New Journey

[travlingidiot]

i was diagnosed with fibromyalgia this morning.I've been in pain for 7 and a half years and now i just feel confused. I'm happy that i know what it is now but sad that its not something with a set end date or a medication that will work. How did others cope with this sort of news?

[Dinkie]

Hi and welcome to the club none of us wants to be in. Be kind to yourself, as you will still be adjusting to the diagnosis. How did I feel, well after suffering for nearly 30 years before diagnosis I felt relief to some extent but as the consultant only wrote "fibromyalgia" on a piece of paper and told me to go do my own research as she hadn't time to explain it, I sat in the hospital car park and cried. I had never heard of it and didn't know if it was something that would get worse, better, be lifelong or prevent me from doing anything. I then gave myself a very strict talking to and told myself that I was exactly the same person before the label as I was after it so what exactly had changed - absolutely nothing except it had a name.

Next what to do about it, well you have done the best thing you could possibly have done and that is to find this site I have found it far more help than any medic.

Fibro is different for all of us so it's very much a case of trial and error as what works for one person may not work for another.

Personally - I eat a processed food free and refined sugar free diet. I cannot take prescription meds as the side effects are worse than fibro for me, but there are plenty of folk on here where prescription meds are the key.

Muscle pains, cramps - epsom salt baths work quite well.

Heat/wheat bags, hot water bottles, heated blankets/capes, tens machines, supplements biofreeze etc all have their uses for me.

When I can afford I also have hypnotherapy sessions (helps to some extent with the insomnia) and chiropractor appointments.

Positive mental attitude - easier said than done

the hardest one of all for me - learning to pace yourself and if that means saying "no" then so be it. That's not to say that something you really want to do isn't worth the payback of being worn out or having a flare because after all we do have to have some fun, but generally it pays to not overdo things on good days.

Gentle exercise - tai chi, yoga or a simple stroll all can have their place.

Sorry for the essay - any questions then please ask - nothing is too silly to ask as you can bet someone has already thought or asked it before

No doubt others will be along soon to add their experiences.

Take care

[YASMINTINA FMA UK Volunteer]

healthunlocked.com/fibromya... Here’s a link for you if you would like to lock your future posts it does give you and other members more privacy. Welcome to the forum yes it does take awhile to sink in, as you say you are relieved when you finally get some answers, yes it can be a new learning curve but my way is take each day as it arrives , pacing yourself i find like many members a helpful tip, you get to read members stories , experiences, tips and chatting always helps on the forum, like dinkie says I’ve found out so much being on here , info and made friends along the way x

[lancslass56]

I was diagnosed 4 years ago and I'm still getting my head around it.

I had to give up work this year and like others find it difficult to "pace" myself.

I have had various meds and hopefully have now found something without too many side effects.

The good news is I found this site and we really do seem to be "fibro warriors".

With support from family, friends and/or people on here we soldier on and make the best of the life we have been given.

My doctor says there is a light at the end of a very long tunnel.