Rest in Peace, Bunny

Today, Bunny, my rice sock, was scorched in a senseless act by the rogue microwave at work today. I still needed her warmth, but the smell of burnt popcorn quickly permeated my department, with disgusted co-workers bluntly shunning us. They don't understand what she means to me. I took my poor Bunny home with me.

The heating pad at home took over for a while, but Bunny will be missed. She has warmed my spasming muscles on many occasions, allowing this chronic pain sufferer to bravely press on and continue to "make the bacon" despite the stabbing pain. Time and time again, she has been there for me when others didn't have a clue I was overwhelmed and in a world of hurt. She gave me courage, hope, and most of all, gentle and encouraging warmth.

Rest in peace, my dear Bunny. I will always remember you and how you came through for me in countless times of need. 

Trigger Points Gone Berserk

For over a fortnight now, I've been dealing with some ridiculous knots in the muscles near my shoulders, neck, and upper back. Since it started, I've had two really great sessions of trigger point massage therapy on the troubled areas. I have also used my TheraCane, a tennis ball, my rice sock, my heading pad, hot baths and showers, stretches, pain medicine, and now, finally, rest, as I write to you from my bed today.

It started on my left side, mostly in the side of my neck, down to the mid-back. It has been restricting movement in my neck and just causing this constant, awful pain.

It has gradually spread into more of an upper back problem on both left and right sides. Today, it is settling into the right side of the upper back and top of the right shoulder.

I don't know exactly what triggered this particular flare, but I can look back and see plenty of possible contributing factors, including the ongoing foot tendonitis thing, stress, and weather extremes, to start.  But I also kept going to work and doing things, acting like a normal or something. Why do I keep doing that? I think I have been busted, living on borrowed spoons.  I worked through it until yesterday around noon, when I decided I couldn't keep pressing on. It's a shitty time for me to be off work, but as I tell my fibro friends, I cannot take care of anyone else until I take care of myself first. So I am resting until something changes for the better.

The Fibro ToolKit

Are you prepared for everything that could go wrong during a flare-up?  Do you have what you need as a Fibromyalgia patient?  Do you have a Fibro Toolkit to help you manage your physical and emotional health on a daily basis?

I was only diagnosed 3 years ago, but I've already collected quite a collection of tools and precautions - just in case.

Here's what I have, and what I think every Fibromyalgia sufferer should also have:






A Good Fibro Doctor

It's not always easy to find the right doctor, but if you don't like the one you've got, do what you can to keep looking for and trying new ones until you find one that you can work well with.  A good doctor is one who believes you, listens to you, and understands Fibromyalgia and the various ways to go about treating it.

Even better than one good doctor is a great team of doctors who effectively works together to communicate on the various health issues you need treated.  If you're not happy with your health care providers, move on.


A Library of Practical and Useful Books

Do some research and invest in or borrow at least one or two good resources to look back at from time to time.  Fibromyalgia encompasses a lot of various symptoms and has a lot of overlapping conditions associated with it.  It seems it's never the same condition twice!  As the fibrobeast evolves and confounds you, having a reliable text nearby may help with figuring it out and perhaps calming it or even explaining it to others.

The books I own are:

• Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual by Devin J. Starlanyl & Mary Ellen Copeland
• The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief by Clair Davies, Amber Davies, & David G. Simons

A Subscription to the Fibromyalgia Network News Journal

Like the books above, there is pertinent information that is great to consult for the myriad symptoms that plague us fibromites.  However, the Journal is published regularly and contains shorter articles that keep us updated on new research regarding causes and treatments.  The timeliness of this information is extremely useful and well worth the yearly membership fee.

If you can't afford membership, you can still look here for fewer, but still useful, articles - online and for free.


Useful Self-Massaging Tools

My Thera Cane and Knobble are handy for massaging certain spots, but if you're short on money, find yourself a tennis or other kind of ball or two and an old sock or stocking.  Put the ball or balls in the sock and tie the end.  Throw it over your shoulder and lean agains them on the wall or chair.  Or, they work on the soles of feet or other areas where pressure can easily be applied (without straining).

I also see a great massage therapist every two weeks for an hour-long massage (mainly on my back, neck, shoulders, and face) which helps release the myofascial trigger points I have.


Heat Wraps

Though some people like icing their pains, I find heat to be comforting on my painful areas.  I have worn out a couple of heating pads already and am currently on my third.  It is dedicated (mostly) to my spot on the couch.  At work, I keep "Bunny" in a closable leftover container for microwaving.  I made "Bunny" using a pair of soft socks, a bag of dry rice that cost less than a dollar, a piece of ribbon I just happened to have, and some hand-sewing.  I also have a fancier model that was given to me as a gift.  The shape of it lends itself more to a back or shoulder than the curvier part of the neck.  But "Bunny" is better for that, especially as hands-free.


Pill Organizers

I have two weekly pill organizers that are different colors.  One (white) is for my morning doses and the other (blue) is for my bedtime doses.  I have had to take some medications in the afternoons or middle of the day, but luckily those were temporary.  For those, I kept a supply in my purse and a daily reminder on my cell phone to let me know when to take my medication.  If you have one or more regular maintenance drugs that have to be taken at other times during the day, definitely invest in a third weekly pill organizer or some sort of other effective system to keep track of your meds. 

I fill both organizers at the same time, once a week, and make note of any prescriptions that need to get refilled soon.  Then I refill anything I need online ASAP so I don't forget and run out.  I also have a great system for making certain that I take my pills when I'm supposed to.  At bedtime, I take out both my morning and nighttime pill organizers and place them on the bathroom countertop.  I take the nighttime meds right away, then put the nighttime organizer away.  I leave the morning organizer on the counter until I wake up.  I figure the first and last things I do each day are to visit the bathroom, so I have made taking the meds part of that routine.


Effective, As-Needed Medications

In addition to the maintenance medications I take every morning and every night, I keep a small stash (in a traveling, purse-sized container) of various pain pills with me at all times, in case I need to rely on something to save me from disaster while I'm out.  I have: pain pills, muscle relaxants, headache pills, antacids and gas pills.  I have medication to help me focus for when I need to do well at work but the pain keeps distracting me.  I also keep an allergy medication and my rescue inhaler for asthma emergencies.  In addition, I have sugared ginger cubes in a baggie at work and at home, in case I feel nauseated.


Zostrix HP, Arthritis Pain Relief Cream
Zostrix is a cream that contains capsaicin.  I heard that capsaicin, which is derived from hot peppers, has a natural ability to lower Substance P - the chemical in our bodies that help our brains detect pain signals - with regular use.  Since studies have shown that Fibromites have too much Substance P, I figured I'd give this creme a try.  I don't use it often, as it heats up the area where applied, and my pains tend to wander too quickly to make use of the long-acting effects to be comfortable.  I usually opt for real heat, but use Zostrix when I know I'll be away from heat wraps and I'm having pain flares in more stubborn locations, like my upper back or my hip.


Someone Close Who Can Help You

I am lucky to have a husband who has learned what is most difficult for me and has taken on the burden of doing the more strenuous chores for me, and helping me when I ask.  He learns about the aspects of having Fibromyalgia along with me, as new experiences and information come about.  Without him, I don't know what I'd do.  Every fibromite needs someone they can ask for help and understanding, even if it has to be outside the home.


Fun, Easy Things to Do During Flare-Ups

One of the hardest things Fibromyalgia patients struggle to do is pace themselves by taking frequent rest breaks.  When we do, it's nice to have things we enjoy doing to keep our mind off our worries.  For instance, I like journaling, and I can do that from bed or my "nest" on the easy chair.  There are a couple of books I enjoy reading, too.  Then I've got a sketchbook for drawing (though I haven't done much yet), a Sudoku book (comes in handy in the bathroom), and there are lots of great places to read or be silly online if I'm up to being at the computer.

Pets or stuffed animals can also be fun to rest the mind and relief stress.  Remember to make sure you have things you can easily do in the middle of the night, for those sleepless hours that inevitably come our way.


WRAP: Wellness Recovery Action Plan

The idea for the WRAP came from one of the two books I listed above (the first one).  Bascially, you write out all the things that you should remember to do when you feel a flare-up starting, but probably have too much fibrofog to think straight.  Here's mine.


That's about all I can think of.  What's in your toolkit?  Share your tips!

Bunny Versus Human Resources

Remember "Bunny"?  It's the homemade heat wrap I created from a soft pair of socks, some dry, white rice, and a little bit of sewing.  I pop it into the microwave for a minute and use it to soothe my neck, shoulder, back, hip, or whatever hurts most.  A few months ago, I brought Bunny to work so I would always have it ready at the office.  I have been using it all day long lately and it has been very useful in keeping me just this side of sane while trying to get my work done while dealing with the usual plethora of symptoms from Fibromyalgia, Chronic Myofascial Pain, Sacroiliitis, and whatever other typical things might be going on with me that minute (headaches/migraines, nausea, fatigue, IBS, etc.).

Last Friday, without any warning, I received the following e-mail message from the Human Resources Manager at my work:

"Hi there;

As you know, with cold and flu season upon us, people are generally germaphobic (with good reason).  I've been asked to respectfully ask you to not warm up your neck warmer in the microwave anymore.

My apologies for the inconvenience."

I just read it over and over, stunned.  My inner frustrations raged within me.  There was no discussion or hint of any sort of a problem - just the e-mail.

Okay, I thought, so maybe it's not apparent that I'm using this thing out of medical necessity, rather than for some sort of luxury or convenience comfort item.  I have mentioned my Fibromyalgia to the HR manager in the past, but it's a complicated condition and without having to deal with it herself, perhaps she'd forgotten.  After all, I "don't look sick".  Taking the high road, I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and explain to her, in person, that I do need this heat wrap.

I walked into her office with Bunny in my hand and asked her "are you grossed out by this?" before she had any time to think about it.  She assured me that she is not.  She said that she had seen me walking around with it on my neck and never gave it a second thought, but she'd heard some offhand remarks from one or two people about it.  Then she got this "complaint" from the still-anonymous person.  I made it abundantly clear to her that Bunny is what allows me to work - I need to be able to continue using it, otherwise I would need to use a heating pad or something (however a heating pad is not as versatile as Bunny is for my ever-changing pain locations).  Bunny is the best option for my shoulder and neck pain, as well as my Sacroiliitis hip pain, since heating pads can't really get around those corners as well.

I wanted to be reasonable, because I know it's not easy to be the HR person involved in a dispute like this.  (Our company actually sells liability insurance, so it's even more apparent that disputes between coworkers can turn very ugly and expensive.)  She came up with the idea to use a Ziploc bag or some other sort of containment for the rice-sock for microwave heating, but needed to discuss the idea with another manager first.  Fine, fine - whatever it takes to keep Bunny available to me.  I even agreed not to use the microwave until I heard back from her.

Hours went by and apparently she'd forgotten to have that discussion until she saw me in the Ladies' room.  She announced to me that she forgot and was reminded by my presence.  I'm sure my expression was pathetic enough, but I also uttered a genuinely disbelieving "what?!" and my pleading "please help me" to make it clear to her that I was making a real sacrifice during all this nonsense.  I also replied to the e-mail she sent me, so she would remember that I was waiting for her:

"Please let me know ASAP on what conclusion you reach on this.  I'm always in pain and not having my warmed rice-sock available to me is not helping. :(

Thanks for your help.  Let me know if you need anything else from me, or want to discuss this further."

Well, when I finally heard back from her, it was, again, in the form of e-mail... 

"Lets do this...first of all, you still have access to the 4th floor, so go ahead and use the microwave down there - chance of being seen is far less.  Secondly, just for perception sake, could you put it/wrap it in something (like a plastic bag or other) when microwaving it?

Thanks."

She had mentioned, in an earlier discussion, that another microwave is available in another, very small office of ours.  It's on a different floor but I really think that's not fair to me at all.  The way I've been doing the Bunny warm-ups in the past is by putting it around my neck, grabbing my empty cup, and stopping at the kitchen on the way to the nearby washroom.  I'd pop Bunny into one of the two microwaves in the kitchen, set down my cup, take my washroom break, then return to fill my cup and take Bunny back to my desk.  I usually lean against Bunny in the chair for my back, or put it wherever the heat is most needed.

Her proposed change would entail my taking my key card with me (which I keep in my purse, so I never forget it), some sort of plastic bag or whatever, the cup, and Bunny when I need to take a washroom break.  I'd have to take the elevator down to the fourth floor (we're on the eighth floor), swipe my key card to enter the office of three people I hardly know, put Bunny in a bag, use their microwave (while they probably wonder what I'm doing there at all), then use the bathroom on either floor, return to the kitchen on the eighth floor, fill my cup, and return to my desk.

Does this seem reasonable to you?  

This is all for the sake of appeasing some anonymous coworker who apparently does not understand the germ-killing powers of the microwave oven.  This also puts me in the awkward position of having to kind of sneak the whole heating thing from someone who has not been identified to me, even though that person will very likely still see me using Bunny around the office, especially if it is a coworker who works near me or on the way to the kitchen and washroom.

Well, since I still wanted to remain reasonable and willing to cooperate, I decided to visit the fourth floor and give it a try.  Firstly, I had no container or acceptable bag.  What's acceptable anyway?  I'm dealing with erroneous assumptions of someone who won't tell me what exactly is wrong with putting my rice-sock in the microwave in the first place.  I asked the HR manager for a bag or something acceptable, since she's my only connection to the complainer.  She, also, had nothing handy for me to use.  She made and executive decision to allow me to use the fourth floor microwave that afternoon without any sort of bag or cover.

Well, I went to the fourth floor office and guess what - it was locked.  I couldn't even use my key card to get in.  So much for that plan...  (You can probably imagine my frustration at this point.)  I was sick of going to HR all day long and decided to skip it and just to bring in my own container on Monday morning.  I would still refrain from using the microwave without any container around Bunny, in case mysterious idiot were to see me and report to HR that I was not compliant.

So I just did without - for the idiot's and HR's sake.  Looking back, I should have just used our  microwave one last time (for my sake), but I'm such a nice person that I didn't risk causing any further trouble that day.  I was already very stressed and distracted already, and I didn't want to add any more crap to the pile.  (I was actually hoping that the stress could trigger a palpitation episode, so I could finally make use of this heart monitor of mine, but no luck there.)

This is all so very stupid.  I announced this to the HR manager during my most recent discussion with her about all this.  I even sent her a link to an article about microwaving the germs out of kitchen sponges, since I had mentioned this to her earlier and she said she'd never heard of anyone doing that.  I do this at home all the time and I thought most people did as well, but apparently that's not the case.  (She did not reply to that last e-mail.)

Well, today I brought in a large, oblong Glad container that is now dedicated for use with Bunny in the public microwave.  It seems to be just the right size to accommodate the whole thing and even allow me to close the lid on it.  I tested it at home a few times with success.  I have already used it several times today on my floor, here, at the office.  I have had no comments, strange looks (that I noticed anyway) or interactions with HR personnel (so far), so I'm hoping this is the end of this very stupid problem.

It still bugs me that the person who complained was given so much power over me.  Apparently, being misinformed about things allows one the right to remain anonymous, while greatly inconveniencing anyone they want.  That kinda sucks, doesn't it?  What if I had complained to HR that someone's checkered shirt gave me migraine auras, or that someone's perfume gave me headaches and made me nauseous, or that the conversations that people have around me distract me further from my work?  These are examples of real problems for me, yet I have decided that it would unreasonable for me to go to HR and formally complain about these things.  I've kept them personal or just dealt with them on my own.  I don't want to be seen as an unreasonably high-maintenance employee.  Nobody appreciates this, I'm sure, but this is how it goes.  We all know that life is unfair.

Someday, I may have to deal with the very real possibility that I am physically unable to do full-time work.  I am barely able to maintain my job now, but press on, for multiple reasons, including:

• health insurance benefits (very important),
• self-esteem and feelings of self-worth,
• distraction from my symptoms,
• keeping me in driving practice, and
  
• keeping my brain as fit as possible.  

It's complaints like this whole Bunny thing that remind me how fortunate I am to be able to work at all, and that I may have to cut back drastically on expenses to live without the insurance benefits and income that I enjoy today.  I know many of my fibromite friends are not so lucky, and are struggling with their symptoms and financial burdens.

I'm not looking forward to the day when I have to decide to stop working full-time, nonetheless, I know it is a decision I will likely have to face someday.  Until then, I am going to do what I can to help keep myself in at least the minimally acceptable condition that allows me to continue to feel somewhat human in this world.  If Human Resources, some ignorant coworker, or anyone else stands in my way, they better be ready for a fight because I will not be defeated easily.

"Bunny" and the Doctor Visit

I decided I'm going to call my homemade rice-sock "Bunny". It's gray, fuzzy, and cuddly, just like the baby bunnies running around in my yard lately. Isn't she cute? :)

I am finally feeling better after that last icky flare of mine. I am wondering what it was that triggered the pain in my neck that spread its ugly tentacles into my back and limbs. Perhaps I overstretched that side. I know I have had a history of stretching more than I should. I'm told the stretch shouldn't hurt, but it's hard to know how much of a stretch is sufficient if I'm already in pain before I begin. I can believe that I may have stretched more wherever it was painful, in an attempt to loosen up tight muscles there. Perhaps that is a mistake. I will have to keep that in mind during my future stretching routines.

Yesterday I visited my Fibro specialist - a kind neurologist who is working with me to try to reach my pain-fighting goals. I told him of my recent struggles with vocabulary and other fibrofog issues. He asked if I was sleeping okay. I rely on my Zolpidem (aka Ambien) to help keep me asleep throughout the night, and have not noticed any changes in sleep habits lately. He reminded me that the Zolpidem may keep me "asleep", but it doesn't help me reach those deep stages of sleep of which Fibromyalgia robs me.

The Doxepin I am now taking is supposed to help me get better quality sleep - those deep stages of sleep that I can't otherwise get with Fibromyalgia. Since I am on a low dose right now, he is having me double my nightly dose of Doxepin to help me get better sleep and see if it helps with the fibrofog. I have started taking 2 capsules at bedtime last night. It's probably too early to tell, but I am feeling pretty coherent at the moment, despite being awakened several times by my husband's (loud) pager. (He's on call for work this week.) Poor Don had to work on IT issues for work since about 4am today. He is more tired than I am today.

I had to put the daily workouts on hold during the recent flare-up. I think I need to be even slower in progressing than I have done, just to make sure I don't cause another flare. The doctor suggested a yoga class if I am able to do it. I think that might be something to think about when I am able to figure out my stretching limitations and work my way up in stretch/workout time a bit. He agreed that it's extremely important to take small steps toward increasing my activity levels to avoid flare-ups.

Armed with the medication and knowledge I have, I'm hopeful that I'm going to have more good days ahead.

Nauseating Neck Pain, Back Pain, IBS, Vision Problems, and Fatigue... or... Just Another Day with Fibro

The title about says it all, but I'll elaborate a bit.

I was doing pretty well after a moderately active weekend. My back has been sore from all the bending I'd done while working in my native garden Sunday, but it was worth it. I enjoyed the great weather and all the sites and sounds of our wonderful yard. We watched a baby bunny nibble on the grasses in our flagstone path and saw and heard many, many birds. I love Native Suburbia!

Well, today, I was awakened by the house wren that lives in our neighbor's birdhouse. The birdhouse hangs near our fence, and he and his mate are always chirping away on the fence or in our trees for all the world to hear. I love him!

Anyway, I went about my usual morning routine. I ate breakfast, took my vitamins, did my morning stretches, dealt with a brief episode of IBS, then I took my shower. As I was toweling off, the back and left side of my neck started a stabbing pain. This is a trouble spot for me, and I remember a previous start to pain in this area started after a morning shower, too. Perhaps I'm moving in an odd way to dry off? At any rate, it's the kind of pain that makes me instantly feel a bit nauseous. I drove to work with my warmed rice-sock on my shoulder and popped a Tramadol when I (finally) got to work today. (I ended up having to reschedule a morning meeting that I couldn't make, thanks to my symptoms slowing me down.)

Meanwhile, I've been having problems with my vision again. I remember having constant problems with my visual acuity immediately after I was rear-ended. I went to the optometrist and he scratched his head as he reported that my prescription had changed drastically - by +1.00 in both eyes, although my previously perfect reading vision suddenly sucked. (I wear contact lenses.) This is unheard of. Whose distance vision improves? And so suddenly? And I'm not ready for "reading glasses".

After doing some reading, I chalked it up to new muscle tension around my eyes, possibly squeezing my eyeballs enough to make a difference in the shape, and thus, my vision. It's a theory and I haven't read anything that confirms that this could actually happen, but I'm going with it. The doctor had nothing better to offer as an explanation. If you have any experience or knowledge about this, please feel free to comment.

Well, lately, I'm experiencing the same kind of problems with focusing as then. I'm having trouble reading the computer screen clearly, signs, etc. I can do it after a few seconds, but it seems to take conscious effort, and it still doesn't seem to be quite right. I don't know how to explain it, but there seems to be an uncomfortableness in what I look at. I believe the massages, muscle relaxants, and stretches are helping to relax my muscles and myofascial trigger points. Could it be possible that the muscles around my eyes are also relaxing and perhaps adjusting the shape of my eyes again? I hope not. I just bought another year's supply of contact lenses. :P

The last time I brought my rice-sock buddy to work with me, I felt a bit better toward the end of the day. I am hoping I will at least make some progress on my neck, if nothing else. Hopefully tomorrow morning I'll be able to hop on the elliptical or do some more walking for my little workouts. I don't want to be a quitter!

The Other Shoe Fell

I woke up yesterday, still feeling pretty great, although I had a very crappy night's sleep and kept waking up from frustrating and stressful dreams all night. I couldn't fall asleep again after 4:30am, so I got up pretty early and decided to go ahead and start the day around 5am.

Everything was fine until some time between my shower and getting dressed that morning. I realized that the left side of my neck and shoulder were in substantial pain, and my neck movements were severly limited as well. The pain reached through my entire left side, left shoulder blade, and even managed to get through my hips and into my leg and foot at times. I tried to do some minor stretching, as I normally do each morning, but I decided it hurt too much and couldn't be good to force it. I pressed on, popped a tramadol pill, and went to work, spending all day yesterday in this pain. I also brought along my rice sock for localized heat. I got some odd comments about it now and then, but I expected that. I guess it does look a little odd to be wearing a fat sock over my shoulder at work.

The most surprising part of my experience yesterday was that I noticed that I managed to make it through the day still smiling and positive. Usually, when I'm in a lot of pain, I'm very grouchy. I'm pretty proud of myself for managing not to fall into that funk. At a fellow fibromite's suggestion, I went home and took a hot epsom salt bath, hoping it would help loosen up my tight muscles and ease the pain a bit. A little beer (a "drinky-poo" as my

Today, however, is a bit more challenging than yesterday. I a lot slept better last night, but woke up with those same pains, plus a headache, and plus feeling super stiff all over. I'm also nauseous right now, as I have been most days lately. I really did not want to get out of bed today. I am out of sick days for the year, however, and besides that, today is a busy day at work, due to a software release. There is lots of testing to do and as the Senior Business Analyst on the team, I need to be vigilant, in case anything arises that should prevent us from going ahead with the release. I am also out tomorrow for a chest/abdominal/pelvic CT scan (with contrast - uck!) that is going to make me feel even worse than today. I popped a tramadol again this morning, and here I am again, working (well, blogging, at the moment,) with my warm sock buddy attempting to sooth my nauseatingly painful shoulder/neck.

I am looking forward to my bi-weekly massage after work today. I'll have to let Carrie know that I'm feeling fragile - almost brittle - today, and to go easy on me this time.

Current Fibromyalgia Treatments

As another base post for my blog, I thought I'd let all my fibro friends know what I'm currently doing and taking to treat my Fibromyalgia symptoms.

Drugs:

• Pristiq (aka desvenlafaxine; SNRI antidepressant) - 50 mg taken every morning
• Doxepin (tricyclic antidepressant) -25 mg taken every night
• Skelaxin (muscle relaxant) - 800 mg taken every morning and every night
• Zolpidem (aka Ambien; sleep aid) - 5 mg taken every night
• Tramadol (aka Ultram; pain reliever) - 50 mg as needed (I don't take this often)
• Naproxen (aka Aleve; pain reliever) - up to 500 mg as needed for migraines

Other treatments:

• Vitamins (multi, Calcium, C, B-complex) and a BioBeads, a probiotic (for IBS)
• Daily gentle stretches using the Pressure Pointer Manual as a guide
• Bi-weekly massages at Massage Envy for back, neck, shoulders
• Heating pad on my back whenever I'm on the couch
• Warmed up (microwaved) sock filled with rice for neck, shoulder, or low back pain, especially at bedtime
• Journaling (no rules in the journal - I'm free to express everything there)
• Supporting other fibromites online in various support groups or wherever (it helps me to help others, as I don't feel so useless)
• Walks around the block or in my garden, taking photos, taking time to dawdle, etc.

I have tried quite a few other meds and therapies since being diagnosed, including Lyrica, which dried me out and Cymbalta, which made me so nauseated I couldn't work. I even went on the controversial yeast-free diet for three months with Nystatin powder three times a day. I lost weight on that diet, but it was stressful and actually seemed to aggravate my symptoms. I have since gained back most of the weight lost on the diet anyway. I do eat mostly healthy, with some indulgences for beers and desserts now and then, but without the activity level to even out the net calorie intake, of course I am having difficulty maintaining a skinny figure.