Hi, I'm Patty and I'm very happy to have found this support group. From what I've seen so far, it seems like a very caring and supportive group.
I don't seem to understand why we don't get more information from doctors about fibromyalgia. I was just poked around my pressure points (ow), given Cymbalta and I had to actually ask for Ibuprofen. Is it that this illness is "all in our heads"? This is REAL PAIN. For me, it builds as it comes on. For instance, if I'm standing and doing dishes I can feel the pain come on intensely in my lower back....then it builds, it gets worse and worse until I just finally have to stop and sit down. I often wonder what would happen if I didn't sit down. I would probably collapse to the floor.
Anyway, I'm currently awaiting my hearing for a decision for disability benefits for my depression and fibromyalgia. I hope it all goes well because we have been living in near poverty for several months now, and I hate the humiliation that goes along with it. I just want to get by and pay my bills, that's all. I am also going through a horrific child custody battle with my ex, that has more than taken it's toll on me. (Too much to mention here.) I have two children, and one is autistic.
Too much to read for a first post, sorry. Take care, anyone who might read this. Manage your pain the best you can and take it easy.
Hi Patty, please don’t apologize… And yes this pain is real, there are almost 2,000 members here that would confirm this. Most of us could not just get by with Cymbalta & ibuprofen, and it sounds like you have a lot on your plate… Custody fight, the disability process & a child with autism… That’s a lot !!! I’m so sorry you have all this to manage, stress reduction is so important for us ! I can totally relate to having to sit down because the pain is to much to continue even the easy task of washing the dishes, I have to load & unload my dishwasher in stages. We have to find a balance of being able to keep up with everyday tasks while not overdoing it. It’s hard to learn how to juggle things and keep pain under a certain point. We often overdo it, just trying to keep up with things. And it can be frustrating to know that laundry and grocery shopping just can’t be done in one day.
I hope your disability gets approved, the stress of not being able to pay bills takes a nasty toll on us.
Reading through other posts will help, I’m so glad you have joined us ! This group has been a god sent for me
Hugs & blessings
dee
HI PATTY DONT APLOGIZE YOURE GOING THROUGH A LOT DISABILITY HEARING CUSTODY BATTLE AUTISTIC CHILD YLU DO WHAT YOU CAN DO ONE STEP AT A TIME NO MATTER WHAT IT IS WERE HERE FOR YOU THE GROUP IS WONDERFUL I DONT KNOW WHAT ID DO WITHOUT THEM
Thank you so much, Dee. The Cymbalta and ibuprofen are all I'm getting right now. I had abused Xanax in the past, so I won't be getting that again. I've heard people using Tramadol for fibro pain.
It definitely sounds like you should try for disability benefits. It takes a lot of paperwork to support your case, and you should start collecting it now. It's a slow process, and you could be denied at first. I was denied and I am appealing the case, and I have my hearing mid June. I just want to get by and not have to suffer in near poverty anymore. Our cases are genuine, and should be heard. Best of luck to you.
Welcome Patty. I am new as well, I thought I could handle this myself. But I am finding that I need to talk to others who are going through what I am going through. I was diagnosed in 2005. It was a blessing and a curse. Great to put a name but many think it is a catch all and not a real condition.
I cannot say I understand the disability area, as I am working. (Although there are days I can barely function) I am hoping that I do not have to go on disability, but I can imagine the uphill battle you are facing with family, friends, doctors and the government. Since people cannot see what you are feeling they think you are faking.
I am hear to listen and help where I have made some progress. Feel free to dump as that is what we all need to do sometimes so we can move forward.
Hi Patty Welcome to the group. I feel funny saying this as I just joined two days ago but you are right the support from this site is amazing !
I have been diagnosed with fibro for a year. I received my SSDI really quick on the first try and I hope you do also. The time waiting for approval was really tough to put it mildly. I cried daily about the loss of my job, friends, social interaction, shopping and financial difficulties which when I think about it it was the loss of control that hurt the most. I’m sharing to let you know that there are people that understand and have been through very similar situations.
I have a child with ADHD which I know is not the same as autism but he required different things from me as his Mom than my other children.
I want to let you know that fibromyalgia is real. It is not all in your head or some wastebasket diagnosis. I was taking Cymbalta but I can not afford it since I lost my health insurance when I lost my job. It helped decrease the pain a little but it worked well enough that I wish I could have continued taking it. I take a lot of other meds though including narcotics and muscles relaxants. I’m still trying to get my meds in a combination that works but so far haven’t had much luck.
I’m sorry you are dealing with so much right now and I hope at least some of it gets resolved soon. Good luck !
Darlene
Don’t ever apologize. I’m new here too and everyone is so supportive especially since we all are going through the same thing. Be easy on yourself. Stress makes it worse. I’ve gotten great advice here. If it hurts. Put the dishes down. I understand. I have kids too and u want everything done but they need u. I am working right now but possibley going on disability. Everytime I turn around something else is wrong. Also off topic. Does anyone else even get lost in the middle of their own conversation? I forgot in mid sentence.