Welcome!

We have a many-years-long tradition of a morning check-in where we all chit, chat, discuss, complain, ask, answer, etc., as a rule. (That's why my avi is all over the board. I'm currently the Caretaker of the eCheck-in. The last person said she'd be back in a few months, and taht was a few years ago...)

We all have that sense of loneliness, even when we have supportive family and loved ones. My hubby does his best, but ... Yeah. That "but..."

Anyway, welcome, and feel free to lurk or answer or neither on check-in:-)

Thank you for the warm welcome!

Welcome! Glad you found us! Yes this disease can make you feel very lonely and misunderstood and people make you feel like your making excuses all the time not to do stuff when honestly the pain is just too much! My mom understands too a point because she has fibro but hers isnt to the point mine is at :( No one else around me gets it! A friend of mine and moms at church has fibro but has almost no pain because natural remedies and diet works for her, i tried that doenst do a thing for me! She is one that says i should never take meds for anything.

Sorry to hear that you are in a lot of pain. I can relate because I have chronic pain also. It is very trying and tiring. I like a phrase that I heard once. It is that pain loses and I win. I do what I can and get inspired by seeing other people going and doing even if they are not feeling 100%. I hope that you have some better days mixed in.

Aloha, welcome! Yes, this illness stole my life. You pretty much have to have a funeral for your former self and morn the death of the old you because it is gone and you now have to build a new you based on what you CAN do. Most of the time this means exploring possible new hobbies and / or careers. For example if you worked full time, cutting back to part time may be able to alleviate some of the pain. Or if your job required you to be on your feet a lot, maybe it's time to look for a desk job. Hobbies examples: if you used to hike, play sports (like I did), then maybe take up arts and crafts, learn to play an instrument, read books, etc. You get the idea.

I agree about feeling very lonely. I do not talk about it with friends or family because they don't understand. Although, I suspect that my youngest brother may also have it because he is always in pain (I wish he'd go see a specialist and get checked out). Suffering silently is the worst way to live. We're here for you too, if you ever need to vent, ask questions, or just feel like saying hello, don't hesitate to drop in. Hope to see you around.

Thank you for all the kind words and support. It truly means a lot to me.

Welcome to the group, you came to the right place. This is a great group of friends and we are usually pretty active each day in our daily check-in. I hope you'll join us each day and enjoy the group as much as I have.

I think it is important to balance what is lost with what you still have. To use your "good days" to the fullest. I am researching about the mind-body connection and I am hoping I can find ways to better control my pain through self-care. It is a process being chronically ill. Especially when you have something that the medical profession barely acknowledges let alone understands. I am so sorry you have lost so much. I hate to know that people are suffering and that it is so isolating. I hope this group brings you some sense of support and togetherness. There are some really nice people here. Welcome xo

Yes. I have to constantly make excuses and cringe when somebody brings up
social activities or wants me to commit to something that I cannot. For me it brings up a lot of feelings (feeling left out, inadequate, shame). I don't talk a lot about FM
because of my experiences in trying to explain it to others.

I have brought it up once (and that I have Lupus) at work but never brought it up
again. I don't want to belabor the point. Same with family--after you've told them dozens of times, it makes no sense to continue to whine and moan.

When I can I try to be positive; when I am feeling discouraged, I try to carry on. But it is a really tough illness.

Hi MythreeRugrats and a belated welcome to this group. I felt majorly alone with this baffling disease years ago before joining this group. I believe it is hard for others to truly get fibro unless you have it. Good to hear that your family is supportive, that is one less struggle to deal with.

Sorry for the late post. Welcome to the group! Sorry that you have to go through this terrible disease too. We are here for each other! Take Care. Pam