Positive Vibe/ prayer request thread

[naturalooks15]

Hi All,

Don't want this to be whining or venting thread but this is pretty much the only community I am active in and really really like it so thought of posting here. 

This is for everyone to post if you like/need.

Some of you may know that I have been though toughest time of my life for last one year and every aspect of my life is hit. Looks like the ordeal is not over and now it's onto my career and in turn mental wellbeing . Without going into too much detail, my health was compromised to the point that it was life threatening, my personal life crisis beyond belief that I never thought would happen to me and crushed me. Now my career is taking a hit for various reasons plus my health/ some physical limitation causing me further stress, anxiety, having hard time concentrating.

I am doing everything I can. Fighting this very hard, trying to stay positive. I have started working out regularly because I think that will help physical as well as mental wellbeing and doing everything I can but I feel I am at a point where it's getting tiring I can use some positive thought and your prayers. 

Also, if you are someone like me where sometime I am at a loss of words and not sure what to communicate to the person but I still pray for them, that is ok too, no need to feel pressured to post anything.

Feel free to post your own requests in this thread. Again, not a pity party and definitely do everything in your control to power though but sometimes positive vibes and prayers are just the things we all could use. 

[blackkitty2014]

@naturalooks15 sending positive vibes your way!!! We are all here for you.

[alexasteph]

Okay, I'm wondering if anyone has any experience or knowledge on managing fibromyalgia. I showed some physical symptoms of it a few months ago and after a series of blood tests, almost everything else has been ruled out. I'm discussing the results with my doctor next week for an official diagnosis. So what I'm looking for are things people have done/are doing to manage the flair ups. Things like exercises, diet, supplements, topical treatments, etc. I just want to figure out the best combo of things to continue living my life unaffected like nothing is wrong. I'm a super logical and linear person, so I'm trying to solve this like any other problem, without any pity or sympathy haha. I'm extremely independent so anything that makes me feel like I've lost any of that is really frustrating to me and achieves the opposite of the intention. 

I'm most interested in an exercise plan... which is ironic since I'm a PE teacher and coach! But my issue is, I don't know how to reduce the intensity of my workouts to make them appropriate for managing fibromyalgia related pain. The workouts I was doing prior to this will be way too much and would do a lot of harm. So, are the some specific fibromyalgia exercises that I'm unaware of? To give you an idea of my affected areas, it's mainly in the lower back/hips/legs/IT band/hammies, down to the knees and sides of my calves, my right elbow, and my right collar bone and shoulder blade. 

I've started taking the Olly Goodbye Stress gummies because they contain GABA (which is an inhibitory NT, it can calm down the pain receptors from firing) and l-theanine which works with GABA to calm down the nerve response. I'd like to maybe add 5-HTP because I've read FMS pain may also be due to a serotonin deficient. I eat pretty healthy, and a lot of the foods I'm reading can help I already eat. I also very much want to avoid prescription medication because the medications approved to treat fibromyalgia I don't feel are appropriate for me. 

Any advise on forming a treatment plan would be much appreciated! 

[Cyncynn]

@alexasteph I have no experience with this, but I am sending you lots of positive thoughts and prayers that you find everything you need to manage your symptoms. 

❤️

[RNGesusPls]

@alexasteph @Sunnysmom @naturalooks15 Oh no fibro, I hope you all achieve your pain-free (or almost-pain-free) days soon! The human body is a PITA to debug due to so many factors.

[Sunnysmom]

@alexasteph I have been dealing w Fibro and myofascial symptoms for over 10 years now and it’s such a tough and tricky thing isn’t it. Same as you , many doctors, bloodwork etc later and no concrete answers. So while I’m grateful it’s not something worse it’s still very difficult to manage the unknown I find :(. I have some of the same tender spots and sensitivities to light and sound also. It’s very discouraging because we need to exercise lightly to feel better but it flares me up to do even little things. Catch 22! I do some very gentle yoga, some even sitting, stretching and walking. That’s about all I can do. Such a bummer. Can’t imagine for you in your job! And it seems to change all the time too. Sometimes it’s in one spot and moves around or the nerve pain gets me in neck and legs and feet. I haven’t tried CBD gummies and also don’t want to take any meds. I do get some relief from Lord Jones and Charlotte’s Web balm and oils. And I take GABA, cortisol reducer  and Magnesium , Vit D, Bs, omega and krill and a good Turmeric. Magnesium is my favorite 🙂 

And oil mixes or Frankinsense, mint, lavender etc.Magnesium shower gel is good! 

Have you gotten any exercise for Fibro books, CDs etc? PM me if you want and I can give you a few names of the ones I have.

I am so sorry you are dealing with this too. It’s so frustrating and seems so many women get it. Some days are certainly better than others. Gentle hug to you and anyone else on here with it. It’s a battle. Love to hear what else you discover that works. XX 

[alexasteph]

@Sunnysmom Yeah it’s quite the puzzle to solve! I’m really trying to put as few things in my body as possible, so if I can play through the pain I will. Sleep is the worst, but I really don’t have a choice. I do take a low-dose muscle relaxer and OTC pain medicine at night if it feels really bad before bed. I’ve been trying different combos of oils and the Olly/5-HTP but it’s still trial and error right now. I won’t know if things are working until I’ve been like 85% pain free most days. As far as exercise goes, I’ve been riding the recumbent bike and doing light upper body strength training. I don’t know if I’m doing more than I should be but I haven’t debilitated myself yet. It’s also super hard because I went from running half marathons and playing tennis matches to 20 minutes on a seated bike. I’ve held back a little bit in my daily life, and I can’t dedicate more than 30 minutes to housework at a time, but I’m still forcing myself to continue doing the things I always do. I don’t want it to prevent me from doing things, since dwelling on it won’t make it any better. 

When I start my classes hopefully I get a lot of good information. I actually really enjoy being taught things and learning, so in a weird way that whole process might help in and of itself. What have you found helps you best for sleep? 

[Sunnysmom]

Yup I hear you @alexasteph on not dwelling on it because that makes mine worse! I do better to stay as busy and active as I can manage. Housework is not good. Can barely do any but my neck is where a lot of mine goes and upper shoulder and blades. And feet also. Gaining weight from not being able to exercise well makes it all worse. Grr. I have had PT on and off which does help but does tend to flare me up sometimes and massage which really helps if I keep going consistently. And the yoga and a foam roller and neck body stretch if I feel tightness. The stretching from massage helps me the most I think. And acupuncture also.  And cold pack then heat.  Wow I would give anything to get to 85%! I hope you can. I’m  happy with a low-ish pain day but it’s always somewhere it seems.  I try to figure out what changes also so maybe do that also as you can and I’m sure you already are. Journal. I only take Advil at night sometimes to help sleep or Aleve but if I take it too often it’s not effective any more. Not a lot of supplements at all. But magnesium great great. Definitely do if you aren’t. And my oils and creme at night. Does your CBD help? I’m afraid to take it! Dumb. Pain patches even Salonpas can help a little also. Sleep is SO key.  I also do Headspace to relax me. Do you have the app? It’s good. Have you gone to an Osteopath besides Rheumatologist? When I stay busy, laugh and am happy the good endorphins help! Sounds like for you too! 

Please share anything you learn in PT and I’ll do same! 🤗

[naturalooks15]

@alexasteph  I have long suspected that I have FMS because I get sever pain just with slight touch. But I haven't seen a doc for it. I am going for physical therapy for something else and no matter what points my PT is touching, I end up with a lot of pain. She is saying it might be unhealthy tissues and myofascial release will bring blood flow and oxygen there and that may help. Let's see. 

I don't have specif info for FMS but how you find some concrete answers. Please share when you do. 

[Sunnysmom]

Wishing you days of less pain and hoping your treatments help @naturalooks15. I’m so sorry for your pain. Positivity definitely does! (and less sugar too tho sometimes a girl just needs a Sprinkles cupcake! 🤗🥰😘) 

[alexasteph]

@naturalooks15 Pain when touched can definitely be an FMS thing, either just due to skin sensitivity or the tender points. For me, thinking back on other experiences I’ve had in my life, I am super reactive to external stimuli from sound, light, even touch. Unfortunately there isn’t a test or a cure all for it, and the reason FMS manifests can be a ton of different things. I think mine is just an over active nervous system, which would explain the hyper reactivity. I’ve been trying GABA supplements to calm down the nerve response, as well as continuing to stay active and try to get a full nights sleep. I’m going to start some group physical therapy classes to learn how to manage pain without medication, because I’d like to avoid that as much as possible. 

[blackkitty2014]

Oh no!!! I hope it wont be the case @alexasteph !!! This is the first i heard about it and i have to look it up!!! Keep my fingers cross for you.

[alexasteph]

@blackkitty2014 Honestly FMS is the best outcome and explanation for it. It’s annoying but it’s not debilitating like MS and it’s not a blood cancer so in the long term it’s just an inconvenience and won’t effect my overall health. Fibromyalgia is basically just a pain disorder where your pain receptors are overactive and the nerves fire without anything actually causing the pain. It hurts but it won’t kill me haha. 

[divaknits]

@naturalooks15 🙏🏾

[ShortErica]

I'm so glad you feel comfortable here while also am so sorry to hear that you've had such struggles. Thanks for creating a space where not only you, but everyone else, can post. Sending many positive vibes your way @naturalooks15 

[amanda0000]

Please pray for my recent premature ovarian cancer diagnosis... my grandmother died from it when she was aged 26

[Cyncynn]

@amanda0000 I am so sorry to here. Wishing you the very best - I will keep you in my prayers ❤️

[RNGesusPls]

Fork cancer! Sending positive thoughts and hoping RNGesus works in your favor

[blackkitty2014]

@amanda0000 sending positive thoughts and prayers your way!

[curlychiquita]

I'm wishing the best for you, @amanda0000!

[sprocketta]

@amanda0000 Keeping you in my thoughts and sending some hope and good vibes your way.

[amanda0000]

Thank you💕