I'm in love with my new machine my dentist recommended.  In fact, I can't imagine life without it at this point.  To think I spent so many years flossing, several times a day wondering if I'm ever going to be able to keep my mouth healthy and clean.  Don't get me wrong, it is still essential to floss due to penetrable bio films, but this handy contraption makes water flossing a breeze. In fact, I USE IT several times a day because it is quick and easy, and most importantly leaves my mouth amazingly CLEAN.  

When I chose flossing alone, I could often feel smaller particles left behind from the usual string.  Not many, but sometimes the crevices near my crowns and bridge felt tainted, not squeaky clean as when I have my periodontal treatments. I can tell you, this device makes me feel as though I stepped out of the dentist office each time I use it.  And, most importantly, it is much easier then spending those minutes going around those teeth several times attaining that perfect cleanliness that becomes more difficult after you've had major dental work done.  
Oral irrigators or water jets work by using pressured water or mouthwash to dislodge biofilm (plaque) from gaps between the teeth, around the gum margin and into periodontal pockets. An oral irrigator can also be used on orthodontic appliances and people who have crowns and bridges. Oral irrigators were first invented as an alternative to dental flossing as many people found it difficult to use floss as they could not reach areas in the back of the mouth. This led to people flossing infrequently and subsequently plaque biofilm would build up on their teeth. It is the build up of biofilm from remaining food particles in the mouth that contributes to dental cavities, bad breath and gum disease.

There are two main benefits of using an oral irrigator. Firstly, the device is an easy and effective way of cleaning your teeth as the water streams can reach far back into the mouth and in-between the teeth themselves. This is because the handles on irrigators are ergonomically designed and they have angled nozzles which allow you to access all areas of the mouth. And, you do not need to use irrigators for a long period of time before they are effective. Just a 60 second blast is enough to clean teeth in all areas of the mouth. Secondly, studies have shown that by using an irrigator along with your daily brushing twice a day, you can remove 99% more plaque than if you only used a manual toothbrush. And further research suggests that using an irrigator improves gum health by up to 93%, compared to brushing alone. It also helps to significantly reduce gingivitis and calculus after only 2 – 4 weeks of use.

It is thought that it is the pulsating action of an irrigator that is key to what helps clear dental debris and food particles. Although the streams of water are gentle and un-invasive, the powerful and targeted action of the water jets does work well to disrupt the most difficult to reach areas of the mouth. By using a powerful miniature pump to send pulsating streams of water through a plastic tip to clean the teeth, debris is efficiently swept away from over, between and under the teeth and at the same time works to stimulate gum tissue. By incorporating a regime where you use an irrigator to first remove biofilm and food debris, you are ensuring that your teeth are effectively plaque free before you progress to brushing with fluoride toothpaste.

Click on the image below to find the PURSONIC at Walmart for less than $42. I chose this one and find it is wonderful with adequate PSI for teeth cleaning after careful research.  Best of all, it won't break your bank!

Coping with the loss of a loved one can be devastating for anyone, but even more so for the chronically ill.  After all, these furry friends are beside us always especially in times when loved ones seem to abandon us.

With a heightened sensitivity in our central nervous systems,  the waves of grief that wash over us can seem unbearable at times. This simple fact of life may have no tangible meaning when we are on that island of despair.  After all, we have lost a loved one, someone very dear to us that kept our spirits up in the dark hours of pain.

​Such a terrible flow of emotions that comes with a loss of a beloved family member!  These delightful, furry creatures bring such warmth, love, and nurturing to our homes each day.  It is devastating when they leave and flood of grief floods us for a period of time.  

In our despair, we relive the touching memories that will last a lifetime.  Those moments when unconditional love blessed our halls.  The uplifting moments when we were so down with our most intimate thoughts and they just knew................. and sat by our side stoically.  Other times when despair would reach out to clutch us deeper, but large dark eyes, full of love, would lift us upward and let us know someone cares.  

They shared a life with us, usually unscheduled, but times that fit into our daily routine perfectly. Their presence was felt each moment as we went about our daily duties watching them observing us like silent centurions.  Oh, if we could just stop this very moment and reach down for one last long  luxurious petting session-one last condolence to lift our spirits.  

Those days of adventures planned with a four-legged friend are gone!  Such thrifty entertainment they can be! Why a mere walk in the park or on the beach adds extra delight when they are in tow. Also, family trips are less expensive when an animal is in the back seat.  There are just so many places that don't allow dogs!  But, those other secretive spots that make memory imprints are there for the taking.  These trips spent with immediate family members boast more fun and free-living then all the theme parks combined.  Hikes in the mountains or cooling off in a swimming hole are the days that will live in my heart forever.  These days you were with me my friend to fill me with joy.

I am so grateful you spent your life's journey with us.  We were blessed the day you arrived at our door.  Your intelligence and unconditional love has left an imprint on our souls, and we will never be the same without you.  Until we meet again...... my your days be blessed with green fields and flowers, with sticks being thrown in a lake, with ocean waves rippling over your body, and someone to pet you throughout the day.  

No matter how much preparation is given to their final days a sense of loss accompanies the moment.  After all, animals provide companionship, acceptance, emotional support, and unconditional love. If you understand and accept this bond between humans and animals, you've already taken the first step toward coping with pet loss - the grieving process. And nothing "smarts" more than the loss of a treasured family member. All you can do is pray and ward off the impending storm until it subsides and rays of light peak through of glistened memories.

We dedicate this poem to our beloved Buddy.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... 

Author unknown...

Coping with grief

While grief is a personal experience, you need not face your loss alone. Many forms of support are available, including pet-bereavement counseling services, pet-loss support hotlines, local or online pet-bereavement groups, books, videos, and magazine articles.

Here are a few suggestions to help you cope:

• Acknowledge your grief and give yourself permission to express it.
• Don't hesitate to reach out to others who can lend a sympathetic ear. Do a little research online and you'll find hundreds of resources and support groups that may be helpful to you.
• Write about your feelings, either in a journal or a poem, essay, or short story.
• Call your veterinarian or local humane society to see whether they offer a pet-loss support group or hotline, or can refer you to one.
• Prepare a memorial for your pet.
• Blog like me:)

Trigger point therapy can be highly effective in reducing muscular pain and stiffness for those with fibromyalgia. Painful muscles often contain nodules called myofascial trigger points. Since fibromyalgia causes increased pain sensitivity, people who have fibro are more sensitive to their trigger points.

​Trigger points can bring on headaches, neck and jaw pain, back pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. Trigger point therapy can be used to relax the knotted muscles and break the cycle of pain.

What Are Trigger Points

A trigger point is a small nodule in a taut band of muscle tissue. Often you can feel a hard knot in the muscle. Trigger points cause muscles and tissue to tighten and shorten. These hardened knots can cause so much pain that you alter the way you move, sit or stand. This leads to strength and flexibility issues, creating more trigger points.

Trigger points form in specific places and cause pain and other symptoms in predictable patterns. This means that trigger points typically send pain to other places in the body. This is called referred pain. You could be feeling pain down your arm, in your mid-back or your neck, but the actual trigger point may be in your shoulder.

Trigger Point Symptoms

Trigger points cause lingering pain, tightness and/or restriction of movement. You can experience joint pain, headaches, neck and jaw pain, back pain or genital pain. Trigger points can also be the root cause of any of these other symptoms:

• dizziness
• earaches
• sinusitis
• heartburn
• heart arrhythmia
• numbness in hands or feet
• restless leg
• carpal tunnel
• tennis elbow
• toothache

What Is Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to trigger points in order to relieve pain and restore mobility. The idea is to put deep sustained pressure to the knotted-up area on a regular basis. When pressure is applied blood flow is increased. This allows oxygen and nutrients to flow and heal the area. The pressure also stimulates your body to release endorphins helping to reduce pain signals.

Some practitioners, massage therapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths can administer trigger point therapy. Even if you can find someone who can properly treat your trigger points, it can be time-consuming and costly. Trigger points need to be addressed daily. Most likely, it will be impractical to see someone frequently enough to get a trigger point to release.

Trigger Point Therapy Specifically For Fibromyalgia

Trigger points are often mixed up with tender points, one of the original criteria for diagnosing fibromyalgia. One of the problems in diagnosing fibromyalgia using tender points is that some of the 18 tender points coincide with or are near the location of myofascial trigger points.

Many fibromyalgia sufferers have myofascial pain and trigger points that also contribute to their symptoms. It may be that fibromyalgia tender points are symptoms of an overreaction of the central nervous system. Or it could be that they are really hyperactive trigger points contributing to the overstimulation of the central nervous system.

Source: The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief

Fibromyalgia sufferers should treat trigger points conservatively to reduce myofascial pain. Limit the intensity and duration of treatment based on what is comfortably tolerated without worsening the symptoms.
One of the best resources for learning about trigger points, their referred pain pattern and how to self-treat myofascial trigger points is The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief.

Of course the best solution is to find a physical therapist that understands trigger point therapy.  These can often be found at neurologist offices or pain treatment clinics. You can also treat your own trigger points by taking a very warm shower first to loosen up tight muscles. To apply the pressure to trigger points I use a tennis ball and the Back Buddy. And then, I finish with stretching to lengthen the muscles.

I found an interesting article posted in 2012 in Vitality 101.  There numerous studies on the internet that can attain to such theories. One such specific experiment, if you enjoy reading medical journals, is Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Mycoplasmal Infections in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue.  This was written in 1998, which only cries out concern as to why there isn't more extended studies being completed. I am sure it is due to the multi-billion dollar medical facilities that provide our daily pills.  After all, chronic illness is BIG business these days.  

I have always been speculative when I am provided antibiotics.  After all, I have extreme sensitivities to any type of matter that is ingested and doesn't agree well with my system.  Antibiotics will cause extreme joint pain, all over fatigue, and flu-like feelings.  I am always calling my doctor back for a new prescription because the usual one is so intolerable.  Every time I am told, by my practitioner, that I should stop them immediately and start the new script the following day.  But the funny thing is, when I do stop it, for the next several days, my body aches and pains subside, and I have a higher clarity of thinking.  Something is not connecting I always assume.

It wasn't until my recent bought with pancreatitis when I was hooked up to so many IV's which contained various drips and antibiotics and antivirals that I felt an epiphany.  For when it was all over I had a normal body for three weeks free of fibromyalgia. Oh sure, my pancreas was sore, but I had a feeling of utopia, if that makes an sense in such a condition, that I may be free of chronic illness.  

Slowly my symptoms returned leaving me as an old overused nest. But some of the more heightened issues like environmental sensitivities left.  So did many of the chemical sensitivities I experienced for five years.  I found I could last longer throughout the day needing less respite, too.

Here's some excerpts of From Fatigue to Fantastic, vitality 101, that are much easy reading than the journal labeled above: 

Because of the immune dysfunction present in CFS and Fibromyalgia, most of us have had not one, but many different infections associated with our illness. These include Yeast/Candida, Viral infections, Parasites, and Antibiotic Sensitive Infections (including Lyme and many others). Unfortunately, the tests we have available are largely geared toward picking up early infections, and miss most chronic infections. We have discussed viral infections and the problems with lab testing elsewhere. In addition, Professor Montoya will be presenting his placebo controlled research results later this month on using Valcyte to address CFS at the Baltimore HHV-6 conference. I suspect the results are positive as the drug company offered me $1,500 to come to a meeting discussing the results (I declined), but I look forward to seeing the results as we have found Valcyte to be very helpful in those with HHV 6 IgG blood tests of 1:320 or higher.

Some infections (especially yeast/Candida), however, need to be addressed for you to recover. Some have chronic Lyme, though testing for this is very unreliable (see Lyme testing). In addition to addressing Candida, Lyme, and occasionally viruses and parasites, a subset of people with CFS/FMS need long term antibiotic therapy. I find this is the case if any of the following are present:
​

1. A fever over 98.6°F—even 99°F—and/or
2. Chronic lung congestion,
3. Recurrent scalp sores which scab,
4. A history of bad reactions to several different antibiotics (people misinterpret the die-off reaction as being an allergic reaction),
5. A history of your CFS/FMS transiently improving in the past when given an antibiotic,
6. Severe vertigo—this is when you feel like you or the room is spinning in a circle and is not to be confused with the disequilibrium experienced by most of us with CFS,
7. Severe night sweats that persist after addressing the Candida and hormonal deficiencies.

If you have any of these, you may benefit from a trial of antibiotics. 

People with these symptoms seem to be more likely to have infections that respond to special antibiotics. Fortunately, Lyme, mycoplasma and chlamydia infections, as well as many other infections that are difficult to test for in CFS, are often sensitive to the right antibiotics. The antibiotics most likely to affect these organisms are the following:
​

• Doxycycline or preferably minocycline, usually at dosages of 100 milligrams twice a day. These two antibiotics are in the tetracycline family. They are very effective against a number of unusual organisms (for example, Lyme disease). They sometimes cause some stomach upset. If this occurs, take the medicine with food and a full glass of water or lower the dose. They should not be given to children under eight years old because they can cause permanent staining of the teeth.
• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), usually 500-750 milligrams twice a day. Although expensive, this is usually a well-tolerated antibiotic. It has a very wide range of effectiveness against a large number of organisms. Cipro has an additional benefit for men, as it also addresses any hidden prostate infections, as does doxycycline. You should not take oral magnesium or any supplement containing magnesium within 4 to 6 hours of taking Cipro or you may not absorb the Cipro as completely. A small percent of the population has a genetic defect that prevents them from breaking down Cipro. In this group, taking Cipro can actually trigger FMS and this family of antibiotics should be avoided if you have a family member that developed fibromyalgia after taking Cipro. Cipro should only be used in adults.
• Azithromycin (Zithromax), 250-600 milligrams a day taken with food, or clarithromycin (Biaxin), 500 milligrams twice a day, taken on an empty stomach. These antibiotics are in the erythromycin family. Zithromax tends to be fairly well tolerated. Biaxin is more likely to cause a bit of nausea in some patients, but it is usually also well tolerated. They may work against infections missed by doxycycline and Cipro. Begin with this antibiotic if you have scalp or skin sores or scabs.

Although all of these antibiotics can be effective, it is not uncommon for infections that are sensitive to the erythromycin antibiotics (Zithromax or Biaxin) to be resistant to tetracycline antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline) and Cipro, and vice-versa. Therefore, it is best to try either doxycycline or Cipro first. If they are not effective, then try the Zithromax or Biaxin. The antibiotic should be taken for at least six months. If there is no improvement in four months, switch to or add the other antibiotic or simply stop the therapy.

It is very common to get what is called a Herxheimer (die-off) reaction that includes chills, fever, night sweats, and general worsening of CFS/FMS symptoms when the antibiotic first kills off the infection. Many people mistakenly confuse these with an allergic reaction. These symptoms can be severe and last for weeks. Stop the antibiotic and let the die-off reaction subside. Then resume the antibiotic at a much lower dose (e.g., 25 mg of Minocycline every other day) and work the dose up slowly as able. The Nicholsons, who pioneered this therapy of antibiotic sensitive infections, note that if you have been sick for years, it is unlikely you will recover in less than one year of therapy, so you should not be alarmed by symptoms that return or worsen temporarily.

One more "antibiotic sensitive infection" deserves mention. If spastic colon symptoms persist after addressing yeast and parasites, consider addressing "SIBO" (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth), which is common in CFS/FMS and another key cause of bowel symptoms. Having a low thyroid increases your risk of SIBO. Research has shown that addressing the issue empirically with the antibiotic Rifaximin 400 mg 3x day for 10 days can result in long lasting improvement of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome/spastic colon.

Unfortunately, most physicians are not familiar with the immune function seen in CFS/FMS and will not prescribe anything if the tests are negative (even though the tests are not reliable). To find a physician who knows how to address these infections, find a holistic doctor or see a Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Center physician. CFS and FMS are very addressable, and addressing these hidden infections is one more piece of the puzzle!

Of course, do be careful and monitor your symptoms with  your primary provider.  There are those group of people that have a genetic predisposition for adverse affects of cipro.  This is due to a neurological defect. As for me, I am just finishing a dose of ciprofloxacin and have noted several new minimization of previous symptoms.  I am curious to see if they will last like my last doses.  I can tell you as of the first couple of days i was ready to throw in the towel, so to speak, as symptoms were painful.  Now that I am on day five I am noticing less trauma and more energy and a bit more clarity in my everyday tasks.  

​Please keep in mind, that if you have a huge infection, like bronchitis, and are prescribed antibiotics; you may not feel such relief as the drug may be cursing through your system only removing those harboring pathogens of the present infection.  

The inevitable is bound to happen at some point.  You take great pains to keep your body out of trouble.  After all, one small defect can cause an entourage of unexpected symptoms.  

Then all of a sudden you're outside, in the beautiful sunshine working on something that has been put on the burner for months, and you turn around and snag a nail or other sharp object that slips through your shoes.

Sadly, you're tagged with a possible pathogen because it pierced the skin.  What do you do?  Do you risk the chance of infection?  Clean it up?  Or, do you trudge down to the ER hoping that a Tetanus shot will not cause a significant outbreak of symptoms that could last a week?  

Often called lockjaw, tetanus is a bacterial infection that causes painful muscle spasms and can lead to death. The tetanus vaccine has made tetanus a preventable disease. Thanks to its widespread use, lockjaw has become very rare in the U.S. Even so, many adults in the U.S. need to be vaccinated against tetanus because there is no cure and 10% to 20% of victims will die.
​
You cannot get tetanus from another person. You can get it through a cut or other wound. Tetanus bacteria are commonly present in soil, dust, and manure. The tetanus bacteria can infect a person even through a tiny scratch. But you are more likely to get tetanus through deep punctures from wounds created by nails or knives. The bacteria travel via blood or nerves to the central nervous system.

Tetanus symptoms result from a toxin produced by tetanus bacteria. Symptoms often begin around a week after infection. But this may range from three days to three weeks or even longer. The most common symptom is a stiff jaw, which can become "locked." This is how the disease came to be called lockjaw.
Symptoms of tetanus may include:

• Headache
• Muscle stiffness, starting in the jaw, then the neck and the arms, legs, or abdomen
• Trouble swallowing
• Restlessness and irritability
• Sweating and fever
• Palpitations and high blood pressure
• Muscle spasms in the face, causing a strange-looking steady smile or grin

If not treated, tetanus can cause death from suffocation.

Are there any dangers or side effects associated with the tetanus vaccine?

It's important to know that, in general, the risk of problems from getting tetanus is much greater than from getting a tetanus vaccine. You cannot get tetanus from the tetanus shot. However, sometimes the tetanus vaccine can cause mild side effects. These may include:

• Soreness, redness, or swelling at the site of the injection
• Fever
• Headache or body aches
• Fatigue

A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is also very rare, but can result within minutes of being vaccinated. 

What is the course of tetanus?

During a one- to seven-day period, progressive muscle spasms caused by the tetanus toxin in the immediate wound area may progress to involve the entire body in a set of continuous muscle contractions. Restlessness, headache, and irritability are common.

The tetanus neurotoxin causes the muscles to tighten up into a continuous ("tetanic" or "tonic") contraction or spasm. The jaw is "locked" by muscle spasms, giving the name "lockjaw" (also called "trismus"). Muscles throughout the body are affected, including the vital muscles necessary for normal breathing. When the breathing muscles lose their power, breathing becomes difficult or impossible and death can occur without life-support measures (mechanical ventilation). Even with breathing support, infections of the airways within the lungs can lead to death.

General measures to treat the sources of the bacterial infection with antibiotics and drainage are carried out in the hospital while the patient is monitored for any signs of compromised breathing muscles. Treatment is directed toward stopping toxin production, neutralizing its effects, and controlling muscle spasms. Sedation is often given for muscle spasm, which can lead to life-threatening breathing difficulty.

In more severe cases, breathing assistance with an artificial respirator machine may be needed.

The toxin already circulating in the body is neutralized with antitoxin drugs. The tetanus toxin causes no permanent damage to the nervous system after the patient recovers.

After recovery, patients still require active immunization because having the tetanus disease does not provide natural immunization against a repeat episode.

My Story

I was recently inundated with such a dilemma.  I was painting a small portion of trim outside my house and stepped down only to land on a two-inch nail that penetrated my lower foot fairly deeply.  Frustration arose as I am always overly careful to ensure such accidents don't happen.

After a long pity-party, I wiped the tears away and began an in-depth internet search to see the consequences of my issue.  As you can rightly see, getting the tetanus shot far outweigh the chances of sweeping it all under the rug in hopes nothing will happen.  Just reading about the hospitalization requirements, and its effects on the central nervous system, should lockjaw rear its ugly head was enough to grab my son and head to the nearest emergency room.  I spent a week in the hospital last year with pancreatitis and decided not getting a tetanus shot would keep me up with reoccurring nightmares about that experience.  

On the upswing you have 24 hours to get a tetanus shot.  For me, it happened about 8 pm at dusk.  But, in three hours my foot began to swell.  I chose to hit the emergency room in the morning since I would not be able to handle a four hour emergency room visit in the wee hours of the morning.  I would not suggest this for all, call your ER for instructions.

I can say there were no added symptoms for me, after the shot, which was a pleasant surprise!  The needle only holds .5 ml of the vaccine which apparently wasn't enough to put a dent into my usual insane overall sensitivities.  Plus, I had the added luxury of no nightmares plaguing me!

On a final note, I spoke to my boss about my experience.  He informed me he had  friend who died of lockjaw three days after being admitted to the hospital.  So, I made the right choice:)

A sad, but true movie about what goes on outside our borders.  Couples wanting to take an adoptive child into their lives are confronted by evil prey who want nothing but a lucrative income.  

A desperate American couple discovers all is not what it seems when they uncover a high-stakes underground scam while traveling abroad. To expose the truth and get back to the U.S., they must risk their lives to save their daughter. IMBd

If you enjoy foreign flicks, this is a great one with subtitles.  There is nothing better than watching a movie from another country to give you a cheap vacation viewing another homeland. 

Víctor is a child who is found casually roaming by a country road. His mother, Patricia, a well-known lawyer who specializes in media trials, soon learns of her son being found. Victor is taken to hospital and his mother soon follows, where it is explained by the mother that Víctor is deaf and mute, but can communicate using sign language which is why Victor didn't answer any of the questions asked by police. In the police headquarter Víctor explains that he was kidnapped by a strange man when he entered his school. The police identify a possible suspect named Charlie, a man with money troubles and an 8-month pregnant wife. Charlie is unable to explain where he was when Víctor was kidnapped. Patricia, seeing the inability of the police to arrest Charlie, contacts her former love interest and Victor's father, Raúl. Patricia solicits him to threaten Charlie in hopes of confessing. But when it's discovered that Víctor made a false identification, Patricia tries to stop Raúl, starting a chain of events, the consequences of which will be out of control. - IMBd

​Having a great care team is vital when you have a chronic illness. Who should be part of your team? How do you find doctors and caregivers that treat fibromyalgia effectively and that you can trust?

I spent a majority of my adult life trying to figure this out. My original primary care physician did it all and never failed me. I went to him for everything. He thought it was important to find out why I was having certain problems, unlike some doctors who only treat the symptoms. Just as my FM started to ramp up, he had a heart attack and had to retire early. I was devastated. I lost a confidant and an excellent physician. Little did I know how hard it would be to replace him.

I finally found an excellent primary after a lot of trial and error. But as my health began deteriorating, she was no longer able to keep up with my many underlying illnesses. After my FMS diagnosis, she referred me to an alternative medicine clinic. There wasn’t much she could do for me except for annual checkups and the occasional sinus infection.

The alternative medicine clinic was a bust. My insurance wouldn’t cover anything but the initial consultation. I couldn’t afford to continue. I was on my own!

I found that building a care team requires thinking outside of the modern medicine box. Exploring other types of care such as acupuncture, chiropractic, water therapy, and mindfulness can be very beneficial, both physically and psychologically.

Finding the right fit for primary care provider is the hardest part. They need to understand and know how to treat FM. They also need to be trustworthy and compassionate. We do not need to be judged or treated like hypochondriacs.

I think I’ve built a solid team of professionals. Besides my primary care, I have a great chiropractor, an amazing massage therapist, an expert physical therapist, and a wonderful and very knowledgeable nutritionist.

Your team may also consist of others outside of the medical field. My team also includes my hair colorist and stylist. They are both amazing women and great friends. They make me look and feel spectacular. Seeing these ladies every six weeks is like going to a therapy session. I can talk freely and confide in them. I love these ladies more than I can say.

So how do you find the right people for your team? Where do you look? I’ve found mine through various means. Some were referrals from family and friends, while others were found via coupons and deals.
I used Groupon and Living Social to find my acupuncturist and massage therapist. I tried four massage therapists at significant savings. Watch for specials and promotion codes that can save you even more. I bought a 90-minute massage for $22! Of course, I researched all of the practitioners before I made any purchase.

I’ve also found ideas from message boards and online support groups. Asking others who live in your area whom they recommend has also produced some great resources. I wouldn’t have stumbled upon them on my own.

You may also find care providers through your current providers. Your massage therapist may be able to recommend someone or may share office space with a chiropractor or acupuncturist.

I’m very fortunate to have access to free care at a wellness center. It’s well worth traveling more than 100 miles round–trip. The pain management program has helped me immensely. The doctors understand chronic pain and FMS. I was told my pain was real. I never had a doctor tell me that before. Most ignored my pleas for relief or made me feel like I was just after a prescription for painkillers. Here, they treat me with dignity and respect.
​
Finding the right care team is difficult, but it was the most important thing I’ve ever done for my health and well-being.

​Who is on your care team?

When I saw that Nutrition Response Testing (NRT) is offered free of charge at my wellness center, I had to give it a try. What could I lose besides an hour of my life? Could this help my chronic pain, brain fog, inability to sleep, and my poor memory? I’m so desperate for relief, I’ll try almost anything.

The entire premise of NRT is based on energy. Just like acupuncture, energy (or “qì”) flows between your organs and other parts of your body. This flow can be disrupted, which may cause various health issues. This procedure is a way to find the cause of an underlying illness or symptom.

Some diagnostic tests are done at the beginning of the exam, including blood pressure and pH level. I completed 70 questions on a form regarding my symptoms. My answers were entered into a computer program and analyzed.

“You aren’t getting any sleep, are you?”

That was the first thing the doctor said to me. This put me at ease because I felt like I had come to the right place. She knew what I was going through! We talked at great length about my health and what I needed to do to feel better.

She was spot–on about everything. She told me my health is very poor and that I can’t go on this way any longer. She asked if I was ready to make a huge change. Yes, I am if it will help my pain. With that, she had me jump on the examination table to do a “hands–on” exam that measures my neurologic reflexes.

The exam goes like this: You extend one of your arms and the practitioner applies light pressure to that arm. They use their other hand to apply light pressure to certain organs and other areas of your body. If the reflex being tested is stressed, your nervous system reduces the energy to your extended arm. This causes your arm to weaken or even fall. That response indicates there is either stress or dysfunction in the area that is negatively impacting your health.

The results of my exam indicate that my pancreas is sluggish and my gallbladder is working overtime. She said the cause of my fibromyalgia is sugar. I know that sugar causes inflammation and I thought I tried very hard to avoid it. Apparently, that wasn’t the case. It was in almost everything I ate! She told me I must give up sugar in all forms now or I will only continue to become more miserable and take years off my life.

I knew she was right. She wasn’t trying to sell me anything or get me to come back regularly. She gets paid a salary from the wellness center. Patients and insurance are not charged for any part of the test or follow-up appointments. It doesn’t matter to her if I take her recommendations or not. She’s unbiased. She has no reason to lie or lead me on.

From now on, I must eat whole foods. No processed, grain-feed, pesticide-treated food. No more alcohol, bacon, fried foods, white rice, or potatoes. Me, the person who never met a vegetable I liked, needs to start eating them ASAP? Yikes! This is a huge challenge, but one I must take head–on.

Because my muscle tone is that of a 70– to 80–year-old, I was given an easy exercise plan to follow. It consists of light walking for 10 minutes a day and using hand weights four times a week. Building muscle tone is essential to my health.
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She gave me four supplements that aid in digestion and boost energy. They were pretty inexpensive. I won’t go broke doing this plan. - Referenced by Carrie Anton

This Netflix streaming movie is a powerful wake-up call for America and the judicial system.  Backpage, a site much like Craiglist, utilizes Section 230 to protect the rights of its Internet moguls.  While it is widely understood that certain privacy acts should be granted, this one allows the buying and trafficking of children right here in our own backyards.

The epic battle that several American mothers are waging on behalf of their middle-school daughters, victims of sex trafficking on Backpage.com, the adult classifieds section that for years was part of the iconic Village Voice. Narrated by Academy Award-nominee Jessica Chastain and directed by award-winning filmmaker Mary Mazzio, the documentary follows the journey of these young girls and their mothers in real time as they run headlong into a collision course not only with Backpage but with judges, powerful corporations, special interest groups, and an outdated internet freedom law that has been interpreted by federal judges to protect websites from any responsibility for hosting ads which sell underage girls. I AM JANE DOE is a gut-wrenching human story and fresh look at a social and legal issue that affects every community in America. - IMDb