newly diagnosed :-(

[gilli]

Hi everyone this is my first time on a forum. I was just diagnosed 3 days ago by rheumatologist as having fibromyalgia. I am struggling to accept this. At first i was relieved to have a diagnosis after suffering a long time with pain stiffness lack of sleep no energy and bladder and bowel problems. I am 38 and have also been having problems with my memory..i felt like i was going senile! Now i have had a few days to think about my diagnosis the relief is turning into fear as the rheumatologist says there is no cure and will be lifelong :-( any support or advice welcome on how to accept and comrades to terms with this life sentence?

 

[1sweed]

Gilli,
I know the seemingly life sentence is weighting heavily on your shoulders and your scared. But now you need to work on managing the symptoms.
The worse symptom next to pain, is the stress in your life. Life it's self produces stress, but addtional stress from having and worrying about fibro, puts your stress levels over the top. You need to find ways to relax and no longer try doing it all in one day. In the sections on pain management and alternative methods many posts are about ways to reduce stress in your life on on your muscles. Simple things like watching humorous movies, taking tub baths with ebson salts in the water, reading good books, resting more and not taking on more things than you can do by pacing yourself. There are many more stress relieving tips offered by other members.

Be sure to read the old posts, as well as, the new ones. Ask questions and share your opinions as well. I am glad you found this forum and welcome. I hope being here will help you deal with the pain, as well as, let you know your not alone and that we are a supportive and understanding, and here to help you learn to help yourself.

 

[gilli]

Hi 1sweed, thank you for your reply. Just having others who understand helps greatly! I am taking on board your advice in reducing stress and trying to pace my life. I have only told a couple of people about my diagnoses for fear that people will not understand or think my diagnoses is a trivial one. Everywhere I read it says that often people view this condition as being all in your mind and one that is not really a true diagnoses...how do I overcome this! I myself had my doubts when I first heard the diagnoses of fibromyalgia from the rheumatologists mouth, however after the tender point examination I was in extreme pain and felt as though I had been beat up all over my body! This is when I thought to myself there must be something in it if such a light fingered examination can induce sooooo much pain throughout my body! The rheumatologist has set up an appointment for me to visit the day ward and meet with a multidisciplinary team and to start a graded exercise program in addition commenced amytriptaline...I hope this helps. Once again thank you for your words of advice and support. Gilli

 

[1sweed]

Gilli,
Most members on this forum have heard from friends and family, doctors and even a few odd members who believe that fibro is not really a disease, but a syndrome that is just a bunch of symptoms. All we have to go on at this time is the diagnosis from a specialist rheumatologist or other doctor who says that it is fibromyalgia.

What fibro is and does, is what each of us deal with each day. Bad pain and fatigue, loss of ability to work or do our jobs well, brain fog and other weird symptoms that come and go at will. Until someday someone says otherwise all we have to go by is the title of fibro. At least it is something to cling too and is better than not knowing what is wrong and all the fear and depression that goes with that.

So have courage and strength when others say it is all in your head or you made it all up, because if that is the case then all of us here are in the same boat with you and this boat is still floating and has not sunk yet. lol How is that for advice & support.