Welcome to my blog, and thanks for visiting me here! What you read here may not always interest you, but it is my intent to utilize this blog to share my own experiences about living with diabetes, fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). I have made so many friends online who share my struggles with these ailments, and this blog is dedicated to them - as well as to my husband, Shawn, and our daughter, Paislee - who have chosen to journey through these uncharted territories with me. Thanks to each of you for being an important part of my life and for sticking by my side through thick and thin.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Each person has their own struggles and their own journeys when dealing with diabetes, CFS and FM; my story is just a small part of the picture. (Just had to note that before continuing the journey...)
You've probably already read part of my story - but here's a bit more to get you better acquainted with me. On October 30 of 2008, I was placed into the ICU on an emergency admit where I was diagnosed as a type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic, despite losing 116 pounds over the past two years. I was also admitted to the hospital in August and November of 2009 for complications related to my other diagnoses. I currently take 850 mg Metformin twice daily, 30 mg Actos once daily, use an OmniPod insulin pump (with Novolog) and wear a Dexcom SevenPlus CGM to help prevent severe hypoglycemia, as I am hypoglycemic unaware until I hit the 50s... I've learned the value of always having glucose tablets with me along with diabetes testing supplies; these things can be lifesavers!
In addition to diabetes, I have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS, arthritis, bulging discs and pinched nerves as well as a heart murmur and take several prescriptions for treatment of these other ailments too. With the discovery of a vitamin D deficiency and usage of prescription vitamin D each week as well as tanning, I feel like I've gained back some of the ground that I have lost in the past, although I still have many painful days...
I've recently begun seeing a pain management specialist, since wearing the CGM no longer allows me to take acetaminophen. I've lost some of the ground I had gained in the past when it comes to managing my pain; my fibro has flared off and on for the past month or so - but I have complete faith in my pain management doctor and know that eventually, we will get all of my pain issues ironed back out. Once the pain begins to abate, my pain management specialist and I both feel like my chronic fatigue will taper back off to a manageable point. My blood sugar is already on its way to being more stable and better managed - thanks in a large part to my CDE - who has shown me that life can be okay with diabetes as long as you know how to dose for what you choose to eat. I've been able to attend family reunions, birthday parties and other events and enjoy dessert now - and that's priceless compared to the misery I suffered when sitting back and watching others eat dessert (and other carb-rich foods) in the past without me.
I was originally diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia around 15 years ago - back in the dinosaur days when these were really controversial diagnoses. Their effects have come and gone throughout the years, but this bout is the worst ever. (Maybe it's due to the wonderful aging process, lol?) Thanks in part to a large number of folks in the medical community who have stepped out and spoken out about fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome since then - as well as to patients diagnosed with these ailments - these two syndromes are now being more widely recognized and accepted. Still, the journey to reality concerning CFS and FM amounts to long distances in a small community like mine, where common practice is to sit back and suffer quietly and stoically. I have run into several doctors over the past year or so who still refuse to admit the reality of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome; due to their blinders, they've lost a potential patient. I don't hesitate to step out or speak out about the reality of living with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, especially since they are not very well known diagnoses. Instead, I have made it my goal to educate everyone I come across about the severity of these two ailments as well as the severity of diabetes and the toll all of these things can have on a person's life.
At any rate, it's been a pretty sleepless night - thank heavens for interesting programs on late night TV (and the re-run of Whale Wars, as I slept through tonight's episode originally)! My family and I have plans for the first part of the day, and then a nap is in order sometime this afternoon. I'll be back later to share more of my story and will go ahead and apologize now in advance for my bad days when all I do is complain...
My wish is that God blesses each and everyone of you today and in the days to come. *gentle hugs* to all my fibro friends out there!
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