LIVING with Fibro :)

July 4, 2006

When I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, it was like a double edged sword. It

was a relief to know WHAT was wrong and that I wasn't just a big whiner

cry-baby... but then how to live with it without living a life of constant

pain?

I'd had signs of Fibro for about 15 years, but the doctors just treated the

symptoms as soft tissue damage; which in turn messed up my kidneys. I began

having bladder infections, then it was urinary tract infections, then I

began getting kidney infections. Eventually I was getting kidney infections

twice a month.

I also have tendonitis and carpal tunnel in both wrists, a torn left rotator

cuff, sciatica, irritable bowel syndrome, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. To

make matters worse, my current partner Mike, felt bad that I was in so much

pain (not like the first jerk!) that every time he left the house, he

brought me a dang treat. Always chocolate (of course).

It's terrible what happens when 3 packs of Ding Dongs are staring you in the

face. You eat them! ALL!!!! In one sitting! LOL-or at least I do I

wouldn't have minded the weight so much, except my blood sugar was getting

up there... and my blood pressure was at 140/92. When I got pneumonia last

winter, the doctor said he wanted to put me on blood pressure meds and it

was kind of a wake up call.

I was at the point that I just wanted to give up on life, because I could

barely make it through the day. When I would finish my computer work for the

day, I wasn't of much help to anyone as I was in soooo much pain, and had

used every bit of energy I could muster up to get through my work day. I

really felt worthless, and was unable to enjoy my time with Mike and my 4

children, or help around the house.

At that point, I took a good, hard look at myself. I had always wanted

something that would help me really live my life to the fullest and truly

make a difference in my little corner of the universe. What was happening to

me? My life was passing me by... would my little corner be the better place

I wanted it to be because I was here?

So that's when I decided that I could no longer depend solely on the medical

community to help me. I had to become knowledgeable and take more control in

my treatment and eventual recovery! Just the thought of it was empowering!!!

So I started reading about alternative nutritional therapy and learned about

antioxidants. To be very honest with you, I thought it was all a bunch of

hooey. But at the point I was at, I figured I had nothing to lose. The

product that I found was isotonic (liquid) and had a 90-95% absorption rate

rather than the traditional 5-10% with traditional vitamin tablets.

The first day that I took OPC, I felt no different and thought... oh well...

here we go again BUT... within a week, I was able to get through a full

day of work without feeling like death! Within a month, I was able to do

little things to help around the house. Within 3 months I could function

like a normal person again!!!!!!!!

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not running marathons, or out playing sports,

but I can make it through a FULL day of work, housework and still have

quality time with my children and Mike. I also take Glucosatrin and isotonic

B12 which really help with my fibro, tendonitis, rotator cuff, sciatica and

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I stay on a low GI diet and drink Aloe Juice for

help with my IBS.

If that wasn't enough, my blood sugar and triglycerides are now normal and

my blood pressure is down to my usual 110/70. I've also dropped 40 lbs...

and as an added plus the eczema that has been persistently on my shins for

the past 10 years is now GONE! As is my rosacea that developed in my early

40s. I feel better than I have in 15 years. And I suppose that I look better

too

I promised myself that if I was ever able to find something that would help

me that I would tell everyone that I come in contact with - and give them a

chance to live again. And when I think of all the money I spent on doctors,

meds and treatment that kept me isolated in my cocoon of pain, I could just

cry! Now I spend about $250 a month on my supplements and don't feel like I

need to move a cot into my doctor's office.

Keep asking questions, get knowledgeable, get to the root, stay persistent

and the answers will come! Sorry this is so long, but I really want to help

everyone I can learn about this condition and help themselves live a

relatively pain-free and full life again.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time. I'd

be more than happy to do anything I can to help

Colette

angelheart1960@...

+~~~+~~~+~~~+~~~~+~~~+~~~+~~~+~~

In this life we cannot do great things. We can

only do small things with great love.

~ Mother

+~~~+~~~+~~~+~~~~+~~~+~~~+~~~+~~

July 4, 2006

Hey Colette

I am very happy for your amazing recovery and I wish you all the best.

Are you taking antioxidants only? Did you drop all other medications?

And I have another question addressed to the whole group: Did anybody try

hameopathy? And did it help in some cases?

amira

Colette Larson <angelheart1960@...> wrote:

When I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, it was like a double edged

sword. It