NEWBIE

[Bekahw]

Hey! I'm Rebekah and have just been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, however, its been suggested from a very young age (many doctors thinking I'm making it up). But I am now 23 and a little scared as I know very little and I am currently living away from home. So thought I'd come and speak to all of you lovely people I am a student studying psychology, almost christmas break! I am counting down the days! Hope everyone is well xx

[minesawhiskey]

Hi, if you are at university studying psychology I recommend diving into the social anthropology section in the library if they have these texts. It really helped me in my younger days. As part of my course was a part called culture, health and madness. Loads of alternative theories on health and illness. It may be useful info to some but not others. An example of the type of concepts that get discussed are thoughts that in some cultures "food is nature disordered" and from that concept a system of bodily healing can be constructed.

[Bekahw in reply to minesawhiskey]

Hi, oh this sounds very interesting! I will definitely go exploring the library thank you so much for the recommendation

[minesawhiskey in reply to Bekahw]

Hi, the concept of food as nature disorder is from a text relating to a healing process in Sri Lanka. Something like spirit possession and Exorcism in Sri Lanka i think it was called. At the time I read it it was at the same time fascinating but immensely powerful to my consciousness , the other important text that I read was Freuds Totem and Taboo which you may be familiar with if you are studying psychology. I then wrote an essay entitled "what is gossip" and got an A plus from my social anthropology professors. After going through this process I got a great job in an office and after feeling somewhat disunctional whilst a student I felt highly functional in society , which is what I decided was the most important thing in the end after reading everything!

Funnily enough I later realized in life that I didn't need to have gone through all that and could have got the one functional job my body was made to do best at 16!

I say the above in case it helps, if processing somebody else's thought it is always best to make your own meaning out of it if any!

[bluebell99]

Hello Bekahw and welcome to our friendly fibro forum where you will find advice, support, help and information with a chuckle to help the day.

Have you seen our Mother Site fmauk.org ? Here you will find links and guides about everything fibro.

If you look to the right you will see Pinned Posts where you will find instruction on navigating and using the site. You will also see that we take internet security seriously and advise you to lock your post for more replies.

We have some younger fibro friends who are also going through university, so although it seems a young age to have fibro, it does happen. Hopefully they will make themselves known to you.

If you are really struggling with lectures, essays and so on, you can apply for DSA which could help you, particularly at exam time.

Psychology is such an interesting subject but one I feel a little fearful about. I have a feeling I am being mentally examined, (and falling short! ) even if I am meeting socially!

Is this your last year? Where do you see yourself in a few years time?

Hope to see you "chatting" around the forum.

Kay

[Bekahw in reply to bluebell99]

Hey Kay, oh I haven't but I'll definitely be checking it out thank you!

Aw that sounds perfect, will definitely be nice to catch up with some younger people as thats one thing I was worried about is that I am quite young (not that I feel it) haha.

Oh I'll look into this, as I find it really difficult to concentrate sometimes but wasn't sure if that was just part of my personality.

Its a very interesting subject, although, very hard and makes you look at stuff in a completely different light. I'm sure you're doing absloutely great! I'm currently in my second year, hoping to go into placement year, so I have another 2 years ahead of me! I am hoping to become a Play therapist, as I have a very keen interest in art, as I am not very academic but I've always wanted to help people so I am struggling through this course!

Really lovely hearing from you! Bekah x

[angiesmith50]

Hiya Bekahw welcome to the gang. So sorry you have fibro at such a young age. You can ask as many questions as you want and rant as much as you need to, we will always be around. Read as much as you can about this illness. It is much more widely known than it seems. Fibro sufferers are mostly low in B12 vitamin. I would recommend that and magnesium oil. I find it really has helped my brain. Some people find bathing in Epsom salt helps as it contains magnesium. It really is trial and error angel. What works for one does not help another. Good luck and hope to chat soon xx

[BlueMermaid3]

Hi Rebekah

Welcome to the forum

I was diagnosed in 1980 when I was 20. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and ME. I now suffer from quite a few other conditions as well.

Please do not worry too much. I managed to work for 34 years and have 2 children and only had to give up work after a severe trauma put paid to my working life a couple of years ago.

You will find lots of supportive people around you. Our members range from around 20 to even as old as me (55)

If you need any help at all navigating the forum, please give me a shout and I will be happy to help you.

My personal advice to you would be to learn as much as you can about Fibromyalgia and how it affects you personally. Fibro comes in all types sizes and ranges and is manageable with the help of a good GP.

I very much hope that you enjoy the forum

Wishing you less pain and more peace

Lu x

Administrator

[Jbell22]

Hey Rebekah,

Many doctors thought that I was making it all up too so I understand and have only recently learned about fibro, so I get how scary it is. So welcome to our group. Feel free to ask any questions you have? I will do my best to answer.

J. xxx

[TheAuthor]

Hi Bekahw

Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance. I am so genuinely sorry to read that you have been suffering and struggling for such a long time, and I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck. Please take care of yourself my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Hidden]

Hi Bekahw

I am so sorry you have been diagnosed with Fibro, good thing is that is effects us all differently so don't take on too much. At first when I joined the forum it was a little daunting reading about everyone's ailments and how they were handling it. It took a little while to realise that just because someone started off like you does not mean you will end up like them As you have been told, read up and make your own conclusion about you, your journey may be very different

My daughter did her psychology degree and found it extremely interesting and very helpful in her daily life. I hope you get as much out of it.

Join in some of the posts as there are quite a few funny posts which are used as both a distraction from pain and to pass some time. Laughing is a good therapy

[Kellie73]

There is also a site called the pillow fort, caters more for younger people with chronic illness, may be more advice there about coping with uni and any uni help you can get, its a very positive site. again, fibro is a personal thing, we all get different symptoms and to varying degrees. Just listen yo you're body and pace yourself is my advice, and always bug your doctor if you need too!

[Clumsy_Mrs in reply to Kellie73]

Hi Kellie, just wanted to say thank you. I looked up on pillow fort and come across the spoon theory. butyoudontlooksick.com/arti...

I am now looking into pillow fort a bit more, looks good!

Clumsy ❄

[Bekahw in reply to Kellie73]

I've been looking this up this evening, it seems fantastic, thank you so much for the recommendation and your advice! take care of yourself x

[Clumsy_Mrs]

Hi BekahW, You have come to the right place, we are a friendly bunch here. I am 29 and was diagnosed at 24 (I think) been in pain most of my life. Its great you now have a 'name' to your pain but sorry to hear you are in pain. Always here if you need a chat, just pop me a pm!

Clumsy ❄

[Bekahw in reply to Clumsy_Mrs]

Hey! I'am so glad I found this, you all do seem very friendly! Thank you so much, same for you! Take care x

[Kellie73]

Bekahw and clumsy, you're very welcome, the more places we can go to chat etc, the better. some cute products in the shop there too, have bought tablet organisers from there. I like colourful ones, makes it feel less sad on the weekly fill ha ha I also follow a lot of similar people on twitter, get great blogs from them too, beauty tips and comfy fashion too, cos we all know clothes can become very uncomfortable, I own more pyjamas than clothes if I'm honest, and fluffy socks!

[Kellie73]

Also, spoon theory is great, I cried when I first read it, because it just 'got it' never found anything that made it click into place so well for me and give me a way to explain to others. my daughter, now 19, was about 14 when I found it, helped me explain why I couldn't do everything every day, that I had to pace myself. A lot of people with chronic illness now call themselves spoonies