I JUST LOVE THE HOLIDAYS

It's that time of year.

Holidays and parties.

And you are just exhausted.
More than exhausted.
Trashed.

I read somewhere that it's a good idea when you have a chronic illness to lower your standards for holiday shopping and baking. Lower my standards? How much lower can they go before I just put the covers over my head? It's bad enough that I feel pain on a daily basis, I really don't want to inflict anyone else with that on the holidays.

Then again, I don't think anyone holds the standard that I hold to myself. 

When my daughter was little we had to run from home to home to celebrate. By the time the year was over I was glad that it would be a whole year before I had to do THAT again. Then as time went on and pain entered my life I began to resent it even more. I had to stop and remember, that for me, the reason of the season was not rushing around for the perfect gift and baking until I dropped. I had to remember that I had the perfect gift and I had a wonderful family that it was a joy to be around. 

So, how do I get through the holidays?

All I can say is thank goodness for Amazon. Well, I'm going to expand that to the whole internet. What was it like before? It's hard to remember life before one-click buying. I just don't have it in me to brave the crowds anymore.  What would I want for myself and others that have illness as a part of their lives?  I would want a magic wand to conjure up a cure for myself and others.

So, now the craziness of Christmas is over and in just a few days it's the New Year. I've never liked going out New Years Eve. It's just not something I like to do. We usually go to dinner early and we're home before nine. Let everyone else party in the new year. I will watch the ball drop from my nice warm bed.

I really need to start thinking about my resolutions....

That I never keep........

But, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.

Now, we're on to 2016......

Oh my gosh.........

2016???

Wow........

Where did this year go???

WE'RE ON HYPERDRIVE

I keep reading the study.

Over and over again.

Is it that simple?

Can it be that simple?

I have questions.

There is a study that was recently published that shows altered MRI responses in patients with Fibromyalgia to, what should be, non painful sensory stimulation. Basically, the study showed that we are hypersensitive to everyday sensory stimulation. Our brains don't process the stimulation correctly. 

When it should be stored in the background we keep it front and center.

Plus, we don't initially recognize it.

This falls in line with the study by Dr. Frank Rice and the AV shunts in our hands. It seems that the nerve endings in the AV shunts in the palms of our hands hold the secret of Fibromyalgia. The AV stands for arteriole-venule which, up until now, just regulated blood flow. Now it seems that an over abundance of these nerve fibers are the source of our pain.

It's possible.

Anything is possible.

But this brings questions. Does that mean that these excess nerve fibers were a genetic anomaly? If that is the case then are they able to remain dormant and then be triggered by an illness or trauma?

Most of us can pinpoint when the pain started. For me, it was trauma. I don't understand....did the trauma cause my palms to grow excess nerve fibers or were they there and dormant. Can this be genetics?

On the other side.....I can always feel a flare coming on because it starts with my hands. 

They summarize that the blood flow is responsible for the muscular achiness and pain. The fatigue is from a build up of lactic acid and inflammation. It sounds like that triggers the brain going a little haywire.  These shunts could be keeping blood flow from reaching deep into the muscles. As far as the brain going haywire....we all know what happens then.....

We can't sleep.

The interesting thing, to me, is that these shunts are critical for thermal regulation and our metabolism. It's that why some of us have heat or cold intolerance??  As far as our metabolism goes......could it be why this is so closely intertwined with our thyroid?

If this is the case why do some medications work for some people and not others? What about all the symptoms. Can it all be due to excess sensory fibers in our hands??

I'm thinking about this.

But I still have questions.

I think this bears watching.....

but now, when I feel a flare coming on......

And I'm rubbing my hands.......

I'll take notice.

PRODUCT REVIEW: MASSAGE PRO BY UTOPIA GEAR

Sometimes it's true.

Good things do come in small packages.

This one works.

About a month ago I got an email from Brandon Molnar. He owns Utopia Gear and sells a product called Massage Pro. He asked if I'd review his product and, since I've got issues with my back along with Fibromyalgia, I told him I'd be glad to do so. He shipped the box and I wanted to give it some time so I'd know if it really would work for my back as well as the Fibromyalgia.

I got the box and got familiar with the Massage Pro.  So, what is it? I could tell you but the website tells it best.

"The Massage Pro 3.0 is a dual channel TENS/EMS unit used by physical therapists and chiropractors worldwide.  This portable tens unit sends an electronic pulse to the nerve endings, which in turn makes the muscles contract, increasing circulation.  Most pain is due to inflammation and research shows that increasing circulation is one of the most effective ways to reduce inflammation.  

The Massage Pro 3.0 has two inputs, allowing 4 tens unit pads to run at one time and at different intensities; this is huge because you can essentially save time by having two different body parts being worked simultaneously at separate power levels.  With 12 different modes to choose from, this is the world's best TENS unit." 

I have a TENS unit but find it cumbersome to wear around. This fits easily in my pants pocket and very lightweight. That is a huge plus and makes it so I can "plug in" anywhere.

He sent me information and let me know that Fibromyalgia patients usually find modes 2 and 3 irritating but I actually didn't mind any of them. I liked the first mode the best. You can set it up to an hour which was great for my back. I set it for 10 minutes to start but I found I could have it set for much longer. Everyone may not be like me and may like or not like all of the modes. 

What I do think is that it could be a useful tool in our belts to have. Our muscles need movement and this brings much needed circulation to help alleviate the pain. It helped me a great deal and I'm thankful they approached me to review it. As I write this post, I've got it on. 

The company has generously offered a discount to readers if you want to purchase one of these units. If you use the code SEEKING60 the price of the 3.0 unit will drop to $149.99. If you want an easy way to the site click on any Massage Pro on this post and it will take you directly there.

Some of the features of the unit are: 

TENS/EMS Combo Unit
LCD Display with backlight
Ability to set the intensity independently for each channel
12 massage modes
10-60 minute adjustable timer
20 levels of intensity
1 large and 1 small set of electrode pads
USB and wall adapter included
Extremely portable, fits in your pocket, the ultimate mini massager
Rechargeable internal Lithium Ion battery
Two year warranty

I don't do many product reviews and the ones I have reviewed I truly do believe in. I'm not saying that it will work for everyone. We all have different levels of pain and, for some, it may be too much. To be fair, I waited until I had a real bad day and used it. Even though the pain was pretty intense I still found it helpful. During that time I was only able to use the first mode. 

If you are looking for something like this please visit their site and support the company.

Thank You!

Now, because I must......

between my headphones.......

my wires from the TENS unit...........

I might look a little suspicious ......

if I try to board a plane....

I better unplug for that!

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah or Happy Holidays!!!

My best to you all!

Rosemary

AN APP FOR CHRONICS...ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

There is a reason....

that an acorn....

is a profile picture.....

It's nuts.

There is a new app for people with chronic illness coming out. Long story short? They are gambling with the idea that chronic patients will put up money to reach their health goals. If they reach their goals?  They win. If they don't?

They lose.

Kinda sorta sounds like a Vegas kind of deal. Except we are up front about the fact that casinos were not built on winners. The other thing about Vegas? We tell people where to find help if they have a problem with gambling.

This startup sounds like it's banking on the fact that you won't reach your goals.

In the article they even state it's not gambling because the patient has all the control. Never mind that there is a pot of money up for grabs. Never mind that they are using money as behavioral incentives and motivation.

Never mind that it sounds like a crock.

If you leave or don't reach your goal the others will get a cut of the money that's leftover.

Tell me that isn't gambling.

They want people to wager an amount of money that will motivate them. Ok....people who are ill usually have spent a great deal trying to find out what is wrong with them or trying to get better. Now, let's have an app that takes even more money from them.

Anyone from Vegas will tell you it's foolish to bet against the house.

This is no different.

I can't wait to see how they get around the money issue.

This sounds like the chronic community is going to get screwed.

I just think most of them would like to be kissed first.