I’m so, so ready to have a more normal, active life. My lower back has been tied up in spasms for almost two weeks, and every time they seem to abate, they quickly return with more force. Sometime in the midst of the back spasms, I got sick with cold/flu-like crap, and the coughing has made my lower back feel like it might explode. I’ve been on oral steroids for four days and have had tons of cough syrup, ibuprofen, and chiropractic treatments. I was finally able to walk a few blocks very slowly last night after barely making it out of bed for days. I hate fibromyalgia.
After exhausting what I consider the final physical cure frontier—changing to a vegan diet—I feel stuck in a C-list movie about how much the body can make life suck. I’m still a big advocate for veganism. Despite living in hell at this moment with excruciating back spasms and flu-like symptoms, the vegan diet’s benefits are still obvious. My skin looks better than it has in years. My sweat doesn’t stink much when I exercise (although I haven’t exercised in awhile). I have regular bathroom habits. My neck has improved, and I’m sleeping regularly. From a nutritional standpoint, I feel like a million dollars.
I’m not sure what the end game is with fibromyalgia. No soccer? Dammit, but ok. No tennis, another dammit, but ok. But the modifications and concessions keep coming, and it feels like I’m down to almost nothing that I actually can do.
Since my low back went to hell, I’ve found my true breaking point. I thought I’d found it before, but I guess that’s the thing about fibromyalgia—it breaks you down so many times that it’s hard to tell when you really hit bottom.
Sorry to hear you are having a rough time of it at the moment but it’s interesting to read your comments about a vegan diet. Do you feel your fibro symptoms have improved since going vegan? I was vegan for 3 years (this was way before I was diagnosed) and they were probably the healthiest years of my life. Cutting the story short, I ended up reverting back to vegetarianism (more due to social pressures than anything else) and I really regret it. Veganism is certainly something I would like to go back to but I need to work at my motivations to do so. Excuses. Excuses.
I hope your back improves soon, there is nothing worse than back pain. Have you tried using a heat pad on your back? I find this helps me a lot. Take care.
Donna,
I’ve become a believer in a strict vegan diet. Over the last few months, I’ve felt much better in general. It can be difficult to maintain, especially at restaurants, but I don’t go out to eat often anyway. I love heating pads and recently got a hot tub, which is a lifesaver. I hope you’re doing well, and thanks for writing and commenting. 🙂
I noticed you have changed your diet and have had some knee pain among other things. I am wondering if maybe in the mist of this you are eating things that are anti-inflammatory or have taken an anti-inflammatory drug? I found that if I eat things like flax seed, my back hurts. I discovered this after I was given an anti-inflammatory drug. I started taking it an I couldn’t move the back spasm was so bad. I stopped taking it and the spasm went away. Then whenever I would eat foods like flax seed I noticed the same pain only not as bad. So I stopped eating flax seed. I have also given up pineapples too. They do the same thing.
Flax seeds and pineapple– what a strange combination of thing that make you hurt. I’m glad you figured it out and are staying away from them. Thanks for reading and commenting, and I hope you’re feeling well!