*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

Ultram / Tramadol *Warning*

Hello Everyone,

I came across some startling information the other day concerning Ultram (Generic name = Tramadol) that I want to share with you.

I was prescribed Ultram starting about 7 years ago when I was battling Endometriosis. My doctor prescribed it for pain explaining to me that it was essentially a nerve blocker. I didn't think much of it because I just wanted something that would help. At the time I was taking upwards of 1600 mg of Motrin at a time for pain, and of course the risk to my kidneys was horrendous. My doctor was alarmed to find out how much I was taking at a time because of the risks. Ultram seemed like a viable option and a good alternative. Besides that, it worked!

Later on when I became ill with Fibromyalgia, my new doctor, seeing that I was already taking Ultram, went ahead and prescribed me Ultram ER (along with Lyrica) so that I would have a continuous amount of the medication running through my system over a 24 hour period of time and would only need to take 1 pill per day. So the Ultram ER and Lyrica work together to keep my pain management under control.

Now for the warning part.  When my husband's orders for active duty with the military expired, our medical coverage was temporarily interrupted and I wasn't able to renew my prescriptions. It took about a week for the situation to get fixed in the system. In the mean time, without my medications I became worse and worse physically as you can imagine. HOWEVER, .... I came to find out, through some research into alternatives to Ultram, that one of the reasons I was so sick was because of the withdrawl from Ultram that my body was going through.

Yep.... I said "withdrawl".

I learned that Ultram (Tramadol) can cause the body to go into withdrawl symptoms when it is discontinued abruptly instead of being "weaned out" of the system by gradually reducing the dosage. Surprise, surprise.

WARNING: DO NOT STOP TAKING ULTRAM (TRAMADOL) ABRUPTLY WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR DOCTOR FIRST. IT CAN CAUSE SOME DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECTS. READ THE WARNING LABEL / INFORMATION PACKAGE FOR THE MEDICATION.

Drugs.com  (http://www.drugs.com/ultram.html)   "Ultram may be habit-forming. Tell your doctor if you feel the medicine is not working as well in relieving your pain. Do not change your dose without talking to your doctor. Do not stop using Ultram suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, chills, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or breathing problems. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication."  

E Med Expert.com (http://www.emedexpert.com/facts/tramadol-facts.shtml) "Withdrawal symptoms may occur if tramadol is discontinued abruptly. These symptoms may include: anxiety, sweating, insomnia, rigors, pain, nausea, tremors, diarrhea, upper respiratory symptoms, piloerection, and rarely hallucinations. Other symptoms that have been seen less frequently with Ultram discontinuation include panic attacks, severe anxiety, and paresthesias. Withdrawal symptoms may be avoided by tapering tramadol at the time of discontinuation.

Abrupt cessation from tramadol has been associated with two types of withdrawal syndromes 2:


 Opioid-like withdrawal. One is typical of opioid drugs with flu-like symptoms, restlessness and drug craving. This type of withdrawal syndrome is encountered in about 90% of cases of withdrawal from tramadol.

 Atypical (Not Typical)  withdrawal. Another withdrawal syndrome (encountered in about 10% of cases of tramadol withdrawal) is atypical of opioids and is associated with hallucinations, paranoia, extreme anxiety, panic attacks, confusion, and numbness and tingling in the extremities

(Retrieved 9.28.2010 via the internet pages at www.drugs.com and www.emedexpert.com)

I became very ill. I was faced with sweating/chills, stomach problems, leg and hip aches, and the worst part was a sudden onset of depression and fatigue. I felt hopelessness, stress, anxiety, and a deep "sinking" feeling within. It was terrible! I  was so stressed over the aches going on in my legs and hips (thinking it was Fibromyalgia pain) and I would just writhe. There was no comfort in laying down, standing, sitting, or stretching. Nothing helped but when I would finally wear myself out and be overcome by fatigue and fall asleep. I slept for hours at a time and was unable to function normally. Until my husband came home, (he was on orders in another part of the state) I needed to rely on my oldest daughter for help in getting my littlest one to school and back home, or asking my mom for help. I hated what was happening to me and I was so stressed for relief. That's when I forced myself to go online and see if there were any pain management alternatives to Ultram (Tramadol).

I found website after website and forum and forum of people experiencing the same things I was going through or worse. I chastised myself for not reading more information about the medication(s) I am taking so that I could be prepared. I learned my lesson, believe me.

Please, please, please make sure to read ALL  of the information about any medication you are taking. In the event that you are unable to renew a prescription BE PREPARED for what you may experience physically and/or emotionally until you can renew it. Know all of the ins and outs and the risks to taking the medication and STAY INFORMED.

I have chosen to work with my doctor to gradually reduce the amount of Ultram I am taking until I can wean it out of my system. Although I LOVE the pain relief it offers me, the side effects when I am not taking it are horrendous and I don't want to face those withdrawl risks again. For me, it's not worth it. I don't want to be dependent on a medication that puts me through that if I'm not able to get it for whatever reason.

I found some GREAT information about two different natural alternatives for Ultram (Tramadol). They take some time to build up in the body, but over time many people have said the benefits have been significant to their Fibro pain management. One is Celedrin and the other is Osteo Bi-Flex . The ingredients in both of these have been shown to widely improve joint pain. Another alternative is a product called Tramaden. There are various places to purchase Tramaden, so do a web search to find the best supplier and price for you. I chose to use Celedrin and Osteo Bi Flex because they had the same main ingredients I was looking for and I was able to purchase them for less. I take them on a daily basis now to build them up in my system while I'm reducing the amount of Ultram I'm taking. (*This was the choice I made for myself. You should consult with your doctor before making a choice that's right for you and poses the least amount of risk(s) to your health.)

As always, remember that you are not alone in your fight for the quality of your life while maneuvering through the vast domain of Fibromyalgia and all that that entails. The main thing is to stay informed, read-read-read, and ask lots of questions. Remember, each person experiences Fibro in a different way. Yes, we may have many of the same symptoms, but each of us feels them differently, to different degrees and levels, and each of us experiences side symptoms differently as well. Take each symptom one at a time. It helps you to keep focussed and in control of your body instead of this thing being in control of you. (My Pain Management and Symptom Tracker (see side links) has been a helpful tool for many people. Feedback)

Have a blessed day today! (((((HUG))))))
Here's to your success!
Sherri

Fibromyalgia and Traveling (A Few Hints and Tips)

Hello Everyone!

Recently my family went through our summer routine and brought my step-children back home to Nebraska after their visit. (P.S. - I MISS THEM SO MUCH!! AUUUUUGH!!)  We spent almost two weeks back home visiting family and up to our necks in activities, hustle, and bustle. A family reunion, a yard renovation, family games, the zoo, a day at the lake with tubing and boating.... wow! We did A LOT!

Of course, because of my "little friend" the Fibromonster and it's "buddy" Allodynia, I needed to take special precautions and measures to ensure that I could A.) keep up  B.) avoid a flair C.) avoid a major case of pain and fatigue on the drive to and from home across country.  It's no easy task and it takes planning and care to manage.

I want to share some of my little "doodads", tips and tricks for managing a busy vacation. Now of course all of us are unique and our diseases are different in the way they manifest in each of our bodies so this is general information that you can tailor to meet your own individual needs. I'm all about easy, "just in case", and the least amount of stress possible.

1.) MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH OF YOUR MEDICATION ON HAND. Plan ahead and be sure that you even take a little extra "just in case". You never know if weather or transportation will be a problem and cause a delay in your travel plans. ALWAYS TAKE EXTRA. I usually take an extra 3 days worth of medication with me.

Also, I NEVER take whole bottles of prescription medications with me. I transfer what I need to a secondary prescription bottle (saved when I refilled my prescription) and leave the rest at home. That way if there is a situation where I lose my meds, I always have immediate backup at home that can be sent to me. You may find this extreme, but just take a look at the weather patterns across the U.S. in the past year and you may think twice. Even in other countries there seems to be unusual weather patterns and disasters (in my opinion). It's not worth taking the risk of having your disease flair up and debilitate you in an unplanned situation if there is a way to have backup.

2.) Take extra comfort measures. What do I mean? Well, for instance I use ThermaCare Heat Wraps to keep my muscles warmed up and loose when I feel over tight or especially painful. There are a variety of wraps for different areas of the body and the heating mechanisms last for a good 8 hours. I've tried other heat wraps and I just don't like them as much as ThermaCare because they don't last as long. I swear by this product. (I get nothing to endorse this product, I just happen to love them and don't mind promoting them at all.)

Another comfort measure I take is a really good and comfortable pillow that I use at home. (Or purchase an extra one like the one you use at home) For me, this saves A LOT of headache, neck ache and frustration. Having the "right" pillow on vacation can make things go much, much smoother for you and really, it only takes up a little extra space. (*Now, if you are flying and you don't want to carry on or pack your pillow in a suitcase, plan to send your pillow(and even extra items) ahead or make sure there is a store that carries the one you need to purchase when you get there. Trust me... it makes all the difference.)

Take along extra over the counter medications that will help you feel better on your trip. Who wants the hastle of the ever present overactive stomach, bladder, headaches, muscle tension...etc without an immediate and reachable "buddy" to help you out? I personally take (and don't laugh here because I've saved myself a heck of a lot of trouble. OK, laugh a little, but still take the stuff with you!) 

Here's a few essentials that are on my list:
A.) chewable Pepto-Bismol tablets (or generic version)
B.) Dulcolax stool softener (or generic version)
C.) Excedrine Migraine (or generic version)
D.) chewable vitamin C.
E.)Arnica for muscle pain. (You can find it in most health food stores such as Sprouts)
F.) chewable Junior Tylenol for the kids. (or generic version)
G.) Uristat or a similar remedy for a urinary tract infections (*or take cranberry supplements with you for a daily dose to maintain a natural balance in the body)
H.) Band-aids of all sizes AND Friction Block stick by Band-aid. (This product is AWESOME for your feet! I keep mine in my purse to keep my feet from blistering.)

Some other "buddies" to consider are: anti-nausea medication, motion sickness help, ear plugs, a sleep mask, anti-snoring helps, contact lens cleaners/re-wetting drops, sinus medications, allergy medications, etc...

Keep your "buddies" in an accessible place/bag that is near to you either on the plane or in the vehicle. It takes a lot of stress away when you know help & comfort is an arms length away. You may think I'm being overly dramatic, but try it and see. It's worth it to have things on hand that you don't have to worry about going out and finding later or when you're in a bind. Get travel sizes and minis perhaps so that you're not stuck with tons of bottles and boxes taking up huge amounts of space or putting a dent in your wallet. There are all kinds of inexpensive organizers out there that can easily accommodate a nice little portable way to keep everything easily accessible and manageable.

Keep your clothing and shoe choices realistic with your activity level and body pain management. If you know you're going to need more comfy clothes rather than dressy restrictive clothing, then find stylish but comfortable clothing and shoes to take with you. You know yourself best. I personally take 2 outfits that are super comfy and stretchy because there are days when I need to wear soft and stretchy clothing that allows my muscles to relax. You know what I mean. Sometimes a pair of sweats and a soft cotton T-shirt paired with tennis-shoes is just right. The key is to dress in a way that works for pain management but still makes you feel good about yourself so that you can relax and make the most each day and activity. Remember one of my favorite sayings: "Fight for your quality of life!"...

3.) Don't allow yourself to rush, push too hard, or take on more that you can handle at one time.  Look, fibromyalgia and/or allodynia, or CFS is hard enough to deal with. You have it/them, period. If other's don't want to accept it, deal with it, or make a few accommodations to help you, then you have to stand up for yourself and protect yourself as much as possible. (*this applies to daily life as well.) You may have to sit out of an activity, or you may have to make a few extra stops if you're traveling by vehicle. Maybe an extra nap or two will be in order. Who knows? The point is..... TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF so you can enjoy your time and be able to participate as much as possible.

So what about you? What travel tips and hints do you have to share? Post some of them here for all of us to read and take advantage of. I'm always looking for good ideas and suggestions to make fighting for my quality of life a little easier. PLUS I want to share with my readers too!

Remember what I said earlier... you ARE NOT alone. Don't suffer in silence. Find ways to reach out and connect with others who are going through what you are going through. There is strength to be found in the understanding of another who shares your situation.  (((HUG)))

Have a blessed day today : )
Sherri