A Kick in the Rear End

For the record, Chili's makes the best Loaded Baked Potato Soup ever. I am still reveling in the pleasure of the bowl I just had for dinner. Now on to my real topic.

If you read the "My Story, thru 2004" page, then you know a lot about what I have gone through and my philosophy on handling problems. This is the missing bit between that and my first blog entry.

In the spring of 2008, I was sitting on my couch doing nothing when I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my rear end, just like I had been kicked by someone with pointy toed shoes. A few seconds later, I felt the same pain in the other cheek. Over the next few minutes, the pain spread down my legs, one muscle at a time, until it reached my ankles. I was half laughing as I described the pain to my husband, it seemed like such a weird way to hurt. But when it hit my ankles, they spasmed, turned inward, and the laughing stopped. I could not even stand up. Then the pain started in my shoulders and traveled down my arms.

Over the next few months, I continued to have muscle pains for no apparent reason. It was like I had spent hours working out without any of the benefits. I began to notice an increased sensitivity to temperature, smells, and sound. I could not wake up in the morning and could barely drag myself out of bed. I had trouble concentrating and remembering. I got tired after just a tiny bit of exertion. Some visits to the doctor confirmed I had fibromyalgia.

I tried prescription meds for the pain and to sleep. I just felt worse. I found using earplugs when the sound sensitivity kicked in (or my husband snored really loudly) helped me get to sleep, as well as melatonin or herbal tea before bed. Supplements like Omega 3, Vitamin D, and 5HTP helped get the other symptoms under control. I eliminated some things from my diet like caffeine and artificial sweeteners and added some gentle exercise. It seems to be working pretty well for me. I still have symptoms, but they don't seem as severe as I have heard others with this condition describe it.

Sometimes when these things happen, I get a feeling of "You've got to be kidding me, something else is wrong with me?" It is like someone gave me a gift membership in the Disease of the Month Club. Thanks a lot, but now I want to know how to cancel my membership. I am not bitter. Some people think I should be, some are bitter for me. "Why you Kathy? It's not fair!" Hey, that's life. Things happen that we can't control. All we can do is take it one day at a time and choose how we will respond to the challenges that come. Whining doesn't make you feel any better and it just irritates the people around you. It's great to have someone say, "I had no idea you were sick. You are glowing and look so happy." Someone said that to me just this afternoon. That's so much better than broadcasting misery and despair. I don't want to be around people like that so why should I stick myself with me acting that way?

Nope, this little gem is gonna keep on shining.