New Here

I've been reading for awhile and getting a feel for the forum.
I'm Ally and I have had fibro for a very long time. Possibly since
I was 33 and had an accident where I fractured an ankle and
had to have major surgery (bolt implanted). I have been up & down the
pain scale for the last 28 years with each year having something a little
bit different in symptoms. I think the three signifant benchmarks were an
emotional trauma when my adult son was brain injured in a car accident
and caring for him just physically wiped me out. Then menopause
seemed to bring on more and different symptoms, then a near fatal
traffic accident at nearly the same time where my neck was fractured in 3 places.
From that point on it seemed a very bumpy ride downhill.

I am not a person to go to many doctors (although I have a GP I see once a
year) and prefer to treat my symptoms with OTC's and nutritional supplements.I
have no health insurance just a low cost clinic.
I have Flexeril which I take for sciatica from the car wreck and only occasionally
and an HBP pill. I rely on ibuprophen with food for pain management.
I hope to be able to contribute to the forum. There were some comments posted
where I wanted to weigh in but decided to wait until I introduced myself.
I'm retired and getting early SS next year. Always thought about applying for
SSD but when I finally got my mind wrapped around that I was closer to
early retirement than going through the SSD-jumping-through-hoops process.

Fibro is a mysterious invader/quality of life thief. I am sure my mother had it
and she rarely went to a doctor and so had no fibro diagnosis and lived till
she was 90. I often wonder if it is genetic.She had so many symptoms.
Because I have sleep disruption and no longer work outside the home I am up
all night off and on the computer. Glad I accidently found this forum.
Ally

Welcome to the Forum Ally,

My name is Jen and I have been newly diagnosed with Fibro (last Monday). I also just turned 40 on Thursday. I am so sorry to hear about your history of misfortunes; especially your son. I have just became a member of this forum yesterday with hopes that I could talk to people who understood my pain and what I was going through with this diagnosis. I never thought I would take hearing the words "You are the poster child for Fibromyalgia" so roughly from my Rheumatologist. I am having a very hard time emotionally with all of this. I am mainly afraid that Fibro is going to take my job away from me in which I love very much. But the lack of sleeping at night combined with the pain is overwhelming. Anyways, welcome to the forum, its nice to meet you and I truly hope you can find some comfort here!

Jen aka Kinzie

Welcome to FF (Fibro Forum). I have noticed several people with fibro also has wheat or gluten allergies. Is this something I should get tested for or would I be having like stomach problems or something?

Thanks,
Bay

Hi, Ally, and welcome!  I'm so glad you found us and joined our family.  I think you will like it here.

 

I am like you.  I use OTC meds and vitamins and supplements to help keep in control of the pain.  I add stretching exercises and walking and swimming and gentle massages, too.  All of this combined has kept me going.

 

Be sure to check out Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you might learn even more than you already know.  I have had fibro for 24 years and I'm still learning things about it.  Be sure to look at the links on malic acid and vitamin D3.  Also, there are some good stretching exercises on there that are done sitting down so, if you have a desk job, you could use these to help you, too.

 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  If you have any questions, just rattle my cage!  Hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine