I can't escape the painFor years, I suffered a mystery muscle complaint that made every day a struggle. Finally I got a diagnosis. At first it was hard for me to wrap my mind around what I was told. I was in my 40+ years with my husband, family and a barn full of horses in training to take care of. I’ve always been a very physical person, having worked on farms all my life. I’d work seven days a week in all kind of weather and do everything from riding horses all day, mucking out stalls, haul hay, shred and plow the fields, take care of all the livestock. I used to suffer bouts of fatigue and pain. I grew up taught to wipe it off and keep going. I could cope if I slept for 10 hours each night, so I tried to make sure I went to bed early. (That didn’t always happen). But then, in 2006, I began to have pain all over and fatigue. It began quite gradually – one day I would be OK but the next I’d be exhausted. Everything became an effort. It was like wading through a muddy field – my legs felt as heavy as lead and I’d shuffle rather than walk. Then my knees began to ache. It was tremendously painful, as though there wasn’t enough elasticity in my joints. I’d lie in bed wondering what was happening to me. Even the simplest things, like driving, became a massive chore as just holding the steering wheel made my arms ache. Then I began to get a sensation as though hot oil was burning through all my veins. It happened every night and stopped me from sleeping. At the same time, every joint in my body was sore. Whichever position I lay in, I felt awful pressure and discomfort. I tried painkillers but they never really took the edge off. By this time I’d started to go to the doctor quite regularly, which was out of character. Nothing would show up in tests but I kept returning because I needed to find out what was wrong with me. I’d be in tears, telling my GP that I couldn’t carry on. He ran test, but fibromyalgia does not show up in blood test. He diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. That news was hard to take. He started me on pain pills. Which, the pills made me into a zombie. It just was hard for me to make it through a day and be productive. Eventually I was referred to a neurologist that did even more test. Was told I have a very high tolerance to pain. He referred me to a rheumatologist who diagnosed me with fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and closed head injury. I was so relieved that I actually had a recognized condition and the pain wasn’t all in my head, and now there were lots of treatments I could try. The first was steroids, which made me very sleepy. I was also put on methotrexate tablets, it helped for a time. Then it just didn't help any more. What is Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and Closed Head InjuryI should back up and tell you about the diagnoses and what it is: Fibromyalgia- an incurable condition that causes widespread muscle pain and fatigue. A good website to visit to give you more information on fibromyalgia is the Mayo Clinic When I was first diagnosed I found some very good up to date information here. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - is a chronic, lifelong condition. It requires ongoing treatment, and living with it can be a daily battle. It causes pain, swelling, stiffness, fatigue, mental stress. Visit the Mayo Clinic for more information. Closed Head Injury - Any injury you receive to your head that does not go through the skull is a closed head injury. Closed head injuries can range from minor injuries to devastating, life-threatening major injuries. Because the brain is your body's command center, virtually every bodily function can be affected by a closed head injury. Emotional, psychological, and behavioral changes are common, as are alterations in cognition and intelligence. Some people suffer anger issues or impulse control problems after experiencing a closed head injury. Others struggle with fine motor skills, memory, personal relationships, and basic functions such as reading and writing. Find more information at Mayo Clinic. Chronic IllnessLiving with the unpredictability of chronic illness is incredibly stressful. You never know how your going to feel on any given day. You have a tiny bit of control of your health through pacing yourself, sleeping right, and eating right, but for the most part you never know when a flare up is going to hit. This can feel a bit like riding a roller coaster with your eyes closed. You’re hitting huge highs and deep lows, but you never know when a flair is coming and things could change at any moment. I tried a series of drugs, such as the anti-inflammatory naproxen, folic acid to stop the methotrexate making me sick. My mind was willing all the medication to work, and at first I convinced myself that it was. But eventually I had to admit that the drugs weren’t helping. Now I have been going through test to get on injections. If everything gets approved through our insurance I will be on Humira. Right now it’s all in the works. Just praying I will be able to give myself shots. I can give our livestock shots all day long. But, myself…not so sure. My rheumatologist is amazing – she has tried so hard to ease my suffering. She recommended that I take several showers a day to help with the pain. When she told me this I thought to myself “yeah right”. After trying her advice I was amazed at how showers do help. My specialist suggested a strict, three-times-a-day exercise regime of walking, swimming or cycling. The idea was to build it up slowly, then carry on for the rest of my life, but when you’re working on a farm and all the livestock depend on you it’s difficult to fit exercise in. Most people look at me and think there is absolutely nothing wrong, but so many things are a struggle. When I wake up in the morning, I’m so stiff that even getting out of bed or getting dressed is difficult. By the time I’ve finished dressing, my arms are aching so much it’s hard to carry on. Accepting Help from OthersOne of the most difficult things to deal with of fibromyalgia was accepting help from others. It’s difficult to swallow the fact that you cannot do it all on your own with fibromyalgia. The activities and tasks that our bodies were once able to do, now takes time or assistance. Accepting help does not mean we are no longer independent. It does not mean we are weak or helpless. It means we understand our bodies’ limits, and we respect that limit by allowing others to help us. I have slowed down the chores on a farm now, it may take me several hours to accomplish my task but I keep working. I have my husband and kids support. Some days I just want to go back to bed – it’s a horrible feeling. There are days I can feel the muscles in the back of my legs tense. Still, I try to push through it – you have to keep fighting. Another problem with fibromyalgia, as well as the constant dull ache in your head, is that it makes your thinking very foggy. I’ll forget important things. That can be very hard to live with. Track Your FoodTo avoid flares and ease your symptoms, eat the right kinds of foods and stay clear of the bad foods. Easier said than done, right? It is. The difficult part is finding the foods that trigger your flares. Each person is different, so finding those foods is essential. Keeping a food journal can help with finding those trigger foods. Why You Need a medical NotebookMany times we have questions and concerns arise when you are not in the doctor’s office. And if you’re like me, the questions/concerns fly right out of your head and are forgotten long before your appointment. A medical notebook helps you remember what it is that you wanted to discuss with your physician. Keeping a Pain JournalA pain journal can have multiple uses. It can be a journal that you write at the end of each day. It can also keep track of the pain and symptoms you are having. Most importantly, a pain journal will reflect your flares and what triggers those flares. The pain journal should not be confused with a medical notebook. I hope this post helps you with understanding fibromyalgia and chronic pain. Please leave comments below about your journey or in you have any questions. Blessings,
Stace & Margarita
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AuthorI'm Margarita. A Christian, Wife, mother of three, & grandmother "Mimi" of three. I create blog post about our life on the farm. Archives
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Farm/ Livestock Management Binder
$25.00
Farm / Livestock Management Binder In this binder you can log all your livestock needs and help you stay organized with all records. Such as: *Goats *Chickens *Horses *Medications *Purchases of Livestock *Sold Livestock Our Farm / Livestock Management Binder is 24 pages. Print our the pages, fill in your Livestock information and place in a binder of your choice. When all of your Livestock information is kept in one place it saves time in case of an emergency. Crochet Name Doilies
$25.00 - $50.00
Our crocheted name doily makes an excellent wedding or baby shower gift! Perfect for framing. Available in any color. Up tp 5 letters $25, 6-10 letters $35, 11-15 letters $50 Please let us know the name and preferred color when placing order Height is 4.5 -5.5 inches. Width depends on number of letters Since this doily is hand crafted it will be ready to ship in 7 -10 days. and 3-5 shipping. Thank you for shopping with us! Crochet Bottle Cozy
$10.00
Handmade Crochet Cozy’s are the cutest accessory to any bottle, can, cup. My husband inspired me to make the cozy’s. No one likes picking up their cold drink on a hot day only to realize that it is no longer cold. Preventing the water/rings from forming on tables and countertops. This prevents damage to your furniture. This Crochet Cozy will keep your hands from getting cold while you indulge in your favorite drink. Made with 100% Cotton yarn. Once you get one, you’ll start imagining Cozy’s for everything in your life. All Cozy’s make a great gift for literally anyone! Great for tailgates, pool parties, outdoor BBQ’s or anytime. If you don’t see one you love don’t hesitate to message me! I love creating new products.
* This listing fits most standard cans, bottles or takeout cups so make sure you pay attention to what listing you order from. If you don’t see the size you’re looking for, message me and I’ll create a new listing for you.
* Colors may vary due to stock so message me if you prefer something specific.
* Cozy’s are soft, absorbent, durable and so practical!
* Made from cotton yarn and are easily washable. Hand wash. Lay flat to dry.
Thank you for supporting my growing shop. Crochet Dishcloth / Washcloth
$5.00
Crocheted dishcloth / washcloth for washing dishes or soft enough to even wash your face or use on your baby. All dishcloths measure approximately 8 by 8 inches but since each is handmade, they may vary slightly. Made with different brands of 100% cotton yarn. Colors may vary slightly with each ball of cotton yarn. Wash cold. Wash separately if purchasing a dark colored dishcloth. Dry on low heat or hang to dry. Slight shrinkage can be expected. If you want more than I have in stock, you can message me, and I will check on my yarn availability. I am happy to do custom orders. Keep in mind dye lots can vary colors slightly. Crochet Cast Iron / Pan Handle Cover
$6.00
Crochet Cast Iron / Pan Handle Cover. I love cooking with cast iron. But I seem to always forget about that hot cast iron handle. Now it's a thing of the past since I've started using this crochet cast iron / pan handle covers. It’s like having a hot pad on the handle. Even during long cooking sessions, these handles hold up to the heat and keep your hands protected. That's because these cast iron / pan handle covers are made with 100% cotton yarn. They make great gifts for anyone who loves to cook with cast iron or any pan. 🌟 This listing is for 1 crochet cast iron handle cover. 🌟 Length: approx. 5" long Width: 2" at the widest point and 1.5" at the narrowest point MATERIAL: 100% USA Grown Cotton COLOR: Your choice I have many colors to choose from. If you don't see the color you're looking for, please send me a message. I probably have it or can get it for you. CARE INSTRUCTIONS: Machine wash or hand wash. Lay flat to dry. Thanks for checking out my shop! Crochet Cup Sleeve Cozy
$6.00
Pretty cup cozy for both hot and iced beverage cups. It will slide up over a standard size non handle travel cups or store-bought coffee cups. They are great at protecting hands from the heat and cold of the travel mug/cup. *100% cotton yarn. * Colors may vary due to stock so message me if you prefer something specific. *Machine washable and dryer safe on low heat. *All Cozy’s make a great gift for literally anyone! *If you don’t see one you love don’t hesitate to message me! I love creating new products. Thank you for visiting our store. On Sale On Sale Crochet Star Baby Blanket
$65.00
$55.00
Only a few left! Handmade with love! This star-shaped crochet blanket is perfect for that new little baby in your life! Perfect for baby showers or newborn gifts. It measures 50 inches from point to point. The yarn is yellow and white acrylic, which makes for easy washing! *If you would like a different color or size, please contact me. Yarn is machine washable. Wash on gentle cycle and lay flat to dry for best results. Thanks for visiting my shop! Crochet Flower Coaster Set
$10.00
Crochet coaters set of 4. Coaters are hand crocheted. Perfect for holding your drinks while being a beautiful accent to any living room, dining room, or kitchen counter. Make great gifts or birthdays, anniversaries, wedding gifts.... * Colors may vary due to stock so message me if you prefer something specific. *If you don’t see one you love don’t hesitate to message me! I love creating new products. Care: they are machine washable for a warm water and lay flat to dry. Do not iron. Thank you for supporting my growing shop. Gardening In the South
$20.00
Gardening In the South E-Book Learn about Gardening in South Texas Zone 8 In our e-book we cover Fruit trees, Perennials & Pollinator, Garden checklist, What months to plant. Your files will be available to download once payment is confirmed. I don't accept returns, exchanges, or cancellations. But please contact me if you have any problems with your order. Thank you for shopping with us! Margarita |
Handcrafted items made with love.
Farm / Homesteading eBooks Faith eBooks Goats when available |
New items coming soon.
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Tailspin Farms
2273 FM 1681 Stockdale, Texas 78160 |
210-771-7205
Email - mcgoats@tspinfarms.com |