About Me

It is very difficult to know exactly where to start in relating my experiences with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome. I "officially" was diagnosed with fibromyalgia after a August 9, 2005 rear end car accident. The funny thing was during the lawsuit that ensued and the HUGE amount of paperwork and my entire history that was amassed -- everything from an injury when I was a few months old to you name it, it was there --- I realized that a pattern had developed for fibro long before I officially had the label. I have always had aches and pains and previous to this accident I was able to handle them without medical intervention -- unfortunately some of those years include self-medicating with a bottle of Jack Daniels! I would go to a chiropractor when I had insurance but I was not on any sort of prescription medications until 2005.

Since then I have had the run around and tried upteen different medications as well as treatments. I have found that chiropractic works best for me right now as when I am in pain I need intense pressure to counter balance the painful areas. I also lay on a granite rock on the pressure points that hurt the most -- usually my upper, mid and lower back. I also take three different narcotics right now and will have some horror stories about them in later posts.

Bill and I had always dreamed of going on the road in the future when things were financially better but the Great Recession practically left us no choice in the matter. There was , and still is, no work in Northern Wisconsin. When he lost his job after 25 years, we were able to keep things together by doing more merchandising and mystery shopping which had been my line of work for about 8 years as it was flexible enough to let me start later in the day if I had had a bad night or skip work altogether if I felt bad enough. Unfortunately due to our location up north we had to drive long distances to get to larger cities such as Wausau, Green Bay and Appleton. It was also very difficult at times to work and live together 24/7. When I saw the posting for openings at Amazon.com in Coffeyville Kansas I decided to apply for both of us and take the plunge now instead of later.

Almost one year later we are doing much better financially than we would have done by staying in Northern Wisconsin. Bill's job at the moment is allowing us to catch up and we can hopefully be debt free except for the RV and house payment by next summer. It has not been easy but it has been a good choice.

This blog will attempt to cover issues that I run into with my health problems while on the road. Hopefully I can give those of you who read some alternative ideas and I can also learn from you if you read something that you have the answer to!

Medical Personnel/Locations Friendly to RVers

I am starting this post which will be added to each and every time I find a caregiver who is friendly to the RV lifestyle or fibro/pain sufferers. I am going to start listing them by state and see how that works and adjust if needed.

Ohio

Akron/Canton
Healthwise Chiropractic Clinic - visited 6/14/2010
Dr. John Kleptach
330-494-7158
1170 S Main Street North Canton OH 44720
www.healthwisechiropractic.com
drjohnkleptach@sbcglobal.net
No x rays or prior office notes needed, $30 per visit by cash or credit card

I finally broke down and decided to find a chiropractor as my hips and lower back were
indescribably painful. I lucked out this time on the first call and reached the receptionist,
Barb, who is very cheerful and great to talk to! They were actually able to get me in for an
appointment within 20 minutes. Dr. John used warm heat and electric muscle stimulation
before treatment. He does both manual and activator adjustments.

National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day May 15

This year's National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day will be Saturday, May 15 with many activities occuring around the country and especially in Fullerton CA. There will be Walks of FAME as well as Lights of Hope ceremonies at various locations. If you are not near any organized activities, please consider becoming an organizer! If not this year then next year. If you are not able to do that you can still support those of us with this disease by sponsoring a candle for the Fullerton Lights of Hope celebration or by sponsoring a walker or even becoming a virtual walker and getting your own group of sponsors. Another important way you can help is to sign a Pledge to Care to show support for the National Fibromyalgia Association in it's advocacy efforts. There is more information on these programs and more at http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer?pagename=community_awarenessDay2010 . The more that those of us with the disease as well as our loved ones speak out and get involved, the more that the public, skeptical doctors and immovable insurance companies will be able to use the excuse that "it's all in your head" and deny us the treatments and research that is needed for us to be able to live full, and hopefully some day, pain free lives.