Hi everyone.  I was so happy to read Vicki's post and suggestion about staying in touch (and the e-mails that spawned!).

I apologize for being MIA both recently and last fall.  Right after we all agreed to start this group, I had the biggest  "fibro-flare" I've had in a couple of years and just had to get off the computer for a while.  It seemed as soon as that cleared, we had some work done on our floors and the chemicals knocked me out again. I've been doing significantly better this year, other than a week-long bout with the flu I'm just now getting over. It's ironic, but it seems that since being diagnosed (mid 90s) and cleaning up my diet and environment, I hardly ever get "sick" with colds and stuff. Yeah, the day to day existence is often very painful, but it's amazing how catching a cold/virus can really slow you down.

Okay, for the good stuff -- What helps me
with overall feeling better -- eating plain, simple foods without chemicals or extensive preparation; I keep proteins and starches separate and that has helped my digestion/IBS symptoms all but disappear.
with WRITING -- I use a touchpad by Cirque and highly recommend it (regular-style mouses [mice?] are murder on my wrist and hands after just 3-5 clicks) .  Secondly, I don't type as even a single sentence can be enough to spark significant arm and wrist pain...I use dictation software.  The price is low enough I think anyone can give it a shot and thank goodness it has improved like it has the last few years.  This is the only thing that truly enables me to write on a professional level at all.

I also hand write all of my stories in a notebook.  That way, I can dictate the story when I'm feeling up to it and as my throat allows.

Now I'll throw out what I have the most trouble with and see if anyone has any suggestions...

Honestly, it's e-mails. I made a commitment last fall to always write first, and surf the Internet/check e-mail second, which means I often don't get past my writing goal for the day.

I've been thinking of dedicating one day a week to e-mails, but I try not to be on the computer every day, and just haven't been sure how to balance writing and storytelling with promotion and business-keeping.  Any suggestions there?

Reading over Diana's e-mail and remembering how I felt the first few years after being diagnosed (often very hopeless and depressed), I also realized I found a nontraditional chiropractor (ironically, another doctor altogether recommended him...after reading my 3 page typed list of symptoms and diagnoses) anyway, he was able to identify that a lot of my fibromyalgia-attributed pain was caused by lingering viruses and bacteria.  Once we cleared that together, a good percentage of my symptoms lessened significantly.  I tried a number of medications the first 5+ years, and after taking them and having a lot of side effects, I've chosen to go the natural route as much as possible.  When I hurt, I do my best to stop (don't always succeed...) because I feel like our hurting isn't normal, which means my body isn't reacting normally, and I have to keep reminding myself that it's OK not to push trying to do a "normal" output.

And now I've gone hoarse :) so it's time to stop.   Larissa