Not Alone!!

 Hi Shauna! I think it is wonderful what you are doing for your friend. It is very hard for others to know how you are feeling and hurting and to understand. Your friend is very lucky you are there for her. I hope that in time she will also post something in the future; only to maybe make her feel better. It is true that  you feel better just talking about your situation with someone; even if you don't know them. Of course; she doesn't have to at all. Searching this forum has a lot of good info. and good people. Once again thank you for supporting your friend!

you are a good friend supporting your friend.  Wish her well for me also.

i also hope you get a visit to the rheumatologist sooner, rather than later.  there's so much we don't know about this problem but getting it diagnosed does seem to be the correct first step.  i've heard - briefly - about a group trying to get it labeled as a disease.  it surprises me that that has not yet happened. 
feeling alone is one of the worst things, i think.  and it's hard to explain the inability to do what you've done before.  i've had that happen ALOT.  so i'm glad that i can come here for support as well.
WELCOME!

 Thank you Dorthe!  Yes I would like to see a rheumatologist soon. Apparently there is a shortage of them around here and your name gets thrown into "a pool" and when one of them decides that they want to see you; then you will be called. lol Do you believe it! To top it off;  they of course send you for a blood test looking for arthritis and naturally they won't find any for fibromyalgia! So they will definitely not be in a hurry to get to you! I think it was last summer when my name got thrown in. lol Looking for new doctor who knows how to deal with fibromyalgia and can maybe get things going and the other tests I need done. Yes; it's really hard not to do what you used to. I went from working in concrete construction, to painting houses and now I work in retail store which involves some lifting; which I'm going to have to give up soon as well. So I was used to hard work for years and pretty much raised my two kids on my own. Thank goodness my parents were around me to help! 

 Welcome to the group !  Check out several Rhuematoligit with in driving distance for you it will be worth it.  I know the feeling that people can not see your pain there for it can not exist.  My family started out very concerned then they started to tire and felt I was taking advantage when this first started.  over the years they have realized it is real and try to support me the best they can.  I do not have to do heavy cleaning anymore and that has helped, I have a handycapped car tag so I can go shopping and walk reasonable distances in and out of stores.  We need to spend our energy like money- making priorties and giving up some things that we can live with out.  I found hot showers work well for pain also daily streaching and the old lamase breathing patterns learned at childbirth classes.  I have spent many hours He He Hoo-ing through chores when I had goats.  
see my post about the book I found check you libbrary for it.  I have just started itbut it goes over a lot of things.
Best of luck
Lyn

 Thanks Battlyn! Yes all of the Rhuematoligists near me are about 60 miles away. I live in the middle of no where in small town and low income. Tried chiropractor for a while and pools are 20 miles away. I did attend a fibromyagia group once a week for 6 wks and was very informative! I enjoyed it; as we would have pool time for part of sessions learning exercises. So I will have to do my own exercises at home and start walking in spring. I will definitely check out the book you have posted. Thank you.

My Rheumotoligist is so busy they do not take new patients at all.  He has a new Doctor starting so that may change but with all of us living longer they keep their patients longer as well.  I drive 1 hour to go to his office would travel longer to see him if I had to.