Hello everyone. :) I found DailyStrength years ago, but I didn't have a chance to really explore the site, get involved in the community, or help myself--or anyone else--with my limited free time back then. I'm hoping I can do all those things now, since I am a work-at-home writer whose online during the day anyway.

I was diagnosed with FM when I was 15, and subsequently was kicked out of high school, lost most of my friends, and felt pretty miserable. I'm about to turn 28, and I've learned a lot about dealing with this disease/condition/general pain-you-know-where, but it's always nice to speak with others and share some motivation.

I tried prescriptions as a teenager, dealt with side effects that sucked more than my FM, and finally got off of all of that. Earlier this year, I tried Cymbalta, and it was utterly HORRIBLE--I truly felt like a "Cymbalta Survivor" and it NEVER helped with my FM. I hope others have more success there!

I am beginning a gluten-free diet, because more and more people tell me that wheat is somehow linked to FM. That is, the people who don't think it's muscular, neurological, or whatever other theories exist these days. Other than that, I take supplements to help me sleep and deal with my anxiety, and things like Fish Oil have never seemed to help with my FM pain.

I moved to Colorado a year ago, and my allergies out here are HORRID. Thus, my FM is way worse here than it's ever been before. The summer has almost daily rainstorms coming through, and the changes in pressure had me in agony. Suffice it to say, I am still struggling to survive with FM here, and I might just be relocating somewhere else if I can't get some help with the allergies.

I truly look forward to meeting everyone. Thank you for reading. :)

~Lori