Hello.

Glad you are here. I understand, I truly do. Infact, we all do.

I think its more the constant pain everyday. It helps when I take my vit D3 and esp magnesium but its still there. You know fibro pain, always moving around

Seems like that is our favorite line "I am fine" when really we want to scream how tired we are of living with fibro and know we will never get better, just worse.

I am sure the students bring you joy and having a job helps keep your mind occupied which is good. Have you thought about just substitute teaching where you don't have to teach everyday?

Hopefully this weekend, you can get some sunshine, take some Vit D3, drink some herbal tea and rest up. I have nothing else or a cure, just hope you feel better.

Thank you so much for your kind words. As you know some days are physically and emotionally worse than others. It's just hard, as you well know. I wish I could work part time as a sub, but it's not a possibility right now. My babies do bring me such joy. It's just tough when they say, " guys we need to be good, she doesn't feel good today." Kids are so perceptive. I will continue to follow all of you on this site. You are truly my lifeline.
Thanks so much!! Hugs to all of you! Gentle ones though!!

As MagicOne said, we all understand. I was a teacher also, but I eventually had to retire because I just could not keep up. I wish I knew then what I know now, because I would still be working.

Hang in there. Try some of the Vitamin D3. Have your doctor test your D levels, to help determine how much you should supplement.

Have your thyroid levels checked also. Many Fibro sufferers have Hypothyroidism. A little synthetic thyroid medicine can make a large difference in your life.

Good luck and don't give up yet.

Ditto the above. Welcome, and I hope you know this is where it's safe to growl, gripe, ask, answer, and generally relax when it comes to the FM. :-)

Oh boy do I understand. The friends I have in my life are precious and few. They try to understand and that means alot. The ones who really undersrand are like me and have good and bad days, when they fall on the same time we can actually get together.

I read here post a little and have some phone friend's. ..other problems but understand the lonliness of not being able to get out much. I miss my job and am thinking of trying a part time job, so if you can work keep it keep as long as you can as it does help to have connections and cnildren are the best! No judgements.

laurab~~

Hey, Patty. Your subject line really caught my attention, because I really struggle with this same thing. I've been diagnosed with fibro since 2008, the summer I retired from teaching. Just this past January I found out I have RA.

I remember how hard it was for me getting through those long days at school, when I felt bad. The pressure now on teachers to accomplish so much in a day is staggering to say the least.

I also agree about the vitamin D and thyroid checks. Even if your d level is borderline, taking a supplement can really make a difference. Also I take a quality whole foods vitamin three times a day. It's called "alive whole food energizer." I buy it on vitacost.com, but you can buy it at health food stores and even some drug stores.

My social life has dwindled down to almost nothing. It's so hard when people I thought were my friends have quit calling me. So you are so right in saying this is a very isolating illness. I think any chronic pain disease Is, because people just don't understand it.

In the case RA, people have the mistaken notion that it's the same as OA, not realizing it affects the whole body as fibro does.

So I hope you'll continue to share your concerns and feelings here. We understand, and we care!

Bless you,
Elizabeth

Thank you again for your responses. I've cried all day and I just can't seem to stop. Just a rough day I guess. I do have hypothyroidism and take something for it. I need to take magnesium like it's been suggested. I hope you all know how much I truly appreciate your responses. I mean that from the bottom of my heart!!

You must be very, very patient teaching in this day and age and with fibro no less. My hat is off to you kiddo:) I had to stop working when I was all of 51 cause of fibro and arthritis. I still miss the routine and spending more time around people. I have four outstanding cats and a handful of friends who do understand so I am blessed. I also get a comfortable disability from the VA which is like manna from heaven.
Don't know if you have taken magnesium with fibro before so my concern may be unwarranted. Nevertheless if you haven't let me give you a heads up - especially when you don't have a bathroom close by when in class. There are many kinds of mag and they can cause some serious diarrhea. One of the more easily taken versions is magnesium glycinate which I get from Amazon.com. You may have to go through several kinds before finding the one your body likes the best.
Hang in there!

Thank you katzenmother for the heads up about the magnesium and the bathroom. It is true that bathroom breaks for teachers are a "luxury." I want to work as long as I can but, it is getting really rough. Between the fibro and the degenerated discs(7) in my back I get tired very easily. I've come to realize I really need this group! Your support and suggestions really help. I also know all of us are in the same boat, so you guys "get it."

Patty, on the magnesium, you can start off on a low dose, like 200 mg. or less, to see how you handle it. I've gone as high as 500 mg., but sometimes I find that to be too much. You can test it to see how your body reacts.

I definitely feel your pain! My first fibro flare was last year when I was a long term sub for a teacher on maternity leave. Some days I couldn't pick something up from the floor...and other days I felt so fatigued, I could have fallen asleep standing up. The kids definitely picked up on it and would say let's be nice, she's in pain! They can be so sweet!

Something most people don't understand is that teaching is so stressful and strenuous. I didn't truly understand until I had a temporary full time job. After my diagnosis and months of subbing, I don't know if I'll be able to do it full time. I wouldn't want to sign a contract and have to quit mid year because of chronic pain and fatigue... Sorry I'm rambling....

I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling. It must be tough to make it through an entire year of teaching while in chronic pain. Maybe be next year you could share a contract with someone and team teach? Subbing is also nice because of the flexibility. However you don't make the same connection with students... I'm looking into starting my own tutoring business. Maybe you could find something where you can still teach and manage your pain. It sucks that this disease takes so much away from us. Sending positive thoughts to you!

Thank you so much Misspayne88!! I love your dog. I appreciate your kind words. It's been a very tough struggle lately. I too feel like I could just put my head down on my desk and go to sleep. Kids in the room and all. I'm really starting to think I may not be able to teach much longer. I signed a contract for next year, but I just don't know. I'll keep plugging away as long I can. I've realized I don't know what I would do without this group. I have an amazing woman I work with who also has fibro and she is a great source of support.

I just look forward to the end of the day when I can go home to my dogs and my parrot. LOL!! I'm trying so hard to get in some walking after school, but it is so difficult. I need to make that one of my goals.

Thank you again for your kind words. I wish you days filled with little/no pain.

Hi Patty

I think as you can see we all understand and feel for you. I've was diagnosed 4 years ago and my Husband only now really looks like he gets it... So I don't think my friends or colleagues will ever understand fully what is like.

I've tried to "hide" it as much as I can, so my friends wont think funny of me. But we now need to leave parties early if I get tired. Or cancel at number 99 because if it. I made peace with it now and don't care what people think.

I've found that inviting my friends over for dinner during the week works out great. Then they also don't want to stay long and I only invite a couple or two at a time (due tot he size of my home) which also makes it easier to entertain them. This way i still stay in touch with everyone.

Wish you all of the best!

Sounds like some folks here teach or have taught. I agree teaching is stressful (even if it's good stress). Maybe there can be a brainstorming thread about how to keep working with fibromyalgia.

Healing hugs xx

I have lost almost every friend I have...well at least so far as a social life goes. I took a risk just today, had a large green tea and met an old friend that I haven't seen in over a year. We had a 1-1/2 hour lunch, I drove 18 miles to get there and promptly crashed for 3 hours when I got home. Couldn't help it. I just exhausted me totally. This is now my worst problem.
I can't imagine having to work. One thing I can suggest to anyone who is still working, don't leave your job. I left after the onset of the worst problems with the FMS, but was completely unable to learn new processes. It took me quite some time to realize that this is what was happening. I had always made me living by keeping track of lots of little details and seeing them through. Just can't do that anymore. I have missed payments by losing paperwork in my house. How can you lose stuff in your own house? I'm at my wits' end.

Good luck with your job. I think teaching is one of the most important jobs in the world. I just wish teachers made more money; they sure do deserve it.