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Fibromyalgia and Eye Problems - Who Knew?

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Typically I don't write a lot about having fibromyalgia. I have it, I hurt all the time, and there isn't much I can do about it.  I've tried various medications to help with the pain but nothing really works and I don't want to get hooked on opioid pain meds (not that my doctor ever gives them to me) or muscle relaxers so I just live with it. I think the medical marijuana will help with this issue, but I am so used to being in pain that if I do get relief I won't really know what to do.  Pain is just a normal part of my life because of fibromyalgia.  What is fibromyalgia anyway?  Mayo Clinic says: "Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals. Symptoms sometimes begin after a physical trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress. In other...
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Medical Marijuana Card Approval Appointment

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I met with the doctor at the Ohio Medical Marijuana Card office last week.  It was an interesting and informative appointment.  Though I basically knew what to expect since my cousin had already gone for her appointment and wrote about it in her blog HERE , I was still a little surprised by the whole thing.  Here's what happened: My appointment was at noon and when I arrived I had to show my ID and check in.  I asked the gentleman behind the desk if they had all my medical records and he assured me they did.  I had actually called a few days before my appointment to make sure and I was told then that they had everything they needed so I didn't need to bring anything.  Once I was checked in, I sat down and I waited.  And waited.  And then waited a little longer.  There were three people ahead of me.  I've waited for hours to see other doctors before so this really wasn't a big deal for me, other than being annoying because I did actually ...
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TrialSpark Is Making A Difference In IBD Research And Here's Why

Way back in 2010, I went to Indiana University/Purdue University Hospital (IUPUI) for some testing on my pancreas and common bile duct. There are several posts about it if you want to go back and read more, but the one thing you won't find is that they asked me if I wanted to be part of a clinical trial. I said absolutely - until I realized what it was exactly. Long story short, it involved suppositories and that was NOT about to happen, so I didn't do it. Regardless, I have always been interested in clinical trials and wondered why I have never been asked to be a part of one by any of the doctors I have seen - the doctors who cannot figure out exactly what it is that is wrong with me or seem to find a decent medication to help me. Certainly it isn't because of my aversion for suppositories.  But what do clinical trials do anyway? What's the point of them? Here's the 411. (Do people even say, "here's the 411" anymore?) I don't know. But here i...
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Let's Talk About Medical Marijuana

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Let's just start here and get this out of the way... Now that we have had a good laugh, allow me to explain that this is NOT what medical marijuana is all about.  It's not about getting stoned and losing touch with reality.  It's about relief from symptoms in a natural way that is non addictive and safe. It offers a chance to avoid, wean down, or get off of pharmaceutical medications altogether.  Medicines like opioids - you know the thing that is a huge epidemic crisis in this country.  Medical marijuana is safe and no one has ever needed Narcan because of using marijuana.    There are many different forms of medical marijuana and many different ways to use it.  In Ohio, the only legal way to use marijuana is edibles, vaping, tinctures, or creams and oils.  You cannot legally just get a bunch of weed, roll a blunt and smoke it up.  Which I think is good.  And the majority of what chronic pain patients are looking for is relief, not a hi...
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Quick pic

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Sometimes I just wear cool socks and take pictures of my feet in my own bathroom! 
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Self Care - Part 2

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In doing my research on my quest for good self care techniques, two things are always on the list that I tend to overlook.  Especially lately.  Eating well and drinking water.   Okay so I don't drink iced coffee but I barely eat and hardly drink anything anymore.  I know this is a super important part of self care and I am really trying to work hard on changing it.   Since I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease all the way back in 1995, I have had 150 lbs. of weight gain and loss from my lowest weight to my highest weight. Yes, that was one hundred and fifty pounds! All without surgery or any kind of diet or trying to lose or gain. The gain was mostly medicine related and the loss was from being sick.  I am on the lower end of the scales now and, I can't lie, I'd rather be slimmer than heavier (because society tells me I should be skinny but to love myself no matter what my size is. Somehow that's confusing.), but what is currently happening with my appetite ...
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Self Care - Part 1

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We've all heard of self care. You know, taking care of yourself and not forgetting to do things to recharge your own mental and physical health.  Self care involves things you want to do that are fun for you and not a huge drag of responsibility.  It gives you something positive back, which makes you feel good; instead of taking something away from you, which can make you feel worse. Honestly, I used to think that was just psychotherapy nonsense and a way for people to just check out of life and be lazy.  I believed "self care" was synonymous with "selfish".  Much like this... But you know what?  I was wrong.  Totally. Taking care of yourself is NOT selfish.  It's NOT wrong and you NEED to do it.  I've been thinking a lot lately about the fact that my daughter is all grown up and on her own now. (UGH! - She'll forever be 6 years old to me!)  I don't have to take care of her anymore - not like I used to anyway.  My job now is to concentra...
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