Smoothie for Joint Pain

It's October, changing of the seasons, though not much of a season change in South Florida as in the rest of the country (ok it goes from stiffling hot to a nice cool breeze :). I still somehow feel the aches and pains in my joints during the change this month. Is it the fibro? Lingering Lyme Disease? Developing rheumatoid arthritis? (My mother and cousin have) I don't know. I don't think I want to know. But I'd like some relief. All natural relief if possible. So I've been google-ing like heck, and found some good anti-inflammatory foods to beef up on this month. (Here is a list of a few - and good news this month as pumpkins is listed! - http://www.joybauer.com/photo-gallery/best-foods-for-arthritis.aspx)

Pineapple and blueberries and ginger and also some. So I whipped up a super yummy smoothie with those. Give it a try! Can't go wrong (ok, well go easy on the ginger unless you like spicy!)

Here it is as Martha Stewart makes it (can't go wrong there right?!)

http://www.marthastewart.com/343666/pineapple-blueberry-ginger-juice

Also, my Mom bought me this stick blender combo few years back, LOVE it, so glad she did, I use it all the time to whip up smoothies, I highly recommend:

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/cuisinart-2-speed-smart-stick-hand-blender

Aqua Therapy for Fibromyalgia

Ahhhhh warm water......Yes, sign me up! When in a great deal of pain I do resort to a nice warm shower to help. That's as close as I am able to get so far to an aqua therapy plan for my fibromyalgia. I cannot find a good facility in my area at times that work for me (grrrr) but I do have on my wish list to try someday if possible, as I do believe in the benefits.

Sue writes of the great benefits, why it works and other recommendations here:

http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18426&B1=EM102313F

Have you tried aqua therapy?

Joints in Motion are Less Painful

Again, even though this article is about a form of arthritis, I feel us fibro-folk can learn a lot from the same advice and we too share joint pains. We are just lucky that ours isn't progressive, like arthritis is.

Learn the science of WHY exercise is good for our joint pains, and also WHAT kind of exercises are best. (Some of my favs of course are yoga, walking, water aerobics!)

http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/active-living-with-osteoarthritis/osteoarthritis-knee-pain-exercise-can-help.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthLivingWithChronicPain_20110324

Quack Watch

I came across this informational link in a discussion post in the ChronicBabe forums and found it pretty interesting:

http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/spotquack.html

It is a good reminder that with everything that we suffer from on a pretty consistent basis, to be on the alert for "quacks" out there who will take advantage of our relentless suffering. The quacks' promises just seem too good to be true, and if we are really suffering we may fall prey! For example, I really want to see an herbalist or nutritionist type person to help me with the supplements I take, but after viewing their info often certain red flags go off. The number one tipoff or lets says turnoff for me is if they want me to buy *their* products only. I feel that a good herbalist/naturopath(?) would focus on guiding me in the effects of the herbs/supplements, and not focus on making me purchase *their* herbs. Another turnoff is that they are usually hundreds of dollars per visit, and of course don't take insurance.

Not every alternative practitioner is a quack. There are nutritionists, herbalists, naturopaths and people that are doing their own research and honestly seeking to help people. More power to them, and I hope those folks will be able to make great strides that will eventually help develop better treatments later down the road. Unfortunately there are people out there who don't have the best interests of patients in mind and are looking to make a profit by taking advantage of people who are hurting and desperate who have had very little luck with traditional practices and are willing to do (and more importantly, pay) anything if it promises to bring some modicum of relief. It's these snake-oil salesmen that make my blood boil, and I think it's important for us to supply ourselves with the proper tools to spot these people, so that when we are at a low, miserable point in our lives when nothing seems to be working and you are at your wits' end, we will be able to tell the difference between those trying to help and those looking to take advantage.

So be careful fibros, quacks will rely highly on your emotional state, desire for relief, need for action, and try to create fear of what will happen if you don't follow their guidelines.   

I also think its a shame that the pharmaceutical and alternative medicine interests can't work together, and that doctors seem to veer first to pharmaceuticals, when in fact supplements may have the same effect! But of course supplements can be much less expensive and available, and I guess we aren't supposed to find that out.....For example - I was prescribed Limbrel for my joint pain, and through my prescription plan it was $50/month. I did a little research, and 1. Limbrel is a food medicine, meaning ITS MADE FROM HERBS!!!! 2. The SAME ingredients are found in OVER THE COUNTER Move-Free Joint supplement! (For less than $50/month of course!!!)

I think with everything that we do, taking charge and being our own health advocates, we have to be on alert for what seems reasonable, and what seems too good to be true, and share with each other the information to know the difference!

*hugs* 

FIbromyalgia Knee Pains

I am still curious about my fibro knee pains, since that was my first symptom when everything started. I found this article, saying that sometimes in fibro the knee pain can actually be referred pain coming from knots in the muscles in your back, hips or thighs. Interesting!

I am going to print this article and take it with me next for my next massage, maybe they can target those areas on me.

Does anyone else experience severe pain in their knees with their fibromyalgia?

Glucoasmine and Skullcap for Fibro Pains?

One of my biggest aches has been in my knees. In fact that is where all my aches and pains in this fun fibro journey started! By the end of the day my knees hurt so much, and feel like they are swollen as big as basketballs (but they look just fine!) And kneeling on them at all causes pain. (I have to be careful in yoga, and do alternative moves that are non-kneeling.)

Anyhoo, I have been taking Limbrel, which is available only via prescription, and is not actually a medicine - it is considered a medical food product. It is usually prescribed for osteoarthritis to help with inflammation. The main ingredients in it are: baicalin and catechin, which are natural flavonoids from plants. (from Scutellaria baicalensis -- Skullcap, and Acacia catechu -- found in cocoa beans.)


Scutellaria baicalensis (not to be confused with Scutellaria lateriflora-- which can be toxic) is one of the 50 fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. You can read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scutellaria_baicalensis

I also found this note on the Limbrel website: "For long term use, Limbrel should not be taken together with NSAIDs such as naproxen, ibuprofen, aspirin (except baby aspirin), or with any selective COX-2 inhibitors. NSAIDs and selective COX-2 inhibitors will destroy Limbrel's "balancing" effect."

Anyhoo, so my point! Is that I was at Walgreens and was reading all the Joint Juice, Move-Free, Glucosamine Chondroitin products, to see if any resemble Limbrel. Sure enough! I narrowed it down to: Schiff Move Free Advanced Triple Strength Plus MSM & Vitamin D, which contains Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, and Scutellaria baicalensis and Acacia catechu! (And of course good ol Vitamin D!)


The Walgreens comprable store brand is even cheaper than my Limbrel prescription, so I am going to try it for a month. Will let you know what I think in a month!

I know that the Limbrel has helped ease my knee pains A LOT, as whenever I delay in refilling the script, and go a few days without my body reminds me sure enough with pain! 

Has anyone else tried Limbrel or this Move-Free Glucosamine and Chondroitin?! I am curious other fribromites experiences with these.


I also was not familiar with the "MSM" in the Move-Free. They have some without the MSM (and without Vitamin D), but I figured the more the merrier? Anyhoo, I found these links about MSM, which I thought were interesting:


http://www.infowest.com/business/g/gentle/msm.html

http://www.doctorajadams.com/MSM.html

Please remember to consult your physician before trying anything new. I am not a doctor and no information I provide here should be considered medical advice.The information I share on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.  It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from my research and experience. Links to other sites are provided for ease of research. Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of FibroChick. I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else will do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same! I encourage you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
  

10 Food Facts for Fibromylagia

I know I have posted healthy eating comments before, but I really can't say it enough, as I have noticed how MUCH it has helped me have more good days! (When I am able to stick to it!. I admit, I do falter, and that is really when I realize how good the good food is for me!) Plus, I am surprised with the weight I am able to lose when I eat better! Its win-win. Now just tell that to my willpower. Ha!

Health.com has a good top 10 tips I'll list there, but to get the concise details about the why's & how's check out the link. Its good stuff!

 http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20309924_1,00.html

1. Eat more fresh foods
2. Don't OD on caffeine
3. Steer clear of some veggies (nightshade - tomatoes, eggplant, peppers...)
4. Get plenty of omega-3s
5. Easy on the yeast
6. Don't eat too much dairy
7. Cut back on carbs
8. Ease up on aspartame
9. Avoid additives
10. Say no to junk food

A Double Edged Sword

When I get energy I feel good so I am up and move around more, and then this in turn makes my knees hurt.

So its a toss up, have no energy to do anything but also no pain, or have the energy to DO stuff but also have the pain?!?!?!

Thoughts on this?