Holidays and pain....ewww

The weather here in Michigan is horrible. I am in pain always. Sometimes it is so severe I cannot stand the thought of another day here. If I could only win the lottery and be able to take my family to Arizona or Nevada with me it would help the pain so much. The dryer climate definitely made a difference when I went out there a few years ago. I felt the difference about 40 minutes after we landed and got off of the plane. Well, we all know that winning the lottery is such a slim chance even if I could afford a ticket for it. My disability hearing is still not scheduled and I am so depressed about the holidays that I just want to become a total hermit. I am so sad that the holidays have become so much about merchandise. It all just sucks that I cannot even afford to get a few gifts on my own. I have always been resourceful and a hard worker, and now that i cannot even work or hold down a job, and cannot even seem to get anywhere with Social Security even though I have paid into it for years, just all sucks!!!

Hi Nikkisuds, I am sorry it is so difficult right now. When I feel really discouraged, I try to focus on positive things as much as I can. As you know, stress can aggravate Fibro symptoms so it is important to try to keep your stress level down. Have you considered volunteering somewhere? There are place that can be really flexible and might not even require you to leave the house. I have done different volunteer things where I mainly made phone calls. Volunteering has given me a different perspective on things at times and I also got to meet new people. I understand about wanting to be a hermit (I've been there as well) but for me that just made the depression worse. I saw you are looking for new doctors, have you communicated with them about how you are feeling? It could be a medication adjustment / change would help. Please keep us updated on how you are doing. Hugs!!!!