I Do. I Understand Completely.
Treating FM By Ignoring It Is Like Anything Else, It Never Goes Away. If We Could Wish It Away It Would be Gone !

Speaking Of It To People Who Don't Understand Can Overwhelm Them. They Cannot Help You, And Often Leave you Feeling Like You Are a Burden.
They DO NEED To Treat You With Respect, And Once You Treat Yourself That Way, They Will Have No Choice But to Follow Your Lead. They Don't Need to Understand FM, They Need to Respect The Fact That You Have It.

You Need to Do For Yourself Whatever It Is, Everyday To Get Thru That Day. If It Is Medication, Or Some Other Therapy. That is Yours To Do.

You Don't Need to Explain Yourself To Anyone, If You Are Flaring, And Cannot Do Something, If The Person In Your Life Is Trying to Make You Feel Bad About It, Then Perhaps It Is Time To Reassess That Relationship. Anyone Who Knows, Loves, Respects You Will Know WHY You Cannot Do Something. No Explanation Required.

But Simply Put, All Of That Starts And Ends with You.

No Easy Task To Be Sure.

But So Worth It.

Of ALL The Symptoms I Have EVER Dealt With ~ Anxiety & Depression Were The MOST Debilitating. On Every Level.

Prayers That You Find Your Answer.

Thank you, MsBoni, for your response. Reading it did make me feel better. I guess I just needed to know someone cares. You said do what I have to do to make it through the day. I will.

I have not been religiously taking my meds because my PCP doesn't even believe fibromyalgia exists and he so scared I'm going to become a drug addict, now I'm scared to take anything. My rheumy is a dick who doesn't even listen to me.

Skip it, here goes nothing, and thanks again.

You May Want to Consider Changing Dr.s.

Many Dr.s STILL Believe That FM Is The Physical Symptoms Of Depression/Anxiety/PTSD. And They Don't want to Deal With It.

For Some, Perhaps That Is What They Have going On. But Not For all.

FM is As Real As It Gets. Finding All The Good Stuff, That Works for YOU, Letting All The Bad, Negativity Fall Away Is Your First Step. And There Are Many. At Times It Can All Seem Like To Much !!

I Have Been There. Nice a Good Place to Be. This Seemingly Endless Cycle Downwards.

It Was The People right Here On DS That Helped Me To Help Myself.

If Your Dr.s are Not Helping You, Change Dr.s
If People Are Making You Feel Bad, Then Stop Sharing Your Pain With Them For Awhile..Share With Those Of us Who Understand.

I Hit My FM from Every Positive Angle I Could.
Life Got Good Again.

I understand how you feel, the people that I work with make me feel like my fibromyalgia is all depression and that I need to excercise more. They make fun because I fall asleep at work and crack their jokes here and there. I spent 5 years seeing all kinds of doctors to finally end up with an FM diagnosis

I suggest you look for other doctors, Im in the process of doing that myself. I'm not giving up until I find a doctor that is compassionate, who will listen and is understanding of FM. We know FM exist because there is too many of us that have it so they can't pretend its just depression or that we are drug seekers. It's ok to feel depressed, how can you not with the pain and exhaustion we feel, however don't let depression take the best of you.

Like MsBoni said do what you have to do to feel better, take the meds that help you, rest, leave the chores and errands for another day. Do what you can when you can.

Take Care!

We cant escape pain; we cant escape the essential nature of our lives. But we do have a choice. We can give in and relent, or we can fight, persevere, and create a life worth living, a noble life. Pain is a fact; our evaluation of it is a choice. ~ Jacob Held

Mommyx6, I remember you, and I'm so glad you came back. I'm so sorry for all you've been through in your absence, though. I guess in a way, we all go through something like that, where we start to think maybe it isn't real, maybe I'm crazy, lazy, or whatever.

I also agree with MsBoni saying that anxiety and depression are two of the worst symptoms. I've had both, but mostly the depression, and that is absolutely crippling to me.

I also agree to take the meds that help you. Nobody understands your body and your symptoms, and they have no business making you feel guilty for taking them. If it's a doctor making you feel that way, then leave him!

I've finally found, I think, a good rheumy who may can help me. I'll see him in December, but he comes highly recommended. Other than that, I haven't seen anyone who I felt understood this disease at all. My GP, though, does have compassion, so he at least tries to keep me fairly comfortable. And that's no small task....lol! I'm forever changing meds due to side effects and whatever. He's always told me, that's why they call it the practice of medicine.

So bottom line is we're so glad you found your way back home. We do understand, and I feel like we're all in this together. We'll support you and encourage you.

Take care,
Elizabeth

I truly and deeply appreciate the responses. I try not to complain or be a burden on anyone, including the people on here. I know that everyone has their own problems. I feel like I'm whining and I just need to suck it up.

It's so hard to not get depressed when dealing with any chronic illness, especially with limited to no support system. I'm saw your post on the daily check in, and I'm so glad to see that you've reached out with your own post. There is absolutely nothing wrong with reaching out. I don't think of it as whining, but it's okay if you do, as long as you know that it is okay and we all understand.

I have found that I will do well, mentally, for a while, but after some time, like too many bad days, depression creeps in and tries its best to bring me down. That when it is so important to reach out to those that understand and realize that with chronic illnesses, depression is normal, and talking about it helps.

I would most certainly find a new doctor to treat me if my own did not believe in fibromyalgia. How will they help you to manage it if they do not even try to understand it? Have you ever seen a rheumatoid arthritis doctor? As far as family, MsBoni, said it best :)

Be kind to yourself, friend. You are dealing with a lot. Don't give up searching for something(s) to help you manage your fibro symptoms. Gentle hugs

Hey you. FIrst off: OMG. I *am* a health nut. Was raised by one (my mom the nurse). Still ended up with FM and other stuff. Sooooo..... do what you have to do. If it takes some meds? Try 'em. Change it up as you need to for *you*. Because you are NOT to blame. Anyone saying that is just asking for karma to kick their butts---and karma will....

Grieving our "healthier" selves is normal. We understand. Big soft supportive purrs.

Mommyx6...I can so totally relate. I have been gone for a bit and last week suffered a slight mental "break". I have bipolar along with the FM and after a few days of crap that I can usually deal with, some really BAD pain and not sleeping I totally sank into depression. I started to second guess my parenting and whether I was the best option for my 14 year old. And for the first time in a LONG time I wanted to just go to sleep and not wake up - not suicidal exactly but just wanted to "disappear" into a dream world where I didn't have to worry or ache or fight through each and every day. I'm slowly getting back to "myself" but the experience reminded me that I'm broken and although I won't ever be new or like a used to be I am STILL here...I am still learning...and I am still fighting.

Wow! These replies are so great, and very helpful to me, too. While I hate to see that others suffer from the pain of depression, it still is comforting to know I'm not alone. It is so difficult to deal with everyday.

I pray and deeply desire to come out of it, and I continue to struggle. I think if I can do something to reach out and help someone else, it will take my mind off myself.

Hang in there...we're with you.

Sound like you need new Drs. I have had to change Drs more than once.

Also , consider getting help for your depression - you seem to have more than just the blues. Depression can get very serious.

Welcome back to the group! Only fellow sufferers can truly understand what you are going through. "Normals" just don't get it. Living with pain everyday affects every aspect of our lives. We want to be the people we were before fibro, but it's just not possible. We have to come to accept the people we are now. We do what we can everyday and we need to take care of ourselves as best as possible. I think you need to find a different doctor. You need a doctor that believes fibro exists and how best to treat it. Here is a wonderful place to get info and to vent. I wish you all the best and gentle hugs.

It's our own struggle to feel "valued" with the limitations of fibro! After 30 years of this, some days I can stay down the whole day without arguing with myself.

We're not responsible for illness, and fighting it takes too much energy. Someday I hope there will be more research and discovery of just how brave we've been. This is an illness only for the brave! Fighting others is too hard while fighting ourselves. Stay strong, Abby

We "get" you Mommyx6. Trust and pray that you can get over this hump. It's amazing how we push on and find a freer, calmer space and continue to be overcomers. Isabelle1954