**ALERT** FIBROMYALGIA - DOES YOUR FOOD MATTER? YES!!!!!

(*The following comments are my beliefs and mine alone. They have not been endorsed or approved of by any scientific or medical company or individual.*)

Hello Everyone,

Listen, I'm quickly posting this because I just want to get it out there as quickly as possible. Let me give you two documentary titles you NEED to see:  "Life Running Out of Control" and "Food, Inc."  (See pics at the end of this post below).  I've watched them both through Netflix on my TV.

I'm not ashamed to say that I've prayed over and over and asked for help to undersand why Fibromyalgia is...what it is....and how it happens. Scientists will tell you "we don't know" and most doctors will say the same. I believe in asking the #1 Authority on all things for my answers.  According to Him, it is a biological reaction to chemical, genetic, and environmental polutions. If you do your OWN research and allow yourself to think independent of "what's popular" I bet you will be just as shocked to find out the truth as I have been. I believe we are being MADE ill. And it's NOT just us. It's many, many illnesses out there being propogated this way and many of "THEM" don't care about it. That's why I believe that unless we become better informed and have better insight into the powers and individuals in charge of the science that unfotunately we will not have a mainstream cure no matter how much money we throw at it. If we don't do something now, its as simple as us being expendible for the bottom line, for profit, and for population control. Period. You need to see both of the above documentaries. EVEN IF YOU HATE DOCUMENTARIES, WATCH THEM!! (All the way through!)

I've done my own experimenting on myself  under my doctor's supervision (Again, my doctor has NOT endorsed or approved of or commented on any of these statements or assertions. These are my own findings) (See the article below dated May 12th) to test what I believed I was being shown and to see if changing what I eat and take in would change my health and it HAS. My health has changed significantly over the last 6 months. As of this week ... I've now reduced my Tramadol intake from 100mg per day down to 50mg per day. Overall I've weaned myself off of 150mg per day of Lyrica completely, off of 10mg per day of Nortryptaline completely and as I said have now reduced my intake of Tramadol by 1/2! I still have flares, but not as many and not as long lasting. I still have symptoms, but not as unmanageable and not as life interfering. I'm seeing myself come back to life! (For more info please read my post below dated May 12th "Beating Fibromyalgia - What's working for me?")

Please believe me. The last thing I wanted to mess with was how I was eating. Food was my comfort and something I could control when I felt out of control. But.... when I began to really dig...really read...really watch and listen...I found out things and I GOT MAD. I realized I could fight back for myself and even if I'm never 100% again, I could at least feel better than I did right at that moment and than I've felt for the past 7 looooooong years. I could give myself a CHANCE.

YOU CAN DO THE SAME.

You have to do some thinking about what you see in these films, you have to do some reading from others who've learned about processed dairy, genetically modified foods, chemicals and their effects on the body. You have to find out for yourself so that you know, that you know, that you KNOW for YOURSELF and decide FOR YOU what you're going to do about it.  This goes beyond just food...I believe it goes into humanity and the course of our future. (For instance, on "Life Running Out of Control" I  learned that science .... yep....has been able to genetically REMOVE the brooding instinct ....the "mothering instinct" OUT of chickens so they'll conform to the industry process! Yes... some of the chicken you and I eat....has had the mothering instinct bred out of them. THINK ABOUT THAT AND TAKE IT FURTHER. Yeah, don't think they won't try to convince the public that due to "over population" humans should take a second look at this)  I believe you and I are by-products of the bottom line.... and THAT'S WHY WE'RE SICK. But we can fight for our quality of life by making a few changes and choices. PLEASE investigate for yourself. You deserve to find out and know what's going on.

Your fellow PWF,
Sherri

BEATING FIBROMYALGIA - WHAT'S WORKING FOR ME?

Hello Everyone,

Today is a significant day for all of us PWF's.

I know there are many, many of you out there who are thinking "When will this END?!" "I'm so tired of being sick!"  I know exactly how you're feeling. Who wants to celebrate something so monstrous right?  Well... maybe not., but YOU definitely deserve to be celebrated! Not Fibro...YOU,... you yourself. You've made it this far...today you are here and you're still fighting. THAT DESERVES TO BE CELEBRATED.

Because I've had several emails lately asking me if there is ANYTHING working for me, I have chosen today to post my latest results and findings that are ACTUALLY WORKING for me.  I've been waiting several months to see what happened before posting. Today is the perfect day to share the news with you so you can see if these will work for you too.

Ok, get ready for a little longer post, but it will be worth it. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

There are some GREAT ways to fight Fibro that are a little less expensive than some of the protocols out there if finances are concern. I've tried quite a few and found the following ones the best fit for me. Remember, each person is different and will respond differently. I'll just quickly tell you what's been getting real provable results for me. (*Note: I am not an affiliate for any of these companies or products. I do not receive kickbacks for recommending them. I simply want people to know what's working for me)


Ok with these supplements I've been able to go from taking 150mg of Lyrica + 10mg of Nortryptaline + 100mg of Tramadol ER per day to being completely weened off of Lyrica and Nortryptaline all together and only taking Tramadol now. PLUS I can now exercise up to 40 mins per day on my daughter's Wii fit system that her grandparents got her. Something I could not and have not been able to do for the past 6 years.

Additionally, I got off all dairy unless it's ORGANIC ONLY. There are chemicals in processed milk and dairy that wreaks havoc on our systems. We PWF's seem more susceptible to these. Since cutting down dramatically on dairy and only having organic products if I choose something dairy I feel so much better!! It only took a week to see a drastic improvement for me. (Each person may have a different result depending on their own body).

1) Please see the attached photos. They show all the supplements I take daily. I get all my products online except for the bottle of Acetyl L-Carnitine that my husband got at the local grocery store and my whey protein.

A - I get Flexiprin at https://www.flexiprin.com/index.php  I love this supplement for energy and helping the fatigue as well as the help with pain it gives me. However I'd say the increase in energy is my favorite aspect and I haven't found anything that gives me as much.

B - I get my brewer’s yeast (Epicor), Bromelain and Papain, and Silver at Vitacost.com see the following links http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?ntk=products&ss=1&Ntt=brewers%20yeast

( and )

http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?previousText=brewers+yeast&ntk=products&ss=1&Ntt=bromelain

( and )

http://www.vitacost.com/Natural-Immunogenics-Sovereign-Silver-Dropper-8-fl-oz

See Google Search Here for Benefits from Bromelain and Papain https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS368US371&q=benefits+of+bromelain+and+papain+for+fibromyalgia

Silver is used for immune support and works like a dream!! Everything from colds and flu to fever blisters. My little girl and I especially have seen a huge jump in our ability to resist sickness since using liquid silver. If there were a major catastrophe, I'd want Silver as a medicine alternative at all costs. That's a fact.

Note: I no longer use the African Mango at this time for weight control. I was able to find better benefits and muscle strengthening by using 100% (Vanilla) Whey Protein Powder (from a health food store) mixed in with organic milk, a small section of banana, 5 or 6 strawberries, and 1Tsp of Stevia for sweetening. I blend these together into a smoothie and have 1 or 2 per day. I usually drink one in the morning before I work out because the protein doubles it’s effect in your bloodstream and builds muscle faster. **Fibro patients tend to have atrophied or weak muscles because we don’t move, thinking that it’s too painful. The problem is, to combat pain, we HAVE to move and keep our muscles working. It actually makes our pain WORSE when we don’t have activity. Even if it’s 10 minutes at first…it’s OK, anything to get started.

Ok the other thing I'm doing is trying to eat as much Organic food as possible to avoid the extra chemical processes and additives. AND ABSOLUTELY NO ASPARTAME IF IT CAN BE AVOIDED. Diet sodas are the WORST and zero chocolate or very, very little. My husband gets me STEAZ carbonated juice drinks and chocolate Clif brownie bars http://clifbarstore.com/detail/CLF+190+CB  as a substitute. (Our smallest girl also loves these) Decaf coffee is also a must if you drink it. Green tea is better.

I found some really delicious foods at our grocery store made by Amy's Kitchen that are super good and pretty affordable, plus easy to carry or find if you go on trips. You can also find more info on them at http://www.amys.com/  They have several choices without dairy too or only made with organic dairy. My freezer is full of Amy's products. My favorites are the baked ziti and the cheese enchiladas.

This is the honest to goodness way I'm living and fighting against Fibro that's working for me. I can only say it's working and I've started to feel alive again. I can actually participate in activities after years of being bed ridden or so fatigued I couldn't stay awake. OH! Also, my husband got me an electric heating pad that I use daily to help my muscles feel better while I'm sitting or laying down. I love it!

These are the basic links and info I give to most all of my readers looking for information on what's working for me. These methods have fit nicely into our budget.

P.S. These results took less than 2 weeks to start showing for me! Remember each person responds differently. I started noticing a drop in muscle pain about a week after removing dairy and switching to only organic dairy if I wanted a milk or milk based product. There is a chemical in milk called Casinate that makes me feel HORRIBLE. It's a little more expensive, but I'll pay the dollar to feel this great! The other supplements compounded the detox from my tissues and help me process food better. I don't have all of the scientific jargon to give you, but I CAN tell you the results have been incredible!  (See the previous post for a link to The Fibromyalgia Digest where I found great information that helped ALOT)

I wish you the very BEST and blessings! 

(P.S. Dont forget to look at the previous post for pics of my pain management and symptom tracker. The link is on the right hand side of the page if you'd like to pick one up for yourself or a loved one.)

Sincerely,
Sherri Kohls

*ALERT* Great Website (Including Info On Filing For Disability)

http://www.thefibromyalgiadigest.com/index.html

***Update

After reading over much of the material, it's clear that documentation is KEY. You have to read it for yourself to see what I mean. That said...it may be helpful to you to consider purchasing the Fibromyalgia Pain Management and Symptom Tracker I have listed for you. It's link is over on the right hand side of the blog along with more information.

Sincerely,
Sherri

Example pictures of actual journal pages:

Silent Cry From A Reader - POWERFUL

Hello Everyone,

I received this comment the other day and it was so powerful and raw that I decided to go ahead and make it a regular post. This precious reader is expressing things that I know I'VE felt and gone through time and time again and I know others of my friends who are PWF's (persons with fibromyalgia) have gone through as well. PLEASE READ THESE WORDS AND REMEMBER THEM. ESPECIALLY if you are NOT a PWF. Remember what we go through, love us enough to remember. We are not faking, pretending, sure of why we go through this, do not have an answer as to why our bodies react this way, and would do ANYTHING ALMOST not to have it.  Fibromyalgia, Allodynia, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome SUCK! Please help us not have it suck so much by NOT forgetting that what we have is REAL, 100% 24/7, AND CHANGES EVERY DAY (sometimes within hours or even an hour!).

And finally, to my precious reader who wrote to me:  You are not alone dear friend and I appreciate SO MUCH that you took the time to write me and share what is happening. I've thought of you many times since and will continue to lift you in prayer along with my other readers and PWF's around the world. (That's a promise, not just words.... and I never use the "P-word" unless I can keep it. )  P.S. You are not exaggerating... many of us have exactly the same things happening to us too.  (((((HUG)))))

Your friend,
Sherri


Comment sent in:

"I just wish I would not have to be reminding my family constantly of how I feel, because they forget, they ask things of me that it is difficult to do and I have to remind them that I can't because if I simply say I can't they always ask, why? There are times that I just do it and in the mean time I want to burst into tears because nobody can understand why and I going through, and God forbid I have a good day and want to do something fun or something that I will not be able to do any time soon because of my condition and then I get the " don't complain later of your pains" I feel so alone sometimes, I also feel that maybe I exaggerate or that maybe I will be better off alone not bringing anybody down because of how I feel. I am not depressed and I will not allow myself to get depress, is just very sad and wanted to be able to share that. "


By Anonymous on What Does Fibromyalgia Feel Like? on 12/1/11

Venting About Fibromyalgia Awareness!

Hello friends,
*WARNING* I'm gonna VENT! And before anyone writes me... NO I'm not downplaying breast cancer or it's seriousness. My grandmother died a horrible death due to breast cancer and it's something I don't take lightly.  However, for the purposes of this particular post, I'm using the difference between the recognition and money breast cancer awareness and research gets verses fibromyalgia recognition and research.

On with the post: Oh! and just for you 'n me, I've put a new playlist on the blog of some of my fav songs if you want to listen while reading. Enjoy friends :-)

Ok, NOW..on with the post:
I want Fibromyalgia to receive as MUCH attention and awareness as breast cancer or autism or freak'in ED for crying out loud!!!! I am SO TIRED of much of the medical community not even recognizing Fibro as a legitimate disease or condition much less the public at large. Yes, yes Lyrica commercials have started the process of more recognition and information, but please.... if we could garner the same support as the breast cancer people.. WOW! what a difference we could potentially make!

Side Note: I just have to say .... if after ALL THESE YEARS and millions (if not billions) of dollars going to breast cancer research they STILL have not found any cure I have to wonder... do the powers that be really want a cure? Seems like alot of bucks and no results.  The meds would after all, be discontinued and all the partnerships potentially right? I'm just say'in. What's the real deal? These women deserve better!

Ok back to Fibro.

Guys, I was browsing a website the other day and the topic was injections for say the flu and what not. A girl posted about how after taking a popular injection against HPV she ended up with Fibro at 25 years of age. Now the post was a vent and she was quite upset, but what she had to say had some weight to it. The thing that just IRKED me to no end was the comments she received. I kid you not, one comment was about how "Fibromyalgia is nothing but lazy fat persons disease so they can stay high on narcotics all day and collect $1000.00 a month from the government" and another was how it was a "fantasy that can't be proven so doctors just call it Fibromyalgia when they can't figure out what's wrong".  WHAT???!!!!! (And just so you out there know.... the likelihood of anyone receiving disability checks for Fibro is slim to none. You have to prove you have other illnesses caused by or in conjunction with Fibro (such as RA or heart problems etc...) to even be considered for disability. DO THE RESEARCH BEFORE MAKING REMARKS LIKE THAT. Here...go to Allsup  for starters. They at least give PWF's a fighting chance.)

I'm thinking I want to somehow organize a fundraiser walk, or a rally for people to come and raise awareness and combat some of these long held mental strongholds in the community about something that is very real, very destructive, and needs more attention. I dream of having the media ask US questions for a change and do stories on our situation. I want freak'in purple ribbons to be just as recognizable as the pink ones. Over 6 MILLION of us and counting in this country alone suffer every day with no real hope for any legitimacy on the medical front any time soon. For crying out loud we AT LEAST need a legitimate way to TEST our tissue or blood for Fibro somehow! AT THE VERY LEAST!.  This has gone on farrrrrrrrr toooooo long.

I just needed a space to write down what I'm thinking and feeling today. It's been boiling inside for the last year or so and I needed to vent it.  Also.... I think writing things down sort of cements ideas. I think I'm seriously going to look into finding a way to organize a rally and/or a fundraiser walk somehow.  I'll keep you posted.

In other news: 

On my last post about weight gain I was pretty hopeful about some ways to combat the problem. Upon doing some more research you know what I found???? Much to my dismay.... there are lots, and lots of people taking Lyrica and gaining some serious weight because of it. I know I've gained 35 pounds in 4 years since being on it. Un...real. I've NEVER put on weight like this before nor had such a heck and tarnation time of trying to get it off! Look at just this one forum alone at Medical News Today. I was blown away! But, I finally had some answers about just what the heck my body's going through and why. It took some of the guilt and shame away for me.

I determined to try an experiment. (DO NOT TRY THIS WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR DOCTOR).  I took my Lyrica capsules and dumped out 1/2 to 3/4 of the medicine so that my dosage was down from 150mg to 50mg so I could start getting some of this weight under control. I dropped about 5 pounds in the first couple of days (no change to my eating patterns) but the pain was excruciating and I was down for the count the whole time. Part of it was the reduction in the amount of medicine and part of it was withdrawl symptoms. Oh yay..lots of fun. Finally after about a week and a half I went to my husband and was crying. I said "I'm darned if I do and darned if I don't." "If I reduce or stop my medication the pain is excruciating and I'm almost bed ridden, If I keep taking it, I gain weight like crazy and I can't risk the other problems that will come with that" I was soooo frustrated. He was great about it though. He hugged me and told me to take my regular dosage of Lyrica and have some functionality and we'd find a way to fight the weight somehow with more exercises, maybe going all vegitarian, or a different medication or something. For right now until my next Dr. appointment that's what I'm planning to do.

Well friends, that's it for today. Just some random thoughts and ideas. Thank you for your patience and for listening.  Remember.... You are NOT alone.

Here's to YOU, Here's to US,
Sherri

Fibromyalgia and Weight Gain

Hello Everyone,

It's been a little while since I've written. Thank you for your emails and comments!

I want to tackle a subject that personally makes me G-R-O-A-N and sigh, and roll my eyes (mainly because it has affected me greatly). It's the matter of weight gain for PWF's, how it effects us, and what we need to do to manage it.

I personally am battling this situation right now. It stares me in the face each time I look in the mirror. The shock, horror, and overwhelming sadness I feel about it is something I've only told a couple of my closest family members about. I find it completely humiliating and consuming. I know there are those of you out there who totally relate to what I'm saying.

I know the right answer is that I should show myself some grace and mercy. The right answer is to realize that between Fibromyalgia, the medications to treat it, and the choice to quit using nicotine a year and a half ago, my body has undergone some radical metabolic changes in the past couple of years. But the truth is...it doesn't matter what the right answer is when I look in the mirror lately. I'm just being honest. I haven't made it to the point where I can see myself and say "Girl.... it's OK. You are more that your outside shell." The truth is.... I don't WANT to get to that point. If I allow myself to, then I know I'll give up and give in to despair that will cause me to binge eat my "comfort foods" and not stop. Anyone out there know what I'm talking about? It's a corner I can't afford to turn.

So after much deliberation, I began to look for a solution to my situation. The good news is that for me the solution is currently working. Each person has to find there own solution, but you HAVE to find one! If you want to fight for your quality of life, then you have to find a way to take back control of your body as much as you can.

I use a specific HCG formula (which I like so much that I became a distributor of it) and rather than the 500 calorie diet, I fluctuate between 500 and 1200 calories per day depending on how hungry I am. I've cut out sugar and substituted Stevia, I eat the foods on the HCG diet protocol, but also added a few veggies of my own ( like peas, green beans etc) and a few more fruits. I use seasonings and very rarely use salt. If I do use salt it's organic sea salt sparingly. I eat only 100-113 grams of protein at a time which consists of chicken, very lean beef, very lean turkey, or talapia. Sometimes I splurge and eat tuna wrapped with tomato inside lettuce leaves. It's soooo good, I love it! I also splurge sometimes and have diet soda or an organic soda made with Stevia. Hubby also found Low Fat Newman's Own Fig Newmans which are a little treat on days I need a little something sweet. Caramel Nut Brownie Luna Bars are also a snack I enjoy that's a great alternative for my chocolate cravings! I decided to let myself have a few splurges now and then in order to keep myself from falling to cravings and feeling too restricted. I'm just not that disciplined in my eating habits .... yet.  : )

Hubby got us a digital scale so we can track our weight loss more accurately. Both of us have lost weight a little at a time. Sometimes .4oz a day and sometimes more. BUT...  a little every day. This week he's down 5 pounds and I'm down 2 pounds. (Women tend to lose slower than men so if you decide to change your eating habits together with a male partner, he will most likely lose a little faster. Don't let that discourage you!)

The other item I HAVE to tell you about is the NuWave Oven! OMGOSH... I LOVE MINE!! Standing for long periods of time is no fun for me (or my pain threshold) so when my husband blessed me with this oven 2 years ago it was so awesome!  I can cook a full meal for my family in MINUTES. I use tin foil to keep the cleaning down to a minimum and presto bango, dinner for us without a lot of hassle!  I can cook fish for Hubby at the same time I'm cooking chicken for myself and the results are the same. Juicy, hot and delicious!
For managing my pain symptoms, the NuWave Oven has been so liberating!! I'm going to have to write the company and let them know!

Now, eating better is not the only ingredient needed to tackle the problem. There is also moving our bodies. I found two great articles to share with you about Fibro and weight gain  and also good exercises that reduce pain and fatigue and keep us from feeling worse. There are a ton of good articles and sites for information if you do a quick web search starting with "Fibromyalgia and Weight Gain".

Personally, I've discovered that the only way out of my mental state regarding my body image is to do something about it as much as I can. I don't want to feel like a victim of yet ANOTHER side effect of this disease. And while I'm at it....... CAN THE ESTABLISHED MEDICAL COMMUNITY PLEASE UNANIMOUSLY AGREE THAT FIBROMYALGIA IS LEGITIMATE AND REAL???????!!!!!  AAAGGGHHHH!!!!! FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!!  (OK.... I had to vent there for a minute. That's a topic for another post)

Friends, in conclusion.... it looks like weight gain is something you and I may have to deal with on top of everything else that comes with Fibro and CFS. Some of us will gain, some of us will lose but either way, gaining control of your eating habits and choosing to help your body rather than hurt it further is a choice each of us has to make.

Remember.... you are NOT alone.

Many blessings to you today,
Sherri

*ALERT* - Squalene and Fibromyalgia, CFS, MS, and RA

***ALERT***
Hello Everyone,
This post will be short for the time being. However, PLEASE take my advice and start to look at some information on Squalene (An adjuvant added to vaccines) as it may relate to Fibromyalgia, CFS, MS, and RA.

I am currently doing some research on squalene and will post more at a later date. For now, please keep yourself informed and armed with information so you can make the choices that are right for you and your family.

Here are some links to get you started:

(1) Squalene: Be very afraid (Part1)

(2) ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ADJUVANTS IN VACCINES by Viera Scheibner, Ph.D. 

(3) Squalene

(4) http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/08/04/Squalene-The-Swine-Flu-Vaccines-Dirty-Little-Secret-Exposed.aspx  (*Must subscribe to newsletter to read article.)

Here is a quote from Dr. Mercola's article:

 “Your immune system recognizes squalene as an oil molecule native to your body. It is found throughout your nervous system and brain. In fact, you can consume squalene in olive oil and not only will your immune system recognize it, you will also reap the benefits of its antioxidant properties.

The difference between “good” and “bad” squalene is the route by which it enters your body. Injection is an abnormal route of entry which incites your immune system to attack all the squalene in your body, not just the vaccine adjuvant.

Your immune system will attempt to destroy the molecule wherever it finds it, including in places where it occurs naturally, and where it is vital to the health of your nervous system.

Gulf War veterans with Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) received anthrax vaccines which contained squalene. MF59 (the Novartis squalene adjuvant) was an unapproved ingredient in experimental anthrax vaccines and has since been linked to the devastating autoimmune diseases suffered by countless Gulf War vets.”

(5) Gardisil & Swine-Flu Vaccines


Until next time my friends.
Here's to your success,
Sherri