My new blog

[golotomer]

Julie,

It looks like the post I made yesterday disappeared from the board or never made it.  It was a fairly long one too! 

Doing okay here.  How are you feeling?

Kim

[loulizlee]

Julie,

Being a late starter and not having had time to review this blog, I was wondering about your post about shots, back pain, knees, etc.  Do you suffer from arthritis?  I was diagnosed in my early 30s.  Now I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  What has been your treatment for the pain?  I have been looking for something for years to relieve my chronic pain.

Juanita

[jcribb16]

Julie,

It looks like the post I made yesterday disappeared from the board or never made it.  It was a fairly long one too! 

Doing okay here.  How are you feeling?

Kim

I never saw it - it does happen sometimes.  I'm alright, just tired and achy.  2 more days of subbing and hopefully back to normal.  *sigh*  It will be nice, though, when the paycheck comes in. 

[jcribb16]

Julie,

Being a late starter and not having had time to review this blog, I was wondering about your post about shots, back pain, knees, etc.  Do you suffer from arthritis?  I was diagnosed in my early 30s.  Now I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  What has been your treatment for the pain?  I have been looking for something for years to relieve my chronic pain.

Juanita

Hi Juanita,

My Xolair shots are for my asthma.  My allergy cells don't protect me right, and I have to have the shots to help protect my cells.  I have chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, and rhinitis, etc.  The shots have started helping, in that I am not as chronic with all of that, and my coughing is not so constant and chronic.

I was recently diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease, which in turn is now affecting my sciatica, causing pain in my lower back, side thigh and knee.  The drs. said that arthritis has set in the discs in my neck (I had a neck injury when 13 years old, and this is where all of the problem started in January of this year.)  I'm on pain pills for that right now, and am supposed to begin physical therapy next week.

I have Osgood Schlatter's Disease in my knee, which is also reacting to the sciatica.  That's why my knee is hurting so much, not to mention wanting to give out on me. 

I'm being tested for autoimmune issues; lupus is ruled out for now.  I'm not much help for your issues, but know people/friends who have fibro.  I can find out which meds they are on - I can't remember without asking them.  I do know they are strong prescription meds.  I hope your drs. can help figure the best for you and that they help you.  I'm sorry you are having these things happening with you, and I can relate to the pain.  Let me know how you are doing and what they put you on.

Julie 

[golotomer]

Morning ladies,

I too was diagnosed with Fibro many years ago.  I deal with constant pain but chose to not go the route of daily medication.  I get some relief with stretching exercises and just try to keep moving through the pain.  If I give into it and just sit it out it's worse so I try to keep moving.  I don't have the time to exercise the way I should on a daily basis though.  However, people with Fibro suffer in varying degrees so mine might not be as bad as yours. 

On the run this morning.  I have extensive online application processes to go through in order to apply for the internship with the Surgeon General and it's due Monday!  I'm such a procrastinator!

Later girls.

[jcribb16]

Hi Kim,

I don't remember if you told me that before about the Fibro.  I'm glad you are able to still avoid meds for it.  Has it seemed to worsen through the years?  Do you ever get what the one's I know call the "fog?"  I'm really impressed with how you have managed it, and how busy you stay, including getting out there cycling, kayaking/rowing, etc.

It's a really nice day so far.  Breezy, cool, and sunny.  It will go up to about 85 though - so it will definitely get warmer this afternoon!

Have a nice day, all!

Julie

[golotomer]

Julie,

Yes I was diagnosed probably well over ten years ago.  I have the various pressure points where if you touch the "hot spots" it hurts terribly.  This is one reason I am so fond of the deep tissue massage treatments.  When I get massaged it hurts to beat the band but that seems to be the best relief after the initial pain.  My doctor showed me a trick with a tennis ball where I put the ball against a wall and press up against the hot spots for maybe ten seconds.  It hurts but loosens the muscle. 

When I do anything strenuous I hurt horribly either that day or the next but as I said if I give into the pain and just lay around it only gets worse so I move "into" the pain and through it.  For instance the other night after we went bike riding, I could barely lift my legs high enough to get up the few steps from the mudroom into the kitchen but pain and all I kept going.  The next day I was back to normal other than some soreness.  Most people will say to themself....I won't do that because I will be in pain...I say yes I know I'm going to hurt but I know that the exercise is necessary.  I hurt constantly where the hot spots are located though. 

The doctor actually recommended more exercise too.  He was a holistic doctor and had no mercy!  When I complained about needing to lose weight and asked for some pills to kick start me he simply told me to walk 3 miles a day.  Ouch. 

Kim

[jcribb16]

Kim,

Thank you for sharing some insight into what you go through.  I'm in a chronic health conditions group, online, and every lady in there has health issues that are chronic.  I've been amazed at how many women struggle with fibro, ms, bi-polar, depression, asthma, and so much more.  Several have more than 1 or 2 issues they deal with.  Most everyone tries to work through the pain.  There is a lot of support and encouragement in there.  I really enjoy that group and have been a member for almost 2 years now.

I hope you have a great day!  I sent you an email.

Talk later,

Julie

[loulizlee]

I've just gotten the okay from my doctor to start Cymbalta.  I have been asking him for a while now.  I'll let you know how it works for me.

Hope you guys have a great weekend!!

[jcribb16]

I've just gotten the okay from my doctor to start Cymbalta.  I have been asking him for a while now.  I'll let you know how it works for me.

Hope you guys have a great weekend!!

Loulizlee,

That is great news for you.  I hoped it works well for you and finally gives you some relief.  {{Hugs}}

[golotomer]

Julie,

Maybe when I have more time I'll take a look at that support group.  It's always good to hear what things people might be doing to deal with their problems and offer encouragement. 

I got your email and answered.  Any changes? 

We drove to Cleveland last night and met with Bob's daughter Jen and went to see the comedian Emo Phillips.  We all consider him to be really funny but he isn't everyone's cup of tea.  He isn't vulgar and some people don't get his humor.  He comes off as being scholarly but clearly very odd. 

We didn't get home until 2 a.m. and I actually slept in until 9 this morning.  I did wake up at 4:30 but knew if I got up I wouldn't make the day.

My friend, Nellie, is coming today so I can help her scan pictures of her daughter and her fiance.  They are getting married in July and she wants to take their pictures and set them to music to play at the reception. 

I have to put the finishing touches on my paperwork to be submitted to the Surgeon General's office.  It's due tomorrow.  Did I tell you I found out it's four days in either July or August?  It will only amount to about 32 hours of actual time with the staff and we have a mandatory 150 hours to put in each semester.  I would hope they would take into consideration the travel time and expenses and give me some additional time toward my total though.  Everything would be at my own expense.

I don't know how this will all work with trying to land another spot for the remaining hours but I guess that's a bridge to cross if and when I actually get the assignment. 

Gotta run.  I want to get some game time in and try to straighten the house before Nellie gets here.  Good thing she has known me for years and understands that if the house is a mess it's not my norm. 

We go back to the age of 14 so being old girls we know each other well.  She is the closest thing to a sister I've ever had (I'm an only child).  She is close enough to me that she has full refridgerator rights.   

Love you..  Hope you are feeling better in all areas of your life. 

Kim
 

[jcribb16]

Hi Kim,

No, no changes for now.  I'll write their letters this weekend and hope for the best.  I also have the attorney "book" of papers to fill out for the SSDI case and send back to them quick.  I hope that works out, too.

I've not heard of Emo Phillips.  I'm glad you all got to go out and have a nice time.  And I'm very glad you actually got to sleep in for real, for once!!  It probably did you good.  I slept in to, after these last 3 weeks of getting up at 4:30, and it felt great!

Just let me know when and I'll send the support group info by email.  Great group of ladies and friends in there!

I hope you get the Surgeon General's spot.  Even the few days would be a great experience.  Strange it's not more hours, though!  I hope you can find other places to fulfill how many hours you have to put in.

It's great to have a friend/sister like you and Nellie!  My longest friend and I met in 2nd grade and are both Julies.  We manage to see each other every couple years or so, and talk by phone, and FB, more often.  She's had so many struggles, including domestic issues, finally divorce, change of work, moving, and so much more, that I don't say too much to her about my own issues going on.  She's got enough on her.  We are both only children, too.

Hope you enjoy your Saturday and Sunday!  Thinking of you!

Julie 

[golotomer]

Good morning

We got most of the pictures scanned yesterday and into the movie maker but we still have to work on the music.  I got my information all in to the surgeon generals office so now it's just a matter of wait and see.  I doubt I'll be chosen over a younger person but one never knows.

Today is a homework and laundry day. 

Hopefully you'll feel up to writing all of your letters today.  Watch out for April foolers. 

[jcribb16]

Hi Kim!

Yes, indeed, watch for the April Foolers today!     I hope you are enjoying your Sunday.

That's great you got your paperwork turned in - sometimes waiting is the hardest.  Do you have a list of other places that accept all of you for those hours?  Otherwise, how would you know who to contact?  Humor the naive me, right?!

I did hear back from the mil.  I was frankly surprised she was cordial.  She said they were fine and getting big.  She also said she would "ask" if she, along with the girls, could meet me somewhere when I go down there for my appts. again.  I told her thank you very much.  Now, don't get me wrong - I'm not totally believing this at all - with her past history of lies.  I have hope, maybe, but will not expect this to happen unless she's serious.  I was just surprised she did respond, and that she was nice instead of cursing her usual at me.  My dtr asked me who I was "talking" to, and as soon as I started to tell her who and what she was saying, she said, "Oh, my gosh; like you are going to believe her?; you need to forget about it."  I didn't read anymore, took my laptop and left the room.  She asked me first, for goodness sakes.  So, I guess I will just zip the lips and say nothing to any of them even if they ask.    It's like son/grands no longer exist and so no more speaking of it, period.

Ok, rant over, thank you for the shoulder.

Hope you and Nellie had a nice visit!  It sounds like you both got a lot done with the pictures.

Talk to you, later,

Julie

[sarabtrayior]

Sorry, the first one quit and here it goes again. Good luck with your blog but it sounds like you are busy. I am a 50 year old disabled woman and do FusionCash to make some extra cash for fun...