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Posted 3/4/2011 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

My name is Skyler (everyone calls me Sky).  I was just diagnosed with FMS recently.  While it explains a lot, I'm kinda freaking out about it.  What do I do now?  What can I do?  I always hurt.  Bad days put in bed or on the couch the whole day.  "The Fog" as I've seen others call it, isn't that fequent with me, but when it does happen, it's so bloody frustrating!  I'm a computer programmer, but when I'm in the fog, there's no point even trying.  I looked at some of the code I wrote while in the fog, and it made absolutely no sense.  It was like looking through a microscope and seeing a thousand dancing hamsters.  And everyday, I hurt.  The Tramadol only does so much.  I have a wonderful wife who tries to understand, and a joy of a son, but I feel like I can only watch a lot of the times, instead of actually participating with them.  My wife is amazing, but she makes no secret that although she tries, she doesn't understand and can only support me in anyway she can.  I think she's stronger than I am at this point.

I know this is old news for a lot of you, and this story has been told before, but what do I do?  How am I supposed to take this?  My head is spinning and I need grounding.  Thank you ahead of time for comments.

Posted 3/4/2011 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Sky, welcome to the forum. I'm sorry you have fibro, but you did find a good, safe place here to vent and reach out to others. When you say your wife is stronger, do you mean physically? (Because you have to have a lot of strength to live with fibro day in and day out, though it may not look that way.) One day at a time gets us through.

I also take Tramadol, although I'm trying to keep my use minimal...unfortunately, OTC pain meds do nothing for my fibro pain.

Days on the couch don't happen for me, because I'd end up with more pain. I have to change positions frequently. Lifting anything - anything at all - is my biggest challenge.

The fog is very frustrating indeed, and I can see why it would make your job hard! Someone here could probably help you more with that than I - I was foggy even BEFORE fibro!

Debbie
Posted 3/4/2011 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Sky, happy to meet you.

We "unfortunately" have heard your story before, many times actually. That is why you will find lots and lots of people on here to give you some helpful advice, hints, ideas, listen to you vent, whine, have pity parties and, yes, even laugh. We are a large family and we care about each and every member in it.

So, please come here anytime you would like to talk, ask questions or even offer some helpful tidbits you have learned from your own journey.

I know from experience that the hardest thing for most of us is getting up and moving. Although it is hard it has to be done or you will do yourself more harm. Its a vicious cycle - I cannot move because I hurt, I hurt because I move. But, it does get easier. You may not be able to play tackle football with your son but you can play catch, or racing games on the wii. You may not be able to run a mile but you can take a nice walk around the block.

Fibro can and will change your life but it doesnt have to rule your life. you can be happy and have many fun filled days, you just have to make adjustments, take advantage of rest times, know your limitations and keep up with all your doctor appts.

there will be many others coming along to give you a "hello" so I will keep this short.

hope to hear from you again soon....
Posted 3/4/2011 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Sky!
I'd like to add about exercise, you must take it slow, really slow, like ridiculously slow. What I mean by that is, if you like the treadmill, and you haven't done it for a while, start out at 5 to 10 minute intervals at a very moderate pace. A walk outside do for no more than 10 minutes. See how you feel and if okay, then do it again the next day. Make sure you stretch, which is so important for all of us. It will really help take some of the pain away, even though it hurts to do it and again do NOT overdo. Take it all slow at first. I like to use an elliptical and have been using one for five years and there are days I can do it for 45 minutes and days I can only do it for 10 minutes, but I have come to realize if I don't do it, I feel even worse. Exercise releases brain chemicals which do help us.
I was diagnosed over 22 years ago. I've been married for 30 years and I have to say, for the most part (LOL) my husband is a really great guy. I realize though that listening to me complain can get old really fast, so I try to limit it or not complain at all to him. I am not saying you can't express yourself to your wife, just telling you what works over here.
Please ask away...there are many of us here very willing to reach out...we do understand,
Miriam
Posted 3/5/2011 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sky,

I am still new here but when I first started someone referred me to the fibro101 thread, I have read it and reread it and its has been alot of help. I suggest you give it a read.

Keep moving, don't give up, and Welcome

Rose

***
Posted 3/7/2011 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, everyone, for your warm welcome and words. I feel better, today. Right now, I'm just soul-searching, trying to figure how this new-found facet refracts light (if you get the metaphor... sorry, I'm a geek. Did I mention I was a computer guy? lol). Nice to know there are others out there for me to run, cry, laugh, and vent to. I live in an area that's kind of out of the way, and we just moved here 6 months ago so I could finish my Bachelor's degree so most of our friends are 1600 miles away.

My wife, son and I are all about to head to Souther California (Ventura) for two weeks, so I'm about to have some major relaxing time (my favorite hammock!) and reflecting time (my fav. beach!). My Great Grandmother is still alive and very healthy, and I have a son. So a Great Great Grandmother is about to meet her first Great Great grandson. How often does THAT happen! I'm going to use this time to relax and get my head on straight so I can come home and start making changes.

Debbie - I meant my wife was emotionally stronger than me at this point. She's handling everything really well. I know what you mean about the OTC medicine. It does absolutely nothing. Worse than nothing, too much hurts my stomach. Tramadol actually works REALLY well for me. And when I said end up on the couch, it's exactly as you described. Not nearly enough energy to do anything, but constantly moving trying to find a comfortable position that's just never going to appear. iend up playing video games most of the day, or read. Those two things really help take my mind of constantly thinking about the pain and discomfort. Luckily, the fog (so far) is fairly rare, so it doesn't effect me too much.

Denita- Thanks for being so open. It really makes me feel less alone knowing I now have "people"... lol.

Miriam - I'm definitely going to start trying that stretching bit. On top of this, I have a bum knee from a major fall I took in the Navy (12 ft. to a steel deck), and I've been doing these excercises everyday for the knee, so I'm just going to add the light stretching to that routine. I can see how it would help. Stretching does hurt, but feels good too (like its supposed to, I suppose) unless I'm in a flare-up. So I'll take it light and let you know how it works for me. Thanks for the advice!

Rose - I will definitely give it a read! Tomorrow, my wife and I are going on a two week vacation to see family in sunny southern California (Ventura). So some MAJOR relaxation is in my near future :-) But that also means reading, so I'll probably go over it then.

To EVERYONE - Thanks again for your words. I can't say it enough how encouraging it is to me to have a group who gets it. And I know this is VERY off topic, but I'm a computer guy, so if any of you need help, or want advice in that are (I know computers can be intimidating) let me know and I can totally help you out! :-)

Sky
"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find
rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
-Matthew 11:29-30
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