Are you tired of the pain, fatigue and depression that comes with Fibromyalgia? Have you been treated like a hypochondriac by doctors, friends and family? Do you have symptoms that most people would not connect with FM like migraines, chronic fatigue, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), restless legs or that overall feeling of wanting to jump out of your own skin? There are too many symptoms to list!
Well, I'm tired of it! I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome in 1995, just when some doctors were beginning to recognize is as a "real" syndrome/chronic disorder. Many were still uninformed or didn't care and believe it or not, there are many professionals out there who STILL don't recognize it for what it is! I actually had my son's therapist tell me that he could cure me of it because it was more psychological than physiological! Needless to say, my son is seeing a new therapist!
I have spent the last 5 or 6 years educating myself about FM from, symptoms, natural remedies, physical therapy, myofascial release therapy, medications and case studies. Yes, I tried many of them myself - some with great results, some with almost deadly results.
Most "Fibromytes" know the symptoms and have already been through the gauntlet of medications and therapies, and though I will address them in another article, I won't go into that right now. I am more concerned about how you are feeling emotionally and mentally. Yes, the pain can lead to depression and depression increases your pain and anxiety disorders soon follow in many cases, and that's something we have to take control of. Medications do help and I would never recommend not following your doctor's advice - NEVER, but there are other things you can do to help yourself and overtime, maybe get rid of some of those drugs or find the one's that work best for you!
The reactions of those around you to your FM can greatly affect the way you feel. There is nothing more demoralizing than having someone treat you like you are a big baby, a drama seeker, or even worse, an attention monger or narcotic seeker. I was embarrassed to tell people I had FM because I knew what their reaction was going to be. Some people even lose friends over it! Ridiculous! They need a wake up call!
You are not crazy, delusional, attention starved or an addict - you're a HUMAN BEING IN PAIN. I met one of the best P.A.'s I've ever known when I moved to San Antonio and one day, while I was crying in her office because of all the meds I was on and feeling like a hypochondriac, she told me, "Look, you are a woman in pain. Real pain. And you need these medications in order to have any quality of life, so you need to accept it and get over it!" She changed my whole way of thinking.
I'd been through the ringer with bad doctors who patronized me or filled me with drugs without checking for interactions and rushed me out the door! I went through a period of deep depression and couldn't get out of bed. This went on for two years! I ended up with Serotonin Syndrome because a doctor who prescribed new meds over the phone gave me THREE Serotonin affecting drugs at once, on top of all my other meds (about 10 at the time). Serotonin Syndrome can kill you!
Always check your meds online, with your pharmacist AND your doctor. Don't rely on the two of them to put 2 and 2 together! Ask lots of questions! That's what they're getting paid for! Don't let them rush you out the door feeling more hopeless and confused than when you walked in!
It's my goal to help educate people with FM, their friends and loved ones, coworkers - I guess everyone I can! Let's face it, those around us really don't get it and most never will! I want to at least arm you with the power to be more in control of your treatment, your emotional health and overall well-being. This article is just the beginning!
Watch for more articles to come! I will give you all the information I can regarding all aspects of FM!
Erica Thompson is a 40-year-old, Stay-at-Home mom with 3 children and a husband in the military. She was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 1995, but suffered from it many years prior to diagnosis and later, diagnosed with Chronic Myofascial Pain, IBS, RLS, migraine & more. She has done extensive research and is an expert based on her own experience, her mother's and her grandmother's. Her goal is to help chronic pain sufferers.