fibromyalgia newbie

@joanelle77 , Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I go by Mamacita here and other places. I am a Volunteer Mentor here on Connect. I was diagnosed in 1990, at the Kirklin Clinic in Birmibgham, Alabama. I know I had it long before that. I am sipping on my first cup of coffee, feeling the coolness of the morning around my shoulders, listening to inspirational, positive music. Today has been wonderful, so far. Yesterday was a pain-filled, crying until there are no tears left kind of day. My boy is gone to Georgia to visit family. I miss him so much. He makes up a bed for me in the living room when I can't bear to stay in bed any longer. He tells me to just rest, not worry about anything. He'll take care of my chores.
I want you to be encouraged. But you will need to be strong. You will need to know right off the bat that many people will not understand your illness. They will minimize your pain, question it's legitimacy, and downright call you out on it. I, too, have Gabapentin in my arsenal of weapons against this horrid illness. Normally I don't take it at all, as Lyrica usually handles the pain. My diet has changed over the years. For me, personally,food intake does effect my pain level. In your study of Fibromyalgia you are going to meet those who swear by a keto diet. That particular way of eating works for many, many people. But not for everyone. If your PCP listens to you, and spends more than ten minutes with you, ask her what her opinion on the subject is. Poor grammar, but you get the picture. You just might be one of the fortunate ones like me, who has an amazing PCP and Specialist as well.

It took years to find them. What is important is that you take very good care of yoursrlf. This is not selfishness on your part. If you don't take care of yourself, you won't have anything left to give anyone else. Fill your life with beautiful things. People, pets, books, music, poetry, sunsets, children's laughter, the wrinkled, lovely hands of an elderly person in a nursing home. Check out groups until you find the right mix for yourself. There are tons of online groups for support. I may be a bit biased, but this is home for me.

Don't pay any attention to naysayers who tell you there is nothing you can do to help yourself. There's more than just one item in my medicine bag. There's faith, hope, and love. There are friends who will stay by your side and just sit quietly with you. Fibromyalgia ebbs and flows. Sometimes it even goes away for a very long time. I come from a multicultural ancestry. Now would be a good time to refresh yourself with what your ancestors endured to get where they were. There is comfort in the middle of the storm. All of our ancestors had it rough, no matter where they came from. We can learn a lot from them. God bless you, sweet lady. You will make it.

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