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How do you honestly . . . keep going?
Hi all -
I have been deeply struggling with my physical health for years, and I am only now finally starting to get some answers. My doctor diagnosed me with fibromyalgia in March of this year, following a postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) diagnosis from December of last year. I have a slough of mental health struggles, have battled on and off with addiction for my entire adult life, and have been so sick physically for the past half a decade at least. I know a lot of you here, based on other posts, have been at this for decades and more. So, honestly, how do you keep going? How do you wake up in pain every single day and tell yourself that this is worth it? I can't have kids, a lifelong dream of mine, and I can't work, and I really don't even know what to do with my life anymore. I feel my life is lost, and I feel like every day is an act of survival, not one of truly /living/. I want to be happy. I have three wonderful cats and I am freshly married to the love of my life, but I feel so much despair at the prospect of being alive for 50 more years. I take the meds, I do the exercise, I eat in a calorie deficit. I do all the right things and still feel awful and in pain every single day. I genuinely feel useless most days. And I know it will only get worse as my body gets worse. How do y'all keep doing this? What would you tell your younger selves to motivate them to keep trying? Thank you to anyone who answers.
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I do not have fibromyalgia but my husband does. I hear his voice in your words. The beautiful thing in your post is that you have found the love of your life. Someone who has found a greater worth in you in anything that fibromyalgia can take away. The only thing anyone in this life can do is be the best they can be . I do not trivialize your pain or your sense of loss; it is very real and saddens me. Know your worth and direct your limited energy in that direction. All the very best to you in your journey.
Hi there. I have had fibromyalgia for over 25 years. Yes I understand so many dreams have changed. It happens with chronic illness like us or sometimes just because your body is aging which mine is at 71. One thing I learned is don’t struggle with your mental health. See a therapist. I know it’s compromising if you don’t have money, but look into your county or city for a free mental health services. And don’t feel like you’re a failure because you have to take something like an antidepressant. It’s just the way the brain is wired for some of us and this is the only chemical that helps it. So don’t think of it as a failure just think of it as your strangely hardwired a different way. I do have a sister I text with every day and a sister-in-law. It helps to stay connected with people, which is hard if you’re homebound, but technology does let you connect by phone or tablet. I just went I do have a sister I text with every day and a sister-in-law. It helps to stay connected with people, which is hard if your homebound, but technology does let you connect by phone or tablet. I just went through about of six months of pain every day all day. I have found through other posters on this site the different kinds of medication’s to take. We are also different in our fibromyalgia. It’s trial and error unfortunately. I hate to say it, but to get my doctor to listen or prescribe a larger dosage, I end up being over the top in my emotions. And then they’re like oh my well I guess this is real. I am fortunate to have the money to try Tonmya. I had a result after taking it for 20 days. So now we have shelled out another month to continue to try. It has really changed my day. I know this isn’t possible for everyone. And I am going to start a Medicare appeal so that they will cover it. I also want to mention if you want to stay connected to get onto support groups like this one. Not too many people on this one, but you may find others. It’s free and you can connect with people. I also suggest looking at the American fiber myalgia syndrome association website. It’s full of articles on all the different things that happened to us and how to address it.
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2 ReactionsI appreciate the comments about mental health. I am gonna look into that, unfortunately my family is still looking at this as a I need a muscle through it and just get over it , which is very depressing some days. It’s really hard to do things and I overdo it trying to make everybody happy and then have worse days.
Somebody mentioned Tomaya and I was on it for 60 days and it did a world of difference! Unfortunately I cannot afford it and now have come off it and the pain has come back. Everything hurts in the morning. I did do an appeal three times through my insurance company, but they are still unwilling to do it. I will try one more time. I’m going to the doctor today to talk to her about maybe taking something else because regular Flexor not doing it for me either.
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1 ReactionI hear you. You’re are so fortunate to have the love of your life! I have 3 cats too and 1 dog. No human partner, at this point I don’t think anyone would be interested. It struck a cord when you said you feel useless. That’s the hardest thing. A cat had 4 kittens and they make my day. HOWEVER what really helps is the HOPE. Everytime I hear of a new medication or supplement, diet, etc, mostly in this group , I feel HOPE and try them all. There’s LDN, PEA, Hemp gummies, chiropractor, acupuncture, on and on. You’ll find relief! Believe me. At least for awhile. Currently I’m taking LDN and was doing pretty well. Then had stressful situation and I’m having a flare. Yuk! But I know it will get better again. And you will have relief and/or some good days too. Peace snd love.