Hello there. I am new here. I was looking for a place to vent and get information and help managing my Fibromyalgia. I was first thought to have MS a couple of years ago when I started getting chronic neck and shoulder pains. After a few years of MRI's, spinal tap, and EMG's. They did find some lesions in my neck etc., but I got a second opinion and was later diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I do feel comfortable with this diagnosis as when I researched it I realized that it sounded finally like exactly what I have.
While I am relieved to finally have a diagnosis and a treatment plan I still feel don't feel like I am on a good path to getting better. I am a caregiver...I manage a home healthcare agency,and a mother of three. Lately I have been feeling really discouraged because all this new pain keeps coming up on top of my neck and shoulder flares and at times I just feel hopeless and helpless.
I try to express my pain to my spouse, and my doctor but I don't think anyone quite understands how I feel. My spouse is a very loving and caring man, and definately helps me pick up the slack, but I feel like I complain too much. One day my neck is burning, next the muscles in my arms are burning, and the next I am getting shooting pains in both syatic nerves. I feel like nobody really takes me seriously cause it's so often a changing problem and a changing pain. I always have chronic pain in my neck, but lately it's just been getting worse other places and I just feel so discouraged. My physical therapist gets to work on one problem and is all confused when I tell him the next time that the majority of the pain is all together in a different place.
I think just talking to other people that experience some of the same things may help me. I really want to keep on working and doing my motherly duties. I'm afraid if things don't get better soon that I will lose my position in my job and income that I worked tirelessly for years to get. I feel so guilty sometimes. When I am not at work I am nearly always laying down trying to get sleep that rarely ever comes. I get so frustrated when I can't get comfortable and it makes my anxiety through the roof.
I used to be such a better mother and housekeeper then I am now. My sons are 16,15,11 and they are really loving understanding children. They help me and understand my pain and don't want me to feel guilty when I am down. I still can't help but feel guilty that I have no energy to do the things and be the person that I once was for them. That is the hardest part for me. I still try to keep things clean everyday and make sure there is a good meal when they get home from school....but it's a struggle and it never used to be.
I'd just like some advice from someone that has dealt with this longer and maybe some help about how you cope and get through the day and all the duties of life with this disorder.