I'm 16 and have Fibromyalgia, would this mean I have to start thinking of having kids soon?

I'm 16 and have Fibromyalgia, would this mean I have to start thinking of having kids soon?

Hi, Brasso, and welcome! Fibromyalgia doesn't affect your ability to have children. So, as Rose said, take your time. Finish your education and enjoy your youth! It passes by too quickly. Take your time, find a wonderful guy who loves you in spite of this illness, and then you will be able to enjoy your family when you decide to have children.

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. There are links to good info and you will learn a lot there.

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

HI Brasso,

Like the ladies said, take your time. Not all people end up in a wheel chair. And mine has not progressed, I barely have flares. But I exercise, take supplements and drink a lot of water. I keep a positive attitude and most days are good.

The more you worry, the more you stress, the more you stress, the more you have a flare. So try to stay relaxed. Take life one day at a time. Have your children when you are ready to have them and can provide for them.

You don't want to have a bunch of kids and then not be able to work because you are too stressed out. Wait until you are ready. Just like you would anyway.

You are only sixteen. You need an education and a good job to have kids now days. You want to be able to provide for them don't you? I think so... You want to be a good mom, that means providing for them. Which is a huge responsibility in itself. That alone is stressful enough.

You mentioned you suffer with depression and have a LOT of stress going on in your life at the moment. That will bring on a flare if you aren't careful. Try to stay relaxed and get rid of the stress. That is only going to make both your depression and fibro worse. Oh and feel free to post on the depression forum also. If you need to.

I hope that you feel better soon.

Hugs, Karen

I don't have a lot of experience with this disease but I can tell you that I'm better now than I was when I was first diagnosed. I know a lot of people who have it and none of us are in a wheelchair. Right now the best thing you can do is focus on getting yourself into the best position possible to be the best mother you can be. Finish school and college. Eat well, find an exercise program you can do and stick with it. Find a good man who will love you, stick by you, and support you emotionally, spiritually and physically if necessary.

Nothing will make you feel worse than stress and as the parent of a child about to go off to college and two daughters who are about to turn 13 and 15...I'll tell you that no matter how much you love those kids, they will NOT reduce your stress! From 2 am feedings, to ear infections, to separation anxiety, to going off to school, to homework battles, to 5 am drives to their various sports, to middle school crushes, fights and emotional roller coasters, to high school grades, dances, dating, learning to drive, to college apps and loans...every single stage has its wonderful and not-so-wonderful things. These kids will be helpful one minute and the most maddening person on the planet the next. I've dealt with learning disabilities, bullying, and autism. I can tell you that no matter how much I loved my babies I was not emotionally or mentally ready to deal with all of those issues when I was 16!

The very best thing you can do both for your future children and for yourself is to make sure you are in the best position possible to be the best mom you can be. If you are constantly worried about money, you'll hurt more (I'll tell you this is a fact because I've been worried a lot about college costs lately and triggered a flare) and you'll never be in a good position financially if you have a baby now.

Joy