Archives for “fibromyalgia”
I want to be this lady when I grow up. She is 60, and she has fibromyalgia and a blue belt in Karate. Is that cool or what?
Taisen Deshimaru Roshi has said that in the martial arts these three things are needed: shin (mind-spirit), wasa (technique), and tai (body-strength), and that they must be in perfect balance. But he has also said that “in a young person the body is the fundamental element, whereas in an older man technique and spirit predominate.” [...]
I think I already wrote a somewhat unfocused post on Zaadz about this, but it just won’t go away. Again I’m reminded how, when I’m really impressed with my growth, I realize that it doesn’t look much like growth from the outside. Here’s an example, probably way more confessional that I should post online. (Famous [...]
I still can’t get it through my head that this is not going to go away. I still think after a few good days that I’m all better, and I still blame myself when I have bad days. Actually, I don’t even realize that they’re bad days. It’s a strange mental process that lets me [...]
Well, healing happens, yes, but maybe even slower than I realized. I only made it through a few Karate classes back in February, and haven’t been back since. I have had more slumps since then, including one, fairly recently. The good news is that I’m learning things. I think it’s taken me this long to [...]
Well, just to follow up a bit, I have to say it was an understatement that concussion mimics fibromyalgia. It brought on a full-blown flare, including reduced immune function indicated by a three-month bout with cold/flu/bronchitis/etc. Unbelievable. Yet it is passing. I’m able to get through class again. And I’m back writing again, much to [...]
A few weeks ago, I got a concussion by cleverly slamming my forehead against the edge of a shelf. It hit at an angle, across my left eye, the bridge of my nose and my right eyebrow. I think it happened because I was already a bit dizzy and uncoordinated due to a minor fibromyalgia [...]
It’s still fat, definitely. And it’s sore sometimes. But I have visible arm muscles! Visible leg muscles! And I can do amazing things: I can survive a karate class, walk through the grocery store, and I can pick up my beautiful baby. Oh, that is so, so wonderful.
Karate was quite hard today. I’d say “the hardest class ever” but I’ve used that too much already! The warm-up exhausted me, really. Twenty minutes of jogging, pushups, situps, etc., plus drills on kicks from the floor. I had to take a break in the middle, and even after the break, I had to slow [...]
So I promised myself I wouldn’t miss any classes because I was “too sore” or “too exhausted” or “dizzy” or any of those other Fibromyalgia things. I decided I did not need to take a “break” sometimes, that I would just do it. And that’s worked pretty well… …until last week. The dojo was closed [...]
Today I went to help Sensei remodel one of the dojos. He had put up a sign asking for volunteers. I was surprised at how few had signed up to help. Our culture says “I’ve hired you as a teacher, so it’s your job to provide me with a facility (dojo), and to provide me [...]
Today was the end of my one-month beginners’ class, and now I am ready to join the regular class. The regular class starts right after the beginners’ class ends, and, after a few minutes’ rest, I decided I wanted to do it, today. What was I thinking?! Of course it was “too much.” This time [...]
The Tuesday/Thursday class is in the evening, and it’s a good thing. I had plenty of time to decide whether to go to class tonight. I went, and it wasn’t bad at all. Well, it was hard, but that’s good. I got to find out that I could still get through a hard class. Have [...]
Last week I did five classes, and all was fine. But today wasn’t so fine. I want to say it was the hardest class yet, but I’ve said that too many times. It was really scary, though. I kept thinking, “maybe this is where I’m supposed to quit.” I wondered if I’d pass out. I [...]
My son wanted to do the Tuesday/Thursday class instead of M/W/F, so I drove him. Then, when I got there, I decided to do the class too. Nothing to report. Same “it was hard.” Same “I sweat a lot.” Same “I did it!” Can I do five days a week? I wonder! I’ve started taping [...]
This is starting to feel pretty routine. Wake up sore, do class, feel exhausted and exhilarated. I don’t seem to be heading for a flare. (Yay!) Fibromyalgia and CFS are still there, but things are better, overall. Plenty of naps seems to balance plenty of Karate.
Today started out well. I have been moving well, for instance, and doing basic household things, like picking something up off the floor, moving a box, etc. But now I’m sore. Not so worried about Karate. That seems to make me feel better, instead of worse. But I still wish my legs didn’t hurt so [...]
Slept poorly last night. Woke up stiff, sore, unhappy. I was saying “this is it. I’ve reached the limit. I can’t do the class today.” But then I remembered that I’d promised myself I’d go. If I am able to get into the car and transport myself to the Dojo, I will. Then, if I [...]
I’m back to taking long naps. Karate takes maybe six hours out of every day that I do it. That’s 18 hours a week. But it’s worth it. On my non-Karate days, I can now make dinner, stay awake longer, and play with my kids. I stand straighter, and who knows? I may get strong [...]
Sensei asked me whether I was sore between classes, and I realized that while I’ve had pain during class, and fatigue after, I haven’t experienced any “athletic” soreness. None of that good kind I used to get when I was healthy, after a good workout. I’m pushing hard, and I’m feeling it; I don’t know [...]
Didn’t know if I’d get through again today. But of course, I managed. Didn’t even have to sit down today. Took breaks standing up. And my posture has changed. I just noticed, all of a sudden, that I’m taller. And it doesn’t hurt to hold myself up.
I will walk strong. When I cannot walk, I will stand. When I cannot stand, I will sit. When I cannot sit, I will lie down, until I can rise again. When we’re working with our arms, I often have to stop, and let my shoulders rest. I also sit down, sometimes. But no matter [...]
I’ve decided I should go, no matter how I feel. Today, I was more scared than I have been before. The pain when I woke up was strong, and I wondered—again—if I wouldn’t be able to do it today. Of course, once we got there, I did it. I modified things to match my ability, [...]
I woke up again feeling stiff, as always, and I thought—again—that maybe I can’t do this. Then, when I got there, I did it. And again, when it was over and I had rested (a lot) and showered, I felt great. I felt exhilarated. If I’m going to hurt, I might as well hurt doing [...]
When I got up this morning, I didn’t think I could do it. But when I got there, I decided to try. I made it through a whole Karate class. When other people jumped, I stepped. When other people did ten punches, I did five. Sometimes, I just stopped moving. Still, it wasn’t as gentle—I [...]
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