Fibromyalgia Support Group

I am a 42 year old Mother to 2 beautiful girls, ages 4 and 7. I was diagnosed with stage 4 Endo via laparoscopy in 2010, after suffering with pelvic, hip and groin pain for 2 years. One ovary removed, lots on Endo implants treated and adhesions to uterus, bowel, bladder and kidney were removed in 2010. Pain recurred in 30 days and I consented to a Total Hyster in 2011. My pain became much worse after hyster and at 6 months post op, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. At first, I thought the Dr was just telling me that because he could not think of anything else to explain my ongoing pain, but I have done a lot of research and seen more specialists that have confirmed my Fibro diagnosis. After many months of narcotic pain killers, I wanted a change, so I was put on Butrans Patch. It is still a strong pain medication, but it has very few side effects, and it cuts my pain down by about 50%. I struggle with insomnia, extreme pain in my hips while laying down (thus more sleep problems), a rotated pelvis, pelvic pain, bowel adhesions causing constipation and frequent bowel obstructions, all over muscle pain, extreme fatigue, anxiety, horrible brain fog and depression. I am not even close to the person I use to be and it is so hard for me because it directly affects my children. My husband tries to be supportive, but most of the time, his response to my pain and inability to function normally is anger. He has also been unemployed on and off for the last 3 years, so that has caused a lot of stress to our marriage as well. I find very little joy in life and struggle to keep up a good vibe for my girls. Another thing that has hit me hard is the loss of friends since I got sick. I feel totally betrayed and alone. My faith in people is very shaken. I had no idea the people in my life that I had loved and taken into my life as family were so shallow. Many of them still believe I am faking this, or at least over-exaggerating. Because of this, I do not share with anyone, even my husband. I am terrified of more judgement and betrayal. However, I am so lonely, depressed and confused. I don't know how to deal with this devastating disease alone. I am hoping I can find the support I need here.

BEFORE ENDO & FIBRO [img]

AFTER Hysterectomy and Chronic Pain for 3 years: [img]

Hi and welcome to the group i'm sorry to here you are having problems and it seems like nobody cares I no how u feel I was a part of a church for 28 yrs and when I got sick they just turned me away saying we prayed for u and u did not get better u must have some something wrong too get this punishment I cld not believe it but that's the fact just don't talk to ppl like that and again i'm sorry. Bigsoft hugs.

sassy42,

Welcome to the group! You are not alone.

We all understand! Make yourself at home and vent and say whatever you want to say! Hang in there and do not give up!

First a note, that your images were probably too big, they didn't show. They must be 500x500 pixels max size and max of 100kb. You can edit them down and use more jpg compression to get them to that size.

Now, WELCOME to the Group. Believe me when I say, we 'GET IT' because we all have it too. I'm so sorry that your friends and family treat you this way. It's sad but a fact that unless you have it, it's just impossible for people to understand how much pain we're in, how this affects our lives. "But you look fine!" they say. They just don't get it.

You are welcome, and encouraged, to vent, rant, rave, cry, laugh, question, and love here. And just about anything else too! Please read over old posts, there's a ton of them with tons and tons of useful information. You can type anything in the search box and dozens of discussions will come up. Here's one that really explains to "normals" how we are:

http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/dual-diagnosis-discussions/ general-support/11987-the-spoon-theory-by-christine- miserandino

It's called the spoon theory, and when you read it, you'll understand why. I read this to my husband and he loves it. He says since then, he understands better when I say I'm out of energy, or I don't feel like it, or when we go somewhere and I just suddenly collapse cause the Exhaustion wall hit me. He'll say "did you run out of spoons?" and I say yes, and we go home.

Sassy, you are definately in the right place. This is the greatest, most supportive bunch of people you'll ever meet. And I mean that!

Thank you all for welcoming me. I did a lot of browsing last night and will continue to do so today.

In the meantime, here is a article I wanted to share:

By Hannah Hill

As a Fibromyalgia sufferer I do not want your sympathy, I just want you to understand who I am because I may forget.

Yesterday I may have been limping, today I may be skipping, tomorrow I may be having a sofa day.

Yesterday I may have been on top of the world, today I may want to stay indoors, tomorrow I may not be able to get out of bed.

Although my pain is all over, yesterday my leg may have been hurting more than my arm, today it’s my head, tomorrow it may be my back.

Yesterday I was able to make a three-course meal, today it’s a frozen meal, tomorrow it’s jam and bread.

Yesterday I climbed a mountain, today I may manage a mile, tomorrow I may manage a smile.

Yesterday I may have been engaging in great conversation, today I may forget my words, tomorrow I may have forgotten we spoke.

It's not easy living with Fibromyalgia, even harder when others do not understand you!

Hi, sassy, welcome, and also hey, aj--anyone who doesn't "understand" is a dip--stick. There's nothing to "understand"--your body is no one else's. I hate it when people who don't have fibro get their panties in a twist and start blathering nonsense. Ask them where the hell they got their MD--Johns Hopkins? No? They're not doctors? Well, they can just f... off.

Oh, and that Spoons thing. Print it out and pass it to the ones who aren't completely delusional and sucking up valuable air.