Fibromyalgia Support Group
You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.
As promised, I'm branching out from my go-to animal related topics. Also I really appreciate those who have said I'm doing well with these, I'm doing my best but otherwise I'd be wondering if everyone wishes I'd just shut up. Of course if that's the case, I want to know that too.
I figured today, let's get into music. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone who doesn't like music, although that godless person probably exists somewhere (I don't mean people who cannot hear music obviously). Everyone has their own preferences but there's so much variety out there that anyone can find something they like.
Music is actually a really powerful thing. It can promote social connection (think hymns in a church, the national anthem at a sporting event, singing happy birthday or lullabies to kids), improve memory/slow cognitive decline, reduce anxiety and depression (genre matters here-sad songs don't help a lot of people and can make symptoms worse), improve physical health (it lowers heart rate and blood pressure, and can improve pain-we can all benefit from that), and boost endurance/reduce fatigue. All of these are related to listening to music, so don't worry if you're tone deaf like I am. Playing an instrument can actually increase gray matter volume in the brain and strengthen the connections between different areas of the brain, because it recruits almost every part. Musical training can enhance verbal memory, spatial reasoning, and literary skills. Pretty damn cool, if you ask me. I took guitar lessons as a kid (wasn't really into it but my mom read all the baby books that said it has benefits or whatever to intelligence? I had to do a lot of extracurricular things that I really didn't like for no reason other than "you have to"), but y'all, I sucked at it. I liked singing until people told me I sucked at that, too (which is honestly true but hurt at the time), although I do still sing along to music in my car..I just turn the volume up loud enough to drown myself out. Luckily, singing also has its own benefits regardless of whether you're good at it. It can relieve stress (if you're not singing in a place that makes you anxious), stimulate the immune response, increase pain threshold, improve lung function, and improve speaking ability for people with conditions like autism, Parkinsons, aphasia, or stuttering.
So, my assignment for you guys is to go enjoy music in whatever way you prefer. Pull up a song on YouTube, sing in the shower, however you want. I will be blasting music in my car on the way to work and in the shower, like I do every day. Maybe I'll sing along since the only ones who might be subjected to my terrible voice are my pets, who will forgive me once I feed them. I'm going to need all the help I can get today since PMS hit like a freight train this weekend and we are gonna be busy as ever at work. I've been dreading it all weekend honestly. But I did get my ornaments done and I am bringing some to MA today and the rest to NH tomorrow. Hopefully people like them.
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Welcome to the Perseid meteor showers, the "biggies" usually every year. (The Leonids beat 'em one year IMHO).AND today much of the northern hemisphere will see 5 to 99% solar eclipse. How cool is that? Your best bet is to be in the UK or norhtern Spain, where totality is excellent before sundown. Me, I'll get a super duper tiny itty bitty slice of it, so little that it won't be noticeable. New...
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We're all troubled.WSo, to remind ourselves we're not at rock bottom (this is a reverse optimism thing I learned as a kid):We are not living on the island of Krakatoa when the volcano goes boom!Yeah, okay, that sucks.***Toay in 1942, Pierre Laval announced that the way to free France was for Germany to win WW2. Pierre did not win a lot of friends. When the war ended, quite quickly he was tried...
First off, sorry about your PMS. That sucks.
I’m so much enjoying your check ins, just like I love Leo’s. You are both different people and have great ideas and perspectives. You can talk as long as you want. I love it!
Your talk about music today spoke so much to my heart. I played flute in high school, and was terrible at it. Lol But I joined because I had be at every sports game and didn’t have to be at home. Now choir and solo singing was where I stared. Yes, I can sing very well. My teacher gave me so much confidence. Something I never got at home. She was my favorite teacher.
When I got TD, I couldn’t sing anymore. That was extremely difficult, emotionally for me. But, I decided to work on it, and listened to more music and tried singing along, than I are had in years. I can now sing again, and I’m quite sure my TD is not as bad because of it.
My favorite music genres cover a wide range.
Old 70’s rock
Classical Baroque
Renaissance
Blues
Old country
Bluegrass
And of course, my old Lutheran hymns
I really enjoyed talking about this.
Miki, you are so talented, I think you should quit your job, stay home, and create beautiful things to sell. You have extreme talent.
I’m still in a lot of pain from my fall. Most especially, my right leg. Knee to ankle. I’ve done some reading, and think I may have a bad bone bruise. I still can’t walk because of whatever is going on. A bone bruise does not show up on an X-ray, so I would need an MRI. My GP does not want me walking yet anyway. I just don’t know when to bring up my bone bruise thoughts.
Yay, the Packers beat the Cowboys! We were not expected to win this game at all, and were being made fun of all week. Haha
Today I’m going to color, listen to some music. Miki got me going. Probably work on Christmas cards too.
Blessings all around.
Music has always been a huge part of my life. I played clarienet since i was 10 or 11 and piano i started at 6. Also did choir and Jazz choir. Matt got me a guitair about a year ago but with all the health issues lately with mom and i, i just have not started lessons yet on it, but i have always wanted to learn.
We have to leave in about 45 mins. Matt has his physical today and i have my neurologist later today. We also need to make a few stops and plan on stopping for lunch (not that i can eat much, since we went up on the trintellix i am very very nauseated again.) I am so sensitive to meds when i first have a new one or dose change. I hate it.
A very close friend of mine who lives in NC, her fiance died in his sleep yesterday afternoon while right by her. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She was his caregiver and his moms. I wish more than anything i could be with her right now :(. One thing we need to do today is find her a nice card and then i am sending her a book on loss that has helped me a lot the past almost 10 years. Also found a keychain i want to get her on ebay about how angels (our loved ones) are always near.
How come now that we got the gabapentin for abby as needed last tuesday, we have not needed it yet? LOL I know thats a good thing but isnt that just like a kid, furry or not? LOL
Pain is very severe this morning, glad i see my neurologist today and pain dr tomorrow!
I’m glad singing helped with your TD! That’s great
Miki- Your check in's have been fantastic. I really appreciate the effort too. I was a first chair violinist (my Dad played) and took piano lessons as well. My parents got rid of the piano when they downsized. We still have the violins and bows that my Dad made. He worked for a violin shop in Toronto as a young man and learned how to make and repair both violins and bows. He began making them at home and did repairs as a hobby for a long time. My paternal grandfather was a skilled woodworker which passed on to my Dad and my brother. One of Dad's bows is used by a member of the Detroit Symphony orchestra. Also, we donated several bows to a Celtic fiddle school for young up and coming traditional Scottish fiddlers that needed an upgrade.
I am the queen of soul in my house. I love old school R&B. My Spotify list is a compilation of all of the great Motown groups and other greats in that category. I sing in the key of Q but that doesn't not stop me from bellowing along. I have always wanted to be able to sing properly. I also enjoy classic rock and some Celtic music. My partner often comes home to a wall of sound from my office.
AngelaJo - I hope that your appointments go well today. You could probably find some tutorials on YouTube to work on learning guitar. I am so sorry about your friend. That had to be very traumatic. Stay warm up there!
Miki - I remember PMS days very well and I don't miss them. I'm sorry that you are dealing with that on top of a busy day. Your ornaments are just gorgeous. You have quite a talent! I'm sure that they will be gone in no time!
Merry - I've had a bone bruise and they are horrible. I got it from a fall. And, it did take an MRI to see it. Send your DO a message asking if he thinks that you may have a bone bruise. He seems very responsive and may want to send you for an MRI to check that out. That must have been quite a football game. I know that they went into OT. I thought that I heard you yelling from here LOL.
Today, I have a full skin check at the dermatologist. I have a couple of things that I want off/fixed. My annual weight loss plan lol. I will probably be sent to the plastic surgeon as there is a limit to what the dermatologist will do. Been there before so that is not an issue. Just want to get it done before the end of the year.
I will probably stop by my Mom's too and cut down her roses. I will be on that side of town and don't want to waste gas by making another trip. She is leaving with my sister's family on Wednesday or Thursday for NC. They will be there for Thanksgiving. My middle niece flew in from Utah yesterday to tag along on the trip.
Time for me to hit the shower and get my act together. I hope that everyone who follows is OK. Waves!
Listening to music has always been a big part of my life. Grew up listening to music on the radio a lot !! Even in elementary school I would listen to the radio before school. I like 70s and 80s and some 90s Music. I have to include some 60s too, mostly because of the Beatles and Motown. I like soft rock and rock , and some pop, and a bit of disco from my rollerskating days . I do not sing well but do sing when I am alone. I have a lot of good memories that are associated with music and certain songs.
Great check in Miki. I too think you could make a living selling your art and other creations. Etsy is a good place to sell stuff like that if selling local isn't enough.
Sorry , I have to run and get some things done including but not limited to picking up my winter coat at the dry cleaners and doing my home vestibular exercises. My right knee is really being a stinker today. In a couple more weeks I will finally see the Ortho Dr re my knee and he will be able to look at my MRI too .
I am really impressed with your work.