Does anyone ever...

Hi Bunbun1982,

First of all, you are now not alone in this. We all deal with what you are going through now. It sounds like you are taking a lot of good steps to keep things at bay, and I gaurentee you they are going to pay off. I am glad that you are going to see a psychologist. I see one and it really helps. Fibromyalgia messes with our mental state very badly.

Are you taking a leave of absence from work? Will you be able to go back when you are ready. I highly suggest working if you can. It really is good for our ego and our pocket. But if you find you can't work, you might want to think about disability.

I have recently started drinking lemon water. I have lost about 16 pounds. I don't drink soda anymore. I don't know if you do or not. But I highly recommend drinking as much water as you can, as it hydrates the muscles. But I was drinking a lot of fountain pop. Now that I have stopped, I feel better. I walk as much as possible. I do recommend walking if you can. Even if you only go about five minutes at a time. It adds up. Eventually you can go further each day. And it is good for the mind and body. I walk as much as I can. Even do little things like parking away from my destination so I have to walk further. Like I say, it adds up.

Try to keep a good attitude. I know you are probably depressed because right now you can't do the things you use to be able to. And it seems like a lot of fibromites lead a very active life prior to fibro. And I think that is where the weight gain comes in because we aren't as active as we use to be. So it not only depresses us because we can't do the things we use to, but it depresses us because we gain weight. Most of us do anyway.

I forgot to welcome you to the forum. So... Welcome!!! Know that you are among friends. We have a thread at the top of the page called "fibro101". Our sweet Sherrine put it together for us. If you get a chance, please do read it, I think you will find it interesting. Also at the top of the page, you can click on videos about fibromyalgia. Also, I moderate the depression forum, so if you are feeling down, or for any reason, feel free to post there too. They are also a wonderful group of members who also understand. Our Chutz also moderates chronic pain which is also a wonderful forum.

I hope that you start to feel better soon. Feel free to ask all the questions that you would like, we are here to help you.

Take care and have a wonderful, energetic and painfree day.

Hugs, Karen

I agree about the internet. I do enjoy this forum. And it is so nice to know that you aren't the only one going through all of this. I know what you mean about that time of the month. fortunately, I don't have to deal with that anymore, I don't think. I am 52 now and I think I am done. But you never know. But I use to take black cohosh (sp) and don quai around that time of the month. It helped. Pms can be a major trigger with fibromyalgia. But if you know it is coming and can prepare for it, it helps.

I am glad that you are reading on the forum. It does help to know that you aren't alone. Have a wonderful afternoon.

Hugs, Karen

Hi, Bun Bun, and welcome!  I'm so glad you found us and joined in!  We do have a wonderful group of people that love to help each other and, as a bonus, we really do care about each other, too.  I think you will like it here.

 

Oh, we have all had feelings like this.  It's hard when you go from a very active person to one that has difficulty doing some of the simplest things.  It's a real smack in the face from reality.  But, we can't "cower" in the corner and allow fibromyalgia to become in control of our lives.  We have to stand up to this illness, face it head on, and learn what helps us in dealing with this.  I'm stubborn and will not allow an illness to take away my independence and happiness. 

 

I see Karen referred you to Fibro 101.  There is a world of information on those links and you will learn a lot there.  It's important to be knowledgable of this illness because we have to be our own advocates.  One of the links that could help  you is called Maintaining a Positive Attitude: Ten Strategies.  It's excellent.  I'm a firm believer in having a positive attitude and I think it has helped me heaps with this illness.  There isn't anything I don't think I can do!  I have learned to pace myself, learn little tricks to work around fibro and, so far, I've done what I've wanted to do.  It's not in the same time frame, but it does get done.  It's funny.  I have never had work disappear on me! 

 

I use ibuprofen with food, extra strength Tylenol, malic acid/magnesium supplements and vitamin D3 supplements to help with pain and fatigue.  Added to that I do gentle stretching exercises, gentle daily exercises (I walk and swim), gentle massages, and I pace myself.  All this combined has helped me be in control of fibromyalgia.  What works for one doesn't necessarily work for another so you do have to try things out to see what helps you.  What I do has helped quite a few on the forum.  Oh, there are links in Fibro 101 about malic acid/magnesium supplements, vitamin D3, and gentle stretching exercises.  These things could make a difference for you.  Always ask your doctor.  I asked mine and he thought I was wasting my time and money but, guess what?  He was wrong! 

 

Try not to stress out.  You said you were terrified of being fired.  Right there can cause you more pain.  You are projecting yourself in the future and no one knows what the future holds!  Try taking one day at a time and living it as fully and as enjoyably as possible.  I do this and I also look forward to each new day with anticipation.  It could be an absolutely wonderful day!  If it's a lousy day, I can deal with that too.  Using deep breathing exercises and also looking at all the beauty around you helps, too.  We all have those down in the dumps-type of day but these techniques have really helped me a lot.

 

I have lost 85 pounds.  I did this by limiting my carbohydrates...not eliminating them but watching so I don't eat too many.  I did this, along with walking and it has become a way of life for me now.  I lost the weight six years ago and it's still off.  Amazing!  I didn't stop eating anything because I didn't want to be on a diet.  Diets don't work.  I needed to change my thinking about what I ate.  I now eat more fruits and vegetables, I found a low carb/low calorie bread (White Wheat), and I'm just eating healthier.  Like Karen, I drink ice water with fresh lemon juice in it.  These are things that can help you but yet you can still eat what you fix for your family for dinner.  I fill half my plate with veggies, 1/4 with meat, and 1/4 with a starch.  This has worked great for me. 

 

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

if you are in ontario, psychotherapists are covered by ohip, psychologists are not. Counselling through rehabs would depend on the program you are in, I would think. So make sure which one you're going to. I worked at a psychotherapy clinic and often had to explain the difference.

Its nice to see a couple more canadians on here. Id love to speak to people in the gta especially. Share doctor tips, etc...

This is crazy we are all so alike. Fibro. is crazy and I still can't beleive it does all this to us. I depend on the forum sometime to get me thur things.
For some reason I trust everyone here. I can relate to almost everyone on the form.
Thank you,
marmar