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Posted 10/5/2008 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
I just turned 17 and have Fibromyalgia. There are days I can hardly walk without my eyes watering. Is there a chance I will be stuck in a wheelchair or use a cane soon? Or will I be stuck with braces on my knees? Or is there anything else? Pain meds don't work.

skull  Kris

Posted 10/5/2008 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
Kris,
I've had this my entire life (I'm 57) and can tell you that it doesn't get much worse than you are right now. The secret is to keep moving. I remember walking home from school in the winter and crying most of the way home because of the pain. My mom was a nurse and didn't understand so I actually had to hide that I hurt or she "would give me something to cry about".

I take 3200 mg of Malic Acid - 1600 in the morning and 1600 with dinner, and this has helped me immensely! (I get it from Puritan.com.) I didn't learn about this approach until about four years ago so I pretty much had to just grin and bear it until then. Read back in the posts and see what others are doing to help with their pain.

We will be here for you and we do understand. Hang in there, young girlfriend. You can do this. We can help.
Posted 10/5/2008 6:06 PM (GMT 0)

Dear Kris,

I read your post and it shot an arrow straight thru my heart.  I will be 56 next month and I have had fibro since I was 4 yrs. old.  I didn't have to start with the braces thing until I was 27, after an accident at a roller skating rink, some boys racing around knocked me down and tore up my right knee.  I found out from the ortho surgeon that my knee joints don't fit together properly, I was born that way.  I went from 1 brace to 2 braces, then added a cane, then forearm crutches and then finally about 6 yrs. ago started using a wheelchair part time and then full time.  It really isn't as bad as you might think, if you have the right mind set.  But then I had a lot of yrs. to prepare myself, when I was 27 I had to see 3 different surgeons and they all said that I would be in a chair by the time I was 45, managed to make it to 49.  It was not all due to the fibro as you can see under my name I have plenty of other problems.

May I ask why you are in a brace?  Is it that your legs simply won't hold you up?  Do you fall down a lot?

I can offer some advice to help with the pain.  Gentle stretching exercises, chair yoga, heat packs for pain and ice for swelling.  Sit down whenever you need to, don't stand just because everyone else is.  Bike riding and slow walks either outside or on a treadmill are also good.

Please don't be afraid to ask me or anyone else here about anything that is on your mind, or if you just need to vent or get something off you chest.  Welcome to the family, the guys and gals here are great.

Posted 10/5/2008 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, first of, I'm soryr about what you've had to endure. That must be touch. I have a few things listed under ur name as well.

Second, thank you so much for the time you took to reply. Basically my braces are I also have artheritus in my knees, and scholiosis in my back which sometimes makes me temporarily paralized so the braces help me from falling alot of the time. Though I don't have to wear them full time.

I think the hard part for me was since I can remember I WAS gonna work with horses and NO ONE was gonna stop me. I know I still can work with horses, just maybe not to the extent I was when I was younger.

At the same time I have other things to fall back on. I am deaf and want to get certified and a CDF (certified deaf interpreter).

I also have a very caring and attentive boyfriend. Though I hate attention he has helped me with so much. Not just with the FMS.

Again, thank you!

Posted 10/5/2008 6:32 PM (GMT 0)

I would love to work with horses.  My Dad used to take us  any time we went on vacation and there was a stable there.  My hubby and I used to go riding all the time.  There aren't very many places that are equiped to get someone from a wheelchair onto the saddle unfortunatly.

You sound like a real go getter. Good for you.  I'm glad that you have an understanding boyfriend.  I have always wanted to learn sign language.  When I was little my Mom worked at a bingo hall, and the sponsor was the Toled Deaf Club and at Christmas we would go to parties and see Santa Claus.  It was fun, but I always felt stupid because I couldn't communicate with the Santa.

Might I suggest that you occassionally use a cane or forearm crutch?  It really does help take some of the strain off your knees.

Posted 10/5/2008 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Krystal, and welcome to the fibromyalgia forum!  I'm so sorry that you have to deal with fibro but, as Jeannie said, if you keep moving you should be able to stay away from wheelchairs.  I use a cane at night because when I get up I'm so stiff I don't want to fall.  I haven't needed it any other time, but there are some on here with other back problems and fibro that do take a cane with them.  There is no shame in any of it.  If you need a cane or wheelchair, then use it.  But, I have found that if I walk regularly and do stretching exercises, I do just fine.

 

I am legally deaf but not totally deaf.  I'm profoundly deaf in the high ranges and, as you probably know, 96% of speech is made up of high sounds so I need to lip read to understand speech.  I do not know sign language so I can't help you there.

 

Check out the Fibro 101 thread...the second thread on the forum.  You will find a lot of good info in there.  Also, read back posts.  There is a world of information in them, also.

 

Meanwhile, ask questions and we will help you.  I'm so glad you joined us and hope to hear more from  you soon.  By the way, we have another 17 year old young lady on this forum, too.  She goes by the name of Tennis.  Maybe the two of you can connect.  It's nice to have someone your age to talk to.

 

Sherrine

Posted 10/6/2008 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Krystal,

I just wanted to welcome you to the fibromyalgia forum. You are among a wonderful group of people here. I am sure that you will fit right in and enjoy every minute of it. There is also a lot of accumulated knowledge here to help you.

Best wishes,

Hugs, Karen
Posted 10/6/2008 1:45 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Kris and Welcome!

We have some young members here that I'm sure you'll be able to relate to. I'm new at this but have learned I have to keep moving or I feel worse.

Good for you with realizing you can still work with horses- just in a different way. You have goals and I think that is great! yeah

Your boyfriend sounds like a real blessing. Nice to meet you and join us on our daily check-ins when you can.  Chutz (one of our moderators) usually does them but is on vacation so others will be doing them for awhile.

GamJill

Posted 10/6/2008 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kris and welcome. You are an amazing young woman. My youngest son had a friend that was in a wheelchair due to birth defects that loved to ride horses. He told me one day it was the closest thing to running he had ever experienced. They use horses for a lot of therapies. Don't ever let your dreams go. Where there is a will there is a way.

 

You will learn a lot on here about fibro and we are always here for you.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 10/6/2008 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Kris.

 

Glad you checked in with us.  You've come to a great place for sharing and caring. 

 

I think it's great that you want to work with horses.  You can do it if you set your mind to it. 

 

Don't let Fibro get you down.  Your young and have your whole life ahead of you.  Go Girl!!!!!!!!!

 

God Bless!

Shannon

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