I'm sorry that I have so seriously fallen behind with this blog. I'd love to have a reason for it, but mainly it's that I've just been too tired most of the time to write here. However, I do sincerely apologize.
I have put two of the three books recommended by Tara on my Amazon.com wish list. Unfortunately they don't come on Kindle which is how I get most of my books these days. But I still intend to read them. The second book she suggested, "Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia by Dr. Rodger Murphree", sounded interesting and he has a 2-CD seminar set out on CD that I would like to hear. I haven't been able to find that where it's available yet though.
I have read a book recently that I found fascinating, "The McDougall Program: 12 Days to Dynamic Health (Plume) by John A. McDougall and Mary McDougall. It discusses switching to a plant-based diet in order to help alleviate MANY illnesses and their side effects. I realize a lot of people are hesitant to try a 'vegetarian' diet because they can't get past the idea of giving up meat. My husband is very definitely one of them. And I admit, to a certain degree, I am as well. It's not the idea of giving up meat that bothers me. It's the fact that I REALLY don't care for veggies in general. But this program starts you out with a 12 day menu to try. First,I figure I can do anything for 12 days. Second, the recipes, for the most part, sound delicious. I don't see myself doing the Split Pea Soup because even the name makes my stomach wrench, but you can trade out recipes from other days for that one. So I'm good with that.
According to this book, the program will eliminate or help to lessen any number of ailments. While I don't go in for fantastic promises, this book makes valid points. I agreed to wait until after the holidays to initiate the program because my husband asked me too. {I think he is afraid of missing a big holiday meal if we aren't eating meat, lol} He and my son {who is almost to the point of being vegetarian now} have agreed to try this for twelve days. Hopefully by then we will see positive results and will have grown to like the plan thereby all staying on it after the trial period.
I have to get my new schedule and see what day will be best to start. Once I have a date, I'll advise you all here. Then I'll keep you apprised of how we're faring as we progress through the twelve days. It doesn't mention fibromyalgia in particular. However, it does mention weight stabilization which, in my case at least, would be a help I'm certain, along with hypertension and fatigue as symptoms which can / should be helped or eliminated by the food change. There are many others as well. To get more information on the program log onto: http://www.drmcdougall.com/ .
It may not be for everyone. It may not even be for me or my family once we try it. But it does sound promising.
Ok, on another note. In my honest opinion, the shots to the knees [Halygan] did little to no good. For a short while, I had high hopes, but truthfully, my knees hurt at least as bad now as they ever did. Some days much worse. Personally I don't intend to repeat them when that becomes an option. My husband believes that decision is based on the fact that roosters are involved. Partly that is true. I truly don't want to use something that causes harm or worse to an animal. But to be perfectly honest, I don't feel they were helpful enough, or for long enough to make it worthwhile to try them again.
You may have a totally different reaction. It may be exactly what you need to eliminate your pain. Each person is different. According to my doctor and his staff, they have one person who has used this treatment and remained relatively pain free for five years now. Unfortunately for me, that wasn't the case.
I have improved my sleep habits a bit. I'm still not sleeping through the entire night. Well, let me rephrase that. I'm not unless I take Tylenol Sore Throat liquid. When I was on that recently it was great. It's like Nyquil. Within a short time after taking it I was zonked. And I slept straight through the night. It was wonderful. Of course, it might have helped that my left ear is stopped up and since I sleep on my right side, I couldn't hear the cats rambling around either, lol. Who knows?
But it seems to me like I'm still exhausted lately. I realize that we're all more tired with all the added holiday preparations and festivities. That hasn't made for as many relaxing evenings as usual for most. But I've long since discovered that you can only do what you can do. Others will simply have to understand. I will be the first to tell you of my new shopping policy..."If you can't get it online or at the Wal-Green, you don't need it!" So, if you're expecting a present from me this year, it was either delivered to my door or it's from Wal-Green, lol. I love shopping online. You can avoid the crowds, the pushing and shoving and omg, the long lines you have to stand in. Physically I just can't do that anymore. And trust me, if I sit down somewhere it takes more and more to get me back up as the day goes on, lol.
My son told me he was going to buy me a scooter to ride on for Christmas. He is adamant that I need one for when we travel. At first I thought he was joking because walking long distances is difficult for me, but I do believe he was serious! I was just as adamant that he'd better not!! One of the reasons I'm insistent on avoiding that option, well there are two actually. One, because of what I do for a living, I can't let any weakness show. Right now, I'm at a tough point in my working life. Barely able to do what I have to do. I'm concerned that if we got into a really bad situation that required a great deal of walking I might not be able to hold up. Not that that is typical of our runs for the most part, but until you get on scene, you never know what you might be dealing with from one run to the next. Two, because of my weight and the fact that you can't see arthritis or fibromyalgia, I feel like everyone would look at me and only see a "fat lady" having to ride a scooter rather than someone w/a genuine illness. Am I the only one who feels this way? For those reasons, if I can't make the distance walking it on my own, I just avoid going. That limits my activities, which I hate, but I don't really know how else to do things at this point.
Ok.. I've rambled enough. More soon. Hope everyone is making the best of the holiday season in whatever way you choose to celebrate. Enjoy!
