The positive side of fibro

So I was thinking lately about all the ways that fibro has changed my life for the better.

I am super sensitive to all sense- touch, taste, smell, sound, sight
-I love the feeling of soft clothes, of rubbing my feet in the bed and feeling the soft blanket and sheets
-I love the simple joy of putting on fuzzy socks
-I enjoy the sounds of nature, birds chirping in the morning and crickets at night
-It is fun that I can easily ease drop and hear peoples conversations (yeah yeah, I know- but I have to do something to entertain myself at work)
- I love the feel of books as I am trying to select a book of the bookshelf
-I love the smell of those books and the smell of food cooking and the smell of the wind


Moreover, I have an exaggerated startle relex that leads me to startle anywhere between 10-100 times a day (which is a huge problem)- but man oh man- does it have a fun side as well. If something is gone to fall- don't worry! I will catch it. Fibrogirl to the rescue! I smirk every time someone drops something and I catch it or I am cooking in the kitchen and rescue dishes about to be smashed on the floor.

Not to mention, my husband and I are constantly laughing up a storm at the silly things my startle has me doing. I sometimes smack him, run into the other room, cover my head with random objects, look like I am having a seizure (shaking my head etc), and running across the room.

If I hear an unknown noise- I stop midsentence and will scan the room to find the sounds- like an animal freezing on the prairie. If I smell something that I cannot identify- I stop midsentence and start sniffing the air- like a dog. Fibro has me doing the most goofy things- at times (I hope I am not the only one)! These things have me constantly laughing!

I love that fibro forced me to learn to manage stress. It also taught me to have realistic expectations of myself. It taught me what was important in life and to enjoy the small things. It also taught me to understand people more and to sympathize. It taught me to eat healthier, to know my limits, to understand diet and nutrition.

Fibro has given me 100 new symptoms and problems that I never knew you could have! I have learned so much about the human body and how things can go wrong. I have learned the coolest scientific/medical facts and been fascinated about how this mystery illness of ours can affect so many different bodily systems. As a scientist, I have been fascinated learning about the fibro body.

What all do you think you have gained from fibro? I wouldn't go back and forgo fibro, if I could because I believe it has made me a better, stronger, and in ways a healthier person.

This is so great thread! I had to stop work so it has slowed me down to see life at a slower pace. I really appreciate the simple things now such as a warm bed and a roof over my head. I have become more spiritual through this journey. I feel very blessed to have 2 wonderful children and a husband who provides for me. I enjoy staying home having supper done for the evening.

The biggest thing I rediscovered the beauty of Alaska. I really forgot how beautiful our state is. I got to see the whales very close this week. They were eating the sammon and getting ready to migrate. Wow!

Realistic expectations, yes!

The biggest thing is that it is making me learn how to sit still. I am not very good at being still and being inactive. One thing fibro has taught me is that having nothing to do can be good. When I am feeling achy, I don't have to be active, I can close my eyes and meditate and breathe, and be in the here and now.

It has taught me to be more mindful.

It has slowed me down a lot. It has also made me noticed how I was wild with my money. I'm living off a fraction of the money I used to and I even have a savings. You learn to live cheaper when most of your money goes to the doctors and medicines.