I have a close relative with Fibromyalgia.
Anyone who has this affliction gets ALL of my sympathy. I would not wish this on my worst enemy.
Warlock
Fibermialga sickness (spelling?)
by Nowman 34 Replies latest jw friends
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lovelylil
Brenda,
Thanks so much for your last post. Especially what you said about society and the value they put on work. I've been home mostly now for five years and I do take care of my kids and taxi them around plus do all the housework even though many times I do not feel well. I will throw in a load of laundry and then have to nap half the time but I do get it done.
Anyway, I have had this illness a long, long time and everyone in my family and my hubbys is always asking me "why don't you work and help pay bills?" or "aren't you bored at home". And my favorite "why don't you have a job?".
I just want to scream: HELLO: I HAVE A JOB AND IT IS TAKING CARE OF THE HOME AND KIDS! By the way, my kids are sick a lot with asthma and have many visits to the dr. every year especially in Winter.
I feel like I am always defending myself and just today I had to "explain" my illness to my brother for the ten thousandth time and he does not get it. He thinks he can just call me to drive him around or do this and that and can't understand when I say I would love to but simply cannot get off the couch today. I know people think I am lazy and it drives me crazy.
By the way, I have two degrees, write from home and DO work per-diem as a nurse assist. but not steady. I swear the next person that asks why I am NOT working...........I think I am going to rip their hair out!
Anyway, I am done ranting...........Thanks again Lilly
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BrendaCloutier
(((( Lilly )))) Good rant! We all need a good one once in a while. Especially around people who understand.
Kevan has finally started asking "are you feeling poorly or are you pissed at me?" instead of assuming I'm pissed.
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tall penguin
I've had Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 15 years. I was fortunate enough to be diagnosed right away. I was 17 at the time so I think my age sped up the process.
For the first 3-4 years I was bedridden. I slowly got better. I initially did the meds route...Zoloft and Imovane (for sleep). Then I went the alternative route. Naturopathic medicine, chiropracitc and various therapies to help me work through some of the emotional issues that were draining me. I regained a lot of my health and mobility and was functionning better for about 5 years. Then I went through a horrendous judicial committee, was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress and my health has been up and down since.
Since disassociating a year ago, and working through the grief and anger of all that that entails, I've had a resurgence of the Fibromyalgia symptoms as well as the PTS. I recently went back on Imovane for sleep. I feel that getting good restorative sleep is really important. If your father-in-law can arrange to have a sleep study done it may be useful. I've having one done this week.
I think having emotional support is key with this illness. Creating a team of professionals is crucial. In my experience, a good therapist is helpful in dealing with the emotions of being chronically ill as well as unprocessed issues from the past which may be adding to the burdens of an already exhausted body.
I'd highly recommend a new book on CFS/FM by Dr. Alison Bested called "Hope and Help for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia". You can get it through Amazon books. She's the leading specialist for these syndromes here in Toronto and probably in all of Canada. Her protocol combines traditional and complementary medicine. The book also includes sections on dealing with the legal issues associated with CFS/FM such as filing for disability benefits. She's a great doctor, who I've worked with personally.
I wish your father-in-law and everyone else here dealing with these conditions well. It's a tough road. Kudos for your courage every day.
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searcher
For me, the worst thing about having Fibromyalgia (some years now) is the attitude of others, I LOOK fit, so they can't (or wont) understand why I dont have a job.
oh, and thats another thing, the frustration caused by that doesnt help the condition at all.
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Quentin
My daughter has it...both...it's hell on earth...this is a good thread. I'm going to have her read it...
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bem
Such a good point Brenda
Kevan has finally started asking "are you feeling poorly or are you pissed at me?" instead of assuming I'm pissed.
So many times do not understand that being in pain takes all your strength and it's hard to have a pleasant personality at the same time. Good he understands and allows you the room to do what you need to do.
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BrendaCloutier
Such a good point Brenda
Kevan has finally started asking "are you feeling poorly or are you pissed at me?" instead of assuming I'm pissed.
So many times do not understand that being in pain takes all your strength and it's hard to have a pleasant personality at the same time. Good he understands and allows you the room to do what you need to do.Heh heh... it's only taken him 7 years to get there! But at least he has. A huge relief unto itself.
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bikerchic
Nikki you sound like a very caring daughter in law but remember you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. So even if you pass along all this information don't get discouraged if your FIL doesn't take it, some people have higher tolerance for pain and suffering than others. Dr. Phil always says there is a pay off for them to stay the way they are.
OK that said I can tell you my experience with Fibromyalgia and CFS. I had it for about 18 months by the time I finally sought out medical help for it. I had no idea what it was it was painful and mysterious but by the time it started affecting my everyday life to the point I had only 2 good hours a day and lots of sleepless nights I got help.
I went to a Chiropractor who is also a Naturopath and he used herbs, vitamins, tinctures and various physical therapies with me. A change in diet was essential and I stayed on a strict liver cleansing diet for years. All in all it took over three years to become totally symptom free and lots of $$$$! It was well worth it and I can actually say I'm cured, however I do continue to stay on many of the vitamins and herbs.
My experience with this dreaded condition has taught me to treat the cause of my symptoms not to mask them with drugs. I found out the cause of it was hypoglycemia and the toxins in my body had no place to go but to my joints, had I taken drugs they would have added to the toxin buildup. Using herbs and nutrients that the body already makes and knows how to use in the proper doses was for me a good mix along with the physical therapies my doctor did.
Here is a good book which has a great outline of treatment for Fibromyalgia and CFS the natural way you may want to get for your FIL;
Prescription For Natural Healing by James F. Balch, MD and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
Good luck!
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bem
Heh heh... it's only taken him 7 years to get there! But at least he has. A huge relief unto itself.
I understand Brenda some lessons don't come easy!
Bikerchick thanks for the book info I have wondered about a good one, there are so many it's hard to know where to start looking.