new to this group

[Guest guest]

I am 28, 29 on the 8th of January. I have been finally diagnosed

with Fibromyalgia. I have 6 children and a husband. I am no longer

able to work, and have had to quit school because of the pain. I

have started Hypnotherapy, yesterday actually, and I found this group

a couple of days ago. I have encountered a couple of skeptics, but I

don't let them bother me. I have resigned myself to my fate, but am

sure that with persistance and trial and error I will beat this

thing, if at least make it more bearable.

[Guest guest]

Hi Aurora,

Welcome to the group, and Happy Birthday (early). This is a great group of

supportive people. I've learned a lot over the years of being a member.

I also have Fibro along with a basket full of other things. I think you

have a good outlook on your diagnosis and that really helps. There are many

Fibro's on this list so it's a great place to share and get information.

Kathleen in Calif.

[Guest guest]

Hi Dawn, and welcome to the forum. Wow, you really have your hands

full with 6 kids! I'm 32, with 2 daughters, a teenager and a pre-

teen, and they keep me very busy!

I'm sorry that you had to quit working and going to school because

of the pain. I can't imagine what that would be like. What were

you studying? I have Fibro too, and when I was going through the

diagnostic process, I felt like I was in hell. I was in pain

constantly, and couldn't stay awake to save my life, all while

holding down a full-time job and trying to be a mom and wife. It's

not easy in the least. Fortunately, my employer approved me for

intermittent FMLA, so I can take time off when I have a flare up or

I'm in too much pain to work. They've also been really good about

working with me when I'm there but need to restrict my activities.

My boss's daughter has Crohn's Disease, so he's very understanding

about what it's like to live with a chronic illness, and has gone

out of his way to accomodate me more than a few times.

It's very interesting that you are trying hypnotherapy as a

treatment option. I would like to seek more alternative therapies,

but I live in such a small, rural area, that those kinds of

resources are very limited to me. I like living in a small town,

but when it comes to treatment options, I really wish I lived near a

larger city with that kind of access! Hypnotherapy, homeopathy,

that sort of thing, is very rare here where I live. I've also tried

meditation and guided imagery, which can work pretty well for me

too, as long as no one decides to disturb me!

I was on a homeopathic regimen for quite a while, and doing very

well on it, but for some reason I just don't know, I let it slack

off, and I'm having many regrets! I really need to get back on it,

because I felt so much better then.

Right now, my treatment plan consists of Topamax, Celexa, Bextra,

and Ambien. I also have Vicodin and Soma onhand for bad flares.

I'm bipolar, and the Topamax started out as part of my treatment for

that, but then my psych got the idea to use a higher dosage to treat

my Fibro pain. I have to admit that it's helped. I don't have as

much pain now as I did. I'm taking 300mg a day right now, with the

goal of going to 400mg at some point in the future. I'd like to get

back into my homeopathic regimen though, and not be so dependent on

the drugs and doctors. I've had too many bad experiences with both!

It kind of made me sad to hear you say that you've " resigned "

yourself to your fate. Please don't resign yourself to this. I

actually know a fibromyalgiac, my sister-in-law's boyfriend, who

plays football and basketball, as a starter, during the school

year. He's 18, and has pretty much had Fibro most of his life, and

he's been my inspiration since I was diagnosed. He continually

amazes me with his determination. Since I also have chronic

tendonitis and SI joint dysfunction along with Fibro, I'm not going

to be out sporting it up with Nick any time soon, but he keeps my

hope alive.

Anyway, welcome to the forum, and I hope that you find a treatment

plan that you are happy with and that works for you. I think we'd

have a lot in common, so if you'd ever like to talk, vent, or

whatever, please feel free to write me. My e-mail address is

nettazig@.... Take care of yourself!

Lots of hugs,

Jen

PS...Happy early birthday!