It just takes time. I haven't been diagnosed but for three months now (though I have had it for 6-7 months) and I'm still attempting to readjust myself and the lifestyle.

I am trying to not say or think I used to do.....or I uesd to be....Now I am trying to say I can do this or I can be that. It's tough but I can't do anything about what has happened. I struggle everyday to find my way in this new me. I am trying to accept this and move on. I made a list of the good things in my life and read it often. Silly, simple, stupid whatever It helps me to remind myself that things could be much worse. I know people say that as a pat answer but for me I realized that it is true. I think me getting sick was a wake up call, a kick in the butt {a hard kick} to see what I have in my life and learn {the hard way of course} what is really important. This is just my opinion and it gets me through the day. I have to admit though that I do have days that I pull the covers back over my head and just try to forget it all. Good luck to you. - Suzi

It's a hard battle....this is going to sound weird, but mourn. I had to give things up because I couldn't do them any more...a few of those things I've gotten back, and a few I haven't. It's okay to cry and be mad because of what you've lost. Part of the process. It may not always be this bad.

There was a movie years ago named "First, You Cry" which was about a woman facing breast cancer, but I think that the phrase fits. First, I cried and went through the "it's not fair" thing for a while (no more than half a day), and then I got back to being a mother and doing everything I could to keep my children from being affected too much. I found a book entitled, "Letting go of the person you used to be" by the Dalai Lama, which helped me tremendously. I began to realize that my life has been in constant change since I was born. The only difference with this change is that it was sudden and unwanted. I don't have as much control as I used to have - a horrible thing for a control freak - so I started controlling the things that I could control, and started learning to let go of the rest. My view of life has changed, especially when it comes to my kids. It used to be that they had to have their rooms clean and beds made every morning, and we had a weekend cleaning routine. After I got sick, I started looking at things differently. I developed the "in the whole scheme of things, does this really matter" mentality. Sounds kind of cheesy, I know, but when you think "if I die today, will it matter that the house was not totally sanitized, or will it matter more that I didn't take the time to play with the kids when I had the chance?" My children and I now have an understanding of me doing for them when I can, and when I can't, they do what they can for me. To me, I have achieved a great balance for the kids and for me, and my kids are happy even in the face of dealing with a sick mom. I hope that this will help you a little.

attitude namely positive helps incredibily.

It is a process very similar to grieving. Only your are grieiving the death of yourself, or who you used to be. Just let the process happen.

I learned to really live in the moment, take life day by day and set priorities. You will also have to adjust your definition of "normal." LOL

I think what everyone else said is very true. Try and remain hopeful. DS is a great place for support.

~wannabe~

To deal with losing who I was before fibro I had to feel, deal and heal in that order. There are 5 stages of grieving that take time to get through.

Then I could accept that I have Fibro. Once I accepted it I began to connect with others that have it and get support from them and new things to try.

Today I just try and use what God left me with and try not to over do it and get myelf in a flare.

"Acceptance is the answer to all my problems today"... Hugs, Keleee :)

I am having to deal with the aggravation and frustration and all the anxiety that comes with it.I was diagnosed 6 months ago though the doctor said Id been dealing with this for years.Though I wasnt diagnosed till I got assaulted at work several times .And since then it hasnt been the same.I cant do the work I know I was meant to do and not having money so finacially cant afford to visit my family and I have no family here (except my husband and his mom )but she lives over a hour away.Dont have friends.I think it has robbed me .And right now I think I am still dealing with alot of emotions.But I know Im a survivor cause I have overcome alot.So I believe positive thinking is the way to go,but its hard to do..

I am really trying to answer that same question now. When I was first diagnosed about 7 months ago, I was very positive and refused to let this get in my way. But lately, I have really been having a tough time with all of the changes. I can't do a lot of what I used to do and I am bored. I had to start working only half time. I am a teacher so now I am off for the summer but I am starting the process for long term disability and will not be working at all next year. I think there really is a grieving process to go through. I am trying to find some new activities that will give me something to do when I can. I think that is really important. I love to garden, so now I do a litte bit at a time. My biggest challenge is being able to sit down or lie down and rest. I have always been a go go kind of person and now that has changed. I am having trouble figuring out when enough is enough. I have to learn to stop before I get myself in to much pain. I know this doesn't really offer advice. But, it does let you know you are not alone. I am really glad I found this site. I have tried to talk to my husband about these feelings but it is difficult for him to understand and I just feel like I am letting him down.

im feeling you for sure! i used to be a dancer... and now cant dance. =( for me, im a christian... so thats where i turn to handle the rough days. i take it day by day... try to be around positive/supportive friends and family. i have my days where im mad, and then i cry.. LOL but then other days i feel like.. NOPE, i wont let myself be down today. im so sorry you're dealing with all this too!

I've been studying buddhism for the past couple of years. I find the best way to keep my spirits up is the meditate and be accepting. Acceptance has been the hardest part, as I get closer to achieving this I feel a lot better.