My Journey With:

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) ~ Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) ~ Focal Impaired Awareness (Complex Partial) Seizures ~ Fibromyalgia ~ Chronic Myofascial Pain (CMP) ~ Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) ~ TMJ Dysfunction ~ Bipolar Disorder Type I Rapid Cycling With Psychotic Features ~ Migraines ~ Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) ~ Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) ~ Keratosis Pilaris (KP) ~ Complex-Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) ~ Panic Disorder ~ Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) ~ Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) ~ Self-Harm ~ Bilateral Piezogenic Pedal Papules ~ Hashimoto's Thyroiditis ~ Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) ~ Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) ~ Specific Phobias ~ Chronic Daily Headache ~ Eczema

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Hot days, pain days, and ginger tea

I'm hurting so bad and trying so hard not to cry right now.  The pain is the worst in my back, shoulders, neck, jaw, hands, elbows, and hips, with, of course, my entire legs and feet in pain in constant pain.  It feels like a chore to hold my head up, even.  I can barely think I'm in so much pain, and it's only getting worse.  I've been taking the quick dissolve Bayer Aspirin, but not noticing any difference in my pain levels, in fact they are getting worse.  I'm also feeling dizzy and weak today, but not as bad as yesterday.  Yesterday I had trouble walking from the dizziness.  Stupid POTS!  Stupid EDS!  Stupid fibromyalgia!

I have a heat pad on my back now and it is hot.  It's still about 100 degrees outside, too.  it's been well over 100 for quite awhile now.  My car doesn't have air conditioning, either.  I don't get out much, but DH does, and I worry about him always in this heat.  This is a very, very hot and dry summer, though we finally got some rain today, hence the worse joint pain.

My bipolar is doing better, thankfully.  I haven't been manic or depressed for about a week now.  It's nice to not be depressed.  Usually I am at a low-grade depression for my "normal," and it often swings into a deeper depression.  My anxiety has been better for the last two days, too.  DH has been really stressed and sick feeling, so I think my anxiety is less because I'm helping him.  It's kinda like how you may be afraid of storms, but when you are taking care of your kids during a storm, you swallow your fear because your number one concern is your family.

I must say, I've been getting loads of reading done lately and it is really nice.  I really miss reading when I don't get to.  I am going to be applying to grad school after the first of the month, when I can afford the application fee of $50.  The deadline is technically August 1st, but most schools let you in after the deadline if they aren't full yet.  I hope I can still get in.  I wanted to apply in June, but we just didn't have the money.  That reminds me...I did fill out my FAFSA already, didn't I?

My sweetie is making me some ginger tea for my pain.  You'd be amazed at how wonderful ginger tea works!  It takes like ass (if you don't like ginger, I don't), but it kicks ass when it fights your pain.  If you'd like to know more about ginger root tea for pain relief, look no further!




Ginger root tea for pain relief:

Ginger root tea for pain relief

Buy a ginger root in the produce section of the grocery store. Then slice off some thin slices of ginger root and pour boiling water over it to make ginger tea. When my DH makes this for me he slices off quite a few pieces, pours water over it, and put it in the microwave to boil. The tea isn't bad tasting, and if you like ginger you will find it enjoyable. If you don't like ginger, try adding a few Splendas to sweeten the tea. This one I had DH help me take a picture of, with a garnish of ginger root on the side of the cup and the ginger root itself is on the saucer so that you can see what it looks like.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Mental Health

Mental Health Awareness


I couldn't find a link for Fight Like a Girl Mental Health Awareness, but I really like the graphic.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Hold on for the wild ride

I've been manic lately, and this rollercoaster I've been riding with my bipolar has been a very wild ride again, lately.  Today my mood has dipped down considerably and I'm very tired and have no energy.  For the past week I've been doing tons of housework because I couldn't sit still.  I was very manic, but since I'm stuck home all the time and don't have a credit card, I can't get into too much danger, unless it moved into psychosis, which is often a part of bipolar.

I really hate the way people use the term bipolar in a healthy person describing themselves being moody, someone who took a test online and diagnosed themselves bipolar, and people who use the term to describe the weather.  It belittles the incredibly horrible experiences I've gone through with bipolar.  That's one of the many reasons I prefer the old name, manic depression, to bipolar.  I think manic depression gets across how serious it is, while bipolar doesn't.

Oh, here is another HUGE pet peeve of mine--people who spell bipolar wrong.  People misspell the word by writing "bi-polar," or "Bi Polar," or they abbreviate it incorrectly and call it "BPD."  First of all, the word "bipolar" has no dashes or spaces.  Secondly, BPD means Borderline Personality Disorder.  BP means bipolar. 

That is seriously one of my very biggest pet peeves, so I think I'm going to be a super hero who is out to save the world from people who can't spell or abbreviate their own illness correctly.

**I whoooosh away on my super hero quest**

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Thyroid Art!

thyroid disease
I thought that this picture of "thyroid art" would be enjoyed by my readers who also have thyroid disease

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

No-sew fleece throw for my best friend

Before my best friend's surgery earlier this year I made her a no-sew fleece throw.  I was so excited that she loved it.  I thought I'd show how to make it to my readers.

First, obtain two pieces of fleece.  You will use one piece of fleece on each side.  You can use two different designs or the same on both sides.  I bought 3 yards of each, but I had quite a bit leftover.  I suggest cutting your material at 2 or 2 1/2 yards for an adult size fleece throw.  After you cut your pieces, pin them together, with the good side facing out.  The throw is going to be cozy and reversible when you are done.

I bought a zebra pattern and pink with zebra pattern for my throw
Next, cut out a square on each corner of the material.  The square should be 3" by 3".  Discard the squares, you will not need them.  After that, measure out every 1" or so and make a 3" cut.  You will have fringe on all sides of the material.  
I cut each piece of fringe about 1" wide and 3" long
Tie each fringe into a double knot.  You are tying the top piece of material and the bottom piece of material together.  Be careful not to tie it up so tight that the throw bunches up.
I began tying the two sides of fringe together
You will end up with a double sided blanket, with fringe around the outside.  It's soft, warm, and cozy, and makes a great gift!
Double sided throw - zebra side up

Double sided throw - pink with zebras side up

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