Well, here I am with my cup of coffee and handful of morning meds.  This morning I am stiff as heck and hurt like the devil.  I guess taking down that tree really got me.  It reminds me of some research I was reading on Fibro Flares the other day.  They were talking about a fellow who drove a cab and had fibro.  He could drive his cab for four hours with only minimial pain, but the next day he would be in bed all day, hurting more than nornmal, stiff and too sick to work...a flare.  It seems that those of us who suffer this condition can perform most normal activities...the problem is the effect it has on our bodies, causing what they call "Flares".  The next day or soon after that activity we are often in terrible pain or bedridden because of something we did.  Yesterday, I worked for several hours taking down decorations and my tree.  I managed it ok but today I am paying for it.  A Flare.  Thanks fibro.

The reason I mention this is because the article I was reading was about deciding disability cases with fibro and how they only evaluate patients on how well they perform certain physical activities within the exam criteria, yet, never consider the after effects we suffer or "The flares".  I found that interesting because when I was working that was my problem.  I would push myself, working 8-10 even 12 hour days and somehow manage to do it physically but then I would be sick and barely be able to make it to work for several days.  In stead of struggling to work and grit my teeth through the pain, I needed to be in bed because of the flare that occured after that one day of over doing it.  Aparently, these Flares are not considered in the decision of a disability case by DDS.  Well, guess what...they will in mine because I will be sure to include it in my notes.  I plan to sort of sneak it in on them!

Oh, wanted to make mention of the fact that I finally got my medical records back from SSA!  It only took a month and four pissed off phone calls to get them back after  they had promised I would receive them in five days time!  Boy, that's a fine example of effiency there, isn't it?  Take my advice...never, never, never give them your original copies of anything!  It will either take forever to get them back if you get them back at all! 

Now, a word from our sponsors:  Lyrica.  Now I have been on this medication for two months.  My neurologist has even doubled my dosage.  I now take 75mg. twice a day.  The only thing is I can't tell any difference, can't even tell that I am taking it and I have gained 26 lbs. and growing every day!  Isn't this supposed to be the new miracle drug for fibro?  Where's the miracle?  I am sorry, I just don't see it.  I have this drug listed on the website as a treatment for fibro, in a way, recommending it to those who visit, yet it doesn't seem to be help me in any other way except to get rounder.  I don't think I will continue to take it after this script.  It costs more than any of my other meds and I can tell no difference in the pain, the muscle spasms, the tightness or the stiffness so where is all of the improvement?  What?  Am I not supposed to feel the pain because of all the fat it puts on me?  Duh?  I am sorry but I have enough problems with self esteem without being a fat-ass too.  Out it goes.

Well, that's about all I have for this morning.  If anyone reads this, please continue to pray for me and pray that DDS approves my case.  Thanks and take care.

Tammy Elaine