Yeah.
I worked hard to overcome a lot to be comfy in social situations... And then, when the FM hit? Pfft. Got it under "control". Yay! 2011 injury retriggered mega-FM. Pfft. And I have tried to stay in touch but... it's not reciprocated so what's a person in pain to do? Yeah. Just say No and let it go, is how I end up feeling a lot of times. ...

Mind you, I'm spending all my spoons on my mama drama right now.

And I *force* investment where I've got long-term relationships. But those are the people who get that I'm exhausted and can't always talk for two hours on the phone!

It's a tough balancing act. If anyone finds the trick, hope they share it!

Yes!! The worst part is that it is with my sister, whose husband has FM. I have friends that are "social friends" and I see if I venture out, but they don't make me a part of their daily or even weekly lives, so I don't care. I have 2 awesome friends that come to MY house nearly weekly for coffee. I live in the middle, but they also know my struggles.

Work is also becoming like this. They want social committees and social gatherings. Well, my supervisor and I both don't want to be part of those, let alone plan them! I just want to come to work and work!

I definitely have days like that, but I make the effort anyway, for two reasons. The first is that my friends are totally worth it, and the second is that I look at it like a retirement account - if you don't invest in it, it won't be there when you need it. I see a lot of women growing old and wondering why they don't have anyone, and I don't want to end up like that.

We all gotta do what we gotta do.

I can relate. Even the desire to learn part. I'd love to take some classes because I loved being a student. I took a university course this summer, and I'd be exhausted the days following class. I signed up for a workshop this October.... Argh.

Yeah, I think folks might wonder about being stuck up. I think in my case they're at least nonplussed. I don't know if it's a situation you feel disclosure would help or harm. The women in my son's carpool are quite sympathetic after I told them. My sense is that my disclosure was a relief to us all. However if your bible study friends are associated with work that complicates things.

Yes I don't work but I can relate. It's funny because the only people I can be friends with are the ones from the VA (usually have chronic pain, depression, or PTSD) and a few from church who also have something going on with them physically or emotionally. If something comes up and someone can't make it we are always understanding. Otherwise normal people just exhaust me and I get so tired trying to explain why I'm tired (in pain) and need to sit down or go home.

And I feel the same way at church on Sundays and during the Wed Bible study. Everyone wants to stand around and talk and catch up, I just want to get out of there, get home and spread out on the couch.

What I find the hardest is trying to make plans with family and then can't make it due to my Fibro and pain. I have one friend that claims she understands but then gets upset when I have to cancel. I may feel fine the day before but I have told friends and family that I can't promise I will feel fine the next day. I'm sure most or all of us can relate to that dilemma. Hugs GB

Thank you it is nice to know others feel the same way...that I'm not crazy...or that we are all crazy. Sometimes the emotional effects of fibro are harder than the physical pain.

I think the opiates seperates me from others. I'm a little distant, and my timing is awkward. I ran out of my Xyrem and had to wait four nights to start it again. During those four days I slept. Didn't eat, didn't take pills, just slept. All day and all night. My illness makes me different and it's too hard for others to understand. How can one be always sick? When do you get better? How are you today? well, this hour I'm ok. Don't know about the next.