Doris/NC 02/01/06
Happy February to all! Now why am I looking at March birthdays????? LOL...did somebody make a booboo? Anyway here we are in the second month of the year already. I am up a little early cause I awoke with a headache so got up to take a Vicodin and decided to stay up and drink some coffee. Geez I only have 3 Vicodins left and I don't see the neurologist til next week. I am surely gonna have to ask for a refill cause I have been getting headaches alot during the day. Not sure why I am having them so often. Went to bed with one and got up with one......guess I kept it all night. I am still taking Topomax at night for headaches and it does keep the migraines away (Thank God). They are so AWEFUL!! Also the Zelnorm has helped my stomach soooooo much. All the pain I was having is completely gone. The dr. was so right. This IBS can be really something at times! But I think my old dr. took me off the Zelnorm cause it was affecting my liver so I am gonna have this dr. check that also. But if I can't take Zelnorm, I pray there is something I can take for my stomach cause it gets extremely painful. Good grief, it's something always hurting. What a mess I am people!

Jason had his taxes done and so he hired "Merry Maids" to clean the old house yesterday so the ex-landlord could inspect it. They did an excellent job. He got his whole deposit back which is really good. He knew I wasn't able to clean it and he has to work so he just hired a cleaning crew and it was well worth it. The ladies did good work. The landlord over there really hated to lose us cause we were good tenants but he was happy for us that we had bought our own place. So now we are all finished up at the old place and can concentrate on our new place. So glad that all that is behind us now.

No errands to run today so I can stay home all day. I am glad too. I really don't wanna go anywhere today. Just don't feel up to it. I am going to do a few little things in the house but nothing major. Maybe catch a nap later on. Gonna soak in the whirlpool and relax for awhile later also. Good for the muscles. Hope you all have a good day and a safe one also. Take care and hugs to each of you!

July, on February 1
ELLEN, BERNADETTE is right, and you seem to be stuck right in the middle of that. It sounds to me like your doctor just doesn't place much faith in the Fibro thing. I will say to you that my blood pressure "bottoms out" quite often. I'll get light-headed and have to lie down. I think it's a Fibro thing, but it can also be a reaction to meds. THAT SAID, BP is one thing your doctor should check out as quickly as possible. I think you just have a bad doc. Maybe there's one who travels, comes to town once or twice a week? I'm going to get in with a good one who does that here. My (future) sister-in-law has Fibro, and she adores him. Ask around, ask your doctor's nurse, ask technicians, ask your dentist! Maybe there's even a nurse practitioner near you. I had a great one in Seattle.

DEB, you're right about the diet. I've been craving salmon; that sounds so good! Darrell isn't fond of it, but if I grill some, or tuna, on a salad, I'm a very happy girl. Maybe I need to admit that the tougher part is fixing all these wonderful things for the guys and then staying away from them! Darrell feels deprived if there isn't fresh bread or biscuits or muffins, so I make them for HIM. Okay, I'm on board. I'm going to make a bigger effort! Here I come, BERNADETTE! I hope you're feeling better. Absolutely, the cold is awful for you. I talked to Darrell about your situation. He says couples do long-distance relationships because of available work all the time, and that he would hate to see anybody with Fibro living in Alaska. He says he'd look for another job or put me up in a warmer climate and study for his pilot's license. I know you guys are trying hard, and that's a biggie, but I just cringe for your location. Spring is coming! HUGS to all.

Richard in Tucson February 01, 2006
"Good Wednesday Morning" Everyone I can't believe it is February 01, 2006 already. The time seems to fly by. I Don't Have much time & energy ( at least not @ THE SAME TIME) what else is new lol.

Today I have just got to get my roof project fineshed including the flashing installation. I have put it off long enough. Yesterday was a washout because I spent several hours trying to locate a structural engineer, for my walking deck & Sliding Glass Door Cut-out. You would think that with all the Names of local engineering firms, independent consultants, and some others listed on the webb., that it would be easy to find, I have made several calls, left several messages, I still have no one interested in helping me. The stress of not finding anyone for this, is taking it's toll on my fatigue. I am just going to have to wait and see if they return my calls. Meanwhile I have other fish to fry.
I want you all to know that even if I am not present @ the wall from time to time, I am thinking about you all & praying for you.
Deb: I will share the energizer batteries,please share them with me if you should find them first lol. I wish you all painfree days and nights. Gentle hugs Richard... 

Bernadette Feb1
Jaime I am so happy for you that you are accepting help from these kind people. One thing I've been wanting to share with you is that for me, the beginning of my fibro was really hard until I got a handle on it which took about a year of trying meds and figuring out how much activity I could do and getting the bad knots worked out of my back by a massage therapist and I bet it will be the same for you so good that you are taking it easy and focusing on health. Career and clean house may follow, but first things first. I have spiral curls (natural) and I can really recommend the John Frieda Frizz Ease products that you can get at the grocery store. Love em! I think you should go for it and pamper yourself with a perm. I love little beauty perks.

Doris did you say whirlpool, WHIRLPOOL? OOOhh I am trying really hard not to be envious!!!

I am so relieved and excited everyone. My husband's company is paying for us to go to FLorida in three weeks we have to pay for my son but we will take him too!!! I am crying with joy because I cannot take this cold much longer. We are going for 7 days. Between the flights and unraveling myself from flying I should have 3-4 good days in the sun. Last time I flew I thought "this is the definition of hell for a fibromite-having to stay in one position for five hours"-and the flight to Florida will be at least 10. But it is going to be so worth it and I can't wait to spend time with my workaholic husband and the joy of showing my son the park and swimming in an OUTDOOR POOL which we don't have any of up here. I tried on swimsuits yesterday and boy if you need motivation for a diet-that is it. It got up to 8 degrees yesterday. I am still flaring really badly today I think I'd better skip the gym. Love you guys bye bye.

Foggy Dee ~*~ Wednesday February 01

LOL...Doris, as I was putting the birthdays together before posting last night, I kept looking at them thinking...what's wrong with them? Then just threw my hands up in the air and went ahead and posted them. It looked ok to me and I wondered why I was so worried about it....now I know. DUH!!! So, I've reposted and hopefully the trimmer will erase the other ones. It's always fun to laugh at one's self.

Cheryl Feb 2

Cheryl

Feb 1    Cheryl-TX…Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with fibro about 2 years ago and had never heard of it before that.  I was sent to the rheumatologist by another doctor thinking I had Lupus.  It was a relief to find out what I had.  I have always been a very physical person, meaning I liked outdoor activities and now these activities are somewhat limited.  I was relieved to read that the driving and concentration problem is not just me.   Sorry, that doesn’t sound very good, but I hope you know what I mean?  I take care of my mother and her doctor appointment and shopping really wear me out.
   

Now I have to deal with TMJ problems and surgery concerning that problem.  Sometimes it just all gets to be too much.  I’m glad to find this wall and read about things that my help.  Thanks everyone.

DORIS/NC 02/02/06
Good morning all. LOL, Dee it happens to the best of us. I just got a kick out of it! No harm intended cause we all goof up from time to time. I sure make my share of messes believe me. I have a question, what is this medicine Cymbalta for? I have heard that alot of you take it. I am just curious. I may look it up online to see what it is anyway but I just noticed that quite a few of you take it.

I mopped floors yesterday. And I ended up on the couch all afternoon cause I was so tired and sore. It's like we can only do one major cleaning chore a day and that's if we are having a fairly good day. That just don't seem fair does it? So I fell asleep and barely heard Jason come home from work. He came in and kissed me as usual and I fell right back asleep.....lol. Finally I woke up and once I had been awake abit I cooked us some supper. We had fried chicken, pasta roni, and corn. It was good and I was hungry cause I didn't eat any lunch.

By the way I was talking about a whirlpool tub in the bathroom. I think it was Bernadette who got all excited. But it's really nice and big. I sure have enjoyed it since I have moved in here. Always did want a huge tub.

Well I hope you all have a great Thursday. Take care and be good to yourselves. Richard, slow down and take some breaks...you are making me tired...LOL. You need some relaxation my friend! Ellen, I hope you are feeling better honey. Jaime,hopes things are going good for you. Bernadette, wow a trip to Florida sounds GREAT! Have a great time and enjoy! July, what's up with you? Hope all is good. Have a blessed day all and hugs to each of you!

July, on February 2
Oh, BERNADETTE, that's GREAT! I know the trip will be draining, but days in the sun will be so worth it! Be careful not to get burned. I'm SO GLAD for your family. I don't get in my whirlpool as much as I should. If it were full all the time, like a jacuzzi, I would, I'm sure. Swim a few laps for me, will you?

CHERYL, welcome, and we understand! I'm sure we can give you some helpful hints. DORIS, Cymbalta is an antidepressant, serotonin and norepinephrine. It seems to also help a lot with pain, but antidepressants DO that. I have finally weaned off mine; will go back on it when the budget recovers (meaning I find a job!). Only taking Tramadol now, 3 a day, supplemented with lots of Tylenol.

We're going to the flea market Saturday to look for gardening tools. I have a lot of pruning to do, and the winter has been unusually mild. I found Darrell's back scratcher with a couple of rolly things in the handle, so I'm using that to work out the trigger point that's driving me nuts behind my left shoulder. Hurts, but is helping. Other than that, I'm trying to enjoy being unemployed. I take a nap almost every day! I thought my house would be clean, but I'm not motivated to that yet. Guess I needed a week off to be lazy and rest. HUGS to all.

BLTeam

ATTENTION WALLABIESWe are experiencing FTP difficulties and at this time cannot trim the Wall. We understand when the Wall becomes long it takes a long time to load so if you could keep your posts short until we get repairs done, it would be appreciated.

 Thank You....The BLTeam (Bonnie, Darlene, Dee and Louise)

mymichelina 2/2/06
OK can anyone relate to this?

 I have had many many blood tests as most of us have. In these blood tests my hormone levels have been tested..(I am 44). I was not shown to be inmenopause or even in perimenopause. Yet I have been having for at least a year and a half, painful intercourse, bladder problems. These were all attributed to a enterecele and rectocele that was repaired last March. Well there has been no improvement...actually has gotten worse. So I went to GYN yesterday and she told me that I have Atrophic Vaginitis! The entire area, including bladder area is atophied due to no estrogen!! I cant believe it! How can this be when my blood work is ok?

Sorry to talk about this private stuff...hope no one is offended!

Ellen - Alabama - 2 - 2 - 06
Hey Everyone! I hope everyone is ok today. I want to say thank you for the support. I was just needing to vent. No, I am not giving up, I didn't last time when they couldn't find anything. Well, Finally they did find FM, scar tissue and a hernia and my surgeon is the one who found all those. If there is anything I find I will let yall know. My youngest son has been sick again this week, he has an upper respirtory infection and fluid in his ears. So all of my energy has went to him this week. My boys are my life, if it wasn't for them I would have probably given up by now. Happy Ground Hogs day! He didn't see his shadow here. Yea!! Big hugs to everyone.

Jaime 2/2/06
Hi all, welcome newbies. Went out to do a little shopping, in lots of pain. Don't know if the pain is due to the fronts coming through or what. If the pain meds don't help then I'm gonna call some friends, and have them take me to the ER. My back is on fire, and spasming really badly. Feels like my shoulder blades are going to meet together. Tomorrow I get to go and get my sprial perm, yea. I can't seem to get the spasms to calm down. The pain is at a 9. Help, the pain is everywhere, spreading like wildfire, going down my back into my hips and legs. Oh this hurts so bad. Please help.

Doris?NC 2/03/06
Happy Friday to all! Glad to hear you are feeling better Ellen! Poor Jaime, I feel for you as I have been having a bad week myself. Sorry you are hurting so bad. My legs are flaring up like CRAZY! Mostly at night and then they throb big time!!! This restless leg stuff is awful I tell you,just awful! Also been dealing with those headaches on and off. When will it end???? My back hurts every morning for the first hour after I get up....can't explain that either. Just know that I have been having my own share of PAIN lately along with some of you so hang in there as I always try to do and maybe we will ride it out together my friends!!! Take care and God bless you all. Tender hugs to everyone!

July, on February 3
MYMICHELINA, I don't know what they do for that condition other than estrogen. As I understand it, the levels are not easy to read in bloodwork, so they could have missed it. But please have your gyno consult with a urologist. Your symptoms sound just like mine and will AGAIN not be relieved if they're treating the wrong thing. There are lots MORE symptoms if the problem is "no estrogen." But it sounds a lot like interstitial cystitis to me, which is common among Fibro folks. ELLEN, JAIME, the weather is cruel, stress is high. JAIME, you need a month on the beach with BERNADETTE! I swear, there's more going on for you and I wish they'd find it. You're all in my thoughts. HUGS, especially to the Wall Team!

Richard in Tucson Feb. 03, 06
Good Friday morning, TGIF; Another week gone by, I feel lately I have been missing alot here, even though there is a slow-down of chatter on the wall. I would love to contribute more worthwile advice, or something that can help everyone here. I am doing the best I can.
Yesterday I had to go take care of some items that needed my maintenance knowhow @ my parent's Preschool. I also had a Root-Canal done at an Endodontist near the preschool, I really don't like getting these procedures, but it was long over-due. Today I promissed my dad I would fix a problem they have in their kitchen sink. I also have to make some more phone calls to about 15 different people including my primary Dr. about, my appointment on Monday they called to remind me of. I forgot about it, if I don't write it down it is lost. I now have conflicting appointments with my respritory therapy and my Primary, I will have to reschedule the primary, because right now I need my humidifier for the CPAP machine.
Cheryl: welcome to the wall, you will find wonderful help and support here. I too have major problems driving, sometimes I am not sure if I should be driving. I must though we have four children & my wife works far from our home. I would be stranded if I couldn't drive. My activities are limited too. Concentration is soo important, I used to take it for granted.
I wish you all to have the best of weekends and pain and fatigue free. Gentle Hugs from Richard in Tucson... 

Bernadette Feb 3
I go to see my rheumatologist today. I am going to ask about Lyrica. Then, I teach school in the afternoon and take a Spanish class after school. I feel pretty proud of myself that I get a lot done but hubby and I still working out conflicts because I'm often tired or in pain. Talk more later. JULY I think I remember you mentioning that you watch Survivor. I'm a big fan. Didn't that bite last night that they kicked off that wonderful strong lady??

Jaime 2/3
Hi all, Last night I did end up in the ER for the severe pain. They gave me some medicines to relax me, and calm the pain. After getting the medicine in I actually was able to sleep. Doing a little better today, still in some pain. Go to get my hair permed in a little bit.

Katielady 2/03/06
Hello FM'ily-Wanted to say hello. Haven't posted, but read everyday.
Ellen-So sorry that you are having a rough time lately. I am glad you are finding support here. I will keep you in my thoughts.
Jaime-You too, girl! Sorry about the trip to the ER. I am glad that you will have some help from your friends. I hope that you feel better.
Richard-You make me tired! I hope you get your doc appts squared away and your home improvement projects come to an end soon.
I had a couple of epidurals this afternoon for my lower back today. The shots themselves weren't so bad, but for some reason I am having a harder time with them now. Some nausea, and extra soreness.
Bernadette-So happy to hear you will be getting some fun in the sun! Enjoy!
Wishing everyone a good weekend. For football fans, enjoy the big game! I like it for the commercials and the excuse to eat extra yummy snacks. HUGS, Katie

Jaime 2-3-06
Hey all, Really tired tonight, probably gonna go to bed soon. Got my hair spiral permed today, looks great. In tons of pain. Heard that we're to get thunderstorms tomorrow with a front, oh yea. At least didn't have to go to the ER today, which is good. Last night was so bad, thank goodness for pain medications, and wonderful doctors. Until later, since I'm falling asleep sitting here.

July, on February 4
BERNADETTE, I KNOW! First person to provide the first meal, first voted off. That breaks every rule Richard and Rupert established. LOL. Now they're not only going to starve, the "older women" are going to get picked off one at a time because they can't win immunity because they have to literally carry the whiner who's afraid of everything!

Okay, winter has settled in in Virginia. Drizzle and cold, my two new best friends. No wonder I feel like I napped in the tumble dryer. Bruised-feeling all over. Still, it's been an easier winter than most so far. I'm looking forward to Superbowl and the Olympics, so let it snow! Making gumbo and veggies and bleu cheese dip for Superbowl - ALL PROTEIN, no carbs! I'm doin' it! Now that I'm off the Cymbalta, I'd like to be back in my own clothes by my 50th birthday. Which, oddly enough, is in JULY! LOL. Already the "cravings" are gone and it has only been a week. Had nothing but a big salad with a hard-boiled egg on top for dinner, and it held me all evening - no snacking. See! It wasn't my willpower! It was the Cymbalta! (As long as I believe that, I'll get the weight off easily now, whether it's true or not! LOL.) I didn't start gaining until we started experiementing with meds last year, so this is my story and I'm stickin' to it! HUGS to all.

fingers crossed!
here's hoping that my machine is finally working and that this is working!

it will take a while for the archives... your patience is appreciated.

thanks... the trimming lady

Ellen - Alabama - 2 - 4 - 06
Hey All! I hope everyone is doing ok today. I woke up stiff and my legs wanting to ache but it started to rain and the weather turned off chilly today. It was trying to spit snow this morning and it is not suppose to get any better all week. I had to take my son back to the dr. yesturday. He got up and went to school but called about 9:30 and I had to go pick him up. He had lost 4 to 6 lbs just since weds. and had become dizzy and nauseous. The dr. said that she beleaved he was trying to dehydrate. He just hasn't had an appetite and I have been having to force him to drink juices and 7-up. I finally told him that if he dehydrated then they would put him in the hosp. and put an IV in his arm and he would not be able to play his games. He has tried to drink more and is starting to eat better. Then this morning when hubby came home and was building a fire, I went to shut the door behind him and when I started walking across the room I got dizzy and fell. I grabed on to the coffee table and I was able to grab and I didn't hurt myself to bad. I almost had hubby take me up and have them check me out right afterwards so that way they can check and see if anything is going on to make this happen. But I didn't. Hubby was in a hurry and needed to get to the shop so I didn't bother him. I know he would fuss if we went and sat up there for the rest of the day and then they didn't find anything. July, when my bp goes up then comes down I usually end up with a really bad headache and feel totally whipped out. When this happens I don't always end up with a headache. So I am still wondering what it is. I know that you were doing the same thing to Katylady. Did they ever find out what was going on? I better go. I have to put some wood on the fire and get some cube steaks ready. Love yall lots.

Jaime 2/4
Today is one yucky day, rainy, storms, and cold. Lots of pain I think due to the weather. Just trying to relax, watch some movies, and try to enjoy the day. As long as I don't end up back in the hospital then its a good day. Although I really have to thank all the wonderful people at the ER, they put me in a quiet room, but still where I could see what was going on. Then they had to give me two shots both in butt though, ow. But soon after that I didn't care about anything. Then I fell into a deep nice sleep. Normally the beds in the ER are so uncomfortable, but to me I didnt care, it seemed comfortable to me. I slept until Jim got done working then he took me home, the doc who took care of me was willing to give me one more shot if I needed it, but by that time the pain was at 0. When I went in it was 10+, after the first shot it came down to a 7, and after the second shot 0. Certainly hurting though today. Hopefully no thunderstorms, but radar showed some coming.

Bernadette Feb 4
JULY glad to hear that you went carb free last week. I did eat corn tortillas and chips, but I did go without wheat and have not had any sinus congestion or headache. My rheumatologist wants to try me on Neurontin before we try Lyrica. Feedback on it anyone?? I told him the SAM e seems to be working (though mild, and I still deal with some anxiety, etc, I do feel that it keeps me from going too low and I don't feel any side effects) and he said to stay on it. He says that he hasn't noticed that any of his patients really benefit much from Cymbalta. I asked him if he perceives a shift in the medical community as far as fibromyalgia is concerned and he said a definite yes. He said that they are mostly convinced now that it has to do with the nervous system and not the immune system and that more docs are seeing it as a legitimate illness. He did say that it tends to happen to people that have had an overload of emotional pain and stress and that there is a strong mind/body link, but that that doesn't make the pain any less real. He thinks that new discoveries will be made that help now that they have begun to narrow down what kind of problem it is. He stressed again the importance of exercise. I have been trying. I wish I were like July and woke up and did my thirty minutes of cardio and weights, but I find myself only working out twice and week at the gym and maybe doing one sport activity a week.

Woke up this morning wishing I could just lay on the couch with a heating pad and some old movies, having someone do my dishes and laundry and shopping for me. Basically, I guess I miss my mommy! Woke up feeling like crap. JULY you described it perfectly-like I'd been in the tumble dryer. Every day I wake up and make myself show up and try to function as normally as possible and today I just wanted to hibernate. But, once I got out of the shower I am feeling alright. Hope everyone is OK. Haven't heard from Yolanda in a while.

Bernadette Feb 4
Just did a search on Lyrica and neurontin and one of the side effects was weight gain! I am too vain and work too hard to keep my weight down! I will try this drug but I so hope I don't gain weight. Has anyone else had this as a side effect and if so what dose were you taking.

Katielady 2/04/06
Good Evening-Bernadette-About the Lyrica and neurontin. I take neurotin and can't tell if it causes weight gain, I think it's a combination of so many of my meds that cause weight gain! It does make you very drowsy though.
Hubby was taking neurontin and then they switched him to Lyrica. Initially, he was impressed and thought it made a difference in his pain. (He broke his back 13 years ago and has had 3 failed back surgeries.) About 6 weeks after being on it he has stopped taking it b/c it blurred his vision so badly and gave him awful muscle spasms.
I know that most people here are having positive results and most docs I have talked too speak highly of it. So I guess it's going to do different things to different people. I would try it if they offered it to me, can't hurt to try.
We are having lots of rain here today too. At least I got a good nap, it's the perfect day for one.

Hugs, Katie

July, on February 6
BERNADETTE, once when I picked up the Neurontin, I remarked that it was taking all my grocery money! (It is expensive; aren't they all?) Then I said I'd gained so much weight on it, I didn't need groceries anyway. The pharmacist said, yes, Neurontin was notorious for that. After Neurontin, we tried Mirapex, and then Cymbalta, which DID help me and the other two didn't, at least with a lot more energy. I've probably gained close to 30 lbs. though. HATE this! But it's coming off now. GIVE THE SAM-E SOME TIME. Like months. Even an antidepressant needs a few months to actually start really working. If you're even feeling a benefit at all, that's fabulous. You can always increase it. I'm going to go back to melatonin at night, and maybe I'll try a small dose of St. John's Wort during the day. I know how I get with no antidepressant, but I know what taking it can do to my bladder. What a stuck place! HUGS to all.

Doris/NC 2/6/06
Hi everyone.Good Monday morning to all! Bernadette,I was taking Neurontin awhile back for my restless legs and fibro but then it seem to stop working for me so I am now on Lyrica and even it seems to not help at times. It seem to be good until the last week or so and now my legs have started back aching alot more. Maybe I am just on my legs too much....not sure. I take so many meds that sometimes you just aren't sure what is working anymore.

My lower back has been giving me a fit for over a week now. Especially the right side...probably the stones? They are in my right kidney afterall. Gee so many problems all the time......I get so tired of it! Also I am waking up early every morning around 4-5 am and falling asleep in my chair every night by 7-8 pm. My body is so messed up and I am not sure how it got this way. Somebody mentioned Vytorin...I also take that for my cholesterol. I take Lisinopril for my bp. I just know that lately it takes so little to make me tired. My energy level is running very low for some reason.

I am gonna change pharmacies. There is a Medicap 2 1/2 miles up the road from me and I am gonna switch to them starting this month. My old pharmacy is now maybe 14 miles and this will be so much closer. I called and they said they would have all my records transferred from Kerr Drug to their store for me. There is also a Medical Center right beside it . I been thinking about maybe checking into it also. I want to know what kind of drs. they have and some info about them first. I am gonna do some checking into that before changing. But it sure would be much more convenient.

Hope you all had a good weekend. We had our little dog groomed and he looks so good. Also got to see the new grandbaby Sat. night. He is slowly growing and he is so sweet and precious. I had my pics developed and I got some good ones of him. Yesterday my son invited us over for lunch. We had steak on the grill! Also salad and baked potato! It was all very good. Had a good time and got to see my granddaughter Autumn and play with her awhile. I sure do loving my grandkids.......aren't they just precious????? Well, take care everyone and have a blessed day! Hugs to you all.

I finally remembered that when I used to travel a lot, I carried Triaminic with me because changing climates would mess with my sinuses. So it's probably the nighttime Benadryl that's making my hair fall out. Since I stopped taking the antidepressant (VITAL: You can't take an antidepressant and melatonin together), I think I'll pick up some melatonin and switch to that. BERNADETTE, do you take it? If you're not on an antidepressant (sorry, I can't remember!), it would give your Sam-E a boost to take that during the day and melatonin at night. HUGS

Hello - I am new to The Wall, but would like to share some information. I am on
the filmmaker Michael Moore's mailing list, and he recently sent out a
letter soliciting "horror stories" from U.S. residents about negative
experiences with health ins. co.'s, HMO's, gov't ins. agencies, or having
no health insurance at all. If you are a U.S. resident, this is an
opportunity to not only share your personal "horror story" about dealing
with the healthcare system in the U.S., but to raise awareness of FMS/CFS
issues while you do.

Thanks for the opportunity to share this info! (Please Note: I do not
profit in any way from passing on this email. My only motive is to share
helpful info. Thanks!!)

Following is a copy of Mr. Moore's email:

Send Me Your Health Care Horror Stories... An Appeal from Michael Moore 2/3/06 Friends,
How would you like to be in my next movie? I know you've probably heard
I'm making a documentary about the health care industry (but the HMOs don't
know this, so don't tell them -- they think I'm making a romantic comedy).

If you've followed my work over the years, you know that I keep a pretty low
profile while I'm making my movies. I don't give interviews, I don't go on
TV and I don't defrost my refrigerator. I do keep my website updated on a
daily basis (there's been something like 4,000,000 visitors just this week
alone) and the rest of the time I'm... well, I can't tell you what I'm
doing, but you can pretty much guess. It gets harder and harder sneaking
into corporate headquarters, but I've found that just dying my hair black
and wearing a skort really helps.

Back to my invitation to be in my movie. Have you ever found yourself getting
ready to file for bankruptcy because you can't pay your kid's hospital
bill, and then you say to yourself, "Boy, I sure would like to be in
Michael Moore's health care movie!"?

Or, after being turned down for the third time by your HMO for an operation
they should be paying for, do you ever think to yourself, "Now THIS
travesty should be in that 'Sicko' movie!"?

Or maybe you've just been told that your father is going to have to just, well,
die because he can't afford the drugs he needs to get better -- and
it's then that you say, "Damn, what did I do with Michael Moore's home
number?!"

OK, here's your chance. As you can imagine, we've got the goods on these
crooks. All we need now is to put a few of you in the movie and let the
world see what the greatest country ever in the history of the universe
does to its own people, simply because they have the misfortune of getting
sick. Because getting sick, unless you are rich, is a crime -- a crime for
which you must pay, sometimes with your own life.

About four hundred years from now, historians will look back at us like we were
some sort of barbarians, but for now we're just the laughing stock of
the Western world.

So, if you'd like me to know what you've been through with your insurance
company, or what it's been like to have no insurance at all, or how the
hospitals and doctors wouldn't treat you (or if they did, how they sent you
into poverty trying to pay their crazy bills) ...if you have been
abused in any way by this sick, greedy, grubby system and it has caused you
or your loved ones great sorrow and pain, let me know.

Send me a short, factual account of what has happened to you -- and what IS
happening to you right now if you have been unable to get the health care
you need. Send it to michael@michaelmoore.com. I will read every single one
of them (even if I can't respond to or help everyone, I will be able
to bring to light a few of your stories).

Thank you in advance for sharing them with me and trusting me to try and do
something about a very corrupt system that simply has to go.

Oh, and if you happen to work for an HMO or a pharmaceutical company or a
profit-making hospital and you have simply seen too much abuse of your
fellow human beings and can't take it any longer -- and you would like the
truth to be told -- please write me at michael@michaelmoore.com. I will
protect your privacy and I will tell the world what you are unable to tell.
I am looking for a few heroes with a conscience. I know you are out there.

Thank you, all of you, for your help and your continued support through the
years. I promise you that with "Sicko" we will do our best to give you not
only a great movie, but a chance to bring down this evil empire, once and for all.

In the meantime, stay well. I hear fruits and vegetables help.

Yours,
Michael Moore
michael@michaelmoore.com
www.michaelmoore.com

(P.S. I am new to this type of formatting - hope I did it correctly!!!)

Got my test results from the doctor and everything looks ok. I do NOT have Sjogern's Syndrome, which I'm extremely happy about. The only thing was that I was still so much more tired than usual with no explination. We decided to take me off the Vytorin to see what happened and that's what was kicking my buttocks. Within 2 days I no longer felt like someone was sitting on top of me all of the time. I was sleeping anywhere from 12 to 18 hours a day some days. My energy level is much much better and the horrible dry mouth I've been dealing with is practically gone. Not suggesting that anyone just dump their Vytorin, especially since my system is so strange with medications, but if you have started having problems since starting on Vytorin you might ask your doctor about it. I felt so good that I decided to be an idiot and clean my entire house over the course of two days since I hadn't felt like cleaning lately...doh. Doc also suggested that since my B12 level was within normal but on the lower end that I could try replacing my B Complex pill with a liquid form. She said it works much better so I have purchased some. I drop it under my tongue and hold it there for 30 seconds, then swallow it.

I miss having the second window because I can't remember what I was going to type to who. I'll have to start copying to notebook or something.

Someone was talking about their husband experiencing blurred vision with the Lyrica. I've had some of that too. It seems that the longer I'm on it, the better the side effects are. Of course it could be that I'm just getting used to being blind too...grin.

Someone was also talking about their doctor saying that they haven't had much success with Cymbalta and Fibro. I don't know about anyone else, but I personally am SURE it is helping me. I was on it for several months and ran out about a week before payday. I was off of it for about 8 days. By the time we got paid I was so miserable. I didn't even realize how much pain I had been in before I started being treated for Fibro until I ran out of that one. Within a few days of starting back on the Cymbalta I felt much better again and also have seen improvement since adding the Lyrica. The Cymbalta seems to have dealt with a lot of the pain and the Lyrica seems to deal more with that clenched, buggy feeling. Can't speak for anyone else but it's been a great combination (along with the vitamins I take)for me.

I also found something called "FM Support" at the health food store. I started taking it a little while back. I'm not sure if it's helping me or not since I was having such problems with the Vytorin, but I'm hopeful.

Hope everyone is feeling ok today.

I went to my Doctor Today for a physical, and he said I am closer than ever to being Diabetic,& he prescibed me a new med for controling my sugar. I am also increasing my Lyrica dosage to 100mg twice daily. I was on 50mg. I also got the humidifier for my CPAP, I will keep you informed of my progress. I must go to bed now. Good night, gentle hugs talk to you soon. Richard in Tucson...