Re: Diagnosed with Fibro

[Guest guest]

Dear Kathy,

I have taken Elavil for several years now. It is called a " tricyclic "

antidepressant. They discovered many years back that the trycyclic

anitdepressants have a potentiator effect when taken with pain meds. In other

words, this particular kind of antidepressant helps the pain meds to work

better. It regulates sleep, which is one of the most important of its jobs. I

have heard of people who can't take it, it just doesn't agree with everyone.

But it has been an essential part of my treatment for a long time, and it works

very well for me.

I know how you feel about not wanting to " stick out " in your choir. I have been

that person sitting down in the front row....singled out as weaker is what it

feels like. I don't know how important choir is to you, but if you really love

it and it adds to your life, please think about sitting to keep it in your life.

Trust me when I tell you that you will loose plenty of things in your life to

this disease. If you truly love that activity, fight for keeping it. I hate

being singled out as " weaker " for needing extra help to do what others do

without thinking. It makes you feel so very " disabled " , but I just want you to

give some consideration to how much joy this brings to you, before giving it up.

At times with this disorder, you get feeling like it has sucked everything good

out of your life. So, if choir gives you a measure of joy in your life, please

consider " sitting " , to keep it. In the years that I have had this, I have lost

my career, friends, hobbies and much more. Yes, you have to learn to forgo

things that you could have done before. That is another loss that you have to

get used to. No one wants to be singled out for disabilities, that hurts the

pride as much as anything. But if you derive some amount of happiness from

this, maybe you could swallow your objections, and just ask for a little bit of

help. Think about it before you start sacrificing pieces of your life to the

disease. You will loose plenty of pieces to this disease. Besides, I imagine

your friends in the choir wouldn't mind having you in a seat, as opposed to not

having you around at all. I know when it comes to my friends, I have

underestimated them and thier willingness to give a little extra to have me

around. I have had times when I was thinking " It isn't fair to them " , and they

were a little hurt when they found out how I felt. Like I didn't think much of

their friendship or compassion for making a little extra effort to help me.

I guess that my point is this....with fibro. you have to pick your battles. You

don't have the strength to fight them all, but some are worth fighting for. If

it puts a little joy into your life, it may well be worth fighting for.

Your life is going to shrink when dealing with fibro. Don't let it take

anything worth keeping!

Just a thought.

Kellie

If logic tells us that life is a meaningless accident, don't give up on life,

give up on logic. If logic tells you that in the long run nothing you do makes

a difference, then don't live in the long run. Life is a series of moments--to

live each one is to succeed.

Diagnosed with Fibro

My doctor diagnosed that I do have fibromyalgia. He perscribed

AMITRIPTYLINE 10MG TABLETS and warm water excercise. Is anyone else

on this drug? It is an antidepressant (I don't have depression)but

it is also used for chronic pain and to help with sleeping.

I am glad to have a diagnosis. I hope the fibro doesn't get any

worse. Right now I can work because I have a desk job. Anything

that involves standing for even a short length of time or walking

would not work for me. I do get shoulder pain from using the computer

but it is not bad enough to not be able to do it.

One unfortunate thing is I am going to resign from my chorus.

Standing on the risers for 3 and a half to 4 hours is impossible and

I don't feel right sitting out in front of the group during the

rehearsals. It isn't fair to the other members and I don't think I

can do shows and competitions anyway. That requires being on your

feet literally all day.

I know I just have to take it easy and do what I can and forego what

I can't.

Gentle Hugs

Kathy

[Guest guest]

> I know how you feel about not wanting to " stick out " in your choir

Thanks Kelli. I talked to a member of my chorus tonight (she is my

hairdresser) and she suggested a leave of absense. I think that might

be the best idea for now. That way I don't completely resign and I

wouldn't have to re-audition when I feel like I can go back. I could

also speak to them about using a chair on the risers. Others do that

so I could too.

Thanks so much for the encouragement. It really helped me sort out my

thoughts.

Kathy