Hello. I am a 71 year old woman who has dealt with fibromyalgia for most of my adult life. Fortunately, I have a physician who acknowledges and validates the pain. He has worked with me through the last 10 years to find the right level of medications without having me take more than I should. He has guided me toward appropriate exercise, yoga, massage, cognitive changes, and relaxation. In October, he wants me to take a class about dealing with chronic pain ( which the Mayo system is teaching).

Fibro is not my only challenge. I have had a headache since September of 2014. Botox has helped a little, but it never totally goes away. I have Sjogren’s and Raynaud’s syndromes and take Plaquenil for a high CL level. Last fall I began to lose my sense of taste. Now my tongue stings around the edges. I have GERD. My balance has gradually deteriorated. Neuropathy in my feet has certainly not helped that problem.

In spite of it all, I feel pretty lucky because I’m maintaining some quality of life. Lots of days are not so good, but then some good ones come along, and they really give me hope.