Meme, I'm sure Garrett will love the magic gifts you bought for him. He should have lots of fun showing his tricks to family and friends. I agree with Mima about men being from Mars. Just can't figure them out sometimes.

Mima, that is great about the $4. I had heard that WM was doing that. Glad Suzanne will be with you at Christmas. Hope you are feeling better soon.

I'm glad that I did the wrapping and the baking last night. I'm hurting this morning, so I took some medicine and I think I might just curl up and go back to sleep.

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

Hey Meme - BONUS on the costumes! Less work at this time of year, is ALWAYS a PLUS. Hope you feel better soon. My goodness, it just keeps on and on for you. Too many health issues. The magic things sound like fun , and I am sure he will enjoy them. I find it far easier and faster to go Christmas shopping by myself as well. Hubby doesn't like to SHOP.

Mima - hope whatever you found for your tummy works. Glad you daughter is coming for Christmas. Now, you live in Florida. What on earth would you need HEAT for??? Air, maybe.

Tammy - hope you feel better as the day goes on. Did you head back to bed?

Joanne - Well, did you get up your lights and Christmas stuff yet? I know you were going to clean your carpet first.

Chris - the weather in New York would be humid. Here, in the prairies, it is dry. Makes a HUGE difference. It is the humidity that causes me great pain, NOT the cold. In fact, when it is -30, I feel pretty darn good. Just don't want to stay outside too long, as exposed skin freezes quite quickly.

I won't be starting my new hours until the New Year. I need to know about Christmas days off, so I told her I would work until the end of December on this schedule. The upper back support I bought is great. I worked all day yesterday and ended up with only minimal pain instead of the intense pain I usually had - and NO pain killers.

Our baby Meela, fell out of her Exersaucer on Tuesday and ended up with a broken collar bone. It is a Fisher Price and it should never have tipped like that. She was reaching for something, and over it went. If it doesn't heal correctly, she will need surgery. Poor little Babe.

Having company for dinner tonight. I believe I will cook a roast beef, lot of veggies, some potatoes for those that want them. For dessert, I will have fresh brownies, with ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup (this I can't have for sure). I have to cook a "plain meal" but one that is good. I can't have any sauces or stuff yet. Another 3 weeks of this yeast treatment. The fatigue and the brain fog seem to have left me, and for that, alone, I am more than thankful. In fact, I haven't felt this good, for a very long time.

Everybody have a good day.

Anne, I ended up taking 2 or 3 naps today. I'm pitiful!! I did go to the store tonight and bought a roast. I have a roast, carrots, and onions in the crock pot to put on in the morning to have for supper when Bob gets home tomorrow. Can't wait to see him!! I'm glad that the back support helped you. The injections that I had have stopped working, and the pain is back in the lower back. Maybe I should look for some kind of support thing.

Poor Meela!! Keep us posted on how she is doing. I hope Fisher Price is notified about this. That's scary!

It sounds like your new way of eating has done wonders for you! I'm so glad that you are feeling better.

Tammy, I love roast cooked in the crockpot. Cooked two in the over tonight and I was disappointed as I am used to it coming out of the crockpot and it is soooo tender.

I don't mind a night alone, but I don't really like to be alone all that much, unless I'm sick. Then I just don't want to be bothered, but I am glad to have hubby around. Miss him when he is gone.

The Facet Joint Injections usally lasted at tops 2 weeks, and then one day I would wake up and ALL the pain would be back. I went through 4 rounds of them plus and Epidural and NOTHING worked. I did by a Sacril brace and that worked wonders - took the pressure off the poor muscles. If you get one, just wear it for a couple of hours at a time and then take it off.

I told the kids to contact Fischer Price and tell them what happened, because it would be terrible if some other little baby had a worse accident. The Dr. was concerned about the bump on her head as well, and was watching for a concussion, but she was ok that way. She will be 7 months on the 21Dec.


I have been bombarded with yeast since I had all those Facet Injections. The Dermatologist told me that Cortisone make yeast grow like crazy, so that is where it came from. Never had much of a problem with it before. That is why I went to the Naturopath and on to the Candida Diet. A lot of the FM pain has also gone, but mostly the fatigue and the fibrofog has cleared.

Most people that have FM have yeast in the blood. I just read an article on that. It was interesting. Even if you don't have a vaginal yeast infection, it can be systemic. I will try find that article and post it. It is a good read.

Well dinner tonight turned out really good. Did some pototaes the Danish way. Boil small potatoes and then put butter and sugar in a frying pan until carmalized and then just roll the potatoes around until coated. These are sooo good and it is something I don't make much.

Also dessert was great. Fresh brown, with chocolate syrup drizzled on it, and then a scoop of vanilla ice cream with carmel syrup drizzled on it. Yummy! I even broke down and had some. First goodie in a couple of months.

I am now down 20 pounds!!!! I AM determined!! as long as my body allows me to keep losing. It been years since I was able to lose anything. The Naturopath has cleared my system and now things are working ok. She has me on a thyroid medication (homopathic) and it is working. It stimulates the thyroid to work on it's own.

Sorry about the novel, but I guess I had lots to say:D

Here's the article on the yeast and FM

Candidiasis - Yeast Infection and Nutritional Repair
by Mark J. Pellegrino, MD
ImmuneSupport.com

12-06-2006


Causes, Symptoms, Testing, Natural Antiyeast and Probiotic Strategies, the Fibromyalgia Diet, and Trigger Avoidance


Reproduced with permission from Chapter 25 of Dr. Pellegrino’s book, Fibromyalgia: Up Close and Personal.*


What would you say if I told you we had millions of Dr. Jekyll's living in our bodies, each waiting for the opportune time to turn into Mr. Hyde? Would you think I’m nuts or would you think I’m an expert? (“He’s losing it,” says a reader from Michigan.) We all have little round whitish organisms in our body known as Candida albicans that can lose their innocence and become rather vicious creatures that attack our Fibromyalgia bodies and make us feel worse.


Candida albicans is fungus or yeast that normally thrives in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, vagina, and skin. In healthy individuals this yeast is helpful in digestion and vitamin production, and it is harmless because it is kept in check by beneficial bacteria and other yeast such as Lactobacillus acidophilus that occupies the same space.


When the balance of intestinal bacteria and yeast is altered, or your immune system becomes compromised, the Candida can overgrow, transforming from a benign yeast into an aggressive fungus that releases numerous toxins and can cause many symptoms. When fungal growth exceeds the body’s ability to control it, the friendly Candida becomes unfriendly and cause a yeast infection.


CAUSES OF CANDIDA
Various causes of Candidiasis (Candida infection) include:

Chronic illnesses or stress. For example, diabetic patients, hospitalized patients, and cancer patients all have low resistance to infection.


Antibiotic use. This destroys normal bacteria and Lactobacillus acidophilus, but spares the Candida.


Birth control pills. The estrogen favors Candida multiplication.


Cortisone medicine


Immunosuppressive drugs


Pregnancy. Hormonal changes favor increased Candida growth.


Diets high in sugar and carbohydrates. Candida loves glucose!


Thyroid medicine. Increases Candida risk.


Warm moist areas. Tight nylons, wet diapers, people who work as dish washers; all this can lead to Candida dermatitis.


Alcohol. Another food for the Candida.



Those with Fibromyalgia often have multiple risk factors, particularly the altered immune system, the chronic stress, and the carbohydrate sensitivity. Throw in the woman (I don’t mean actually throw her!) who is on birth control pills, thyroid medicine, and recently took a course of antibiotics for bronchitis, and you have a recipe for “Candisaster!”


When Candida albicans transforms into an invasive fungal state, it produces rhizoids which are long root-like structures. Rhizoids can penetrate the intestinal walls and leave microscopic holes that allow toxins, undigested food particles, bacteria and yeast to enter the blood stream. This “invasion” leads to many symptoms.


CANDIDIASIS SYMPTOMS

Bloating

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Chronic heartburn

Oral thrush (white spots on the mouth and tongue)

Vaginal yeast infection

Skin rashes

Skin itching

Vulvar pain and itching

Rectal itching

Fatigue

Irritability

Fibrofog

Food cravings (especially carbohydrates)

Malnutition (poor nutrient absorption)

Food allergies

Depression

Bad breath

As you can see there is much overlap of Candidiasis symptoms with Fibromyalgia symptoms. These two conditions “feed” into each other where the Fibromyalgia makes one have more problems with the Candidiasis and the Candidiasis causes symptoms that can aggravate the Fibromyalgia.


If I suspect Candidiasis, I will treat it separately from the Fibromyalgia because this often leads to much improvement of Fibromyalgia symptoms as well as correcting the Candida Problem.


TESTING FOR CANDIDA
A simple home test for Candidiasis can be performed. Dr. Kelly Hannigan described a test you can take (Health Points 8 (2) 2003). Before you go to sleep at night set a clear glass of water next to your bed. When you wake up in the morning (before you clear your throat, swallow or speak), deposit your saliva into the glass of water. If within 30 minutes your saliva sinks to the bottom or there are strands of saliva running down into the water or the water turns cloudy, you probably have an abundance of yeast in your body.


Lab testing can be done for a definitive diagnosis of Candidiasis. Saliva, stool and blood samples can all be tested to look for specific immunoglobulin antibodies against Candida. These tests are not routinely covered by insurance companies so the patient has to pay for these tests, which are usually several hundred dollars.


Since intestinal Candidiasis is so common and easily identified with careful history of symptoms, and since treatments are low-risk and well-tolerated, I will usually treat Candidiasis based on the clinical exam (history and physical) and not always order a specific yeast test.


CANDIDIASIS TREATMENT
The strategies for treating Candidiasis are focused on rebalancing the intestinal bacteria and yeast. Candida that has overgrown needs to be killed and suppressed. The “good” yeast and bacterial needs to be replenished, and the gastrointestinal tract needs to be rebalanced. Here are some strategies used to rebalance the intestinal tract.


Antiyeast Products: Prescribed Medicines
Prescribed medicines to treat Candida include Nystatin (mycostatin) and Fluconazole (Diflucan). Nystatin is available in tablet and liquid form. The liquid form is used to treat oral thrush (“swish and swallow”). The tablet forms are used for intestinal Candidiasis and they are usually well tolerated, although some people have some nausea or diarrhea with them. Patients may need to be on this medicine for several months and some of them need to be on maintenance dose for long-term Candida management. Nystatin kills off Candida, but does not harm the Lactobacillus or bacteria.


Fluconazole is another antifungal medicine that is given to treat Candidiasis. Sometimes one tablet or two tablets only are used to treat a vaginal yeast infection. However, a vaginal yeast infection or recurring vaginal yeast infections in women are a sign of more widespread Candidiasis; the vaginal yeast infection is actually the “tip of the iceberg.” In treating intestinal or more widespread Candidiasis, Diflucan may need to be used for weeks instead of days.





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Anne--Sorry to hear you are dealing with yeast. I didn't realize cortisone could bring it on.

I had a cortisone shot this morning :tantrum: I had hurt my elbow in June when we bowled about 3 games a day for 11 straight days (state tournament, make up for league play while we were at state and then regular league play). Then to top it off, the power steering went out on my van. I was told then that I had tendonitis. Makes sense. Some days it hurts and others it doesn't. Well Thursday night while bowling I started hurting a lot. So off to the doctor's I go (thank goodness for weekend urgent care hours at my doc's office. I was told I had my choice....oral cortisone that would take a while to work and tear up my tummy in the process or an inject. Well tummy is already tore up so I said I would take the shot in the elbow. NOPE, he said elbow is tricky and he isn't an orthopedic doc so I would get the shot in the hip. Surprisingly the elbow feels great tonight. He left it up to me as to when I bowled again. I think I could bowl tomorrow but DH said NOPE...no bowling for at least a week. :tantrum: Guess I will wait.

The youth bowling league had their Christmas party today. I was so busy I didn't even get a chance to eat.....thank goodness it was mostly junk. At 1 I dropped from exhaustion and eat some turkey. Then DH wanted us to go to the movies. We saw Uncommpained Minors. It was a really cute movie. I headed off to bed early but can't sleep...guess I am overtired.

Hope every one is staying warm...have a great day.

Good to hear from you Chris. I can see why you have tendonitis. I get symptoms from painting. There are areas where my doc won't give me shots. said it would cause more problems.
Finances got even better when I saw $461 in my checking acct from SS-back pay for the 2 years that they owed me!!!!!!
I do feel better even yhough stomache is not 100%,
I take 2-3 naps after a hard day the day before-then I feel great.
Got my tree up-brought too many decorations with me. Should have gone through that box.It looks fairly good-love those lights.
Evan put a box of blueberries in a bowl of Chex mix and mixed it with a spatula. He was "cooking" like his daddy. Mike was not pleased.
How awful about you gd, Anne, She is the same age as Keith, Hope she heals quickly. She doesn't even know what happened to her.
Sure miss my church back home-I know one person at my church down here.
But lots of people at Brad's church,
Bye for now Mima

Mima Glad you got the decorations up. Larry put ours up Thanksgiving. Now I am sick on them and want them down already. I knew it was just a matter of time and I would depressed over the holidays and it has hit already.

I now have 2 weigh in days. Sunday is the at home wi...incase I stop doing meetings and one on Monday for the meetings. Today at home I am down 3 pounds for a grand total of 37 pounds. 37 pounds forever gone. Still have a mountain to climb but I am deteremined to make it happen.

HEAR!HEAR!Chris. I am right with you. It is GOING to happen. I am down 20 pounds now since the end of September. It seems like it is slow going, but at least it IS going. Congrats on that weightloss.

I haven't got my tree up yet. Don't do that until mid December, probably next weekend. I take it down the day after New years or if I am not doing anything, New Year's Day. That is long enough for me.

Anne you are doing well with the weight loss as well. I have to agree it is going slow. But I gained 100 pounds in 6 years and if it takes 6 years to get it off (plus 40-50 more) I am ok with it....as long as the scales are moving downwards.

Anne, the roast was great. I agree that it is always more tender coming from the crockpot. Would I be able to find a brace for my back at WalMart? I've never really looked for one. Those potatoes that you made sound good! 20 pounds off is great. Good for you!! The article about the yeast is interesting!

Chris, glad the elbow is feeling better. I agree with hubby about no bowling for a week. I'll be climbing that weigh-loss mountain with you girl!! I have a long way to go also. I do a Mon. weigh in at home and report to a group of friends on that one. I then do the regular WW weigh in on Thursday morning or evening, depending on which meeting I attend.

Mima, glad you got the tree up! I cut back on ornaments when I was sorting things for the auction. I'm like you with taking naps after a hard day. I think I need one now. lol

It is good to have Bob home. He enjoyed the roast and the trimmings, and he ate too much. He said he was ready for a home-cooked meal after all the restaurants during the past week. He did eat at relative's homes for dinner a few times, but the rest was at restaurants.

I hope all of you have had a nice weekend. It was almost 50 degrees today! After 8 degrees the other morning, this really was a heat wave!!

Tammy, I didn't listen to hubby. I bowled tonight and I am pleased to say my arm is fine and I had one of my better nights bowling. I am sooo please. I should have had a shot of cortisone months ago.

Still take it easy, Chris,All of you-great weight losses.
I am happy to say my best friend is losing weight, she is down 10 pounds. She goes to doc's office and won't look at the scale til she gets down under 200.
At church, we had the President of the Seminary of Liberty University-he was so funny but at the same time serious, A converted Muslim.
Chris-find a charity to give to-that might help to turn things around. We had a giving tree at church-how about the Salvation Army or Toys for Tots.
Christmas giving is about kids.
Gotta shop online now. Mima Then to beall's outlet-15% off for seniors on Monday. Mima

Thank, Mima. I am trying to take it easy with my arm...but it feels so good I forget it hurts and do too much.

I have tried doing things for charity at Christmas time. I don't have much in the way of money to give and when I volunteer I get more depressed. So that doesn't work. I will be ok.....2 weeks from today and it will be almost over.

Hey There
 

Hello Everybody- The shopping is almost done. Just have to get the groceries for Christmas dinner. Got to bag/wrap everything. Tree and lights up, Didn't put up as many this year. Some went bad and anyhow at nearly 74 ,in march, I didn't think I needed to be climbing up and down a ladder to do it. Hubby just can't.Ofcourse my G/mother painted her house ,outside ,when she was older than me.
I am still chasing dust, But that is a daily job. I bought my virus protection. Now I just have to put it on...
I shopped all day today.. Now ,I am tired. Hubby trying to go to sleep before 6pm. I asked him if he was ready for the nursing home.. I worked in them for 20 years. The patients were put to bed about that time. I try to keep him awake till at least 8 so he will sleep most of the night. THEN ,I might get some sleep.He snores like a train or is up and down all night.The golden years are RUSTY.
Sounds like most of us are keeping well. Lets keep it up. Joanne