Yes, I'm still here...
March 27, 2008 1:03pm
Well, well, well, she still lives! LOL! Yes, I do!
I cannot believe that it's been a MONTH since I've been on! I serious cannot …
ASPIRE4GRACE’s Profile
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ASPIRE4GRACE
is feeling Good
About Me
In 1993, I was dx'd with hypothyroidism (low thyroid), and in 1997, dx'd with migraine. Since 2001 I have been diagnosed with Fibro, Arthritis, Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease, Bronchitis, Degenerative Disk Disease, and all that those entail. The doctors think on and off that I might have MS, so maybe someday I'll be diagnosed with it, but not this week. It's like facing a huge rock mountain, that you have to climb everyday all over again, without being taught how to do it, or given the proper tools to do so with. I recently was referred to a Pain Management Clinic and my new doctor is AMAZING! She actually treated me! She believed my pain, she believed my illness, and she's treating me! My pain levels have gone from an 8 down to about a 1-2. But I finally have medicine that is treating and handling my pain. I will forever be indebted to this wonderful doctor. My family doesn't understand what I deal with every hour of everyday, but they try at least. There are days when I wish I could just disappear, but I do have responsibilities, so it's not an option. I live on a beautiful piece of property with wild animals (that keep picking my chickens off one by one). I love it here though. I wouldn't trade it for the biggest, most expensive house in the best subdivision in the world. It's home! Daily Strength came to me when I was about at the end of my lifeline. I thought that I was the most alone person in the world. I know that's not true now. I know that there are people, lots of people just like me! It helps alot to know that. I love my DS friends as if I've known them my entire life, and would do anything in my power to help them. I'm a caring, loving, nurturing, motheristic type person. I'd do anything I can to help anyone. Not trying to sound conceited, just what I've been told. When I love, I love deeply. I love unconditionally, but expect the same back. Conditional love = fake love. I run a chat room for people with illness like Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Insomnia, etc. pretty much anyone who needs support. Please feel free to drop in anytime. We try to always have someone in the room, so no one feel left out. It's a loving place, no arguing, lots of support and just a great place to relax and have some fun, but also get some answers. The address is: www.xat.com/FMSupport But it's not just for FMS. Just had to pick a name. I'm from Texas and I'm allll Texan! Until you've lived here, you don't know what heaven is, so ya'll all come when you want to know what REAL life is!
Interests
My Lord and Savior; my family; my church and church activities; reading, especially true crime; my 'puter; crocheting; counted crosstitch; my online support groups; my AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL DS friends; watching movies/t.v.; and anything that I can do, without moving too much. But before I got sick with fibro, I loved camping, swimming, trampolining with the kids, b-b-qing, LOVED-cooking and baking, roller skating, bicycling, etc. Now that I'm feeling so much better, I'm hoping to get back to most of all that. I still have to be wary of my back, but lookout kitchen, because momma's coming back! Whoo!!! Hooo!!!
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Journal
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Journal Entry for January 1, 2008
January 1, 2008 12:59pm
I have one of the most "memorable" New Year's Eve's of my life, if not THE most memorable:
I haven't gotten fireworks for …
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Journal Entry for December 27, 2007
December 27, 2007 2:32pm
Well, I'm back from this "lovely" Christmas trip. Let me enlighten you to how fanstically it went!
We got to my grandmother's …
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Hugbook
Hug
just sending this to let you know im still here and praying for you my friend hugs Sandy
I’m With You
Always © By Brandon A. Swaggerty The day you were born, the whole world was blessed These thoughts in my mind to you I must confess The time has come for me to express my true feelings You are the center of my thoughts and the essence of my being What you have brought me I never thought I could procure The gift of comfort, with you I am secure For you have lifted me up from a life filled with sorrow And made me realize there is always a better tomorrow It amazes me how someone can make me feel this way I love you more and more with each passing day You brighten my days and lift my spirits I have felt this for so long and now want you to hear it So you may know the place you hold in my heart You are always with me even when we're apart I truly believe what we have is meant to be Just open your heart and soon you shall see What I am willing to do to keep a smile on your face Just know that I'm here and will be always
Hug
Hi there, how ya doing? Hope you're having a great day!
Flower
happy 4th july!!!!! xxxxx
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Flower
hi honey,sorry for absence.hope you are doing well.take care xxx Terri
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Photos
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Support Groups
Close Fibromyalgia
Since 1993 I have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidsim, Fibro, Arthritis, Connective Tissue Disease, Bronchitis, Degenerative Disk Disease, and I list them all here, because their all autoimmune disorders/diseases. Fibromyalgia has taken away my life, my identity, the very essence of who I was. I no longer remember the old me. I've "Kissed Her Goodnight". Now there's a new me. I've yet to learn if she's a better person. But know she's more compassionate, and more obedient to God.
Treatments
- Ambien Working / Worked
- Works wonders! I can't sleep at all without this pill. Works very well, with the Klonopin and Zanaflex.
- Cyclobenzaprine Not Working
- Never felt it did anything.
- Cymbalta Too Soon to Tell
- I feel that this is helping with my nerve pain. Just started a higher dose.
- Duragesic Patch Not Working
- Got absolutely nothing out of the 25 mg. But still nothing with 3 patches (75mg.). Useless for me.
- Effexor Working / Worked
- Worked for a bit.
- Heat Working / Worked
- Is my best friend on "those" days!
- Lyrica Not Working
- Working on the pain but 22 lbs. in two weeks was too excessive. I couldn't bend my fingers, I was so swollen everywhere.
- Oxymorphone Working / Worked
- Take the ER-Extended Release 2x/day. Keeps away pain, sweats, fevers, crawling, raw skin feeling and muscle pain. I have very little pain from my Connective Tissue Disease thanks to this pill. This is my MIRACLE PILL!! Take the Immediate Release Tablets for breakthrough pain, works most of the time.
- Ultram Not Working
- Did absolutely nothing for the pain.
- Zanaflex Working / Worked
- Works well as a muscle relaxer and great side effect of sleepiness. I take it at night and it helps with sleep.
Close Interracial Relationships
I am a mom and wife dedicated to my family in an Interracial Marriage. My husband is from Mexico and I am Caucasian. It causes us many, many problems on a daily basis. But we are dedicated to each other, and know that we can work through any problems that arise.
Open Obesity
I have struggled all of my life. I hit my all time high of 240 a couple of years ago. Over the last 2 yrs. I have been losing slowly and have lost around 60+ lbs, and hope that I haven't stalled there for long. I don't find that any particular diet is necessary, or excercise, I just only eat when I am hungry, and I eat just enough so that I am not hungry anymore. I eat anything I want, just don't over indulge (except now and then). I hope to eventually get to my "ideal" weight but we will see.
Treatments
- 6 Week Body Makeover Somewhat Helpful
- Gave it a go for a bit, but too confusing to me.
- Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Working / Worked
- I try to avoid the obvious stuff: sweets, carbs, fatty items, and the all time baddy--sodas!
- Breast Feeding Working / Worked
- It worked with all of my pregnancies, but you have to do it longer than just a few weeks.
- Cymbalta Too Soon to Tell
- Supposed to cause weight loss, but will have to see if that's a side effect or not.
- Slim-Fast Not Working
- Tastes awful and can't stay on it long enough to make it work. I am constantly hungry on SF.
- Topamax Somewhat Helpful
- I was on this for migraine headaches, but I didn't lose any weight with it.
Open Arthritis
I have arthritis among other things. I am a SAHM, married, in the country. Wish that I could enjoy all the things that my brain wants to do, but my body won't allow me to do.
Treatments
- Ibuprofen Not Working
- Does nothing.
- Medrol Somewhat Helpful
- Helps sometimes, depends on the nature of the flare. Does cause water weight gain.
- Methotrexate Working / Worked
- Don't really notice a drastic improvement, but I do notice that pain increases when I stop taking it. I DO NOT like the side effect of reducing my immunity. That is my main problem to begin with.
- Naproxen Not Working
- Pain Management Clinic Working / Worked
- My pain doctor is the doctor who prescribed the meds that are giving me my life back! I love her!!!!
- Plaquenil Somewhat Helpful
- Think it's helping.
- Tylenol Not Working
- Joke!
Open Back Pain
Have degenerative disk disease in L3, L4, L5 and S1. About every six months, I bend over and out my back goes. I am down right now. It is so ridiculously painful! Childbirth was a cakewalk compared to this, and I didn't have an epidural with any of the 4 deliveries. Absurd! NOW I have to have epidurals. The irony!
Treatments
- Bedrest Working / Worked
- Staying flat on my back with my knees up, or on my side is the only truly helpful thing.
- Carisoprodol Not Working
- Chiropractic Adjustment Working / Worked
- Works great but only temporarily because I can't afford it on a regular basis.
- Cortisone (Injection) Working / Worked
- If injected at the site-trigger spot- then it works the first and second times of an episode.
- Fentanyl Not Working
- Don't understand how this is supposed to be SO GREAT! Didn't feel any relief, or anything at all.
- Flexeril Somewhat Helpful
- Heat Somewhat Helpful
- This is my best friend on those days when it just hurts too bad.
- Hydrocodone Somewhat Helpful
- This helped alot over the years, but I did build up a tolerance to it. Eventually had to be switched to Opana ER. Does have the side effect of constipation, and nausea. Also, you will be dependent on it, but that's just what happens when you live a life of chronic pain.
- Ibuprofen Working / Worked
- I notice nothing with this now that my illness has progressed so far.
- Naproxen Not Working
- Oxymorphone Working / Worked
- Take the ER-Extended Release. Works well for this. Some days my back doesn't bother me at all now. No upset stomach but constipation. Very few side effects.
- Physical Therapy Somewhat Helpful
- Another one of those that works as long as you do it. Is a pain to get there 3-5x a week and hurts to be moved around like that.
- Stretching Somewhat Helpful
- Hurts to do, but feels good that I am doing something that is good for my body.
Open Chronic Pain
I have FM, arthritis, hypothyroidism. Hydrocodone HELPS, but doesn't take the pain away. Sick of docs who care more about what they look like than actually HELPING their patients. Fed up with the medical establisment completely.
Treatments
- Chiropractic Adjustment Somewhat Helpful
- Cymbalta Working / Worked
- Seems to be helping with my nerve pain.
- Flexeril Somewhat Helpful
- Heat Somewhat Helpful
- My best friend for that "hard to get rid of pain".
- Hydrocodone Somewhat Helpful
- Lyrica Working / Worked
- Worked great for the pain, but made me put 22 lbs. on in 2 weeks. Unacceptable.
- Marijuana Considering
- I'd love to find a doc that would prescribe it.
- Methadone Considering
- Ditto from Marijuana!
- Mobic Somewhat Helpful
- Naproxen Not Working
- Oxycodone Not Working
- Wasn't a high enough dose, so didn't do anything for my pain.
- Oxymorphone Working / Worked
- Take ER-Extended Release Version. Overall pain reduced from 8 to level 1. Awesome!
- Physical Therapy Somewhat Helpful
- I HATE PT!!!!!!!
- TENS Working / Worked
- Helps with back pain, but relief is short lived.
- Topamax Working / Worked
- Help for a couple of years with migraines. But then just stopped.
Open Depression
I have chronic pain and so it is depressing. Some days are worse than others, but I know that I just have to deal with it. Maybe someday my situation will improve, but doubt it.
Treatments
- Celexa Somewhat Helpful
- Cymbalta Working / Worked
- Started it a month ago. I feel that it is working. I don't need as many pain pills on some days.
- Effexor Working / Worked
- For pain, for a bit.
- Paxil Not Working
- Didn't seem to help at all.
- Prozac Somewhat Helpful
- Lost all libido. Took 10 yrs to get SOME back.
- Wellbutrin Working / Worked
- For pain, but worked well for my depression.
- Writing Working / Worked
- This helps me a lot, getting it out.
- Zoloft Working / Worked
- Took it for pain. Helped with spirits though.
Open Healthy Sex
Well, I feel that I'm pretty good in this area but there's always someone better to learn from.
Treatments
- Patience Working / Worked
- Gotta have it.
Open Anxiety
ASPIRE4GRACE hasn’t entered any details for this support group.Open Raynaud's Disease
ASPIRE4GRACE hasn’t entered any details for this support group.Open Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
No Dx yet. Doc thinks I might have it. Looking for answers to my symptoms.
Open Insomnia
I have had problems sleeping all my life. I remember being a kid, and waiting for the A/C unit to blow so I could fall asleep to that. If I don't have meds, I don't sleep, end of story.
Treatments
- Ambien Working / Worked
- Works wonders! Can't sleep without it.
- Counting Sheep Not Working
- Is this a joke?
- Lavender Not Working
- LOVE the smell, but doesn't help with sleep.
- Pamelor Not Working
- Didn't make me sleepy at all.
- Reading Working / Worked
- Makes me tired, but not sleep unless had sleeping meds.
- Restoril Working / Worked
- Works if I double the prescribed dose of 30 mgs. to 60 mgs.
- Rozerem Somewhat Helpful
- Sometimes. Can't tell why sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. But always have to take @ 4x as prescribed, so I don't even bother with it.
- Sonata Not Working
- Nothing!
- Valerian Not Working
- Not a thing!
- Zanaflex Working / Worked
- This works fantastica to get me to sleep fast. I have to take between 16-24 mgs. but it works great with Klonopin and Ambien.
Open Female Sexual Issues
What female DOESN'T have sexual issues.
Open Phobia
I generally have two phobias. I have an EXTREME fear of scorpions, that leads to a panic attack (hate even saying or typing the word!!!!) and claustrophobia. For example: I can't STAND to be in the backseat of a car, in the middle. I just realized last week how insensitive and oblivious to this disease people actually are. Oh, the stupid remarks I heard! "You'll get used to it." Please, how moronic!!!!
Open Panic Attacks
I don't get PA very often, but if I see a scorpion, I definitely go into one! I haven't ever been on anything for it, so we'll see what I can get for them. They are very upsetting to say the least.
Open Degenerative Disc Disease
I just found out in 2007 that the reason I was having so many disc problems was due to DDD. It's is very upsetting, because there's not much I can do to stop the disease, as far as I know.
Open MCTD
I actually have UCTD, but don't see a group for it. Of all of the diseases I have, this one seems to be the most aggressive and most painful of the bunch. It can get through the pain meds, and hurt me to the point of tears.
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Snapshot
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