"When life gives you coleslaw, make..."? Uhh.. I have Fibromyalgia (FM) too, so I'm too confused to know what "they" say. (Either from the meds or the disease). I don't even know what it is made of, and I'm too tired to research that. I'm sure you can relate to the fatigue issue. And although I'm sure you make awesome coleslaw, I don't care for it. But, if you have excess coleslaw (a problem I've never had nor heard of), here's my great suggestions:
1. Compress it into coleslaw balls and throw it out the window. (Could be fun).
2. (Try to) feed it to a pet. (They'll eat it if you give them nothing else for a few days).
3. Sweep it under the rug, (and deal with the smell later.)
4. Put it in ice cube trays to make coleslaw popsicles. Like a TV dinner, without cooking. Yumm!
5. Mail it to a friend / enemy, (with no return address, of course).
6. Give it to a homeless person (unless that's you, in which case you'd better eat it until you bust).
7. Increase its tastiness by adding bacon to it. (As everything tastes better with bacon!)
8 Commit a reverse shoplifting, and leave it at a store. Just beware of security cameras.
9. Make coleslaw shakes for the kids. A healthy treat they will remember.
10. Put it in a wheelbarrow, grab a shovel, and fill all the potholes in the street.
So, with those excellent 10 suggestions, (you can thank me later), your burdensome coleslaw dilemma is solved, and you can now go on to tackle bigger issues.
- Yeah, most of us on this website can certainly understand this vicious circle you're in. FM and/or meds for it gives me sore muscles, muscle spasms, headaches, neck pain, depression, mental confusion, sleeplessness, high medical and drug bills, drug addiction concerns, drug efficacy, low energy - crashing, frustration, irritability, symptoms triggered by stress, economic uncertainty, anxiety, upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation (narcotics), cottonmouth (cyclobenzaprine), blood pressure problems - dizziness when standing suddenly and falling down - almost passing out, inability to work, relationship issues, sleep paralysis nightmares, religious doubts, and forgetfulness. There are some more, but I'm getting tired of thinking and typing.
So, yes, I certainly know how it feels to be sick and tired of being sick and tired! And of feeling like my life is determined by my ill health and that it seems like I'll never be well and happy to be alive. I've had FM since I was a pre-teen, and was diagnosed about 25 years ago by a rheumatologist - who I see every 3 months for many years now. Before that, I went from one dr. to another, looking for a reason for my symptoms that no test could confirm. - My wife (for the short period I was married) didn't understand how I could have a real illness and my brother-in-law, a dr., concluded I was a hypochondriac. So, for me and many of us, a correct diagnosis was the first step to reducing - managing our symptoms and trying to deal with this crap. I have had suicidal thoughts, but never attempts or anything serious, and having a son to take care of by myself, since he was just 6 months old, has given me an important distraction - a reason and way to keep moving on. So, being the best father I can be - a good role model, makes me feel good about myself and helps me a lot! I have found the following helps.
1. Eat healthy - Maximize fiber, protein, whole grains, vegetables, and drink bottled water. Avoid sugar, salt, fat and preservatives as much as possible.
2. Exercise at least 20 min a day, I like riding a bike. Helps me sleep better.
3. Ice Packs for headaches.
4. Hot showers for muscle pain.
5. Various meds from an excellent dr.
6. Pace myself (like you try to do).
7. Reduce stress.
8. A good lawyer helped me with work issues.
9. Believing in myself, even when others didn't.
Don't let FM totally ruin your life! Find a hobby that lets you escape the symptoms for a while. Try to manage your symptoms as best you can and be optimistic - it's more fun than being pessimistic. Smile, especially when you are alone.