Hi Everyone,
I have been reading posts for the last few years and only posted a few times, but I thougt maybe since I am on the computer a lot more lately, I might get more involved. This place is so loving and encouraging for everyone. You have really helped me make it through some tough days. It's really hard talking to your friends and family about how you're feeling when they have no idea how you feel. I'm sure you all can relate to that. So here's my history of this crazy fibro. I was dx offically in November of 2005, although looking back I know I had this years before my dx after learning so much about fibro these past few years. I'm 49 years old and now am on disabilty for the last three years. I have a very DH and three grown children, 27 yo who's still at home, he's a teacher, a 25yo dgt who lives across the country in CA, and my youngest son 21 just moved back home after living three years out in CA with his sister going to school. I also have three dogs, a lab mix, a bishon and my newest baby a little yorkie. I have six cats. I know what you're thinking. 
This lady is nuts. But the animals are what keeps me going. I was an RN then worked as a hospice volunteer coordinator and loved it, but the pain and fatigue were getting so bad I had to leave. I try to keep active, by taking small walks during the day or trying to keep the house picked up and clean. (Again, I know....all those animals!)
I don't have a car full time, so I'm by myself a lot during the day. So I've gone from a very active life to staying home most of the time. It gets very discouraging. Do you know how we all wished to have some time at home without work just to relax and get caught up at home? Well my wish came true, but I wish I now had the energy and no pain to live the life I used to have. I also have type II diabetes with neropathy, depression, hypothyroidism, IBD,
sleep apnea and all the other wonderful things that go along with fibro, including the "fog". I go to a very supportive GP who has really helped these past few years and I have a good rhematologist, along with a sleep specialist. I'm also so lucky that way to have really good doctors I can depend on. I'm on Cymbalta for my fibro and depression, which has worked miricles for me. A few months ago they switched me from Paxil to Cymbalta 30 mg, which didnt seem to work, at that time Iwas in so much pain I was ready to ask for narcotics, but they increased the Cymbalta to 60mgs, which helped my pain soooo much. In fact I was almost pain free for three months, but it's come back, but not to the degree it was before. I take glucophage for my diabetes along with Lantus insulin once at night which is new, Synthroid, Lipitor, Prevacid, Lopressor, B12, Iron, Vit.D,Multi Vits,Omega 3, and Unisom sleep tabs. I can't take any of the other drus approved for fibro like Nerontin or now I cant think of the other one (Fibro fog kicking in) because I had such a bad reaction to Nerontin, they thought I had a stroke from it, but just severe side effect. That's another thing, I am highly sensative to meds and allergic to everything!
So That's pretty much my life the past few years. I'm looking forward to meeting new people here and starting to feel productive again! Thank you again to all of you that make this forum so supportive. I really does make a differece in people's lives!
Gentle Blessings to All
Deb 