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New, with Fibro at 15

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Posted 9/18/2013 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
This is kind of my introductory post. I'm 15, a junior in high school, and I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in February 2013. I also have chronic migraines/fatigue and what I think is IBS. Looking for people to talk to who care/understand what I'm going through. Also, if there's any young people out there- high school or college-age- I'd love it if you got in touch with me. Chronic illness sucks, but it sucks worse when it steals your childhood :(

I added "new" to your subject line so you'd get more replies...Debbie

Post Edited By Moderator (Acheybody) : 9/18/2013 11:38:04 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/18/2013 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
((((((((((Gentle hug)))))))))))

So sorry you've been hit with this aggrevating disease. I understand your despair. You can live a long and successful life with this. You just need to pace yourself and not push through the pain. If you hurt you rest, but make sure to do nonweight bearing exercises like walking, swimming, yoga, etc.
Posted 9/18/2013 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi saganist, and welcome. I am sorry that you have so much going on. A fibro diagnosis can be difficult to take, but it doesn't have to steal your life. With time, trial, and effort, most of us learn how to manage it and live mostly normal lives. But, I know it is a lot to cope with, especially at such a young age.

There are several people on this board who are younger, and many of them have gone to college and started families and careers in spite of their fibro. Others of us were diagnosed a bit later in life but still try to live our lives as normally as possible.

There is a thread called "Fibro 101" at the top of the Fibromyalgia board page. It is full of lots of helpful insight and information about fibro.

This is a great place for support, so feel free to come and ask any questions you might have.
Posted 9/18/2013 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
I was your age when I first started dealing with my chronic illnesses. I was able to finish high school. I went to college but I will admit it took me longer than everyone else to finish, but I didn't let that stop me. I still managed to plan a wedding, buy a house and traveled as much as I was able.

I will admit, it took me years to get diagnosed. Many doctors told my parents I was exaggerating and told me it was pain from depression...which I know was not it!! Took me awhile to find the right doctor.

It also took a lot of time for my friends to really get (as much as they could) what I was dealing with. But the people closest to me were very supportive in the end.

I know how difficult this is when you are trying to figure out your life and just have fun. Hang in there and do try to enjoy the times you feel well enough to do the things you love.
Posted 9/19/2013 5:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, and welcome, Saganist. Sorry you're having to deal with this when you're so young.

I was just thinking today (when I was pushing through fatigue, as usual) that I can't remember ever having as much energy as I wanted, as I thought I should have. I always seemed to have to rest inbetween things, when my friends didn't. about your age, I started trying to find foods, supplements, and exercises to make myself feel better. No one else I knew worried about this stuff. I also started getting back pain at that time. And foggy? Well, let's just say I've always been foggy!

My point is, I sometimes wonder if I didn't always have Fibro, to an extent..not full-blown, like it became later, but the predisposition. No one talked about Fibro in those days. Who knows....

Anyway - yes, ask away, vent away - we are here to help! We are all ages on this forum, although it's fairly rare to see someone as young as you - it does happen. Hope to hear more from you soon.

Debbie
Posted 9/19/2013 6:41 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome saganist! I can understand how you feel being so young. I have had fibro over 20 years and still sometimes I get jealous of my friends going out late to party. I feel like an old made sometimes having to crawl into bed early.

Once you learn how to manage your fibro better, life will be much enjoyable. You might have to make some life style changes so you can get better control. Life style changes as learning good sleep habits, eating healthy, decreasing your stress levels, exercising, resting some and adjusting one work schedule or school schedule. Usually when these things are undercontrolled the pain is decreased. If your pain is all over the board then it makes life miserable.

I learned by educating myself about fibro made a big difference in how I felt. I bought a great book and I finally could see myself on all these pages. It all started making sence. So I took what I learned from the book and the forum and put it to use. I finally got a good grip on my pain control and many other things. It didn't happen over night with seeing results. So dont get discourage. Just keep plugging away trying new methods to control your symptoms.

Try not to let fibro put fear in your future. Staying postive is very important when having a chronic illness. Many of us have to work on it daily. So many ways you can encourage yourself to stay postive. There are good books out there, taking care of yourself, meditation and I like to list my postive things before I go to bed. Journaling is great too. I try to stay in today and not future trip.

Just remember you can enjoy life and do about anything if you set your mine to it. I hope we see you around again.

Post Edited (ak angel) : 9/19/2013 12:45:07 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/19/2013 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Saganist,

It is horrible that we have to get it so young, isn't it? Sometimes I used to feel like I skipped straight from childhood to adulthood. But I don't dwell on it too much anymore - I just enjoy everything I can and try to be as uninhibited and optimistic as possible; that is the essence of the good parts of childhood anyway, right? I really am sorry that you got it at 15 - the teen years can often be the building blocks for the rest of your life, so what happens now and how you respond it will shape your lifelong habits. If you can get through this, you'll be able to get through almost anything, I'd imagine. And you've come to the right place for learning how to get through this :) it's great to see you here on healing well.

I was always rather unwell throughout childhood... Aches and pains, sensitive to touch, low immunity, headaches, sinuses, IBS, PMS and terrible menstrual cramps, poor coordination, that kind of thing. Then, when I was 16, I got a bug or virus of some kind, I don't know exactly what... But it was awful, like a flu a million times worse than usual. It just never went away. Here I am, 2 years and 7 months later (i just turned 19) and I'm still sick - but I'm a lot better than I was in the beginning! I've been learning loads of things that I can do to manage my condition and ease the symptoms - some of it helps, some of it doesn't, some of it isn't worth the side effects and some of it is unaffordable. But you'll have to try things for yourself to figure out what works for you. Can I direct you to a book called "Fibromylagia: your treatment guide"? It's a good starting point where you can catch a glimpse of the latest fibro research and some different treatments to check out.

You're not alone, we're all here for each other on this forum.

Jasmine Grace :)
Posted 9/19/2013 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Saganist and wecome!  You have gotten excellent responses already so I really don't have a lot to add.  Do keep moving, though.  If you sit or lay too long you will be stiff as a board and have more pain.  Walking is a good thing for you.

 

If you think you might be getting IBS, do keep a food journal and see what foods affect that.  I had a friend who suffered with IBS until she discovered she was allergic to dairy products.  She stopped eating them and the IBS went away.  That's where the food journal comes in handy.  Also, stress can play into that, too.  We also have a wonderful IBS forum on HealingWell that you might want to check out, also.

 

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

 

Sherrine

Posted 9/23/2013 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hello I'm also young I'm 21 and was told I had fibro when I was 18. I'm in college but is hard I'm still trying to figure out what medication will work for me trial and error. What medication have worked for you if you don't mind me asking and it's nice to have someone young here!
Posted 9/23/2013 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
SNRI, codeine, MSM, glucosamine, magnesium, multivitamin/mineral, rice protein powder (8 essential amino acids + super foods)...
Posted 9/26/2013 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
wow sorry to hear about this. Im 21 and I thought that was young. We can do it though, we have to =]
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