Hello All! I Am New And Looking to Meeting Other Endurers of FMS

[Guest guest]

Hi All, I am almost 53 years old and have suffered from FMS and CFS (and TMJ) as long as I can remember. I was diagnosed as a mild to moderate sufferer in 1995. I, too, am a Christian, who believes God allows all things to happen for a reason. Two years ago, I fell and had a bad concussion. Since then, I have been kicked up to the severe range, enduring pain I never even conceived of in the mild to moderate stages. I went and read the article someone here listed by Devin J. Starlanyl and I suffer every symptom listed to varying degrees every day of my life, plus one not mentioned - incessant itching in different parts of my body (which other sites say is also a symptom). I have tried every remedy, every natural cure, chiropractic, exercise, diet imaginable with little or no results. Evidently, at my level, you just have to "wait it out" until you go into partial remission which is where my only relief

comes in. The only things that work for me are a combination of drugs (Ultram and Valium, plus Vicoprofen during weepy, rocking in a ball days) for which I am extremely thankful since I cannot take any of the antidepressants, nor most of the other drugs recommended for FMS. It's so dumb that Ambien doesn't even work for me! I also find some relief through chiropractic when I am not in the 8 - 10 category. But the biggest change has been through Cognitive Behavioral therapy which I have been in for almost a year, because I have learned that it's the disease that is the problem, not me! Most people with this disease allow the disease to control them because the "normals" of the world convince them there must be something they can do to control it. Other's shove cures we've already tried and haven't worked and therefore make us feel guilty. As a Christian, I have been told that I don't have enough faith which is why I haven't been cured! Also, taking drugs is a serious no-no for which

I have had to ask God for forgiveness many times as I've wished this disease on such judgmental people. As far as my friends and family are concerned - my sister thinks I am a complete weenie - sitting in bed all day complaining. My brother thinks I am psychotic. My parents think I am making it all up. My friends and immediate family (son, daughter and husband) have come into therapy with me at various times and have learned to grow up and stop judging me. They are now my best support system, for which I thank God every day. I'm sorry this is so long - but I have suffered terribly with this disease for so many years. How do we know when we are really sick? Just this past week, a flu went through my family and I'm not sure if I actually had the flu or if my FMS just got worse - same difference to me. My nose always runs, my joints always ache, I always feel tired and sick, so how do we know when we are actually sick? For

those of you who go in and out of flares, God bless you and/or thank your lucky stars. For those of you who suffer to my degree, maybe we can bring our heating pads, lovely pajamas (for we surely have nicer pajamas these days than everyday clothes , and laptops for the extensive research we do together and see if we can't just help each other feel better about being sick! I am sick of reading or hearing that tolerable pain is as good as it gets. I want NO pain. I am sick of tingling, weakness, cramps, double vision (yes, twice tested for MS), dizziness, incapacitating migraines, chills, falling at odd times (hence the cane I must use) and looking so good that recently when I traveled to Phoenix, the supervisor at the American Airlines counter where I was trying to get a bulkhead seat (more room) since they had messed up my itinerary with a broken plane ask me to "prove it" when I told him I was disabled!!! Trust me when I say that by the end of that encounter, the entire section

of the airport was listening and he was hanging his head in shame - oh, it also snagged me a hundred dollar free voucher for my next flight with them. Thanks for reading my tome here. There's lots and lots more, but I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. I look forward to meeting some of you and making new friends who actually understand and won't judge me - that alone will be a new world for me! God bless you all, Kathy Heyner__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi :

I have had a cane since my knee surgery May 26, 2005. I know what you mean is it the illness or another illness. I tore the cartilage in both knees. I had surgery but the pain is no better. Right after the surgery I started to feel worse and worse. Finally by the fifth week I felt as if I had been hit by a train. All the doctor gives me is tramadol. And I get the lose weight speech. Exercise!!

We have a camper and a grand daughter. From July 1st I walked (with cane ) back and forth to the playground. I walked back and forth to the pool and lake. I swam between 6 and 8 hours a day because I can't let my grand daughter swim out to the jumping platform by herself. 15 feet deep water. But I needed to exercise!!!!!! Aunch!

I take tramadol at night to try to ease the pain. I also take two alleve. I was given antidepressants when I was first diagnosed but I was still in pain only with a hang over every morning.So they took me off them. My doctor gave me a sleep pill for 10 days. That's it.

Now there are some great doctors (I understand) in the Wood hospital but they have to test me all over again. No thank you. I had the tests once. Torture some one else. Hahahahahaha. Let Captain Kirk go where no man has gone before. Let some one else have the stun gun nerve tests, hee hee. After all those tests I wanted a second opinion. So I go to a rheumatoid doctor. I'm sitting in a cold room in a smock. He walks in looks at me. Says to me "your here for a second opinion" I said yes. He says "you have fibromyalgia". My husband asks "aren't you going to examine her?" Doctor says "no". I asked "how do you know I have fibromyalgia?" He says "If it quacks like a duck, walks like a duck and looks like a duck.... its a duck" Ok , so we are staring at him wondering if his crystal ball is up his arse with his head. He finally says " Your legs are dusky blue because its cool in here, you have Raynaud's Syndrome." Its a classic symptom of Fibromyalgia. So my husband yells "then why the BEEPPPPPP did she have to endure all those tests!!!" He shoots back because thats what Neurologists do" He says " They want you to take antidepressants" I say "yes" he says "so take them". I say "They make me hung over", he says "then suffer, suit yourself"

At this point..... when its absolutely horrid I go to the doctor and tell him I need help. I do what I can and no more. I lay back down after my grand daughter goes to school. If Its a weekend and my daughter is here and I'm a sleep I don't get up until I'm ready. I get to it when I can and if I feel like it. Hahahahahahahaha

Every one needs to relax and take their time with this disease.

See what works and what doesn't and when your doctor turns around make faces at him.

God Bless you and yours

God Bless America

Love ya,

Gail

-- Hello All! I Am New And Looking to Meeting Other Endurers of FMS

Hi All,

I am almost 53 years old and have suffered from FMS and CFS (and TMJ) as long as I can remember. I was diagnosed as a mild to moderate sufferer in 1995. I, too, am a Christian, who believes God allows all things to happen for a reason.

Two years ago, I fell and had a bad concussion. Since then, I have been kicked up to the severe range, enduring pain I never even conceived of in the mild to moderate stages. I went and read the article someone here listed by Devin J. Starlanyl and I suffer every symptom listed to varying degrees every day of my life, plus one not mentioned - incessant itching in different parts of my body (which other sites say is also a symptom). I have tried every remedy, every natural cure, chiropractic, exercise, diet imaginable with little or no results. Evidently, at my level, you just have to "wait it out" until you go into partial remission which is where my only relief comes in. The only things that work for me are a combination of drugs (Ultram and Valium, plus Vicoprofen during weepy, rocking in a ball days) for which I am extremely thankful since I cannot take any of the antidepressants, nor most of the other drugs recommended for FMS. It's so dumb that Ambien doesn't even work for me! I also find some relief through chiropractic when I am not in the 8 - 10 category. But the biggest change has been through Cognitive Behavioral therapy which I have been in for almost a year, because I have learned that it's the disease that is the problem, not me! Most people with this disease allow the disease to control them because the "normals" of the world convince them there must be something they can do to control it. Other's shove cures we've already tried and haven't worked and therefore make us feel guilty. As a Christian, I have been told that I don't have enough faith which is why I haven't been cured! Also, taking drugs is a serious no-no for which I have had to ask God for forgiveness many times as I've wished this disease on such judgmental people.

As far as my friends and family are concerned - my sister thinks I am a complete weenie - sitting in bed all day complaining. My brother thinks I am psychotic. My parents think I am making it all up. My friends and immediate family (son, daughter and husband) have come into therapy with me at various times and have learned to grow up and stop judging me. They are now my best support system, for which I thank God every day.

I'm sorry this is so long - but I have suffered terribly with this disease for so many years. How do we know when we are really sick? Just this past week, a flu went through my family and I'm not sure if I actually had the flu or if my FMS just got worse - same difference to me. My nose always runs, my joints always ache, I always feel tired and sick, so how do we know when we are actually sick? For those of you who go in and out of flares, God bless you and/or thank your lucky stars. For those of you who suffer to my degree, maybe we can bring our heating pads, lovely pajamas (for we surely have nicer pajamas these days than everyday clothes , and laptops for the extensive research we do together and see if we can't just help each other feel better about being sick! I am sick of reading or hearing that tolerable pain is as good as it gets. I want NO pain. I am sick of tingling, weakness, cramps, double vision (yes, twice tested for MS), dizziness, incapacitating migraines, chills, falling at odd times (hence the cane I must use) and looking so good that recently when I traveled to Phoenix, the supervisor at the American Airlines counter where I was trying to get a bulkhead seat (more room) since they had messed up my itinerary with a broken plane ask me to "prove it" when I told him I was disabled!!! Trust me when I say that by the end of that encounter, the entire section of the airport was listening and he was hanging his head in shame - oh, it also snagged me a hundred dollar free voucher for my next flight with them.

Thanks for reading my tome here. There's lots and lots more, but I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. I look forward to meeting some of you and making new friends who actually understand and won't judge me - that alone will be a new world for me! God bless you all,

Kathy Heyner

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I am so sorry that you have had such a horrible time. I will pray for you. It won't help you physicall but maybe it will help knowing someone is thinking about you.

Sandy

Hello All! I Am New And Looking to Meeting Other Endurers of FMS

Hi All,

I am almost 53 years old and have suffered from FMS and CFS (and TMJ) as long as I can remember. I was diagnosed as a mild to moderate sufferer in 1995. I, too, am a Christian, who believes God allows all things to happen for a reason.

Two years ago, I fell and had a bad concussion. Since then, I have been kicked up to the severe range, enduring pain I never even conceived of in the mild to moderate stages. I went and read the article someone here listed by Devin J. Starlanyl and I suffer every symptom listed to varying degrees every day of my life, plus one not mentioned - incessant itching in different parts of my body (which other sites say is also a symptom). I have tried every remedy, every natural cure, chiropractic, exercise, diet imaginable with little or no results. Evidently, at my level, you just have to "wait it out" until you go into partial remission which is where my only r elief comes in. The only things that work for me are a combination of drugs (Ultram and Valium, plus Vicoprofen during weepy, rocking in a ball days) for which I am extremely thankful since I cannot take any of the antidepressants, nor most of the other drugs recommended for FMS. It's so dumb that Ambien doesn't even work for me! I also find some relief through chiropractic when I am not in the 8 - 10 category. But the biggest change has been through Cognitive Behavioral therapy which I have been in for almost a year, because I have learned that it's the disease that is the problem, not me! Most people with this disease allow the disease to control them because the "normals" of the world convince them there must be something they can do to control it. Other's shove cures we've already tried and haven't worked and therefore make us feel guilty. As a Christian, I have been told that I don't have enough faith which is why I haven't been cured! Also, taking drugs is a serious no-no fo r which I have had to ask God for forgiveness many times as I've wished this disease on such judgmental people.

As far as my friends and family are concerned - my sister thinks I am a complete weenie - sitting in bed all day complaining. My brother thinks I am psychotic. My parents think I am making it all up. My friends and immediate family (son, daughter and husband) have come into therapy with me at various times and have learned to grow up and stop judging me. They are now my best support system, for which I thank God every day.

I'm sorry this is so long - but I have suffered terribly with this disease for so many years. How do we know when we are really sick? Just this past week, a flu went through my family and I'm not sure if I actually had the flu or if my FMS just got worse - same difference to me. My nose always runs, my joints always ache, I always feel tired and sick, so how do we know when we are actually sic k? For those of you who go in and out of flares, God bless you and/or thank your lucky stars. For those of you who suffer to my degree, maybe we can bring our heating pads, lovely pajamas (for we surely have nicer pajamas these days than everyday clothes , and laptops for the extensive research we do together and see if we can't just help each other feel better about being sick! I am sick of reading or hearing that tolerable pain is as good as it gets. I want NO pain. I am sick of tingling, weakness, cramps, double vision (yes, twice tested for MS), dizziness, incapacitating migraines, chills, falling at odd times (hence the cane I must use) and looking so good that recently when I traveled to Phoenix, the supervisor at the American Airlines counter where I was trying to get a bulkhead seat (more room) since they had messed up my itinerary with a broken plane ask me to "prove it" when I told him I was disabled!!! Trust me when I say that by the end of that encounter, the entire s ection of the airport was listening and he was hanging his head in shame - oh, it also snagged me a hundred dollar free voucher for my next flight with them.

Thanks for reading my tome here. There's lots and lots more, but I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. I look forward to meeting some of you and making new friends who actually understand and won't judge me - that alone will be a new world for me! God bless you all,

Kathy Heyner

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Prayer is well appreciated! Tonight, my daughter is going to Alaska to meet her fiance and her flight has been delayed now for 5 hours at Logan Airport! She was supposed to be in Seattle by 8:30 and now we have no idea what's going on. Here I am in the middle of a major flare (pain and flu symptoms - the usual after Christmas "I did too much again" misery) and now I'm wringing my hands with worry over this delay, which, by the way, is caused by the airplane malfunctioning! So, any prayers for her safety and her flights would be appreciated. Oh, and that this won't send me over the edge, too :). Is it OK to complain on here??? Did I mention she's getting married on February 18th? We have 6 weeks to pull together a formal wedding for 75 people! Do any of you find yourselves in over your head (especially those with children) and too many demands that you really have to take care of because you want your children to have the best wedding/whatever and think to yourselves that you

just have no idea how you are going to pull it off when you can't move without severe pain, your fatigue is overwhelming and you have every symptom listed, including falling on your face when you need to go to the bathroom? I often wonder what it would be like to have the money to hire an assistant to help keep my life under control! Would that be under "things we dream about with FMS?" God bless you all. No tolerable pain in my body tonight! KathyMule wrote: I am so sorry that you have had such a horrible time. I will pray for you. It won't help you physicall but maybe it will help knowing someone is thinking about you. Sandy Hello All! I Am New And Looking to Meeting Other Endurers of FMS Hi All, I am almost 53 years old and have suffered from FMS and CFS (and TMJ) as

long as I can remember. I was diagnosed as a mild to moderate sufferer in 1995. I, too, am a Christian, who believes God allows all things to happen for a reason. Two years ago, I fell and had a bad concussion. Since then, I have been kicked up to the severe range, enduring pain I never even conceived of in the mild to moderate stages. I went and read the article someone here listed by Devin J. Starlanyl and I suffer every symptom listed to varying degrees every day of my life, plus one not mentioned - incessant itching in different parts of my body (which other sites say is also a symptom). I have tried every remedy, every natural cure, chiropractic, exercise, diet imaginable with little or no results. Evidently, at my level, you just have to "wait it out" until you go into partial remission which is where my only r elief comes in. The only things that work for me are a combination of drugs (Ultram and Valium, plus Vicoprofen during weepy, rocking in

a ball days) for which I am extremely thankful since I cannot take any of the antidepressants, nor most of the other drugs recommended for FMS. It's so dumb that Ambien doesn't even work for me! I also find some relief through chiropractic when I am not in the 8 - 10 category. But the biggest change has been through Cognitive Behavioral therapy which I have been in for almost a year, because I have learned that it's the disease that is the problem, not me! Most people with this disease allow the disease to control them because the "normals" of the world convince them there must be something they can do to control it. Other's shove cures we've already tried and haven't worked and therefore make us feel guilty. As a Christian, I have been told that I don't have enough faith which is why I haven't been cured! Also, taking drugs is a serious no-no fo r which I have had to ask God for forgiveness many times as I've wished this disease on such judgmental people. As far as my friends and family are concerned - my sister thinks I am a complete weenie - sitting in bed all day complaining. My brother thinks I am psychotic. My parents think I am making it all up. My friends and immediate family (son, daughter and husband) have come into therapy with me at various times and have learned to grow up and stop judging me. They are now my best support system, for which I thank God every day. I'm sorry this is so long - but I have suffered terribly with this disease for so many years. How do we know when we are really sick? Just this past week, a flu went through my family and I'm not sure if I actually had the flu or if my FMS just got worse - same difference to me. My nose always runs, my joints always ache, I always feel tired and sick, so how do we know when we are actually sic k? For those of you who go in and out of flares, God bless you and/or thank your lucky stars. For those of you who suffer to my degree,

maybe we can bring our heating pads, lovely pajamas (for we surely have nicer pajamas these days than everyday clothes , and laptops for the extensive research we do together and see if we can't just help each other feel better about being sick! I am sick of reading or hearing that tolerable pain is as good as it gets. I want NO pain. I am sick of tingling, weakness, cramps, double vision (yes, twice tested for MS), dizziness, incapacitating migraines, chills, falling at odd times (hence the cane I must use) and looking so good that recently when I traveled to Phoenix, the supervisor at the American Airlines counter where I was trying to get a bulkhead seat (more room) since they had messed up my itinerary with a broken plane ask me to "prove it" when I told him I was disabled!!! Trust me when I say that by the end of that encounter, the entire s ection of the airport was listening and he was hanging his head in shame - oh, it also snagged me a hundred dollar free voucher for my

next flight with them. Thanks for reading my tome here. There's lots and lots more, but I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. I look forward to meeting some of you and making new friends who actually understand and won't judge me - that alone will be a new world for me! God bless you all, Kathy Heyner __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Prayer is well appreciated! Tonight, my daughter is going to Alaska to meet her fiance and her flight has been delayed now for 5 hours at Logan Airport! She was supposed to be in Seattle by 8:30 and now we have no idea what's going on. Here I am in the middle of a major flare (pain and flu symptoms - the usual after Christmas "I did too much again" misery) and now I'm wringing my hands with worry over this delay, which, by the way, is caused by the airplane malfunctioning! So, any prayers for her safety and her flights would be appreciated. Oh, and that this won't send me over the edge, too :). Is it OK to complain on here??? Did I mention she's getting married on February 18th? We have 6 weeks to pull together a formal wedding for 75 people! Do any of you find yourselves in over your head (especially those with children) and too many demands that you really have to take care of because you want your children to have the best wedding/whatever and think to yourselves that you

just have no idea how you are going to pull it off when you can't move without severe pain, your fatigue is overwhelming and you have every symptom listed, including falling on your face when you need to go to the bathroom? I often wonder what it would be like to have the money to hire an assistant to help keep my life under control! Would that be under "things we dream about with FMS?" God bless you all. No tolerable pain in my body tonight! KathyMule wrote: I am so sorry that you have had such a horrible time. I will pray for you. It won't help you physicall but maybe it will help knowing someone is thinking about you. Sandy Hello All! I Am New And Looking to Meeting Other Endurers of FMS Hi All, I am almost 53 years old and have suffered from FMS and CFS (and TMJ) as

long as I can remember. I was diagnosed as a mild to moderate sufferer in 1995. I, too, am a Christian, who believes God allows all things to happen for a reason. Two years ago, I fell and had a bad concussion. Since then, I have been kicked up to the severe range, enduring pain I never even conceived of in the mild to moderate stages. I went and read the article someone here listed by Devin J. Starlanyl and I suffer every symptom listed to varying degrees every day of my life, plus one not mentioned - incessant itching in different parts of my body (which other sites say is also a symptom). I have tried every remedy, every natural cure, chiropractic, exercise, diet imaginable with little or no results. Evidently, at my level, you just have to "wait it out" until you go into partial remission which is where my only r elief comes in. The only things that work for me are a combination of drugs (Ultram and Valium, plus Vicoprofen during weepy, rocking in

a ball days) for which I am extremely thankful since I cannot take any of the antidepressants, nor most of the other drugs recommended for FMS. It's so dumb that Ambien doesn't even work for me! I also find some relief through chiropractic when I am not in the 8 - 10 category. But the biggest change has been through Cognitive Behavioral therapy which I have been in for almost a year, because I have learned that it's the disease that is the problem, not me! Most people with this disease allow the disease to control them because the "normals" of the world convince them there must be something they can do to control it. Other's shove cures we've already tried and haven't worked and therefore make us feel guilty. As a Christian, I have been told that I don't have enough faith which is why I haven't been cured! Also, taking drugs is a serious no-no fo r which I have had to ask God for forgiveness many times as I've wished this disease on such judgmental people. As far as my friends and family are concerned - my sister thinks I am a complete weenie - sitting in bed all day complaining. My brother thinks I am psychotic. My parents think I am making it all up. My friends and immediate family (son, daughter and husband) have come into therapy with me at various times and have learned to grow up and stop judging me. They are now my best support system, for which I thank God every day. I'm sorry this is so long - but I have suffered terribly with this disease for so many years. How do we know when we are really sick? Just this past week, a flu went through my family and I'm not sure if I actually had the flu or if my FMS just got worse - same difference to me. My nose always runs, my joints always ache, I always feel tired and sick, so how do we know when we are actually sic k? For those of you who go in and out of flares, God bless you and/or thank your lucky stars. For those of you who suffer to my degree,

maybe we can bring our heating pads, lovely pajamas (for we surely have nicer pajamas these days than everyday clothes , and laptops for the extensive research we do together and see if we can't just help each other feel better about being sick! I am sick of reading or hearing that tolerable pain is as good as it gets. I want NO pain. I am sick of tingling, weakness, cramps, double vision (yes, twice tested for MS), dizziness, incapacitating migraines, chills, falling at odd times (hence the cane I must use) and looking so good that recently when I traveled to Phoenix, the supervisor at the American Airlines counter where I was trying to get a bulkhead seat (more room) since they had messed up my itinerary with a broken plane ask me to "prove it" when I told him I was disabled!!! Trust me when I say that by the end of that encounter, the entire s ection of the airport was listening and he was hanging his head in shame - oh, it also snagged me a hundred dollar free voucher for my

next flight with them. Thanks for reading my tome here. There's lots and lots more, but I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. I look forward to meeting some of you and making new friends who actually understand and won't judge me - that alone will be a new world for me! God bless you all, Kathy Heyner __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

HI Kathy,

I am glad to see your daughter made it safely. My daughter married 4

years ago right when I was in the process of trying to figure out

what the heck was the matter with me. Here we were doing this great

wedding and I was tired and miserable all the time. I wasn't

diagnosed until much later. Just take it easy and go lay down when

you need to. Sometimes a little rest here and there makes things a

little better for me. Those catnaps work wonders. Of course,

sometimes those catnaps go into long winter hibernations of the bear

in me!

is

> I am so sorry that you have had such a horrible time. I

will pray for you. It won't help you physicall but maybe it will

help knowing someone is thinking about you.

> Sandy

>

> Hello All! I Am New And Looking to Meeting Other

Endurers of FMS

>

>

> Hi All,

>

> I am almost 53 years old and have suffered from FMS and CFS (and

TMJ) as long as I can remember. I was diagnosed as a mild to

moderate sufferer in 1995. I, too, am a Christian, who believes God

allows all things to happen for a reason.

>

> Two years ago, I fell and had a bad concussion. Since then, I

have been kicked up to the severe range, enduring pain I never even

conceived of in the mild to moderate stages. I went and read the

article someone here listed by Devin J. Starlanyl and I suffer every

symptom listed to varying degrees every day of my life, plus one not

mentioned - incessant itching in different parts of my body (which

other sites say is also a symptom). I have tried every remedy, every

natural cure, chiropractic, exercise, diet imaginable with little or

no results. Evidently, at my level, you just have to " wait it out "

until you go into partial remission which is where my only r elief

comes in. The only things that work for me are a combination of

drugs (Ultram and Valium, plus Vicoprofen during weepy, rocking in a

ball days) for which I am extremely thankful since I cannot take any

of the antidepressants, nor most of the other drugs recommended for

FMS. It's so dumb that Ambien doesn't even work for

> me! I also find some relief through chiropractic when I am not in

the 8 - 10 category. But the biggest change has been through

Cognitive Behavioral therapy which I have been in for almost a year,

because I have learned that it's the disease that is the problem,

not me! Most people with this disease allow the disease to control

them because the " normals " of the world convince them there must be

something they can do to control it. Other's shove cures we've

already tried and haven't worked and therefore make us feel guilty.

As a Christian, I have been told that I don't have enough faith

which is why I haven't been cured! Also, taking drugs is a serious

no-no fo r which I have had to ask God for forgiveness many times as

I've wished this disease on such judgmental people.

>

> As far as my friends and family are concerned - my sister thinks

I am a complete weenie - sitting in bed all day complaining. My

brother thinks I am psychotic. My parents think I am making it all

up. My friends and immediate family (son, daughter and husband) have

come into therapy with me at various times and have learned to grow

up and stop judging me. They are now my best support system, for

which I thank God every day.

>

> I'm sorry this is so long - but I have suffered terribly with

this disease for so many years. How do we know when we are really

sick? Just this past week, a flu went through my family and I'm not

sure if I actually had the flu or if my FMS just got worse - same

difference to me. My nose always runs, my joints always ache, I

always feel tired and sick, so how do we know when we are actually

sic k? For those of you who go in and out of flares, God bless you

and/or thank your lucky stars. For those of you who suffer to my

degree, maybe we can bring our heating pads, lovely pajamas (for we

surely have nicer pajamas these days than everyday clothes , and

laptops for the extensive research we do together and see if we

can't just help each other feel better about being sick! I am sick

of reading or hearing that tolerable pain is as good as it gets. I

want NO pain. I am sick of tingling, weakness, cramps, double vision

(yes, twice tested for MS), dizziness, incapacitating migraines,

> chills, falling at odd times (hence the cane I must use) and

looking so good that recently when I traveled to Phoenix, the

supervisor at the American Airlines counter where I was trying to

get a bulkhead seat (more room) since they had messed up my

itinerary with a broken plane ask me to " prove it " when I told him I

was disabled!!! Trust me when I say that by the end of that

encounter, the entire s ection of the airport was listening and he

was hanging his head in shame - oh, it also snagged me a hundred

dollar free voucher for my next flight with them.

>

> Thanks for reading my tome here. There's lots and lots more, but

I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. I look forward to

meeting some of you and making new friends who actually understand

and won't judge me - that alone will be a new world for me! God

bless you all,

>

> Kathy Heyner

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

http://mannapages.com/manna4metx

__________________________________________

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dsl.yahoo.com

[Guest guest]

Thanks, is! It's really difficult right now because I'm in a severe flare. Hopefully, I'll calm down as time goes on - it does seem to ebb and flow. Some days just seem impossible, don't they? :). Thanks for the encouragement. How are you doing now? Kathyquiltingbee2 wrote: HI Kathy,I am glad to see your daughter made it safely. My daughter married 4 years ago right when I was in the process of trying to figure out what the heck was the matter with me. Here we were doing this great wedding and I was tired and miserable all the time. I wasn't diagnosed until much later. Just take it easy and go lay down when you need to. Sometimes a little rest here and there makes things a little better for me. Those catnaps work

wonders. Of course, sometimes those catnaps go into long winter hibernations of the bear in me!is> I am so sorry that you have had such a

horrible time. I will pray for you. It won't help you physicall but maybe it will help knowing someone is thinking about you.> Sandy> > Hello All! I Am New And Looking to Meeting Other Endurers of FMS> > > Hi All,> > I am almost 53 years old and have suffered from FMS and CFS (and TMJ) as long as I can remember. I was diagnosed as a mild to moderate sufferer in 1995. I, too, am a Christian, who believes God allows all things to happen for a reason.> > Two years ago, I fell and had a bad concussion. Since then,

I have been kicked up to the severe range, enduring pain I never even conceived of in the mild to moderate stages. I went and read the article someone here listed by Devin J. Starlanyl and I suffer every symptom listed to varying degrees every day of my life, plus one not mentioned - incessant itching in different parts of my body (which other sites say is also a symptom). I have tried every remedy, every natural cure, chiropractic, exercise, diet imaginable with little or no results. Evidently, at my level, you just have to "wait it out" until you go into partial remission which is where my only r elief comes in. The only things that work for me are a combination of drugs (Ultram and Valium, plus Vicoprofen during weepy, rocking in a ball days) for which I am extremely thankful since I cannot take any of the antidepressants, nor most of the other drugs recommended for FMS. It's so dumb that Ambien doesn't even work

for> me! I also find some relief through chiropractic when I am not in the 8 - 10 category. But the biggest change has been through Cognitive Behavioral therapy which I have been in for almost a year, because I have learned that it's the disease that is the problem, not me! Most people with this disease allow the disease to control them because the "normals" of the world convince them there must be something they can do to control it. Other's shove cures we've already tried and haven't worked and therefore make us feel guilty. As a Christian, I have been told that I don't have enough faith which is why I haven't been cured! Also, taking drugs is a serious no-no fo r which I have had to ask God for forgiveness many times as I've wished this disease on such judgmental people.> > As far as my friends and family are concerned - my sister thinks I am a complete weenie - sitting in bed

all day complaining. My brother thinks I am psychotic. My parents think I am making it all up. My friends and immediate family (son, daughter and husband) have come into therapy with me at various times and have learned to grow up and stop judging me. They are now my best support system, for which I thank God every day.> > I'm sorry this is so long - but I have suffered terribly with this disease for so many years. How do we know when we are really sick? Just this past week, a flu went through my family and I'm not sure if I actually had the flu or if my FMS just got worse - same difference to me. My nose always runs, my joints always ache, I always feel tired and sick, so how do we know when we are actually sic k? For those of you who go in and out of flares, God bless you and/or thank your lucky stars. For those of you who suffer to my degree, maybe we can bring our heating pads, lovely

pajamas (for we surely have nicer pajamas these days than everyday clothes , and laptops for the extensive research we do together and see if we can't just help each other feel better about being sick! I am sick of reading or hearing that tolerable pain is as good as it gets. I want NO pain. I am sick of tingling, weakness, cramps, double vision (yes, twice tested for MS), dizziness, incapacitating migraines,> chills, falling at odd times (hence the cane I must use) and looking so good that recently when I traveled to Phoenix, the supervisor at the American Airlines counter where I was trying to get a bulkhead seat (more room) since they had messed up my itinerary with a broken plane ask me to "prove it" when I told him I was disabled!!! Trust me when I say that by the end of that encounter, the entire s ection of the airport was listening and he was hanging his head in shame - oh, it also snagged me a hundred

dollar free voucher for my next flight with them.> > Thanks for reading my tome here. There's lots and lots more, but I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. I look forward to meeting some of you and making new friends who actually understand and won't judge me - that alone will be a new world for me! God bless you all,> > Kathy Heyner> __________________________________________________>

[Guest guest]

HI Kathy,

I am actually not doing to badly. Some days are better than others

but I havent been working either so there isnt much stress. I have

had a couple of interviews and am waiting to hear back from one

place. I think working (at least parttime) will be a tremendous help

and give me the confidence I need to possibly go back to work

fulltime.

is

> > I am so sorry that you have had such a horrible time.

I

> will pray for you. It won't help you physicall but maybe it will

> help knowing someone is thinking about you.

> > Sandy

> >

> > Hello All! I Am New And Looking to Meeting

Other

> Endurers of FMS

> >

> >

> > Hi All,

> >

> > I am almost 53 years old and have suffered from FMS and CFS

(and

> TMJ) as long as I can remember. I was diagnosed as a mild to

> moderate sufferer in 1995. I, too, am a Christian, who believes

God

> allows all things to happen for a reason.

> >

> > Two years ago, I fell and had a bad concussion. Since then, I

> have been kicked up to the severe range, enduring pain I never

even

> conceived of in the mild to moderate stages. I went and read the

> article someone here listed by Devin J. Starlanyl and I suffer

every

> symptom listed to varying degrees every day of my life, plus one

not

> mentioned - incessant itching in different parts of my body (which

> other sites say is also a symptom). I have tried every remedy,

every

> natural cure, chiropractic, exercise, diet imaginable with little

or

> no results. Evidently, at my level, you just have to " wait it out "

> until you go into partial remission which is where my only r elief

> comes in. The only things that work for me are a combination of

> drugs (Ultram and Valium, plus Vicoprofen during weepy, rocking in

a

> ball days) for which I am extremely thankful since I cannot take

any

> of the antidepressants, nor most of the other drugs recommended

for

> FMS. It's so dumb that Ambien doesn't even work for

> > me! I also find some relief through chiropractic when I am not

in

> the 8 - 10 category. But the biggest change has been through

> Cognitive Behavioral therapy which I have been in for almost a

year,

> because I have learned that it's the disease that is the problem,

> not me! Most people with this disease allow the disease to control

> them because the " normals " of the world convince them there must

be

> something they can do to control it. Other's shove cures we've

> already tried and haven't worked and therefore make us feel

guilty.

> As a Christian, I have been told that I don't have enough faith

> which is why I haven't been cured! Also, taking drugs is a serious

> no-no fo r which I have had to ask God for forgiveness many times

as

> I've wished this disease on such judgmental people.

> >

> > As far as my friends and family are concerned - my sister

thinks

> I am a complete weenie - sitting in bed all day complaining. My

> brother thinks I am psychotic. My parents think I am making it all

> up. My friends and immediate family (son, daughter and husband)

have

> come into therapy with me at various times and have learned to

grow

> up and stop judging me. They are now my best support system, for

> which I thank God every day.

> >

> > I'm sorry this is so long - but I have suffered terribly with

> this disease for so many years. How do we know when we are really

> sick? Just this past week, a flu went through my family and I'm

not

> sure if I actually had the flu or if my FMS just got worse - same

> difference to me. My nose always runs, my joints always ache, I

> always feel tired and sick, so how do we know when we are actually

> sic k? For those of you who go in and out of flares, God bless you

> and/or thank your lucky stars. For those of you who suffer to my

> degree, maybe we can bring our heating pads, lovely pajamas (for

we

> surely have nicer pajamas these days than everyday clothes , and

> laptops for the extensive research we do together and see if we

> can't just help each other feel better about being sick! I am sick

> of reading or hearing that tolerable pain is as good as it gets. I

> want NO pain. I am sick of tingling, weakness, cramps, double

vision

> (yes, twice tested for MS), dizziness, incapacitating migraines,

> > chills, falling at odd times (hence the cane I must use) and

> looking so good that recently when I traveled to Phoenix, the

> supervisor at the American Airlines counter where I was trying to

> get a bulkhead seat (more room) since they had messed up my

> itinerary with a broken plane ask me to " prove it " when I told him

I

> was disabled!!! Trust me when I say that by the end of that

> encounter, the entire s ection of the airport was listening and he

> was hanging his head in shame - oh, it also snagged me a hundred

> dollar free voucher for my next flight with them.

> >

> > Thanks for reading my tome here. There's lots and lots more,

but

> I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. I look forward to

> meeting some of you and making new friends who actually understand

> and won't judge me - that alone will be a new world for me! God

> bless you all,

> >

> > Kathy Heyner

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

For Kathy and all having a tough day.

God Bless you and yours

God Bless America

Love ya,

Gail

-- Re: Hello All! I Am New And Looking to Meeting Other Endurers of FMS

is,

Definitely get a job if you are feeling up to it. I'm a little envious, I must admit. This morning I am so miserable I am in one of my crying jags - I've searched the net and have already had three vacations planned :). Just wanting a way out. If you are at the mild to moderate stage - if you can work - do so. It will keep your mind active, as you said, and make you feel so much better about yourself. I just talked to my ex-boss last week and we had a good cry (again) over my illness and the loss of my job, because it didn't just affect me, it also affected him. He told me that nobody did it better - at once I was flattered and flattened with sorrow. I've been away for two years and he told me honestly that things have not grown since I left. While it was a complement to my once-talented abilities, it also reminded me again of what I lost (I was his Business Manager and grew the company from a $100,000 a year profit to a million dollar profit in five years!). I hate this disease soooo much!!! Sorry, not having a good week at all - but middle of winter is always a challenge for me, even before this severe flare! God bless you in your search. You'll do fine, I'm sure. I look forward to the day that I, too, can reenter the workforce!

Kathyquiltingbee2 wrote:

HI Kathy,I am actually not doing to badly. Some days are better than others but I havent been working either so there isnt much stress. I have had a couple of interviews and am waiting to hear back from one place. I think working (at least parttime) will be a tremendous help and give me the confidence I need to possibly go back to work fulltime.is> > I am so sorry that you have had such a horrible time. I > will pray for you. It won't help you physicall but maybe it will > help knowing someone is thinking about you.> > Sandy> > > > Hello All! I Am New And Looking to Meeting Other > Endurers of FMS> > > > > > Hi All,> > > > I am almost 53 years old and have suffered from FMS and CFS (and > TMJ) as long as I can remember. I was diagnosed as a mild to > moderate sufferer in 1995. I, too, am a Christian, who believes God > allows all things to happen for a reason.> > > > Two years ago, I fell and had a bad concussion. Since then, I > have been kicked up to the severe range, enduring pain I never even > conceived of in the mild to moderate stages. I went and read the > article someone here listed by Devin J. Starlanyl and I suffer every > symptom listed to varying degrees every day of my life, plus one not > mentioned - incessant itching in different parts of my body (which > other sites say is also a symptom). I have tried every remedy, every > natural cure, chiropractic, exercise, diet imaginable with little or > no results. Evidently, at my level, you just have to "wait it out" > until you go into partial remission which is where my only r elief > comes in. The only things that work for me are a combination of > drugs (Ultram and Valium, plus Vicoprofen during weepy, rocking in a > ball days) for which I am extremely thankful since I cannot take any > of the antidepressants, nor most of the other drugs recommended for > FMS. It's so dumb that Ambien doesn't even work for> > me! I also find some relief through chiropractic when I am not in > the 8 - 10 category. But the biggest change has been through > Cognitive Behavioral therapy which I have been in for almost a year, > because I have learned that it's the disease that is the problem, > not me! Most people with this disease allow the disease to control > them because the "normals" of the world convince them there must be > something they can do to control it. Other's shove cures we've > already tried and haven't worked and therefore make us feel guilty. > As a Christian, I have been told that I don't have enough faith > which is why I haven't been cured! Also, taking drugs is a serious > no-no fo r which I have had to ask God for forgiveness many times as > I've wished this disease on such judgmental people.> > > > As far as my friends and family are concerned - my sister thinks > I am a complete weenie - sitting in bed all day complaining. My > brother thinks I am psychotic. My parents think I am making it all > up. My friends and immediate family (son, daughter and husband) have > come into therapy with me at various times and have learned to grow > up and stop judging me. They are now my best support system, for > which I thank God every day.> > > > I'm sorry this is so long - but I have suffered terribly with > this disease for so many years. How do we know when we are really > sick? Just this past week, a flu went through my family and I'm not > sure if I actually had the flu or if my FMS just got worse - same > difference to me. My nose always runs, my joints always ache, I > always feel tired and sick, so how do we know when we are actually > sic k? For those of you who go in and out of flares, God bless you > and/or thank your lucky stars. For those of you who suffer to my > degree, maybe we can bring our heating pads, lovely pajamas (for we > surely have nicer pajamas these days than everyday clothes , and > laptops for the extensive research we do together and see if we > can't just help each other feel better about being sick! I am sick > of reading or hearing that tolerable pain is as good as it gets. I > want NO pain. I am sick of tingling, weakness, cramps, double vision > (yes, twice tested for MS), dizziness, incapacitating migraines,> > chills, falling at odd times (hence the cane I must use) and > looking so good that recently when I traveled to Phoenix, the > supervisor at the American Airlines counter where I was trying to > get a bulkhead seat (more room) since they had messed up my > itinerary with a broken plane ask me to "prove it" when I told him I > was disabled!!! Trust me when I say that by the end of that > encounter, the entire s ection of the airport was listening and he > was hanging his head in shame - oh, it also snagged me a hundred > dollar free voucher for my next flight with them.> > > > Thanks for reading my tome here. There's lots and lots more, but > I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. I look forward to > meeting some of you and making new friends who actually understand > and won't judge me - that alone will be a new world for me! God > bless you all,> > > > Kathy Heyner> > __________________________________________________> >

[Guest guest]

Right back at ya, Gail . Sorry it's a little late - bad week. First chance I've had to check in here.Gail Kubik wrote: For Kathy and all having a tough day. God Bless you and yours God Bless

America Love ya, Gail -- Re: Hello All! I Am New And Looking to Meeting Other Endurers of FMS is, Definitely get a job if you are feeling up to it.

I'm a little envious, I must admit. This morning I am so miserable I am in one of my crying jags - I've searched the net and have already had three vacations planned :). Just wanting a way out. If you are at the mild to moderate stage - if you can work - do so. It will keep your mind active, as you said, and make you feel so much better about yourself. I just talked to my ex-boss last week and we had a good cry (again) over my illness and the loss of my job, because it didn't just affect me, it also affected him. He told me that nobody did it better - at once I was flattered and flattened with sorrow. I've been away for two years and he told me honestly that things have not grown since I left. While it was a complement to my once-talented abilities, it also reminded me again of what I lost (I was his Business Manager and grew the company from a $100,000 a year profit to a million dollar profit in five years!). I hate this disease soooo much!!! Sorry, not having a good week at all

- but middle of winter is always a challenge for me, even before this severe flare! God bless you in your search. You'll do fine, I'm sure. I look forward to the day that I, too, can reenter the workforce! Kathyquiltingbee2 wrote: HI Kathy,I am actually not doing to badly. Some days are better than others but I havent been working either so there isnt much stress. I have had a couple of interviews and am waiting to hear back from one place. I think working (at least parttime) will be a tremendous help and give me the confidence I need to possibly go back to work fulltime.is> > I am so sorry that you have had such a horrible time. I > will pray for you. It won't help you physicall but maybe it will > help knowing someone is thinking about you.> > Sandy> > > > Hello All! I Am New And Looking to Meeting Other > Endurers of FMS> > > > > > Hi All,> > > > I am almost 53 years old and have suffered from FMS and CFS (and > TMJ) as long as I

can remember. I was diagnosed as a mild to > moderate sufferer in 1995. I, too, am a Christian, who believes God > allows all things to happen for a reason.> > > > Two years ago, I fell and had a bad concussion. Since then, I > have been kicked up to the severe range, enduring pain I never even > conceived of in the mild to moderate stages. I went and read the > article someone here listed by Devin J. Starlanyl and I suffer every > symptom listed to varying degrees every day of my life, plus one not > mentioned - incessant itching in different parts of my body (which > other sites say is also a symptom). I have tried every remedy, every > natural cure, chiropractic, exercise, diet imaginable with little or > no results. Evidently, at my level, you just have to "wait it out" > until you go into partial remission which is where my only

r elief > comes in. The only things that work for me are a combination of > drugs (Ultram and Valium, plus Vicoprofen during weepy, rocking in a > ball days) for which I am extremely thankful since I cannot take any > of the antidepressants, nor most of the other drugs recommended for > FMS. It's so dumb that Ambien doesn't even work for> > me! I also find some relief through chiropractic when I am not in > the 8 - 10 category. But the biggest change has been through > Cognitive Behavioral therapy which I have been in for almost a year, > because I have learned that it's the disease that is the problem, > not me! Most people with this disease allow the disease to control > them because the "normals" of the world convince them there must be > something they can do to control it. Other's shove cures we've > already tried and haven't worked and therefore make us

feel guilty. > As a Christian, I have been told that I don't have enough faith > which is why I haven't been cured! Also, taking drugs is a serious > no-no fo r which I have had to ask God for forgiveness many times as > I've wished this disease on such judgmental people.> > > > As far as my friends and family are concerned - my sister thinks > I am a complete weenie - sitting in bed all day complaining. My > brother thinks I am psychotic. My parents think I am making it all > up. My friends and immediate family (son, daughter and husband) have > come into therapy with me at various times and have learned to grow > up and stop judging me. They are now my best support system, for > which I thank God every day.> > > > I'm sorry this is so long - but I have suffered terribly with > this

disease for so many years. How do we know when we are really > sick? Just this past week, a flu went through my family and I'm not > sure if I actually had the flu or if my FMS just got worse - same > difference to me. My nose always runs, my joints always ache, I > always feel tired and sick, so how do we know when we are actually > sic k? For those of you who go in and out of flares, God bless you > and/or thank your lucky stars. For those of you who suffer to my > degree, maybe we can bring our heating pads, lovely pajamas (for we > surely have nicer pajamas these days than everyday clothes , and > laptops for the extensive research we do together and see if we > can't just help each other feel better about being sick! I am sick > of reading or hearing that tolerable pain is as good as it gets. I > want NO pain. I am sick of tingling, weakness, cramps, double vision > (yes,

twice tested for MS), dizziness, incapacitating migraines,> > chills, falling at odd times (hence the cane I must use) and > looking so good that recently when I traveled to Phoenix, the > supervisor at the American Airlines counter where I was trying to > get a bulkhead seat (more room) since they had messed up my > itinerary with a broken plane ask me to "prove it" when I told him I > was disabled!!! Trust me when I say that by the end of that > encounter, the entire s ection of the airport was listening and he > was hanging his head in shame - oh, it also snagged me a hundred > dollar free voucher for my next flight with them.> > > > Thanks for reading my tome here. There's lots and lots more, but > I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. I look forward to > meeting some of you and making new friends who actually understand >

and won't judge me - that alone will be a new world for me! God > bless you all,> > > > Kathy Heyner> > __________________________________________________> >