Fibromyalgia Support Group

Found out about a month ago that the pain I have endured off and on for about 6 1/2 years was Fibromyalgia. I was laid off of work at the end of May and in the same week, closed on a new place. I am a single mother with 2 boys who are 10 and 6 and have felt completely overwhelmed for the last 3 months. The pain I feel is mainly at night. I have a panic disorder that I treat. I have sleep apnea that I am treating. I had my thyroid removed last year and just recently my thryoid levels have been okay. I feel like I am in HELL though. I am soooo lethargic. I woke up at 7:30a this morning because of the pain jetting out the right side of back. I went back to bed until almost 3:30p and got up and have been on the couch pretty much the rest of the day today. I feel so guilty because I have my boys. Some days are better (a lot better than today) but I do have days like today and I am so frustrated, I don't know what to do. I can't function normally. Didn't go to the store. (Needed to) Didn't pay some bills today. (Should have) Don't answer the phone (Need to) I should be trying to find a job but feel like that is waaaaaaay to much to take on. My parents live around the corner but aren't supportive. They truly think somethings always wrong with me. My mom commented the other day, "You sleep more than any person I know." My dad has said, "You need to snap out of it. You have kids. Get over it. Get a job". I feel helpless and hopeless. I'm only 39. I want my life back. I'm taking Lyrica-have been for 3 weeks now. It's not helping yet. I feel alone, sad and scared.

First of all welcome to the group. This is not something you can just "snap" out of. Believe me if it were that easy we wouldn't be here. Also have you considered trying for disability? If you feel that you may not be able to go back to work, it's worth starting now. If you want to later you can drop it. You aren't alone anymore. We'll help you.

Welcome to the group, Bridget! Sorry to hear about your circumstances. A lot of people really don't understand us fibromites. You've come to the right place when you need to talk, need advice or just need a laugh. Feel free to PM me anytime you need to talk.

~Hugs~

Jodi

I just love the comments from the family. I'm sorry that's happening. Welcome to the people that won't do that to you.

Summer

Thank you ladies. I'm going to try and sleep on my couch tonight so hopefully the pain will be less...and I can get up in the morning sometime. I have a lot to do to get my kids ready for school on Monday. I'm so scared I won't be able to get up with them and get them to school. Pray for me. Good Night. I'll be back tomorrow.

Bridget, I'm so sorry that your family doesn't get it. It would be so much easier for you and on you if they did. We do have several resources to try and help family and friends understand. Let me know if you're interested and I'll hook you up. There are letters, books and videos available.

I can't imagine how difficult it must be to raise young ones while you're suffering from fibro. I was fortunate enough that my son was grown and married by the time I got it. You'll be happy to know, though, that we do have lots of mothers with youngin's around here.

Hopefully you'll get a better night's sleep tonight. Maybe that's one of the things that we can help you with. Since all of us suffer from sleep issues we have lots of tips and tricks that we use. Maybe some of them will help you.

I hope that you'll visit with us as often as you can. The more time you can spend with us the more you'll get out of the group, obviously. Like anything else, you just do what you can. Please make yourself right at home, though.

Newbie hugs!

Welcome to the fibrofamily, Bridget. I'm glad you found us.

First of all, you've got to stop beating yourself up, you'll find there are plenty of people who don't understand anything about fibro who will do that for you. You're ill, it's beyond your control and it's the type of illness that is made worse by stress. Stop worrying about what you should be doing and instead take pride in what you did do...the boys got fed didn't they?

I agree with Tina that your folks could use some education on your condition. Is your mother aware that chronic fatigue goes hand-in-hand with fibromyalgia? Does she know that the second side effect listed for Lyrica is increased drowziness/sleepiness?

Give yourself a break! I'm sure you're doing the best you can. Stop beating yourself up and conserve that energy for the boys.

bless you sweetie!

A very warm welcome to this group Bridget, first of all!

Secondly, agree with/echo all the wise words spoken already by the lovely Summer, Jodi, Tina, & Hatbox !

Of course, will pray for you. Maybe in time their attitude will soften + the lightbulb will switch on in their heads/spirits. Or maybe you might need to distance yourself from your family if they cannot support you/understand you properly. God will provide you with the support you need- it may come in surprising ways from people you may not expect would help you, too.However, you do not need to listen to any negative comments whomever it may be from as this will not help you- you need to stay well clear of negative words or emotions, negative people or negative places- vital to surround your fine self with as much positivity as possible. You need to be with people who understand your condition + support you with your condition 100%. You also need positive influences in your life as positivity will act like good medicine to your whole being. Be with people who can help you practically as well as lift your spirits. Fibro provides enough challenges as it is without having further challenges from having tussles with family or friends who have closed minds or hearts or both to you. Being here will also help.

Please say only positives about you- no beating self up! You must learn to be your own best friend- something that have learnt since having Fibro. Conserve your energy indeed for your precious bundles yet also for your most excellent self. Remember you are God's child too.

Do not have children as yet so cannot imagine what it is like to care for two children as well as having to care for you. Find it pretty challenging with just a dog and a hubby at times even though they are pretty wonderful! Heart plus prayers go out to you massively.

Take most excellent care of your special self Bridget. PM me anytime, too.

Giant gentle hugs and Celtic Blessings from the UK , Clarita

Bridget,welcome to our group. It is so hard to have fibro and kids, I know I have 4 and if nothing else will make you feel guilty it is them wanting you to do something and just just cannot do it because of the pain. I am so sorry that your parents are not supportive, you really need that. Maybe you could ask your mom to go to the md with you one time and let him explain the condition to her. Sleep, that is the one thing that I cannot seem to get enough of with this. It is hard to function when you are so tired and I really feel for you. You talked about sleeping on the couch, for me, that is more comfortable than sleeping in the bed, I think it is the way you can do the pillows. I hope it helps you some.

I took lyrica for a while and it did not help me a whole lot, around here, you will learn that it helps some people and not others. If you are not getting any relief from it, make sure you let your md know and get him to change the meds, also, are you taking an anti-depressant? It really sounds like you would benefit from one, many of us have to take them. THis condition does nothing for the nerves, that is for sure. I hope that you feel better soon and if you ever need support, you will get it here. If you need to talk feel free to pm me or anyone here, we are always ready to help or just lend an ear.

bridget,

welcome to the family.I know how hard it is and I echo words of wisdom already spoken,bc is right there is no worse feeling then feeling like a bad mother but you do the best you can and love them the best you can they wont remember mom didn't take me to the park the will remember my mom loves me..

some of us here have family that truely doesn't understand,its lack of knowledge plus the constant circle of doctors symptoms at times many of us feel like hyprocodracts so it would make sence families think that of us. one of my favorite suggestions was to leave fibro info in the bathroom everyone reads in there.