If you were an 'overdoer' before Fibro, how have you slowed yourself down since being diagnosed?

General
41

MIMI, You are very brave to share what you did. I can't believe they didn't catch this until this year and I'm so sorry for the way you have suffered in your life. You've had both nature and circumstances hit you so very hard. My hope is that you have a good doctor and you are on some kind of disability.

I can understand how that extent of your trauma would throw your body into Fibro. Maybe that's why it's reached epidemic proportions over the years and especially for women in particular.

My prayers are with you my Dear.

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Hi sk , well I was diagnosed last sept , and what a emotional physical rollercoaster ride its been so far. My pain consultant saidd ive had this a couple of years , then last year it took its toll on me, and has changes everything . I was a nursery nurse with 26 pre school children , I was studying whilst working , I was full time then went part time as I was always unwell , were everyone could shake things off like colds , viruses ect . If I caught anything I would be off for a week , and still never felt better . I suffere d from sinusitis all the time I had scans but all shown up ok , my doctor stopped giving me antibiotics and just had to get on with it , and its pinful !! Looking back it started in my shoulder were it woke me up , then my wrists , I ignored it until it effected my legs . Over the past few years I have had operations , hysterectomy , so I have been in the menopause for a few years , dint help I suppose ! I just put it down to im not the type of person who recovers well ! ? I went tomy doctor last year , well a new one , after many blood tests and visit to the rhumatologist , here iam . I then went to physiotherapy exercises put me in more pain , so into the hydrotherapy pool , and slight exercises again , it left me on the couch for w days ! She then wrote to my doctor asking to refer me to pain clinic. Throughout the year fibro has effected my eyes sio I now were glasses all the time , then my bladder started so I was reffered to a urologist and had a cystoscopy , I was then told I have overactive bladder syndrome . Actually I went to my dentist today as my gums are always pulsing , throbbing , but all looks ok , again fibro has creeped in somewere else!. Anyway its got me everywhere now , so my pain consultant has upped my lycria to 600mg and nortriptyline of a night , ive shed many tears a felt lost , desperate , lonely at time s even tho I have lovely friends and family , I was soo active , dancing with preschoolers walking miles , I loved walking everyday , now whatever I do I hurt for , the weather effects me all the time , sends my body into chaos , the fatigue cripples me , having anxiety disorder just adds the mental frustration , another effect of the fibro , thankyou fibromyalgia for turning my life around inro a complete struggle every day , from a hard working woman that could never sit down !! To has no option because my body is taken over with this illness . I could go on but we all know and I send my hugs to you all , this forum has been a savour to me and I thank you all for that. I also have to say I have had good doctors that have listened and im lucky for that and appreciate it . Thankyou sk for letting us talk about this ! Love angie xxx

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I've definitely always been a "yes" person. I remember my frustration the first time I physically couldn't do something I needed to do. I'd pushed myself to a breaking point. Over ten years later, I'm still learning what it means to be in touch with my own body, to trust my self over all else to know what's best. It seems I make headway in listening to myself, and then the world's ideas and pressures get to me again. It's difficult to live in your own world and the one everyone else seems to exist in. Having long term goals helps, I can ask myself if it serves my ultimate goal or not, is it worth pushing through? I'm also more familiar with my consequences in pushing myself too hard, the patterns are known to me now, and its also helpful that I have a wonderful husband who seems to know what I need to do, or not do, when the pressures get to me. So I'm thankful for that. its a continual learning process, many times, I find my stress comes from others' expectations and my need to live up to them...I realize it, and readjust my outlook accordingly.

44

Hi D,

Hearing a diagnosis, even though you know something is wrong, is a big blow, at least I think it is! Even though in some ways it's a relief, and a justification, it's still a tough one to swallow, and it takes a while for it to completely sink in.

Glad your husband is in the beginning stages of understanding, support at home is priceless!

45

Oh Mimi,

You've been through it too! So sorry things have been so difficult for you. You are such a kind and generous person, and often we pay a price for that! I hope things can even out for you and you can get to a much better place.

We feel very fortunate to have you in our life, and hope you feel better very soon!

46

Hi Angie,

This really does creep into all aspects of your body and life, until it's everywhere!

I bet the kids loved you and you them, surely that was a very fun and rewarding career!

You know, this kind of pain always brings anxiety, how can it not? No matter how optimistic we can possibly be, to be in constant pain, and losing our ability to do so many necessary things, is a big mountain to climb!

I hope things can get better for you, you are such a sweet lady!

47

Hi fallchild,

Seems we certainly do live in a separate world, and some days it seems as though our world and the world of the well get further apart! It does sound as though you have come to the right place in your own head about the adjustments, about the expectations!

You are one of the lucky ones that you have a supportive husband, that means so very much!

Good to hear from you!

48

I had breast cancer in 2001 and even during chemo pushed myself to go to work every day. One yr after the chemo my body went down hill with chronic fatigue and a few yrs later the fibro.

49

Hi Terri,

What a terrible way to get slowed down. I just don't understand what is causing breast cancer, autoimmune, CFS, and fibromyalgia in so many women of our time around the globe.

I hope that this all quickly becomes something of the past, and our dear lab techs can get to the bottom of all of this, make us well!

Sending my best,

SK

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Thanks angie, I needed that!

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I have been suffering from whatever this is fibro ,chronic fatigue ,and chronic lyme since 1998. i was working in construction got lyme twice that spring and labor day weekend thought I would die the second time. then I got well,but started having symtoms and by christmas could barely wlk,disabled since then .I get better and worse for the first few years I thought it was going to get better,thatI was not crazy,it wasn;t till I moved out of Florida that I got any real help ,but then had cancer.I get up and do things for a few days and then I am down for as many more .I was a "Wonder woman " before this so maybe you have something there but then I think of the people with MS and that is a risk factor for them also being atheletic.That is scary ,I don't know

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Hi sarah,

I have the same up and down cycles. Lyme is one of the worst diseases I have seen first hand, so sorry you had to battle this twice, not that cancer is a good one! My heart goes out to you.

Speaking of Christmas, I feel as though I need to start decorating now, as it takes so much out of me to dig it out,drag it down, put it up. Though I reduce it every year, I have small grand kids who are here for the holiday, and want them to experience 'the magic'!

I do nearly all shopping online, for the little ones, and gift cards or cash for the older ones, as I can no longer keep up with what they want, or what fits!

My son was born on Dec 25, so I always have a big dinner, my Mom is still pretty amazing for 81, and always helps with the feast. His work is very demanding, so I tell him I can have this any day of the year, any holiday can be done this way.

Hope you are having a good night, and handling the weather changes!

Wishing you well,

SK

54

I certainly have the "overdoers" disease!!

25 years ago my son was born by emergency c/section, he was 5 weeks prem, my placenta was coming out first and I was haemorrhaging to the point I collapsed with hypovolaemic shock, we both nearly died, I was very ill, but back at work within 12 weeks as my husband was also in hospital on spinal traction for 16 weeks due to ruptured L3 and L4 discs, my mum helped out.

I went back to working permanent night duty 8pm - 8am as a nursing sister, before I was really ready to, but finances dictated it.

Due to my husband's spinal surgery, 3 operations in 2 years, he didn't work during that time so we swapped roles and he became a "house-husband" and as well as working at the hospital I also did extra nights at a local nursing home, some weeks doing 5 x 12 hour shifts a week. This went on for about 12 years in the end!!

I then changed jobs, again full time, daytime working as a nurse practitioner in a GP surgery, still very stressful.

My wonderful son then became a British Royal Marine Commando, he was injured, nearly lost his leg. Dealing with this and the stressful busy job - I was seeing about 80 patients a day at the surgery - was so mentally and physically exhausting that I eventually had a panic/anxiety nervous breakdown.

I'd done 27 years as a senior nurse and suddenly - bang - my brain goes out of control, this resulted in awful physical symptoms and then, again, bang, my body develops fibro!!

Fortunately we were by then in a position for me to quit work, that saved me, literally saved me as I'd become suicidal, I was so mentally/emotionally traumatised by then.

My son recovered, my husband is well and very supportive and I am now able to take my time, pace my days and rest when I need to.

I am convinced that my hectic work/life pattern over many years brought on fibro, I have no other reason for it.

But there has been light at the end of the tunnel.

Ok, so I've got fibro but at least I have peace, time, and a family that love me. Oh and my cats!

Plus all my friends here, if I didn't have fibro I'd not have got to know all you lovely people, who I now regard as my "fibro-family"

So there are some good things that come out of all this!!!

Love Lucy xxxxxxxxxxxx

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Your on-going strength is an inspiration, Lucy. Thank you for sharing your story!