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Karla Setchel

Hi, I'm Karla Setchel. I became disabled in 1999 from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, TMJ & all the initialed illnesses that go with it. I'm in the process of restoring my health & financial well-being and I enjoy helping others who want to do the same.
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/karlasetchel

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Exercising with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue

Published April 16, 2010 by Karla Setchel

Hi Folks,

Here’s an article I came across that I thought might be helpful even though we’re dealing with fibromalgia, chronic fatigue and/or TMJ rather than – or in addition to arthritis. I’m not able to do any of these exercises at this time but a friend suggested that I start out sitting upright & lifting 4 oz baggies of dried beans for 1 or 2 repetitions until I can do at least 10, then increase the number of beans a little (maybe add 2 more oz to each baggie) until I can lift 8 ounce cans (cheaper than buying weights!).  I’m going to start that soon, hopefully tomorrow.  It’s sounds like such a petty amount but I have to start from where I am in order to rebuild my hand, elbow, arm & “core” muscle strength.  Sitting up straight in a chair for a few minutes actually works a lot of muscles and is a challenge for me just by itself.

I just ordered my first pair of orthotic tennis shoes (actually running shoes because they’re lighter and the only ones I could find wide enough for my feet).  I know that walking is a good “overall” exercise and I have to start that out slowly with the proper foot support but I  also need tofind some way to rebuild my upper body strength after 11 years of atrophy from Fibromaylagia, Chronic Fatigue and TMJ.

So, here’s the article. I’m going to break the paragraphs into more manageable pieces for those of us with “fibrofog”, but have not changed any content. Continue Reading

Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Support Groups, TMJ/TMJD/TMD | Tags , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments
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Surviving a Long Trip with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue or TMJ

Published April 13, 2010 by Karla Setchel

Hi Folks,

I’ve talked before about balancing out your energy so you can get the most important things done without over exerting yourself each day.  But what about special events that are “beyond your normal limits” but too important to miss?  Like  a friend or family members wedding, funeral or graduation?  How can you do this without causing your fibromaylgia, chronic fatigue or TMJ to flare?  I recently attended a Recognition Picnic that was 2 1/2 hours away from my home. I started preparing for the trip the day before, did nothing the day of the picnic except the picnic, and gave myself several days to recover.

One of the things I do if I have to travel more than 30 minutes from my home is to lay on an air mattress, covered with a piece of foam, surrounded by 4 pillows rather than trying to sit in the seat. I tried 3 pillows, one under my head, one under my knees and one to lay my arm over but found I needed a 4th one between me & the driver’s seat for sudden stops! Everyone’s different, but even reclining a seat all the way back doesn’t take enough pressure off my back & hips on long trips. I have a mini van & we leave the middle seat out for my Lafooma chair which I take EVERYWHERE — even into other people’s homes!  That way I don’t have to ask them to let me use their favorite recliner.  Continue Reading

Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Support Groups, TMJ/TMJD/TMD | Tags , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments
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How to Keep Your Family Fed – Despite Fibromyalgia/CFS

Published April 6, 2010 by Karla Setchel

Hi Folks,

I hope everyone is enjoying Spring! What do you do when you’re too exhausted or in too much pain  from Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue (FMS/CFS) to prepare a healthy meal for your family every day?  If you cook like most people do during Holidays, you probably have “left overs”.  That’s great!  Left overs take a lot less work than the original meal and usually taste just as good.

Before I even became sick, I read a book called “Dinner’s in the Freezer”.  It was meant for busy Mom’s, not sick Mom’s however, the results work out very well for me.  On days that the Fibromyalgia (FMS) and Chonic Fatigue (CFS) aren’t giving me as much trouble as usual, I will make enough food for 3 to 5 meals & freeze most of it in 2 to 4 portion containers, just keeping 2 “dinners worth” in the fridge to be eaten. I try to keep ahead so that I don’t have to use the energy I have to “cook” every day.  I try to “cook” twice a week and eat left overs the rest of the week.  You can get variety by alternating  what you thaw.

I also use a meal replacement protein shake –even if you’re not trying to lose weight -it’s an easy, nutritious meal that even your kids can make safely & without too much mess, boiled eggs (boiled 6 at a time to save time & effort ) & occasionally have someone pick up “take out” for me.

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue is tough on your whole family. Feeling better requires adequate rest and feeding your cells what they need (that’s right, not just for enjoyment or because you’re hungry).  So keep plenty of healthy, fresh food on hand (and some precooked meals in the freezer) and supplement with a quality antioxidant juice, vitamins, minerals and herbs.

Until next time, take care!

Karla Setchel

www.KarlaSetchel.com

(540) 366-6134

Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Support Groups | Tags , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments
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More Info on Mercury Poison from Amalgam Fillings

Published April 3, 2010 by Karla Setchel

Hey Folks,

I got this from the local activist against “amalgam fillings” (the ones that look like silver).  She has loads of info and contacts about mercury poisoning from amalgam fillings and vaccines (called Thermisol).  Feel free to contact her if you have questions.

“Thanks Karla for the info. Local people do need to contact DAMS for the info packet, but I know the dentists in the area who do it safely.
It is my job to keep up with these dentists and report back to Leo Cashman at DAMS. Leo will send out a lists of dentists for VA also.
But I also tell folks in this area about one DAMS dentist in NC which might be just as close and he has good prices.

More exciting news is happening. Two of us were interviewed on the College of Wm and Mary’s radio station last week for
90 minutes about dental mercury. I am getting ready to be interviewed for a documentary that is being made on the coverup
of the FDA about these fillings. And in April I along with others will be speaking at the College of Wm and Mary’s Mercury Expo.
We will have two biological dentists, one will debate the Assistant professor from the dental school. Also speaking will be one
poisoned dental assistant, one formerly poisoned neurologist (www.scienceformulas.com), people from DAMS—me, DAMS Coordinator
from Williamsburg and the Vice President of DAMS from Philadelphia.

Why don’t you attend on Saturday and Sunday and get all the info about detox and so on?

http://mercury.wm.edu/?page_id=225 ; $40 registration. Tell your group. (April 24-25th for what you would be interested in)

Marie Flowers

(540) 890-4233″
Hope you find this info helpful!

Much Love & Many Blessings,

Karla Setchel

www.KarlaSetchel.com

(540) 366-6134

Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Mercury in Amalgam Fillings, TMJ/TMJD/TMD | Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
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Last 4 Mercury (Amalgam) Fillings Removed!

Published March 31, 2010 by Karla Setchel

Hi Folks!

Finally!  The day has come & gone.  I had the last of the mercury (amalgam) fillings removed yesterday.  After telling Dr. Devening’s assistant, Cheryl, that my TMJ (temporal mandibular joint) was still sore from 3 weeks ago, Dr. Devening decided to work in intervals to allow my jaws to rest rather than do the full procedure at one time like he did at my first  “refilling”.  This worked WONDERFULLY!  He took out the DAM which was held in place by a metal jack-like thing after finishing my top 2 fillings, allowed my jaws to relax while he checked on another patient.  Came back & reinstalled the DAM and did the lower 2 fillings.  Then he allowed me to rest my jaw muscles a 3rd time while he checked on other patients before he polished  down the fillings.  He also used a “bite block” also known as a mouth prop to hold my mouth open while he worked rather than me having further strain my TMJ and the surrounding muscles to do so.  The did everything possible to make the experience as comfortable as possible for me during & after the procedure.  I wish ALL Dr.’s were like that!

If you have TMJ, also known as TMJD or TMD, I highly recommend that you talk with your dentist before ANY procedure to find out how long it is expected to take & get him/her to let you close your mouth occasionally to prevent a TMJ Flare.  I also remembered to use ice this time — which I forgot last time (fibro-fog or hard headedness– you pick LOL )

Once again, I highly recommend Dr. Devening & his staff for their kindness & expertise.  The office has a large window in every exam room, the waiting room & bathroom are roomy & clean.  They have certainly done everything possible to make your visit to the dentist as comfortable as possible.  In addition to using a numbing liquid on your gum, Cheryl even patted my shoulder to while the novacaine needle was going into my gum.  Believe it or not, I was able to concentrate on the gentle tapping on my shoulder rather than the needle!

Continue Reading

Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Mercury in Amalgam Fillings, Mercury poisoning, Support Groups, TMJ/TMJD/TMD | Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments
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Changing from WordPress.com to WordPress.org

Published March 30, 2010 by Karla Setchel

Hey Folks,

I’m in the process of changing form wordpress.com to wordpress.org for my blogs.  As you can see, I’ve re-posted some of my earlier blogs — in reverse of what they would normally show up ( forgive the fibro-fog :) ! ) so that when I add my next post you’ll have some idea of what I’m talking about.

I had the rest of the amalgam (mercury & other metals) fillings removed just a few hours ago, so I’m not going to do a lot the rest of the evening.

I’ll write more on my experience tomorrow :)

Much Love & Many Blessings!

Karla Setchel

(540) 366-6134

www.KarlaSetchel.com

Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Mercury in Amalgam Fillings, Mercury poisoning, Support Groups, TMJ/TMJD/TMD | Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
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Mercury Fillings (Amalgam) Removal Has Begun/began?

Published March 30, 2010 by Karla Setchel

Hi folks,

March 9, 2010. Writing with mixed emotions today.  I’m leaving in an hour for a 45 minute ride to Lexington to have half of the mercury fillings  in my teeth removed and replaced by composite — which I’ve already been tested for to make sure that I’m not allergic to. I’m glad to finally be getting the mercury out, but who likes getting dental work done?!  My roommate is driving me because I still can’t comfortably drive more than about 10 minutes at a time YET (my “positive” word).  I go back in 3 weeks to have the other half removed because I had 9 fillings in all & that is too many to do at one time.

When I get better at this blogging thing (and have less fibro-fog), I will be able to put the little “widgets” in that make it possible for you to click on a word & learn more info about it.  Like DAMS, which is an association that helps people be aware of the medical dangers of mercury fillings — the silver looking ones.

If you have “silver” fillings in your teeth, you have mercury in your mouth & every time you eat, drink or grind your teeth, you’re releasing a little mercury vapor into your body.  According to my Dr., no amount of mercury is safe, so I’m having it removed.  You have to go to a dentits who specializes in “safe mercury removal”.  They have special machines & procedures.  You can find a listing in your area if you google DAMS (the association — I feel like I’m cursing every time I type or say that LOL ).

I’ve already missed over 11 years of my life due to fibromyalgia & chronic fatigue, more than that if you count the number of days I was bed ridden from TMJ caused migraines.  I’m ready to get healthy & enjoy life!

If you can’t find something that I’ve referred to, make a comment & I will get back to you as soon as possible.  I promise I will get more proficient at this in the next few weeks (or months!).

Much Love & Many Blessings!

Karla Setchel

www.KarlaSetchel.com

(540) 366-6134

Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Mercury in Amalgam Fillings, Support Groups, TMJ/TMJD/TMD | Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment
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1st Half of Mercury Filling Removal Completed!

Published March 30, 2010 by Karla Setchel

Hi All!

Today is March 11, 2010.  I’m still having a little difficulty chewing on the right side — something to be expected after someone diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue & TMJ had 5 mercury/amalgam fillings removed & replaced with composite!  I am pleased with Dr. Devening and his staff, despite the discomfort of the dental work. The procedure wasn’t as bad as one of my “normal FMS/TMJ flares” so I’m pretty impressed!  Dr. Devening gave me nitris oxide before putting a topical numbing on my gums, BEFORE injecting me with novacaine in 3 places.  He and his staff did their best to keep me as comfortable as possible, but with FMS/CFS/TMJ one is rarely comfortable to begin with — sooo.  Maybe by tomorrow or Friday my right jaw will be back to the way it was before the procedure.  I definitely like the look of the new fillings, well — the fact that you can’t see them I should say!

In 3 weeks I get to do this all over again on the left side of my mouth & it will be DONE!!! The dental work part that is — I’ll still be detoxing, but at least I won’t be absorbing any NEW mercury from my fillings at that point.  I will also receive my NTI-tss at that time — it’s a little spongy-type thingy that fits on your front teeth at night rather than wearing a night guard.  It takes all of the tension out of the muscles/tendons near the TMJ — I can’t wait to get it!  Dr. Devening’s office can tell you more about it. Dr. Devening’s number is (540) 463-2134.  His office is located at 112-A Houston St., Lexington VA  24450.  I’ve been wearing the old-timey hard acrylic “bite guard” for TMJ for over 20 years & was still waking up with my jaws hurting from clenching & grinding my teeth all night.  This will end that — YES!!!

I just cannot express in writing how excited I am to have found out about the mercury filling problem and the NTI-tss device.  Recovery is a step by step process & these 2 are huge!  To find out more about mercury poisoning you can go to www.amalgam.org/ or call DAMS at (651) 644-4572.  I believe they also have a listing of Dentists who perform the mercury/amalgam filling removal properly.  If you live within 2 hours of Lexington VA, I highly recommend Dr. Devening and his staff.

Here’s to restoring our health!

Much Love & Many Blessings,

Karla Setchel

Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Mercury in Amalgam Fillings, Mercury poisoning, TMJ/TMJD/TMD | Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
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Day 4 After 1st Half of Mercury Filling (Amalgam) Removal

Published March 30, 2010 by Karla Setchel

Hey folks,

March 14, 2010.  Hope everyone is having a good day!  The right half of my mouth is almost back to where it was before having 5 “amalgam” fillings (which  all contain mercury) removed.  I think that’s pretty good recovery time considering all of my health issues– TMJ, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue to name a few.

Once again would like to thank Dr. Devening and his staff for making me as comfortable as possible. 
Check it out, I learned how to do a link!  LOL All you have to do is click on Dr. Devening’s name & it will take you to the web site — neat!

My ceramic crock pot arrived.  It’s much bigger than my last one.  I got a 6 quart because I didn’t know what size the last one was — it must have been a 4 quart!  Oh well, I guess I can cook more at one time & have more servings to put in the freezer (refer back to my older post about how to feed your family when you have FMS/CFS/TMJ).

I don’t know if I can blog every day — life has flown by since my entry on March 11.  I won a game of pool against my son & my roommate, cooked supper and now I’m wiped out.  Wonder if the dishes would magically wash themselves tonight?

Much Love & Many Blessings!

Karla Setchel

Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Mercury in Amalgam Fillings, Mercury poisoning, Support Groups, TMJ/TMJD/TMD | Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments
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Fibromaylgia/Chronic Fatigue/Chronic Pain Support Group

Published March 30, 2010 by Karla Setchel

Hey Folks,

For anyone who doesn’t know, I host a Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue/Chronic Pain support group the 2nd Wednesday of month in person and through out the month online.  If you know anyone with these ailments, please let them know about the group and that the can contact me at (540) 366-6134 to join — it’s FREE!  The purpose of our group isn’t to “gripe” but to share what is helping, what we’ve tried that hasn’t helped  and to ask the group for solutions if you have a problem that you haven’t found an answer to.  In addition to those things, sometimes you just need someone to talk to (or e-mail) that REALLY knows what you’re experiencing.  Here’s an e-mail that I recently sent out to the current e-mail list:

“Just a reminder that even if you can’t attend the group meeting, if you find a product, therapy, or life-style habit that is helping reduce your pain and/or fatigue, please send the info to me so I can share it with the group. If you want to remain anonymous let me know, otherwise I will just forward you e-mail ( which saves me time, energy & typing ).

Another purpose of our group is to allow people to request suggestions if they’re having a problem they can’t find a solution to — like the one I sent out earlier about the birth control issue. Again, if you wish to remain anonymous, let me know & I can forward responses back to you.

We’re all using different methods & paths to get well.   Sometimes it’s overwhelming to get so much information, but if you store it in a “folder” either on your computer or a physical folder — then you can refer back to it when you need or want to.

Here’s to feeling better!

Much Love & Many Blessings!

Karla Setchel

(540) 366-6134

www.KarlaSetchel.com

Posted in Managing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & TMJ, Support Groups, TMJ/TMJD/TMD | Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment