Medicaition Week 1- So Far, So Good

Smooth sailing, Petoskey MI

I haven't had the clarity of mind that I have right now for several years. It seems odd to me that after so long, I could feel this way, and I am beyond grateful for it.
After 1 week of starting a medication to treat my Fibromyalgia, I am feeling confident that I can say I think its working.
Adjusting to the medication itself hasn't been easy; it's caused a lot of nausea while my body gets used to the meds. The first night was awful- so much that my husband invested in Dramamine, Nauzene, Pepto, raw almonds, and ginger ale all in an effort to make the nausea go away.
After my body adjusts to the increase dose (I'm still on the titration pack, and my doctor has me using two packs so that I get to the regular dose over 1 month rather than 2 weeks- which is brilliant), I feel better; I sleep better, my feet don't hurt when I get out of bed (so I'm not afraid to get out of bed anymore), and I'm finding my energy levels increasing.


I was worried about starting the medication when I did; my cousin was getting married the Sunday after I had just started and I was nervous that I would be out of sorts for her wedding. I think the trip actually helped me adjust more. I slept a little longer, had home cooked meals (we stayed at the Bay View Inn, in Petoskey- go there, you will thank me), and walked around town. I went to Walloon Lake, where Ernest Hemingway spent his childhood summers and even went on a ride in my cousin's speedboat. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to toast my cousin on her wedding day, but found that the alcohol didn't effect me that way I thought it would (I thought I would be instantly sick).

What I have found is that eating right before taking the medication helps reduce the nausea, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps reduce dry mouth (which I found increased when I started the meds). There are still some wonky side effects I haven't gotten used to: increase night sweats, and some mild irritability. I imagine these will pass with time.

Overall, I am relieved. Next up- adding exercise...and that pesky little thesis!

Damn you Fibro, I'm trying to write thesis!

I've been trying to work on my thesis for over 1 semester or just around 5 months. At this point I feel like I should give up and forget about the whole thing. I'm tired, achey and kind of out of it. I've had espresso and still can't shake the fatigue. I want to ignore all of that, and crunch down on my thesis work because I love what I want to do and want nothing more than to focus on it.

But I can't; my body isn't letting and the Fibro is winning. I don't want it to win.

Do I take my own advice and get rest? I'm not even sure I have the choice, but I want so badly to pretend I don't have this condition. I want the time back that I've lost. I want the memories back I can't seem to find. I want my masters without risking my health. I feel like I've been robbed of so much and I want so badly to have it all back.

Trying to find the strength to go on is half the battle for me and its made writing my thesis twice as complicated as I thought it would it be. I don't know if I'll finish. I hope that I can and I hope that will be enough to keep me going.

For tonight, I'm going to sink into my bed and try to sleep the pain away.