There have been some changes!....

Okay, well I think I need to go back on Cymbalta.  I didn't think it was working with my Osteoarthritis.... but I am pretty sure I was wrong.  Even though the medication that I replace it with, generic Effexor, works just as good for my headaches as the Cymbalta, my hip & knee have been insane!!  Yeah, it could be the cold, it could be other factors...but usually I have good days and I think I feel some level of pain with my hip and/or knee everyday now.  So when I am done with this bottle (don't want to waste), I think I will change back.

I don't remember if I mentioned this before, I started having stomach problems off/on, it got so bad that I made an appointment with my Gastro, Dr. Tompkins, and she couldn't see me until... THE END OF FEBRUARY???  After I made that appointment, I had an experience that felt like someone grabbed my stomach and squeezed.  I called my regular doctor, Ellen, and she saw me the following day.  I didn't sleep well so Garrick took the day off and drove me there.  After alot of back & forth between us and Ellen, she realized that I definitely had IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).  We used to think it was a side effect of my FMS (Fibromyalgia) , meaning I could have episodes.  Now I know that there is no episodes, I always have it.  What we did was switch my probiotics from Acidophilus to Aline.  That seems to work.  I have stopped drinking carbonated drinks at home, so I can have one if I go out.  Real sweets, like chocolates or pure sugar candies, upset my stomach too.  But I still can have less sweet stuff like cookies & pudding... it's a fair trade off, I guess.

The last change, I will mention is.... I got me a Psychologist.  This is recommend for those who have multiple health issues, to help manage it all.  Nathan recommended that I get one that does Biofeed Back or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).  I found one in Portsmouth, she does CBT (I couldn't find one local that does Biofeed Back).  I have seen her only once, but I already have homework.  Here is the homework:  Think about how to change my thinking... i.e. how to get rid of stinkin' thinkin'.  We decided to use my blog (yes, this thing) for me to discuss my homework.  She is hoping that I get some feedback that I can bring to her that might help me down the road, so if you are one of those who read my blog but don't comment, please think about commenting for me.  (Thank you).  So...

Homework:  I need to change my thinking when I have a few days in a row of not feeling well, I need to stop thinking about how horrible my life is stuck inside, but look forward to getting out. I need to stop worrying about the little pain I feel that might prevent me from exercising because I'm afraid of making the pain worse.  I need to instead say to myself "I can get my overall pain down if I exercise more" and try to exercise at least a little bit anyway knowing it might make my pain worse, BUT it might make it better or not effect it at all.  What do you think?

Holidays, they come, they go.

How is everyone?  New day... New year!  Christmas was great! We spent the Sunday before with my sister Nellie & her family, an evening with Garrick's brother Gavin & his family.  Christmas Eve with Garrick's parents & his brother Ian, and Christmas Day with my family. 

I got great loots this year!  I got the first 3 seasons of Barney Miller, Sims3, Seasons 3 & 4 of Big Bang Theory, some bath items, (thanks to the check from my parents) the kit to be part of the Genome Project of NatGeo, new slippers, monies to go toward a new cabinet/counter for the kitchen, & a gift card from Barnes & Noble. Awesome!  Also, most important, very good days for the holidays!

A couple days after Christmas, Garrick & I met up with my cousin Andrew, who I haven't seen in a long time.  It was awesome to catch up.  Before we left the area we saw my Uncle Peter & Aunt Molly.  It was so nice to see them again too.

Between Christmas, and until after New Year's we had my friend Melinda staying with us.  She was recovering from surgery (and doing just fine).  All of us (including Jolene) went to my friend Angelo's New Years Eve party & was surprised  to see my sister Kathy & my niece Jenna.  We had a great time playing board games into the new year!

To be honest, with Melinda, it was great having her here keeping me company.  But, my back & hip are feeling it.  Quite sore from driving around these few days.  I now have a day of rest (if you call that) tomorrow.  Wednesday I have a Spinal Tap for my headaches.  This will determine if my headaches are caused by pressure in the brain from too much spinal fluid.  Nathan, my PA, thinks this might be the most important test I will get done for my headaches.  We will see.