My Crazy Life

Change of Plans

I got ready and even made it to church. However, vertigo and overall dizziness has me sitting in the car while my husband attends.

I am not willing to risk a full blown attack in church. I think the nystagmus is acting up because I am seeing trails. (Not exactly like I’m the picture below. (Though if I moved a lighter in front of me it would look like it.) Mine are more like after images of whatever moves in front of me. Does anyone have this problem?

Yesterday I went to a race and though I would love to attend the NASCAR race today, I think I’d not make it through. Yesterday was the first day without brain fog for about a week. So far no brain fog today. (Though it has a sneaky tendency, not like last week when I noticed it all the time.) I felt my head was broken last week.

It pays to be flexible when having a chronic illness and for those around you to understand. Changing plans or canceling plans happens frequently. So far I haven’t lost any friends over it. There have been naysayers who don’t believe that I am “sick”, but not my friends.

I try to avoid those people. Sometimes it’s not possible when they are family. It’s not always possible to hold my tongue, though I am getting better at avoiding situations which trigger my anger.

Love, Peace and Light! Rita

Brain Fog

Lately my head is broken. I can’t remember anything. It’s difficult to think. Or even remember words. Forget about trying to recall any important information.

What is brain fog? A loss of cognitive function, so-called “brain fog.” This term is used to describe a range of symptoms that may produce difficulty thinking, feeling slow, confusion or forgetfulness.

According to Healthline: Brain fog is a symptom that can be caused by stress, sleep changes, medications, and other factors. It can cause confusion, memory issues, and a lack of focus.

Different things can cause it. In my case fibromyalgia, depression & Meniere’s Disease are the culprits. But many conditions cause it. The latest is COVID related. No matter what caused it, it is one of the most frustrating things.

Healthline suggests:

Home remedies to improve brain fog include:

sleeping 8 to 9 hours per night
managing stress by knowing your limitations and avoiding excessive alcohol and caffeine
exercising
strengthening your thinking abilities (try volunteering or solving brain puzzles)
finding enjoyable activities
increasing your intake of protein, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats

Treating the underlying cause will help. For me it comes and goes. Lately though it’s been persistent. The frustration it causes can cause anxiety which in turn could cause brain fog. It’s a vicious cycle. Learning relaxation and other techniques to calm your mind is beneficial.

In the meantime I continue to try to keep calm when it frustrates me. I will wait it out with my word games.

Love, Peace and Light! Rita

Why Me?

I hear that question all the time. My answer is why not me. It’s not as if we have much choice when it comes to health.

Oh sure, you can eat healthy and exercise, but that doesn’t always help. When it comes to flares, I seem to get it all at once. Lichen Sclerosis, fibromyalgia, Meniere’s Disease, etc.

I am uncomfortable all the time. I itch & burn, ache and am dizzy most of the time lately. But you know what? I handle it. Usually you won’t notice I don’t feel well. Unless you see me tilt or walk while a mini spin (short vertigo attack). I’m sure strangers think I’m drunk.

Which is funny because I am off alcohol until my ulcer is gone and I have an operation to fix the hiatal hernia. It’s a good thing I only enjoy drinking, I don’t need it. I do miss my Monday night wine with my friends from Ohio.

Despite how I feel, I still do things. I refuse to let my health stop me from living. However if I am really bad, I stay home. I won’t put myself in situations that will make me miserable.

Fortunately, Ralph understands this. I am lucky to have married the best man. I’m sure it can’t be easy. But he tries to be supportive.

So why not me? I can handle it that’s why me.

Love, Peace and Light! Rita

Celebrex

A couple of years ago my family doctor put me on Celebrex in the hopes it would help my osteoarthritis. Things got worse. I figured I was in a flare.

Celecoxib

Brand name: Celebrex

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

It can treat pain.

My gastroenterologist told me to stop taking the Celebrex as I am having issues in my stomach and esophagus. I did as asked.

About a week in I noticed that my fingers didn’t hurt as much. At this point I didn’t get the correlation. I looked up lesser known side-effects. Joint or muscle pain or stiffness, inflammation, muscle pain increased, muscle stiffness are just a few things I experienced on it.

The best medication I ever had for my arthritis was Vioxx, but sadly it’s side effects for others was death.

I am not going back on Celebrex. I’ll probably stick to Tylenol. I am not saying if you are on or going on that you will have these problems, I am just telling you my experience. It helps more people than it harms.

Love, Peace and Light! Rita

Fatigue

I absolutely hate fatigue. Especially if I haven’t done anything to cause it. Many people don’t understand fatigue, they think being tired is fatigue. Fatigue is feeling overtired, with low energy and a strong desire to sleep that interferes with normal daily activities.

I have been nursing my knee, so I haven’t done much at all. I went to a paint class last night, but sat on my butt most of the time.

Today my knee hurts badly when I thought it was getting better. So elevating and icing the knee has been beneficial since I could also sleep. I’ve spent most of the day sleeping or reading.

And I am still tired. I wish there was something I could take to stop fatigue, but if it’s out there my doctor hasn’t suggested it.

Love, Peace and Light! Rita

Surprises aren’t always good.

Have you ever popped your knee out? I think that’s what I did. Last Monday I had just climbed the stairs and was halfway to my bedroom when I felt excruciating pain in my knee. Somehow I managed to hop to my bed. My right leg wouldn’t support me at all.

Surrounded by my pups with demon dog on top of bad leg.

I called my husband, asked him to bring my cane because I couldn’t walk. I needed to get ready for bed. He was upstairs quickly.

I tried the cane using my right hand, where I usually carry it to keep me balanced. That didn’t work at all. When I tried the left side I could hobble to do what I needed. Sleep was difficult because the pain wouldn’t let up.

I learned something new. Use the good side.

Tuesday I made it downstairs and made an ice pack. I sat in my recliner with a pillow under my leg to elevate it and the ice pack on top. This brought the pain level to manageable.

I rested it all week with ice packs when it throbbed. Yesterday, I went to church and then to the in-laws. My knee wasn’t happy. I used an ice pack and was able to fall asleep.

Today shall be interesting as we are going to Battle for Vegas, a charity softball game, put on by Reilly Smith. The Vegas Golden Knights face off against the Las Vegas Raiders. We had a blast last year. I know it will be fun again. I just hope my knee will forgive me.

Love, Peace and Light! Rita

Flare

You can’t tell, but I am in a flare. Fibro, osteoarthritis and Meniere’s. My body aches,balance is off and my knee is so sore walking is difficult.

Why did I go to this meet and greet/signing on Sunday? Because I want to support my Vegas Golden Knights and any charity that they support. In this case it was for the Firefighters Association.

I met people and enjoyed myself while I waited to get inside. Danil Miromanov is a sweetheart.

On Independence Day we went tv shopping. I made it though I was exhausted. Even managed to carry an old tv downstairs. Man that thing was heavy. And being in a fibro flare my muscles are nonexistent. The new tv is set up in the living room and the old downstairs tv is upstairs. Despite the those two being bigger they were much lighter than our previous bedroom tv.

While in a zoom meeting with friends from around the country fireworks began. Mind you our meeting is from 5 pm- 6 pm. The fireworks stopped around 2:30 am. At least my street wasn’t a total war zone this year. I could look out the window to see the unauthorized fireworks in the neighborhood though.

My friends invited me to see David Copperfield. I love magicians. I saw David many years ago in Athens, Ohio while I was in college.

He puts on a great show. He didn’t disappoint last night. Pictures and video aren’t allowed. Despite looking at how the tricks worked, I couldn’t figure them out. Maybe the one where he predicted what would happen. Maybe?

I slept well last night. That’s unusual for me. Sleep and I parted ways many moons ago. My cats woke me up to eat this morning. Despite my sleep I am exhausted. Fatigue is one of the fibro symptoms that makes things difficult for most. Fortunately, I can rest today.

There is always a price for having fun. Since I want to enjoy life, I gladly pay the price. Rest on the bad days and so-so days, but live on the good days and sometimes the so-so days too. Learn your limitations, but don’t deny yourself a life of fun.

Love, Peace and Light! Rita

Tinnitus

My cicadas ramped up their volume yesterday as my ears became full. Today a clicking sound has joined them. It seems to me I have heard the clicks in nature. I wish I could say that all my tinnitus sounds were from nature, but the truth is I get other sounds from time to time.

Often when I do these posts I look things up so I can share with you. Today I found this:

4 signs you have tinnitus:

There’s a constant ringing in your ears. A major symptom of tinnitus is this persistent ringing sound in your ears. …
You hear music when none is being played. …
You feel a thumping sound in your ears. …
Your hearing has changed.

For years before the cicadas began singing in my ears, I heard music and talking when there was no one around. The music would have been okay if it wasn’t stuck on the same refrain like a scratched record.

My tinnitus changes usually signal an increase in Meniere’s symptoms. Although I have vertigo it’s not the kind that keeps me bedridden. I fear it’s signaling another hearing loss.

Love, Peace and Light! Rita

Mikey’s Tail

I can’t remember if I mentioned this before. I am an Indy Published Author. For now it’s just my children’s book, Mikey’s Tail, that is available. Hopefully, that will change soon with my horror novel.

Mikey’s Tail is free on Kindle Unlimited or $10.00 for a paperback. Mikey really wants a tail of his own, like on foxes, bears and even a bee. What kind of tail will Mikey get? Read to the tail end of his tale to see.

If you’re child loves to hear you read or is learning to read this book is for you. It keeps children interested throughout the story and even has a surprise ending. My illustrator surprised me. I really didn’t see that coming. You can find out more about me at https://ritalsmith.com/.

Love, Peace and Light! Rita

Saying Goodbye

My dad died more than a week ago. My brother and I traveled to Ohio so we could say goodbye one final time. My sister, bless her soul, arranged everything.

Michael J. Kelly III & Opal D. Kelly (Doyle)

My dad had a military send off with taps and the gun salute. His stone will be placed in a couple of months. Hopefully, his military marker will arrive then too.

As this Memorial Day draws to a close, I want to remember all who gave their lives for our country and my dad who retired from the USAF as a Master Sergeant after 20 years.

Ohio Servicemen who lost their lives while in the armed forces.

Love, Peace and Light! Rita