In light of the latest I’ve been reading about the possible underlying causes of fibromyalgia, I thought it might be a good idea to do a quick inventory. The reason is because I really like the Katz et al and Albrecht et al research – dysfunctional blood flow, dysfunctional arteriole-venule shunts – and I’d like to pinpoint possible pain management focusing on the idea that I will feel better if I can just get my blood flowing properly. I want to go from hypoperfusion to a solid perfusion. Then my body will get the nutrients/hormones circulating that I need, it would help my body eliminate waste/toxins, rejuvenate tired muscles, maybe even help with brain fog. It explains the wide variety of symptoms and signs of fibromyalgia and many, many of the problems that fibro causes falls under that umbrella.

So the new experiment: Focus on breathing and breath.

The current state of affairs as of October 1, 2017:

1. Scalp hurts. I’m broken out, but my scalp hurts just laying still without touching the broken out areas.
2. Low grade headache for several days. Pain scale: 4; Relentlessness scale: 8
3. Ears still uncomfortable – pain/itching in my right ear; a slight return of tinnitus/numbness in my left ear
4. Neck – pain and stiffness, including pain/discomfort in my throat that makes it difficult to breathe when I’m laying down. CPAP helps with sleep.
5. Shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands – sore at rest and worse with movement. Muscle fatigue in upper arms. Pain scale: 7; Relentlessness scale: 9
6. Chest – constant tickle, regular cough, remnants of sinus infection/cold
7. Abdomen – sore at rest and worse with movement. Deep pain but not connected with anything. A little like a mild kidney stone, mostly on the right side. Pain scale: 6; Relentlessness scale: 9.5
8. Hips and legs – shooting pain. Bursitis flare. Tender to the touch, sore at rest, painful with movement. Muscle fatigue in upper leg muscles. Pain scale: 8; Relentlessness scale: 8
9. Ankles and feet. Not too bad. Pain scale 3; Relentlessness scale: 4
10. Overall “white noise” pain: 7; relentlessness scale: 9
11. Difficulty with balance – I’ve been tottering all day. Mild occasional lightheadedness.
12. Brain fog, difficulty concentrating on most anything
13. Eyesight is unreliable. None of my glasses are working properly.
14. Mood is very good.

I am the heaviest I’ve ever been in my life, in the most pain I’ve ever been, on both the pain scale and relentlessness scale. At the same time, I have landed in a job that I’m really loving, I’m with a person I love, that person loves me. I’m happy. So I can definitively say (again) happiness does not cure fibromyalgia.

Plan of action:

1. Deep breathing exercises when pain scales go up
2. Daily stretching
3. Walking at work – or ride exercise bike
4. Swim again (after my ear is healed)
5. Restart supplements. I can’t take a multivitamin – C, D, B complex, calcium, fish oil
6. Find yoga and t’ai chi DVDs
7. Sleep/rest appropriately

I’m having a very difficult time moving, so the first thing I need to do is start the supplements and see if that helps with energy. Secondly, I’ll start deep breathing immediately (did earlier today, and it helped, kind of like Lamaze). Third is sleep/rest. I’ve been running too much lately and need to slow down. Fourth is exercise at least twice a week, preferably a walk each day. Walking is not reliable and hurts my back, so I’ll need to get into the gym on a more consistent basis.

I’ll keep looking for any ideas in terms of what medications can help with pumping blood, repairing shunts? I have no idea, but I’ll look. Personally, I think this fibro explanation also accounts for why opioids don’t work, why meds are unreliable. But I’ll look.