Fibromyalgia and Me

(Fall 2011)

First I want, no I HAVE to say, that despite what others think or say, YOUR PAIN IS REAL!! I know that there are doctors who don’t believe us, we have coworkers who think we are just trying to get out of work, and even family members who think you are just seeking attention. But let me stand, or sit here rather, here and say, I BELIEVE YOU!

Fibromyalgia is what the medical world calls an Invisible Disease. There are no known causes of fibromyalgia or even ideas of why it affects more women than men and why some of those affected are hit harder than others but for those who feel the daily exhausting, excruciating pain, life outside of that reality becomes a distant memory.

I was formally diagnosed with Fibromyalgia when I was 24 years old. I was an active duty soldier, a full time student, and single mom. I remember the feeling of udder and complete exhaustion from first thing in the morning to when I passed out at night. I remember how it was nearly impossible to walk or carry anything because of this bone crushing pain in my limbs. I would describe it as feeling as though I had been hit by a Mack truck, as though my shins were shattered, my forearms crushed, and there was this feeling of having hat pins shoved up between my fingers. It was completely crushing physically and emotionally the day I realized that I couldn’t even hold my baby girl.

As a pharmacy technician I knew that there were medications, a LOT of medications, that were frequently prescribed for nerve pain and the depression that frequently accompanies physically debilitating diseases. I honestly cannot remember how many different medications I was prescribed over the years – Amitriptyline, Clonapin, Celebrex, Cymbalta, Lyrica, Savella, Sterroids - lots of sterroids, Ultram, Gabapentin…I know there were more but yeah, I have forgotten. Now I know that I can’t complain about the copays but I have friends who do have to pay insurance copays and my eyes pop out of my head! I admit I was horrified when my insurance chose to no longer cover the Savella and my prescription was going to be increased from $6/month to $43/month.

I was retired from the military in 2010 because I could no longer perform my duties as a soldier due in large part to pain from my fibromyalgia. In the next year I had several jobs in other pharmacies and office positions until I realized that I couldn’t even take care of myself much less my now 3 year old daughter. I was paying out of pocket to see specialists across the North Texas region just trying to find a doctor that would be able to help me manage my pain. As with many who suffer with Fibromyalgia I didn’t have much success.

I was a regular pill popper. If I had a pain, I had a pill for that. I am not kidding. I was taking 2,700mg of Gabapentin, 150mg of Savella, (be right back – I gotta get the pill box) 3mg of Prazosin, 1 Vicodin, 80mg of Celexa, .5mg of Clonapin, and 150mg of Prilosec EVERY DAY! Every Single Day! And you know what, I was only MANAGING my pain. I was only BARELY functioning! I was still MISERABLE! I couldn’t even go grocery shopping without taking a nap and some pain meds when I got home. Fibromyalgia was ruining my life!

One day my brother was visiting and asked if he could have the bottles of Essentials that I had left at my mom’s place about a year before (I was on so many prescriptions – I didn’t want to “take more pills”. I was like sure, go for it. And then he told me how he had been taking them and how good he felt (he is another Army badass and one of the healthiest guys I knew…not to mention I knew he HATED pills of any kind). Epiphany!! If HE was willing to take these supplements I needed to try this stuff! Anything to actually PHYSICALLY FEEL BETTER!

The USANA Essentials has 100% changed my views about Health Supplements! I am in so much less pain than I was ever able to accomplish with all those prescription medications. Am I cured – Heck No! Fibromyalgia is part of my life but the difference is that Fibromyalgia no longer CONTROLS my life. For sake of ease and consistency I personally started purchasing the HealthPak. The complete balance of the USANA HealthPak is allowing my body to heal itself. The HealthPak is prepackaged dose of USANA Essentials, Active Calcium, and a Mega Antioxidant. This combination of pills has helped to minimize the inflammation in my joints and muscles which has significantly minimized the pain that I experience on a daily basis. The active calcium is helping my bones to rejuvenate from the years of continual steroid use. Heck, I am back to doing 5Ks with my daughter – that is how much my pain has diminished. If you are ready for a change and ready to feel the energy and wholeness you deserve, contact me and we can discuss how to help you reach your goals!

A Happy Home is a Healthy Home

Rachel P.