Diagnoses

Never give up. I have had fibromyalgia for 32 years. When I was diagnosed, I hurt all over except my right ankle. My rheumatologist prescribed me Elevil to help with pain and to sleep better. I read all the books I could find about fibromyalgia. One book said, there's only 3 things to remember, EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE. please start slow and build on it. Now I am on no meds for it, but I have to exercise daily with lots of stretching. Utube has free videos on yoga for seniors that is very helpful. Bless you I feel your pain. You can do this!

Thank you, I’ve been getting informed on what it is and how to deal with it. I guess the main thing I’m struggling with is my personal life and how even harder it’s going to be for me to date. Never felt well for a while so I didn’t date. I thought it was because of something else so I tried to fix that but now I’ve learned it’s not what I thought it was. And just the constant pain. Just is a lot to take in. But thank you for the reply.

I am sorry to hear you're feeling sad . I have been diagnosed recently and like you living with daily struggles.It's no quick fix I am beginning to understand as fibromyalgia never goes away we just have to learn to live differently, adapt. It's frustrating when things get out of control and interferes with life. I have stopped being so sociable and work around things when I am feeling tired and in lots of pain. I have got go to tablets when it's bad, co codamol and antidepressants but try not taking them permanently. Over the years before my diagnosis I was trying to get answers from all sorts of doctors and I was beginning to withdraw and not be bothered. I have continued working but have had some bad days at work which I had to push through. You have done the right thing by joining a group like this and hear from people living with fibromyalgia, chronic pain conditions. It can be isolating, even with friends as I think it's hard being in a body that doesn't work as well and people you think would understand the new not so good you very often don't. I also thought my symptoms would go away, I thought it was the perimenopause but obviously not. It is a life-changing diagnosis and sad that life is going to be different but at least it has a name and with knowledge you can join groups/ have good bad days etc with people that understand. On my bad days I just rest up, am kind to myself and just do minimal things like watch telly/ read, eat nice food. I am waiting to join a group meeting in person here in London through NHS. What I do have is good friends through church so I suggest finding a good church, faith group near you , it has been a God send. Please know you are not alone, there's others like you reaching out. Try and make connections, the worst thing is not to get out and about, a little bit of exercise and fresh air helps but don't overdo it. I have been told by my pain consultant to try and go drug free but we all know it's harder than that. I take pills when I am desperate but am managing by doing chair yoga etc.
I hope things settle down and improve and you get the support you need. It's not wrong to shout and swear in frustration, I had a real blast yesterday and tomorrow I will be going to Church as I know God still loves me. If you're not religious I would give it a punt, say a prayer, " dear God, " and then say what you want to say and see what happens. I have noticed my life has improved over the years as he has answered my prayers, not always how I expected though. Looking on the bright side I can slow up and not feel guilty now I have fibromyalgia and take time out for me.
Best wishes for everything, don't let fibromyalgia take over your life, we must try and live with it......
God Bless guineapiglover.x

Ps, There's someone out there for you. Dating is hard when all your energy is on dealing with chronic pain, illness.
Hopefully when you start feeling better( you will have better days) you can enjoy meeting people. Don't worry about dating just enjoy doing stuff you can manage and hopefully that person will come into your life. I did pray on that one and that was another prayer answered!. Thinking about it people have taken an interest on what my" I have fibromyalgia" medical card means.....I sometimes wear it when I am feeling rubbish and is a conversation starter bizarrely.

@guineapiglover Thank you for the well thought out and kind message. I do truly appreciate it. I lost my job and I’ve been in so much pain for at least a year. My coworkers I believe thought I was faking or using this to cover for something else. It wasn’t until mid September my pain started to settled. I’m trying to go without taking NSAIDS (the strong ones) but some days I get tired of the pain. I know others deal with this but I never thought I would have to deal with something like this. I probably won’t date. I haven’t for a while and I know my condition will put a strain on a relationship. I’ve somewhat been in this situation. Not dating but getting to know someone and they wanted to do stuff but I didn’t feel well. I’m a dog lover so I may get myself a few dogs and be happy with them. Thanks for your advice.

There are many support groups in addition to this one. Just dont take medical advice online if it's not from a doctor. I find that a lot online. People are very helpful in sharing what works for them and things to avoid. I have several autoimmune diseases, but never slowed down until I got fibromyalgia. It stole my life away. I've been bedridden for more than 50% of the time since diagnosis. An anti inflammatory diet should be followed, and some form of exercise. I know, that sound horrible to someone who doesn't sleep and is constantly in pain with overwhelming fatigue. Walking is great. Or chair exercises. Something to get those muscles and joints moving. Usually with behavior modification things get better. Never give up! God bless you

@jasonbrooksf You are not alone. My personal life, friends & activities took a dive four years ago, & it’s never really recovered. However, I have no desire to be around others who don’t understand or “see” how a person can differ from fibromyalgia & autoimmune diseases that others can’t see or make no effort to understand…that includes family too. I have made peace with being alone & participating in hardly anything. The lack of stress & anxiety & peace of mind are the most important aspects of my world (also my spirituality).
My 4 year old pup loves me unconditionally & knows when I’m having a difficult time. She makes me happy & is the love of my life. Do you have or have or have you contemplated adopting a puppy?🙏🙏💙🌻

@smc55Hi thanks for sharing some of your story with me. I too am coming to a realization and making peace with being alone. I never really dated because of the pain and fatigue that I've experienced. I know why now. I'm absolutely considering getting a dog. My dad has a dog that he is trying to find a new home for. I wish I could have his dog but he is too much for me to have in my home by it being small. I did look a month or so ago at adoption places in my area and I almost got one. I'm waiting until I get another job. I don't have an income coming in and been living off of my savings. I lost my job due to my condition. I have some hope today being that I had a Drs appointment this morning and another this afternoon for treatment. But yes, I have absolutely contemplated getting a puppy.

@jasonbrooksf oksf I am right there with you. I'm very gregarious and could be called a "love sponge". The most painful(no pun intended) thing for me in addition to the loss of career has been the loss of quality fellowship with friends and family. And the lack of a love life. I often think that there should be an online dating service for those of us who are challenged by disabilities. Chronic illness is a deal breaker in 100% of my relationships. They want a vibrant energetic athletic partner. So, these things take time, and I know everything I say is more or less a cliché, but true. This is a long journey and every day will be different. But I've found that time helps me deal with it. Experience helps. Like when you're flaring and don't know when you'll be able to get out of bed and cook or grocery shop for yourself, etc., it can just seem hopeless. Like it will never end. Even so bad that you might want to die to just end the misery. But as time has progressed for me, I do know that these times do end, and there are infrequent days of less pain, more energy, more of a "normal" life. For me my faith has helped tremendously. Just knowing that I'm in God's hands and He always takes care of me and continuously gives me blessings gives me a better attitude towards those daily seemingly insurmountable troubles. I just joined this forum and Im glad I have. We feel sorry for ourselves but then see that there are people out there that are just like us, and even much worse. And they persevere. And so can we! Know that you are loved. God bless you.

@jasonbrooksf