Finally diagnosed

[raegan1]

Yes after 2years of being Palmed off yesterday I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it's a relief to know, however heartbreaking to know. How can I get my head round this I'm only 26 and a single parent, the pain is so bad some days I jus don't no how to deal with it. Thanx

[Hidden]

Hi raegan1 when first diagnosed I too felt relief that I'm not mad then followed by OMG. I was 36 at the time and now 60 almost, it has peaks and troughs and the good thing is Drs now know more about it, you will find this site very helpful, sometimes just to get replies from people who know where you are coming from as family try hard to understand but trouble is its not like a broken arm which they can see, so when you say I feel so tired and pain every where, in my experience although family are sympathetic you really want someone to understand that, you feel like a 10 ton truck has hit you and reversed back over you for good measure LOL

My advise would be read as much as you can about the condition which will help you deal with and understand what you are feeling is normal as they say, for someone with fibromyalgia. You need to balance life with equal amounts of rest and activity, listen to your body and try not to over do it to the extent where you just drop. For instance I used to run through the house top to bottom cleaning now I have to space jobs do a bit and rest a bit .. Rest assured life goes on just differently Gentle hugs Sue x

[Hidden]

Hello Regan welcome to the site. Have you been on to our mother site yet. the link is fibroaction.org

There is lots of useful information on it.

Its tough having to bring up children when you have an illness but in time you will learn how to cope and how to pace yourself. It also takes time to sort out what medications suit you best.

Ask your GP to refer you to a pain management clinic, i havnt needed them but most of those that have found them useful.

If you need advice, a smile or to rant and rave we are here, we even have what is jokingly called the night shift.

Hugs sue xx

[TheAuthor]

Hi raegan1

I am delighted to read that you have at least got a diagnosis, but I am so sorry to read that you have been diagnosed with Fibro. I have pasted you a link to a FibroAction Fact Sheet entitled ''How is Fibro Treated'' so I genuinely hope that this can give you some ideas?

FibroAction Fact Sheet 5 - How Is Fibro Treated

fibroaction-public.sharepoi...

There are many medications that you could discuss with your GP / Medical Specialist, and I would recommend that you ask for some referrals, especially physiotherapy and pain management clinic.

I want to wish you all the best of luck, and I sincerely hope that you can come to terms with your diagnosis, and find yourself some genuine pain management that works for you.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Hidden]

at least you know your not going mad

[ninjananna]

Hello lovely!!.... Find yourself a good gp, one who understands fibromyalgia, or at least believes it exists!! Ask for help!!...there are loads of organisations and specialists who can help you! Child social services may also give you the support to manage with the children if you're on your own! They *are* there to help you!! Take time and be kind to yourself! Do you have a close family or close friends who will be able to help out? Take the time to read the Mother site on here and ask *anything* you like! We're all in the same boat and truly understand how you will be feeling!! Much love.....ninja....xxx

[Ellejm]

I'm on my own with my kids too, my girls don't have a father, or grandparents. I'm 36 yrs old and diagnosed around 2 yrs ago, have other issues with spine, legs etc..my kids are aged 14, 9 & 3 also have a just turned 16 yr old who has special needs and I'm trying to get her to move back home....

The worst bit of it all with the kids is the guilt, I feel guilty for everything..but deep down we must remember this isn't our fault...

I make it up to the kids in other ways, if they want something, I make sure I get it within reason, for example, my 14 yr old has to do the cooking, so I make sure if she wants to cook something easy ie pasta then I let her, then arrange that she'll cook a proper meal the next day...if she wants a certain item of clothing I'll look for it either in sale or ebay, I also negotiated with her school so that she was given a carers card which means she cannot ever be detained after school and she can leave the premises quickly if an emergency arises..

She also has pastoral care support and they defend her if she gets into trouble cos of pressure or if homework isn't done they get her teachers off her back..

My 14 & 9 yr olds also get help from young carers org...they take them on trips and are exceedingly supportive which takes away most of my guilt...

I won't ever approach social services as I have a bad history with them over trying to get my eldest help, there is other help out there though, and I've just discovered that if in a council property there is a tenancy support service who can help if you are hit by the bedroom tax, and who also helped me with my pip claim and sort out a tax credits bill I had....

Keep going, do whatever you can, keeping your family together is all that matters, rest and pace yourself..spread your tasks out over the space of a few days...writing lists is a massive help for me, bills, to do's, dates..everything has a list...

I spent ages trying to 'recover' and it took a long time for me to realise that its a different life now, the old energetic me is gone, but life can still be good...I see it in my 3 yr old, she's such a happy little girl, always smiling and says she loves her family...shes 37 months and gives group hugs!!