Fibromyalgia Support Group
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Hey, all! Let us be thankful we have good things still happening, hwoever smal, okay? (Dahlia typo!)
For example, I can still add and subtract in my head.
I was at Starbucks. I handed them cash. NEVER do this.
It took the cashier and a manager over a minute to try to work out the change due to me. I finally relieved them of their mental agony by letting them know it was thirty-five cents, and have a nice day, thanks. Oh, what a math talent I am, they said... Sincerely... Uh... No. You owed me thirty-five cents. One dolalr = 100 cents. If the amount ends in sixty-five, then I'm owed thirty-five to make it to that hundred. Math. First-grade level. Add, subtract. Basics, right?
Not in the world of a cash register that won't even show what change is due during cash transactions b/c nobody uses cash often enough to warrant that feature.
I could go the route of feeling very old and cranky (and did) but mostly, I'm glad I didn't need to ask a manager to come use her phone to find out what change was owed to someone... I suck at calculus, freely admitted. I'm no math genius. Soooo.... Yeah. That left me grateful for the drills in math that bored me at the time.
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Meanwhille, one of my godsons was thrown out of Sunday school for acting up so much. Yep. Tossed outta Sunday school. That takes talent. He promptly had his father whinging that his sons will face bias b/c schools are set up to favor girls.
When you stop laughing --- c'mon, now --- there we go --- breathe slow and steady ---
I pointed out to his father (our longtime friend) that his kid was a chronic behavior problem. Not even "has" one. He *is* one. He's the instigator, the one who sets it up and then takes a bow. Great way to deal with parental divorce? Not really. Nor is excuse-making. I've sat this kid. You gotta sit on him. Turn your back and it's mayhem that isn't his fault even if you have it on video. (Which, btw, the Sunday School did... OMG.) So, no, the school systems of the world aren't all in favor of girls. They're against disruptors of classtime. And, let's face it, when your kid has hit the point he's been kicked outta Sunday School? I ddin't even know that could happen! And I was raised old-country Catholic. Y'know, sneeze in church and GOd hates you sorta thing...
So once my day was officially boggled, along with my mind --- and I love my godsons ---
I wrapped presents!
I binge-shopped at the dollar store. I got a slime "dart board" for Hubby for CHristmas, LOL. You throw slimy balls (imagine Silly Putty with a bit more squishy to it) at what is effectively a dart board. Kid game? Yes. Stress relief? Oh, I hope so! Also got cute little things for the nieces that the SIL and BIL's wife will hate --- oh, will they ever --- and the kids will probably love. Finger painting, glow-in-the-dark socks, weird stuff like that. To help round out the Very Proper Gifts.
SIL's kid only wanted fancy stuff, no shock, but we still sent her goofy fun stuff. The home chemistry kit for her age group to grow rocks and slime and things. Weirdly, those come in "girls" and "boys". The difference is apparently which color of slime you get. ???
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INteresting trivia: Ther eis a poem from the early 1800s that rhymes (no joke) "Homer" and "misnomer". Horace Smith's "Address to the mummy". HSmith was a pal of th emuch more famous (and infamous) Percy Shelley, and was quite good with money as well as quite generous with it. (Always useful in a friend, I'm sure Shelley would've said!) Anyway, yeah. Also rhymes "dummy" with "mummy". When you wonder why some poets make it into the schoolbooks and some don't... That poem tends to remind me of the reasons. https://www.bartleby.com/360/6/86.html
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And on that note, off to prepare for home invasion of the Tree Trim Guys. Finally! Our pine tree grew crazy this summer, and if we get a high wind, a few branches could be a problem...
TGIFriday!
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Another day, another ouchie?My bruised achilles tendon (don't ask) makes my foot numb. Wonky on meds, whacked it.Now, as to fibro:A lot of reports are going around some parts of social media that fibro (and dang near anything else) are caused by post-Covid, post-flu, post-vaccinations, post-pick-something.1. Your risk of death or serious complications beyond "ow, that shot hurt!" are typically...
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Years ago, I won a mirrored armoire from my job. It's in my bedroom but I rarely stand in front of it. Yesterday, I had to have a dexascan done so I had to change into a gown. There was a full length mirror in the changing room. I'm aware that I gained 5 to 7 pounds over the last year from cheating on Keto but I didn't know what it looked like. It was a reality check.
So Nox is thankfully a lot better than yesterday. He came out yesterday evening and this morning he's at least not acting miserable. He's still not eating normally, but he'll eat almost all of his food, just very slowly. I wonder if his throat is irritated from swallowing and vomiting a whole mouse head? I assumed it was Noah who did that, but he usually leaves a trail of blood because he plays with it before killing it, and usually I have to search for the head or body (he has done this enough that I know his MO). This time everything was conveniently in one place.
I also had my doctors appointment yesterday, I think it went fairly well. My back looks like just a muscle spasm, so I just have to rest it as much as possible. It does feel a little better yesterday afternoon and today. She is going to retest my thyroid, and test for the antibodies that attack the thyroid and cause thyroid problems. They would normally recheck something abnormal after a few weeks, so I need to go get my blood drawn in 2 weeks instead of doing it yesterday. My crazy period/pms issues could be related to my thyroid if that is confirmed by the lab work. If the labs are normal she suggested either birth control pills or antidepressants. Unfortunately I had worse anxiety on birth control, and two of the antidepressants she suggested are ones I've actually taken before and had side effects...Celexa made me so nauseous I didn't last a week on it, and I gained 40 lbs on Zoloft and got no benefit. I agreed to try Lexapro if it comes down to it, but that makes me very nervous because I'm already on Amitriptyline, and last time I was on more than one antidepressant simultaneously I showed signs of serotonin syndrome and was literally unable to function. But I can't take being a miserable, anxious mess for 3 out of every 5-6 weeks either. She also took another look at my swollen knuckles, since she hasn't seen me since I saw the rheumatologist. She acknowledged that there's obviously something going on, but she doesn't know what, so she said to just watch it and if any other symptoms come up or it gets worse I can call and she'll run the autoimmune labs again.
Not to be argumentative...:-) BUT, boys are wired to have a greater chance to be disruptive in a classroom setting. I know, because I was one of them...and really almost got kicked out of MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship) group. Other than that, I did get kicked out of this and that...had bad conduct grades, etc. I could never stand being cooped up and had a lot of trouble just sitting still. Don't worry...I'm at least a tiny bit better now.
Hope you all have something fun happening this weekend!
Kel
It sounds like you are going through a lot right now. I hope that you start getting some answers soon! Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Leo, LOL, your godson sounds like a natural born leader. I do see though how boys are getting the short end of the stick. They are not allowed to be boys, well unless you have them in sports of some sort.
See, the classrooms of years ago, the kids were disceplined right there in the classroom. The teachers would demand authority, they earned it and would use it. Fast forward a few decades, now if a kid can't sit still, has an over active mind, he gets tossed out. The tolerance levels for fidegety kids has come to a grinding hault.
Yet, what gets axed the quickest when a kid is overactive? Recess!! Boys are naturally more active. They are doers. Girls on the other hand are quieter but social. While their bodies are more silent, their mouths are not.
Needless to say, girls are commanded to quiet their mouths and can do so. They are obey authority much better than boys do out of fear of disappointment. Boys, yah, their threshold for disappointment is much much higher than a girls threshold. So, it takes a bit more.
But, I have seen some kiddos like what you explained in your godson. But I will say this much. Behavior is communication. (I always say that). Yet it's 810% true. Even animals speak a behavioral language. Boys use much less words! LOL.
So yesterday was one of those days that I way over did it. I woke up feeling like I had a hangover. The irony is we made some limonccello crackle cookies (had to even make my own homemade almond paste), and my mom, LOL...she made some Rootbeer Moonshine. That's brewing in my pantry right now. IT's using Everclear. I wouldn't even allow a drop of that in me!
But why is it that when you just want to spend the day baking and running amok you feel like you have a nasty hangover the next morning?
Yet, today is making chocolates. And some chocolate chip cherry cheesecake cups, and who knows what else. LOL.
On another note, I got my buzzers in. For the 23rd, we have my Dad's side coming over. My Sis and I decided were going to do a Holiday Jeopardy and Family Feud. I even bought prop money and a few other small gifts. (The funny things you can buy off of "The Zon" these days).
I'm getting excited but exhausted all at the same time. It will be fun. Between the moonshine, the games, and good company. It's been a long time since we have been together (since before my Grandma passed).
Anyways, this show must go on today. One Tylenol and Ibuprofen at a time, LOL.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and even better weekend!
Hugs to all!
And for me, birthcontrol...LOL, that is what caused me to get pregnant. PCOS is so messed up. I loose weight when I'm pregnant and get knocked up when I take birth control. (it's a joke here).
Anyways, I'm glad to hear that there is a plan for you. Oh and yes, your whole endocrine system is linked together. Your thyroid can throw off all of your PMS hormones and likewise, your ovaries can throw off your thyroid. (I "HAD" to learn that in PCOS 101).
Kel!! Yes!!! My point exactly. Sometimes kids are just good kids trapped inside a sensory seeking bodies. And yah, I do get a wee bit defensive becuase as a parent of two sensory seeking kiddos....I see the whole child. Not just the behaviors they display in front of other people. It's hard to rein in those feelings.
I turn to my fibro to gain some understanding on it all. When our skin feels like it's ready to get up and walk off? Or when we just can't let our legs lay still with restless legs stuff? Or when the sounds or lights are just too intense....smells?? Now try getting yelled at because you can't just sit still and learn something?
I'll revert back to my "behavior is communication" statement above. When our boys get a little too rambunctious, it's time to tire them out so they can learn. We "get it" out of our systems so they can focus again. Thankfully for them, they can get it out of their systems. Unlike our fibro?
But Kel, thanks for your insider information. I'm always trying so hard to figure out how our boys feel so I can help them more.
Rest for you and me both today, okay?
Leo, I could really use some tree trimming too, I hope it goes well and doesn't cost too much. That's why I'm waiting to do ours. And I feel sorry for your Godson. My little Maddie loves to talk and gets super hyper. I hate when she gets in trouble for it because she's not trying to be disrespectful she really isn't. She literally can't control herself. However, I'm also big on respect and you have to learn regardless when it's okay to act certain ways.
Miki, I'm glad the appointment went well yesterday. I hope you start feeling better soon.
Kel, I understand what you mean. When my nephews were little it was so hard for me to watch them both and actually take them somewhere. They were so rowdy and rough. My nieces I could take anywhere and they might just whine you to death with everything they want. LOL
Wonder, it makes me so mad when they take recess away from kids for not listening. They need that time. I completely agree their behavior is communication, and they teach you this when your kids are babies and toddlers. My first question still goes back to what I learned when they were toddlers, are their needs being met? I'm not saying spoil your kids and give them what they want, but their needs play a huge roll in how kids act out, or like my Maddie they just have lots of energy and are super happy people, part of her problem in getting ready in the morning. Maddie would rather go dancing and singing throughout the house. That girl takes forever in the morning.
Angela, sorry you feel drained.
I'm currently using my coat as a blanket and I haven't taken off my scarf in my office. It's cold here with high winds, but why is it not warmer in our office. I hate office buildings and hospitals, freezing! I have a busy day at work, then our company Christmas party is from 3-5, they do happy hour at a local restaurant and then we play dirty santa. It's usually decent but I'd rather go home because it will probably be cold in there and my pain is very high. Today I plan on reaching out to a doctor too for some natural pain relief. He uses sarapin for trigger point injections for muscle pain, arthritis, fibro, neck and back pain. I'm curious to see how much it cost and if it helps. A lady told me it helps her so I'm curious.
This weekend is going to be busy and though I like having fun and seeing happy kids, I'm not sure how to make everything fit and keep my sanity in the process.
I hope everyone has a good day.
My good thing happening is that I’m going to the Nutcracker tomorrow night with a friend, my daughter, and granddaughter. I can’t wait. Hope they have good chairs.
Miki, glad Nox is feeling better. Wish you were. That swelling in your hands has always bothered me.
Kel, I’m glad you got through those rowdy years alright. You turned out fine. And you have a great sense of humor.
Wonder, I’m so impressed with how you understand your boys. You are a star, just like they are. Have fun at you get together. Sounds like a great time. Your cookies sound wonderful!
Angela, rest up from yesterday. It sounds like you had a good time
The work Christmas party doesn’t sound so fun to me, Twin. I would bow out early. Maddie sounds like a gem. I’d rather dance than go to school too.
I have nothing to do today. I’ll be resting as I was up all night with neck pain. I took a muscle relaxer and and fell asleep around 3, but woke up at 4:30. I am beat.
Hope everyone has a good day. I did get my mother’s card in the mail yesterday. She should get it tomorrow before her surgery next week.
Kel I am glad you got through those not so easy years. Being wiggly and disruptive is most boys job.
Wonder I agree with you there needs to be time to let them run out all that extra energy. Respect will only help so much. If they are not given times very often to let off steam they will be disruptive.
Twins I feel for you. Being cold is not fun. I wonder why the heat there isn't working well. I hope you can enjoy the party. When you feel done go home.
Angela I hope you can rest today. Pain and exhaustion will make sadness seem worse. Take a nap.
Ida the Nut Cracker sounds like so much fun. I have always wanted to go see it but haven't found time. I hope you can rest today and build back up a little.
I have a german chocolate cake to make today. It is my partners bday and that is what she wants. I also have to run to the store for Chinese food. I am in a lot of pain today. My arms would come off if I could. I am going to spend time this weekend dusting and giving the kitchen a deep clean.
For all who follow and those here I hope you have a good weekend.
Woke up late. The muscle relaxers are knocking me out at night... or at least it did last night. Not much going on today, I hope. Just hoping to bake some peanut butter cookies. And do a rough sketch on my sketch pad of the painting I want to do of all 3 cats (I promised Silver before he passed). I have a women's veterans Christmas party tomorrow :). I hope I can eat the food.
Btw... got my grades back. Got As in all 3 classes!
I was expecting to get a *B* in Pauline Epistles because the professor doesn't seem to be very tolerant of differing views and I will not be told what to think or believe. Sorry, just not. I'll research evidence and come up with my own conclusion. Anyhoo, looks like I got an A anyway.
Leo, my brain used to be super sharp before fibro and brain fog.... now I have to use a calculator for everything. And I agree with Kel about boys. Although some children can have behavioral problems, boys tend to be more disruptive than girls because they seek adventure which means they can be attracted to trouble / danger. I grew up with 3 brothers, need I say more? But maybe I shouldn't speak for them... I was a little tomboy myself, thanks to their influence, and enjoyed chasing after danger, even worse joined the Marines. (facepalm)
Back in a bit
Kel, you sound like me lol. That's why I do much better with online schooling than forced into a cooped up class room. I bet if technology allowed for online schooling back when we were kids, I'd have been a straight A student.
Wonder, I went to a few schools overseas that beat the stripes off you. Every time we came back to the U.S. and re-entered the American schools, our classmates acted like a zoo. Gee, I wonder why. Sorry yesterday was too much for you. I hope you get to kick back a bit today. The moonshine sounds delicious! I miss being able to drink anything... even a sip for that matter. Enjoy all the baking :-P
Angela, I hope you get to relax today.
Twins, that sucks that your office is so cold. The cold doesn't work well on my pain either which is why I hate the cranked up AC in many places here. Have you tried bringing a heating pad to work? You can plug it in and warm your painful areas, or shoulders, or whatever. I'm glad you're looking into some trigger point injections. I hope you get relief from it.
Ida, sorry that darn neck pain kept you up. I do know how frustrating that is, being I'm still struggling with this pesky whiplash. I took a half dosage of my sleep aid with a half of my muscle relaxer last night and I was out like a light. The pain can be so bad at night, that's why.
Autumn, ooooooh German chocolate cake :-P. Go easy on the dusting with those arms. I hope the pain calms down over the weekend.
Hubby's bloodwork looked best it has in a year! YAY! :-) CELEBRATE!
Leo I am doing my happy dance in my chair! I hope his bloodwork continues to look good.