used to (pushing myself)

19. It was really hard to have to give up: sugar!  And processed foods (still working on that!)

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: photography

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: take my little one to the park and really play

22. My illness has taught me: to slow down and be totally depended on God moment by moment

23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: imply that I haven’t done everything possible to heal emotionally

 

24. But I love it when people: can sympathize or relate and offer their wisdom

25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: “Find rest, o my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” Psalm 62:5

26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: READ, cut out as much as you can to reduce stress and begin to take steps to heal your body

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: I have grown in compassion for others that suffer with chronic pain.  I thought I was compassionate before

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: my husband hiring cleaners for the house

29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: I love the idea of sharing a little more of my story & would love to get to know others that live with invisible illness as well

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: hopeful that you will understand me a little more

It's YOUR turn!  Answer these questions, post them on your blog or facebook.  You can link them to invisibleillnessweek.com and post the link in the comments section here so I can get to know you too!



 

Photo Friday!

You are welcome to download and use this photo with my watermark.  Share it on Facebook, Pinterest, or use it as a screensaver. (photos are not to be sold, or used for advertising, please link back to my shop when using photos online)  If you would like to purchase a print without the watermark, visit my shop on Etsy.  Discount prices for Friday Photos!

Creative Wave Studios - Special Sale!! 

 

2 birthday boys at our house this weekend!  We will be having a great time celebrating.  Hope you all enjoy your weekend as well!



 

Massage Me!

I know what you’re thinking.  “I have fibro, I can’t stand to be touched!  I’m NOT getting a massage.”  Actually massage from a skilled massage therapist can be very beneficial to those with fibromyalgia and plenty of other health issues.  Massage is often seen as a luxury or just a way to relax, but for those of us with fibro, it can be an important treatment tool in our toolbox.

My sister is a gifted massage therapist and I know a few others that practice.  When I first found out I had fibro my sister offered to help (I KNOW!).  The first things she noticed was that even though I was fully relaxed, my muscles, all of them, were tight.  She couldn’t believe it!  Regular massage can reduce that muscle tightness.  In fact here is a list of the benefits of regular massage according to fibromyalgia-symptoms.org

•     increased blood circulation to the muscles
•     faster muscle repair
•     increased flexibility
•     increased range of motion
•     decreased stress and depression
•     reduced pain
•     reduced stiffness
•     improved sleep patterns

According to their survey, given to fibro sufferers, massage therapy was the best rated fibromyalgia treatment by far.

Are you on board yet?  I know what you are thinking next, the cost.  "It just cost too much to get regular massage treatments."  I think we have to be very selective with what we spend our resources on.  What are the things that are going to help improve our symptoms?  Where can we cut cost to afford those things?  Do you buy healthy food?  Do you use supplements?  These are priorities on my list.  I don’t have a gym membership, I work out at home,  and I also don’t spend my money on costly medications right now.   There are plenty of deals out there if you look for them, there are spas that offer monthly packages, some pain management centers offer massage as well as chiropractic offices.  Use the resources that are around you.  You can also do what I do and barter services!

The MOST IMPORTANT thing is that you choose a massage therapist that is highly knowledgeable of fibromyalgia and willing to listen to you and adjust as you need.  Interview a few and try out someone that seems like a good fit.

Each body is different, my needs in a massage may be different than yours.  My big issue is muscle tightness, yours might be painful muscle knots.  Knowing different massage techniques will help you understand what your therapist can do for you.

Some of the most popular massages include Swedish massage and deep tissue massage. Other types include myofascial release, hot stone massage, shiatsu, and reflexology.  The first three are the most popular treatments for fibromyalgia.

You can learn more about Swedish Massage here - http://www.swedishmassage.com/

Info on Deep Tissue Massage here - http://deeptissuemassage.net/

And information on Myofascial Release here – http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/physical-therapy/myofascial-release-therapy

There are also techniques that you can do yourself!  Have you heard of foam rolling?  I’ll be exploring that in another post soon!

Ask around to friends/family/Dr.’s and give massage a try!  You will most likely be happy with the results in the long term.

My sister always tells me the most important thing I need to do before a massage is to drink water!  Your body needs to be well hydrated to handle it and keep you headache free.