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.
Happy Holidays to All!!
I am a member here for a while although I am not very active. The reason is because it makes my depression worse to know other people suffer like I do.
The holidays are always hard for me. It starts at thanksgiving when it becomes apparent that I do not have enough energy to work and cook thanksgiving dinner.
Then, as the cold sets in, the pain and fatigue increases. My fibromyalgia is very much seasonally controlled so my loved ones cannot understand how I am not able to do something that I was just doing months prior. They say things like, "but, you were getting better," and it seems to me that they are subliminally insinuating that I am making it up or it is all in my head. Every year though? Like there is an alarm clock in my head that says, "ok, it is December 1st. Time to pretend to be sick."
Christmas is the worst. I have five biological children and two step-children that I have to shop for. This year, my motto was, "You'll get what I give you," instead of going from store to store to make sure they got what they wanted.
I have spoiled them over the years and then, when my health went to shit, I began to over-compensate because I felt bad that they had a sick mom. Now, my oldest child is lazy and lacks self-motivation. Fibro fog robbed me of properly caring for them for many years.
My acupuncture helped me in 2015. I started in January. Nearly, a year later, I feel my body growing resistant to it. In spite all of this, I am doing better this year. I am working 64 hours a pay period instead of the 48 hours a pay period I was working this time last year. I hope to go up to 80 hours soon.
I paid 3,000 dollars and took a wound care certification course. If I pass the test, I take it Saturday, (wish me luck). Hopefully, I can secure a desk job that is not so physically taxing. I am a nurse by day and a patient by night.
The moral of the story is I thank God for this forum and for people who understand what I am going through, who aren't going to judge what comes out of my life and are supportive to complete strangers.
Thank you for allowing me to vent. Thank you to each and every person that reads this post. It makes me feel less overwhelmed to know I am not alone. \
I pray that I make it through tomorrow's madness. I do not have the energy to cook so I will be at my parent's house. That is something else I am extremely grateful for.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.
I am a member here for a while although I am not very active. The reason is because it makes my depression worse to know other people suffer like I do.
The holidays are always hard for me. It starts at thanksgiving when it becomes apparent that I do not have enough energy to work and cook thanksgiving dinner.
Then, as the cold sets in, the pain and fatigue increases. My fibromyalgia is very much seasonally controlled so my loved ones cannot understand how I am not able to do something that I was just doing months prior. They say things like, "but, you were getting better," and it seems to me that they are subliminally insinuating that I am making it up or it is all in my head. Every year though? Like there is an alarm clock in my head that says, "ok, it is December 1st. Time to pretend to be sick."
Christmas is the worst. I have five biological children and two step-children that I have to shop for. This year, my motto was, "You'll get what I give you," instead of going from store to store to make sure they got what they wanted.
I have spoiled them over the years and then, when my health went to shit, I began to over-compensate because I felt bad that they had a sick mom. Now, my oldest child is lazy and lacks self-motivation. Fibro fog robbed me of properly caring for them for many years.
My acupuncture helped me in 2015. I started in January. Nearly, a year later, I feel my body growing resistant to it. In spite all of this, I am doing better this year. I am working 64 hours a pay period instead of the 48 hours a pay period I was working this time last year. I hope to go up to 80 hours soon.
I paid 3,000 dollars and took a wound care certification course. If I pass the test, I take it Saturday, (wish me luck). Hopefully, I can secure a desk job that is not so physically taxing. I am a nurse by day and a patient by night.
The moral of the story is I thank God for this forum and for people who understand what I am going through, who aren't going to judge what comes out of my life and are supportive to complete strangers.
Thank you for allowing me to vent. Thank you to each and every person that reads this post. It makes me feel less overwhelmed to know I am not alone. \
I pray that I make it through tomorrow's madness. I do not have the energy to cook so I will be at my parent's house. That is something else I am extremely grateful for.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.
I used to share your sense that coming here increased my depression, that so many of us suffer this way, but the solidarity really means so much, as you say!
Glad to see you drop by again:-)
Merry Christmas!
Mommyx6, I feel for you. I have six children and one stepchild, they are all grown now with families of their own.
Merry Christmas, Mommyx6. Good Luck on your test Saturday
I've had fibro for a very long time. Back then, even the doctors told me it was all in my head. What a relief to finally be able to put a name to how I was feeling. I have learned over the years, that I have no control over other people's opinions as to how I am feeling. I know and I make no apologies.
So glad that you will be going to your parent's for Christmas. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Christmas hugs.
I worked as an RN until a few years after fibro hit me. The pain and fatigue were such that I knew my career was over. I tried various things with Voc Rehab but I was a mess.
My kids hated the word fibro and said things (as did my father) indicating they didn't believe it was real. But now, after 15 years of me saying no and imposing my limits gently, they seem to get it.
I hope you new career will be one you can count on. It sounds good. Just take it slowly, As you know, it takes some adjustment when you're starting out in a new specialty.
I really admire you!
Toni Bernard, in her book, How to live with pain and chronic illness, writes about the shame and embarrassment of being so sick. I felt that way on Thanksgiving where I was hosting just a few family members and panicking because I didn't have the energy necessary to do it. But, I had to give up any sort of perfection and not feel shame about what I am able to do now (with fibro).
Make those kids earn their rewards! :)
You are doing the best you can and I give you so much credit for getting up and going to work. Best of luck on that test! Hope your Christmas turns out to be awesome anyway!
Also, the cold temperature constricts blood vessels and with fibro, you already have compromised nerve function. It certainly doesn't help.
For the first 8 years any temperature below 55 degrees caused me a lot of pain. I got better though, thank God.
I experience more energy in the spring. I consider it some sort of mammalian thing around reproduction. I try to take a vacation then.
Keep us posted, ok?
I am only one,but I am one.
I cannot do everything but I can do something.
And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.
EVery day our limitations are different. Not one day is the same level. I've learned to except that. That you can work so many hours, it's amazing. I haven't been able to for 3 1/2 years, or drive for over a year.
When my hubbie was telling me "I don't want to hear about it any more!" I made him eat his words and I required him to attend all my doc appts after that. He gained an education!!! I also pass on articles I find to him to read at his leisure...he does eventually. Once he started stepping up and researching on his own how to "make things better for me" I let him sit in the waiting room instead of going in with me. I haven't driven in over a year due to severe flare. I wish I could work.....I quit pining for it and look at what I can do this week. My symptoms are many.
Do any of your family members attend your appts with you? Maybe take along one child at a time and let the doc educate each separately explaining FM and their roles in helping you and the family? And maybe make some kind of chart where you take it to your doc at each appt. showing each family members list of how they helped you out, and the doc could grade it somehow....kids want to excel and do their best. Maybe more Q&A with one member or another when they aren't stepping up or are in a learning curve and not getting it? I know this may be difficult given your schedule.
When I had elbow surgery years ago my daughter was a young teenager. She got so mad at me...refused to help. Here I was in a half cast at a 90 degree angle doing everything myself. Had to do everything myself. No family to help and just me and my daughter. Years and years later she apologized. Said she freaked out that she would have to do "everything" at 13 and that scared her to death...so much responsibility. We never really know what goes through their mind and how they wrap they little minds around stuff that comes at them....is different for each.
I wish docs had some sort of family awareness thing where once you are diagnosed, either the doc meets with the family or some online training thing for children/family members to enhance their role in our recoveries as well. The training could be ongoing and it could be age sensitive. I know I am reaching....
You being a nurse.....is there some way you could pass on a suggestion for some kind of training like this?
Hang in there....we are routing for you.
Like you, I have been a member for quite awhile (probably 6 years), but I rarely post. In the beginning, I also found listening to others struggles too much for me, because I felt I needed to be positive. Now, I'm in a positive state, accept myself, I am able to read and comment. I also work. 371.2 hours a week. My children are accepting and helpful when they can. They are all grown and 2 of the 3 have families of their own to care for. But I have a magnificent spouse who does more than I can express here. He cooked Christmas dinner. He does it every year. I would have given up on that otherwise and ordered food.
We're all in different places. I push myself to the brink sometimes, then flare. But sometimes, it's worth it. We painted our bedroom during Thanksgiving break and I was down for two days afterward. But it's so beautiful. We cleared our house top to bottom for Christmas since all the kids and 7 of 9 grandkids would be here. So worth it. I'm resting today. In my pj's! Then, I have to work the next three days. then 4 more days off!
Hope your test goes well! I'm working on my PhD in General Psychology. I'm in the dissertation stage now, so getting closer. When the fog hits, it's tough. But I get through it.
Many blessings to you. You're not alone.