Diagnosed today and feeling unsure about it all

[ZoeSch]

Hiya just thought I would put a little message in to introduce myself. I am Zoe and I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia today, though it has been suspected for many years. While it is lovely finally knowing what is causing all of my symptoms, its also very difficult learning to accept that I am living with a life long condition which impacts my work and quality of life.

Just want to know how other people dealt with first getting diagnosed? I have had an acupuncture session today as well, and would like to know other people’s experiences with this. I am also looking into some guided meditation, has that worked for you?

 

[sunkacola]

Hello @ZoeSch , and welcome to the forum.

Everyone finds it hard at first. I mean, what's not hard about being told that you have something for which there is, as yet, no known cure? And knowing that this changes your life. You have a lot of company here, and we are people who are here to help others. We can tell you our experiences, make recommendations, and offer support.

Guided meditation helps some people, and not others, but anything at all that you find which helps you to relax and feel calm is usually helpful. It may or may not have any effect on your pain, but the more you can feel calm and relaxed mentally the better, because stress exacerbates the symptoms of fibromyalgia for everyone who has it.

Similarly, some people report acupressure or acupuncture as being helpful, and others say it didn't help them. Let us know how it is for you. And ask any questions you have, any time.

Experimentation is the key to finding out what works best for you. Here is a post that has some suggestions of things you might try.
I hope this forum is helpful to you.

S

Thread 'My advice for managing fibromyalgia (especially for newcomers)'

Jul 21, 2020

I am not a doctor or anything, just a person who has lived with fibromyalgia for several years now and has done a lot of research and trial and error experimentation. What follows is just basics. There are a lot of variations. You will find your own versions of everything I say, as this is not a prescription and there are no guarantees. But I believe that if you can do these things, it will improve the quality of your life.

First thing to remember is that Fibro is not a death sentence and if you learn how to manage it, it will very possibly not always be as bad as it is now.

I was at...

• sunkacola
• Replies: 29
• Forum: General discussions about fibromyalgia

• 
• 

 

[ZoeSch]

Thank you so much for sharing this with me! That post is very nice to read. I am very intrigued by the diet and chemical section so I think that’s something I am going to look to improve first. One step at a time! Thanks so much for your support.

Hello @ZoeSch , and welcome to the forum.

Everyone finds it hard at first. I mean, what's not hard about being told that you have something for which there is, as yet, no known cure? And knowing that this changes your life. You have a lot of company here, and we are people who are here to help others. We can tell you our experiences, make recommendations, and offer support.

Guided meditation helps some people, and not others, but anything at all that you find which helps you to relax and feel calm is usually helpful. It may or may not have any effect on your pain, but the more you can feel calm and relaxed mentally the better, because stress exacerbates the symptoms of fibromyalgia for everyone who has it.

Similarly, some people report acupressure or acupuncture as being helpful, and others say it didn't help them. Let us know how it is for you. And ask any questions you have, any time.

Experimentation is the key to finding out what works best for you. Here is a post that has some suggestions of things you might try.
I hope this forum is helpful to you.

S

Thread 'My advice for managing fibromyalgia (especially for newcomers)'

Jul 21, 2020

I am not a doctor or anything, just a person who has lived with fibromyalgia for several years now and has done a lot of research and trial and error experimentation. What follows is just basics. There are a lot of variations. You will find your own versions of everything I say, as this is not a prescription and there are no guarantees. But I believe that if you can do these things, it will improve the quality of your life.

First thing to remember is that Fibro is not a death sentence and if you learn how to manage it, it will very possibly not always be as bad as it is now.

I was at...

• sunkacola
• Replies: 29
• Forum: General discussions about fibromyalgia

• 
• 

 

[SBee]

Hello @ZoeSch I well remember the relief of a fibromyalgia diagnosis swiftly followed by an almost panicky feeling of but what do I actually do now?
I would find a good GP at your surgery. Not everyone goes down the medication route, some meds work well for some, or have no effect or just do nothing. But a good GP can advise you if you wish to try meds, and may also be able to direct you for physio, if that may help you, or a pain clinic if that may suit.

Your post has actually helped me! I used to do some chair yoga, but am unable to do so at the moment and followed up the yoga with some meditation. For some reason I stopped that too, and yet I can still do that, and I found it so beneficial. I shall return to meditation now, so thank you for reminding me.

Accepting a long term condition which impacts our lives can be hard. The fact that you recognise it is better to accept it rather than fight against it is encouraging. Take the time to be kind to yourself.

Do ask anything, whether it be for advice or support. Welcome.

 

[ZoeSch]

Hello @ZoeSch I well remember the relief of a fibromyalgia diagnosis swiftly followed by an almost panicky feeling of but what do I actually do now?
I would find a good GP at your surgery. Not everyone goes down the medication route, some meds work well for some, or have no effect or just do nothing. But a good GP can advise you if you wish to try meds, and may also be able to direct you for physio, if that may help you, or a pain clinic if that may suit.

Your post has actually helped me! I used to do some chair yoga, but am unable to do so at the moment and followed up the yoga with some meditation. For some reason I stopped that too, and yet I can still do that, and I found it so beneficial. I shall return to meditation now, so thank you for reminding me.

Accepting a long term condition which impacts our lives can be hard. The fact that you recognise it is better to accept it rather than fight against it is encouraging. Take the time to be kind to yourself.

Do ask anything, whether it be for advice or support. Welcome.

Thanks so much for this! It’s great to see that you are getting back into meditation as I am really unsure about starting it. Your message has given me motivation to try!!