Too bad about the pedometer, Marlene, when you had waited for it so anxiously. I would mention the fastener not being sufficient in my e-mail, for sure. But hope it's in the car. Or the store.

I had my first knee done in July of 1998 and my second one in May of 2001. I can't imagine how people have two done at one time but they do. I have a problem taking the really good pain meds and so have to deal with the pain on basically Tylenol until I could get back on anti-inflammatories. But I'm also stubborn and made myself do all the p.t. and stuff. My first one still bothers me occasionally but the second one went much better - I think that it was certainly bad but didn't seem to have done as much damage. Same surgeon did both.

We have the snow today too but I think this time you got more. (I live near Harrisburg.) Sweet young neighbor came over and cleared driveway. (and brought homemade pea soup, one of my favorites.)

Ally, with growing boys in the house it's amazing you have anything left to eat. It seemed I was always hauling groceries in when my son (and friends) were in their teens.

Happy, the Irish Coffee sounds ALMOST worth it. Hope you're better.

I too will keep you and daughter in my prayers, Joanne. And yes, I guess if you can still stand the pain..... My surgeon had told me he'd do it when I came in with tears in my eyes fromt he pain. He has the same problem so he's understanding about the whole thing. I asked him who was going to do his replacement when the time comes and he said if he could he'd do it himself. How he can stand for all the surgeries, I wonder. He said it's bad but then he said not being able to go to the bathroom is worse. He keeps me in good spirits and I try to do the same for him.

Meme, your first sentence describes me perfectly. (I work, I eat....)

Busy day tomorrow. Dh to cardiologist, then to dialysis. Today was a blessed break - so peacefully unbusy.

Fighting Fibromyalgia
 

This diet also applies to those with arthritis. Worth a read, make some changes in your diet, and see what happens.

The Doctor Says (Zoltan Rona)



FIGHTING FIBROMYALGIA


Natural help to reverse chronic pain

It is estimated that between three and six million people in Canada and US suffer from FM. Of these people, about 80 percent are women between the ages of 20-50. This chronic illness accounts for more than five percent of a Doctor's practice and, for the most part, leaves the medical profession perplexed.

When I started in general practic in 1978, FM was a rare condition, perhaps worthy of a footnote in large medical texts but of little or no concern to most medical practitioners. In the mid 1980's, however,this changed dramatically. Doctors began seeing an ever-growing number of people with multiple, non specific complaints.

Initially, medical experts, who could find no evidence of bacterial, viral or other infection, theorized that this was a psychiatric illness,a form of depression. To this day, many doctors still believe that FMS is "in your head".

IT'S NOT ALL IN YOUR HEAD

The good news is that scientists are making advances in both diagnoisis and treatment, mostl in the field of natural(complementary integrative medicine. FM is reversible if you follow a step-by-step approach using diet changes and other nutritional or biochemical balancing techniques. Regardless of what you have been told by the more pessimistic members of the medical profession, you can now take advantage of some of the latest advancements and return to a normal or optimal state of health without taking dangerous drugs. Convention medicine offers no cure for FMS; however, many natural strategies and treatments do. All it takes in most cases is for people to become informed and take the initiative.

TIRED AND HURT ALL OVER?

FM is a syndrome, meaning that it involves the presence of many different signs and symptoms. People who suffer from FMS do not share the same signs and symptoms equally, but most complain that they "hurt all over". And nearly 100 percent of FMS victims report that they had some type of life event of life stressor just prior to the onset of the chronic pain.

Most FMS patients are not hypochondriacs or whiners but are suffering from demonstrable phycial and mental dysfunction associated with disturbed sleep pattern and immune system abnormalities. The usual complaints of those suffering from FMS:aching and stiffness with multiple points of tenderness in numerous muscle groups, pain at multiple sites, fatigue, headache, depression, anxiety, paresthesia (numbness and tingling), irritable bowels and poor sleep patterns.

The condition is predominantly characterized by a consistent patternof non-restorative or non-refreshing sleep - a sleep abnormality that is generally not a feature of other musculoskeletal diseases. A lack of refreshing sleep may be the major determining factor in the severity of FMS pain and cognitive impairments. And, indeed, a lack of non-restorative deep sleep is a prevailing characteristic of FMS. It is, after all, sleep that allows damaged muscles and an over-stressed nervous system to recover, renew and regenerate. Studies indicate that anything done to improve sleep in victims of FMS improves and, in some cases, even reverses the condtion altogether.

WHAT CAUSES FMS?

Evidence is now accumulating that FMS is primarily a disorder of the immune system. The type of immune system disorder involved fits the categary know as autoimmune disease.

An autoimmune disease is defined as one in which the body's immunes system starts making antibodies against its own tissues or organs. In a normal state of health, the immune system recognizes the body's organs as native, or a part of self: It does not attack them in any way. A healthy immune system only attacks foreign invaders (e.g. bacteria,viruses,parasites) or tissues (cancercells). When the immune system attacks normal, healthy tissues and organs (self), it is defined as an sutoimmune reaction. There are many other theories and possible contributing factors including leaky gut syndrome, a "sick" mitochondria and high levels of vitamin P.











THE FMS DIET
Diet is of particular importance to anyone suffering from a chronic illness such as FMS. The best nutritional program to follow for those who suffer from FMS is a hypoallergenic diet. Ideally this is established on an individualized basis with the use of food allergy testing as well as other biochemical tests done through a natural health care provider.

Use organic foods whenever possible to avoid the deleterious effects of pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and genetically engineered foods. I do not recommend the use of genetically engineered foods simply because they have not been proben to be safe. If you do not already read food labels, now is the time to start. Avoid items containing saturated fats, sugar and additives.

The importance of giving up caffeine entirely cannot be stressed enough. For those with FMS, cutting down on caffeine doesn't just improve sleep; it also prevents low blood sugar levels, anxiety, irritability and the loss of trace minerals due to the diurteic effects of caffeine. It must be given up entirely. The best way to get off the caffeine is to just stop.

Suggested Foods and Beverages (provided you are not allergic to them)

Carotene-containing foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, cantaloupe, kale, squash, and pumpkin
Rice cakes, rice cereals, rice bread, and rice crackers. Rice is generally a very good alternative to wheat and provides many nutrients.
Vitamin C and antioidant-containing foods, such as grapefruit, broccoli, strawberries,melons,brussel spouts and cabbage.
Berries of all kinds, expecially the European Blueberry (a.k.a. Bilberry), are rich in bioflavonoids.
Grapefruit provides a mighty force in protecting against allergies, inflammation, infection and cancer.
Broccoli, brussel sprouts and cabbages may not be your favourite foods, but your body will love them. Along with relatives such as Kale, rutabaga and mustard greens, these vegetables help with liver detoxification.
Buckwheat, quinio or rice pasts. These grain alternatives are very low in gluten and are generally better tolerated by people with distrubed immunity.
All fresh fruits EXCEPT lemons,limes,oranges and fried fruits (these are usually highly concentrated in fruit sugar)
Lamb,poulty,fish and seafood. These foods are high in protein and are helpful in healing parasitic infestations. They must be well cooked.
Organic fruit juices (freshly juiced) except for orange, lemon, lime and any sweetened juice.
Spring water, rice or almond milk
Small amounts of nuts. Avoid peanuts and cashews, which are contaminated with mould.
Sunflower and Pumpkin seeds. These are an excellent source of essential fatty acids and trace minerals such as zinc.
Beans, lentils and dried pears are a rich source of protein, iron and calcium
Pure, filtered or ozonated water.

COMMON ALLERGENIC FOODS TO AVOID

Wheat and other gluten-containing grains (barley,oats,rye,spelt,amaranth,millet and kamut)
Milk and dairy products
Eggs
Sugar in any form weakens the immune systen and encourages the growth of bacteria, fungi, yeast and parasites. STEVIA is a good alternative to sugar.
Artificial sweeteners. Aspartame should be voided at all costs, because it has been found to worsen some of the mental/neurological signs and symptoms of FMS.
Alcoholic beverages. Even "moderate" alcohol consumption is a problem because many with FMS have weak liver enzyme detoxification systems.
Caffeine (coffee, regual tea, colas, chocolates)
soft drinks
tap water
All foods containing artificial flavourings, additives and preservatives.
Beef, pork, cold cuts, fried foods and salty foods
Nightshade vegetables (tomatoes,potatoes, peppers and eggplant)
Coconuts
Tropical fruit (bananas,pineapples,melons,papayas,mangoes,guava,p assion fruit, kiwi). These fruits have a high sugar and mould content.


THERE IS HOPE

Fibromyalgia Syndrome is a reversible condition. Attention to diet, along with a protocol of nutritional supplements, herbs and exercise will bring recovery. I highly recommend seeking the help of a naturopathic doctor. The time frame for recovery varies from person to person, but all can expect to see some improvement in their symptoms in three to five weeks. A full recovery for most may take from six to 12 months, with those under the age of 45 having the quickest response to natural therapies.


Zoltan Tona has practised preventive medicine in Toronto, Canada, for more than 20 years. Dr. Rona's published books include THE JOY OF HEALING and THE RETURN TO THE JOY OF HEALTH.

thanks for the info it was very informative and applied to me alot and i am going to print it out and then dwell into it today and i go to my doc on wed and show it to her too ...........thanks alot

Hey There
 

Happy- It is cold to me when it hits 60:lol: It is supposed to get to the 30's sometime this week. We are on the gulf so it might not get that low.
Marlene- My daughter is46.She has always been active. She is a teacher and every little kid with a snotty nose that she passes gives her a cold but that is par for the course. I had the same problem when I was 38 and had the same surgery. My niece had the same surgery a few months ago.It seems to hit all the girls in this family at one time or other.
Ally -I don't know about you but I would find it hard to cut out all my carbs. I tried it once and ended up sick. I think I am going to try and just cut them down. I have been watching my points for a week and no success.I have stayed on the low end with the exception of one day and I had enough banked it should not have mattered.
What do you think Candice..You seem to have such good success?
Got to get the wash done ..see you all later...Joanne

i told myself i was going to be good today and i was until after lunch now remind u i had lunch which was a tuna on whole wheat and a diet coke what do i grab it was calling me i grab a tea biscuit it was delicious but i shouldn't have eaten it why do i do this to myself it is only me making me fat so why do i do it?

THIS IS AN EMAIL I JUST GOT. THOUGHT IT MIGHT INTEREST SOME OF YOU.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now it's your turn to be heard! Dr. Atkins will appear as Larry King's only guest for one-hour on Monday night, January 6th at 9 P.M. EST on CNN and you can call-in to the program. The toll-free number won't be made public until the show begins, but Dr. Atkins invites you to call-in and ask your questions and share your success story with viewers of the Larry King program. Don't miss this terrific opportunity to tell the world that the Atkins Nutritional ApproachTM has worked for you and can work for others like you.

Dr. Atkins will answer questions about the science behind the Atkins Nutritional Approach, the foods you should eat when doing Atkins—including the right kinds of fruits and vegetables—and will discuss his new book, Atkins for Life, available in bookstores and at AtkinsCenter.com as of January 18th.

guess what gang,,,, a person from calorieking.com called me on the phone this afternoon and is sending me out a new pedometer.she felt sorry for me ...how about that i was so excited and so equally excited that she called me on the phone..
so god does work in mysteriest ways..................................


i will try and catch dr atkins on the show tonight......

Just a quick hi..you all yaked so much haven't had time to read it all...did see Meme's "old Hag" picture! Got some Christmas stuff carried upstairs but not put away yet..and my snowmen are still out. I dread it..........and my arms hurt and have to go wash my hair.....life is tuff....my hip hurts too..you all are catching!;)

boy i just got done watching dr atkins he was remarkable and he looks great now i am going on to his website to order stuff
ta ta for now

Good morning
 

Meme - I watched Dr. Atkins last night. The more I read and hear, the more convinced that his diet is the healthiest. I am back on track, and the fatigue has gone. Had to go visit my friendly chiro yesterday. Having to have this cast on throws out my lower back. Maybe just a week or two longer.

Candice - your pictures were good. Saw a little slide show. Where was your Christmas tree?

Marlene - sure glad they are sending you another pedometer. That is really nice. Now, I guess the trick is, to use it. I have one laying in my drawer:lol:

Joanne - I hope your daughter will be fine. I had a hysterectomy when I was only 33. They did leave the ovaries. My daughter had to have one of her ovaries removed when she was 33 - ovarian cyst. Hope you are feeling good.

Anagram - I am so glad that things are going along better for you. Perhaps this year will be better for your hubby.

I believe I am going to go shopping. It is nice and warm here (up in the 40's and no snow on the roads, so it sounds like a good idea to me. Better go check out some of the sales:lol:

Everyone have a great day.

For those of you who are in their 2nd week of the Self Improvement Program...did you make out your list of all the difficult people you have to deal with on a regular basis? This could take all week!!! :lol:

http://www.design-max.net/12week2.html

Honestly, though, since I did this (twice) it is a lot easier now to just let people be. I just shrug things (people) off that used to really bother me. I'm living proof that you CAN change your attitude about things (and difficult people).

Marlene...I can't believe they are just going to send you a new pedometer...no questions asked! That's amazing!!!

Good pictures Candice. From the looks of all those presents Santa came to your house TWICE!

I missed Atkins...we went to Lowes AGAIN! I'll be glad when I make up my mind what I want to do and get it done!!! :p

I'm juggling Kaylyn and teaching piano today...quite a feat! Have to go...almost time for another student and Kaylyn has spaghetti all over her face!!! :^:

i am going to a TOPS meeting tonight although i am doing atkins i want to see what they are about and i need some place to get weighed acurately will let u know what i think when i get home

My sister stopped in this afternoon and told us she has an ovarian tumor the size of a grapefruit and will be having surgery in a few weeks. Apparently she has been having all sorts of tests run the last month or so but didn't tell me because of dh. (She had told the rest of the family except Mom who probably won't be told 'til post surgery.)

While I have three sisters, I am probably most close to this one. I am numb.

WOW...your family sure has had their fair share of medical problems! Sent up a prayer for all of you!!!

Marlene...let us know what you think about TOPS. I've always wondered what they were 'about'! As for me, I'm doing pretty good this week. Had a snack attack tonight but I hadn't eaten much today so I was able to give in to it a little. I should do good tomorrow...no kids in the house!

I've decided on a 'plan'...finally! I'm going to have hubby redo my bathroom first. I'm putting down those interlocking, floating tiles...so I'd rather have him 'practice' on my bathroom before the kitchen. If I don't like the way he does that, then I'll get a professional to do the kitchen. I'm redoing the front of the whirlpool and putting in a new, higher toilet. I think I'm going to paint the walls a silver color, too. The tile I have picked out is grey swirl so then I can get some of those really thick grey rugs. I'm going to have him put that really shiny wood flooring up the front of the whirlpool and those little grey tiles on the top...it's closed in with grey bathroom paneling with pink flowers so all that should match good...I HOPE! So...the first project for me is to clean out all the cabinets, etc. in my bathroom. I'm also going to go pick out a new marble sink top and faucets. When I get all that done, I'll have to start cleaning out kitchen cabinets and then all my closets since I'm also going to get new carpet for the whole house...I'll have to have all the closets cleaned out for that. I DREAD ALL THIS WORK...I JUST HAVEN'T BEEN FEELING GOOD LATELY! But I have to get it done before summer. I don't want to spend my whole summer working on the house!

Hi MeMe:

This is the first time in ages that I have been ABLE to get into the 3fatchicks site. I keep freezing. No, I mean my computer keeps freezing. If I don't return, my email is [email protected]. I will go to week 2 of your program. Didn't do what I wanted to with my dining room table. Have been praying. And, by the way, I think your program should say it is for all people and especially Christians. I am Jewish but I love your program and think it will work for me too.I sure hope so.

Freddie