Painful days

Today has been a very painful day!! I used almost every technique I know of to get my pain down to a tolerable level. Still no luck. Some days are just like that. You go through all these pain programs, they teach you all these skills, most of the time they work, not always. So what do I do. Crank up the music and kick back and text or IM with my friends. A bit later I'll take a warm Epsom salt bath. Mmm sounds wonderful!!! Thanks to all my friends and family who put up with me on these days!! Love u!

Do nutritional supplements really work?

From FM Net News: Several different energy producing and antioxidant supplements might be beneficial for reducing the symptoms of fibromyalgia, according to research published over the past few months. Creatine and Co-EnzymeQ10 (Co-Q10) help provide fuel to your cells. More importantly, Co-Q10 helps power up your energy factories, your mitochondria, to produce more fuel. However, additional research shows that the mitochondria in fibro patients might be under attack from molecules causing oxidative stress, which can damage cells in your cardiovascular system, your brain, or other tissues in the body. Here is where fat-soluble antioxidants such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E might be beneficial. While the various research studies are promising, the Fibromyalgia Network wants to know if any of the supplements have brought about significant improvements in the way you feel. We are interested in finding out whether you have tried any of these and related supplements in the past year and what improvements in symptoms (if any) they provided. For the most part, these supplements have little or no side effects and are reasonably inexpensive. We understand that budgets are spread thin and would like to determine which supplements are most cost effective. Results of .

Pill identifier

Have u ever gotten home from the pharmacy and went to take your pills and they are no longer white and oval but green and round? You wonder, did the pharmacy mix this up or is this a new generic? If you're like me and live 25 miles from the pharmacy, here's a great tool!! This is a great pill identifier!

                    BE SAFE!!!

http://pillbox.nlm.nih.gov/pillimage/search.php

15 Fact about Happiness

Improve your day right now! We've got 15 facts about happiness and happy people! http://bikergal78.dailyviralpix.me/some-happy-facts

Guided imagery and meditation for chronic pain

I have found that meditation and guided imagery are very helpful with chronic pain. There are a ton of resources on the web for both. Search Meditation for chronic pain or guided imagery. Guided imagery is my favorite. Try to find a recording of it. So you can listen. Rather than read. If you read and remember the guided imagery and can do it again without reading than you're good to go though. I use a couple, and no longer listen or read anything. So I can use them while passenger in a car, waiting at the doctors office or anywhere! 

Once you get good at it you can put yourself into a trance like state and the pain goes way down!! 

One of my favorite very quick ones to do is to imagine a thermostat. Put your hands in your lap. Sitting up. This thermostat goes 1-10. Like a pain chart. Select where your pain is. Relax your body as much as you can. Let your shoulders down, take a few deep breaths. Visualize turning down that dial as your pain goes down. Keep repeating using whatever relaxation techniques you know of without getting up. Biofeedback, breathing, relax muscles head to toe, etc. go until u get that dial down to an acceptable level for u. Relax and stay in the moment for awhile. I usually do it for 1/2 hour to hour if I have time. Don't fall asleep. Lol. Then slowly ease out of it. This is one example of guided imagery. Like I said a quick one. The more detailed ones are much better. 

Meditation is not much different. There is a ton of resources on the web, books and ebooks. I will let you explore this on your own because it is a very personal experience to each person. 

Hope this helps you all. Thank you for reading my blog!! Gentle hugs to you all! 

Chronic pain resources from Canada

Great info for all of us!! 

http://www.painbc.ca/resources-for-health-care-providers

Alternative treatments for chronic pain

Copy and paste into browser:

http://www.m.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/pain-management-alternative-therapy?ecd=wnl_cbp_052914&ctr=wnl-cbp-052914_ld-stry_1&mb=MjraSIw99hnooExgw5yIGeHnVev1imbC76h8ijCpOLs%3d

Chronic pain: Myths and Facts

Sorry it won't let me link this. Copy and paste into web browser. http://www.m.webmd.com/pain-management/ss/slideshow-chronic-pain-myths-facts?ecd=wnl_cbp_052914&ctr=wnl-cbp-052914_ld-stry&mb=MjraSIw99hnooExgw5yIGeHnVev1imbC76h8ijCpOLs%3d

My original artwork by a friend

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day!!

It's May 12th. That day of the year again. Where we put up our purple ribbons and wear purple to show our support for those who suffer from fibromyalgia. I think it should be an entire month for all we endure but we can't complain. At least we got a day! So show your support any way you can think of. My friend Kelly got the city of Duluth Minnesota to light up Enger tower, a historical sight, purple!! Can't wait to see the pics tonight!! If u don't already follow me on Facebook. Please do. Www.facebook.com/amandalakso

Have a wonderful awareness day!!

Tai chi (Tai Cheng)

I'm going to be doing a beachbody challenge for Tai Cheng which is like Tai Chi.  Feb 17, 2014. This includes a support group with a Beachbody coach. Shakeology. A very healthy shake and promotes weight loss. These are very very gentle excercises. Warm ups and slow movements. Very good for chronic pain and the elderly. 

Here's a video of it: http://youtu.be/tCPrrsyP1-0

Here's more info on Shakeology: 

http://youtu.be/zzHPVDtzr-Q

If u want to join contact me: www.facebook.com/amandalakso

Thanks!!!