Fibromyalgia Support Group
You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.
I do feel a bit guilty that I read more than post/offer support here, but I am one of those lucky people who can have weeks, even months, when the Fibro symptoms are under control and apart from having to rest regularly and low energy levels, I try not to talk about the Fibro - until it strikes me hard.
My situation is a bit tricky: Ive gone out on a limb and taken a leap of faith by giving up the security of disability payments, a subsidised health system and no requirements to work by moving to Europe, where I will have to pay health insurance and work to survive.
It may sound crazy, and it was a big decision, but I had an offer from good friends I did some work for -they are leasing me a nice apartment in a lovely village in south Germany (very picturesque) in return for some Au Pair work, while I develop my business as a freelance English teacher. Before leaving NZ I did all the training and gained some good qualifications and experience (I had support from Occupational Therapists to find a new career, unable to go back to my old one).There seems to be a demand for English Business Training here and Ive already got some freelance work lined up, I love the history, food and culture here - so what is the problem?
Well, after coping OK for the first 6 weeks here (only had minor flares) I woke up 3 days ago in a major flare. It feels like having flu - I am waking up exhausted (even after 8 hours sleep), aching all over, apathetic, my brain won't work properly and I just want to sleep all day. The Wet Blanket syndrome others have talked about here.
However, I don't actually have the option to rest all day now - I have to develop my freelance teaching business and be on call to take care of my friend's baby when she needs me.. Before this flare up I was presenting myself as a healthy, functional and professional person ready to start work (because that was how I felt) but I have no idea how long this flare will last and how I can cope with the demands of working and organising my time. Plus I am dealing with a new country, new language, new health and tax system and being away from family - not easy!
Before coming here I played down the whole Fibro thing as I really wanted to start a new Fibro-free life (they symptoms have always been better when I was in Europe) but now I have to try and explain to my friends what Fibro is and that I get flare ups when I just can't function as usual. I do feel embarrassed and guilty that I wasn't more open about my illness before, because I kind of hoped the Fibro was going and I might be getting better. The only drug I am taking is 60mg of Codeine each day, and I can't see a doctor here yet as Im only covered by emergency travel insurance unit lI start working and earning. Damn.
Sorry I just needed to vent, I know Ive taken a chance by coming here but my doctors back in NZ said I would probably get better treatment here for the Fibro -once I can get into the health system. There are some wonderful Anthroposophic doctors here who work with natural remedies- kind of putting my hopes i that. Thanks for reading, any ideas for explaining myself and getting through this flare are welcome!
My situation is a bit tricky: Ive gone out on a limb and taken a leap of faith by giving up the security of disability payments, a subsidised health system and no requirements to work by moving to Europe, where I will have to pay health insurance and work to survive.
It may sound crazy, and it was a big decision, but I had an offer from good friends I did some work for -they are leasing me a nice apartment in a lovely village in south Germany (very picturesque) in return for some Au Pair work, while I develop my business as a freelance English teacher. Before leaving NZ I did all the training and gained some good qualifications and experience (I had support from Occupational Therapists to find a new career, unable to go back to my old one).There seems to be a demand for English Business Training here and Ive already got some freelance work lined up, I love the history, food and culture here - so what is the problem?
Well, after coping OK for the first 6 weeks here (only had minor flares) I woke up 3 days ago in a major flare. It feels like having flu - I am waking up exhausted (even after 8 hours sleep), aching all over, apathetic, my brain won't work properly and I just want to sleep all day. The Wet Blanket syndrome others have talked about here.
However, I don't actually have the option to rest all day now - I have to develop my freelance teaching business and be on call to take care of my friend's baby when she needs me.. Before this flare up I was presenting myself as a healthy, functional and professional person ready to start work (because that was how I felt) but I have no idea how long this flare will last and how I can cope with the demands of working and organising my time. Plus I am dealing with a new country, new language, new health and tax system and being away from family - not easy!
Before coming here I played down the whole Fibro thing as I really wanted to start a new Fibro-free life (they symptoms have always been better when I was in Europe) but now I have to try and explain to my friends what Fibro is and that I get flare ups when I just can't function as usual. I do feel embarrassed and guilty that I wasn't more open about my illness before, because I kind of hoped the Fibro was going and I might be getting better. The only drug I am taking is 60mg of Codeine each day, and I can't see a doctor here yet as Im only covered by emergency travel insurance unit lI start working and earning. Damn.
Sorry I just needed to vent, I know Ive taken a chance by coming here but my doctors back in NZ said I would probably get better treatment here for the Fibro -once I can get into the health system. There are some wonderful Anthroposophic doctors here who work with natural remedies- kind of putting my hopes i that. Thanks for reading, any ideas for explaining myself and getting through this flare are welcome!
Second, yes, (If I read the country code right) Germany has very good natural remedies. THey had a COmmission E way back in the day that investigated them and more thoroughly than anyone else yet I found. Europe's way ahead on that stuff. So you may find a doctor who will know some really great stuff.
Third, do what you can, as you can, to reduce the flare if anything does work (sometimes things do, sometimes they don't)....
And do not feel embarrassed or guilty. FM is a disease like diabetes or any other. It has to be managed, and sometimes it's hard, and people will understand if you simply say you didn't want to bring it up if it wasn't a problem. But if it is, it is. No shame in that, no guilt, nothing to be embarrassed about. in keeping it "played down" until you saw how things went.
I will keep a good thought for you!
Good luck!
PS I find hydrating and getting electrolytes sometimes quiest my flares.
I don't believe that flares are a random issue. I know that they happen for a reason. Something changed. A new food? A new activity? One or two days of too much exertion? Seasonal allergies? Something stressed your body into freaking out. So, my first thought is to try to figure out what did it.
Second. I know that if you get good continual relief from symptoms your body will settle down. In other words, I equate a flare to a 2 year old having a tantrum. So, for symptom relief, I would suggest trying to address all the things that might be irritating the body. Allergy medication. An anti inflammatory round the clock for a few days. Elimination diet to the few things that you know you digest well. Meditation/breathing. Stretching. A probiotic. And, take a look at this that someone posted recently,
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qhrqwxxod2kwo8s/What-to-do-while-looking-for-a-good-pain-doctor.pdf
BTW, for me that flu feeling is always systemic inflammation and meloxicam (Mobic) works well.
Good luck. I am cheering for you.
And yes - bravest thing ever!
I have been too terrified to post about my situation in case people said 'what - are you crazy?" and I've been battling with this feeling of self-judegment for months.
Thank you so much for not judging me.
The reason I came to Germany in the first place was because back in 2008 I met a German guy, he lived with me for a while and saw the effects Fibro had on my life, he knew a bit about it and convinced me to come back with him to see if it helped. It did, and I felt a lot better ,but because I couldn't find a way of staying here I had to go back to NZ and just continued to get sicker. I worked very hard to get three teaching qualifications (including the Cambridge CELTA) despite doctors saying it would be tough, because I was so determined to find a way of living here long term. I had friends who were teaching English here part time and making a reasonable living, so that was my goal.
This year I sold everything I owned and gave up my social security payments to take the risk of surviving here on teaching alone. Of course I have some savings to get me through the first months but if I don't get better soon, then I don't know what will happen. I had hoped to get a part time contract somewhere but all teaching in this region is freelance so I have to pay all my own health insurance and taxes (very high) plus send money back for my teenage daughter back in NZ.
The work is coming in - but I have to be well enough to handle it (plus I have no car here which means taking public transport and long distances). I'm making a flyer to advertise private tutoring from home, which should be easier to cope with.
Yes, you are right, Emily 710, its probably due to outside circumstances this flare up has come on so badly. I started taking total immersion German classes (4 hours each morning) and that seemed to have pushed me over the edge energy wise. Ive also probably over indulged in all the delicious German cakes and pastries too much (have I mentioned how amazing the food is here???) so this could have caused inflammation. In NZ I was mostly gluten free but because they use organic rye and dinkel here for a lot of the baking I have really gone a bit crazy making up for lost time!
Thanks again for your support, its just nice to be able to express my fears and worries to group of people who understand. I have a fear of being judged for emigrating to a new country and starting a new career while having Fibro (not to mention being in major menopause and not as young as I was!)
Now I am just waiting to hear back from the health company so I can see a doctor - otherwise I don't know what I will do with no income yet and no insurance . Wish me luck!
I don't think you should feel any need to apologize for getting sick. My theory is that temporarily forgetting I had a health problem allowed me to have a life.
Hope you feel better soon, but in the meantime try to do what you can not to stress out.
I come from a Steiner/Waldorf family and have been using homeopathic remedies and natural medicine most of my life, I just haven't found one yet for fibro (but I'm not an expert and only know a little!)
The Pharmacists here are usually fantastic and give lots of advice, so I might try and do that.
I'm glad you are interested in the homeopathic route. Two remedies for fibro pain that have been helpful for me are: Byronia and Rhus Toxidendron. There was a Rheumatism remedy that I used to get in New York which I believe was made in Germany. Maybe it is still available there.
I often use these find remedies. Hint Rheumatism = fibro:
http://homeoint.org/books/boericmm/index.htm
You have to figure out the old terminology to use it.
There is also this from a US company, but the remedies are the same:
http://web.aisle7.net/api/1.0/assets/tool/homeopathic-medicine-finder-tool/~default?apikey=a6cf72653d8748e6a86cc58f2c472c84
Rhus Toxidendron has really been helpful for me lately. As you probably know, the challenge is finding the right remedy for you.
I thought Anthroposophic medicine used homeopathy!
Do feel better.
You go girl! You are awesome. Don't ever feel embarrassed or afraid here. We are all here to support each other. You are so brave to do what you are doing and I applaud you. Hang in there. Gentle (((Hugs))) to you. Feel better. :)
Sending you hugs across the water!!
Jo