What Vitamins Should I Take?

When I first was diagnosed with fibromyalgia I did a LOT of research into vitamins and supplements that would help. It was daunting and time consuming. Dr. Weil has created a quick and easy online form for helping guide you to some recommended vitamins according to your lifestyle. While it may not tackle every detail, I took the quiz and I was surprised at how accurate and how much it aligns with what I currently take! Its a pretty good starting point if you are confused and overwhelmed by the vitamins aisle :)

https://www.weilvitaminadvisor.com/questionnaires?aid=888845#start

Did you take the test? What did you think?

A Gratitude Jar for 2014

This is a great article about gratitude and positivity and it effects on health. At the beginning of 2014 I started a Gratitude Jar for myself. Its in the kitchen, on the counter, with a pen and paper nearby. Whenever I feel a bit of gratitude I write it down and fold it up and put it in the jar. It makes me good to write it out, to acknowledge it, whether it is something big (I was able to afford new tires) or small (I made someone smile.) Sometimes I will take some out and read them to relive happiness :) But mostly it just makes me really appreciate things in life big and small. It even makes me see good in bad situations (oh well dating that guy didn't work out, but we had some good dates, and in the end I had good friends there to pick me up and cheer me up :)

I highly recommend a Gratitude Jar, Journal or the such.

http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18515&B1=EM011514F

Living with Fibromyalgia - Tips

This is a great article I came across on ProHealth's website. One woman's challenges and victories in living with fibromyalgia. Its very well written and thorough, and I think everyone will find something they can relate to. 

I especially like to point out that of the 17 things she has said help her manage her fibromyalgia, only 1 involves medications. The rest are lifestyle adjustments. Scheduling recovery time and massages are very important to me as well. I have learned the hard way too often about those to ignore them now! 

(On a side note I am curious to learn more about the CFIDS/Fibromyalgia Self-Help course - has anyone else heard of this??)

http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18589&B1=EM011514F

Reluctantly Healthy - videos by Judy Greer

You just gotta love the title of this series of short videos by Judy Greer - Reluctantly Healthy! Her series has really caught on, and I really enjoy watching them, they truly run the gammut of topics (healthy mojito recipe, plant based salad dressing recipe, jump rope workout, burning calories with hula hoop, the 3 machines at the gym you have to use...)

I just had to share - here are links to a few of them - Enjoy!

http://blip.tv/reluctantlyhealthy#!page=1

Fibromyalgia and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (RSD/CRPS)

This is an excellent article about perseverance and thinking outside the box. I am always reading articles just to take in info, and I love that this sufferer did just that and used the knowledge, and pursued it until she found a solution for her own suffering! Even better that once she tried the meds and the side effects were too much she didn't stop there, she altered the meds until it worked for her. What perseverance! And along the way others learned as well (pharmacist, her neurologist!) to hopefully spread the word about the treatment to help others as well.

http://fmaware.org/site/News2fa26.html?news_iv_ctrl=-1&page=NewsArticle&id=9359

We are the 300,000+ -- Lyme Disease Campaign

There are more than 300,000 new Lyme Disease infections annually, and the CDC and medical community is just now acknowledging this astonishing number, MUCH higher than their previous rates of "30,000 annual cases."

If you are one of the annual 300,000 diagnosed with Lyme Disease stand up and represent. The Lyme community is launching a photo campaign to get more media attention for Lyme Disease. They are asking for your photos.

It's simple and powerful, be a part of it here:

http://lyme300000.wordpress.com/

Lyme Disease and the CDC

And we wonder why we can't make any progress with Lyme Disease??

This is sad and sickening. And yet another reason I skew towards the all-natural alternatives and way from the medical community. Are the ever really our for our best interests, or just our to line their own pockets with more money??

Lyme Disease Community Blows the Whistle on Corruption Within the CDC http://www.prohealth.com/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18502&B1=EG112713

Lyme Disease and Fibromyalgia?

I've always held the theory that my fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue has been hereditary and lying dormant, and was kicked into full gear when I was bit by tick and faced Lyme Disease attack (stressor) on my body in 2009. Looking back now, I don't think I had the traditional "bullseye" rash but just a big pink blot. Thus I delayed treatment, even diagnosis for the Lyme Disease. It took 4 months to get a diagnosis of Lyme Disease, then fibro and chronic fatigue.

Long story short, I still keep one eye out on Lyme Disease research, studies and community involvement.

When I was diagnosed in South Florida with Lyme Disease it was very hard to find treatment, get any straight answers. I was told Lyme Disease is not common in Florida, in fact many doctors didn't even believe I had it.

I recently came across some articles on a brave young woman, also a Lyme Disease sufferer, who is working to promote better research and education on Lyme Disease, especially in Florida:

http://hhp.ufl.edu/index.php/2013/07/biting-back/

An upcoming symposium on Lyme Disease at The University of Florida:

http://www.epi.ufl.edu/?q=tick-borne-disease-symposium

Has anyone else had experience with Lyme and Fibro / Chronic Fatigue?

My All Natural Solution for Seborrheic Dermatitis

One of the conditions that came along with my fibromylagia was this sudden seborrheic dermatitis on my scalp. It was incredibly itchy and scaly on my scalp. The itchiness drove me NUTS!! I finally have stumbled upon an all natural solution (my doctor just wanted to give me a prescription.)

Dead sea salt! I bought a container in the beauty section of Whole Foods, and made sure it was JUST the dead sea salt, no fragrances or ANY other ingredients besides the salt. ($15) For the first few nights I'd get in the shower and run warm water over my scalp, mix some of of the sea salt to dissolve in a cup of warm water (about 8oz size) and then I'd pour the warm sea salt mixture over the back of my scalp (where the dermatitis was the worse). I have long hair, so I rubbed in the salt mixture and piled on my hair. Then I either stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my head for about 10 minutes, or I'd busy myself wit something like shaving my legs :) The main points to take away are the initial warm water opens up the pores in your scalp, then allow the sea salt to set on your scalp for a few minutes to soak in (5-10 min). Then rinse off. I did this for 3-4 nights initially, and then the remainder of the week I switched to the sea salt mixture (water and the sea salt) in a spray bottle - when I came home from work I'd spray the sea salt water mixture on my scalp, rub it in, wrap with a towel for @ 10 minutes, then step in shower and rinse. I was amazed, after the 1st two days I def noticed less itching and a difference! And, after the first week of treatments, no more itching! So now 1-2 times a week I'll use the spray bottle of salt water treatment just to maintain the clarity of the dermatitis.

Of course if you live near the ocean, just go hang out in the ocean on the weekends! Even more fun!

Also good to note, I had bought some lavender oil to help sooth the itchiness, this did help soothe that - temporarily. While it did not treat/cure the dermatitis, it did help get me through until the sea salt kicked in! (It took me a while to find out the sea salt cure, so the lavender oil was def helpful.)

I hope this helps!

Considering Vegetarianism?

Thinking about going vegetarian? Not sure how or where to start? Here is a great starters guide to download:

http://www.pcrm.org/pdfs/health/vsk.pdf


Also look for vegetarian/vegan meetup groups in your local area! They will be able to share tips and tricks, restaurants ideas and more!

Housekeeping and Fibromyalgia

Yes! Household "chores" drive me nuts, I live by myself and trying to maintain it all and my sanity it a chore in itself! I struggled for the longest time in trying to find the right balance, as I would not have the energy and would let things go, then the clutter would get to me... So now I've learned that little efforts can add up and make a difference, if I can try and tackle one or two things that is better than nothing. I've learned to pace myself. Most people probably do not schedule time in their day to do dishes or fold laundry the way I do, I look at it as a big, daunting, energy draining chore. But I do it. One or two a day, and things seem to work out. And sometimes something as simple as "resting" and getting up during commercials to do something during that time seems to help. (Take out the trash) Simple tasks. I used to come home and try to do everything at once and then sit down and rest for the evening. Now I treat myself right first - come home and rest, then tackle one chore. Rest, then another if able. Etc. The key to my day is rest as much as I need, when I need, even for 10 minutes, sit and chill for a few, put my feet up, take a breather, pace myself. I have tried to find as many things to help me out around the house - a laundry bag cart on wheels with 4 removable bags - this way I presort laundry as I fill them! And I can grab and go each load as needed. I treated myself to the neat-o (its like a roomba) floor cleaner. This is a HUGE deal in my life! I can schedule it to clean when I am out of the house! I pick up a few chairs, rugs, shoes and things it bumps around and away it goes sweeping and cleaning my floors! Once or twice a week away he goes (yes I even gave it a name, he, "Freddy") and it is amazing the dirt and dust he picks up. SO glad to have invested in that! I always have an ongoing grocery list on my smartphone. Sometimes I stop at the store randomly, if I do I can check see what I need ad can quickly grab exactly what all I need. Whenever I run out of anything  (Shampoo, saran wrap, mayo, bread etc!) I add it quickly to the list on my phone. This really helps me stay organized, and FEEL organized and not forget anything!  This is a great article about pacing yourself, baby steps to organization and handling it all, even a move to a new place! You go girl!

http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18388&B1=EM102313F

Do you have any helpful household tips for fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue sufferers?