So much wisdom here. It is absolutely true that the only person I can change is myself. And I say thank goodness for that. Taking responsibility for myself is as much as I can handle. Maybe we should start a 'gratitude' thread. I am truly grateful that I do not have to take responsibility for any one else's behaviour. I am grateful that I have been diagnosed because now I can work on getting the treatment that I need, whatever that may be. And I am grateful that I have found this group who are able to accept others without judgement
Thats a very positive therapist you have there Jillian. I don't wanna p on her bonfire though lol, but easier said than done isn't it? I adopt the same attitude but sometimes you just think "oh F off!" lol. We have learned (and still learning) to be really strong people. That is one thing we can be proud of.
And I'm very proud of you Jillian for being an ispiration to us!
And I'll take your word for it re the childbirth. I haven't been that lucky lol
Jo x
Awwww that is so true Saf!
And I am grateful you came up with that point. We do need to focus on the things we should be grateful for as much, if not more, the things we are suffering
I feel the same way and have the same frustrations. There is no supper tonight. I had to go get a tax problem resolved today. I am beat. I slept for 4 hours when we got back. I am still exhausted. It is all the time.
Hi ive been through exactly what you have said,yes its hard and you feel terrible for letting people down,but hey at the end of the day,its you that feels wretched for letting them down,and you feel frustrated and angry,but you know all that negative energy you are emotionally feeling is not doing you much good.
What i did was to get as much paper work and info as poss,and show your Mum and Family,and that way they can see,the symptons and what you are going through every day.
Some of my family started to {get it!!} and some didnt,but you know ive grown not to use any excuses as they put it,and let them get on with it!!!,those who love me the most are the ones i know understand,i hope ive helped,and you are certainly not on your own!!!.
Take care,and hugs sent your way x
Yes, I found a letter online somewhere to the family members of patients with fibromyalgia. It was very detailed and heartbreaking. It really helped with the details.
Oh yes, that’s the “Letter to Normals”. I’ve read it many a times and I’ve posted it on fb many times. I actually cried the first time I read it and my husband actually changed when he read it.
Blessings, Flower Power! Instead of disappointing myself and others I just do not commit anymore. . . I truly relate to how you feel. . . I know that my family judges me but I had to tell them I do not know when I will be well enough to please them. . . I have even cancelled numeous doctor's visits or have forgotten I had one. . . I was very responsible and was not a procrastinator. . . now it feels Iile I am always waiting until the last minute to do what I have to do and I am not a woman of my word anymore. . . I believe it is more difficult for me than for those who have known me for a while - specially my family. . . I am 61. . . Just take care of yourself - only you know how you feel. . . I am sending you bunches of gentle hug - be good to yourself - love yourself above all. . . this fibro is soooo. . Irma
Irma, I am the same way. I’ve even told my drs I can’t give them 24 hrs notice. I have one who insists on charging so I just said I could not be a patient, and that stopped that.
I have forgotten my mammogram twice because they only schedule them on Mondays. Forget Mondays, I do-not that I do anything on the weekends.
I used to spend every Saturday with my parents out running errands, shopping. I ended up spending more time in the car than with them. Now, I don’t even try. It took them a while to stop asking, but they get it now. I try to get out once a week for my sanity. If I have drs appts, that is my time out.
Take care Irma.
Hi, I have this problem too with my family! How often I've canceled on them! Whenever I say "yes" to plans, my mother and everyone knows it doesn't mean much from me and not to get their hopes high that I will be there. For me it's frustrating to know I let them down so often and that they don't understand that I'm telling the truth, that I really don't feel well. I only recently got the fibromyalgia diagnosis..maybe now they will understand better? I don't know. :P
Oh that's a great idea regarding explaining the symptoms of fibromyalgia with some paper work! I'm also learning not to stress out to much about letting my family down. Even if everybody else thinks I keep giving "excuses", I know the truth, I know how I feel, and I'm learning to accept that it doesn't matter what anybody else thinks! :)
Good for you. You're so right there!