Advice

Hi all! I am new to this forum. I am in kind of a rut right now and could really use some advice. Here's my situation:

I had to leave my great job a few months ago due to extreme pain. It was compromising my quality of life and starting to compromise my work performance

My savings I thought I'd have to support myself for a while ran down with unforeseen expenses so I basically have enough for one car payment left

My boyfriend and I have been living with his family to help out with his younger sisters while his parents are having a tough time but after almost a year, we need to move out for our own sanity. We can't afford to do so now that I don't have a job

I've looked for work even tried a couple things short term but it all proved too painful. I'm thinking about just getting any job and if I hurt I'll just cry in the bathroom because I'm running out of options

I missed qualifying for disability by one "quarter" (point)

I have no family that would (not that I could or would ask) help financially or that I can live with

My boyfriend wants to become a police officer but can't for two years (a whole other story) and so he's stuck with low paying security jobs for now and feels bad he's not making more. I tell him it's not his fault I have Fibro. So we are really limited.

We literally are out of money, even with no rent, he makes $9.50 an hour and we have a car payment, cell phone bill (lowest plan possible), medical bills, and general living costs. We don't spend money on anything we don't absolutely need but you can only stretch a small income so far

I can't afford to take care of my health or seek treatment. I also have spine and neck issues I was told I need a specialist for but I can't afford it.

I'm getting worse and worse due to the stress and lack of treatment which is caused by lack of money but prevents me from getting a job so it's a vicious cycle.

My mental health is decent at least, I used to suffer from severe depression but I overcame it and use what I learned to keep me positive and as happy as possible. My boyfriend and I's relationship is really good and we're together through it all.

To sum it all up; I'm not depressed or complaining I know it could be worse, I'm just blatantly stating my situation hoping on some advice for what to do. Sorry it's scattered, hard to think clearly on the bad days which I'm sure you all understand. I hope some one has some advice, prayers are appreciated as well

Thank you for taking the time,
Chanel

hi, Maybetomorrow, and welcome! Have you looked into Medicaid? That's for low I come families who can't afford insurance. I know medical expenses can drain savings accounts in a hurry.

Also, in Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum, there is a link to places that help with prescriptions. I think you get a card free and it saves you a lot of money. But you do have to be eligible. So this could help, also.

You might check to see if your community has programs to help low income families. This could give you a lift until things get better for you...and they will!

Now about your pain. Here are a few very inexpensive things you can do that may pay off big time. Many of us are deficient in certain vitamins and supplements. The ones that seem to help the most people here are magnesium and vitamin D3. Deficiencies in these can cause more pain. I use magnesium malate because it also has malic acid in it and studies have shown this helps with fibro pain. It also is much easier to digest and absorb because malic acid is like a food source. It's found in apples. Our body recognizes this as food and it's absorbed better. Vitamin D is gotten mainly from the sun but many wear sunscreen. I do so I was deficient in this vitamin. I take 5,500 IU a day. There are links in Fibro 101 all about these so you can learn more there. Actually, read all of Fibro 101. There is a lot of good info in it.

You can do gentle exercise which helps with fibro pain and fatigue. I walk and swim. Walking costs nothing and is excellent. It will lift your spirits and you will feel better and have more energy, too. I start my day with a 30 minute walk. If you haven't walked in a while, start out slowly and work your way up.

Karen mentioned a Bed Buddy. You can make one by taking a tube sock, filling it 2/3's full of long grained rice, and tying a knot at the end. Then, pop it in the microwave and it will give off moist heat due to the moisture in the rice. This would feel great on your neck and shoulders.

I bought a book on Amazon called The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook and that has helped me get rid of some pain. I cured my frozen shoulder using this. It has diagrams that show where the trigger points are that are causing you pain in certain areas of your body. You massage them away and the pain goes with it. The book I think was only $15...something like that. You can google it and check that out, also.

Once you can get on your own, I think your health will improve. Stress can cause so many problems.

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