New Here- Formal Introduction!

Hi everyone,
My name is Kathy and I was diagnosed with Fibro about 2 years ago. Like many, I ran the gamut of tests, all negative for any of the mimickers of this disorder. I feel pretty comfortable in forums. Before knowing what I had, I was told it looked like MS. So, I joined an MS support group and was pretty active there. I am very glad to see this forum run just like that one was. I look forward to meeting all of you, and offering support where I can, and definitely taking all the support I can!

I am lucky in that my DH is very supportive and has no doubt that something is wrong with me. It is just the rest of my family that are clueless and cannot understand my limitations. I just got the good news that I was approved for SSDI, and hopefully we can get back on track financially. This disorder has many aspects to it. Like so many others out there, it affects more then just our bodies. I think the emotional toll it takes is much more of a concern then many Dr.'s are willing to admit. So, for me I believe in getting a check up from the neck up is equally important in managing Fibromyalgia.

Currently, I am on only Cymbalta. It worked great for the first month, and now it seems I might need an increase in dosage or add something else as well. For the most part I try to stay positive, pamper myself and watch my diet. I don't think I could go any 1 day without stretching though. It really helps me get through the day.

I am glad I have found this community and hope to be here for a long time getting to know all of you!
Best wishes,
Kathy

Hi Patti,
Thanks for the Welcome!
Just a word of advice for you. If you think you might need to apply for SSDI, then do it now. It is a long process, and getting approved is never guaranteed. It took me a year and a half and a bankruptcy later. I tell people to get on it as soon as they think they cannot return to the type of work they were doing before.

Hope you are doing well, I look forward to getting to know you better.
Kathy

Hi Kathy and welcome. If you didn't read my welcome to you Pattie, welcome.

 

Fibro does affect our whole lives and bodies. Stress and emotions has a lot to do with the way we feel. Having a supportive husband is a big plus Kathy. Yeah, we all have those family members that will never get it.

 

Read the fibro 101 thread, second on first page, if you haven't already there is a lot of great info in it. We have lots of tricks to try and make our lives easier. We love our moist heat in any form we can get it and you can make rice bags out of long tube socks and uncooked rice that can be heated in the microwave to cause moist heat, showers, baths or hot tubs. You do have to keep moving and stretching no matter how you feel or you will feel worse.

 

Ask questions, read and vent when you need to and we will be here for you.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Hi Kathy and Welcome-

This is a good forum to come to for support. Happy to hear you were able to get Soc. Sec., I am in the middle of the process- on the second denial and hiring a lawyer now. I have been out of work since last May. UG! I am a single mom and my family and friends have really stepped up to the plate since this hit me late last winter. So it was nice to read you have a supportive husband. Heck with the people that don't care or take the time to educate themselves about this, I have learned fast who is who in my life.

Nice to meet you!

GamJill

Thanks Everyone,
Thanks so much for the welcome, I feel right at home now! Although we are all here for a sad reason, I have always felt the need to share my experience with others. I am always amazed at the level of non-supportive spouses. My vows said in sickness and in health! Anyway, thanks so much again. I know I will be active and around this new community. I am in the process of starting a support group in my own communtiy, so I will pass along this website for my members to join. We need all the support we can get.
Sincerely,
Kathy