Hi, I’m Annette, or anne4u.
I have experienced chronic pain for over 19 years. Back in 2005 I noticed something was going on with my body, I just couldn’t understand what. After seeing a few doctors, I was referred to a rheumatologist and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It wasn’t widely understood or accepted as a diagnosis then, and it’s still a controversial diagnosis! But it’s a very real illness! My symptoms began with flu symptoms, swollen glands and all, fatigue, weakness and body pain. I’ve had rash problems, with biopsy’s that showed nothing. Head to toe body pain so bad I’m unable to work. I also have degenerative disk disease, myofascial pain syndrome, chronic fatigue, hypothyroid, osteoarthritis, insomnia, TMJ, GERD, IBS, depression… I have been through numerous treatments over the years! I’m experiencing pretty bad withdrawal symptoms from recently reduced and stopped opioid medication. That’s wreaking havoc on my body. All my pain symptoms are on alert! I’m doing the best I can to get through this particularly difficult time.
I’ve belonged to some support type groups, online and in person in the past. It’s been a few years since I’ve participated in any. I like what I’ve seen here on Mayo Clinic’s Connect. Glad to be here!