Is anyone else on here self-conscious about the side effects from meds they need to take to function and get things done, esp. when it's a loopy or spacey feeling -- not necessarily a high -- more like, it is harder to find words and to speak fluently and remember your thoughts. I found today at that party that I would think of something relevant to say to someone, but by the time I tried to say it, the thought had vanished from my head, and there I was feeling foolish. Probably it is like I tell my sons though, everyone is so busy worrying about themselves and how they look and sound that they aren't really paying all that much attention to you.... I give them good advice I can't follow myself! I hate not being able to remember thoughts and getting brain freeze because I am on Flexeril, nervous, around a lot of people I don't know, plus I have had a life-long social anxiety disorder. I take meds for that but it only helps so much....I can sometimes get myself so worked up before a party or picnic where I have to meet a new crowd of people, that I feel I will throw up...but I force myself to get out and about around people because if I don't I will end up as a recluse with no friends in real life, and will have totally forgotten how to socialize. Fibro has taken a toll on my self-confidence, that is for sure! After surviving an outing like today's I am usually both relieved and wiped out!

Post edited by: hipmama42, at: 09/07/2008 22:26

The left side is crippling me right now. It seems like it is something different every week lately. I have had a injection in my knee, my thumb and now I think I need one in my hip. The pain is wearing on me and I can't stand being around myself, let alone other people.

I could understand what the presenter was saying o.k., but I couldn't analyze it or think of ways to apply it like I used to. My eyesight sometimes gets really fuzzy with the demands of 'regular' mental functioning it would take for me to hold down any job..exact maybe factory work, but my arms, hands, shoulders, neck would not cooperate on that level either. Sometimes when there's a lot to keep trackof like at the seminar, I also lose coordination, I mistake distances. I sometimes run into things. I made a joke about that, but I still feel like people must wonder if I was drunk or something, because of my short attention span and often trying to focus my eyes and the stumbling! I felt like there was probably a big sign on me that said "what is wrong with this lady?"

There were a couple of activities that required walking and sometimes I look like I am walking on egg shells. I am a healthy looking woman: I keep my chin up and eat healthy and try to keep my body and mind working. I am only 39 years old. I wonder if they wonder what's up with me? I feel self-centered bringing it up to strangers (heck, even people I already know). After all, perhaps they don't want to know, or at least maybe not want to know the explanation that is usually required to go along with it. What do we do?

No wonder we are sociophobic. No wonder we spend so much time alone with our pain. Oh, well. We are good people and now that I know you good people, I am on my way to becoming more social with you and hopefully more social out with 'normal' people, not being so self-conscious or feeling different. We all have our own rows to hoe. We are all one in this world. I sometimes am afraid others won't think so.

It's nice hanging out with you good folks. you all are so helpful and supportive and therapeautic. I've only been on this site a week and I am so psyched!

Wendylynn