I'm here because MS with CFS, combined with being a new widow, are extremely difficult to cope with.

[Rob Haertel]

The problem is that I have nobody to support me now emotionally - I have no children or living relatives, and only a few friends from my work history as a church administrator before retirement. I am someone who is sometimes termed an "elder orphan."

 

[sunkacola]

Hi @Rob Haertel and welcome to the forum.
I know how it feels to be alone....I am also. There are others here also who can understand what you are experiencing. It's a difficulty that people who have family and a supportive system of friends or even who have a good relationship with a partner or a close best friend simply cannot comprehend. But I want you to know that I do understand it and if writing about it here and getting supportive responses from people on this forum can possibly be of any help to you, we are here to do that. I hope we can help in some small way.

 

[Rob Haertel]

Oh, my gosh, yes - you do understand. I have been blessed to live in a comfortable condo, with my dear husband's pension keeping the wolf away from my door - and I have the blessed companionship of my beloved cat, Winky. But the requirements now of just managing day-to-day life alone can trigger the chronic fatigue and fierce pain I experience from fibromyalgia (plus hereditary osteoarthritis). I feel like I have been clobbered with a Multiple Whammy! The latest challenge this week is the first appearance of TMJ pain - a jaw function malady - which is really the worst pain I've dealt with today. In fact, I read online that many people who seek medical/dental help to manage their TMJ pain, are also then diagnosed with fibromyalgia! Ugh. So yes, I will be so glad to communicate with others who also must KOKO with these challenges - keep on, keeping on! Thanks, Sunkacola, for your post!

 

[sunkacola]

@Rob Haertel you are most welcome, and I have no doubt that others on this forum will also make you feel welcome. We are a welcoming bunch here.

 

[SBee]

Hello @Rob Haertel I just wanted to say welcome. The chronic fatigue side is probably the worse side of things for me so I understand from that point. I hate not being as active as I wish to be. I really hope this forum can be beneficial to you and support you as best we can. Take care

 

[Rob Haertel]

Thanks for your greeting! I know that joining this forum is a step in the right direction for me.