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Filing for Social Security Disability

Published October 18, 2011 by Karla Setchel

Hi Folks,

For those of you with severe health problems which prevent you from being able to work 40 hours a week, you may be considering filing for Social Security Disability.  If you know anyone who has ever filed, regardless of how bad off they are, you know that it is usually a battle.  It’s getting even worse, the applications are just stacking up.  The majority of people are rejected on their first attempt and it may take two to four YEARS to get an approval even with a lawyer or advocate.  One of the main things you need to understand is what Social Security is looking for.  You have to learn how to speak “their language”.  Primarily, they want to know what specifically is keeping you from being able to work ANY job 40 hours a week? For example, how long can you sit, walk or stand before you have to rest on an “average” day.  There’s a lot of questions on the Social Security Disability application and you have to make sure that you’re truly explaining your limitations because many of us have been taught to “minimize complaining”.  The process of “making light of the situation” will not win your Social Security Disability case.

I was very lucky in the fact that another patient in my Dr.’s office told me she had used a disability advocate to file her paperwork for her.  When I filed, I was so weak that I had to have someone actually do the writing for me.  We filled out most of the paperwork and then took it to Debra King of King & Heinline Certified Disability Specialists for her to include her expert opinion and file it for me.  I was approved after the required 5 months waiting period of being unable to work.  You can reach Debra or her associate, Amy, at (540) 381-3644, the office is located in Christiansburg Virginia.  I don’t know if they handle cases outside of Virginia.

Another good source of information about filing for Social Security Disability, as well as a wealth of information for people who are already receiving Social Security Disability Benefits, is the Disability Digest.  They have a lot of FREE (my favorite price) information as well as some books and programs you can purchase.  I found several free interviews that I feel are quite helpful.  One with Michelle Toole talks about the entire experience of someone who becomes disabled and how it affects the whole family when a person that they used to count on is no longer able to contribute to the family in the same way as before.  Often, when you’re experiencing the pain of losing your ability to live life “normally”, you can become caught up in your own grief for what you’ve lost and forget that your family is experiencing feelings of loss also.  It’s a time for everyone to be extra caring and supportive to each other.

So, if you’re thinking about filing for Social Security Disability, I strongly suggest that you do some research first.  If you’re too ill to do your own research, I hope you have a friend or family member who can help you.  I’m not a disability specialist, but I have been through the process, so feel free to contact me if you feel I can be of any service to you.

Here’s to Feeling Better!

Karla Setchel

(540) 366-6134

www.KarlaSetchel.com

Posted in Reducing Impact of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, Relationship, Social Security Disability, Survival & Recovery, job | Tags , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
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Losing Your Balance & Fibromyalgia

Published August 22, 2011 by Karla Setchel

Hey Folks,

We’ve talked in my FMS/CFS/Chronic Pain Support Group about how many of us suddenly lose our balance without feeling “dizzy” or having any advanced warning.  I found an article below where they’re doing studies on this.  I rarely “fall down”, I mostly just tilt to one side & fall into stuff or misjudge distance & run in to door frames, walls or furniture that I’m TRYING to walk AROUND.  I also knock over my glass when reaching for it — poor depth perception, motor skills or whatever causes us to “lose balance” I guess.  While this article doesn’t give any definite “cure”, it’s reassuring to know –as with all the other symptoms– that you’re not crazy, stupid or lazy, your body/mind is just not working the way a “healthy person” does. Be kind to yourself, keep looking for answers and let the rest of us know when you find them!

http://www.fmcpaware.org/9-aug-2011-press-release

Here’s To Feeling Better!

Karla Setchel

(540) 366-6134

www.KarlaSetchel.com

Posted in Foot Pain, Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Pain Relief, Reducing Impact of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, Support Groups, Survival & Recovery, exercise, sleep | Tags , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment
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A Video of Courage and Hope

Published February 18, 2011 by Karla Setchel

Hi Folks,

I hope this post finds you feeling better than usual!  I apologize for not writing the past few weeks, I’ve had a lot going on in my life.  I came across this wonderful video about courage and thought about all the people who suffer with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue or other painful illnesses.  We often have to put forth great effort and experience a lot of pain to accomplish what seems like a very simple task for a “healthy person”.  To me, that is one of the definitions of courage — making it through each day and getting up tomorrow to do it again with the ongoing hope that we will find a way to regain our health.  I hope you enjoy this movie as much as I do!

Courage does not always Roar!

Here’s to Feeling Better!

Karla Setchel

(540) 366-6134

www.KarlaSetchel.com

Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Reducing Impact of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, Support Groups, Survival & Recovery | Tags , , , , , , | 1 Comment
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Can Guaifenesin Reduce Your Fibromyalgia Symptoms?

Published January 25, 2011 by Karla Setchel

Hi Folks,

I hope this week finds you doing better than last week.  That’s definitely the case for me.  I had a lot of emotional stuff going on, my legs and knees were hurting constantly instead of occasionally, plus I had a really bad cold, so I didn’t even get my blog written ~~ but such is life and now I’m better and moving forward.

Have you ever tried the Guaifenesin protocol to reduce fibromyalgia symptoms?  I tried to do it about a year after I was diagnosed but the side effects were too severe.  I had debilitating headaches that made it unsafe to drive and I was still trying to work at the time.  I stayed on a half dosage ( 600 mg) a day for 14 years because I thought some would be better than nothing.  It’s supposed to help keep your fascia more fluid instead of the stiffening that often occurs with FMS/CFS and causes some of the muscle and joint pain.  I used the time released which is now over the counter (Mucinex) and was quite expensive to take on a daily basis.  I couldn’t really tell a difference so my osteopath muscle tested me about 6 months ago and said I wasn’t testing that I needed it so I stopped taking it.  Then I started dating for the first time in 30 years and got 4 colds in 3 months.  Each time I got a cold, I would take the Mucinex and echinecea.  I had less muscle pain and faster recovery during those 3 months than in the last 14 years.  My doctor attributed it to my increased cortisol level from the hydrocortisone he put me on, the water structure machine and the synchronicity machine that I’ve been using for about the same amount of time.  Last week my legs and knees really hurt for about a week, and I thought it was because I had exposed them to cold temperatures for too long.  Then I realized that I didn’t have a cold and wasn’t taking the Mucinex and wondered if that might have something to do with it also.  My doctor did his regular osteopathic adjustment, paying special attention to my legs and knees on Monday and I started taking the Mucinex for my cold.  By Wednesday, I not longer had the constant pain in my legs and knees. I use a lot of products that the Guaifenesin Protocol says blocks it’s effectiveness for reducing fibromyalgia symptoms — like the echinacea when I feel a cold coming on, so I’m not sure if the Mucinex had anything to do with my reduced muscle pain and increased mobility or not. Next week, if my cold is completely gone, I’ll have him muscle test me again for the Mucinex and see if my body still needs it.  I might take it for a while just to see what happens, then stop to see what happens. Anything to find out how to get better!

If you have ever tried the Guaifenesin Protocol, how did it work for you?  I look forward to hearing from you.  If you feel this information can be a benefit to someone, please feel free to share my blog with them as well as on facebook and twitter.

Here’s to Feeling Better!

Karla Setchel

(540) 366-6134

www.KarlaSetchel.com

Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Pain Relief, Reducing Impact of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, Survival & Recovery | Tags , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments
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How Does Chronic Low Grade Dehydration Affect You?

Published January 11, 2011 by Karla Setchel

Hi Folks,

I hope everyone is having a good week.  I didn’t get to go to the Salsa Social that I was expecting to go to so I can’t really compare apples to apples, but I went roller skating for about 45 minutes and didn’t have any extra pain the next day and very little discomfort during the skating.  I did stop and rest in my Lafooma chair fairly frequently during the skating, but I was able to skate more laps at one time( with my date holding me up of course! ) than the last time I went.  As I mentioned in last weeks post, one of the treatments that I’ve started using that my doctor believes is helping me is a water structure unit.  According to what I’ve read and am experiencing, chronic low grade dehydration has negative affects on your entire body — especially if you have other health problems like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue.  The articles I read said that chronic dehydration can cause inflammation.  Even small amounts of inflammation causes pain for people with FMS/CFS.  The information I read from the inventor also said that chronic low grade dehydration can cause digestive, elimination, blood pressure, respiratory, skin, cholesterol , kidney, joint and PH balance problems.  Since I had the “machine” installed (it’s a tube that the water flows through), I am able to drink more water and actually absorb it instead of having it “go right through me” — literally.  I used to get so angry with most doctors who would tell me to drink more water when I would tell them I felt dehydrated all the time — dry mouth, dry eyes and sinuses, because the only affect drinking more water used to have on me was to make me go to the bathroom every 20 or 30 minutes instead of once an hour!  Their advice in this matter was of no help to me at all.  The water structure machine  has really made a difference for me. I feel less dry, have more energy, less pain and am recovering from activity faster.  If you would like more information on it, feel free to call me at (540) 366-6134 and I can get you in touch with the lady I bought mine from.

Here’s to Feeling Better!

Karla Setchel

(540) 366-6134

www.KarlaSetchel.com

Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Pain Relief, Reducing Impact of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, Survival & Recovery | Tags , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments
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Water & Synchronicity to Reduce Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Symptoms

Published January 4, 2011 by Karla Setchel

Hi Folks,


I hope that you are continuing to improve and that your good days out number your bad days!  I had a miraculous day recently.  I went dancing for 2 hours.  While I was dancing, the pain in my back, neck and legs would increase, so I would sit in my Lafooma chair for ten or fifteen minutes to rest my muscles, then get back up and dance some more.  I really thought I would be in excruciating pain the next day because for past 12 years I haven’t been able to do any physical activity without it increasing my fibromyalgia pain or chronic fatigue exhaustion.  It was all I could do just to keep myself fed and bathed, much less take a walk or dance.  Much to my shock, when I woke up the next day I didn’t have any extra pain, no fibro-flare — in fact, I felt better than usual !!!  I talked to my doctor about what I was experiencing and he was pleasantly surprised also.  I asked him what had caused this because I want to make sure I keep doing it.  He said he thinks it’s a combination of the water structure machine that he recommended I buy and the Synchronicity machine that he’s trying out in his Lexington, VA office which I’ve used once so far.  I’m not “healed” yet, I have managed to over use my right arm doing some hand sewing and it’s hurting pretty bad, so I’m riding an hour from my home ( I still can’t drive that far yet ) tomorrow and next week to use the Synchronicity machine at least 2 more times in hopes of more improvement.  My doctor’s not sure if he’s going to invest in the $19,000 Synchronicity machine, so I’m trying to use it as much as I can in case he doesn’t buy it.  The water structure machine runs anywhere from $249 for a portable unit to $1000 for a whole house unit (which is what I bought).  They also have a commercial unit for pools and hot tubs but I don’t remember the price ~~ fibro-fog LOL.

Anyway, if you’ve watched my welcome video at the right side of my blog, you’ve heard me state that being sick is expensive.  So is getting well but it’s a lot more fun and seems like a much better investment to me!  If you would like more information on either of these machines, feel free to contact me at (540) 366-6134.

As always, if you feel that this information would be useful to someone else, please feel free to share my blog on facebook, twitter or any other place that you believe it may be helpful.

Here’s to Feeling Better!

Karla Setchel

(540) 366-6134

www.KarlaSetchel.com

Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Pain Relief, Reducing Impact of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, Survival & Recovery, exercise, sleep | Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments
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A Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year to Everyone!

Published December 28, 2010 by Karla Setchel

Hi Folks,

I trust that you’ve survived Christmas, possibly coming down off of those “sugar highs” that are so common this time of year!  Not writing an “info article” today.  As I’m coming down from my sugar high and the excitement of visiting with my family,

I just wanted to wish everyone HAPPY, HEALTHY, & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!!

Here’s to Feeling Better!

Karla Setchel

(540) 366-6134

www.KarlaSetchel.com

Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Reducing Impact of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, Relationship, Survival & Recovery | Tags , , , | 3 Comments
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Tips on Better Sleep Despite Fibromyalgia

Published December 20, 2010 by Karla Setchel

Hi Folks,

I hope that your day is going well.  I just listened to an interview by fibromyalgia specialist Dr. Richard DiCenso about the problems of insomnia with fibrmyalgia patients.  He said that as we try to relax, the Beta phase actually INCREASES our pain sensitivity!  He said while we’re being active, watching TV or what ever activity you do while your awake, you’re distracting your mind from your pain.  When you try to relax without taking the proper steps to quickly get to an Alpha state, your mind has nothing to concentrate on but the pain it’s feeling.  Obviously the pain makes it harder to go to sleep and with most FMS sufferers, the lack of sleep makes our pain and other symptoms worse immediately as well as the next day.

Here’s some tips that Dr. DiCenso recommends to promote a healthier sleep pattern.  Before bed, take a hot epsom salt bath.  1/4 a cup in as hot of water as you can stand will help your muscles release lactic acid and increase the oxygen levels.  Do not drink ANY alcohol at least 3 hours before bed.  While alcohol is initially a sedative, as it’s sedative affects wear off it becomes a stimulant which interrupts sleep.  Turn off the TV and computer or other forms of mental stimulation at least 30 minutes before you want to go to sleep.  Put lavender oil on your pillow or diffuse it in your bedroom, it calms the nervous system.  About 15 minutes before bed, start deep abdominal breathing combined with positive affirmations or meditation.  He also recommends using a meditation and sleep rhythm CD, he has some available but there are plenty on the market.  I’ve been using a sleep CD for years but currently am still having to use sleep medication also.  My goal is to gradually ween myself off the sleep medication and hopefully some of Dr. DiCenso’s suggestions will help me do this.

I hope you have found this information helpful.  Please share my blog with anyone that you feel it may benefit.  If you have any questions, feel free to call me at (540) 366-6134.

Here’s To Feeling Better!

Karla Setchel

(540) 366-6134

www.KarlaSetchel.com


Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Pain Relief, Reducing Impact of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, Survival & Recovery, sleep | Tags , , , , , | 6 Comments
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Low Cortisol May Mimic or Worsen Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Published December 14, 2010 by Karla Setchel

Hi Folks,

I hope you’re having a good week.  I’m continuing to push myself a little physically which results in some extra pain; however I’m recovering faster than I used to.  My doctor put me on hydrocortisone a few months ago.  He said that sometimes low cortisol levels can mimic or worsen fibromyalgia symptoms and he wanted to find out if raising my cortisol level would help.  He said it would take a few months to notice any difference. He also said that the “normal medical standard” for cortisol level starts at ZERO which both he and I thought was rather unusual since we need a certain amount of cortisol for our bodies to function properly.  As usual, I never try just one new thing at a time to make it easy to figure out what’s helping — I’m in too much of a hurry to feel better and try everything I can as soon as I hear about.  So after watching a dating site commercial and realizing how lonely I was, I started dating again for the first time in a VERY long time which was about the same time I started the hydrocortisone.  While the actual dating has had quite a few emotional ups and downs — my body is responding beautifully to SOMETHING!  I don’t know if it’s the hyrodrocortisone or the excitement of getting to know a “possible significant other” but I’m recovering from the pain of extra activity faster than I have since 1999.  The dating involves a short dance class, which originally I had to sit down 3 or 4 times during the class to prevent my back from hurting for the next 24 hours, but now I only need to sit down 1 or 2 times — quick, someone who does math figure out what percentage of improvement that is! :-D

Since I’ve been recovering from the pain of additional activity much faster, I thought I would try exercising again.  I found a very effective exercise routine that strengthens and tones muscles very quickly with minimal effort and additional pain.  It was something I had been doing about a year prior to having to quit my job and go on disability but could not continue until now because my FMS pain was too severe.  If you want to know more about this exercise routine, feel free to contact me.

So what has caused this improvement?  The hydrocortisone, the excitement of dating, all the other stuff I’ve been doing finally starting to work or was this going to happen anyway?  I have no clue, I’m just glad to be recovering faster from activity and socializing more!

Please feel free to share my blog on facebook or twitter (or wherever you share stuff) with anyone it may benefit.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 540 366-6134.

Here’s to Feeling Better!

Karla Setchel

(540) 366-6134

www.KarlaSetchel.com

Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Pain Relief, Reducing Impact of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, Relationship, Survival & Recovery, exercise | Tags , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments
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Are You Tenacious, Focused or Just Obsessive?

Published December 7, 2010 by Karla Setchel

Hi Folks,

I hope this week finds you feeling better every day!  Most of my articles are specifically about how to effectively deal with the symptoms of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue or other chronic illnesses.  Today I want to stray a little and ask you “how do you deal with a problem”?  I’ve found that when a situation arises that needs to be resolved, I focus the majority of my energy on that situation until I find a solution or answer that I’m happy with.  Especially when it has to do with a relationship that is important to me. Some people call that tenacity or focus — some might call it obsessive!  How do you deal with a “situation” that needs to be fixed?  Do you let everything else go until you figure out a solution or are you able to compartmentalize your life so you can continue to keep up with everything else going on?  Do you think one way of dealing with a problem or situation is better than the other?  I would love to hear your input so feel free to leave a comment and let me know how you handle life and what you think :-D .

Here’s to Feeling Better!

Karla Setchel

(540) 366-6134

www.KarlaSetchel.com

Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Relationship, Survival & Recovery | Tags , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments