Education and Medical Conditions

Many people with Fibromyalgia or other medical issues believe that obtaining a post-secondary education is not in their future, but they are wrong. My other post is about working while having an illness. Educational institutions offer services to help those with disabilities, but it is not automatic; it must be requested. The Adaptive Educational Services or Disability Support department is there to serve the students.

Adaptive services provide benefits for persons with learning, physical and emotional disorders. Learning disorders include autism, dyslexia, Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD) and others. Physical disorder examples are chronic pain, sight problems, hearing impairments and much more. Anxiety and depression are two examples of emotional disorders.

Ivy Tech’s Disability Services link 

IUPUI  ‘s Adaptive Education Services link 


Below are a few examples of how disability support can help with going to college, university. Depending on the institution services may vary.

• Sight - books on tape or software converts text to an out loud reader, larger print materials

• Hearing impairment- interpreters, written instructions, written lecture notes

• Emotional problems (ADD or anxiety) – a quiet room to take tests or exams, a recorder for class lectures

• Learning disability –software convert text to reader

• Speech problem – oral answers given in written form, interpreter relay answer

• Chronic but invisible illnesses – report of absences but no penalty

• Mobility problem – adaptive seats and tables

The Other Therapy- Physical and Occupational

A good way to learn how to live with Fibromyalgia and other conditions is to enlist the help of a medical therapist. These people have training in knowing the parts of the body including muscle groups, tendons etc. An occupational or physical therapist can help those with injuries or medical conditions have a more fulfilling and prosperous life.

Occupational Therapy

• Helps people to do regular daily and work activities
• Assist in regaining new skills or re-learning old ones
• Works with patient to discover goals, plan and outcomes
• Performed by occupational therapist (OT) or occupational therapy assistant (OTA)
• OTs hold a graduate degree (minimum) and are licensed
• OTAs supervised by an OT
• OTA hold an associate degree, licensed

Physical Therapy

• Can help with endurance, balance and strength
• Lessens pain and increases movement
• Develops a plan for treatment
• By physical therapist (PT) or physical therapy assistants (PTA)
• PTs hold a graduate degree (minimum), are licensed
• PTAs supervised by PTs
• PTAs may train patients on exercises, equipment
• PTAs hold associate degrees, certified or licensed

Hot and Cold For Pain Help

There are times that I forget (or deny) that I have Fibro and do stupid things.

     For example: Going in a cold air-conditioned room without a sweater, seeing a  movie in the park on a late summer/early Fall night and moving large pieces of furniture by myself.

To remedy my goofups, I use heat or ice for pain. sometimes I do both  (ie: icy hot). I will explain when I use each to help somebody else.

Cold  

• Used to numb pain or after exercising
• Make homemade ice packs
• Cool temperature numbing creams

Heat

• Used more than cold
• For stiffness, muscle spasms,
• In cold environments
• Homemade heat wrap
• Topical creams and ointments
• Electric blankets

• Heat pads

Traveling with Medical Conditions

 Knowing how to travel with an invisible illness can be a difficult task, but not impossible. Some people can not take a trip due to other conditions along with muscle pain. I, for one, like to travel and will not let a chronic condition keep me from my joys in life. The content below is to help others figure out how to travel.

The tips are not just for those with chronic pain and related syndromes. People that experience asthma, irritating skin problems and fatigue should consider the information below.

Start Small

Begin with short journeys to figure out where to go from there. A small trip can be anywhere from an hour to three hours depending on your tolerance and risk level. Make multiple trips for a small distance before adding to lengthy travels.

Know Your Body

Be aware of what your body can do and the conditions work best with it. For me, I know that cold weather is my foe and I prepare for it. I maintain several levels of clothing to keep me warm. If walking is hard for you, then avoid trips that require a lot of foot action. A good alternative may be to use a cab, but know that will make the trip more costly.

Time Out

Designate a resting time while taking trips. This may be mean going to one attraction and taking a rest period before going to the next. The most important element here is to have your body relax and not bring on a flare. Not all people need sleep, some do well with just sitting for twenty minutes or so. Do what works best for you.

Be Prepared

Do not leave home without your standby relief aids. This means over the counter and/or prescription pain medications. I, often use a relaxer to help my muscles not get tight. Depending on your symptoms, other products may include: heating pad, ice pack, pain patches, foot warmers, etc.

Good Luck! Contact your doctor’s office for information specific to you. Optimism and knowing your body are the preparation for travel. I am not a health professional and my advice should not be regarded as such.

                                                        

     

Working With Medical Problems or Ilness

  Blog Post- Kardashian Work Plan For Real Folks

Those of us with a permanent medical condition, but not technically ‘disabled’ still need to find a way to make money. This seems like an almost impossible task but it can be done. An important aspect is to change the way you think about working and employment. Search for work options that work for you and not you for them. One of the most important factors that will help you is knowing your own body. Observe not just the ailments but how you feel when you’re at half-strength. Continue reading to find out how to work while having an illness.

Know Your Limits

Think about what you can do with help from the largest chore to the smallest. For some that mean filing some papers, observing children or driving a bus. Now, consider what you can do without help. Can you do cashier duties, fix food or review documents? As a clarification, ‘help’ is used as a non-specific term for any item that can assist in performing a task. A chair, stool, hand brace or wheelchair can be a help.

The next step is to consider how medication can help you in completing an activity. Sometimes the use of a prescribed or over-the-counter medicine will help expand the list of job duties. An important fact to remember is to recognize if medicine overall helps or if the side effects make you less productive.

Job Fair Listings for indianapolis

View Possibilities

The standard 40-hour work week is not a veritable possibility for everyone. The right work situation may be a part-time position, work from home jobs or temporary assignments. Possible job titles are substitute teachers, seasonal employment or consultant work. The theme is to look outside of the regular 9 to 5, Monday thru Friday shtick.

Adjust the Environment

If your medical condition is affected by cold weather consider wearing extra layer of clothes or a personal heater for cold offices. Consider using ergonomic equipment that is constructed to ease pressure on joints and muscles. Find information on adaptations from your doctor, occupational therapist or the job accommodation network website.

Blog post. The Game of Work.

Fibromyalgia Cycle

This is a great visual representation of the pain.

Fibromyalgia and Depression

This article from the National Fibromyalgia Association talks in depth about how Depression can effect those of us with this disease. Characteristics of depression include an extreme energy loss with a feeling of despair and lack of pleasure in events that were previously enjoyed. Some people experience a severe lack or too much sleeping. In severe cases, people may have suicidal thoughts.

Many people with Fibromyalgia suffer from depression. Fibro is a syndrome that can impact all aspects of lives. The act of limiting or stopping regular life activities can alter anyone’s mood.

Causes of Depression (Information from Pub Med Health)

               

• Chemical Imbalance
• Heredity
• Change in life situations

            Divorce

            Death

            Job loss

            New medical conditions

Treatment Options (Information from Mayo clinic)

• Medications
• Counseling
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
• Lifestyle changes
• Treatment programs

             

Fibromyalgia – The Definition

I was diagnosed by someone who was not my regular doctor at an urgent care facility. He told me that I had Fibromyalgia, pills will not cure and it is not fatal. No pamphlet, samples or slide show was given to me. No one should find out like that.

The Mayo Clinic describes Fibromyalgia as

“Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.”

Dr. Mehmet Oz defines it as

“…disorder of the musculoskeletal system, the condition is now seen as a central nervous system problem. Symptoms include increased sensitivity to pain, achy and stiff joints, fatigue, and specific tender points on the back, chest, arms, and legs. Migraines sleep disorders, and irritable bowel syndromes are also common complaints.”

I think the second definition identifies more with the problems that are associated with have Fibromyalgia. I hope the definitions help.

Diagnosis

    Fibromyalgia is diagnosed using the tender point system. It is a physical exam with pressure applied to different parts all over the body. Pain must be felt from 11 of the total 18 tender points. The second diagnostic criterion is widespread pain for at least three months.

Blood work and X-rays will not reveal Fibromyalgia. Physical characteristics will not help identify someone with this syndrome. It is an invisible disease.

Symptoms

Widespread pain and sleep depravity is the most common symptoms of Fibromyalgia, but there is more. “Fibro” or brain fog , extreme fatigue and chemical sensitivity are among the long list of associated conditions.


         

            
                          

Purpose of This Blog

       This blog is to help those suffering from Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain or Chronic Fatigue some local Indianapolis-area resources to help them live better lives. Searching around for information on the internet can be tiring and confusing; I want to alleviate some of that. I have found a lot of resources, articles and data and want to share it with others.

I am not a doctor or work in the medical field, so please talk to your doctor regarding any concerns.