Evaluation Situation

So I had my evaluation with my Fibro clinic doctor. I had full body X rays, a neurological exam, I am going to be having blood work done on monday but I thought I would do an update on what I found out from the evaluation. And what I found out..... was a lot of reasons why I hurt like hell! As we all know Fibro is an invisable illness. It does not show up on X rays, blood work, MRI's anything. Which makes it very hard for people including doctors to believe that it is real. Well, again I say... its freaking real. However, I now have some VISIBAL issues. The doctor said that I have some obvious neurological issues going on but it could be caused by medication that I am taking. One of the goals we are working toward with this program is getting me off of as much medication as possible. So we won't know more about the neurological stuff until later. Also about a year ago I had a CT scan while I was in the ER and they found a cyst on my brain. We were told at that time that its nothing to worry about but my doctor wants to take a look at it and see if it actually may be something that we need to worry about. We are doing a lot of oxygen therapy becuase my oxygen levels are severely low which apparently is common in fibromyalgia patients.

So I did say that I wanted to write and update while going threw this program so I am gonna post the pictures of the X rays that they took and explain the visibal problems that I found out I have.

( I know it totally looks like those are my boobs and they very well might be.. he said it was just the shields they put on on my chest.... to me it still looks like nips. And if it is well .. whatever )

Okay so in this X ray as you can see where the red lines are the bottom of my spine is curving. So thats not good but explains why my lower back hurts all the time.

In this X ray you can see where the vertibrays are fusing together. The circles show how much space should be between each one and as you ans see the space around the bottom circle is much smaller then the top circle. So thats not good either.

This x ray on the top is not mine. The x ray on the bottom ( the one with the red marks on it) is mine and its obviously of my neck. The one on the top is an x ray of what a healthy neck should look like. It should have a curve in it like that one shows. My x ray obviously shows that there is no curve whatsoever. Which is really not good. Your neck supports your head which weighs about the same as a bowling ball. When you have no curve in your neck like mine your muscles are forced to support your head which causes a lot of pain becuase its a lot of strain on those muscles. It also can cause the ligaments to tear and scar tissue to form which an also cause pain. And thats what has happened with my neck. So none of that is good. But again... also explains a lot about all of my horrible neck pain.

Things are really hard. It has only been a week and this is so hard on my body physically and mentally. Suprisingly the diet has actually been pretty easy. I have not had any really super bad ( I mean.. don't get me wrong I would give anything to drink a fraeking coke right now) but it really hasnt been bad and honestly I can already feel the difference its making eating better and drinking water. There is litteraly only about 7 things I can eat. Lettuce, any kind of meat I want ( but I only eat chicken), grapes, apples, and cucumbers. ( I know your so jealous of my foods ) I will be on this diet for 3 weeks while I am taking all the medicine that is suppose to help repair my intestinal track. And then after the 3 weeks I can add a little to the diet like rice and certain beans and then I will start the medication that will help detox my liver. I know I said the diet has been suprisingly easy but its more of my routine that is really hard. I am use to waking up opening a coke or sprite taking my pills and then around 1 or 2 in the afternoon eat something and then I am usually done eating for the day. I will sometimes snack on stuff or eat something before I go to bed but I am really not use to eating 3 meals a day plus snacks and having to drink a certain amount of water. Its like my entire routine and everything is just being turned upside down and its really hard to adjust.

So after the evaluation the doctor has said patients usually work with him for about 3 months but he said I should plan on working with him for about 6. Right now I am going in 3 times a week and its really rough. I know all of this is what I need. I know it is I have no doubt about it. I have faith in the doctors and this program and I know that it will only do good and help me get my body and entire life healthier. I mean the way I was going I truly believe I would not make it long in life. I really dont. But Im not gonna lie.. right now the faith I have in all of this does not make it easier. Like I said I have only been doing this a week and I feel like everyday I wake up hurting and feeling even worse then I did the day before. I know things are going to get worse before they get better but I am just really having a hard time. The support from my family and my close friends are amazing. They are all so supportive and knowing they are proud of me and happy that I am getting the help I need makes me feel really good. My mom and Joe are amazing helping me keep track of all my medicine making sure I have everything I need. No matter what time it is they are always there ready to get me an ice pack or heating pad. They are also doing the diet with me ( Not as hard core as I am.. I mean they are have a selection of about 10 things to eat compared to my 7 hahah ) They go to appointments with me and there to give me a hug when I start crying because I am in so much pain the doctor is putting on my body. Everyone who cares about me is there to help and give love and support and I appreciate it so much. They are there to remind me that things will get easier and this is for the best. It will be worth it in the end. 

On days like this I just have to keep telling myself that.... It will be worth it in the end. I am hungry and in a lot of pain I am tired from never being able to sleep I am frustrated that I got sick in the first place I am just frustrated. But I am leaning on the support of my family. My mom, dad, Meagen, Madi, Joe, Sam, Rachelle, and of course my love chug dog Fenway. They love me and I love them and I have to remember that they want me around as long as possible and I need to do this to be there for them as much as they are there for me right now. I'll keep everyone updated in a few days. =) Thanks for reading! And for everyone who is reading this and also is a Fibro Fighter.. Keep fighting.  There is HOPE. And when I am finished with all of this I will be proof of that!

( Also, fibro friends, blog stalkers, family, whoever you may be if you want updates on me and also my friend Rachelle who is also going threw a very hard time right now you should check out our Facebook page misses and Ms. Diagnosed )