Re: Please share with us.. [list owner request]

September 10, 2001

Name: Shay

Married/single: Happily Married

Does family understand your illness: They try, but no, they do not.

Male/female { some names one can't tell}: Female

Age area: 29

Area of the world do you live in: Mid-West; USA

Country/City/Farm life: Wichita, Kansas

How bad is it: The disease is horrible and ravaging me daily.

How long have you had Fibromyalgia or CFS: I was dx 81/2 years ago, but have

probably had it for much longer.

Did a trauma in your life start it: Yes.

What have you found works for you: Tanning in a tanning bed actually helps my

muscles a great deal!

What kind of Dr do you find works best in helping you with this disease? GP

Do you have sleep problems: YES!!!

Does diet effect you: No.

Feel better with cold/hot weather: Any extreme condition hurts it.

Most people with Fibro are overweight I think for lack of activity, do

you find this to be true with you: Yes. I was very slender before the

disease....

What time of the day is the best time for you: Early afternoon

Do you have good days then bad ones or all of them bad: I have periods of

about 6 months bad, 2 good.....

On disability:Yes, but it was a long hard road.

If so hints on how you were able to get it since it is hard to get:The best

doctor in the world fought hard for me.

> Have to have helpers: Yes, my whole family helps when possible.

> Work out or stay at home:Stay at home. No other choice, or you better

> believe I'd be out working when the kids are at school.

>

> Do you have " Now what am I here for times " :Yes.

Join my new Diabetic Recipes group @

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Recipes4Diabetes

God Bless You All, Shay/Shalynn and the rescue gang;

Max, Samson

September 10, 2001

Name: Shay

Married/single: Happily Married

Does family understand your illness: They try, but no, they do not.

Male/female { some names one can't tell}: Female

Age area: 29

Area of the world do you live in: Mid-West; USA

Country/City/Farm life: Wichita, Kansas

How bad is it: The disease is horrible and ravaging me daily.

How long have you had Fibromyalgia or CFS: I was dx 81/2 years ago, but have

probably had it for much longer.

Did a trauma in your life start it: Yes.

What have you found works for you: Tanning in a tanning bed actually helps my

muscles a great deal!

What kind of Dr do you find works best in helping you with this disease? GP

Do you have sleep problems: YES!!!

Does diet effect you: No.

Feel better with cold/hot weather: Any extreme condition hurts it.

Most people with Fibro are overweight I think for lack of activity, do

you find this to be true with you: Yes. I was very slender before the

disease....

What time of the day is the best time for you: Early afternoon

Do you have good days then bad ones or all of them bad: I have periods of

about 6 months bad, 2 good.....

On disability:Yes, but it was a long hard road.

If so hints on how you were able to get it since it is hard to get:The best

doctor in the world fought hard for me.

> Have to have helpers: Yes, my whole family helps when possible.

> Work out or stay at home:Stay at home. No other choice, or you better

> believe I'd be out working when the kids are at school.

>

> Do you have " Now what am I here for times " :Yes.

Join my new Diabetic Recipes group @

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Recipes4Diabetes

God Bless You All, Shay/Shalynn and the rescue gang;

Max, Samson

September 10, 2001

>

> Name: Irene Duffield

>

> Married/single: Married

> Does family understand your illness: Yes, I am very lucky in that.

Male/female { some names one can't tell}: Female

> Age area: 65

Area of the world do you live in: Texas

> Country/City/Farm life: City

> How bad is it: Very bad and getting worse every day

> How long have you had Fibromyalgia or CFS: About 6 years that I know of.

> Did a trauma in your life start it: Yes. I had a very bad fall. Could

> barely get out of bed for three days after the fall.

> What have you found works for you: Hot tub for a short time. Pain

> medication.

> What kind of DR do you find works best in helping you with this disease?

> Rheumatologist

> Do you have sleep problems: Yes

> Does diet effect you: Yes. There are things that I eat that cause me

> problems.

> Feel better with cold/hot weather: Feel better in cold weather.

> Warm baths are heaven sent dealing with pain: I don't think so. At least

> not in my case. I also have a hard time getting out of bathtub.

> Most people with Fibro are overweight I think for lack of activity, do

> you find this to be true with you: I am overweight but because I was given

> a steroid drug that causes you pain. I have lost some of it. No longer

> take any steroids.

> What time of the day is the best time for you: Late morning. By evening I

> am in so much pain that all I can do is rest. I try to get all of my

> chores done in the late morning so I will be able to rest. I have a

> cleaning lady that comes in once a week to help. She is also very

> understanding about the fibro and she cleans thing above and beyond the

> call of duty.

> Do you have good days then bad ones or all of them bad: I have more bad days

> than good but still the good days are really not good. It just means that

> I am going to be able to cope a little better on that day and not fall

> apart.

> On disability: No

f so hints on how you were able to get it since it is hard to get: NA

>

> Have to have helpers: Yes. My husband and my daughter who lives next door.

> I don't know what I would do without either of them. I love my husband

> dearly and I hope that he will be with more for my lifetime.

Work out or stay at home: I am blessed in being able to stay home.

> Do you have " Now what am I here for times " : Yes, because I have tinnitus,

> fibromyalgia, polyarthritis, glaucoma suspect and a lump in my breast that

> so far seems to be nothing and mini strokes.

> Share your funny memory problem story: I am sorry to say that I can't

> remember any funny stories. I do have a Charlie Brown picture of him

> laying in bed and saying , " Why me " and the Lord answers " No reason, your

> name just happened to come up. " That is how I feel every time I am

> diagnosed with something new.

>

September 10, 2001

>

> Name: Irene Duffield

>

> Married/single: Married

> Does family understand your illness: Yes, I am very lucky in that.

Male/female { some names one can't tell}: Female

> Age area: 65

Area of the world do you live in: Texas

> Country/City/Farm life: City

> How bad is it: Very bad and getting worse every day

> How long have you had Fibromyalgia or CFS: About 6 years that I know of.

> Did a trauma in your life start it: Yes. I had a very bad fall. Could

> barely get out of bed for three days after the fall.

> What have you found works for you: Hot tub for a short time. Pain

> medication.

> What kind of DR do you find works best in helping you with this disease?

> Rheumatologist

> Do you have sleep problems: Yes

> Does diet effect you: Yes. There are things that I eat that cause me

> problems.

> Feel better with cold/hot weather: Feel better in cold weather.

> Warm baths are heaven sent dealing with pain: I don't think so. At least

> not in my case. I also have a hard time getting out of bathtub.

> Most people with Fibro are overweight I think for lack of activity, do

> you find this to be true with you: I am overweight but because I was given

> a steroid drug that causes you pain. I have lost some of it. No longer

> take any steroids.

> What time of the day is the best time for you: Late morning. By evening I

> am in so much pain that all I can do is rest. I try to get all of my

> chores done in the late morning so I will be able to rest. I have a

> cleaning lady that comes in once a week to help. She is also very

> understanding about the fibro and she cleans thing above and beyond the

> call of duty.

> Do you have good days then bad ones or all of them bad: I have more bad days

> than good but still the good days are really not good. It just means that

> I am going to be able to cope a little better on that day and not fall

> apart.

> On disability: No

f so hints on how you were able to get it since it is hard to get: NA

>

> Have to have helpers: Yes. My husband and my daughter who lives next door.

> I don't know what I would do without either of them. I love my husband

> dearly and I hope that he will be with more for my lifetime.

Work out or stay at home: I am blessed in being able to stay home.

> Do you have " Now what am I here for times " : Yes, because I have tinnitus,

> fibromyalgia, polyarthritis, glaucoma suspect and a lump in my breast that

> so far seems to be nothing and mini strokes.

> Share your funny memory problem story: I am sorry to say that I can't

> remember any funny stories. I do have a Charlie Brown picture of him

> laying in bed and saying , " Why me " and the Lord answers " No reason, your

> name just happened to come up. " That is how I feel every time I am

> diagnosed with something new.

>

September 11, 2001

In a message dated 9/10/2001 1:47:20 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

mary_bierman@... writes:

> Name: Connell

> Married/single: Married for one year on Sept. 12

> Does family understand your illness: My husband has always understood. It

>

> Male/female { some names one can't tell}: Female

> Age area: 23

> Area of the world do you live in: Magalia CA (Northern CA)

> Country/City/Farm life: I live in a foresty area.

> How bad is it: Very Severe. I think there is also something else wrong with

> me. Autoimmune diseases run in my family.

> How long have you had Fibromyalgia or CFS: Since I was 15, so 8 years

> Did a trauma in your life start it: No, it came on very gradually.

> What have you found works for you: Bengay and Neurontin

> What kind of Dr do you find works best in helping you with this disease?

> Well, I go to a pain specialist but he's been blowing me off latley.

> Do you have sleep problems: I take benadryl for allergies so that lets me

> sleep.

> Does diet effect you: I'm not sure.

> Feel better with cold/hot weather: Any extreme weather or a big drop in

> temperature always gets me.

> Warm baths are heaven sent dealing with pain: Yes!!

> Most people with Fibro are overweight I think for lack of activity, do

> you find this to be true with you: No, I weigh 114. I actually had a doctor

> tell me that this was overweight. He was very very thin himself.

> What time of the day is the best time for you: Evening

> Do you have good days then bad ones or all of them bad: I'm in pain

> everyday but I do have some days when I can't stand up.

> On disability:I'm in the middle of applying.

> If so hints on how you were able to get it since it is hard to get:

>

> Have to have helpers: My husband loves to clean!

> Work out or stay at home: I stay at home

>

> Do you have " Now what am I here for times " : Yes.

> Share your funny memory problem story: I don't have anything too funny but

> my husband is constantly finding things in the fridge that shouldn't be

> there (things that aren't even food).

>

September 11, 2001

In a message dated 9/10/2001 1:47:20 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

mary_bierman@... writes:

> Name: Connell

> Married/single: Married for one year on Sept. 12

> Does family understand your illness: My husband has always understood. It

>

> Male/female { some names one can't tell}: Female

> Age area: 23

> Area of the world do you live in: Magalia CA (Northern CA)

> Country/City/Farm life: I live in a foresty area.

> How bad is it: Very Severe. I think there is also something else wrong with

> me. Autoimmune diseases run in my family.

> How long have you had Fibromyalgia or CFS: Since I was 15, so 8 years

> Did a trauma in your life start it: No, it came on very gradually.

> What have you found works for you: Bengay and Neurontin

> What kind of Dr do you find works best in helping you with this disease?

> Well, I go to a pain specialist but he's been blowing me off latley.

> Do you have sleep problems: I take benadryl for allergies so that lets me

> sleep.

> Does diet effect you: I'm not sure.

> Feel better with cold/hot weather: Any extreme weather or a big drop in

> temperature always gets me.

> Warm baths are heaven sent dealing with pain: Yes!!

> Most people with Fibro are overweight I think for lack of activity, do

> you find this to be true with you: No, I weigh 114. I actually had a doctor

> tell me that this was overweight. He was very very thin himself.

> What time of the day is the best time for you: Evening

> Do you have good days then bad ones or all of them bad: I'm in pain

> everyday but I do have some days when I can't stand up.

> On disability:I'm in the middle of applying.

> If so hints on how you were able to get it since it is hard to get:

>

> Have to have helpers: My husband loves to clean!

> Work out or stay at home: I stay at home

>

> Do you have " Now what am I here for times " : Yes.

> Share your funny memory problem story: I don't have anything too funny but

> my husband is constantly finding things in the fridge that shouldn't be

> there (things that aren't even food).

>

September 11, 2001

Below you will find my answers

>I have made this up for new subscribers so maybe they will share with

>us.

>

>Name: Jeane Rae Watkins

>Married/single: married, May 1, 2001

>Does family understand your illness: he tries and gets better at it every day!

>Male/female { some names one can't tell}: female ;-)

>Age area: I will be 55 on Oct. 25

>Area of the world do you live in: Hemet, Riverside Co, California (about 1

>1/2 SE of Los Angeles . . . hot and dry farmland/valley surrounded by

>beautiful mountains)

>Country/City/Farm life: a wonderful combination of them all!

>How bad is it: right now, better than it's been in years! VERY bad flair

>from Aug, 2000 thru April, 2001 (after my mother's death). I didn't think

>I'd make it though that one.

>How long have you had Fibromyalgia or CFS: diagnosed Winter, 96, but I

>have probably had it for well over 20 years

>Did a trauma in your life start it: Hmmm...difficult to answer. The pain

>increased noticeably when I began travelling over 3000/month when I was

>teaching at 4 different colleges in the LA/Riverside/San Bernardino

>area. However, I can look back and see years of increasing/decreasing

>pain patterns.

>What have you found works for you: Effexor! yeah! Don't know if the

>Ritalin has an effect since it was prescribed at the same time. Water is

>wonderful . . . swimming, loafing in the jacuzzi, relaxing baths with

>scented candles. Getting out with friends has also been a help . . . hard

>at first, but then I relax and enjoy the company and I stop

> " concentrating " on my pain.

>What kind of Dr do you find works best in helping you with this

>disease? I've only been to my internal medicine doc, as he alwo treats me

>for my diabetes, which is his main/only? concern...sigh!

>Do you have sleep problems: yes. I have to carefully watch caffine

>intake. Also, since it's hard to get out of bed, I tend to stay in bed

>and doze for hours, thus making it difficult to sleep that night. I am

>very fortunate in that ibuprophen (1600 mg) at night usually reduces my

>pain enough to allow me to sleep. Still, there are times when no matter

>what, I can't fall alseep. Those are hard.

>Does diet effect you: Probably, although at something slightly over 100

>pounds overweight, diet is obviously not something I pay a great deal of

>attention to. A good friend who has just been diagnosed with rheumatoid

>arthritis says she has gotten much relief from eliminating certain foods,

>such as cheese. I probably should give my diet more attention...sigh again!

>Feel better with cold/hot weather: rofl...I live in Southern Ca...how can

>I tell? It never really gets cold here. The heat (90/100/110) doesn't

>seem to bother the FM at all...gives me more opportunity to swim!

>Warm baths are heaven sent dealing with pain: YES! . . . but try

>surrounding the tub with scented candles.

>Most people with Fibro are overweight I think for lack of activity, do

>you find this to be true with you: Most definitely! I was an athelete,

>dancer, and actress/singer for years. As the pain got worse, my

>activities lessened, I gained weight, the pain got worse, etc.

>What time of the day is the best time for you: Definitely NOT

>mornings. I hate mornings! Probably midday, as by evening I tend to get

>physically tired, even if the pain doesn't worsen.

>Do you have good days then bad ones or all of them bad: Like a flippin'

>rollercoaster! Also, I can feel great and 15 minutes later be close to

>tears with pain. Makes it difficult to plan anything!

>On disability: Yes, for about 2 years.

>If so hints on how you were able to get it since it is hard to

>get: Patience and persistence and a good lawyer who showed a circular

>relationship between my FM and depression, explaining that one made the

>other worse which in turn worsened the other, etc. Confused the judge, I

>think. He also really emphasized the fact that even though I had good

>days, I was unemployable because I could not be reliable.

>

>Have to have helpers: yes...husband helps a lot. Occasionally, friends

>have come over to help with " deep " cleaning.

>Work out or stay at home: Home, but " work " on the puter a lot. Also, I

>volunteer as a speaker for HIV/AIDS education and hope to become involved

>with the Ramona Pageant here in Hemet.

>

>Do you have " Now what am I here for times " : Actually, no. Even when I'm

>not too sure of the answer, I always know that I'm here for a very

>definite reason and that reason WILL become clear.

>Share your funny memory problem story: ROFL . . . I can't remember

>it! Actually, there's been so many. Actually, once I saw this really

>cute dress and bought it. When I showed it to my husband, he went into my

>closet and brought out the very same dress, which I had bought about a

>month before!

Scorpi's World at http://www.geocities.com/scorpijeane/ is my web page. My

poetry tells even more about me.

Jeane

September 11, 2001

>Name: Brunson

>Married/single: Single

>Does family understand your illness: They try awfully hard.

>Male/female { some names one can't tell}: f

>Age area: 38

>Area of the world do you live in: Texas

>Country/City/Farm life: Small city

>How bad is it: The city or the FM? The city's not bad, and the FM

>goes in cycles; pred shots help, but only with the pain, not the

>tiredness. I work a 40-hour week but it's very hard to keep it up.

>How long have you had Fibromyalgia or CFS: Not really sure. It started

>with mononucleosis in May 2000, I think.

>Did a trauma in your life start it: I had a great number of major life

>events in the 3 years preceding the diagnosis -- two moves of over 2,000

>miles; fired from a great job; dxed with generalized anxiety disorder and

>obsessive compulsive disorder. I dont' know if any of these things started

>my FM or not, but I think stress is a big factor for me.

>What have you found works for you: I try to eat right. I've lost

>weight. I try not to bring my disease to work with me, put on a game

>face. But nothing I've tried has really made any significant difference

>except simple sleep, and lots of it.

>What kind of Dr do you find works best in helping you with this disease? I

>haven't found a good one yet. My rheumatologist is good but too sexist;

>I'm going to try to arrange to see another one.

>Do you have sleep problems: All my life -- slow-sleeper insomniac. Once I

>get to sleep I stay that way, but almost always require sleep aids to get

>to sleep.

>Does diet affect you: I can't really tell. Fatty/rich foods set off my

>IBS, so I avoid those for the most part. I am a strict vegetarian, and

>feel best that way, for many reasons. As far as its impact on FM, I don't

>know. I don't know if it helps, but it almost certainly isn't hurting me

>to avoid meat.

>Feel better with cold/hot weather: Cold.

>Warm baths are heaven sent dealing with pain: I guess. I have not had a

>tub in my apartment until now, only shower stalls, so am rediscovering how

>nice baths are.

>Most people with Fibro are overweight I think for lack of activity, do you

>find this to be true with you: I am no longer as active as I once was, but

>I am not sedentary. I am carrying about 40 extra pounds, down 45 so far,

>but my weight seems to be tied in with hormones in some way.

>What time of the day is the best time for you: Late afternoon/early evening.

>Do you have good days then bad ones or all of them bad: Alternates; some

>are okay, some are pure misery.

>On disability: I don't have this.

>Have to have helpers: not yet

>Work out or stay at home: work at a hospital

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is the tale, not he who tells it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

September 11, 2001

>Name: Brunson

>Married/single: Single

>Does family understand your illness: They try awfully hard.

>Male/female { some names one can't tell}: f

>Age area: 38

>Area of the world do you live in: Texas

>Country/City/Farm life: Small city

>How bad is it: The city or the FM? The city's not bad, and the FM

>goes in cycles; pred shots help, but only with the pain, not the

>tiredness. I work a 40-hour week but it's very hard to keep it up.

>How long have you had Fibromyalgia or CFS: Not really sure. It started

>with mononucleosis in May 2000, I think.

>Did a trauma in your life start it: I had a great number of major life

>events in the 3 years preceding the diagnosis -- two moves of over 2,000

>miles; fired from a great job; dxed with generalized anxiety disorder and

>obsessive compulsive disorder. I dont' know if any of these things started

>my FM or not, but I think stress is a big factor for me.

>What have you found works for you: I try to eat right. I've lost

>weight. I try not to bring my disease to work with me, put on a game

>face. But nothing I've tried has really made any significant difference

>except simple sleep, and lots of it.

>What kind of Dr do you find works best in helping you with this disease? I

>haven't found a good one yet. My rheumatologist is good but too sexist;

>I'm going to try to arrange to see another one.

>Do you have sleep problems: All my life -- slow-sleeper insomniac. Once I

>get to sleep I stay that way, but almost always require sleep aids to get

>to sleep.

>Does diet affect you: I can't really tell. Fatty/rich foods set off my

>IBS, so I avoid those for the most part. I am a strict vegetarian, and

>feel best that way, for many reasons. As far as its impact on FM, I don't

>know. I don't know if it helps, but it almost certainly isn't hurting me

>to avoid meat.

>Feel better with cold/hot weather: Cold.

>Warm baths are heaven sent dealing with pain: I guess. I have not had a

>tub in my apartment until now, only shower stalls, so am rediscovering how

>nice baths are.

>Most people with Fibro are overweight I think for lack of activity, do you

>find this to be true with you: I am no longer as active as I once was, but

>I am not sedentary. I am carrying about 40 extra pounds, down 45 so far,

>but my weight seems to be tied in with hormones in some way.

>What time of the day is the best time for you: Late afternoon/early evening.

>Do you have good days then bad ones or all of them bad: Alternates; some

>are okay, some are pure misery.

>On disability: I don't have this.

>Have to have helpers: not yet

>Work out or stay at home: work at a hospital

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is the tale, not he who tells it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

September 11, 2001

>Name: Brunson

>Married/single: Single

>Does family understand your illness: They try awfully hard.

>Male/female { some names one can't tell}: f

>Age area: 38

>Area of the world do you live in: Texas

>Country/City/Farm life: Small city

>How bad is it: The city or the FM? The city's not bad, and the FM

>goes in cycles; pred shots help, but only with the pain, not the

>tiredness. I work a 40-hour week but it's very hard to keep it up.

>How long have you had Fibromyalgia or CFS: Not really sure. It started

>with mononucleosis in May 2000, I think.

>Did a trauma in your life start it: I had a great number of major life

>events in the 3 years preceding the diagnosis -- two moves of over 2,000

>miles; fired from a great job; dxed with generalized anxiety disorder and

>obsessive compulsive disorder. I dont' know if any of these things started

>my FM or not, but I think stress is a big factor for me.

>What have you found works for you: I try to eat right. I've lost

>weight. I try not to bring my disease to work with me, put on a game

>face. But nothing I've tried has really made any significant difference

>except simple sleep, and lots of it.

>What kind of Dr do you find works best in helping you with this disease? I

>haven't found a good one yet. My rheumatologist is good but too sexist;

>I'm going to try to arrange to see another one.

>Do you have sleep problems: All my life -- slow-sleeper insomniac. Once I

>get to sleep I stay that way, but almost always require sleep aids to get

>to sleep.

>Does diet affect you: I can't really tell. Fatty/rich foods set off my

>IBS, so I avoid those for the most part. I am a strict vegetarian, and

>feel best that way, for many reasons. As far as its impact on FM, I don't

>know. I don't know if it helps, but it almost certainly isn't hurting me

>to avoid meat.

>Feel better with cold/hot weather: Cold.

>Warm baths are heaven sent dealing with pain: I guess. I have not had a

>tub in my apartment until now, only shower stalls, so am rediscovering how

>nice baths are.

>Most people with Fibro are overweight I think for lack of activity, do you

>find this to be true with you: I am no longer as active as I once was, but

>I am not sedentary. I am carrying about 40 extra pounds, down 45 so far,

>but my weight seems to be tied in with hormones in some way.

>What time of the day is the best time for you: Late afternoon/early evening.

>Do you have good days then bad ones or all of them bad: Alternates; some

>are okay, some are pure misery.

>On disability: I don't have this.

>Have to have helpers: not yet

>Work out or stay at home: work at a hospital

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is the tale, not he who tells it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

September 11, 2001

Country/City/Farm life:LOL LOL LOL Duh, I didn't even realize what I had

put here, until I saw that everyone else had answered it in the context in

which it was meant...I put Wichita, Kansas......for one, it is very much a

city, for two, I no longer even live in Wichita...I moved about a month

ago...oh well, one good thing about this disease...I can always use the

phrase brain fog....lol

Join my new Diabetic Recipes group @

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Recipes4Diabetes

God Bless You All, Shay/Shalynn and the rescue gang;

Max, Samson

September 11, 2001

Country/City/Farm life:LOL LOL LOL Duh, I didn't even realize what I had

put here, until I saw that everyone else had answered it in the context in

which it was meant...I put Wichita, Kansas......for one, it is very much a

city, for two, I no longer even live in Wichita...I moved about a month

ago...oh well, one good thing about this disease...I can always use the

phrase brain fog....lol

Join my new Diabetic Recipes group @

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Recipes4Diabetes

God Bless You All, Shay/Shalynn and the rescue gang;

Max, Samson

September 11, 2001

Name: Kay

Married/single: Happily and safely single now

Does family understand your illness: Academically, but I think they're

puzzled a bit. They understand enough that they don't get excited if I

can't do something, and celebrate with me the times when I can exceed my

own expectations.

Male/female { some names one can't tell}: Female

Age area: 48

Area of the world do you live in: Pennsylvania

Country/City/Farm life: City, I guess (15,000 pop.) in a rural area.

How bad is it: Depends on the day. Haven't had a good one in ages. I

can still work as a secretary but my sewing business is suffering, as is

the presentability of my house. Will be selling the house to re-enter

apartment living in hopes of making life more simple, less demanding on

my physical abilities.

How long have you had Fibromyalgia or CFS: Dx two years ago or so,

probably had it six or more.

Did a trauma in your life start it: Probably -certainly seems at least

coincidental with having had a multitude of intense emotional upheavals

within a short span of time following a rear-end accident that at the

time seemed of minor consequence.

What have you found works for you: Nothing conclusively. Management

mostly consists of making the mental adjustment to seriously reduced

activity, and getting to recognize when I'm setting myself up for

disaster.

What kind of DR do you find works best in helping you with this disease?

So far my GP and chiropractor have done the work of suggesting non-drug

management.

Do you have sleep problems: You betcha!!

Does diet affect you: Not that I've noticed.

Feel better with cold/hot weather: Cold. Days leading up to storms are

hellish, damp weather is terrible.

Warm baths are heaven sent dealing with pain: Not really.

Most people with Fibro are overweight I think for lack of activity, do

you find this to be true with you: Yes. Coupled with thyroid problems,

which I understand can be a component of FMS.

What time of the day is the best time for you: From around 10 a.m. to

3-ish.

Do you have good days then bad ones or all of them bad: Bad ones are

becoming much more frequent. I try not to quantify my days by pain,

though. Otherwise I get mean.

On disability: No

Have to have helpers: If I could afford it, I'd have someone do the

cooking, cleaning and carrying/moving of things. In the absence of that,

I've seriously revised my definition of a clean house and do a lot of

ignoring of dirt and mess. Instead of doing difficult jobs all at once

(since I can't) I do them in steps and make myself be patient.

Work out or stay at home: Been staying in. But my brother just made me

a set of weights since I've been told that it can help to exercise those

muscles. Unless you mean " work outside the home " in which case I still

work in an office.

Do you have " Now what am I here for times " : Yes. I've been able to drag

myself up from those depths by being matter of fact about it -- so you

can't do this any more, let's do something you _can_ do.

Share your funny memory problem story: Ain't been too funny, actually.

Messes up my job, plays havoc with my sewing business even if I do make

lists. Downright pisses me off because I used to have a great memory.

The one thing I've had the hardest time reconciling myself to.

Kay

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September 11, 2001