I'm open to talk with you about fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome if you want. I was diagnosed in 2008, after months of suffering. I think I began with it in about 2005, but a bout of mono pushed me over the top with full blown symptoms. It's been a long journey, but I do think I've come a long way. The first decision that I made along the way that made a huge difference was that I would not be defined by my diagnoses; they are only a small part of who I am. How are you coping?

Hi jodi, I had a sleep study & of course I got plenty of rem sleep that nite. Over the past 15 years I have tried a lot of meds for sleep xanax, vaium, lunesta, ambien... they help sometimes. I also have some other medical issues. I understand the cycle. For the past year & a half I have been having 1 flare up after another. It starts with pain so bad I can't sleep or get out of bed for 5-7 days then the pain diminishes & I sleep 48-72 hours. I have 1 or 2 days I feel well enough to get out of the house, I run a few errands, go out for dinner and then the pain starts & the cycle repeats. I don't know if its the FM, CFS, a combo of both or the recent diagnosis of seronegative spondloarthropy/ankylosing spondyitis. I also have a fusion @ C5-6, my disc ruptured in 1997 & it compressed my spinal cord. I have permanent nerve damage in my legs. I also have neck pain & frequent migraines. I didn't intend to make this about me, but I thought that I should clarify that I have other issues contributing to my pain. It's very confusing for me, I am never sure what is actually causing these cycles. I do know that I have been to 2 new Drs & they are still trying different meds for the AS. I think perhaps the constant med changes are triggering the pain/cycles. I was told by a FM specialist that having FM makes me like the princess in the childrens story who could feel the pea under the 7 mattresses she slept on. I think when you have FM your body is hypersensitive & little stresses whether they are physical or emotional can affect us greaty.

Mklr2009, I am not coping well. I am hanging by a thread. I've been stuck in bed almost 2 yrs. I had a bad respiratory virus that pushed me over the edge in 2010, before that I was pretty good if I paced myself. I try and I fight and I hope that I can get this under control. I agree with your decision not to let it define you. In the last 2 years I have had some other medical issues develop & these conditions and the meds the Drs keep trying are causing me to constantly repeat the cycle of pain/fatigue. I get maybe 3 or 4 days a month I can leave the house. I've had FM for 10+ years, I was able to keep it in check until the virus.

I hope today is a better one for you I am taking off to a yoga class right now I think it helps mentally as well as physically I do the best I can

Hi Jodi,
Today is a better day. I woke with a migraine but it is almost gone. My cycle of pain and sleep is over. Im actually going to leave the house today and hope that this does not trigger the pain cycle as it has been for so long. I keep hoping & trying. Yoga sounds wonderful, I enjoy walking too.

So happy that the pain eased once again lifted for you. Try not to do too much though. Remember our fairy steps.Maybe have a little walk. I love walking along the beach. Big hugs Piglit

Well, I spent 4 hours on the phone with every state, county& federal agency working on getting every form of financial assistance I qualify for. I received my last alimony payment in April, my exhusband drained our accounts (200,000.00$ gone)so I have nothing. He got the house, he is behind 7 months on the mortgage & I get harassed by bill collectors about 3X a day the first week of every month. I'm taking fairy steps, I bought gas and I am waiting for a friend...beer & billiards, his birthday is may 2. We are celebrating early. I did a bit of walking. He is a starving artist & I went to a Walmart Superstore to buy him a couple of blank canvases as a birthday gift. I think that store is a 1/2 mile long ...CRAZY they sell everything from tires, cosmetics, groceries, art supplies, furniture. Ugh I wandered for 30 minutes before I found what I was looking for & another 15 minutes to find the cashier. Not my kind of store. The sun is shining & the rain is falling there is a rainbow somewhere. Big Hugs <3 to you too Piglet!

So proud of you. Keep the fairy steps going. How beautiful I love rainbows Big hugs back Piglit

Kerri Lynn keep hanging onto that thread with all your might! We have to believe that better days are ahead. Thinking of you....
Rox

Im back on the phone in 10 minutes, I have 3 other numbers to call and stacks of applications to fill out. The applications will probably have to wait until tomorrow. If it takes as long on the phone today as it did yesterday, I will be lucky to be off the phone by 3 pm...