New Member

Hello All

 

I look forward to being a member of a current/active message boards, and getting to know some of you.

 

I have been searching for an active Message Board for People Living with Fibromyalgia, that was user friendly, and current in activity. I have checked out quite a few, and this particular board appears to be exactly what I am looking for. I just hope I will be able to keep up, as I still work a Full Time job. When Diagnosed in July 2007 I came up with a Motto for myself.

 

"I will not Give In!! I will not let Fibro Win!!"

 

Just a Little about Me

 

I just recently celebrated 3 years of an official Fibromyalgia Diagnosis. I had already been diagnosed with another Chronic Pain Illness known as Post Surgical Adhesion Related Disorder in 1999, so I was already familiar with an insidious illnesss that caused extreme abdominal pain. Adhesions are Fibrous Bands of Scar Tissue that develops as part of the normal healing process after abdominal surgeries. I have had multiple laparotomy's & that is the reason I developed Adhesions/Internal Scar Tissue. I have both types Filmy Transparent Spider Web Adhesions & Dense Adhesions, so that in itself is challenging, but in some of my own personal research, it seems that many Adhesion Sufferers also end up being diagnosed with a Fibromyalgia we often wonder if there is any connection. May have something to do with we become more sedentary with Adhesion Related Disorder. My bladder was compromised by massive amounts of adhesionsn& it took the surgeon 4 1/2 hours to get my uterus & bladder appart from one another so I also have alot of bladder problems.

 

So you see my life was already challenging before the Fibro DX

 

I think some of the biggest challenges of these illnesses, is that they are invisible. People don't seem to understand how we are in such pain because we look perfectly fine on the outside. Alot of people think we are seeking attention, and believe me, I surely don't want attention of this kind. I would rather be able to do the things that I enjoy. I would much rather go on that lunch date with friend, or go to the mall for a bit of shopping, but on a bad day, it just can not happen, & so then the friends you thought were friends, begin calling less and less the next thing you know, you hardly ever hear from them. We can not help that the day of your party we wake up with a major Flare Up, and can not attend. It's not that we don't want to come...It is we can't come. True Friends understand, but the so called friends, or acquaintences soon leave you to be alone, as they feel you are a burden. So I decided a long time ago, if you can not accept that I have to let you know the day of whether I will be able to attend or not, then don't invite me. I also am learning that maybe if I find some friends that battle the same or similiar illness I will develop some much healther friendships..at least people that understand, even if it is only online. So therefore I have joined your message board, and hope that I find the support and friendship, that I am looking for.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I do hope that I didn't go on and on too much about myself, just trying to let those that frequent the boards get to know me a little. I am looking forward to reading responses, and posting replies to others on this message board.

Till the next time

Take Care Everyone

 

Life's Beachy

 

Hi and Welcome to the Fibro Family!

This is a wonderful group you have found, at least for me it is. People here are warm and welcoming and this board fosters that type of atmosphere. There's lots to talk about and participate in each day so stay on board and get to know the rest of the family.

Hugs,
Chutz

Hi, Beachy!!

I'm still learning about "real friends" as I was just diagnosed in August. I am kind of glad to have this opportunity to do some weeding . So far, the ones that I thought were "true" friends - remain to be true friends and understanding. Thank goodness!

Sorry to hear about all your other troubles too. AND you work full time? You have to be one heck of a woman to be able to juggle all that and deal with fibro too. I quit my 2nd job November of last year because of fibro and my rheumatologist doesn't seem to think I could qualify for disability. (Not that I ever WANT to be on it, but money is tight and I've tried working. I don't want to quit another job because of this...).

And it's completely ok to ramble on and on... there are SO many of us that do that. I am one of them. Sometimes it's theraputic to just get on here and type and rant and type and rant!! And trust me, we'll still read if, even if it's 3 pages long .

Welcome to our family and look forward to getting to know you!

 

Hello Beachy,

First welcome to the forum it is great! I understand the friend situation i was diagnosed with fibro/severedepression in 2004.  One of my close friends that i did alot of things with for over 10 years did not understand my pain, and thought that i was just dissing her all the time. We slowly grew apart and in 2007-08 she was diagnosed with cancer that had wrapped around her voice box (traycia)spelling wrong, she was very sick and she had not even thought to come to me. I had to find out through a channel of people that she was in the hospital and very sick, i was heartbroken for her and tried at first to be there for her. She would only push me away and that really effected me in a negative way my depression became worse and we eventally stopped talking. I still think of her as my friend and i am not the only friend she did this too. She is now in remission and doing pretty good she did have to have both her hips replaced due to all the steroids they pumped in her.  I miss her friendship, but i tried to hang on and i do feel a little guilty that i did not push harder to be their for her.  I hope you can continue to do well and keep posting it helps.

God Bless.

Carrie/fibrodepressionmom

Hi, and welcome!  I don't think your name is Beachy so I'll just say HI!     I'm so glad you found us and joined our family.  Yes, it is a family.  We love to help one another and, as a bonus, we really do care about each other, too.  I think you will like it here. 

 

I know alllll about adhesions.  I have them too from two major surgeries and a tubal ligation.  I find that if I massage my abdomen, that helps!  There is a doctor in Florida that does basically that and has helped people but I'm sure they charge a ton of money.  The massaging stretches the adhesions so things move better and there is more room, I guess.  I do get gentle massages and my therapist knew all about this and showed my what to do.  So, you might want to give that a try.  My massage therapist seems to know how to do everything!  She is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association and they have to continue taking classes and learning about all the massage techniques if they want to continue to be members of this organization.  Here is a link where you could find a massage therapist in your area, if you are at all interested.  I'd interview them first before making the appointment.  You know what you need done.  I get a gentle massage once a month and it really helps me with the pain.

 

http://www.amtamassage.org/findamassage/index.html?utm_source=%2Ffindamassage%2Flocator.aspx&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=redirect

 

Be sure to check out Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you can learn a lot there.  I've had fibro for 23 years and I'm STILL learning things all of the time!  Knowledge is power and you want power over fibro.  You know that, though.  I can tell from your motto.  I love it!

 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  I hope to hear more from  you soon. 

 

Sherrine

 

Such a Fabulous Warm Welcome.

Thanks so much for the posts and most warmest welcome.
I absolutely look forward to interacting via the message boards.
It felt so good to come online and see I had responses, and so much action had occured in a two day period.

Good Golly I hope I can keep up :o)

Well off to the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions.

Hope to be able to get online once i get home, and read up on the latest posts & replies.
Hopefully the rainy weather won't interfer with my air card, and that I will have a decent signal at the house.

Thanks again for such a warm welcome.

P.S. in regards to Massage Therapy...it is a part of my regimine to deal with FMS/ARD