I am 50 and was diagnosed with fibro a year ago at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The first thing I got under control was sleep. Generic Lexapro was prescribed after my PCP at home was confident I didn't have other sleep disorders. I have proven to myself this works best combined with adding a soak in an ultraviolet half sauna as part of a pre-bed nightly ritual.

After a year I finally have more days not in denial. I have been trying to improve my eating by focusing on what to eat. My cholesterol is ultra high (up to almost 400 at times) and I am trying to control it without meds at this point. I started with 3 fruits a day, 2 veggies at each lunch and dinner, fish once a week, eating out no more than once a week.

I started walking 5 minutes every other day a year ago and worked up to 30 minutes 4/5 times a week now. I continually fight myself on routines but have proven to myself that if I could focus on one thing only that us key...it is to drill the word "routine" into every fiber of my being. It's hard. At times I just want to be defiant to the whole idea.

I finally changed jobs to something manageable long term. I worked full time managing a call center for a magazine company. I was patient to find a part time accounting job that fits me and it had taken since the first of the year to adjust. Against, routine.

I started yoga once a week faithfully a year and a half ago. After a while a realized its value. Routine! I've tried swimming and tai chi, both I see will be great but I haven't been able to regularly incorporate them yet. I could tell it's too much.

I started chiropractic on December and added massage to compliment. It's been painful but improving my shoulder, neck, hips tremendously. I'm trying to find a sweet spot as far as scheduling frequency right now.

Pain became horrendous lately. It came on suddenly and now Jeff just as much so. It is always something, as other normal symptoms have taken over. I want to get a handicapped parking permit for that one day in many that the walk in our parking garage is oh so tough. I want to purchase a cane to have at home for those times when my walking is unstable and my knees buckle without warning. I put it off though because I'm fearful its acknowledging defeat in one battle of this war in my body. I plan to discuss it with my PCP next month.

My doc at Mayo is recommending magnets and acupuncture to try.