Managing chronic illness in BK

[jane taylor]

Unfortunately I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. It is no fun to say the least. I still manage to work full-time and one night per week as well as care for my family. My house isn't nearly as clean and tidy as I would like and it bothers me that I can't do everything I want to do. The stress of the BK, setting limits on my parents, etc. has caused a flare-up of the fibro and I hate it. I'm not one to give up. I'm trying to take care of myself, but it is hard, especially with limited funds. For example, I am supposed to get massages periodically, but insurance doesn't cover that so I just try to suck it up and go (which is how I was raised to do anyway!). Anyone else fighting a chronic illness? Your thoughts and hints are welcome here!

Thanks!

jane

[anonymuse]

I was misdiagnosed with fibro/cfs for a long time. Fibro is one of those conditions that they diagnose only after just about every test has failed. I had high SED rates (inflammation), but they could never attribute it to anything specific like arthritis or infection. Instead, I have a rare condition which basically is a cyst in the middle of my spine. As if that doesn't put a damper on things, I've had the vertebrae around it fused and have 2 herniated discs in my low back. And now, I've been recently diagnosed with sleep apnea (can't wait to see those medical bills). Oh, and one more, I'm bipolar.

With fibro, adequate and proper sleep is essential. Make sure you check with your doctor if you are having problems and they can prescribe something.

About massages, yes I miss them dearly. As an alternative, do you have a school that teaches massage near you? If so, the students need to get in 2000 hours of massages to be certified. The prices there are usually around $15-20/hr. If your insurance covers physical therapy, then the doctor can request myofascial release therapy (which is similar to massages). Do you have a significant other? Attend a couples massage class so he can help you out.

[jane taylor]

Great suggestions, thank you! There is a massage school near here and I may check that out today. Am feeling really achy due to high humidity. Can't take NSAIDs as they make me swell up like a toad. My heating pad is one of my best friends.

Dh has arthritis in his hands so he is not much on massages. My son does massage my shoulders when I am in excruciating pain. Sweet kid.

I am working with a behavioral psychologist on my sleep issues. I have stopped apologizing for my need for sleep. It's just the way my body works.

Sorry to hear about your illnesses. Keep me posted on how you are doing. I know about Bipolar Disorder as many of my patients have it.

Thanks again.

jane

[Minnymouth]

jane,
Sorry to hear all the stress and worry of bankruptcy is taking such a toll on you physically..... I think a lot of us can really relate to that......
I have pains and problems now that I never had before I filed..... developed slowly over the months before and afterwards of filing bankruptcy.....
Time also has not helped these any, and mainly all stress related.

Talk to your doctor about a good pain reliever, and a good sleeping (relaxing) pill to help you sleep. Yes, rest if one thing you definitely need, lots of it.....

A good massage cushion for your chair is relatively cheap and would also help when you can't afford weekly massage therapy...... (Walmart has one)....

Long hot soaking baths will also help with some soothing music.....

THE KEY IS TO RELAX....................... we stay sooooooooo uptight during bankruptcy that every muscle in our bodies SCREAM........... I know mine have and still do.......

Ask the doctor about the foods you eat....... FOODS PLAY A DIRECT IMPACT on how we feel......

I have discovered that many of the foods I have been eating bring on allergic asthma attacks..... then also many of the quick asthma attacks are stress related ones..... Dr. said - MORE REST.

During bankruptcy our lives are in a turmoil..... so our sleep is very restless and our minds work all nite long..... thus - no rest for the body...... your as tired when you get up as when you went to bed......

Take care of your health - that's the main thing - everything else will take care of itself.....sooner or later!

My bankruptcy was so intense and wild - that it just about broke me mentally, physically, emotionally, besides financially.....

It started in June of 2004 and my case is still not closed..... thus still creating stress.....

But I deal with it, work everyday, and I"m no "kid"...... I'm trying to keep my health under control, still fight the asthama attacks and the 2 am panic attacks...... all stress related.

When the stress lets up, the attacks stop.... I have my good days and bad ones..... and their getting better...

Heating pads are great for the muscles, so are heat lamps if you have access to one. My doctor told me to hit the tanning bed twice a week..... but don't burn myself up in the process....

On a bright hot sunny day I go out and sit in the sun for about a half hour and just soak it in my poor old bones. Feels so good, and I can just feel the stress melting away in the process... Its really good for arthuritis also..... I often do this at lunch time at work.....

Shame you don't have access to a sauna...... steam heat would do you a "world of good"....... remember how good it feels taking a hot shower and just standing there? A steam room is FANSTASTIC...... and along with a little meditation, you feel like a new person.

Also, my friend, a little prayer now and then helps....... never be too proud to ask God to help!!!

I'm not a real religious person now (though I was raised that way) - but God sure has took care of me over the years WITHOUT ME ASKING HIM TOO..... and when I HAVE ASKED - he's always been there for me..... especially when I needed that helping hand!!!

Food for thought,

Minny

[SinkingFast]

Since we recently moved, I've started seeing a new doctor for my blood pressure. Being a new patient, he did blood work. All of the sudden, my liver functions and my kidney values are out of whack. Gee I wonder why??!!

So they redo the blood work this last visit. Values were better but still out of whack.

I took Mom to see her kidney specialist today so I took advantage of the situation. At then end of her visit, I chatted with him about my kidney values being out of whack. He seems to think I probably need an adjustment in my blood pressure medications. I'm seriously considering making an appointment with him to do just that.

Mom's blood pressure was constantly running high. Her previous kidney specialist adjusted her meds and her BP got better. Since she's been seeing this doctor, he's adjusted her meds even more and her BP is great now. She was 135 over 65 today and her kidney functions tests have improved as well.

A tip about getting massages or treatments maybe,............ Try your local High School and see if they have a Student Athletic Trainer program. Our old High School where the kids used to go had SAT's. Our daughter was one and she learned lots of great stuff. Not only how to assess injuries and apply splints and such. She also learned physical therapy techniques as well. She is "Doctor Daughter" in the family now when we have an injury that needs treating.

[jane taylor]

Thanks so much everyone! I did break down and have a massage Friday evening as I was in so much pain. The massage therapist was really nice and although I'd paid for a half hour, he worked on my shoulder and arm for almost a whole hour. I do feel a little better.

I will ask my son's friend who is a football player about the student athletic trainers. I am seeing someone who is taking what insurance pays for my panic attacks which are much, much better.

The muscle relaxers do help and I may just need them for a while. The heating pad is great and I'll look into a massage cushion.

And most definitely do I need God!!!! I talk to Him all the time--He's my Best Friend! I'm not religious either, but I do love the Lord!

Thanks again for all your support and kindness.

jane

[anonymuse]

Jane, I think I need to take my own advice and go get one of those massages. I just want to curl up and go back to bed today.

[jane taylor]

I highly recommend a good massage and a nap! SinkingFast, how are you feeling today?

It is hot and humid here and I am achy, but OK. At least I've been sleeping pretty well.

I know I keep repeating myself, but I do not know what I would have done without this forum! You guys are awesome!!

[anonymuse]

During lunch, I went to my car and took a 1/2 hour semi-snooze (at least got to lay down for a bit and give my back and neck a break.) I checked with the massage therapy school and they're in between sessions right now.

Without this group, I think I'd have gone bonkers by now. My father is the only one who knows anything is going on, but we can hardly talk since my mother is around most of the time.

Besides the support provided here, this is got to be the best BK forum on the web. I haven't found one that is even a tenth as good as this one. Most of them either just say "call a lawyer to find out--and btw, my number is" or people bashing others about filing for bk.

[13inOR]

OH JANE----HUMIDITY, BLECCH!!!!! I would absolutely DIE. There is nothing that wears me out faster than that. I hate being hot, but humidity just kills
me. I am not at all used to it either, our climate here is very dry and actually I have never lived anywhere that it wasnt.

I remember going on a trip to Houston when I was 8, and feeling like I was going to pass out from the heat and humidity. Think what it would do to me now!!! : )

[jane taylor]

The summers here are BRUTAL!! I thought by now I would have have fins and gills from all the moisture--LOL. DH tolerates heat better than I do, but still doesn't understand the fibro/CFS.

I'm hoping to get away at least for a couple of days this summer.

[SinkingFast]

OH JANE----HUMIDITY, BLECCH!!!!! I would absolutely DIE. There is nothing that wears me out faster than that. I hate being hot, but humidity just kills
me. I am not at all used to it either, our climate here is very dry and actually I have never lived anywhere that it wasnt.

I remember going on a trip to Houston when I was 8, and feeling like I was going to pass out from the heat and humidity. Think what it would do to me now!!! : )

We lived in Kansas City for years. Hot and humid in the summer.

We've moved north now. Here it's May and we're still wearing light jackets in the morning and evening. High of 73-75. WoooHoooo!!!

While I know I'll probably enjoy the summers much better here, it's colder, over all, than we're used to.

I've been having back aches in my kidney area. After the first blood test came back wierd, I mentioned that to the Family Doctor. He looked at me like I was crazy and said he'd never heard of that before. Kinda made me think it was my back problem instead. Ruptured disc, L4, surgery, nearly 10 years ago.

After the 2nd round of whacky blood test results, I researched on the net. Turns out other people have described the same achey feeling too. People with kidney problems. That's what lead me to be crass and ask the kidney specialist about my values.

He suggested a couple BP drugs that are specifically beneficial to the kidneys. He talked about weaning me off my current meds and putting new ones in place. I'm thinking maybe I'll set up an appt with him to see what he can do for my BP that might help my kidney values.

[Minnymouth]

Sinkingfast,

Ask any of the old folks - if your back hurts above your kidneys, it's usually a kidney infection etc.........

Stupid doctors don't know it all.................. They think you have to pee red before they say "kidneys"................ Stomach hurts they say "ulcers".... DUH, could just be gas.................... or indigestion once in a while......

Doctors make money off of meds they write - so they "write like crazy" -

Mine put me on BP meds during bankruptcy - I weaned off of it and for the last 6 months my BP still stays the same - around 140/ 65.... Doc says "those meds are working great for you - I said - YEAH".......... haven't taken any in months............

You don't always need what they want to give you....

[jane taylor]

Last summer was pure hell for me physically. One day I when I was semi-coherent I realized that I was on 11 different prescription meds and I am fairly young. Not good. I started weaning myself off the meds and feel much better now. Am also working with an MD who is extremely cautious with medication and believes in a holistic approach and healthy lifestyle. He's got plenty of good ol' fashioned common sense. Common sense--now that's an oxymoron!!

[SinkingFast]

I don't take many drugs. Just the BP med, a water pill to help with the BP, and I'm back on Xanax. I suffered from panic attacks about 10 years ago. For a while there, I didn't need the Xanax. But with all the stress associated with considering and filing BK, I went back to taking my Xanax. Gee, I wonder why??!!

Our old family doctor was concerned about my BP med. I take Toperol XL and the max allowed is 400 mg/day. I was at 300mg moving to 350mg and he wanted to try something else to lower the Toperol dosage. We tried Lisenopril (? spelling) which woulda been great for me. You can get generic and it's way cheaper. The doctor first tried a 10 mg dose. My BP dropped to nothing. Heart rate real low too. I'd had a reaction to it. So off all meds, lots of fluids, until the BP stabilized. Then back on the Toperol.

About a month later, "we" tried a much lower dose. He had me get 5mg tabs of Lisenopril and cut one in half. Take a 2.5mg dose instead. Same thing happened. So, after 2 rounds of that, I wound up at 400mg/day of Toperol. Can't go any higher either.

The kidney specialist suggested 2 drugs in particular that have very positive effects on the kidneys in patients with HBP. He said we'd wean down the Toperol and replace it with other stuff. So that's why I'm thinking about seeing him. He's talking weaning down and then substituting in. Not just throw in a new drug. Which caused problems for me before.