New to FMS and Feeling So Overwhelmed
I was just diagnosed three weeks ago with FMS. I have spent so much time crying out of frustration, depression and pain. I tried to share the info with my sister who I consider my best friend and she essentially believes it is all in my head and all due to my weight. I admit some of my health problems (knee pain, back pain) are due to my weight but she doesn't understand how different this feels. She is also upset because I won't get WLS and it is because it is not safe for me. I have severe food allergies (anaphalaxis) and with the FMS the doctor has said too much trauma has already occurred to my body and it would only make me sicker.
I don't know what to do. I'm hurt by my sister's reaction. She had WLS and it was good for her but there is no fix for me but hard work and diet and exercise. I can't tell many people at work because I have a boss who is obsessed with homeopathic treatments and while they are right for her they are not right for me but she tends to shove them to the point of stalking and she would think this is an excuse or in my head. The depression and pain has become so bad that I don't do anything or go anywhere anymore and spend most of my weekends and evenings in bed hurting physically and emotionally.
How do you all cope with this? Does it ever get better and do people every understand that it is real and not in your head?
I don't know what to do. I'm hurt by my sister's reaction. She had WLS and it was good for her but there is no fix for me but hard work and diet and exercise. I can't tell many people at work because I have a boss who is obsessed with homeopathic treatments and while they are right for her they are not right for me but she tends to shove them to the point of stalking and she would think this is an excuse or in my head. The depression and pain has become so bad that I don't do anything or go anywhere anymore and spend most of my weekends and evenings in bed hurting physically and emotionally.
How do you all cope with this? Does it ever get better and do people every understand that it is real and not in your head?
There are those that are great and those that have greatness thrust upon them, which are you?
Unfortunately your sister's reaction is what many if not most people are going think. There are still many docs that don't believe it exists. First I would strongly urge you to find and attend a support group, in a city the size of Seattle there should be several. I would also urge you to see either a rheumatologist or pain clinc to get medication for the fibro, there are several new ones that are quite effective. The down side is that we are all so different and require different treatments, what works for one doesn't neccesarily work for another.
I tend to disagree with your doc tho because any WLS trauma is only temporary and would certainly help your joints. If you had cancer would they say no surgery? I would at least get a second opinion. I'm not trying to push WLS cause I'm very unhappy with my choice, so that isn't my what I'm about, I just don't think your doc sounds like they are very well informed about fibro itself and another opinion might give you more help. If you have any particular questions feel free to PM me or ask here and you'll get our years of experience and not neccesarily medically approved advice.
It also sounds like you may be suffering from depression and really who wouldn't when they have fibro. That's why many of the fibro meds are also anti depressant in nature. I didn't even realize I was depressed until I started my Cymbalta for fibro pain and wow all of a sudden my mood improved so much that even my hubby commented on it! So please check that out too, just getting that under control can help you deal better with the fibro. Most of us have to just make a choice whether we are going to let the fibro take us down or whether we are gonna fight it every step of the way, attitude is everything when dealing with this awful disease! We have to accept the FACT that this disease is not curable and it is for the rest of our lives. We can either crawl into bed and stay there or keep going even when we don't want to. We have to learn when some days are just too bad and we need to rest and when we can we catch up with things later, it's a balancing act that we learn over time. So get on the internet and learn as much as you can about the disease while remembering not everything on the net is factual. Here are a couple of books I got that were very informative, Fibromyalgia the First Year and Fibromyalgia and Chronic Muscle Pain. Good luck and feel free to come here any time you need our help, we're a pretty good bunch!
I tend to disagree with your doc tho because any WLS trauma is only temporary and would certainly help your joints. If you had cancer would they say no surgery? I would at least get a second opinion. I'm not trying to push WLS cause I'm very unhappy with my choice, so that isn't my what I'm about, I just don't think your doc sounds like they are very well informed about fibro itself and another opinion might give you more help. If you have any particular questions feel free to PM me or ask here and you'll get our years of experience and not neccesarily medically approved advice.
It also sounds like you may be suffering from depression and really who wouldn't when they have fibro. That's why many of the fibro meds are also anti depressant in nature. I didn't even realize I was depressed until I started my Cymbalta for fibro pain and wow all of a sudden my mood improved so much that even my hubby commented on it! So please check that out too, just getting that under control can help you deal better with the fibro. Most of us have to just make a choice whether we are going to let the fibro take us down or whether we are gonna fight it every step of the way, attitude is everything when dealing with this awful disease! We have to accept the FACT that this disease is not curable and it is for the rest of our lives. We can either crawl into bed and stay there or keep going even when we don't want to. We have to learn when some days are just too bad and we need to rest and when we can we catch up with things later, it's a balancing act that we learn over time. So get on the internet and learn as much as you can about the disease while remembering not everything on the net is factual. Here are a couple of books I got that were very informative, Fibromyalgia the First Year and Fibromyalgia and Chronic Muscle Pain. Good luck and feel free to come here any time you need our help, we're a pretty good bunch!
Get another opinion on the WLS--it helps alot of things--my fibro is no better--but I am alot more comfortable (and shopping for jeans is alot more fun). Take your sister to some support meetings. It is hard to understand the differance between 'sleepy and fatigue' and 'sore verses the pain of FMS'--it will help her if she hears others. I also have food allergies and following the protein diet has not been a problem for me. You really need the support of people who know what you are going through. Christine
I am new here also. I joined because I am having the sleeve done 5/11/10. I just happened to see the fibro forum..YEAH!
I was diagnosed at 32 with fibromialgy after 3 years arguing with doctors. I was so frustrated and depressed... Everyone seemed to think it was depression and nothing more, but I was only depressed because I hurt so bad all the time.
I agree you should consider a second opinion on WLS as my doctor thinks it will help . They say exercise however I have had major back problems and have not been able to exercise, I can not even walk around in Wal Mart for 30 minutes, as of last Aug I had a major back surgery where they had to put in a cage, so ontop of the fibro I hurt with back pain all the time as well. Both my back surgeon and my PCP thinks that wls will help my fibro and back pain so I am going to try it, I figure it sure cant hurt nothing. I am going to have the Sleeve since I do have the fibro and back pain hence I have to take nsaids and can not take those with the RNY.
I do pray you find some relief, I live with it daily and feel most people think I make it up. I would love nothing more than a miracle cure so we could all feel normal and live life!
I was diagnosed at 32 with fibromialgy after 3 years arguing with doctors. I was so frustrated and depressed... Everyone seemed to think it was depression and nothing more, but I was only depressed because I hurt so bad all the time.
I agree you should consider a second opinion on WLS as my doctor thinks it will help . They say exercise however I have had major back problems and have not been able to exercise, I can not even walk around in Wal Mart for 30 minutes, as of last Aug I had a major back surgery where they had to put in a cage, so ontop of the fibro I hurt with back pain all the time as well. Both my back surgeon and my PCP thinks that wls will help my fibro and back pain so I am going to try it, I figure it sure cant hurt nothing. I am going to have the Sleeve since I do have the fibro and back pain hence I have to take nsaids and can not take those with the RNY.
I do pray you find some relief, I live with it daily and feel most people think I make it up. I would love nothing more than a miracle cure so we could all feel normal and live life!
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