I am currently spending a lot of my time at home alone and able to do quite a bit of research. Its all so new to me i want to know as much as i can and what to really expect to come with life . My mom and i are currently looking at a part-time home schooling program and things to accommodate me and well the “needs” i now have . With going to school on a regular basis so hard , i truly think this is a better way to go . I have little to no friends since my diagnosis and spend almost all my time at home or at my loving boyfriends , who is also my very best friend. Yet the thing we are now wondering although it is in the far future is . Is it possible for a person / woman who has fibro to have children and them not have this disorder ? Is there really anyways to make the start eaiser? How can i graduate on time ? , and Will it always be this hard ?
I am young and very scared as to what life now has in store for me. Living in this small town i am the talk of everyone for miles around and no one quite gets how hard it really is to live with each day:(
Another question , does fibro really make a cold/flu worse ?
Hannah , wishing every one as pain-free of a day as possible !!!
I read your profile and it does not have any meds listed. Good news is that with the right combo of meds some people find relief from most of the pain. With fibro the key is to not over do things. While you may not be able to walk through the Mall with your friends without having to sit down and rest for a while you can still do things in moderation. Making sure you get good sleep is another thing My Rheumatologist stressed. You have to reach the 4th stage of sleep.
Many people with fibro. go to school or work. I know that kids talk and they will never understand what you have been living with. I would suggest that you not share your diagnoses with them... Stress triggers pain and the bullies come from everywhere when they see a weakness. I would hate to see you miss out on the most important years of school. The Junior and senior years are the most memorable.
How many children with disabilities go to your school? Now how many of those children have disabilities that can be seen? Now how many children go to your school with illnesses that cannot be seen? Ahhh you cannot answer that... I hope you do not allow Fibro. to become your life... it is a PART of your life but do not allow it to control your life. Live your life to the fullest... with the right Dr. and the right meds you should be able to remain in school and make the memories that you look back on and say.... those were the best years.
I do hope you find the right DR. to treat your fibro. I wish you joy and happiness. This fibro Journey is a tough one for sure but we all are strong people with the hopes and dreams of all the normal people... we just have to fight for things a little harder than others...
Hannah, my kids homeschooled for a few years and found it a rewarding experience. Many find that they can accelerate or graduate early by taking online courses. Homeschool communities can be very warm and accepting, too, so might be a good place for you to find friends.
As to what to expect from life, medicine is evolving rapidly with fibromyalgia, and there may be new treatments that will significantly change prognosis, so it is hard to predict the future, but I hope yours will be a bright one. All the best to you!
I home schooled thru my school my senior year do to illness. I was allowed to bring all my work home and complete it their. Their are different home schools now and I hope you can find a good match.
This illness affects every one differently please remember that. The important thing is to do what is right for you. I worked for many years as a nurse and have 2 children and 4 grandchildren now. I ate right exercised took 2 meds and got plenty of rest.
I do feel worst when I have a cold/flu and it does seem to take longer to get over it.
I feel the people around you should no of your illness so they understand it may take you longer to do things or if they want to do something with you that it may not be able to be a all day thing
I hope you can find the right combination for you please keep us posted on how you are doing
Hi Hannah, I know how overwhelming this can seem. I was diagnosed years ago in my mid 20's. I still work and I have a wonderful 10 year old daughter. We all face challenges and fibro is different for everyone but I find keeping my stress level down and learning to take it easy when needed has been a huge benefit for me. Also finding the right med combination and getting enough sleep are very important. Hugs.
Hannah, I just wanted to tell you how much I admire you. You’re so young and have alot you’re dealing with and yet you are reaching out, researching, looking for answers and planning your future. You have a tremendous perseverance of spirit and a wisdom beyond your years. I know you will find your way and I am so glad you are with us.
Hugs,
Laurie
Welcome, Hannah. It sound like you have been diagnosed very recently and are very new to this information. Internet research can be very helpful, but it can also be very scary. Fibro is not a death sentence nor does it mean the end of your life as you knew it to be. MOST fibro sufferers are able to get good control of their condition with medications, physical therapy and exercise plans and are able to live their lives just like everyone else. Those that you find in support groups like these usually fall into three categories of patients: Newbies- the recently diagnosed who are scared, worried, and looking for information and support; Outliers- these are people who don’t respond to typical treatments, or have other conditions that exacerbate their pain and fibro symptoms; and The Rest- these are either people who have responded well to meds and linger to offer support and information to new patients or Outliers who are doing the same. You rarely find people who are feeling really good hanging around in a support group. They are out living their lives. The reason I mention this is that seeing the posts here might make you think that no one gets better, and that simply is not the case.
Your first stop needs to be with a Rheumatologist. They specialize in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, arthritis and fibromyalgia. This will be the doctor that can help with medication to treat the fibromyalgia and come up with a good treatment plan for you that includes PT and exercise. You may find that, with the right medication, you are back to your usual life and making plans for the future. There are numerous meds to try, and it may take some time to come up with the right fit, but it is well worth the time it takes. When I finally accepted the diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and started Lyrica, I was feeling better within a week. It was amazing! Now the only time I have fibro pain is first thing in the morning, and it goes away after I take my medicine. Your primary care provider can hook you up with a good rheumatologist, if you don’t already have one.
Until you have gotten the right treatment, don’t worry about the future. Just take one day at a time. If you need to homeschool for now to keep up, then do that. If you feel better at a later date, you can always go back. Were it me, I would continue with regular classes, especially if you haven’t seem a rheumatologist yet. You may find that this is very controllable in a short period of time, and that you didn’t need to invest the time and funds into homeschooling. In simpler terms, don’t make any long term plans until you have seen a rheum and tried at least one med.
I wish you the best of luck, and hope that the first medication you try is your wonder-drug.
Hello. I as well am newly diagnosed. I am only 47 and feel pretty close to feeling how you feel. All my friends seem to have moved on in a different direction in life, and still have the late night party thing going on. Me and my fiance retire early (he gets up early for work) and everyone is just going out to party as we head to bed. I live in a small florida town with nothing much to do. I cant remember daily things, so I applaud your efforts to go back to school- I wish you much luck. I am young and feel, whats left if the life I was trying for is not able to happen.
I knew for approx. 6 years something was wrong, like at work- i would go to my car, (100 degrees in car) lay on ice packs and take an hour nap for lunch- otherwise I would not make it through the day. I would sleep at night 10 hours on top of that. My primary doctor doesnt take me seriously so I realized right away to see specialists. Keep nagging her until I got a referral- was my only success in all of this.
Hannah, I recently myself have been dealing with the struggles of being diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and I too have been wondering how life can be lived to the fullest with this debilitating condition. I recently found a book, that has been helping me and as I have not gotten through all of it yet, I cannot tell the overall outcome. But, it might benefit you as well. It is Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain--A Survival Manual, Second Edition by Devin Starlanyl and Mary Ellen Copeland. Don't let what others are saying get you down, it is that they do not know or just do not want to know, and that sometimes we have to educate on what is not seen instead of what is. I pray that this helps, God Bless.
Fibro effects every one differently and you will have to find what works for you. When I have a cold I do feel worst I found this article for you. Rember attitude is very important to always try and have a positive attitude.
Unfortunately, this link is to a blog post. It does not provide any evidence to support colds being worse in FM patients, and is simply opinion. There is, however, a lot of data supporting illnesses triggering flares, but that’s probably something that everyone already knew or had figured out.
With cold and flu season closing in fast, we should all be checking in with our doctors to see about flu shots, or any other seasonal immunization. I wonder how many have has the pneumonia vaccine. It’s normally given to elderly or immunocompromised patients, but it might be a good thing to ask about. I can’t IMAGINE how much having pneumonia with FMS would hurt.
I know you will find your way and I am so glad you are with us.