Driving With Fibromyalgia

Driving with Fibromyalgia can be quite painful as we know, from uncomfortable seats, staying in one position for too long, and just the plain stress of driving.  I just read an article which is posted and quoted below about driving with Fibromyalgia.  It was part of an article about 4 common things that are easy for most, but not for us.  As a mom of 3 very active boys, doing some contracting work for a dental equipment repair business, and a direct sales consultant I do spend a lot of time in our van.

One day out visiting dental offices or running the boys from one field to another with a possibility of another town thrown in really can make me hurt.  It hurts to sit too long, especially behind the wheel when you can't even wiggle around some.  Then having your arms up to hold the wheel cause neck, arm and upper back pain.  Then the stress of people cutting you off, getting behind schedule because of a tractor (We live in the country.), now major construction project through our small town, not to count the issues of visiting the larger towns around when needed.  I have just read something I never thought of Fibromyalgia to cause.

As you will see in excerpt from About.com below it is talking about Fibro Fog and driving.  Forgetting where you are going, forgetting how to get somewhere, in bad cases disorientation.  Fortunately I am not to the point where I feel I am an unsafe driver, but I do sometimes find myself not paying attention maybe as well as I should whether the boys are with me or not.  I sometimes forget the area I just drove through and think "wow, how did I get here?".  Those kind of  things are scary to say the least.  I never related it to my Fibromyalgia, but it made so much sense to me as I was reading.  Even medications we take can make us a bit out of it and affect our driving.

Now I have realized this I feel it will make me a stronger driver.  I will make sure I am more aware, not drive as much if possible when having a bad day physically because that will affect how we react, pay attention, and just driving in general.  I haul very precious cargo many times that I am driving called Nicholas, Jacob, and Caleb.  Edward too.  Nothing would be worse then hurting them or someone else because I was out of it.  I am pledging to look at myself more seriously as a Fibro Driver and hope you do as well.  Read the clip below for full information I read and I hope it helps you be safe and protect those around you.

Driving
Brain fog can be a major problem when you're behind the wheel. Some of us periodically forget where we're going or how to get there. Even worse, we may become disoriented and not know where we are.
It's scary when this happens and can lead to an anxiety attack, which makes the situation even worse and can increase other symptoms.
Some of us also have trouble paying attention to the myriad things that we need to while driving. We may not be able to process all the necessary information to be safe on the road.
A small fraction of people with these illnesses stops driving completely. Some may have to limit their driving to familiar places, while others are okay most of the time but choose not to drive on especially bad days. It's a personal decision, but one that we need to be aware of to protect ourselves and others.

As you evaluate your driving ability, it may help to get input from friends and family members who've ridden with you, as they may have noticed things you didn't.

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/copingwithfmscfs/a/4-Things-Its-Hard-To-Do-With-Fibromyalgia-And-Chronic-Fatigue-Syndrome.htm?nl=1

A few tips I think would be helpful for us are driving only when rested.  Also if you have a long drive, stop frequently, get out and stretch.  One thing on my van I never had before is heated seats.  This is great in the cold or on a painful day that I have to be out.  Also in cold warm your vehicle up, in the hot weather start it with the air on so you don't have extreme temperatures that will make you hurt.  Keep distractions to a minimum (good for all people), turn off cell or ignore it even with a headset, keep radio low or off especially if you have others in the car.  I know too much noise driving or riding in a car makes me really irritable..  Irritability causes road rage and stress.  We don't need that.  Just a little input from me to keep us safe.  Please comment if you have a safe or comfortable driving tip.

Paleo Diet Ok'd by Doctor

Today was another doctor's visit.  I went in as a follow up to twitching and the medicine another put me on when my primary was out of town.  Nothing new to report really.  My doctor wants to give me another month to let the medicine work to its fullest potential and see if it is making me tired as I have been having a really bad bout of the sleepy times this week.  Worse then ever.  Could be the medicine, but at the dose it shouldn't be but we all know we all react differently to medicines.

The main theory is that I am still coming off the stress of extra people in the house, even though I did not feel that much stress, the doctors say it is very stressful as routines are changed and we had the stress of helping support them.  Now we are struggling a bit as we catch up and things are breaking, but we will be OK there, just the way life is for everyone.

I am reading up on diets for Fibromyalgia and hoping to get at least myself and hopefully the family to follow on eating in a healthful way.  I know dinner is no option for them if I do the cooking, but would like them to follow a plan to eat better all the time too.  Right now I am in the middle of reading the "Paleo Diet" book that was recommended to be by a friend when I said I wanted to start eating more cleanly.  I had the book with me at the doctor's office today hoping to get in some reading time.  My doctor saw it and told me it was a very good idea and can't really hurt to try.

As we discussed the so called caveman diet, I brought up reading about going Gluten-Free.  He also said that is worth a try.  So I think my goal is to finish reading the book by the weekend, get groceries to support this lifestyle and give it a whirl.  I don't think I have much to lose except a lot of weight and maybe some pain.  That is my hope.  If it makes me feel better it will be much easier to stick to.  I am sure I will have splurges, but they will need to be calculated.

With spring coming I need to start feeling better as our nights will be filled with baseball games and practice, along with a lot of running around.  That on top of my Sales Representative position with Everley Dental Equipment Repair, LLC, and my home based business with Lindt Chocolate R.S.V.P. I need to have more energy and less pain.  I hope a better eating plan will help.

I also know I need the exercise.  I really want to try yoga and I found a place close by that is 2 times per week, but with baseball and Ed's schedule not sure I can do now, but I think I am going to try to start walking with our dog.  He needs to lose weight too since he is sneaking into the cats food.  I may just start with up and down our private drive and work up from there.  A start is a start and it should be small as not to flare.  Many think oh it is a good day I will do as much as I can instead of pacing themselves.  All that does is backfires and makes you down for a longer time.  Set small goals daily, do them, then rest.

So today I have learned eating better like we did thousands of years ago is a good thing, and that stress reduction in all lives is necessary.  Even if you don't feel stress in our society you are.  Some handle it better then others so never judge a person until you have lived it.

Share and Educate

I feel it is really important to educate those that are close to you about your chronic conditions be it Fibromyalgia, Anxiety, Depression, or any other chronic condition you suffer from.  Without educating your family and friends they cannot begin to understand what you are going through and why you may be acting a certain way.  It is easy to find information on any condition via the Internet or asking your doctor.  It may even be good for them to find a support group to help the learn more and be able to talk with other who support loved with chronic conditions.

I decided I needed to blog about this after last night.  I had what I call a meltdown.  Everything came pouring out.  I was crying, babbling, and in a very scary spot for those around me.  My Fibromyalgia, anxiety, panic attacks, and depression got the best of me yesterday.  I was even so dizzy I fell back into the closet door and bruised my back.

Last night when I calmed down and such I vented some on Facebook so I did not put as much on my family, though my husband, Ed, was right by me during the whole episode.  After all the concern from friends and then Ed checking in on me today because he was worried I realized just what I put everyone through.  When I worry and scare my husband I know it was bad as he is not a worrier.  Yes the opposite of me.

I have read articles about talking with family and friends about your conditions.  I have had Ed and Nicholas, my oldest son read a few that are for the support people of a person suffering from the conditions I suffer from.  But after I chatted with my husband I have decided he needs to learn more not only to be educated, but to help me when I have these meltdowns.  They need to learn during this period of emotional breakdown I am having I need to be loved, understood, and not pressured to be something I am not.  These are real conditions and something we cannot snap out of and for me it usually will affect me for a few days after the episode.

So while we focus on ourselves, which is extremely important it is also important to sit down and talk to those that care about us.  Find information from Internet articles, books, or taking them to the doctor with you if you are comfortable with that.  They need help understanding what we go through on a daily basis.  We also need to be considerate of their feelings.  Communication is the key to helping everyone have the best information to help with each others needs.  Please check my link section for some areas to start, then branch out on what is specific to you personally.  Also please feel free to share links in the comment section.  Let's help each other while helping those we love understand.

Taking Charge

It is time for me to take charge of my health so I can feel better, be the wife and mom, and friend I want and need to be.  My in laws are now gone and I am going to start my better lifestyle any day now.  Eating better and some sort of exercising is on the agenda.

I am also looking at going up to the University of Michigan to their Fibromyalgia or Chronic Pain Clinic.  This was suggested by the psychologist in the doctor's office I have been seeing in the stress clinic.  So I will get a referral from my primary doctor and get some help from some experts in the area.  This is something I should have done quite a while back.

I am also trying to journal and keep track of feeling, pain, and anything whether it is good or bad.  Even if it is just the date and time and one word describing how I feel like tire, pain, happy, or sad.  This way I can look back and see how I have been doing overall.

I have also been told to set a daily affirmation.  So when I wake up I tell myself at least one thing I will do that day.  It can be as simple as I will get up and shower or that I will wash at least one load of laundry.  The important thing to do when doing this is to set your affirmation that you know you are going to be successful at so you have the uplifting feeling of at least one accomplishment a day.  Usually if it is a chore or something like that once I get it done I will do more, but be careful not to over do it and end up in a flare.

I am still working on this twitching.  My doctor decided to cut my Cymbalta in 1/2.  I am still twitching, but I can't tell for sure but I think it may have lessened.  Not by amount but by intensity.  It still scares me, but maybe I need to go off all serotonin stuff for a bit and hope I can deal with my anxiety and depression.  Or maybe it is some of the things I have been doing to reduce stress.  Either way, I will keep at it till gone as it really makes my body hurt and it prevents sleeping until I drop.

I am searching the web for a good lifestyle of food.  I order the Paleo Diet book last night as I am looking to cut out preservatives, dyes, etc.  I want to eat more natural.  I know a lot about what is what, but I want to learn more so I can maybe still buy some prepared foods for those bad days or busy days and I am going back to a lot more cooking from scratch.

Yoga is a huge thing I am looking into.   One place that is actually not too far away from me has added a second day so I think I may try a drop in class and see if it is for me.  Since I have Fibromyalgia I need a class where you go at your own rate at one day I can touch my toes, but the next I may not be able to.

I am hoping by doing some of these things I will be able to keep up with my boys better, keep house up better and most important feel better.  I suggest you try some of these things along with me and let me know how it helps you.  I have been reading a lot online about sensitivities and Fibro Flares.  If you have something to add, I would love to hear from you.

Times have been tough.  Too much going on and I have been having constant pain that is more then normal.  I have not yet figured out if it is stress, weather, or just a normal flare that is a bit worse then normal.  The past week has been a lot of bed time and doing nothing.  Fortunately my sister in law and family are still here and have picked up my slack.  Not sure how all this is going to work when they leave.  I hope now things are starting to get back together, my guys and I will be able to keep it up.

Today I forced myself to go out to dental offices to sell handpiece repair service (everleyhandpiecerepair.com)  I am working for a friend.  It was an almost impossible task today.  I have aches and pain where I don't normally have them, I think maybe from this twitching going on.  Saturday I have to make myself go to a vendor show where I am premiering myself as a Lindt R.S.V.P. Chocolate Representative (www.mylindtchocolatersvp.com/shannonkurgin/), the dinner with friends for their anniversary.  Hoping I will be at least a bit better by then.

I am going to have to figure out this pain and supposedly the in laws will be leaving by the end of the week. No more getting dinner made and help with the boys.  That part has been wonderful. They took off the wallpaper in the Kitchen and Dining Room and painted it a nice cheerful color and help out a lot with getting the house in order.  Just the office and part of our room is left.  Thank you Ken and Ronni.

I never know when to call the doctor for the pain and when to tough it out.  The biggest thing right now is the twitching.  I think it is exhausting my muscles and causing the pain. My doctor has upped my Klonopin to 3 times per day and has me doing a stress clinic through the office.  It is great and I got lot of great ideas, but with so many in the house not much me time for mediation and the like.  I do have some "homework" I could get done, but with the pain it is hard.  Just typing is hurting so journaling and making a plan to take care of me has been hard, but it is something I must do and want to do.  I suggest everyone do this not only to keep track of your pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia, but it can be a great release and as for the plan to care for yourself can't hurt.

So I will rest and see what I can do to feel better, but each day I intend to work through the pain some and do small tasks, and in small steps.  I feel keeping going without over doing it is always your best bet.  I am starting to take charge of my life and with fibromyalgia there may be down times, days, or weeks, maybe more, but it is a must to keep like going at a pace that you can handle.

Helping In-laws, Burden or Not

It has been a very interesting start to 2012.  We have had my sister in law and her family move in with us temporarily until they can get their income tax and move back to Florida where Ken, her husband will be able to find work since he does sprinkler systems.  I was really stressed out before they got here about how we would all get a long and deal with a total of 6 kids between us, but it has not been bad at all.

One good thing about them being here is they are really helping out.  Ronni and Ken have been a blessing getting our house back together after the tile project that took forever.  I am starting to feel at home again and that I can enjoy our home.  They have been doing the deep cleaning that I struggle with and may never have got it all done.

Another great thing is that I have really got to spend some good, quality time with our nephews Blake and Garrett and our niece Chloe.  It is nice because the boys have never spent time with us.  Chloe is spending time back and forth between us and my other sister in law.  Chloe was a big part of our life when she was little and it is hard to believe she is 17 and almost grown up.

I am still physically in pain all the time and the twitching started back up and the doctor thinks this time it is stress.  It started before everyone moved in so I know that is not the stress causing all the twitching.  I will be going to the stress clinic in the doctor's office for starters at least.  It is kind of scary and as many of you know that with Fibromyalgia along comes anxiety.  My SIL is keep me in good spirits and keeping me from hiding in bed all day wallowing in self pity.  Yet another good thing.

So the worry about helping out family and taking them in has not been an issue, at least not as of yet.  It is actually a kind of blessing in disguise.  We are helping each other and that is what family should be.  I am very blessed to have a great family and great in laws.  I think I will really miss them when they move on, but I know it will be good for us both to stand on our own.

Christmas Review

Christmas is over.  Clean up is beginning.  I can't say that I am all that sad this year that is it over.  Normally I have post Christmas blues, but this year with how I have been flaring and not being able to do all the things I like to do with my boys I am just glad it is over.

After a few days of Christmas get togethers I was pushed to my limits.  Pain and fatigue took over.  Monday was a day of pain medicine and resting especially since even with the meds I was unable to sleep Christmas night because of the pain.

We did bring home our 17 year old niece with us Christmas.  Chloe is going to help the boys clean their rooms properly for me so we can put away their gifts and go through clothes and see what is up there that fits and what does not and can be donated.  This is a big help for me.  Chloe has stayed with us off and on her whole life so she fits in just like the boys except she will help me out.

I plan to at the least have the main area back in shape, tree down, and gifts put away by Friday.  Not too big of a task as long as the upstairs gets done.  Thursday will be a run to Detroit Metro Airport to pick up my friends 2 boys who are flying back from a visit to Florida with mom and her boyfriend.  Nicholas is excited to see Ricky and Michael as they are best friends  and they moved to Charlotte with their real dad so they don't spend as much time together.

Very few returns which is nice.  I think we will do that on Thursday as well before the airport if possible.  Three items is our fault.  One I bought thinking of one Jacob and it was on Nicholas's list, then two "Cars 2" movies as I forgot we had bought one already and then Caleb got one from and Aunt and Uncle.  Jacob needs to exchange a Nerf gun as he got the same one as he got last year.  So thankfully we don't have many to do and many a line to stand in.  Also why I am waiting a few days for the crowds to get smaller.

Now I am looking forward to New Year's Eve with some of my best friends ever.  Hoping that next year I will be healthier and able to do more so I can make great memories for my boys and husband.  Now is time to recover and move one.