Happy New Year

Hello everyone!

It's the first Saturday of 2020 (wow!) and I hope you all enjoyed your holiday season. The last year of the decade was probably one of the most difficult that I've had in a very long time. As my stress increased due to Real Life events (job change, missing the kids in my daycare, declining health and struggling to deal with chronic pain and exhaustion) I've come to realize how lucky I was to receive a diagnosis 21 years ago so quickly. I have family and friends (most of them) who are supportive and don't expect more than I can give. I can't express how much I appreciate their support and encouragement.

2020 will continue to be tough as I try to take care of some things I've had to let slide due to lack of energy, ability to think myself through a process as my comprehension slipped some. I have 2 more Dr appointments coming up this month (the 14th & the 17th) to try to address some of this chronic pain that I can't seem to get a handle on. Please pray for me that we can either 1) get a handle on it naturally or 2) find a medication that doesn't make me constantly nauseous or dizzy. The Dr appointment is for a trial for Fibromyalgia that is being done to possibly find a new medication for Fibro. To be honest I'm not sure I will join the trial due to my sensitivity to meds of any kind.

I will be popping in occasionally to post on GivingNSharing. I'm hoping to be able to participate in more book reviews and share some of my sewing as well as new treatments and ideas for pain relief this year. I'm in the process of trying to figure out what to do job wise as my illness increases and will hopefully be sharing some tips and methods for relief as well as daily living tips for living with a chronic illness.

Happy New Year my friends!

Leg pain, yoga & chiropractics

Hi everyone! 

About 3 weeks ago I began training for a new job as a merchandiser in one of the big box stores and am really enjoying my job. One of the things I didn't think about when I joined was the fact that I would be walking on hard concrete type floors and that is something that my fibromyalgia or my back doesn't like. Last Friday I worked 6 hours and it took me till Wednesday of this week to fully recover. I also worked this Monday and I think that's why it took so long. BUT yesterday (Wednesday again) I worked 6.5 hours and I'm in NO WHERE near the pain I was in. So, hopefully my endurance is growing and soon I won't feel the pain I was in.

Today I visited my chiropractor. My chiropractor specializes in trigger point and myofascile release and I have used her for relief of my chronic pain with fibromyalgia as well as my migraines for about 3 or 4 years. I have spoken on GivingNSharing before about the severe pain I've had with my new job and today I decided to ask Dr Kayla if she had any stretches or tips I could use to ease the severe pain.


Dr Kayla told me today that the issue isn't my feet or ankles - it's my calves. Which really surprises me. At first my calves were really sore because of the bending required for one of my tasks but yesterday and today they aren't bothering me at all. She showed me a couple of stretches. One focuses on the achilles tendon & is also helpful for Plantar Fascitis and the other focuses on stretching the toes. (My pain has been in the arches of my foot, the sides of my big toe and the side of my baby toe.)

One of my favorite yoga therapists on YouTube is Yoga with Kassandra. She has a video called Yoga Poses to Relieve Foot and Ankle Tension.  I also really like Michelle Kenway who does more work with Kegels and Core Strength. I didn't see anything on yoga though for feet/ankles and calves on her YouTube page unfortunately.

I hope this information helps someone else avoid the severe pain I've had for the last week. Stay tuned and I'll try to post some of the things that the guy at the health food store suggested. He made a couple of suggestions that I'd like to try such as magnesium, enzymes, water drinking, etc but I need to learn more and then actually buy some of it so I can give my opinion on it. 

As always, Thanks for Listening!

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Disclaimer: The information found in this blog is not intended to take the place of a Drs advice. Please contact your medical team with any questions you may have and before you begin a new routine. The information shared on this blog is based on my own experience and whether it has helped me or not.

New Job = Pain

I recently started a new job about 3 weeks ago as a merchandiser. I'm enjoying the job so far but having issues with pain and walking. I think once I get used to being more active and walking on hard surfaces it should get better.

My feet feel like they've turned into blocks and my legs are SOOOO sore. I've actually bruised on my hips where the hips meet the legs and walking has been a real chore. Even straightening up from sitting has been difficult. Since last Friday I've been really struggling.

My poor fibro body is just hating me right now. As some of you know I am unmedicated and have been for at least 10 years of the 21 I've been diagnosed. I don't tolerate meds well except a couple of over the counter pain relievers (thank heavens) for when it gets bad.

So, what I've been doing for the last week is the following - if ANYONE has any other suggestions I'm all ears!

1) Shoes off as soon as I get home (my feet are VERY tender especially around the baby and big toes. I had to buy new shoes and can only wear Dr Scholls tennis shoes - they seem to work best with my hip issues.
2) Foot Soak - I dug through my cabinet and have been using Village Naturals Therapy line. They have a WONDERFUL line for Aches & Pains Muscle Relief that have eased my pain and the feeling of swelling in my feet (I don't have any swelling just a block like feeling lol).
3) I've also been using a LOT of heat therapy. I personally use a heated mattress pad during the cold months or I'm not able to function in the morning. I've had enough of crawling to the bathroom in the morning because I can't stand up straight after lying down for a few hours overnight. It was either that or start sleeping in a recliner.

First I soak my feet in the Aches & Pains Muscle Relief Concentrated Mineral Bath Soak which has Eucalypus to revitalize & restore, Spearmint to refresh & renew and Menthol to soothe and comfort. They use essential oils and extracts along with a combination of Sea Salt & Epsom Salts to ease tired muscles.

After the water cools and I've dried my feet I use the Aches & Pain Muscle Relief Hand & Body Lotion which has Eucalyptus, Wintergreen and Aloe to refresh & renew your feet. My feet feel nice and relaxed and cool by now.

I noticed they have a Chronic Pain & Fatigue line as well. I think I may try that next. Their prices are very reasonable. On the website the items above are only $6.99 each and they have a $1 coupon online that you can use if you'd like. I usually buy mine from Walmart where their display is back in the cosmetic area set up right as you walk in.

If anyone has any other suggestions to help me with the job and pain control I'd love to hear it. I had forgotten how painful being on hard floors is and walking for the 6.5-7 hours a day I'm doing has been very hard on my Fibro.

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Disclaimer: This review was not requested by Village Naturals and no compensation was received. I am not a medical provider and I'm just sharing my experience. If you have any concerns I would suggest you speak with your Dr.. Thanks for reading!