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Posted 12/8/2011 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
We are all so different.  We are all unique to this illness called fibromyalgia.  How fibro affects each one of us is different...including the intensity of the pain and fatigue.  We all have pain and fatigue but that's about where the exact likeness ends.  In the link Symptoms, in Fibro 101, there are 59 examples of symptoms and I would bet that there are more that aren't listed, too.  But, we don't have all the symptoms, thank goodness!  One might have most of them, some might have 32 of them, but we are each so different in the symptoms we have.

 

We are also so different in how we handle this illness.  For some it's a little easier than it is for others.  We just share what helps us and then other members can try these things to see if it helps them, too.  It is a trial and error situation with fibro...even with the medications, or lack of medications, that various members take.

I'm a firm believer in a positive attitude.  Even a few years back I was jumped on in the forum because of my positive attitude!  But, that really works well for me and it helps, actually, anyone who can get a handle on living with a positive attitude.  But, not everyone is so predisposed.  I realize this and try to help them as much as I can in developing it.  I hope that working together, we can all be a lot happier and have a good life in spite of this illness. 

 

I don't have to deal with depression most generally but I do have my days.  (I usually stay off the forum on those days.  You REALLY don't want my advice during those times.  shakehead  )  But I truly tasted real depression when my husband died suddenly so I do understand that type of pain, too.  It's a horrible, mentally painful feeling but, with proper help, you can improve on that issue too.  Exercise, light boxes like Mamanan is trying, and medications can all help this problem.  You can be happy again and I'm speaking from someone who has been there and done that. 

I know each one of you wants to be happy, healthy, and back doing what you love to do.  You will be able to do a lot of what you used to do once you find the combination of things that help you keep your pain under control.  I'll guaratee that because I have.  But, then again, I have periods where I can't do what I used to do and have to wait it out until fibro subsides for a bit.  Thank God this illness waxes and wanes!  But one thing I do do is attempt to do things.  I do not tell myself I can't do it and not try.  I try first and 80% of the time I surprise myself!  So, please do attempt things.  I think you will also be surprised at what  you really can do with this illness.

 

Because we are all so different, we really shouldn't have blanket statements said about us...and this illness.  One statement that I do think is absolutely true is we are all trying our best and living as best as we can manage each day.  We do take one day at a time and we are still wonderful people, make good friends, good parents, good spouses, good neighbors, etc.  Fibromyalgia can't take that away from us.  It would have to be able to cut out our hearts and souls to do that and that's not possible.  We are very strong individuals who have huge stores of compassion inside.  We reach out to help each other on this forum and others in our everyday lives and I believe will be rewarded for our efforts some day.  Now, that should put a big smile on everyone's face!

 

I hope everyone is having an especially great day, today.  I'll be paying bills so I'm not sure just how happy I'll be.   turn    But, you can go to the bank on knowing I do have a smile on my face.   yeah  I do love all of you and appreciate all of you.  Thanks for all the help you give.

Sherrine 

 

Posted 12/8/2011 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
:D
Posted 12/8/2011 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
Sherrine...I remember that time... when there was such a big hoopla over the discussion of over positive attitude. A statement I made stirred up alot of controversy...I said a positive attitude will take you a long way in dealing with fibro. Some found this statement offensive.

Sherrine took alot of flack for defending me. She has taught me alot about an attitude of grattitude and taking one day at a time, I am so thankful that she urged me to stay on this forum after that incident.

My heart does go out to those who suffer from depression, it is a cruel illness and your load must be heavy, and for that I am so sorry.  

We all basically are in this together, we share and care about one another, and we all want to live life as normally as possible.

Have a wonderful day, my friends :-)

Hugs, Robin

Posted 12/8/2011 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
Right on Sherrine!!!

This condition does affect each one of us in a very different unique way. All we can do is share what works for us and keep an open mind to others' suggestions. We all have whiny days and there is always someone here to help us thru those days. On good days, we come to support those who aren't having a pleassant day.

It is about EMPATHY...putting yourself in someone else's shoes. And I think we do it pretty well. I know that having a chronic medical condition has really taught me to be more compassionate to those with other problems and I know that I will aways get the friendship and support here that I need

thanks to you and the rest of HW posters for your continued support thru many difficult times

Maggie
Posted 12/8/2011 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
Positive attitude doesn't "cure" Fibromyalgia, but it sure doesn't hurt anything...there are only pluses to it. Trying to stay positive doesn't mean being in denial that you're hurting, it's just choosing to not let it destroy you. A positive attitude helps the body, a negative attitude certainly doesn't and only hurts us.
Posted 12/8/2011 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
I have a lot of health conditions and what amazes me and maybe confuses me a bit is when people tell me that I'm always so upbeat. Like what other choice is there??? Am I supposed to huddle in a corner and cry all the time? Fling shoes at people because I'm mad? Who wants to live like that? I choose to be that person that people like to be around because of positivity. No one wants to be around a sour puss all the time. I find that a positive attitude gives a better mental picture of it all.

Sure I have my down days, afterall I am human. If I was happy go lucky all the time, I think it would be time for the padded room.

This is a very nice post Sherrine.
Posted 12/8/2011 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
Wonderful post. We are all so different yet the same in the way that we want to live a happy life.
Posted 12/8/2011 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Oh yes we definitely are all so different. Not cool though Sherrine the treatment I have received from you. My question of sensitivity towards smell went into a pissing contest. Now your trying to make yourself look good. All I want to do is help people. I didn't sign up for this forum to compete to see who has the best blog. I'm not picking away at people. All I have shown is positivity. All the people who responded to Sherrine's post/mine proved my theory, Misery Welcomes Company!!!!

Here's a little story for you to show you can do anything you want in life

A volunteer of mine who's now 55, came from a mother who was a **********, had 5 siblings, grew up in poverty, was raped/molested and the story goes on.

My volunteer suffers from depression, severe back injuries, always has bad luck, sleep disorders and a few other things. What does she do with her life? She volunteers with animals. Do I ever hear a complaint from her mouth? NEVER. I would gladly listen with open ears, but she's so happy.

Someone coming from this situation/quality of life is so inspiring.

Another quick story

I have a nursing background. I have worked with persons with disabilities, seniors and so much more.
One child I encountered I would never forget. He only had the mobility of half a finger, yes half a finger. Did I ever hear him complain? NEVER he was in horrific pain around the clock.Confined to a wheelchair for life. He now raps, shares his story and is adored by all.

So we all may have Fibro but positivity is the key. It's not easy but we can do it. So rather than picking each other apart, lets work together & live life.
Posted 12/8/2011 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, please stop. We all know amazing people, inspiring people, annoying people.

It's when you make blanket statements, focusing on a certain group, that problems begin, whether it's an ethnic-smelling food or people with a particular physical problem.

Sherrine locked that post for good reason. It means, "enough!"

Debbie
Posted 12/8/2011 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Sherrine...thank you for the inordinate amount of time you spend trying to make our lives easier through the power of positive thinking.  This forum is blessed to have you in our corner.  The sarcasim and bitterness that leak through occasionally are dealt with quickly and efficiently.  This is one of the few forums that will not tolerate name calling and cat fights....which makes it much easier to post our problems without the fear of being judged by people who log on just to be contrary.

Just sayin...you're the best.

Huggies

Donna

 

Posted 12/8/2011 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah your missing the point. Sherrine started the issue not me. I simply asked a question & she redesigned the whole thing. Like I said I didn't come here to stir up trouble or drama, simply to share my story & inspire others. For those who claim I have no understanding of fibro, I do. I kick it's butt each day. You have no idea how hard it is to run a cat rescue. I fought and fought Fibro each day and guess what? I've WON. I've encountered thousands of people from various backgrounds & can pretty much read them in 5 seconds. I could just tell by the tone in certain people's voices if I was going to adopt to them or not.

I'm thankful for Fibro. I wouldn't change a thing. It's allowed me to save thousands of lives, live my dream and has made me a stronger person.

If I can do it anyone can.
Posted 12/8/2011 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Sherrine,

I wholeheartedly agree with Donna, you are an absolute blessing to this forum, a strong, positive force.  How much time it takes to read and respond to all the posts that you do, research all the questions you find answers to, I can't even imagine.  You continually  greet new people with a "smile" and hope and encouragement - honestly, I wouldn't be able to do that on such a regular basis. 

So thank you!  :-)   yeah   :-)   from me, too.

Debbie

Posted 12/8/2011 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Rock on, Ms. Sherrine! Thanks for your hard work, and for helping many people.
Posted 12/8/2011 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
We are very happy that you have won your battle with fibro, truly but not everyone has and not everyone will but we try everyday and respond with positive coping skills, work take care of our families, pray meditate anything we can.

BUT not everybody is successful all the time and that is why we come here because we understand the battle...

Progress not perfection is what I seek everyday...

maggie
Posted 12/8/2011 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
We love you Sherrine!!! yeah

Hugs, Robin :-)

Posted 12/8/2011 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
We ARE all different.

Some of us have mild to moderate pain and some of us get acute pain. Some of us may handle it better than others. But that is okay. Because we are all struggling with our own battles, together. This is a good forum, I help moderate it, but don't spend nearly as much time here as Sherrine does. I am thankful for her knowledge and her compassion. Sherrine had a level head on her shoulders and is a fighter. A lot of us have more than just fibro. I happen to know Sherrine is battling many different things right now, and she still comes shining though with good advice and a good attitude. She is a true asset to this forum.

So let's continue to support eachother the way we always do.

I hope that you all are having a painfree day.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 12/8/2011 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Livewithfibro...we have members on this forum who are college professors, nurses, full time students with several part time jobs, construcion workers and accountants.  They all  work hard and succeed despite fibro and the myraid of problems that come with it.  We have one college professor that walks miles a day up and down stairs and back and forth to her car.  I am one of those 'dinosaurs' that you encourage people to avoid like the plague, but back when I was younger I managed to get four books published and later, become CEO of a publishing company...all with fibro.  So...yes I know how hard it is to run a cat rescue...and I DO get it.  All of us here GET IT. 

As the title of this post says...we are all different.  Our ways of coping are different.  If yours works for you...have at it.

 

Posted 12/8/2011 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, everyone!  You have really touched my heart today.  I appreciate all of you so much.  You have all made a difference in my life, too.  I have learned a lot from you and continue to learn and grow with fibro.  Thanks, again.  You have made my day!

 

Hugs,

Sherrine

Posted 12/9/2011 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
Many thanks to Sherrine and all of the other moderators who keep this forum comfortable for all of us. I love to come in here to give and get support.

Free Spirit
Posted 12/10/2011 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
I joined this forum and come back to it nearly daily because I value the positive attitude that Sherrine has nurtured with her moderator duties. There are many different forums, message boards and chats for people with fibro but I didn't agree philosophically with most of the others. I'm newly diagnosed and still trying to "find my footing" with this DD. I work full time, I'm a virtual single mother because my husband works in a different state.

I have family, friends and co-workers who have fibro and I value the information I get from them. A couple of us at work will do a "check-in" if one of us is having a particularly bad day. If we then discover the others are too, then it is likely the weather and not something we did in the last day or two. We also encourage each other to eat right, exercise and take care of ourselves. One in our group has lost 77 pounds in the last year!

This group is a safe place for me to find out about supplements, prescriptions, alternative therapies, and research for fibro. It also forces me to focus on the bright side of life. There will be bad days, and this site is a great place to vent as well.

LiveWithFibro, I read your blog and my daughter and I loved the cat pictures. You had some good points, but it comes off very one sided. As this is titled "We are all so Different" I'm 20 years older than you are and entering the menopause years. In my 20s I had much more energy, my body recovered much faster from injuries and illnesses. I've been hit twice by drunk drivers and now my back hurts so much that I can't even scoop cat litter for one cat, let alone twenty (thank God for teenagers) When I wake up in the morning and my legs hurt so much that I can't walk, only shuffle, all I want to do is walk...heck with Salsa dancing. I do try to eat healthy, but I have three kids to feed too and I don't have the energy to cook separate meals. I work full time and in order to get up two hours early to get ready for my day...I'd have to get up at 4 am. I can't go back and choose not to have kids, nor would I want to.

You have some good advice, decluttering and purging stuff from your house is very freeing. It can help clear your mind and help you focus on what is important. Focusing on the positive is always good. Setting goals and pushing yourself to meet them, wonderful. But there are many different levels of fibro and what is possible for one person might not be for another. If you keep that in mind and remember that sometimes there are reasons that people need to go on assistance or might feel negative on a particular day. When you are writing a blog if you take a strong stance one way or another, there will be people who disagree with you.
Posted 12/10/2011 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Something Sherrine said struck a chord w/ me. When she is feeling down, she stays off the forum. That is what has been going on w/ me for awhile. I don't like to post when I'm feeling down. I don't feel  I would be giving the helpful answers I would like to give to my friends. Having said that, I will also state that I try to come here most days. I am concerned w/ my friends here, even if I'm not posting, I am praying for the good ppl here.

We are all different, whether we have Fibro or not. We all have our own ways of doing things, feeling things. One of the great things about this forum is we seem to understand that we are different, but we are all the same. We get up each day and try our best to live. Live to the best of our abilities. We may have S/O, children, pets, jobs, friends, or we may not have any of them. We are all looking to connect w/ ppl who understand we are all human.

I 'know' many of the folks here have been posting for awhile, some are new. I look forward to hearing how ppl are coping. It helps me on days when I just feel so low. It gives me hope that things will get better. It makes me feel good to see ppl finding hope while posting here - the friendship has such a positive effect on all of us.

So many of the members here have been there for me at very low times in my life, and I appreciate all of you good ppl. I think we are all strong ppl, and I think the positive, kind, and empathetic nature of our members inspire each of us. It helps us attain our goals, we feel safe in this environment.

One of the biggest reasons for this environment is Sherrine! We have all seen how she spends so much time looking up info pertaining to Fibro and some other DDs. She puts so much of herself into this site.' Fibro 101' alone was a back breaker, but she was determined to make it the best it could be - it is a gem!! I asked her a question one time OT, she went out of her way to give me in depth info, and this was as she was recovering from illness. I think the world of Sherrine, she is a very good lady. We are very lucky to have her here. Sherrine, I thank you for all the time and effort you put into the forum and most of all for just being the person you are. God bless you, dear friend!

Alice.

Posted 12/10/2011 5:41 AM (GMT 0)
Sherri and the others that support this forum, I just want to thank you. My life has turned around ever since starting here. I was a basket case when I first started and after many months I began to balance out. I listen and attempted many ideas for fibro. I finally found a stable remedy for me. I am very blessed to have this kind of support
Posted 12/10/2011 6:37 AM (GMT 0)
Sherrine....I missed the first post....where the heck was I. lol... On a more serious note I want to thank you as well as the other moderators. This forum has made such a difference in my life. Keep up the great work. I have learned along time ago how to block certain people who are so narrow minded from my life.

Thanks again, Amy
Posted 12/10/2011 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
blush   Aw, gee.  Thank you...all of you!  But, all of you, along with Karen (getting by) and Chutz, keep this forum humming, too.  I know I can stay off it for a day or so because you are there to jump in and welcome newbies and help one another.  You are a huge part of the success of this forum.  And, I believe this is the best fibro forum out there, too, and am thrilled to be a part of it.  So, give yourselves a huge, gentle pat on the back, too.  By working together we are truly healing well.

 

Sherrine

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