Friday once more! I had planned a big informational diary on autoimmune disorders for today. But thanks to my own autoimmune disorders acting up today, that's not going to happen this week. Instead I'm going to cover some symptoms to watch for, at least for one condition that is thought to be an autoimmune disorder: Fibromyalgia.
As you can see by Itzl's concerned look, this group gives Kossacks a safe place to check in, a daily diary where we can let people know we are alive, doing OK, and not affected by such things as heat, blizzards, floods, wild fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, power outages, earthquakes, or other such things that could keep us off DKos. It also allows us to find other Kossacks nearby for in-person checks when other methods of communication fail - a buddy system. If you're not here, or anywhere else on DKos, and there are adverse conditions in your area (floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, earthquakes etc.), we and your buddy are going to check up on you. If you are going to be away from your computer for a day or a week, let us know here. We care!
IAN is a great group to join, and a good place to learn to write diaries. Drop one of us a Kosmail and ask to be added to the Itzl Alert Network anytime! We all share the publishing duties, and we welcome everyone who reads IAN to write diaries for the group! Every member is an editor, so anyone can take a turn when they have something to say, photos and music to share, a cause to promote or news!
We do have a diary schedule. But, when you are ready to write that diary, either post in thread or send FloridaSNMOM a Kosmail with the date. If you need someone to fill in, ditto. FloridaSNMOM is here on and off through the day usually from around 9:30 or 10 am eastern to around 11 pm eastern.
Monday:
BadKitties
Tuesday:
ejoanna
Wednesday:
Caedy
Thursday:
art ah zen
Friday:
FloridaSNMOM
Saturday:
Most Awesome Nana
Sunday:
loggersbrat
Fibromyalgia Symptoms per Web MD:
Pain
Anxiety
Concentration and memory problems -- known as "fibro fog"
Depression
Fatigue
Headaches
Irritable bowel syndrome
Morning stiffness
Painful menstrual cramps
Sleep problems
Numbness, and tingling in hands, arms, feet, and legs
Tender points
Urinary symptoms, such as pain or frequency
I can tell you from experience that these symptoms work hand in hand to create a disturbing orchestra of symptoms that can greatly affect daily life. Pain and fatigue contribute to the concentration and memory problems as well as the sleep problems. The sleep problems then make the pain, fatigue and 'fog' worse. It can quickly turn into an evil circle.
I've found a few ways to break the circle. The new sleeping pill they have me on helps because it relaxes my body enough to ease the tension (which is both caused by the pain and makes it worse) and helps me sleep better. The depression/anxiety med they put me on for my PTSD helps keep general anxiety low which helps prevent flare ups. Before I had any meds the only thing that worked was a bit of alcohol before bed, enough to give me a buzz but not enough to make me sick the next day.
But when the flare ups hit anyway, often triggered by stress, or lack of sleep, or a sudden change in temperature (which gets my arthritis flaring, which leads to tension and pain and lack of sleep which then leads to the rest) I just have to rest and take things easy and not expect too much from myself and get past it. Some days I can barely wear soft PJ's because of the tender points.
To call them 'tender points' is a bit of a misnomer. It's more like "please don't touch me there that feels like you're sticking a knife into me!" points. Sometimes the soles of my feet also get so tender it feels like I'm walking on Legos or Barbie shoes. ANYTHING touching you will hurt, even the weight of a t-shirt. I have some very light summer PJ's I wear on those occasions, and sometimes in the winter that leaves me cold, but it's better than the pain.
And through this all you have a general feeling of unwellness. Often that's the first sign that a flare is going to start. Basically, you feel like you're coming down with the flu, only the flu symptoms stop with general achiness, fatigue, and brain fog. Sometimes you can head things off at the pass with a nap or just by changing your plans for the day and not pushing yourself and stop the flare there. Sometimes you can't.
I would classify my fibromyalgia as on the mild end, because I've never had it get so bad that I absolutely can't get out of bed. I know others have. I have had periods of weakness so strong I couldn't pick up a glass of water. I switch to plastic and a smaller cup. I've broken many things during those days, I learned to pester the kids to get me things instead of doing it myself. I wouldn't want to have this on the 'severe' end if what I have is mild. Of course, it's possible I'm just more stubborn then others and mine is more in the medium range. There is no way to gauge it other than how you feel and react to it. There is no medical 'test' to tell you for sure you have it or how bad it is. It's an 'end diagnosis', meaning they've ruled out everything else it could be and this is what you get at the end.
Ok, well I guess I was able to write more than I thought I was. We'll talk more on autoimmune disorders and what causes them though another day. I think explaining the medical terminology behind the causes is a bit beyond me. I hope this bit on Fibromyalgia was comprehensible though. Today (Thursday) is a Fibro day. I knew it as soon as I opened my eyes this morning (or maybe before because I did wake up late). Everything hurt, my mind was more blurry than usual, and the dog sitting on top of me hurt a lot more than it should have.
I hope you enjoyed and learned something from this little diary at least. Have a great weekend folks! I hope to.