I just wanted to introduce myself

Hi my name is Desiree and of course I have Fibromyalgia and along with that I have P.C.O.S. which is another bag of fun. I am 24 years old, although I feel more like 80. I am unable to work which honestly makes me feel like a useless human being. I want to be able to help my husband with the bills but I just can't. I am in pain all of the time. I'm not even sure what a day without pain feels like anymore. I was just diagnosed a year ago but I have been suffering since I was 19. I worked from the time I was 15 to up until about 2 years ago when I just couldn't stand to be on my feet anymore, along with the fatigue. I was diagnosed by a wonderful doctor but he has recently closed his private practice to go work for a hospital so I am starting fresh with a new doctor so thats frustrating, although he seems to be an understanding doctor. I had my first appointment with a rheumatologist this week and I feel it went well. He put me on some new medicine, so I'll see how that works out. I go back to seem him in a month. Currently my biggest problems are severe back pain, neck pain, insomnia, tenderness all over but more severe on my elbows and knees (I can't stand to have my elbows touched!), fatigue which sometimes has me sleeping all day, muscle spasms, anxiety, memory problems, migraines, IBS and foot pain. During the winter especially I have to walk with a cane. I have gained a lot of weight in the last few years because of the pain and lack of exercise. I went from kayaking, swimming, playing basketball and soccer to very little activity. I feel like a recluse because I rarely feel like leaving the house. I am going to be trying to get disability as soon as I find a lawyer, although my husband is a very caring understanding man I want to contribute in any way I can. Sorry to ramble on but I'm glad I found someplace with people that know what I'm going through.

I went through the "well your just depressed" phase for years. I'm not sure why every doctor is so into depression, lol. Now I go into the doctors office and say first thing, I am not depressed so don't tell me I am. I haven't tried Savella yet, I know its an anti-depressant but I don't know if they designed it specifically for fibromyalgia. I was on Cymbalta for a few months and of course, I'm not depressed so it didn't really help it just made me have awful negative thoughts. I really feel like if your not depressed, antidepressants probably won't work. I'm upset that pharmaceutical companies just rebrand medicine for fibromyalgia instead of researching it thoroughly and designing a drug specifically for it. It makes me feel like we don't matter. I'm sorry to be negative, I really hope Savella works for you but if you start having negative or suicidal thoughts stop taking it. I hope your doctor starts taking your symptoms seriously. I know I felt like a crazy person for years.

I had to drop out of college too. I can't concentrate very well. I forget what I was going to say mid-sentence, which is awful and embarrassing. I wish I could work and finish college. I feel like my dreams have been stolen from me. What were you going to college for? I was going to be a Veterinary Technician. Its sad that I couldn't get through two years of college but even if I did I don't think I'd be able to do the job.

I'm so glad there's positivity on here because I need it! I try so hard to be positive but my husband is the only person that treats me like I'm really sick. My parents are starting to come around since I keep dropping off books and showing them research. I wish this disease was more mainstream, it would make life so much easier.

Hi Desiree, and welcome to our fibro family. Sorry you have to be here but Im glad you found us. We have some wonderful and supportive people on this board and we all have our times of venting, asking questions, offering advice and sometimes just having fun. I think you will love it here I know I do. Im sorry that you are dealing with so much pain right now and you are so young. We are all different in what meds we can tolerate or cant tolerate. I couldnt take the cymbalta either but there are a lot of people who it seems to help. Gentle exercise helps alot too. There are alot of tips in fibro 101 for gentle exercising.
From what I have read though about savella it isnt an anti-depressant. it is a med that they use on kids who have ADD or ADHD and it seems to help some fibro patients. I have never used it but that is what I have read.
Anyhow welcome once again and hope to hear from you soon.
Gentle Hugs

Shirley

Hi again Desiree!

Thank you for giving me some good feedback on the Tai Chi thread about which videos you like for both Tai Chi and Yoga. I'm very excited to hear about those sorts of things. You're a real help telling me about the ones you've tried. If you ever know of any other stuff - I'm all ears!

Welcome to the forum. As has been said, this is a super place. I feel like I have a little of my sanity back since joining here. I can handle stuff better having friends here who support everything I do. You're gonna love it.

Again, welcome. I'm really glad you've joined us!

Good to "meet" you, Desiree. Sorry you have to be here, though.
It really does help to find other souls travelling the same path, or at least, a very similar one. Not so lonely or hopeless!

Debbie