to follow me on twitter, just click on the twitter image to the left and it will direct you to my twitter profile page… @myfoggybrain.
ME
always trying to remember the words to finish a sentence… celebrating life with fibromyalgia, major depression and ADD.
MY FAMILY
i have been with my beautiful husband for almost 30 years and together we have two crazy, funny, wonderful children.
our son is working with kids everyday and our daughter is on her way to college.
our dog tani was rescued from the local pound, she came as a blessing when my godmother passed away. i truly believe she is an angel and was specifically chosen by my godmother for us.
MY LOVES
i love photography, reading, scrapbooking/ paper crafting, hanging out with my friends, going to the beach, watching movies…
i value respect, honesty, humor and the ability to forgive.
MY PAIN
i have been dealing with chronic pain since 2006 and depression since the 90’s. i was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2008 after many, many failed doctor visits and years of pain. since that diagnosis i have also been diagnosed with essential tremor, gerd, ibs, degenerative disc disease, cervical stenosis…
i am learning how to deal with my disorders, conditions and diseases and researching how others live and what the medical field is doing to improve the lives of people like me.
MY BLOG
i created this blog to share my experience with fibromyalgia, depression and various other fun things I have been diagnosed with over the years… my ups, my downs, my doctor visits, what i learn and what i recommend.
i hope you enjoy what i share and i look forward to your feedback! feel free to send me an email if you have any questions or want to share your stories.
Tamiko
my foggy brain 
Thank you for sharing your story. I too suffer from fibromyalgia and bipolar depression and anxiety. The pain sometimes feels overwhelming.
It is a blessing finding your site. You are blessed to have such a wonderful husband. I have suffered from Fibro, CFIDS, IBS, ADHD, Chemical Sensitivity, Severe Depression, and so many more to list. I suffered from these since 1985. I was 1 year out of High School when I started to get the worst of my symptoms. Although, I was a sickly child for the most part. My favorite is continually being called a hypochondriac! I have been asked numerous times to do a blog on Fibro. I think suffering from it for the better of 30 years of my life, I have become an expert on the subject. I actually am at the point where I tell my doctors, “Let’s try this combination of meds out!” I went down the path of narcotics for almost 20 years. That’s a joke in itself when it comes to brain fog and then having the not remembering due to the narcotics. I’m going to be 50 this year. My goal is to look and feel the best I have in my life. I thank God for each day He gives me. Even though there are mornings it’s hard for me to get out of bed by myself. The days I can sit outside and look at the beauty around me I treasure the most. I’m so happy I found your blog. I wasn’t able to write one for years because I always wanted to bring hope to others and there were so many years I struggled within myself to find hope. I pray for your continued health, love, life and spirit! {{{soft hugs}}} to you. Keep up the amazing job you are doing. I look forward to reading more!!!
You and I must be twins! I am turning 50 next year and I have a lot of those things on your list and more. What a thing, right? Comparing health issues… but honestly, I hate that you are suffering, but I don’t feel so alone and crazy when I know there are others out there going through the same struggles as me. I often wonder if I am a hypochondriac because when I have a really good day I forget how bad things are most of the time. I try my best to manage my depression and anxiety first and then my pain. If I fall down that black hole, things get very bad.
You are amazing and you have no idea how much it means that you took the time to comment and share your journey with me. We have to treasure the awesome moments and hope that those good vibes will carry us through each day. Our goals are the same… take one day at a time and forgive ourselves during the hard times.
Thank you for your prayers and I’m sending them right back to you.
Tamiko
I have just discovered you site and although I have not had a chance to go through it all as yet, I am loving what I have seen especially the templates for journals. Thank you so much for sharing them. I am also dealing with FM and ADD, it helps to know that I am not alone <3
I don’t know that I do or don’t have fibro but Ive had pain all over since early 40’s (I’m 58 now). First due to fibroids, then herniated disc, which I had surgery on, L-4/L-5, laminectomy with fusion and pedicle screws. My head has been fogged since 08′ when I had the hysterectomy due to the fibroids. I have ringing in my ears constantly and I’ve had anxiety since I was 17 due to a gymnastics accident- landed on my throat from the high bar to the low bar…it affected my thyroid for a while. My pain is minimal most days but its the head fog….I just want it to be over. Any suggestions? I take Lorazipam, and had been taking vicodin for pain, stopped the vicodin over 2 months now and have decided to go without harsh pain meds. Ive tried going without the Lorazipam but my head fog gets worse because I’m going into fight or flight mode without it. I went through major stress loads for almost 9 yrs with corporate work…I know you’re not a doctor……. but I just need someone that can understand some of this that Im going through. Dr’s don’t seem to understand or be able to help me, kinda at my wits end with the head fog. If you have a direction or any suggestions Id greatly appreciate it. Thanks, Michelle
Tamiko–I have MS and have had many MRI tests. I’ve developed some techniques to get through the claustrophobia. Here is what I do. First, find out exactly how the test is done at that facility. Each facility is different. Some can give you a sedative to help if you want one. I used to use one but now can calm myself down enough without it. Does the facility offer earphones and music? That really helps me. Especially if you can choose your own channel. Will they offer you a warm blanket? If not, take a comfortable blanket with you. Can you use pillows under your knees and small of the back to get comfortable? Usually you can but some places are so barbaric that they don’t offer them. And then the pain makes you want to move. So take them as well. So here is my technique. I get positioned so I am very comfortable on the bed BEFORE they put it in the machine. That’s important. I wrap myself in the blanket so my arms are tight to my chest like a little papoose. I use the earphones and music they offer or I used earplugs. I also take a black sleep eye mask made out of silk. I use this at home to sleep and meditate as well so it’s familiar to me. The most important thing is to NEVER open your eyes while you are in the machine! So the mask helps. Try these out and I guarrantee it will be a better experience. The last time I had to go through this I had to have one of the brain and entire spinal cord. It lasted hours! I got through it without becoming a screaming banshee. ;-) And don’t stress about how long this takes or if the technicians are annoyed. They should want better test results and they only get them if you are very still during the test. Hope these help!
Thank you for these suggestions! I also asked for a warm blanket and close my eyes the entire time… that seems to help the most along with the self talk the entire time. :) I appreciate you taking the time to share. The eye mask is an excellent idea, I’m going to try that next time.
Thank you so much for posting this! I have MRIs twice a year and it helps a lot to know that there are more things I can do to make the process easier. I think that I get too wrapped up in not being difficult to the technicians, when really I should be focusing on how I can get through the process with less anxiety. I really appreciate you sharing this.
Hi. I just discovered this website and I am so grateful for all the work you have done. I know I will be using your tools over and over again. But right now I need to go one step back (meaning more simple.) I have Multiple Sclerosis and I’m struggling with confusion from one of my medications. I need a simple diary template with the hours on the left where I can mark what I need to do each day and then an area where I can check the items off and then mark my thoughts and feelings about them. Do you or any of your followers know of something like this? I’m too confused right now to create one of my own. Thanks for your help.
Lois
Hi Lois –
If you provide me with more details, I’d be happy to create something for you. Send me an email myfoggybrain411@gmail.com.
Best regards,
Tamiko
Hi there! A friend recommended your site as I have all of the conditions you have (cervical spinal stenosis included) plus a few more. I am amazed by your positive attitude and grateful for all of the resources you’ve listed here. I am planning to post your link on my blog so that my readers can also access the great tools and resources that you have posted. I’ve actually had the cervical spinal stenosis for about seven years, so feel free to let me know if you have any questions. Yoga, physical therapy, some meds, and water therapy have done wonders, but it hasn’t gone away completely.
As a fellow fibromite, I hope that your day is a good one. I’m going to steal your line and give you a gentle hug!
Thank you so much for commenting! I’ll look into your suggestions and definitely contact you if I have any questions.
Thanks again!
Tamiko
Hi there! I was perusing your blog, and I find it to be very informational, well written and inspirational! My name is Jennifer Corter, and I am the founder of the Fibromyalgia awarenss, advocacy and education group, Fibro Fighterz, founded in 2007. We also run FighterzBlog, dedicated to sharing our stories and educating and inspiring Fibromyalgia patients. I’d like to award you with the Fighterz Fierce and Fabulous Blogger award! Given to those bloggers who’s writing is incredible and inspirational, educating and enlightening. We’d love to do a write up about you and your blog, and share it with our 28,000+ readers! Please visit our award page to learn more on how to claim your award! :)
http://fighterzblog.wordpress.com/other-blogs-we-love/the-fighterz-fierce-fabulous-blogger-award/
Hi MyFoggyBrain,
I’m a huge fan of your blog since I suffer with Fibro myself. Recently I started working on a project called HealClick that connects patients together based on shared medical details. I’d love to chat and see if there’s a way we can work together. Feel free to email me directly at Rachael@HealClick.com.
Thanks,
Rachael
Hi Tamiko. I just came across your blog today and it is always helpful to read material by others with thoughts that I can relate to!
My name is Shelly Bolton and back in February I had my first book published, “Fibromyalgia: A Guide to Understanding the Journey.” It has done fairly well, and I am working on another, thanks to requests from readers, that will be entirely made up of stories from other “fibromites,” as well as a few poems and that kind of thing. I am very excited about this project and wanted to reach out to you to see if you would like to contribute your own story or any other material for this project. We are going to try to publish by the end of August, so if you are interested I will need to hear from you soon. If so, please contact me at fibromyalgiajourney@gmail.com
Thank you so much for this blog, and I hope you are doing well.
-Shelly
I would *love* to share a private conversation with you via email, as not to spam your page… My heart hurts when I read about pain, ADHD, etc. I can help and I care! I have four personal friends with fibro and chronic pain who have found tremendous relief with all-natural products. It’s not too good to be true… and I’m passionate about reaching out to people – but I don’t want to offend! Please feel free to contact me privately at ShannonXyng@gmail.com
I’m glad to meet you. My name is Linda. I have everything you have plus chronich fatigue which is now far worse than the fibro pain. Sometimes I describe the way I feel is to say that I feel like a wet dishrag and that I don’t even know where my next breath is going to come from. The brain fog is becomming a complete embarrasment. I will favorite your blog.
Thank you! I am so sorry for replying so late, I just haven’t been on my blog in many months… I hope you are having better days, my health has been very up and down… working towards more good days all the time.
Gentle hug.
Tamiko
Tomorrow (Australian Time – sorry!), I will be nominating you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award…Congratulations. As with all these awards, there are rules before acceptance – please check out tomorrow’s post (http://fibromodem.com/?p=10116) to see what is required.
Hi!
I am starting a directory of Bloggers who educate, support, enlighten, inform, inspire and motivate people about and with Fibromyalgia.
I would really like to include you and your blog.
Please have a look at the information for Bloggers on my site: http://fibromodem.wordpress.com/fck-directory/for-bloggers/; and, if you would like to be included, please follow the directions and then email me at fibromodem@hotmail.com.
I hope you choose to be part of this new project.
Regards,
Fibromodem
Hi myfoggybrain,
I thought I left you a message but I’m not seeing it. I want you to know I gave you a gift on my blog. You can see it in my post, “Warrior Women with Blogs Award.”
Looks like spicyt and I like the same blogs, (smiles).
I do appreciate your blog, and your sweet encouraging comments.
dogkisses
I am so very honored… I left you a reply on your post…. you KNOW I love your blog!!! Thank you!! The award is on my page and I’ll leave it there Forever!!!!!! You are the best!!
Hello! Just wanted to say I love your blog! So much so I am giving you an award titled “One Lovely Blog”…it was passed to me by a wonderful friend and fellow blogger! Then you can pass it along to 15 of your favorite blogs! Please see my blog for details!
http://spicyt.wordpress.com
You are so super cool!!! I am way honored!! Thank you! Thank you! I am coming over to your blog to check it out…. but this I have put the award on my page…
Hi:
I would like to create a link to your blog — I am trying to build a site with a postive attitude towards chronic pain in general, and you offer great insights into as a survivor of chronic pain. I would like to include the letter to folks without fibromyalgia in my blog as well. Let me know if linking is okay by you. I don’t tweet/twitter as I don’t have a cell phone, so regular email is my communication method.
Thanks,
phylor
That’s great! Totally cool with me… btw, twitter is generally done by the internet so if you are interested go to http://www.twitter.com for information. It really is an excellent source of information and source for those people unable to get out and get support outside of the home.
Thank you for you support!
you won’t believe it but i have an identical dog from a shelter. Really!!!! they look so much alike. my dog is 7 years old and she is my best friend. I adore her. and our kids are about the same age too. i love your blog!!!!! and if any of the fibro friends also have hashimotos thyroitis, send them my way. there are different things to do, it’s a totally different ballgame. p.s. i’m still impressed with your BLOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oh, I may make you laugh (which I hope to continue to do) but you are my holy master of blogging. Look at your website, it’s gorgeous and as my daughter used to say when she was little “prettiful.” I am so computer illiterate It took me a long time to find where to comment!! we are definitely new friends. thanks for introducing me to your Twitter group (am I supposed to say “Tweet” now?) see you online. I hope you get this comment.
Thank you so much for the “prettiful” compliment! I started with a different them… and gradually every day made changes and I still make changes to it. All you have to do is keep on playing with it. I want to get to the point where I can make it “my own”. I don’t quite feel that way yet.
Just remember, you can’t break anything. Just be patient, it just takes time… and for us (fibromites) time is something we have, since we normally aren’t out running around the track! Also, read through the WordPress 24/7 support pages and watch those little tutorial videos. I know, trust me, I have ADHD… you are thinking, “Are you serious? Watch a video? Hell no!” They are super short and it helps to speed up the learning process. AND you don’t have to bother family members. Bonus!
I hope you get this comment back… :) I’m going back to your blog to read the latest.. I saw that you have blogged again. Can’t wait to read it!!