tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28840534.post914873087985254444..comments2024-01-06T15:58:20.726-07:00Comments on Never Ending Journey: Unplanned medicine postLyniluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04742585512852240355noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28840534.post-81710299390748945512012-10-24T19:32:29.637-06:002012-10-24T19:32:29.637-06:00Merikay, I don't have "restless leg,"...Merikay, I don't have "restless leg," per se, but with the FMS, I am constantly moving my legs for comfort. I also have leg cramps at night. My doc turned me onto a homeopathic compound (found in health food or natural food stores) called "Calms." It has helped me tremendously with the need to move, the cramps AND sleep. It's not expensive, and might be worth a try. <br /><br />I agree with you completely that we have to be proactive in our medical needs. Otherwise we end up over-medicated or under-treated. Either extreme is the pits.Lyniluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04742585512852240355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28840534.post-35796596957260615032012-10-24T16:54:59.255-06:002012-10-24T16:54:59.255-06:00We all have to be our own advocate when it comes t...We all have to be our own advocate when it comes to medical issues. I have always had restless legs. I have taken a prescription med for it but learned it was very addicting. My legs were calmer for a long time, but this August I consulted a new doctor about some issues including difficulty in falling asleep. She suggested taking Melatonin. <br /><br /> I did.<br /><br />It did not seem to help me fall asleep, but I was determined to give it time. At the same time my legs got increasingly restless at night. I had looked up Melatonin to see if there were any side effects I should know about and found nothing. Then one evening I noted my legs were quite calm at the beginning of the evening, but were going crazy shortly after taking the Melatonin. I Googled "restless legs caused by Melatonin?" <br /><br />There were several discussions about it and one small study linking the two. I have stopped taking it and my legs are calmer again. I'm sure the doctor doesn't know about it since it has not been extensively studied. <br /><br />We all have to be aware of our symptoms and do a little research on our own if we can.Merikayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05378095339747943548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28840534.post-54499202147756089832012-10-24T16:43:54.596-06:002012-10-24T16:43:54.596-06:00RET, the diagnosing process for FMS is still not p...RET, the diagnosing process for FMS is still not perfect, for sure. And I agree, it is probably over-diagnosed. In fact, I intended to say that in my post, but skipped over it. When I was diagnosed, I had every symptom in the syndrome, so there wasn't much doubt! <br /><br />May I suggest another intervention? Try Healing Touch. It is different from massage, but works well with it. Since the Healing Touch International headquarters are in your general are, I'm betting you can find a practitioner close by. I'm using the techniques on myself with very good results. Another thing that helped me a lot when it was available is water exercise. You might find a Y or health club that offers it. Sadly, there is not such here. Good luck!Lyniluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04742585512852240355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28840534.post-58022690823653130492012-10-24T16:37:16.041-06:002012-10-24T16:37:16.041-06:00Linda, it is certainly a process, aging and managi...Linda, it is certainly a process, aging and managing our "helps," whatever kind they are. Lyniluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04742585512852240355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28840534.post-8531238471004431232012-10-24T16:35:50.747-06:002012-10-24T16:35:50.747-06:00I don't mean to discourage people from followi...I don't mean to discourage people from following their doctor's advice, either, Di, but to take more personal responsibility in the care. It's hard for us, since we don't speak "medical," but I think we should be informed consumers at the same time. Together, we can remember these things and be responsible.<br />Lyniluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04742585512852240355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28840534.post-51831613152808365842012-10-24T16:33:41.858-06:002012-10-24T16:33:41.858-06:00Jenny, I think you're right on. Doctors are be...Jenny, I think you're right on. Doctors are being pushed so hard by their "groups" that they sometimes just push through the day and are less aware than we would like them to be. Too bad the dollar is managing our care now.<br />Lyniluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04742585512852240355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28840534.post-91303743831007581482012-10-24T12:56:25.420-06:002012-10-24T12:56:25.420-06:00I think you said just what you needed to say for y...I think you said just what you needed to say for yourself and others. I enjoyed reading your history and insights into a very misunderstood and poor diagnosed syndrome. <br /><br />I've have been diagnosed with FMS by some doctors and then others have said it is a condition that is over diagnosed and doesn't fit what I sometimes suffer from. Whether I truly have it or not, I appreciate what you have to say about the medications. I am so in agreement with you on this. I can't take anti-inflammatories. They cause havoc on my gut. I try to get rest, massage, and eat more carefully when I have flare-ups.Sally Wesselyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06470453773515491625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28840534.post-18404109815877205082012-10-24T12:03:06.188-06:002012-10-24T12:03:06.188-06:00I'd rather be a little uncomfortable than have...I'd rather be a little uncomfortable than have side effects. And my preference is for natural rather than manufactured.<br /><br />I guess we need to figure this out as we get older and develop "aches and pains".<br /><br />Linda Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05706455533282204519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28840534.post-18641812842561561802012-10-24T09:18:46.385-06:002012-10-24T09:18:46.385-06:00While I don't have Fibro I have had my share o...While I don't have Fibro I have had my share of medical issues over the years to be sure. I think your message here is being proactive in our own health is very important. Do the research. In the past I have been prescribed medications that after reading all of the side effects, I opted out of taking them. Just because a doctor says to try it, doesn't mean you have to. <br />We do have a choice and there are many options. I have had very high B.P. for at least twenty years so not taking my pill isn't an option for me. It's dangerous. But I was once prescribed an anti-depressant after my hysterectomy to curb my hot flashes. Well I read the possible side effects and that you had to be weaned off of it so I decided to take a natural supplement instead. It worked great and only needed it for a few months.<br />I'm not trying to advise anyone NOT to listen to their doctor but be pro-active, talk and ask questions. Sometimes there are other alternatives! Now I'm sorry for taking up so much of your comment space Lyn but this really is an important issue, you were right to post about it! Love Di ♥ Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11429812875586479256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28840534.post-72387405702630031692012-10-24T07:59:25.451-06:002012-10-24T07:59:25.451-06:00Looking into anything medical can be sobering. It&...Looking into anything medical can be sobering. It's an eye opener to look at studies about your illness, too, to find that things the doctor seems to take for granted are not necessarily true. I think some times busy doctors take a kind of a sledgehammer approach to an illness, theytreat the symptom, pill given problems solved for now. They can't look up all the research on everything and perhaps that is something patients can usefully do. Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.com