tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33787260086255437932024-03-13T03:32:47.675-04:00Living with Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, and....chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-42619360769967705512011-06-01T22:47:00.000-04:002011-06-01T22:47:05.042-04:00Parenting ClassesWe are 1/2 through with our parenting classes, called MAPP training or classes towards adoption! I guess last week was hubby's week, this week was mine. Last week we had to do this visualization and then tell how it made you feel. Well it made Stephen feel very angry. This week we were learning about different parenting styles, Positive and negative consequences. Negative consequences are like questioning, sarcasm, and more. And, I don't mean the child's actions, I mean the parents. More specifically parent's reactions to children's actions. I saw a lot of my childhood in the "negative" consequences. I found it hard to keep from crying and to leave the room. It's all a process and I made it through. :)<br />
On the plus side, I made semi-sweet chocolate chip cookies with pecans and splenda and everyone loved them.<br />
I am thinking of taking my 4 year old little cousin to swim lessons this summer, that would be fun!chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-7416881191132799872011-06-01T02:28:00.000-04:002011-06-01T02:28:29.510-04:00Early signs of fibromyalgia<div id="top" style="line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><h1 style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 26.55pt; margin-bottom: 9.45pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">by <span style="text-decoration: none;">Dr. Deborah Bauers</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Fibromyalgia has been called both a disease and a syndrome. From its earliest signs through the development and duration of its more chronic symptoms it is neither life threatening nor degenerative. Its pathology does not manifest as a true disease process and yet the chronic pain that a fibromyalgia sufferer experiences can make it a debilitating condition. Its complex set of physiological abnormalities make it a recognized health issue that can create significant pain and fatigue.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Fibromyalgia is a rheumatoid-like condition that impacts the soft tissues, tendons, and muscles of the body causing exhaustion and discomfort. One of its earliest but most conclusive signs is often recognized and identified as the presence of pressure sensitive trigger points that are quite painful when palpated. These pressure points are usually located behind the head and neck, on the shoulders, and behind the knees and elbows.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">There are numerous symptoms often associated with fibromyalgia many of which can also be symptomatic of other autoimmune diseases. For this reason, a rheumatologist or physician who specializes in treating autoimmune diseases is the best healthcare professional to diagnose fibromyalgia. Before the diagnosis can be made, blood work and x-rays must be done to rule out osteoarthritis, thyroid problems, and other auto-immune diseases such as lupus, Sjrogen’s syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Earliest symptoms, together with specific pressure points, that often suggest the onset of fibromyalgia include the following:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">1. Pain in the groin<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">2. Difficulty climbing stairs and hills<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">3. Chronic sinus problems<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">4. Dry mouth<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">5. Stiffness upon waking<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">6. Dry eyes<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">7. Difficulty swallowing<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">8. Chronic fatigue<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Numerous other symptoms may occur and become chronic as an individual struggles with fibromyalgia over time. These include:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">1. Irritable bowel<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">2. Headaches<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">3. Tingling and/or numbness in the extremities<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">4. Depression<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">5. Bladder spasms<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">6. Difficulty concentrating<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">7. Memory loss<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">8. Dizziness<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">9. Sleep disturbances<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Much controversy surrounds the origins and precipitating factors that may result in an individual having fibromyalgia. While it was originally believed that this syndrome was largely the result of the psycho-social factors, more recent studies suggest that it may onset after a virus or illness. Physical trauma to the body, endocrine imbalances, and deficits in the production of neurotransmitters are all being studied as possible stimuli for the onset of fibromyalgia. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Fibromyalgia sufferers frequently experience hyper-sensitivity to certain sounds, smells, and tactile experiences and are uncomfortable in large crowds or in the midst of a lot of confusion. Prolonged exposure to overstimulation tends to exacerbate both pain and fatigue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Overall mental health, coping mechanisms, support systems, and ability to manage stress also appear to intensify pain that is felt by fibromyalgia sufferers. Certain personality types appear more prone to develop this syndrome and individuals who tend to be more negative in their thinking experience greater levels of fibromyalgia-related pain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Fibromyalgia is best treated by a comprehensive plan that includes pain management, cognitive and physical therapies, and stress management techniques. Fibromyalgia sufferers must learn to set boundaries that ensure that they get enough rest and moderate exercise, while learning strategies to overcome the perception of helplessness that often accompanies the syndrome.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></h1></div>chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-43776053823463284852011-06-01T00:11:00.001-04:002011-06-01T02:19:14.909-04:00Southwestern Steak Salad with Salsa-Spiked DressingYields 4 servings<br />
Ingredients<br />
1 lb. flank steak<br />
½ tsp ground cinnamon<br />
½ tsp mild chili powder<br />
¼ tsp salt<br />
Nonstick cooking spray<br />
½ red onion, diced<br />
½ lb. mixed greens (about 6 cups)<br />
½ cup cilantro leaves, chopped<br />
1 can (15-oz.) black beans, drained, well-rinsed<br />
1 green or red bell pepper, seeded, diced<br />
Dressing<br />
½ cup tomato salsa<br />
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice<br />
1 Tbsp cumin powder<br />
1 Tbsp olive oil<br />
¼ tsp freshly ground pepper<br />
<br />
Directions<br />
Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Sprinkle the flank steak with cinnamon, chili powder and salt. Heat a large skillet over high heat. Coat with a thin layer of cooking spray. Place the steak in the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, turning once until the steak is lightly browned on both sides. Transfer to the oven and cook 12 minutes for medium rare, 15 to 17 minutes for medium. Transfer to a cutting board.<br />
Place the greens, black beans, pepper, onion and cilantro in a large bowl.<br />
Prepare the dressing: Place the salsa, lime juice, cumin, olive oil and black pepper in a small bowl and whisk until combined. Drizzle over the greens and toss until the greens are coated. Transfer the salad to a large platter.<br />
Thinly slice the steak and transfer to platter. Serve immediately.<br />
Nutritional Facts (per servings): calories 330, fat<br />
13 g (sat. fat 4 g), cholesterol 53 mg, protein 31<br />
g, carbohydrates 26 g, fiber 8 g, sodium 620 mg,<br />
sugars 48 g<br />
<br />
This recipe is from www.guide2diabetes.comchelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-22813708618787024402011-06-01T00:04:00.000-04:002011-06-01T00:04:44.246-04:00Insulin TimeLast week, or maybe the week before, I went to my doctor for a physical needed for the adoption process. She checked my blood sugar. I had just eaten a granola bar. I didn't think with only 12 grams of sugar they would cause a problem with my blood sugar, wow was I wrong.<br />
I admit I haven't checked my blood sugar in a long long time. I kept procrastinating ordering a new meter. I had finally ordered a new meter and supplies the week before I went to the doctor, and it arrived, thankfully, just a few days after my appointment. What I haven't told you yet is how high my blood sugar was at the doctor's office. My doctor asked her nurse to check my blood sugar with their meter and it was 264! My doctor also ordered blood tests. A few days later the nurse called to tell me my blood sugar was out of control and my doctor feels it is time for me to start insulin. INSULIN!<br />
The nurse scheduled me for an appointment with the specialist, I go next week. I am still scared but I have been doing some research. (of course, I have!)<br />
One of the most important things I learned was actually from a diabetes magazine I had brought home from the doctor's office. The magazine is called "Guide to Diabetes". The website is www.guide2diabetes.com. The article to which I am referring is a real life story "Insulin has been a blessing". One thing that helped me stop beating myself up about the granola bars is this quote "I thought taking insulin means you have failed, you didn't do a good job of managing diabetes, and it meant you were near the end". Further "As type 2 diabetes progresses over time, the pancreas produces less insulin even when you are doing everything right to control your sugar levels. Many people with type 2 diabetes will probably need some form of insulin replacement after eight to 10 years, says Luigi Meneghini, MD. MBA, director of the Eleanor and Joseph Kosow Diabetes Treatment Center at the Diabetes Research Institute in Miami".<br />
I'm not pushing off the blame. I need to lose weight, and thanks to well I don't know which of the new medications I'm on that has caused my appetite to disappear, but I'm grateful. I'm watching my carbs especially. For instance, we had a Memorial Day barbecue. I had 1/2 a hamburger bun, a hamburger, and a bratwurst. I didn't eat any veg but I didn't eat any chips either. Tonight we went to Steak & Shake before our parenting class. Instead of a double steakburger with a full order of fries and a shake. I had a single steakburger, I cut the meat and bun in half and doubled the meat using just 1/2 the bun, ate 1/3 order of fries and had coke zero. Later for a snack I ate 1 chocolate chip cookie made with splenda and semisweet chocolate chips (and pecans), and a few raw carrot sticks. I am down 11 pounds so far! 11!! I admit I have been feeling a little weak and shaky, but this is possibly due to my blood sugar. A fasting blood sugar is still 130, way too high. I'm hoping once I start using insulin I will feel better and maybe even start walking the dog a little further each day again. Although June is not the time to start long walks in Florida!!! In the coming week I will receive a blood sugar / food journal in the mail from the manufacturer of my new glucose meter. I'm hoping to start keeping track of my meals, and sugar levels too.chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-89530360173892285202011-05-06T23:44:00.000-04:002011-05-06T23:44:41.191-04:00Psoriatic Arthritis: A REAL Diagnosis at last???In January I was sent to a new rheumatologist. Dr Youngblood sent me for a series of xrays, blood tests, urine tests, and frankly that was January so I'm not sure what else! I finally had my follow up appointment today. She was very nice and spent a lot of time with me. She had immediately thought what previous doctors had misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, and other miscellaneous diseases, disorders whatever, as an inflammatory arthritis. The tests were to determine what type. <div>The test ruled out lupus, which was another doctor's first instinct, and after tons of research mine too. But, lupus is in the inflammatory arthritis family. The tests did not determine which type of inflammatory arthritis, but confirmed the existence of general inflammatory arthritis. Including inflammation, of course, bone spurs heavily in my feet, ankles, sacroiliac joints, spine, and knuckles. The ones in my hands aren't so bad but there is also the presence of osteoarthritis. The bone spurs in my spine are creating bridges and fusing my spine together. Nothing that sounds like any fun! Apparently my elbows are showing early signs of psoriasis, which is why she thinks it is psoriatic arthritis. If it is not psoriatic arthritis, she said it is something close. She says there are too many possibilities to maybe narrow the diagnosis 100%.</div><div>Dr Youngblood prescribed new medication. Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.Sulfazine EC is also an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Plus, I have to start taking flexeril 3 times a day for rib spasms, trust me those are no fun! I'm not sure what treatment happens for the bone spurs, but this is a start. I go back in two months.</div><div>So lets all cross our fingers (if you can) and hope first, this diagnosis is finally accurate, and, second that the treatment helps. :)</div>chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-51963979538041575152011-05-06T00:46:00.000-04:002011-05-06T00:46:58.575-04:00Heart Gallery & AdoptionStephen and I have always talked about fostering kids or adopting. I don't know where this desire in me comes from, except I know there are so many kids out there who are having a worse childhood than mine, and need a good home. This past Christmas I was watching the Dave Thomas Home for the Holidays special and I couldn't take it anymore. I'm 42. If we are going to do this, we better do it soon! I immediately went on the website for the Heart Gallery and found a 12 year old boy and his short story <a href="http://www.heartgallerytampabay.org/children/cody.php?gid=0">http://www.heartgallerytampabay.org/children/cody.php?gid=0</a> ripped open my heart. Soon, I had Stephen convinced. He's a big pushover so he didn't need much convincing. Plus, he would love a son to play video games with and teach hockey to. Next, we went to orientation. The second step is taking 10 weeks of parenting classes, these are called MAPP classes. Unfortunately, the March classes were already full so we had to wait until May, but guess what? It's MAY!! We start next Tuesday and we are so excited!<br />
Of course we are scared, we've never had a child to be responsible for! But, one thing we are not afraid of is having a support system. I have a large extended family with my Aunt, and cousins, plus my niece & nephew. My aunt & cousins took me in when I didn't have any other family. My husband's mom and brother are pretty terrific (shhhh don't tell them I said that!), plus he has a large family of multiple aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents that live nearby. I also have my two best friends. One I've had for about 27 years, and the other about 14 years. I have absolutely no doubt that every one of our family members will embrace an adopted child as if he or she was born in our family and had grown up with us their entire lives. I'm so excited to be able to offer our kid not only ourselves but the wonderful extended families we have.<br />
I'm currently reading Ashley Judd's book entitled "All That Is Bitter and Sweet". Her first chapter is called "Family of Chance, Family of Choice". She says "My family of choice is a colorful assortment of surrogate grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends who infuse me with love, belonging, and acceptance. My family of origin, the one into which I was born, was also brimming with love but was not a healthy family system." Lets be honest, who's family is ever a 100% healthy family system? We can not choose our family of chance it's our family of origin, we get what we get. But, we have our families of choice. We can choose to surround ourselves with love and support. I've had a friend or two over the years who I was close to, long term friends. Over time these relationships became toxic to me. Filling my life with their negativity about my marriage, my life. I made a choice. As tough as it was I ended those friendships, because it's my choice. My family of choice is supportive and loving. My family of choice does include members of my family of chance, not everyone, but I'm learning with family, not just friends it is a matter of choice.<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=1001recipe01-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=034552361X&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-91753726865682537662011-05-03T19:11:00.000-04:002011-05-03T19:11:13.266-04:00Grandparents... the best memories<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbyer2mu12RKiSypxCxKnjXnmWnEWYo9PNQKWXrdZlkqEle97IlWDmZ1qTHSvP-9rG0tiKc1gcTvp6SVKfS-AqBf8U0dIFXwyVPHwfA7Tld0RHrjyjOzc2HvYgJFnvsg93yKH7q1grzPw/s1600/FH000009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbyer2mu12RKiSypxCxKnjXnmWnEWYo9PNQKWXrdZlkqEle97IlWDmZ1qTHSvP-9rG0tiKc1gcTvp6SVKfS-AqBf8U0dIFXwyVPHwfA7Tld0RHrjyjOzc2HvYgJFnvsg93yKH7q1grzPw/s320/FH000009.jpg" width="229" /></a>My best memories are of my grandma and grandpa. I was talking to my best friend the other day about grandparents. My mother wouldn't agree with this, but she isn't really involved in my niece and nephews life. She was when my Dad was alive, but not really since he passed. Her mom doesn't either. This seems so different from when I was growing up. When I was a kid Grandpa would take us to the store to pick up a case of beer, we'd also pick up a bag of Brach's candies, and we got to make the mix! Another treat would be going to the Dairy Queen. My cousins lived in Dubuque, just over the bridge and my cousin Tracy was close to my age so I always begged for her to come stay when I did. Of course we had our moments! Tracy will tell you the truth, we'd argue, I'd go in the bedroom and lock the door. I'd lay down and fall asleep and when I woke up the door would be open :) and all would be fine.<br />
One of our favorite things to do was to go to happy hour at the marina. Grandma and grandpa would get a beer and we'd get soda. I think there was a bowl of peanuts or something. Looking back I'm not sure what made it so magical, except maybe feeling grown-up sitting at the bar with our grandparents.<br />
Other times grandpa might take us to "the beach". It's funny to think of that little strip of beach now. Comparing it to the beaches here in Florida it seems so small, probably dirty. But, it was quiet. No one was ever there, no sunbathing or swimming on the shores of the Mississippi under the Dubuque/East Dubuque bridge, but we walked and picked up seashells. If we were good we might get to go downtown for a hotdog. Just so you know the population of East Dubuque is less than 2,000 and the "downtown" was about 2 blocks long. The hot dogs were decadent, I am not sure, but I think the name of the bar was Mullgrew's. I could be wrong about that. There was also a pharmacy, and an Okey-Dokey grocery store. It seems so foreign now as little kids we could walk the mile into town by ourselves. I remember when I was about 5 (this was one of my Dad's favorite stories) I asked my Dad if could go to the little corner store to get some gum. He said no. Well, determined as I was I took my little purse outside and put some pretty white decorative rocks from our yard and filled it up. I then walked the couple of blocks to the store and tried to buy gum with the rocks. One of the neighbor kids, older kids who babysat, was there, took pity on me and bought the gum. Man was I in trouble. It took an incredible amount of gum to confess who bought it for me. But the thing is even at 5 it wasn't a big deal to walk to the corner store or go across the street to the park, alone. Now.... wow, times have changed!chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-81790066395673337342011-05-02T22:06:00.001-04:002011-05-03T16:06:16.712-04:00The Lion on the StairsI have a few memories from my early childhood years. The problem with a few of them is I'm not sure if I'm remember the event itself or the photo of the event. For instance, I remember my parents looking for me all over the neighborhood, frantic, thinking I was lost. I was upstairs in my room having a tea party. I saw them, heard them, looked out the window, but for some reason the thought to say "hey, I'm up here" wasn't something that dawned on me. I don't believe I was being malicious, just I heard them and went oh ok, and back to my business.<br />
Another memory is one of those photo memories. We had a dog, a toy poodle. Pierre, or Lucky Pierre as my dad called him. I believe mom had other names for him as he preferred to pee on the floor in our back room rather than outside! I remember being in my white confirmation dress and Pierre being in the pictures. So, it's not really the event I remember. I remember the photo.<br />
I wonder what a shrink would say if I told them I still remember a recurring nightmare I had when I was 5-6. You realize this was over 35 years ago, right? We had a two story house and in the dream I was on the stairs spying on my mother and her friend in the dining room. And somehow there was a lion crawling up the stairs to pounce on me, my mother oblivious to me, the lion or to my imminent danger. Talk about a prelude. My mother.<br />
One of my earliest memories is me asking my Grandmother why my mom hated me. Mother has never been good with honesty and she's not going to like me writing this, but these are my memories. She says I was jealous of my brother. In one way I've never felt a moment of jealousy towards my brother. In another way maybe, but not in the way she means. She means that he was brought home from the hospital, became the center of attention, and I was jealous. No. On the other hand, anyone who was ever close to my family can and will tell you Brian is her favorite. To this day, he is her favorite. My dad repeatedly said "it doesn't matter what Michele does, from the moment she enters the house till the minute she leaves, it's wrong. her hair, her clothes, her friends, nothing is right". If I was jealous it was because he did everything right in her eyes (no matter what he did wrong), and I did nothing right.<br />
Many would say my dad had a favorite, daddy's little girl. I'd have to disagree. I'd say he had to compensate. He had to play peacemaker, keep her away from me. My uncle told me one time that all parents have a child they pick on, for him it was his daughter. I don't know if this is true (whether he picked on her, or whether all parents have a kid they pick on). What that statement meant to me was her actions were visible to others, they were confirmed, not just in my head. A few years ago I realized in a way my brother needed her more. Sometimes I think parents have a six sense about this, I've seen it in other parents. They favor the weaker child. I'm very independent, I needed my mother sure. Don't we all, but not in the way my brother did. Trust me I'm not excusing this behavior, it's just something I have witnessed.<br />
I want to say some things changed for me when I went away to college, but more after that when I moved across the country to California. One day I was on the phone, I called the house to talk to my dad and she started yelling at me. I hung up. How liberating was it to realize I was several thousand miles away, I didn't have to listen to it anymore!<br />
I'd had other realizations in the past. Maybe the first one was in high school I was assigned a paper in lit class on mental abuse. Suddenly the remarks "you're fat (all 114 lbs of me) no boy is ever going to like you", and more became all too real, I can't tell you other comments, I don't remember others. What I remember is having a private meeting with my teacher because I didn't think I could finish the assignment. My tears, and her understanding, what a wonderful teacher. True, mother used many of dad's belt buckles, and broke enough wooden spoons she eventually bought a pine paddle and used that and plastic spoons. Trust me plastic hurts even worse.<br />
When I was about 16 I ran away. I'm not sure exactly when. It had to be during my senior year of high school. The summer between my junior and senior year I had gone to a summer immersion Spanish program at Eckerd College. I was going to my friend Debbie's to hang out, my mom was giving me a ride. Now Debbie lived a few miles away, and she didn't really know the name of the streets and neither did I. She gave me directions like "take the second left, then turn right at the first road". I hung up the phone and my mother said "you didn't get the names of the streets" and backhanded me across the face, bruising my cheek. This was a first. Her signature move was digging her fingernails into your arms until they bled, but punching in the face was new. I was hurt and shocked but didn't run away.<br />
Two days later I came home from babysitting. I tried to go straight to my room and avoid her but she had other plans. She stopped me and said "Debbie called, and Jordan called". I started to walk away. She called me back "I'm not through with you yet. Your father and I are getting a divorce and it's all your fault". My fault because she hit me across the face, because she was out of control. I went to my room, afraid she would come to my room I climbed out of the window and walked about a mile to the nearest pay phone. I called my best (and still best) friend to come pick me up. She did. Her parents had me call my dad at the bowling alley and tell him where I was. He picked me up, I'm not sure where we went, but we went to some little diner and talked. He said they were getting a divorce, but it wasn't my fault. He said my mom had mental issues.<br />
I don't know what happened but they did not get a divorce.I spent the night at Debbie's. The divorce was never mentioned again.<br />
My parents met New Years Eve, got knocked up circa Valentines Day, engaged Easter, and married Memorial Day. I think my mom blamed me for her life. She married someone she barely knew, at age 22. A life that wasn't easy, my dad drank in those early years, and she blamed me. She took it out on me. If not for me she would not have had to get married and would not have been stuck in that life. They fought, mostly about me. Eventually, after I moved out of the house, they came to be in a happy loving place, and had a happy marriage. My mother and I, we've never come to that place.<br />
We don't speak now. In fact, my family doesn't speak to her. I've spent my entire life trying to get her to love me, to accept me, to get her approval. Eventually you have to come to the realization that this is not going to happen. I don't think I'm there yet, don't tell my husband but I think deep inside me there is a little flame of hope that refuses to go away. For him, it's simple. The last time she hurt me was the final time for him. He said "that's it! we are not doing this anymore. I am not coming home to find you in tears over her. We've done everything we could. When she was evicted from her house my mom, and I, plus our entire moving crew (plus my cousins) packed her house and moved her stuff into storage, it's never enough for her. I won't see her hurt you anymore. She will not email you, call you, or even facebook you. I'm done". So we're done... for now.<br />
<br />
My biggest fear as I went to college was she would start picking on my brother. She had begun to before I left. My father told her if she did he would leave her. I think this may have saved my brother.chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-67080710634503472212011-05-02T20:54:00.000-04:002011-05-02T20:54:42.432-04:00Addiction, My Brother, My Family...Funny, I don't remember a lot from my childhood. I'm assuming this is because I have blocked it out. I know we all have issues stemming from our childhoods Mine are better than some, worse than others. Some people were abused less, some more.<br />
My actual first memory is of my brother when he was brought home from the hospital. My mother had him on the changing table in his room and as little boys do, he peed on me! Ah prelude to what follows, lol! A few years later I paid him back by accidentally burning his leg. I was about 5 and he must have been 2. I decided it was a good idea to make my parents breakfast in bed. My brother wanted to be helpful and put a paper towel over the pan. ON A GAS STOVE. The problem wasn't that I was trying to make breakfast, the problem was I talked him out of telling our parents about the third degree burn on his leg for quite a while.<br />
Until recent years I have had a good relationship with my brother. Even now, we really don't speak, but this is not borne from a disagreement or problems between us. The separation is entirely induced by me. You see my brother is an addict. Alcoholic, drug addict, whatever you want to say. He's not into crack or heroin, more like xanax type drugs. Frankly, I miss my brother. However, I miss the brother I know, not the homeless looking addict he has become. This person is a stranger I don't want to know, and can't have in my life, it's too painful.<br />
The addiction started in his teenage years, smoking pot. I'm not for or against pot. I've been known to partake once in a great while myself. Honestly, if you have fibromyalgia a single puff or two stops muscle spasms immediately, and helps you sleep. The problem is it can be what they call a "gateway" drug. I hate to say that. Because it's not for me. Still, I know other people who smoking pot has lead to harder drugs, and we've had a lot of issues with drugs in my extended family with drugs, both in the past and in the current tense. I don't have a problem with a little smoke once in a while, but the other stuff, it just takes control of your life and ruins it.<br />
So my brother was brought home once by the cops, busted smoking pot. I think he had to go to counseling then. What I don't understand is why he started. Maybe it just seemed cool. My dad never abused us and he was mom's favorite, he never did anything wrong in her eyes. Bad grades, busted for pot smoking, whatever, he was still mom's golden boy. She never abused him, what did he have to escape from?<br />
After high school graduation he attempted junior college, but it really wasn't for him. He started out young as a telemarketer in my dad's business and eventually worked his way to manager. Groomed by my dad. I know he and dad would go to lunch and Brian would have 2 or 3 beers. Mom and I begged dad to talk to him about this, as he'd go home after work and drink another 6 pack. I think dad did talk to him a few times but my dad had his own drinking demons from his own youth.<br />
I don't remember much about those times. My mother always says I think my dad was perfect. I know he wasn't, I remember being young and being drug out of bed in our pj's to go with mom so she could drag dad out of some bar. I don't know when he got smart, and straightened out, but the point is eventually he did. My brother is almost 40 and he never has.<br />
Brian really went off the deep end after my dad passed. I don't know if he blames himself for losing the business, or if that is just the excuse he uses. I can tell you though, the business closing wasn't his fault. The home improvement business was on it's way downhill when my dad passed, who knows the stress could have even added to my dad's stroke. This was a crucial time for my brother though. He started drinking heavily, then he started working for a guy he met in a bar who introduced him to drugs. During this time he was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, given his first prescription and introduction to xanax. Sure, xanax is helpful, trust me I've been in the throes of an anxiety attack many times. But xanax isn't helpful when taken 3 or 4 at a time with alcohol! This is the addict.<br />
Eventually he lost his family. He's not allowed to see his kids, and if they were my kids I wouldn't let him see them either. My niece doesn't remember him, he's been gone from her life since she was about 2. My nephew hates him. I can understand that. As a kid I would feel abandoned. I would feel like he made a choice, and I believe he did. I know addicts will tell me it's not a choice, it's an addiction. But don't you make a choice to get help? Doesn't a cancer patient make a choice to get help?<br />
My mother took him to AA, she's still heavily involved in al-anon. My husband and I took him him several times. One time he had been living on the street, sleeping under bushes, eating at soup kitchens. Another time I found him on my doorstep. He asked me to take him to jail to turn himself in for a dui. He spent 3 months in the local jail. When he was released my husband and I took him in again. The rule was no drinking. The first thing he did was sneak a 6 pack of beer in the window of his bedroom. Not too much time before he started getting slightly abusive with me. Not hitting, and I don't remember specifically what he did, my husband probably does. I do remember Steve picked him up by his shirt and threw him out.<br />
Now a days I haven't seen him in a few years. I have friends who have run into him though and they tell me he's still super skinny, and still looks like a homeless person. I wish I could say I have hope for him to realize he has a problem but I don't. One of these days I will get a phone call that he is gone.chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-22507943834176851292011-01-22T23:20:00.001-05:002011-01-22T23:20:43.974-05:00I’m a Spoonie, are you?<p>First I want to apologize to everyone for not writing in so long. I’ve been saving my hands for other ventures, mostly watercolor painting. </p> <p>Today, thanks to Twitter, I discovered a brilliant mind. Christine Miserandino is the author of The Spoon Theory. <a href="http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory-written-by-christine-miserandino/">http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory-written-by-christine-miserandino/</a></p> <p>Daily we deal with the “but you don’t look sick” or “why can’t you?” or even worse “you’re just lazy”. Christine’s best friend asked her to explain how she feels on a daily basis. Christine thought for a while and handed her a bunch of spoons. Everyday those with illness start off with so many spoons each day. Some days we may have more spoons, some days less, but each day we start with “x” amount of limited spoons. Spoons = capabilities = tasks = energy. Today, I got up. This cost me a spoon. In fact, I didn’t get much sleep as I was awaken after only five hours. This costs me another spoon. I got up, went to the bathroom, threw on some clothes, brushed my teeth, and made a bowl of cereal. This cost me a spoon. I hung out with my neighbor and painted a picture, this cost me a spoon. I made dinner, another spoon. I may only have one spoon left, I’m saving it in reserve as I’ve been sick all week. After all, I don’t want to borrow from tomorrow’s spoons. </p> <p>If I stay up to late watching tv I will be nauseous, and hurting, so I might lose my spoon yet.</p> <p>I think I’ll look for a silver spoon ring on ebay to remind me to always count my spoons, how about you?</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:59b8c2ef-848f-4811-a8cd-2b95d26e22ef" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/spoonie" rel="tag">spoonie</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/%40bydls" rel="tag">@bydls</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Christine+Miserandino" rel="tag">Christine Miserandino</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/lupus" rel="tag">lupus</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/fibromyalgia" rel="tag">fibromyalgia</a></div> chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-79491780653591068132011-01-22T03:24:00.001-05:002011-01-22T03:24:23.281-05:00Dazed and Confused - In the GROCERY STORE<p>To be totally honest I’m not sure if I should be sharing this with you, or why I am, but I gotta let it out somewhere. I went to the grocery store tonight, my typical Friday night event, grocery list in hand. Remember that, grocery list in hand because it’s important. When suddenly I’m just confused. Confused about what I’m supposed to be doing. I mean in the grocery store, with the grocery list, and totally lost and confused as to what I’m supposed to be doing. I wander around for about half an hour trying to figure it out, panic starting to burble up inside of me like acid reflux. </p> <p>I decide to call my husband for a rescue, mind you I’m all of a mile from my house and it’s straight down the road. But, my cell phone is in the car charging so I decide to just leave. I paid for the two measly bags worth of stuff I did manage to grab before totally losing my marbles, and maybe a few things during the mental state I can only refer to as extreme stupidity.  I walked out, threw the stuff in the trunk and hesitated for a moment about driving home. But, I was feeling lucid and like I said it’s only a mile straight ahead. </p> <p>I came home, left the two bags in the trunk. Opened the door to my husband asking me questions and wondering why I’m mad at him for some reason. Babe, not everything is about you. I ignored him and just crawled in bed, pulled the covers over my head and cried. </p> <p>I know this is what fibrofog is all about, but damn, it doesn’t make me feel any less stupid.</p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bujni_YJ_tI/TTqUMsG0ghI/AAAAAAAASfg/FNCqJGCLrLk/s1600-h/165589_1786644383205_1152407850_2137843_7347903_n%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="165589_1786644383205_1152407850_2137843_7347903_n" border="0" alt="165589_1786644383205_1152407850_2137843_7347903_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bujni_YJ_tI/TTqUNhpoPgI/AAAAAAAASfo/8AHMSwuKUsY/165589_1786644383205_1152407850_2137843_7347903_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="191" /></a> chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-88385481815114891332011-01-21T02:42:00.000-05:002011-01-21T02:42:01.025-05:00Mystery ContinuesI went to a new rheumatologist on Wednesday, Dr. Youngblood. She seems good and bad. Bad because she doesn't believe in fibromyalgia. But, in a good way. I know that makes no sense at all. She believes that there is always an underlying reason and that doctors are too lazy to dig. I hate going to the rheumy. I mean who with fibro doesn't? Getting poked and prodded and asked "does this hurt?" Um just count the "OW"s. Who knew my ribs were so tender? or, my right hip? Apparently, not me. I don't need all my fingers and toes squeezed to see if they hurt, I told you that. Damn, the toes on my right foot still hurt! Actually, I am just finishing my second cold of the season and it's set off a massive flare so everything hurts. Back, shoulders, arms, down to my fingertips aching. Hips aching. Left back (I always say shoulder because it's the area that surrounds the shoulder blade but the doctors keep telling me this is my back not my shoulder) is just throbbing incredibly through to the front and down the left arm.<br />
Back to the doctor. She seems thorough. She ought to, she had both feet, both hands, lower spine and t-spine all x-rayed. I swear it was at least 12 x-rays, plus the blood. Seven vials of blood. With my veins that took a while. Three hours and six prescriptions later. Granted, the prescriptions were all refills of my diabetes, thyroid, blood pressure, muscle relaxers, plus some topical thing. She thinks this is all due to some inflammatory arthritis, possibly lupus, but more likely an inflammatory arthritis. I go back in two weeks for the results. Right now though, I've got to see if a sleeping pill will help, as you know it's near impossible to sleep in this kind of pain.chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-86753892187270366772010-12-22T03:02:00.000-05:002010-12-22T03:02:54.399-05:00I WON!!!!So a few days ago I was out walking the dog, and grabbed my mail from the box. A typical day, right?? NO! I received a letter from a return address of SSA ODAR. I almost dismissed it as junk mail. Upon further inspection I found several pages of legal jargon of which I understood few words. I thought I understood the following words though..."Fully Favorable". Now, this couldn't mean what I think it means, could it? I mean I ONLY applied 2 years ago and I haven't even had my court date yet. However, I do remember my lawyer saying something in October about asking the judge for a directed decision. Before I start assuming what this means, and jumping up and down, as obvious as the meaning seems, I decide to call my lawyer.<br />
The lawyer's assistant confirms this does indeed mean I won, and without ever stepping inside the courtroom, yay me! Next, I conference called my husband and best friend to tell them. I could barely speak, I was crying so hard! Relief, affirmation, mostly relief.<br />
In reading the judges ruling I kind of felt like the judge was saying "WTF are u wasting the courts time for?" and not to me. He cites my doctor's opinion, of course. And, he also cites the opinion of the medical examiner Social Security sent me to. Their own doctor "indicated that while there were some conflicting examination findings with regard to the claimant's neuropathy, the results of the nerve conduction study were compelling and highly reliable. Because Dr. Freeman reviewed all the available medical evidence of record and provided a detailed explanation with references to the evidence in the record to support his opinion, and he is a medical expert who is familiar with SSA policy and regulations, the undersigned grants significant weight to his opinion".<br />
See, doesn't that reek of "your own freakin doctor said she is impaired, why'd you deny her in the first place???" LOL If that doesn't say it for you maybe this will... "The State agency medical consultant's (the people who read over your paperwork (or more likely DON'T read it) and deny you) physical assessments are given little weight because other medical opinions are more consistent with the record as a whole and evidence received at the hearing level shows that the claimant is more limited than determined by the State agency consultants." :) I love that. Other than the two words "fully favorable" those are my favorite words in the entire ten pages.<br />
Don't you love getting your medical records and learning new things about yourself? For example, one of the specialists I saw said to me "what are they (as in my other regular doctors) doing for your B12 level being so low?". I said "it's low?". end of subject with that doctor. But, I did notice in all this legal mumbo jumbo of paperwork it mentions "the undersigned finds that the claimant's impairments medically equal listing 11.14 and 11.16." Of course I had no idea what this meant so I used my favorite search engine, Google, and, well, Googled it. These are listed in what they call "disability pararegs". 11.14 is for peripheral neuropathies. 11.16 is for<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Subacute </span>combined cord degeneration (pernicious anemia). So nice for my doctor's to tell me about this, LMAO. I am not worried about it, it doesn't sound like anything big deal, although it is listed in the pararegs as a condition for which you can get disability, so that implies it might be something I want to mention next time I go to my doctor.Right now though, I am just to happy.</span><br />
I'll have to expound on this more later as my fingers are really starting to not only ache but have bad sharp pains, and my knuckles are really swollen. I am so going to pay for this post, but to tell you I won, it is almost worth the pain.chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-29511491311746520222010-09-23T10:53:00.000-04:002010-09-23T10:53:05.439-04:00When All Else Fails There's Always TwilightI caved. I finally made an appointment with the psychiatrist my doctor recommended three months ago. I can't turn off my brain to sleep unless I am exhausted. Other times it's not my brain, I feel like my skin is crawling or I'm uncomfortable in my own skin. I'm up and down 3, 4, 5 times. I will lay in bed with my eyes closed, sleep mask on, snuggled up to my dog (she's a living breathing teddy bear)for hours. Then I get up and watch a half hour, 45 minutes of tv, lay back down. Next time I grab a book and read for a little bit, then try again. Last night while the world slept I vacuumed the air vent for the air conditioning unit, trimmed the cat's claws, sketched two pictures, watched a couple of youtube videos on how to paint flowers, practiced those techniques. I laid down and decided I had to work on my Christmas shopping list. Then, I laid down and decided I needed a better way to keep track of our bills. I tend to forget to pay something and then get a late payment and all of the sudden we are behind, which is what we are doing right now... playing catch up.<br />
Plus, when I'm manic like this the house is a disaster. I'm in creative mode so EVERYTHING else is... well, forget about it. The coffee table in my chick den is covered in water bottles, paints, sketch books, etc.<br />
Another thing, I put on Twilight because it's the one movie I can sleep to. In fact, it puts me to sleep. Something about the background music just lulls me. But, then I put my Twilight on and it blocks out my brain and my fingers start twitching. Now I am up again writing this and watching my soaps. It's 11 am and I'm so exhausted, feel sick from no sleep but wondering if I should just try to stay awake till at least 6 p.m. so maybe I will get turned back around or if I should try to sleep again.chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-40761847951679367262010-09-12T19:26:00.000-04:002010-09-12T19:26:22.745-04:00can fibromyalgia make you feel crippled?Blogger or blogspot, has a neat new utility called stats. I can see how many people have read my blog, where they live in the world, even what site they used to get here, what operating system they use, and, if they use a search engine like google, what words were searched to find my blog. Pretty, cool, huh?<br />
My point of course is I was looking at this new plus and discovered a reader had found me through google by researching the words "can fibromyalgia make you feel crippled?". The answer is hell yes. And, if not crippled, certainly a hell of a lot older! If you have fibromyalgia I would be surprised to hear you haven't had a flare that made you feel like you were in the worst car accident of your life; aching, tender, feeling like your entire body is one giant bruise even though there is no discoloration, so stiff you can barely move, can barely keep your eyes open, if you can at all. Exhausted, but unable to sleep due to the pain.<br />
I feel like the editor of the newspaper who wrote to the little girl "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause". Unfortunately then, the answer is "yes, fibromyalgia can make you feel crippled". Luckily, the debilitating flare will subside, it won't last long.chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-37767397177087862262010-09-11T03:49:00.000-04:002010-09-11T03:49:26.611-04:00Still a Medical MysteryThe other day I went to a new orthopedist. One who specializes in the spine and discs. He took more xrays and also looked at my MRI. He said the odd thing is the MRI shows nerve entrapment from the bulging discs in my neck on the right side, so there could be pain there, but there isn't. Yet, on the left side, which is extremely painful... neck to shoulder, back, down arm, elbow, yeah all... there is NO nerve entrapment. Nothing on either the MRI or Xrays to explain the pain. So that's still a mystery, and it's causing carpal tunnel in my left wrist.<br />
You know when you go to the doctor and you fill out all that paperwork you have to list what is wrong with you? IE diabetes, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, MYSTERY UNDIAGNOSED HAND AILMENT :). Yes, that is what I wrote on the form.<br />
So, I wait. 6 or 7 weeks then I see my new rheumatologist. In the meantime, I am really looking forward to starting this aqua exercise class at the rec center by my house. Unfortunately it only goes through Sept 30th. But maybe after I will start their tai chi class. As with anything either class will require me to take it EXTREMELY SLOW. Heck, by the time I am able to complete the entire aqua class it will be over. Oh well, at least it's a start!chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-42938818477556519512010-09-08T18:18:00.000-04:002010-09-08T18:18:24.119-04:00Early Signs of Fibromyalgia<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"><br />
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<div id="top" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><h1 style="clear: left; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Early signs of fibromyalgia</span></span></h1><h1 style="clear: left; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">by </span></span><a href="http://www.helium.com/users/375673/show_articles" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="About Me: Dr. Deborah Bauers"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Dr. Deborah Bauers</span></span></a></span></h1></div><div class="article" style="clear: left; color: #333333; float: left; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 490px;"><div id="itemTop" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: auto; overflow-y: auto; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="sides" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div class="clear" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Fibromyalgia has been called both a disease and a syndrome. From its earliest signs through the development and duration of its more chronic symptoms it is neither life threatening nor degenerative. Its pathology does not manifest as a true disease process and yet the chronic pain that a fibromyalgia sufferer experiences can make it a debilitating condition. Its complex set of physiological abnormalities make it a recognized health issue that can create significant pain and fatigue.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Fibromyalgia is a rheumatoid-like condition that impacts the soft tissues, tendons, and muscles of the body causing exhaustion and discomfort. One of its earliest but most conclusive signs is often recognized and identified as the presence of pressure sensitive trigger points that are quite painful when palpated. These pressure points are usually located behind the head and neck, on the shoulders, and behind the knees and elbows.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">There are numerous symptoms often associated with fibromyalgia many of which can also be symptomatic of other autoimmune </span></span><a class="iAs" classname="iAs" href="http://www.helium.com/items/1944553-recognizing-the-earliest-signs-of-the-disease-or-syndrome-called-fibromyalgia#" itxtdid="24752736" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 100, 0) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-bottom-width: 0.075em !important; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; bottom: auto; display: inline; float: none; font-family: inherit !important; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal !important; left: auto; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static !important; right: auto; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline !important; top: auto;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">diseases</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">. For this reason, a rheumatologist or physician who specializes in treating autoimmune diseases is the best healthcare professional to diagnose fibromyalgia. Before the diagnosis can be made, blood work and x-rays must be done to rule out osteoarthritis, thyroid problems, and other auto-immune diseases such as lupus, Sjrogen’s syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Earliest symptoms, together with specific pressure points, that often suggest the onset of fibromyalgia include the following:</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">1. Pain in the groin</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">2. Difficulty climbing stairs and hills</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">3. Chronic sinus problems</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">4. Dry mouth</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">5. Stiffness upon waking</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">6. Dry eyes</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">7. Difficulty swallowing</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">8. Chronic fatigue</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Numerous other symptoms may occur and become chronic as an individual struggles with fibromyalgia over time. These include:</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">1. Irritable bowel</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">2. Headaches</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">3. Tingling and/or numbness in the extremities</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">4. Depression</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">5. Bladder spasms</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">6. Difficulty concentrating</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">7. Memory loss</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">8. Dizziness</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">9. Sleep disturbances</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Much controversy surrounds the origins and precipitating factors that may result in an individual having fibromyalgia. While it was originally believed that this syndrome was largely the result of the psycho-social factors, more recent studies suggest that it may onset after a virus or illness. Physical trauma to the body, endocrine imbalances, and deficits in the production of neurotransmitters are all being studied as possible stimuli for the onset of fibromyalgia. </span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Fibromyalgia sufferers frequently experience hyper-sensitivity to certain sounds, smells, and tactile experiences and are uncomfortable in large crowds or in the midst of a lot of confusion. Prolonged exposure to overstimulation tends to exacerbate both pain and fatigue.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Overall mental </span></span><a class="iAs" classname="iAs" href="http://www.helium.com/items/1944553-recognizing-the-earliest-signs-of-the-disease-or-syndrome-called-fibromyalgia#" itxtdid="24474182" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 100, 0) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-bottom-width: 0.075em !important; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; bottom: auto; display: inline; float: none; font-family: inherit !important; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal !important; left: auto; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static !important; right: auto; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline !important; top: auto;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">health</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">, coping mechanisms, support systems, and ability to manage stress also appear to intensify pain that is felt by fibromyalgia sufferers. Certain personality types appear more prone to develop this syndrome and individuals who tend to be more negative in their thinking experience greater levels of fibromyalgia-related pain.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Fibromyalgia is best treated by a comprehensive plan that includes pain management, cognitive and physical therapies, and stress management techniques. Fibromyalgia sufferers must learn to set boundaries that ensure that they get enough rest and moderate exercise, while learning strategies to overcome the perception of helplessness that often accompanies the syndrome</span></span></div></div>chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-30780629999965096832010-09-02T20:35:00.000-04:002010-09-02T20:35:48.281-04:00New Blog & Giveaway<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">I have what I hope is exciting news. I have started another blog. <b><i>1001 Recipes You Can Create with a Rotisserie Chicken</i></b>. I hope you are as excited as I am.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">I like to cook. I like chicken. I like to make things easy... ok, I like to CHEAT. Seriously though, if I can buy an entire rotisserie chicken from Sam's Club, or my grocery store for $4.95 why shouldn't I shorten my prep list and time? Let's face it, most places these days you can buy a fresh rotisserie chicken for the same price, or less, as buying a whole chicken, or worse, boneless skinless chicken breasts.</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #663300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">So, this is my experiment into how many real recipes I can make using store bought rotisserie chicken. I say "real recipes" for one reason, and I don't mean to be knocking anyone, but during my research for the site I came across a cookbook that had to do with cooking using rotisserie chicken. At first, I was disappointed thinking, oh someone has already done this. As I read, though, I found quite a few of the recipes were simple. A simple recipe to me would be a chicken quesadilla. Remove the chicken from the bone, heat slightly. Put some of the chicken on a flour tortilla, cover with cheese. Fold the tortilla in half and brown in a hot pan. I'm not saying that's not delicious, because add a little salsa and you've got a winner with me any day of the week! Still, as delicious as that is, I wanted to make more substantial meals. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #663300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">The first recipe you will find is my </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">Chicken & Yellow Rice</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">. Trust me when I say it is a huge hit, and everyone I make it for loves it. On this particular recipe I used Vigo yellow rice. Since I gave a specific ingredient I linked it to Amazon as I have friends who do not have yellow rice, Vigo or otherwise, in their grocery store. The price they have for 5 packages is reasonable, if the price wasn't reasonable I would not share it with you.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #663300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">The second news I hope you will find exciting is the possibility of a giveaway! I have been contacted by the promotion team of cooking website and am hoping to be able to giveaway some prizes to my readers, wouldn't that be awesome?!</span></span></span></div>chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-7316905036447975882010-09-02T19:09:00.003-04:002010-09-03T02:14:40.774-04:00Fibro Free Life, LLC Releases the First Fibromyalgia Treatment Targeting a Main Root Cause of Fibromyalgia Syndrome | Benzinga.com****I read this several times thinking I would find the main root cause of fibromyalgia, which is why I recommended it. Come to find out this Dr. believes fibro can be seriously relieved, if not cured in 10-15 mins with a foot massage. Of course he does, he's a PODIATRIST, LOL. But seriously, wouldn't it be awesome if all of life's problems could be solved with a foot massage?? p.s. I feel it is important to note here that I absolutely HATE for my feet to be touched!<br />
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<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/10/09/p454446/fibro-free-life-llc-releases-the-first-fibromyalgia-treatment-targeting"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=1001recipe01-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=061538918X&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px;"></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/10/09/p454446/fibro-free-life-llc-releases-the-first-fibromyalgia-treatment-targeting"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/10/09/p454446/fibro-free-life-llc-releases-the-first-fibromyalgia-treatment-targeting"><h1 style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman serif'; font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px;">Fibro Free Life, LLC Releases the First Fibromyalgia Treatment Targeting a Main Root Cause of Fibromyalgia Syndrome</h1><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; word-wrap: break-word;"><i>Fibromyalgia treatment protocol includes discovery of the root cause of fibromyalgia pain, and how to correct and eliminate the pain. From podiatrist Dr. Howard G. Groshell, Jr., who has successfully treated fibromyalgia pain for nearly half a century.</i></div><div class="releaseDateline" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; word-wrap: break-word;">Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (PRWEB) September 2, 2010</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; word-wrap: break-word;">It’s been the million dollar question plaguing sufferers for centuries, and has confused doctors to the present day: What in the world is fibromyalgia? More importantly, what is the main root cause and how do you stop the excruciating pain? Fibromyalgia Free Life, LLC releases the first fibromyalgia book to answer these questions. East Meets West From the Bottom Up, provides a podiatrist's new breakthrough discovery -- a main root cause of Fibromyalgia. In addition, he introduces the first treatment that focuses on the cause rather than symptoms, giving fibromyalgia patients the first sign of hope in the long history of the disease.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; word-wrap: break-word;">“Teamed up with Western medicine, pharmaceutical companies offer temporary fixes for each symptom that arises. But to actually treat fibromyalgia with more long-term, positive results, you have to target the root. I can show you the main cause of the pain and how to make symptoms go away and stay away,” says Dr. Howard G. Groshell, Jr., podiatrist, author, and founder of Fibromyalgia Free Life, LLC.</div></a><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; word-wrap: break-word;"><a href="http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/10/09/p454446/fibro-free-life-llc-releases-the-first-fibromyalgia-treatment-targeting">The book introduces Dr. Groshell’s expertise in integrating both Eastern and Western Medicine. Unlike many medical books, geared towards giving sufferers and the medical community a generic understanding of a </a><a class="iAs" classname="iAs" href="http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/10/09/p454446/fibro-free-life-llc-releases-the-first-fibromyalgia-treatment-targeting#" itxtdid="24439579" style="background-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 100, 0) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-bottom-width: 0.075em !important; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; bottom: auto; color: rgb(0, 100, 0) !important; display: inline; float: none; font-family: inherit !important; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal !important; left: auto; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static !important; right: auto; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline !important; top: auto;" target="_blank">health</a> condition, East Meets West From the Bottom Up includes an extensive protocol that goes beyond learning about Dr. Groshell's medical findings. The book includes a thorough self-help, step-by-step protocol, giving patients the ability to correct their pain. Along with the self-help treatment for fibroymyalgia, comprising over forty years of practice and statistical data, East Meets West From the Bottom Up also offers raw, personal narratives from fibromyalgia sufferers, providing a more in-depth insight into one of the most complex syndromes in the history of medicine.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; word-wrap: break-word;">“My book breaks down fibromyalgia in a way that hasn't been done before," stated Dr. Groshell. "The heart of the book, though, belongs to the sufferers of Fibromylgia. Seek and you will find."</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; word-wrap: break-word;"><a class="iAs" classname="iAs" href="http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/10/09/p454446/fibro-free-life-llc-releases-the-first-fibromyalgia-treatment-targeting#" itxtdid="6310164" style="background-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-color: blue !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; bottom: auto; color: blue !important; display: inline; float: none; font-family: inherit !important; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal !important; left: auto; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static !important; right: auto; text-align: left; text-decoration: none !important; top: auto;" target="_blank">Los <nobr id="itxt_nobr_4_0" style="color: blue; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal;">Angeles<img name="itxt-icon-0" src="http://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; height: 10px; left: 1px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 470px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; top: 1px; width: 10px;" /></nobr></a> award-winning author Megan Rellahan (Edgar Hernandez POW: An American Hero) co-wrote the book with Dr. Groshell, spending the entire first year collecting data and interviewing former patients in order to present another rarity that you won't find in many other books about fibromyalgia -- longitudinal case studies. The correlation between podiatry and treating fibromyalgia is profound.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; word-wrap: break-word;">“Writing this book after reading and studying so many others was a very exciting challenge," Rellahan admits. "All the books I read on fibromyalgia seemed generally to say the same things. Times have drastically changed and I wanted to write something that was more modern, and with information that wasn’t out-dated. I'm so grateful to all the patients who were willing to dig deep within and talk about some of the more painful things they faced. For me, it was also incredible to see a now retired doctor so driven to push and get this information out there. His passion for his patients with fibromyalgia is something to admire, and his desire to shed a new light and give people hope, is the cornerstone of this book.”</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; word-wrap: break-word;">For more information on East Meets West From The Bottom Up and for an up close and personal look at the future of fibromyalgia treatment, please visit:<a href="http://www.fibrofreelife.com/" meebodelegateid="119" style="color: blue; text-decoration: none;" title="www.FibroFreeLife.com">www.FibroFreeLife.com</a>.</div>chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-76468622239019022952010-09-01T16:48:00.000-04:002010-09-01T16:48:57.533-04:00Panic Attacks, Anxiety, Mania, OrthopedistYesterday morning I started feeling jittery, like my insides were shaking. I am having the same problem today, and finding it very hard to focus to write anything. Hard to have a trail of thought let alone follow the trail! I've taken my anxiety medication and am simply waiting for it to kick in. I'm not sure why this is all starting back up so bad. I do know I was pruning the bushes outside at 3 am. Yes, I know my husband thought I was nuts, and the neighbor's probably would of had me baker acted had they seen me. I can rationalize by saying at 3 am it's <i>only</i> 90 degrees, and there is no sun, so no sunburn, or rash. I knew at the time the effect pruning would have on my hands but I still had to do it. This episode did accomplish two things... First, you can walk up the sidewalk to our front door without being attacked, which is always nice. Second, the episode has driven me to finally make an appointment with a psychiatrist which I have been putting off for a few months. Procrastinate, who me?<br />
I also made an appointment with an orthopedist for next Tuesday morning. I told the nurse about the bulging discs in my neck and the pain in my left shoulder down my arm. She said the discs do cause that pain so I think I am headed in the right direction. I asked my Facebook friends for doctor recommendations and someone recommended the Orthopedic Associates of West Florida. I went on their website and read all the doctor profiles. Dr Pigeon's profile reads "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Minimally invasive spine and neck surgery, Adult degenerative scoliosis, Adult degenerative disc disease, Spinal fusions.</strong></span>" Plus, he takes my insurance, so he was the obvious choice. I see him next Tuesday, and will keep you informed, wish me luck!chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-50646407060247427272010-08-25T06:38:00.000-04:002010-08-25T06:38:46.537-04:00Not Neuropathy for sureWell, I guess I will have to change the name of my blog. I do not have neuropathy. The nerve conduction tests were negative. Apparently the original ones I had done were too. That was a year and a half ago. Damn, I knew that neurologist I went to back then was awful. I really hated going to him because he never answered questions.Almost 2 years of my life we could have spent figuring out what the real problem was. Maybe 2 years less of suffering.<br />
My new primary care doctor is really wonderful. Her name is Dr Brvenik. She is the kind of doctor you want to have, a real bulldog. I mean that in the best possible way. In fact, what I mean is she is the type to not settle until she finds the answer. For example, my shoulder has been giving me problems for almost 10 years. Every doctor I have told previously has brushed it off, until her. MRI shows bulging discs in my neck causing nerve pain in my shoulder down my arm, severe pain at times, just like sciatic but in shoulder down arm instead of butt down leg.<br />
She also insisted on a full physical including pap and breast exam. Breast exam found a lump. Now, I've been through two mammograms and an ultrasound. The lump is probably just a cyst. But, she is sending me for a needle aspiration to be sure. I am 99.9% sure it is just a cyst and sure is she, but it doesn't hurt to be sure. The whole thing, having to wait over the weekend for the result of the second mammogram, set off the worst flare in my life, nothing like I have ever felt before. Excruciating pain in my arms, from the top where the shoulder joint is to my fingertips. Extreme weakness in them, and tender. Two days later the pain had narrowed down to "just" my joints. It's mostly gone now except some overall weakness from feeling so bad all week, and really bad left shoulder pain from the bulging discs.<br />
Dr Brvenik is trying to get me in to see the rheumatologist now to be tested for lupus. The only problem she says is lupus is extremely hard to diagnose. For example, the blood test can come back false negative, and often does. I know I was checked for it at some point. Either 3 years ago or 10 years ago. And, it was negative then, but could still be positive now. I don't even know what lupus means, except I know that one of the first signs is inflammation in the knuckle area of the hands. That I've had forever, years, like 7-10 years, before the pain started. I had it so long I just thought it was some odd quirk since there was no pain.<br />
So, Friday will be a big day for me. An appointment with the hand surgeon for a consult regarding carpal tunnel in my right hand, an appointment with the general surgeon for a consult to have the breast needle thing, and an appointment with the orthopedist for the bulging discs in my neck.<br />
Wish me luck!!chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-88585816645826310922010-08-20T00:26:00.000-04:002010-08-20T00:26:31.426-04:00Big Day NervesTomorrow is a big day, guaranteed no sleep tonight. Start the morning off with a spot mammogram. If you don't know what that is it's a magnifying mammogram (I had to ask :) ), then possibly an ultrasound. My husband has to work so my best friend is taking me. Probably better, he'd keep asking "what's wrong?" and say all the absolutely wrong things. He tries, and he means well. After the mammo I will send her off to work, then off to the neurologist for my mri and emg results... more fun. I'm hoping he will have a definite positive yes or no this is neuropathy or it's not and they keep looking. From the previous neurologist I know I will need carpal tunnel surgery, but that's ok, I just don't expect it to fix everything though. That may sound pessimistic, but it's not. My reasoning is because the pain in my hands is the same in my feet and toes, and I know THAT'S not carpal tunnel, lol.<br />
oh well, I guess I should try to lay down for a little bit.chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-25449203396918294172010-08-11T13:51:00.000-04:002010-08-11T13:51:09.011-04:0050 Fabulous Food and Recipe Links For DiabeticsA reader named Bobbie sent me a link to this article. I haven't had time yet to really delve into it, but I thought I would share anyway, it looks like there is a wealth of information.<br />
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<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">As a nurse, you will definitely encounter patients with diabetes. In fact, according to the American Diabetes Association, over 23 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with diabetes. This doesn’t count all the people who haven’t been diagnosed or who are at risk for diabetes. Diabetics need special guidance when it comes to diet and nutrition. Luckily, the Internet has made it easy for diabetics to access healthy, delicious recipes as well as learn about their condition and the way they should eat. Here are 50 fabulous food and recipe links we’ve found around the ‘Net:</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Diet and Nutrition Infromation</span></strong></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTvce2CadzxvMTPPwBYxFNuRwoPDF1id7sZVLPRfPvfbNc-PpE&t=1&usg=__-WR2IFEPufZOn7nbDXXpLe_JGtE=" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="alignright" height="244" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTvce2CadzxvMTPPwBYxFNuRwoPDF1id7sZVLPRfPvfbNc-PpE&t=1&usg=__-WR2IFEPufZOn7nbDXXpLe_JGtE=" style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 2px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 2px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 2px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; float: right; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px; margin-top: 2px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="206" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">These websites provide general information on a proper diabetic diet. Learn about different types of diet plans that diabetics use to manage their sugar intake.</span></div><ol style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">1. </span><strong><a href="http://www.januvia.com/sitagliptin/januvia/consumer/healthy-blood-sugar/type-2-diabetes-diet/index.jsp?WT.svl=2?src=1&WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=JA80G" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Januvia</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Merck’s Januvia website has good tips about healthy food for managing diabetes, as well as a recipe tool and favorite food analyzer. Free registration required to access some tools.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">2. </span><strong><a href="http://www.simplewins.com/site/Teens/Live/Pages/Eating-Well" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Simple Wins: Nutrition</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : The Bayer website has nutrition tips, healthy cooking videos, and other good resources for diabetics.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">3. </span><strong><a href="http://www.tudiabetes.org/notes/Nutrition_and_Recipes?gclid=CM7ZhuXn-6ICFYxU2godFRE8lg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Tudiabetes.org</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Tudiabetes.org is a great resource for anyone with diabetes, combining the wisdom of a large group of diabetics with excellent articles.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">4. </span><strong><a href="http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/?utm_source=WWW&utm_medium=GlobalNavFF&utm_campaign=CON" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">ADA: Food & Fitness</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Learn about proper nutrition for diabetics on this website of the American Diabetes Association.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">5. </span><strong><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diabeticdiet.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">MedlinePlus: Diabetic Diet</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Medline Plus’ website gives simple, easy-to-understand information about the proper diet for a diabetic person to follow.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">6. </span><strong><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/diabetesmealplanning/htm/lesson.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">X-Plain: Diabetic Meal Planning</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : The X-Plain interactive tutorial gives you tools and information on planning healthy meals.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">7. </span><strong><a href="https://www.accu-chekconnect.com/connect/live/eating_better/index.html?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=diabetes+cooking&utm_campaign=Broad&OVMTC=Broad&site=&creative=5029139459&OVKEY=diabetes%20cooking&gclid=COXs1de2_qICFYdb2god9DnZdQ" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Accu-Chek Connect</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : This page provides supportive information for diabetics who feel they need help with their eating habits.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">8. </span><strong><a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-labels/DA00129" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">MayoClinic.com: Reading Food Labels</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : This helpful article tell diabetics how they should read food labels in order to make the right choices.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">9. </span><strong><a href="http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/10-diabetes-super-foods/article121742.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Reader’s Digest: 10 Super Foods</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : This attractive slideshow features 10 foods that diabetics should incorporate into their daily diets.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">10. </span><strong><a href="http://www.bd.com/resource.aspx?IDX=4274" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">BD: Fast Food Guide</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : BD Medical Supplies offers this extremely helpful guide to your favorite fast food restaurants from a nutritional perspective, so you can see just what you’re getting into.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">11. </span><strong><a href="http://foodpicker.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Foodpicker.org</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Foodpicker.org follows the guidelines of the American Diabetes Association in order to help diabetics make better food choices.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">12. </span><strong><a href="http://ndep.nih.gov/media/Buffet_Gen.pdf?redirect=true" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Buffet Tips For Diabetics</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : The National Institutes of Health offers this article to help people make the right choices when offers with a whole buffet of options.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">13. </span><strong><a href="http://www.joslin.org/info/key_to_success_portion_control.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Joslin Diabetes Center</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : The Joslin Diabetes Center offers great tips on keeping portions controlled, as well as other healthy eating strategies.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">14. </span><strong><a href="http://www.joslin.org/info/the_abcs_of_sugar_substitutes.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Joslin Diabetes Center: The ABC’s of Sugar Substitutes</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : With all the sugar substitutes available on the market, it’s easy to get confused. This article compares sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">15. </span><strong><a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes-diet/DA00077" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Mayo Clinic: Exchange Lists</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Learn how diabetic food exchange lists work to help you stay on the right track with your eating plan.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">16. </span><strong><a href="http://www.dce.org/pub_publications/files/ReadySetStart_final.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Ready, Set, Start Counting!</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : An easy-to-read guide that teaches patients how to count carbohydrates in a healthy diabetic diet.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">17. </span><strong><a href="http://nfsmi-web01.nfsmi.olemiss.edu/documentlibraryfiles/PDF/20100312115223.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Diabetes Fact Sheet For Child Nutrition Professionals</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : This article provides guidelines for food service workers who work with children that may be diabetic.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">18. </span><strong><a href="http://tracker.diabetes.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">MyFoodAdvisor</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : The American Diabetes Association provides this excellent website with tracking tools, recipe finders</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">19. </span><strong><a href="http://diabetes.webmd.com/diabetes-diet-healthy-diet-basics" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">WebMD: Diabetes Center</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Learn all about the basics of a healthy diet for someone with diabetes.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">20. </span><strong><a href="http://www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publications/PDF/FSHED-86.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">The Exchange List System for Diabetic Meal Planning</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : The University of Arkansas Family and Consumer Sciences department provides this helpful guide to using exchanges for nutritional management of diabetes.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">21. </span><strong><a href="http://www.platemethod.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">The Idaho Plate Method</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : The Idaho Plate Method is used to help teach diabetics about proper portion control and correct nutrition.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">22. </span><strong><a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">The DASH Plan</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : The DASH Plan is designed to help people who have hypertension, or high blood pressure.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">23. </span><strong><a href="http://www.diabetesatwork.org/_files/learn_more/examples_of_treatments_for_hypoglycemia.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Treatments For Hypoglycemia</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : This web page gives examples of foods and quantities of food you should eat if your blood sugars get too low.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">24. </span><strong><a href="http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/planning-meals/is-your-pantry-suffering-sticker-shock.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Eating Healthy On A Budget</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : This page gives you simple strategies for planning your meals without spending too much money on food.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">25. </span><strong><a href="http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Fruits And Veggies Matter</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : The CDC’s website encourages people to eat their fruits and vegetables for better health.</span></ol><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Recipes For Diabetics</span></strong></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">These links will give you access to thousands upon thousands of recipes for diabetics. Some websites rely on user-generated content, so the nutritional information may not be exact.</span></div><ol style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">26. </span><strong><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipes/healthy-cooking/diabetic/top.aspx" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Top 20 Diabetic Recipes</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Allrecipes.com is the favorite website for millions of home cooks. On this page, view the 20 most popular diabetic-friendly recipes that have been submitted by home cooks.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">27. </span><strong><a href="http://tracker.diabetes.org/recipe/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Recipes From MyFoodAdvisor</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : This link features recipes searchable by calorie content, carbs, fat, and other nutritional data.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">28. </span><strong><a href="http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Diabetic Gourmet</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Diabetic Gourmet Magazine has literally thousands of diabetes-inspired recipes in every category from appetizers to desserts–even breads!</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">29. </span><strong><a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes-recipes/RE00091" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">MayoClinic.com Diabetes Meal Plan</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Delicious recipes featured on the Mayo Clinic website included chipotle-spiced shrimp and almond-apricot biscotti.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">30. </span><strong><a href="http://www.dlife.com/diabetes/diabetic-recipes/?s_kwcid=TC%257c3015%257cbest%252520diabetes%252520recipes%257c%257cS%257cb%257c2671893113&gclid=CNXZmMDp-6ICFQUUswodVV7i1g" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">dLife</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : dLife has a selection of hundreds of “diabetic-approved” recipes that you can search by carb content, main ingredient, course, and other options.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">31. </span><strong><a href="http://diabetes.about.com/cs/r.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Type 2 Diabetes Guide on About.com</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : The Type 2 Diabetes Guide on About.com has links to several different recipes for your enjoyment.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">32. </span><strong><a href="http://www.diabeticlivingonline.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Diabetic Living</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Diabetic Living, part of the Better Homes and Gardens network, is a site that includes many tips for healthy eating and recipes that sacrifice added sugar without losing flavor.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">33. </span><strong><a href="http://www.bobsgoodstufflists.net/Diabetes/Food/Recipes/Bob/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Bob’s Diabetic Recipes By Category</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Bob’s website may not be pretty, but it sure has a lot of diabetic recipes!</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">34. </span><strong><a href="http://davesgarden.com/cookbook/bycat.php?catname=health" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Dave’s Garden</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Dave’s Garden is a recipe site that has 72 user-submitted diabetes-appropriate recipes.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">35. </span><strong><a href="http://www.diabetic-recipes.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Diabetic Recipes</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Over 800 diabetic-friendly recipes are included on this website, including menus for special occasions and foods that kids will love.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">36. </span><strong><a href="http://brands.kraftfoods.com/diabetic/geglacq/ps0610.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Kraft Good Eating, Good Living</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : This free website from Kraft gives registered users access to recipes tested by Kraft nutrition experts as well as money-saving coupons and recipe videos.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">37. </span><strong><a href="http://www.mealsforyou.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Meals For You</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Meals For You has been providing over 6,000 nutritionally based recipes online since 1996. You can search meals by several different categories and view nutrition data for each one.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">38. </span><strong><a href="http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/diabetes/diabeticrecipes3.cfm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">NewWellness: Crock Pot Recipes</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : This website has many diabetic-friendly recipes that feature a slow cooker. This way you can start dinner in the morning and have it finished when you get home from work.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">39. </span><strong><a href="http://cookeatshare.com/popular/best-diabetic-recipes" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">CookEatShare</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : CookEatShare has over 1000 recipes for people with diabetes. Watch cooking videos and share your favorites.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">40. </span><strong><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/diabetic_diet" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">EatingWell</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : EatingWell emphasizes the fact that diabetics don’t have to exclude certain food and they don’t have to sacrifice taste. By eating fresh, wholesome ingredients, they can eat healthy and feel indulgent.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">41. </span><strong><a href="http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/recipes/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">ADA: Recipes</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Access many delicious recipes that are sure to keep you eating right on the ADA website.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">42. </span><strong><a href="http://www.food.com/recipe-finder/diabetic,diabetic/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Food.com</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : At Food.com, you can find over 9,000 recipes that have been tagged “diabetic” by users. These have not all been reviewed by a dietician, so they are not guaranteed to be low glycemic.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">43. </span><strong><a href="http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/recipes/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">ChildrenWithDiabetes.com</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Cooking for kids can be hard in and of itself, but when you have to please a diabetic child, it can be even more difficult.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">44. </span><strong><a href="http://www.recipesource.com/special-diets/diabetic/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">RecipeSource</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : RecipeSource has a wide variety of recipes for diabetics, over 700, in fact. Search by keyword to find your favorites.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">45. </span><strong><a href="http://www.easy-diabetic-recipes.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Easy Diabetic Recipes</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : This page has a lot of advertisements, but it also has links to many recipes for diabetics as well as photos of the food.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">46. </span><strong><a href="http://ndep.nih.gov/media/MQC_recipebook_english.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Tasty Recipes For People With Diabetes and Their Families</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : This 31-page free eBook from the National Institutes of Health is jam-packed with healthy recipes, many with a Latin flair.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">47. </span><strong><a href="http://www.recipetrove.com/component/option,com_mtree/task,listcats/cat_id,129/Itemid,26/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Recipe Trove: Diabetic</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Recipe Trove features three decadent desserts that diabetics can enjoy in moderation.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">48. </span><strong><a href="http://www.cooksrecipes.com/diabetic-recipes/diabetic-bread-recipes.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Cooks Recipes</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Cooks Recipes features over 100 recipes for low-sugar and low-carb breads and muffins on their website.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">49. </span><strong><a href="http://www.dreamfieldsfoods.com/diabetes-diet.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Dreamfields Pasta</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : Dreamfields Pasta has resources for pasta dishes that diabetics can safely enjoy.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">50. </span><strong><a href="http://blog.opensourcefood.com/2010/03/30/diabetic-meals-for-food-lovers/?keywords=diabetes+diet&referrer=adwords&adnum=3&camp=Google-OSF-1&group=diabetes+diet&keyword=diabetes+diet&creativeid=5186739432&traffictype=search" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">OpenSource Food: Diabetes Diet</span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"> : This website features good links to diabetic recipes as well as tips for diabetics who are trying to eat healthier.</span></ol>chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-11623369179614725402010-08-01T02:28:00.000-04:002010-08-01T02:28:18.469-04:00I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream...I've had the best time the past few weeks creating ice cream concoctions for my cousin who had jaw surgery. Can you imagine not being able to eat solid food for 90 days?? count me out! I went through something similar years ago when I had jaw surgery for TMJ, but I my recovery time was much shorter, even though I had a hell of a lot more swelling, and am darn irrationally jealous of that! As usual I digress<br />
I was saying my cousin is enjoying the ice cream. Plus, she told me the cold from the ice cream is the only thing providing her any relief from the pain. She's a really tough cookie, the backbone of a family of 7 kids. She's the oldest and acted as a second mother to her younger siblings through some very tough times. It has been very hard to see the strongest person in my family so weak and in pain. I am very glad I moved home just in time to be here for her.<br />
I found a few really great books for ice cream recipes. My favorite one is called <u>The Perfect Scoop</u>. The book not only provides recipes but quite a lot of detailed information. I checked it out of the library but I'm going to have to buy my own copy, it's too valuable of a book, information wise, not to if I plan to keep making ice cream, and frozen yogurt. Not to mention there is a recipe in there for some kind of frozen mojito that I think is going to require a girls night with my best friends.chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378726008625543793.post-83966584089505195082010-07-26T06:01:00.000-04:002010-07-26T06:01:12.822-04:00Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream RecipeI've been wanting an ice cream maker for forever. Our grocery store, Aldi, had one last year for $20. They are offering it again this summer. My best friend bought one and is keeping it at my house ( :) ). I try to have her and our other best friend over for dinner every few weeks. Everyone can use the ego boost those two women can give someone with the fawning they do over my cooking. Last time I made chicken cordon blue burgers and home made french fries. The burgers are simple I took my basic chicken burger mixture, ground chicken, grated zucchini, and a little salt. Made patties, and put them on the George Foreman. Once they were mostly cooked I added a slice of baby swiss, and a slice of ham. I bought crusty rolls from the bakery covered them with honey mustard and a slice of fresh tomato. They were good.<br />
I like to cook but I also realize I need to make things I can do ahead of time or are simple. Tonight's menu will include a simple iceberg lettuce wedge salad with doctored blue cheese dressing, pork chops, and pesto risotto, and strawberry shortcake ice cream. The pesto was made and frozen a few weeks ago, the blue cheese was doctored Saturday night, and the shortcake was cubed and frozen then also. I just made the ice cream, yes at 4:30 a.m. The pork chops will be simple salt, pepper, garlic, olive oil and a frying pan. Risotto is easy too. Granted, I have to pull my stool up to the stove to stir it for a while, but it's simple.<br />
Back to the ice cream maker, it is an electric one that doesn't require ice or salt. I have made chocolate, chocolate raspberry, vanilla with cherries and chocolate chunk, and now the strawberry shortcake. I have made most of them with splenda, except the chocolate. And, most of them I made for my cousin who just had jaw surgery, I haven't really eaten any myself yet. My husband tasted the strawberry shortcake ice cream before he left for work and swears it's better than sex. He, and my cousins, also swore the chocolate was the best chocolate ice cream they ever ate. Let me know if you want any of the other recipes.<br />
<br />
Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream<br />
<br />
16 oz fresh or frozen (no sugar added) strawberries<br />
1 cup plus 1/2 cup splenda, divided<br />
1 cup heavy whipping cream<br />
1 cup 2% milk<br />
2 eggs<br />
1 cup shortcake, cubed, then freeze<br />
<br />
In a blender put the strawberries and 1/2 cup of the splenda. Blend to puree.In a bowl whisk 2 eggs, add splenda, cream, milk, and strawberries. My machine requires you turn it on and pour the ingredients in the spout then let the ice cream maker do it's thing for half an hour. After half an hour add the shortcake cubes. Stir the cubes in well then freeze the entire mixture to harden (ice cream comes out of the machine in a soft serve type consistency).chelekellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598529914594717059noreply@blogger.com0