HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

another newbe

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/7/2011 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
I have never joined any forum or chatrooms ect. in my life, but today is such a bad day that i feel i must have some way to vent. I have been in pain off and on sence last Feb. I went to my primary doc in April and after tousands of dollars in test  the only thing they found was a couple od dics in my neck needs surgery, i'm having it this month on the 23.I was told by the surgon it would not take away any of my pain. Ater months of going to one doc ater another I am finally seenin a rumatoligest this month. My doctor has persribed lyrica that seems to be doing nothing for me. I'm so tired of the pain. My husband has been great but is sick of hearing me complain. He dosen't really understand. work is getting harder and harder to do. I'm a aide in a nursing home. I just need someone to talk to that really understands what i'm going through. It's getting worse by the day. Any advice would be helpful

Posted 12/7/2011 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Neverthought, I remember being just where you are a few years ago. I never thought I would join a support group either. Never thought I would need one. I remember the first person who responded to my first post. She and I have never met, although we became cyber friends and we've kept in touch for several years. We've also spoke on the phone a few times. She was so understanding of what I was going through like no one in my life at the time. I cried when she wrote to me because for the first time someone knew my pain.

Venting is and writing are very helpful. I am reading a book about writing. There is much scientific research behind the power of putting your feelings into words.

I understand how you feel, I really do as so many others here will too. I was working full time when I was dx and continued to work for a couple more years. The day I was in so much pain, I could hardly bear it both physically and emotionally, no one understood what was wrong with me, (neither did I really) is the day I joined a support group. The woman I met helped me to not feel so much guilt about not being sick. It's not your fault this happened to you.

Keep trying to help your husband understand what you are going through. There is lots of information for family if you can get them to read stuff that is. My husband wasn't much on the reading of stuff. Husbands try to fix things and when they can't they can get frustrated and it can appear they are angry with you, but really they just feel bad because they can't make your pain go away. My husband and I eventually went to counseling to learn how to let fibro be part of our relationship. I try not to complain, but its pretty hard not to. When this affects us 24/7 it hard to not be vocal.

Keep posting and you will soon find you will be able to offer help to others in the same way people are able to help you.

Gentle hugs
Posted 12/7/2011 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome :)

I understand your frustration. Getting a diagnosis can be a lengthy and discouraging process. I too am waiting to see a Rheumatologist in Feb and hoping to get to the bottom of everything once and for all.

I hope they figure out what is going on with you. In the meantime, I hope you'll find this forum as helpful as I have. It really helps to know that you are not alone and there are people who 'get it' and really understand.

Wishing you the best.

Posted 12/7/2011 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
neverthought,
Hello and welcome. I think you will find a lot of helpful tips and tricks on this forum. I know I have. Do you sleep well? I think that you will find what your looking for here, there are loads of people who understand what you are going thru... I am having trouble being referred to a Rheumatologist, so I like you am awaiting an official diagnosis. One thing that I have found out from this forum is that when your feeling all this pain and fatique, the best thing is rest when you can...Get plenty of sleep and ask people for help when you need it, but keep moving and don't just give up and sit...Fibro gets worse when you don't move around at least somewhat. My guess is that you are getting lots of exercise with your job...What I would do (and remember I am new to this too) is to rest when your feeling terrible and do your chores and stuff when you are having better moments. At work take your much needed breaks if you can or talk to your boss and let them know that you may need to sit down periodicly and rest to recoop. Another thing that I am starting to figure out is that stress has a huge impact on Fibro and try to destress as much as possible. Hot baths, heating pads, herbal teas and pampering yourself all help...I sure hope you get the answers your looking for at the doctor and hope you get some relief soon.
You are in my thoughts, let us know how things are going.
Take care
Posted 12/7/2011 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Neverthought, and welcome!  I'm sorry we have to meet this way.  Fibro can be a cruel illness but there are things that can help you get in control of the pain.  If the Lyrica isn't helping you, let your doctor know.  There are other meds out there that have helped people with fibro.

 

I took ibuprofen with food for years but finally I developed a bleeding ulcer so I can't use that now.  I do take extra strength Tylenol, malic acid/magnesium supplements, and vitamin D3 supplements to help with pain and fatigue.  Many with fibro are deficient in these vitamins and nutrients and that can cause pain.

 

With fibro, if you sit or lay too long, you will be stiff as a board.  You do have to keep moving.  I do gentle stretching exercises, I have gentle exercises that I do daily (I walk or swim as my gentle exercise ~ yoga is another good gentle exercise for fibro), I pace myself when doing things, and I also get gentle massages once a month.  I'd love to get them more often but can't afford it.  All of this helps me keep in control of the pain.  Notice I didn't say "pain-free".  I'd have to be drugged up for that and I'm not willing to do that.

 

Be sure to check out Fibro 101...the second thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there.  Good starting links are called Symptoms, What Else Could It Be, and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia.  There are also links to the vitamins and nutrients mentioned above and also the gentle stretching exercises.  There are links that might help your husband to understand a little better about this illness, too.  So be sure to read it.  Even though I put it together, I go back and read things in it periodically!

 

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 12/7/2011 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Neverthought,

I am so glad that you found us. You have come to a wonderful forum. There is something to be said for writing things out. It seems to help a little. Puts things into another perspective for me.

I see you have been welcomed by a lot of members. You will find that we all come together for a lot of reasons. I think you will like us here.

I see Sherrine has directed you to fibro 101. She has put together a wonderful and informative thread. I think you will learn a lot there. And probably see yourself. I know I did.

I agree with Sherrine about moving around. I usually walk a lot. But it has been cold and damp and I haven't been getting out as much. I sure can feel it. I am in a lot more pain than I was. I know the weather is an important factor. It makes me feel worse. The sun keeps trying to come out today. I may push myself because I know I will feel better for it.

One of the main things that you can do for yourself, is pace yourself. We do have good days, and on these good days we tend to over do it. Then we suffer. So always try to pace yourself on the days that you are feeling better.

I hope that you continue to post. Do take care. Remember we are all here for you.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 12/8/2011 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Neverthought....I also like Springsun was in your shoes years earlier. I totally get your pain, and how hard it is on a person. I think a Rhuemy doc. is best for you it does sounds like you have fibro. Fibro seems to follow another trauma. Mine was discs in my back others can be even a car accident. Hopefully your rhuemy can then help with some pain relief,perhaps recommend physio, they will give you stretches to do. Pain relief will not completely take the pain away but will help subside it. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions or just need to vent/

I understand and I care

Bless you, Amy
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply