I am continuing to try and ramp up my exercise. It seems every time I get motivated, something gets in the way. Usually an illness that gets in the way, and then it is so hard to get back to it on a regular basis. But, I am determined to get back at it. I am slowly working on eating better too. Every little bit helps.

I have had a miserable week of sleep…..well, lack of sleep. My feet have been in a lot of pain, and I am having some problem with my right hip. My doctor was surprised since I am holding the adjustment. I have been exercising a lot more, so that may have something to do with the hip pain, but it is so frustrating when the pain in my legs and feet doesn’t improve with exercise like it should. If I am not losing weight and the pain is still so prominent, why bother?

In the Clinical Correlate of Brain SPECT Perfusion Abnormalities in Fibromyalgia study published in November 2008 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine, French researchers discovered a brain abnormality in fibromyalgia patients. When compared with healthy study subjects, people with fibromyalgia had blood flow abnormalities in the brain. It has always been thought that the pain suffered by fibromyalgia patients is the result of depression, but this study did not prove this connection.

Twenty women with fibromyalgia and 10 healthy women answered questions about pain, disability, anxiety, and depression. Each also underwent a brain scan known as a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to detect blood flow abnormailities within the brain. The fibromyalgia patients showed an increase in blood flow to the parts of the brain that help the body sense pain, suggesting an over stimulation of this process. Brain abnormalities of this type can also alter the severity of a disease; the level of severe pain in fibromyalgia patients is always a source of discussion. The scan also showed a decrease in blood flow to the brain that is responsible for the role in emotional response to pain, connecting to the theory that depression or emotion is not connected to the pain being felt by these fibromyalgia patients.

The research team had previously made the connection between functional abnormalities in the brain in fibromyalgia patients, but now are taking the connection a step further. This latest research shows that the brain abnormalities are connected with disease severity. It demonstrates that fibromyalgia patients do show measurable differences when compared with individuals without the condition.

Fighting Fatigue is sponsoring another great blog carnival this month. There are great links to information about Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, and general pain and pain management. These blogs always make for great reads so be sure to check it out.

I continue to see results from my NUCAA adjustments. My leg that was off by 1/2 inch at the beginning of September is now completely level…which means my hip is now back where it should be. I have had nights where I can actually say my feet don’t hurt. It doesn’t happen as often as I would like, but it’s better than where I was one year ago.

When I went in for my initial appointment, I had a muscle scan done. It measures how the muscles in your back are working and gives you a readout. Ideally, both sides should be working at the same intensity. If one side is having to work harder, it means things are out of alignment and the overworked side can cause pain and discomfort. When your spine is out of alignment, it can affect just about everything in your body because it can interrupt or confuse the signals coming from your brain out to the nerves. Below is a picture of my first scan compared with one I had done a few weeks ago.

In the scan, red is bad, green and yellow are good. Ideally, the colors and the size of the arrows should be exactly the same. The percentages show how much harder one side is working over the other.  For example, in the top image, the muscle group at the very top right is working 335% harder than the other side. This imbalance is what was causing the difference in my leg length. I am making progress, but have a lot more to do. When I first went in, my neck was straight and lacked the natural curve. This can lead to fusion of the bones in the neck if it is not addressed and corrected. Dr. Rice said that at this point I have at least stopped that degeneration process which is wonderful news.

Fall can seem like the end of a lot of things….end of summer, the end of the green leaves on the trees. But, it is also a time for new beginnings. Especially for all of those kids heading to school. Adults can also seek new beginnings, whether it is a new treatment or a new way of approaching an old problem. Sometimes stepping back and taking a look at things from a different angle can make all the difference in the world. Check out this month’s blog carnival on “How to Cope with Pain.” It is all about New Beginnings and there are a lot of great, inspirational stories to read!

I am still getting a better night’s sleep since getting my adjustments from my NUCCA doctor. I know that I am taking fewer OTC pain meds and I do not have to slap on my Icy Hot patches on my feet every night. Not having to depend on meds and other things to help me sleep is a blessing! I still use my thermoskin wraps, but the sleep is much improved. My new chiropractic pillow is also working wonders.

I have learned that it just takes time to find the answer that is right for you and your condition. I have searched for 17 years for something to help…something not in a bottle! I feel like I am slowly getting my life back and getting that “New Beginning” that I so deserve!

I am having continued positive results with my NUCCA chiropractor appointments. My right hip/leg which was off by 1/2 inch is now under 1/16 off. The pain in my hands and feet is much improved. I have been subbing a lot at the elementary building the past week, and have been feeling that in my feet. My goal this weekend is to find a affordable, good pair of shoes. I sub 5 days next week, so I will need them! I had a lot of shoulder/neck pain the first few adjustments, and was miserable. I could not turn my head at all. But, it seems that was due to initial movement and adjustment of the muscles, because now I don’t have any of that discomfort after being adjusted.

On a side note, we had a horrible wind storm here last week as Hurricane Ike made his way north, knocking out power to over 300,000 in our area. I find myself working at the library today so that I can get online!

This is invisible illness awareness week, and I think it is an amazing opportunity to get the word out about all of the people suffering from a chronic illness that are often struggling for a diagnosis and treatment. There is a great blog sharing stories and blogs from people suffering from invisible illnesses, and trying to get the word out to others. Visit the Invisible Illness Awareness Blog and get informed.

My Story

I first started suffering from my invisible illness in the Spring of 1991 when I was a senior in college. The pain was in my feet, and really started as a tingling sensation. It was 5 years and many doctors later before I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It was such the mystery illness then, and although it is receiving much more attention now, I still see it as an invisible illness.

There is no concrete test for fibromyalgia, and that is why I suffered with chronic pain for so long without a diagnosis. Besides the tender points test, doctors are left looking at symptoms and ruling out other conditions. Now, with FDA approved medications and support groups, it is gaining some momentum and I am beginning to see hope in many that suffer from this condition.

I went through more doctors than I care to count. In the beginning when the pain was just in my feet, I wore orthotics in my shoes. I was tested three times for arthritis, received painful shots at a pain clinic, and was turned away from one doctor when I even brought an article in about fibromyalgia. He shrugged it off and said he didn’t have any answers for me. I was so frustrated that no one could help me, and I am grateful that today more people are being given the chance to receive treatment and get on their way to leading a pain free life. I was finally diagnosed in the spring of 1996, although there were no real treatments for fibromyalgia at that time, it was good to know that I wasn’t losing my mind. I felt validated that my pain was real.

Seventeen years after first feeling the pain, I am living a relatively pain-free life. Nights are when the chronic pain hits me the most. I recently started seeing a NUCCA doctor and am getting a lot of relief only after a few visits. I have kept plugging along, making the best of my situation, and constantly tried to stay up on the latest research and treatments. My husband is always sending me articles related to fibro, forcing the issue and keeping us on our road to less pain. Without family support, many would be lost. So to all family members, keep it up.

So, to everyone who suffers from an invisible illness…fight the fight and stay informed. The day will come when research finds the answers you need. Until then, places like this are around for support and may you find peace!

My NUCCA appointment are going great. The first day she did two adjustments and I slept better that first night. At my in-laws, I never sleep in the bed because there is no where to shove my feet when they hurt, and usually end up on the couch. I slept for two nights in the bed last weekend. (would have been two full night had child #2 not woken up Friday with a nightmare and Saturday with a stomach bug!)

I have less pain, my right leg that was 1/2 inch shorter due to my raised hip is back for normal, and I feel better. The leg thing was weird. When walking at Cedar Point I could tell my walk was different. It’s amazing what you get used to.

I am on a two adjustment a week schedule and go back Friday. Will keep you posted. I have a great feeling about this. I do want to get back to exercising because the doctor said that will help as well…we’ll see how that goes this week too!