Yes. I have carpel tunnel syndrome and nerve damage in both hands, diabetes, chronic nerve pain in my left arm and shoulder (they do not know the cause). EDITED: I also suffer from skin psoriasis on my scalp, hairline, skin on my back and waistline. I popped my left knee several seeks ago and cannot stand on it long. I pulled a nerve and it will take time to heal. I have noticed for some reason during my pregnancies, I have problems with my knees.I am guessing I have trouble supporting the extra weight. Our homeschooling has taken a few stops during my bad days but mostly during the times Michael has been in the hospital for surgeries and procedures. In 2005, shortly after I was released from the hospital being 4 weeks pregnant with Matthew... Michael had 3 surgeries during the month of March: eye muscle surgery, hernia surgery and to lower his left testicle. When he was age two, Michael had 2 skull reconstructive surgeries a month apart to correct his craniosynostosis. His skull stopped growing in two places so they reopened his skull. Each surgery lasted 8-10 hours. Before that he had a liver biopsy at age 10 months. As a family, we have been through alot with Michael and he is worth it because he is our son and we love him very much. We have never given up homeschooling despite the many doctor appts, procedures, cat scans, MRIs and surgeries our son has dealt with. We manage to work around it with God's grace, love and mercy...
I have lupus and/or another autoimmune disorder. The rheumatologists can't seem to agree on exactly what is wrong; apparently, that is very common with these types of diseases. Like a doofus, I decided to go off my meds last year, and was doing OK til this spring. I pretty much spent the last 2/3 of April in bed with a horrible flare. So now I'm back on Plaquenil (which, thankfully, is safe to take during pg because we're trying to have another baby). It takes several months to build up again, but I hope it helps me like it did before. It didn't totally eliminate disease flares, but it made them milder and less frequent. They also found out that I'm severely depleted of Vitamin D. So I'm on a mega-high dose prescription for it, for the next few weeks. (Speaking of, anyone with weight issues, autoimmune illness, or other chronic illness--you should get your D levels checked. Google it...they are finding tons of problems linked to low levels of Vitamin D and it's very common because we spend so much more time indoors now). I find that homeschooling is actually better than school when it comes to dealing with my illness. Like the others said, when you're having a bad day, or a bad string of days, you just work around it. When the boys were in school and I had a flare, it was tough because I still had to drive them there and pick them up, work our days around the school's calendar, do homework and projects when they were due....it is EVER so much easier to flex things around what works for us.
I have Type II Diabetes and have kidney disease. While I haven't had any direct problems from that, there are times when I am extremely fatigued and have to take a break for a few minutes. Nothing too serious yet.
I won't even tell y'all the last time I went to the dr but many of my symptoms fall under fibromyalgia. Flax seed oil helps alot (when I have some on hand to take!) as it seems to work as a diuretic. I've often described the pain as feeling as if my nerve endings are sitting on top of my skin. Someone posted that people with fibro tend to have a low pain tolerance but I have a high tolerance! Sandra, have you tried a rice sock on your knee? I never had trouble with my knees until just after my 3 dc was born and my knee just seem to balloon up. It still flares up and she is now 18. The last time it gave me grief, my mom suggested the rice sock and I was amazed that it actually worked!!
I know what you mean about knee issues. I hurt my knee riding my bike and it still feels like it locks on me and hurts to put pressure on it. What is a rice sock?
Rice in a sock!:lol: All you do is take an old sock (no holes) that is nice and soft and fill it with dry, uncooked rice. Then you put it in the microwave until it is warm through. I kinda overdid and made mine larger than I would have liked so it takes longer to heat through. My mom warned me not to overheat it because you can scorch the rice and apparently the smell ranks up there with burnt popcorn! One thing you could even do is make a case (like a pillow case) to slip over it to keep the sock itself fresher longer. I closed mine with a rubberband so I can open if I need to.
I truly, literally, have tears rolling down my eyes. So many people do not understand that "skin pain" they just don't get it if they've never experienced. Not that I'm glad ya'll have it too - but that I'm not alone...and there are those who truly understand.
Try ice right under the knee too. I had major injury in high school roller skating then went out for basket ball and made first string, played the first game and realised when I came down after making the winining basket that my knee did not want to work right. I had to fight years of stretching it sideways and on my back in sets of 8, and repeating from side to side 8 on left side, 8 on right, this worked great! Now I am working out again and it drops a bit now and then but it is nothing like what it was, SO I started up the side lifts to help, it worked! Try stretching when you get up in the morning, and not just your arms and back!
I have a friend who has pain in her face, if she even moves it, to talk, or smile or eat, it hurts extremely bad. Is tha tlike your pain>
I have not tried a rice sock before. I'll try that. During the day I wrap an ace bandage under the knee for walking. I put muscle rub on it before I start my day or go out.
there is a sock brace you can get too, it slides on and supports your knee. I have one of those and two ankle ones lol...
Trigeminal Neuralgia Teachermom - Do you know if your friend with the face pain has ever asked her Dr about "Trigeminal Neuralgia"? The reason I ask is because my husband had an onset of this condition about a year or so ago. It was horrible. He basically laid on the couch for 2 weeks in total and utter pain. Here is a brief desciption below: TN (Trigeminal Neuralgia) is a nerve disorder of unknown origin that causes sudden shock-like facial pains, typically near the nose, lips, eyes or ears. It is said to be the most excruciatingly painful human condition in the world. The disorder, also called tic douloureaux, is named for the three-part (trigeminal) nerve that supplies sensations to all parts of the face. TN (Trigeminal Neuralgia / tic douloureux) is a disorder of the fifth cranial (trigeminal) nerve that causes episodes of intense, stabbing, electric shock-like pain in the areas of the face where the branches of the nerve are distributed - lips, eyes, nose, scalp, forehead, upper jaw, and lower jaw. By many, it's called the "suicide disease". A less common form of the disorder called "Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia" may cause less intense, constant, dull burning or aching pain, sometimes with occasional electric shock-like stabs. Both forms of the disorder most often affect one side of the face, but some patients experience pain at different times on both sides. Onset of symptoms occurs most often after age 50, but cases are known in children and even infants. Something as simple and routine as brushing the teeth, putting on makeup or even a slight breeze can trigger an attack, resulting in sheer agony for the individual. Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is not fatal, but it is universally considered to be the most painful affliction known to medical practice. http://www.fpa-support.org/aboutfp/index.html#Description
I believe that is what she said it was. She is blessed that when she is pregnant she does not have it. She is also a Nurse so she works at a hospital so has lots of info on what to do but it really doesnt help much.
My heart goes out to her. I had never heard of such a thing until my husband had it. It was hard to see my 6'4 240 lb man in total agony. Praise God she is able to be pain free during the pregnancy.
Thank you Reading some of the others posts regarding health issues makes me realize that I am not alone in dealing with yucky health issues and homeschooling. I am finding, however, that the support of precious people like yourselves is comforting and VERY helpful. So, thank you all for sharing. Please know that I am here for ALL of you. I am a big girl 6'0 tall and I have broad shoulders (and big feet ha ha ha :lol: ) but shoulders big enough to lean on and ears to listen. I have found this homeschooling site to be an absolute blessing. :angel:
Krista, I know what you mean. Here I thought I was the only one dealing with pain issues. Sometimes the skin pain hurts so much that dh touching me sends me through the roof. Last night dh was playing his guitar, tv was on, ds and I were visiting while the computer fan was revving high and at that point I'd had enough of too much sound. Everyone looked at me like I was nuts when I asked dh to mute the tv and I turned off the computer. I get overwhelmed by too much sound.
Katie, have your dh invest in head phones? a lot of the dvd players now come with a spot to put them in, then they can have quiet for you when you need it and still watch educational videos as well! My dh can't concentrate with outside sounds so he has headphones that block sound too! he sufferes with head aches and joint pain.
That is a good idea. When ds plays his guitar with amp and sound effects pedals I can handle that as long as I like the songs he is playing and there is no other noise. Of course he can't crank it up like he does when nobody is home. I always know he is home when I pull up and can hear him playing guitar. If he is not working, he is playing his guitar! :love:
