Mibrofyalgia

I haven’t written here for a while,  I’ve been feeling a lot better recently since getting acupuncture at the pain clinic, it seems to have brought me out of a very long flare.  Unfortunately I was only given 5 sessions of acupuncture (they informed me of this at the last session!) and the pain is slowly increasing again.  I’m enjoying feeling better though and have been quite busy.

At the end of March Mr McBlonde and I got an allotment after being on a waiting list for 2 1/2 years.  Mr McBlonde has been doing all the heavy work, digging mainly to clear the plot of a years worth of weeds.  I have been doing gentle planting and hoeing the places Mr McBlonde has dug.  We also inherited several giant Hogweeds so, much as I dislike weedkillers, got out the roundup and sprayed them because giant Hogweed sap can cause permanent scarring and photosensitivty. We’ve now only got a month to clear the allotment entirely before the next inspection, so wish us luck!

Over the last few months I have done a bit of painting but I’m giving it a rest just now.  I needed a break from it to let my inspiration come back (hopefully).  I’ve been thinking about it again over the last few days and I’m wondering whether to go in a different direction for a while, more expressionistic to see if I can loosen up a bit.  I get very bogged down mentally with whether it’s good enough or how awful I think it is, I’m basically too judgemental and very perfectionistic which stops me doing anything at all, not very useful.

Mood wise I’ve been feeling a litlle better, I’m relatively stable just now, slightly below par but mostly not too bad.

Yesterday I went to the pain clinic.  I was referred to get acupunture which is good because it has helped in the past.  I was also advised that Lyrica might help but I’m not particularly keen to go on any more drugs, I’m already on three and they don’t really know how they all interact let alone four.  Plus I’ve had terrible weight gain from the ones I’m on and don’t want to add to it.  The doctor didn’t really give me much of an idea as to what else they’re going to try if anything, and it was a bit confusing.  It’s also becoming clear that not very much is known about Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  So I suppose I shouldn’t expect too much in the way of help.

Yesterday I went for my 6th acupuncture session.  I decided a couple of months ago that I would give it a go and see if it would help my fibromyalgia pain.  I have a session once a fortnight (ideally it would be once a week but I can only afford fortnightly) and I am pleased to say I have seen significant improvement.  I’m still in a lot of pain but it has definately decreased, I’m not getting nearly as many headaches and best of all my energy levels have improved so much.  My anxiety levels have also reduced.

I have noticed that towards the end of the two weeks, usually about two days before my next session I start to backslide and my symptoms worsen.

When I had my first two treatments I felt good, then the next day I got a terrible headache, this stopped by the 3rd time.

I did a bit of research on the internet about acupuncture and fibromyalgia and found that most sites were saying that the studies that have been done are about 50:50 on whether it is effective or not.  Maybe different things help different people?

I have previously had acupuncture through the NHS but didn’t find it terribly helpful.  Who knows why one helped and the other didn’t.