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?