Despite the way my day started off yesterday, fighting against Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, I still had things that needed to be done. I almost finished them, but not quite. Now, I am recovering from everything I did yesterday.
I did what I consider to be a lot of writing yesterday. I finished two articles for Associated Content. I wrote and published a list for List My Five. I even wrote another list for them and published it today. I did my post here as well as my post for my other blog, Keyword Crazy. I was spent and unable to do anymore. I knew I had to do something. Our financial situation is getting worse and I had to do something to improve it. I am now paying the price.
As easy as yesterday may seem to many, it took all I had to give. Today, I am even more slow and sluggish than normal. I can't imagine setting an alarm, getting up and dressed and heading off to a job. To do something for eight hours a day is impossible for me.
People look at me and can't see that I am disabled. I look "normal" and healthy. Of course, I could remove my scarf and they would see my bald spots. When I walk they are able to see how slowly I move and how unsteady I am on my feet. My cane should be a giveaway, but some use them as a "prop." I really need my cane.
I am off to take a nap. My hands are hurting quite a bit and my back is in spasms. Maybe if I crawl into bed and be really still I will feel better soon. If that happens, I will be back at my computer - writing away and trying to make a little money.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Kept Me Up All Night
I was up all night, fighting Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. No, not just Restless Leg Syndrome and not just Fibromyalgia. Both of them, at once, decided to keep me awake and in pain. Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia should form a wrestling tag team. They would be unstoppable.
My poor husband also suffers from my Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. He didn't get much sleep either. With me tossing and turning and constantly kicking, he probably would have been better off on the couch. I tried the couch, but my arthritis can make the most comfy of couch feel like a bed of nails. He tried to be nice about it, but I could tell that around four this morning he'd had enough. Off to the kitchen for a much-too-early first cup of coffee in the morning. He tells me all the time "I feel like I have Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia too." I wouldn't go quite that far, but I understand how he "suffers" from both Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.
The Restless Leg Syndrome I have isn't the "typical" Restless Leg Syndrome. Like almost everyone else who has it, I have the giant leg kicks for no reason. On top of that, I have little twitches up and down both legs. It is like an eye twitch, only there are thousands of them in both of my legs. They don't stop. I also feel hot needles travel through my thigh and calf muscles - like evil snakes whose only venom is pain. With Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia combined, I'm not sure what I should do.
I have tried all sorts of medications to control it. I've been in a hot bath at three in the morning trying to get my legs to relax. My husband has tried massaging them, but the Fibromyalgia won't let him touch me. Changed my diet. Changed my bedtime. Changed my "get up" time. I have yet to find anything that will help. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions of what I can try to better deal with Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia? I'll try almost anything legal to feel better and sleep better. Then again, I hope no one reading this has a clue about it. I wouldn't wish Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia on anyone.
With Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia "attacking" me at once like it did last night, I woke up feeling like I had ran a couple of marathons and got beat up. My legs are sore and tired from all their activity. The Fibromyalgia pain is typical, but only worse. Imagine being tired and in pain, with no idea how to rest or stop the pain. That is where I am at now. I feel like I am walking around on noodles. Just another day in the life of someone with Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.
Don't get me wrong. I understand there are far worse things than having Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. I am thankful I have legs that can be restless and I am not paralyzed and unable to feel anything. I try to be thankful. On those mornings were Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia have "tag teamed" me, it is more difficult than it should be.
Ahh, just another day in my life. I make it through with God's help. I can't wait until something changes and I am able to have the medications I need to not to suffer so much with Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. I've always heard "this, too, shall pass." I'm a believer in positive thinking. It is just hard to think the way you should when Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia has kept you up all night.
My poor husband also suffers from my Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. He didn't get much sleep either. With me tossing and turning and constantly kicking, he probably would have been better off on the couch. I tried the couch, but my arthritis can make the most comfy of couch feel like a bed of nails. He tried to be nice about it, but I could tell that around four this morning he'd had enough. Off to the kitchen for a much-too-early first cup of coffee in the morning. He tells me all the time "I feel like I have Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia too." I wouldn't go quite that far, but I understand how he "suffers" from both Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.
The Restless Leg Syndrome I have isn't the "typical" Restless Leg Syndrome. Like almost everyone else who has it, I have the giant leg kicks for no reason. On top of that, I have little twitches up and down both legs. It is like an eye twitch, only there are thousands of them in both of my legs. They don't stop. I also feel hot needles travel through my thigh and calf muscles - like evil snakes whose only venom is pain. With Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia combined, I'm not sure what I should do.
I have tried all sorts of medications to control it. I've been in a hot bath at three in the morning trying to get my legs to relax. My husband has tried massaging them, but the Fibromyalgia won't let him touch me. Changed my diet. Changed my bedtime. Changed my "get up" time. I have yet to find anything that will help. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions of what I can try to better deal with Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia? I'll try almost anything legal to feel better and sleep better. Then again, I hope no one reading this has a clue about it. I wouldn't wish Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia on anyone.
With Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia "attacking" me at once like it did last night, I woke up feeling like I had ran a couple of marathons and got beat up. My legs are sore and tired from all their activity. The Fibromyalgia pain is typical, but only worse. Imagine being tired and in pain, with no idea how to rest or stop the pain. That is where I am at now. I feel like I am walking around on noodles. Just another day in the life of someone with Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.
Don't get me wrong. I understand there are far worse things than having Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. I am thankful I have legs that can be restless and I am not paralyzed and unable to feel anything. I try to be thankful. On those mornings were Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia have "tag teamed" me, it is more difficult than it should be.
Ahh, just another day in my life. I make it through with God's help. I can't wait until something changes and I am able to have the medications I need to not to suffer so much with Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. I've always heard "this, too, shall pass." I'm a believer in positive thinking. It is just hard to think the way you should when Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia has kept you up all night.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Spoke with My Social Security Disability Attorney Team
Yes, I have a team of attorneys helping me win my Social Security disability claim. I decided to go with Binder and Binder when I checked out the disability lawyers in my area. They didn't have as good of record when it came to winning against the Social Security Administration. Most of them hadn't won over 60% of their cases. I couldn't take that chance. My future depends on winning my disability claim. Well...
I spoke with the lead attorney for my claim. He said that they were still waiting to hear from Social Security's Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. That name scares me! I call them "the folks that always say wait and no." It fits them well. I can't believe we are still at least two years away from finding out if they will even grant an appeal. I understand there are a lot of other disabled people needing disability, but it shouldn't take this long.
I was thrilled to find out that my two state senators and several of my congressmen have written even more letters to the Social Security Administration. My attorney told me that Binder and Binder has received copies of five different letters my legislatures have written on behalf. I am hoping that helps. I didn't realize that they would even write letters until I called them. I was desperate and needed some help. Their offices said they would "check into it." I rolled my eyes, understanding what that meant. I was wrong. They are really doing something.
I am gathering up my latest disconnect notices from my utilities companies and the eviction notice to send to Binder and Binder. My attorney explained that, sometimes, they will speed up the process by granting me a "hardships appeal." Of course, by the time it all goes through the legal red tape, it will be weeks (if not months) down the road.
I have to wonder how many others are in the same boat I am in. I can't be the only one. I'm sure there are thousands. I read online somewhere that many people do not get an appeal because the Social Security Administration doesn't always accept addresses of homeless shelters and many people waiting for appeals are homeless.
There is something wrong with all of this. In order to even have a hearing, you have to prove that you worked long enough (and paid into the system enough) to qualify for disability. If you are denied at the hearing, that is when you must appeal. All of us have paid enough into Social Security to get disability benefits, yet we are forced into homelessness because of all the delays. Once homeless, we may not get the appeal.
All of it is frustrating. I hate calling my attorney because it seems the news is never good. However, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I am squeaky! Speaking of being squeaky...
I'm calling my senators and congressmen again this afternoon. I might as well get squeaky with them. Again.
My attorney, as always, said, "Don't worry, Emma, we are on top of this. Concentrate on feeling better and taking care of yourself. We do this every day, several times a day, and we've been doing it for years." Not much comfort when it is winter and the electricity (our only source of heat) is about to be turned off. Of course, we are evicted, we won't have to worry about our electric bill.
I spoke with the lead attorney for my claim. He said that they were still waiting to hear from Social Security's Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. That name scares me! I call them "the folks that always say wait and no." It fits them well. I can't believe we are still at least two years away from finding out if they will even grant an appeal. I understand there are a lot of other disabled people needing disability, but it shouldn't take this long.
I was thrilled to find out that my two state senators and several of my congressmen have written even more letters to the Social Security Administration. My attorney told me that Binder and Binder has received copies of five different letters my legislatures have written on behalf. I am hoping that helps. I didn't realize that they would even write letters until I called them. I was desperate and needed some help. Their offices said they would "check into it." I rolled my eyes, understanding what that meant. I was wrong. They are really doing something.
I am gathering up my latest disconnect notices from my utilities companies and the eviction notice to send to Binder and Binder. My attorney explained that, sometimes, they will speed up the process by granting me a "hardships appeal." Of course, by the time it all goes through the legal red tape, it will be weeks (if not months) down the road.
I have to wonder how many others are in the same boat I am in. I can't be the only one. I'm sure there are thousands. I read online somewhere that many people do not get an appeal because the Social Security Administration doesn't always accept addresses of homeless shelters and many people waiting for appeals are homeless.
There is something wrong with all of this. In order to even have a hearing, you have to prove that you worked long enough (and paid into the system enough) to qualify for disability. If you are denied at the hearing, that is when you must appeal. All of us have paid enough into Social Security to get disability benefits, yet we are forced into homelessness because of all the delays. Once homeless, we may not get the appeal.
All of it is frustrating. I hate calling my attorney because it seems the news is never good. However, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I am squeaky! Speaking of being squeaky...
I'm calling my senators and congressmen again this afternoon. I might as well get squeaky with them. Again.
My attorney, as always, said, "Don't worry, Emma, we are on top of this. Concentrate on feeling better and taking care of yourself. We do this every day, several times a day, and we've been doing it for years." Not much comfort when it is winter and the electricity (our only source of heat) is about to be turned off. Of course, we are evicted, we won't have to worry about our electric bill.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Fasicia Pain
Today, I am dealing with fasicia pain around my knees and in my hands. For the record, "fasicia" is the connective tissue that surrounds your muscles, nerves and blood vessels. They are all over your body and they connect your "parts" together. Fasicia pain is extremely common for those of us with Fibromyalgia.
You know that spots where you thighs become you knees and you knees become your calves? That is where I hurt. It doesn't matter if my knee is extended or not, it still hurts. And, up the back of my knee hurts as well. I used a heating pad earlier today and that didn't help. It might have, but I couldn't find a position comfortable enough to stay in for more than a few minutes. If I was able to get comfy and stay still for 15 or 30 minutes, the heat might help.
The pain in my hands is in the "webbing" of my fingers. Webbing is the only term I can think of that describes where I hurt. My fingers aren't actually webbed though! Thank God for that. I am referring to the area of my hands between my fingers and where my fingers connect to my hands. Pinch that little area there and that is where I hurt.
Truthfully, that isn't a very big area of the human body to hurt. Remember that size doesn't matter! It amazes me how much I use those spots. It is impossible to move your hands without moving the "webbing." The pain is intense. Typing is not easy. Holding onto anything is painful. Especially little things - like a fork or pen.
I'm going to "play spider" in the sink. That is what I call it when I fill the sink up with warm (almost hot water) and "walk" my fingers around in it. Sometimes the warm water and the exercise helps with the pain. It is worth a shot.
You know that spots where you thighs become you knees and you knees become your calves? That is where I hurt. It doesn't matter if my knee is extended or not, it still hurts. And, up the back of my knee hurts as well. I used a heating pad earlier today and that didn't help. It might have, but I couldn't find a position comfortable enough to stay in for more than a few minutes. If I was able to get comfy and stay still for 15 or 30 minutes, the heat might help.
The pain in my hands is in the "webbing" of my fingers. Webbing is the only term I can think of that describes where I hurt. My fingers aren't actually webbed though! Thank God for that. I am referring to the area of my hands between my fingers and where my fingers connect to my hands. Pinch that little area there and that is where I hurt.
Truthfully, that isn't a very big area of the human body to hurt. Remember that size doesn't matter! It amazes me how much I use those spots. It is impossible to move your hands without moving the "webbing." The pain is intense. Typing is not easy. Holding onto anything is painful. Especially little things - like a fork or pen.
I'm going to "play spider" in the sink. That is what I call it when I fill the sink up with warm (almost hot water) and "walk" my fingers around in it. Sometimes the warm water and the exercise helps with the pain. It is worth a shot.
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