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Hi my name is Belinda and I was just recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia (3 months ago). I am 41 with 3 children, 4 dogs and 1 husband. The last 4-5 years I had hip pain, knee pain, extreme hand & arm pain, shoulder pain, lower back pain, neck pain, foot pain, memory loss, sensitivity to hot or spicy foods and excessive fatigue & constantly being tired. I think that covers most of it. More than anything this has become a pain in my backside, literally. I started on the tedious track of discovery in Sept 2003. Along the way I had my gall bladder removed, tonsils taken out, a septoplasty, and was diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome caused by cervical ribs, a congenital anomaly. I had surgery for the Thoracic Outlet on the right side Aug 2005, the Dr cut my cervical nerves thinking they were just extra. Oops. Now I have constant pain in my right shoulder area (front & back). After the diagnosis of neurothapy for that I was still miserable. The last 3 years I have had extreme exhaustion & the pain in the morning in my feet, thighs, back, arms, neck is more than I can almost take. The thing is the pain never goes away. I went through painful trigger point injections, & a ganglion block. These did not touch the pain. The only answers I could ever get to the symptoms I explained were associated with my surgery & the stress I must be going through. I was having a very bad day about 3 months ago & was seen by the PA in the office. He looked through my records and asked me if he could gently push some "points" in my arms, back and legs. I was all for it, until he hit that first one on my hip. I just about hit the roof. My eyes instantly filled with tears. They were stinging trying to hold back the flood. Mr. PA (Tom) apologized and continued on. He told me that he was about 99% sure I had Fibro. He would refer me back to the internist in the office that specializes in Fibro. I made the appointment & waited. I saw the Dr & she had good and bad news for me. The good news was that it confirmed that I have Fibro. Finally a name to go with the pain and my lack of energy. The bad news, I am already taking most of the meds that they prescribe for Fibro. My medication for chronic pain due to my neurothapy means, there is no more they can do. She suggested stretching and a few things like that. She advised that she was sorry but this was going to be permanent. So now I need to share and speak with those that understand. My kids & husband are tired of my being sick all the time. It is tough to explain to them, they can't feel it, so it is just difficult for them to understand. I look forward to meeting and reading things that some of you do to help yourselves. I need to learn how to deal with the pain and fatigue. I think for me the one thing that is most difficult for me to accept in all of this is feeling useless. I am seeing a "professional" that is helping me with this and many other issues I wasn't aware of. Tomorrow is my hearing for my Soc Sec claim that has been denied 2x's. I will be saying my best prayers tonight. I am tired of feeling like this is all in my head. I am tired of people making me feel weak because the pain is so extreme, especially in the mornings. I am tired of that people tell me I think I have fibro too, but I have to work. Geesh I need to work too, I just can't right now. Oh well, enough of this self-pity party!! I am glad to introduce myself to those that understand my situation. I wish you all a peaceful night of sleep and hopefully a pain free morning. BTW - It took me nearly 1 1/2 hours to type this message.  
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FMS Support Forums
But luckily we have each other for support that's hard to get else where. 
Gentle Hugs Trisha
This is a good place with the same illness.