May 21, 2013

The F Word

After months of tests and exams, I have an answer, sort of.

I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.

I say “sort of” because there is no definitive test for this condition and it is diagnosed by a set of symptoms and ruling out other possible causes. Thankfully, all the terrible causes for my pain, fatigue and the burning/itching in my muscles, have been ruled out.

The treatment plan is medication and “gentle” exercise. Exercise that does not put stress on the joints, like swimming, aquafit, walking and yoga. I can, and do, do all of these in varying degrees of proficiency. My family doctor, my rheumatologist and my endocrinologist have strongly advised against running/jogging until this flare up has subsided and the pain has stabilised.

One of the biggest symptoms for me is poor sleep because the pain keeps me awake or wakes me up from sleep. Unfortunately, the lack of sleep plays havoc with diabetes and hypothyroidism – both of which I also have.

My plan, for now, is to take the medication to stabilise the pain and help me sleep – which will in turn help me get my blood sugar back down to the normal range – where it’s been the last 8 years except for the last 4 months while I’ve been going through this. These two things will help me continue to lose weight.

Oh and a bone scan shows I have plantar fascitis – but since I am not feeling the pain associated with it and I have no pain in the heels when walking/running/climbing stairs – I’m ignoring that diagnosis.

I haven’t been a complete slug while this has been going on, I walk most days – at least 2-3 km and go up and down the stairs in my apt building several times a day. And I intend to do some walks in events this summer and when I start to feel better, I will try running again…even though I will have to go back to Week 1, Day 1 of C25K. But I know I can do it this time, so I am sure it will feel much easier.

Today I had to go to Toronto (a 2 hour trip each way) to see my doctor and I am truly exhausted, both physically and mentally. This is has to get better as this is the same trip I take to go to work each day and I can’t afford to be off work much longer.

I’m hopeful that this medication will work and not have horrendous side effects. I have the utmost trust in my endocrinologist and my family doctor.

I have tried other medications but had to stop them for varying reasons after a very short time.

I have also been reading all I can find about Fibromyalgia  and there is a lot of anecdotal evidence/studies that indicate eliminating or even reducing wheat and sugar help to reduce the symptoms.  Two weeks ago I decided to go completely 100% sugar and wheat free.  I haven’t noticed a change in my symptoms yet but I am going to stick with it. Even if it doesn’t help this problem, it’s still a good thing.

Thank you to all of you who have emailed or sent me messages asking about me or keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. It has been a huge comfort.

May 12, 2013

Happy Mother's Day


Just a reminder how blessed I am. 
L-R: Iain, Enz, Liam
July 2012


May 1, 2013

Mayday or is that May Day?

Woohoo, May is here and so is Spring!!!

Today, I had an appointment in Toronto and when I left the hospital to walk back to the subway, I took a wrong turn (ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I could get lost in my own bathroom) and ended up going down a residential street that had many many many blooming lilac trees. White lilacs and lilac lilacs. The scent was like heaven. I walked slowly and enjoyed the bright sunshine and the cool breeze that was bringing me the lilacs along with me. I love lilacs. When I was 18-21 I used to share a house with three other girls, and my bedroom had a lilac tree right outside. For about 4 weeks every year my whole bedroom would smell of lilacs, even my pillow and comforter. It was wonderful. I am always transported back to those years whenever I smell lilacs, they have such a short bloom period.

In other news, I walked about 3k today (mostly because of that wrong turn) and I felt ok! I had a good conversation with my rheumatologist and my chiropractor about my concerns and they answered all my questions and my mind is easier.

Almost every day I get emails offering me free “stuff” to review on my blog. I’m not sure why because I have very few followers and I  don’t “advertise” my blog anywhere, it’s not connected to my FB account and I don’t use Twitter and I am hardly a weight loss or fitness success story.  I don’t monetize my blog.

I always  say no thank you to the diet pills, shakes, drugs and gadgets, but I always,  always say yes to books and if it is a different version of something I already use.

I have 3 books waiting to be reviewed with two more on the way and I am also getting a yoga block in a few weeks. I don’t do give-aways as I am not interested in drumming up blog traffic for one post. I blog for me and if I can share some information that’s useful to others, that’s a bonus.

So…I will try and get to the reviews early next week. Stay tuned!