Re: Intro - New Member :)

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Karey. Sorry that you have the need for this group, but glad you found

it. I know that, like me, you'll find the information and support you're looking

for here.

You don't say what, if any, pain medication you're on. Do you see a

pain-management doctor? A 6/7 on the pain scale as your " norm " is pretty darned

high. I understand that with two young children at home you can't be spaced out

or impaired, but there are options out there that will help with the pain

without leaving you feeling like a zombie. In today's day and age, there's no

reason for anyone to be in so much pain on a regular basis. (Yes, there are

those who don't respond to medications, but it's definitely worth a try.)

I, too, suffered from fibro when my kids were young (my fibro went into

remission with acupuncture treatments--knock on wood--and now I very rarely have

minor flare-ups). And then I started breaking bones, and developing

neuropathies, so I know how difficult it is to raise young children when you're

in constant pain. (I was a stay-at-home mom, too.)

I was fortunate in that my ex earned enough income for me to get help with the

kids. For a while, I had a live-in mother's helper (an 18-yr-old kid) just so

that someone could change my son's diaper, as my wrist was broken for 11 months

and when finally diagnosed required surgery and extensive rehab.

That way, I was still Mom and their primary caregiver, but I had help available

for the things I couldn't physically do. Once I no longer needed live-in help, I

hired local teens and college students to come for a few hours a day to do the

physical stuff with my kids--go to the park, play on the swing set in our yard,

do all the rough-and-tumble stuff with my son.

You might try calling your local high school; there are probably lots of seniors

who still have community-service hours to fulfill, and perhaps the school will

consider helping out a chronic-pain patient to be a way for a student to get

those hours.

It was definitely rough--my ex (he wasn't my ex then, though) would take the

kids to the zoo or a museum or something on the weekend, and I couldn't go

along. But those breaks from 24/7 child-rearing did help with my pain. I've

learned over the years that my kids still benefitted from everything I *was*

able to do for/with them. In fact, they now view their father as a playmate and

an ATM, but they see me as a " parent. "

My daughter, who is almost 20, tells me how much she appreciates that I was

always there for her when she needed me. So don't beat yourself up if you can't

*do* stuff with your kids. Trust me--they'll remember sitting in your lap while

you read them a story just as much as they will a trip to a ball game. Your kids

will also learn compassion; mine sure did. It's okay to enlist their help even

at their young ages. My son was the " official " ice-pack-getter whenever I had

surgery. And even a 4-year-old can set the table to help Mommy when she's not

feeling well.

Whenever my kids expressed fear about my physical condition, I'd assure them by

saying, " Mommy is broken, not sick. " And if something is broken, kids know that

it can be fixed, so it's okay to allow them to help in the fixing.

Okay, I'm starting to ramble. Sorry. Again, welcome.

Hugs,

a

[Guest guest]

Hi Karey,

I am a new member as well, but still wanted to welcome you to the group.

If you are like me, maybe you've heard it all, but in case you haven't -

make a list of all the wonderful things in your life (do this on a day

when you aren't feeling so bad) and on those hopeless days, read the

list and also remember what an awsome and strong person you are to deal with all

that you do.

Hugs to you!

Terri

" Karey " wrote:

>I want to spend less time in bed and at doctors' offices and more time >with my

children. I have found in my journey that a positive mind set >is key to this,

but I still get so overwhelmed sometimes and feel as >if I have no hope left.

[Guest guest]

Moderator's note:

Hi Jen

We have more than one Jen, so will you designate yourself as Jen from whichever

state you live in, so there will be no confusion.

Kaylene

Karey,

I was at my last straw with all of my pain. (my intro should appear

soon) If I wouldn't have gone to the Cleveland Clinic I would never

have been able to take care of my children again, walk or have

quality of life for this I am eternally grateful.

The program is called Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program. It is an intense

program to get those of us in chronic pain. Everyone that is in this program is

because its their last chance to get help. There is no other program in the US

like this and the people that were in the program with me were from as far as

California and as close as right by the clinic. I was in for 6 1/2 weeks and its

very hard to be away from your family.

You can go home on the weekends but sometimes its to hard because your to far I

was and it was terrible to be without my kids but I am glad I did it now.

You can look at the program at www.clevelandclinic.org it is

endorsed by the American Association of Chronic Pain and has been

featured on 20/20 and in " People " Magazine.

Jen

--- " Karey " wrote:

> The reason I joined this group is to find ways to improve my

quality of living and for support (my husband does get frustrated

> sometimes).

[Guest guest]

Karey wrote: I struggle with intense nausea and

weakened muscle strength.

.

Hi Karey,

I'm 37, married with a 6 yr. old daughter. I have Fibro, arthritis, cysts in

shoulders, and neuropathy (nerve pain). Have you ever tried Ginger chews or

ginger candies by the Ginger People? I have nausea a lot too and these help

tremendously. Any kind of ginger really, put these are really convenient and a

fast way to releive it. You can find them at health food stores and sometimes

regular stores that have a health food section. The hard candies seem to work

the best for me, but the chewy ones are really good too.

Caitlin

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