This is getting so depressing. I hurt everyday. I'm as stiff as a board sometimes. Any form of physical work or exersise and I am wiped out. I used to get several good days during a week, but not anymore. This seems to be getting worse everyday.

YEA! Everyday. Maybe not as bad some days, but it is still there, like my constant companion I call it now. And it doesn't really matter whether I do anything (exercise) or not. If it's going to be bad that day- then it's just going to be bad that day. I don't get it! I do know that if I do to much one day the next day I can just about count on staying in bed or on the couch. Between the pain & the fibro-fog I just tell everyboby I'm ready for my padded room.(LOL) Although sometimes I think I'm serious!

morning friend,
remember that fms runs in cycles. some days fms wants more of your attention than others. even if the exercise wipes you out do it! depression is fed by inactivity so tell your bed and your couch to go to, well, you know where, and find something, anything to do. the pain will be there. it does not matter if you lie in bed or go for a walk, so go for a walk. it's going to hurt anyway, right? i notice the pain gets alot worse if i go to bed. i only hit my bed when the fatigue comes. know what gets me back out of that bed? the pain. as soon as the fatigue passes i have fallout pain from lying in bed too much.
see the cycle?
i get one day a week, sometimes two where i feel powerful in my body. i am grateful to have a disorder that gives me those days. imagine life without them?
peace,
bluelakelady

I don't think I've been "pain free" in years. Some days are worse than others (and winter is always worst of all) but there is always some pain. I live my life by degrees. On relatively low pain days, I can get more done, but on really bad days, I just want to crawl into a hole and cry. :(

The fatigue is more crippling to me than the pain. I can work through most of that (usually.) It's just mustering the energy to move around that's depressing. Some days it just feels like too much.

I understand what you're feeling. I know those words don't seem like much to some people, but to a fm sufferer, those two words can be a real blessing. :)

My worst chores around the house that cause the pain-burning-stiff muscles are : washing the windows, scrubbing the floor (double ouch), cleaning the bath tub, folding the clothes, washing the dog, etc.

A lot of the pain depends on what I'm doing or what I did the day before.

My very worst symptoms is caused by the TMJ. I have 24/7 head-face-both eyes-neck-and ears pressure. If I talk to much (like when I last saw my psychologist) , from my shoulders up will be totally flared up w/ pain and migraine. This is when I will feel those 2 tight bundles of muscles below the back of my neck inbetween the shoulders!! OUCH! Then I will need to rub those bulging spots with my fingers and get a hot bath.

But, yeah, I'm soooo afraid to get back into the work force!! I don't have to, but I would love to find something to do. I think I just got comfy being at home and keeping my symptoms down. But, is that really living?

Maybe I will find a job soon, who cares if I will most likely need more pain med. At least I'll be out of the house and interacting w/ others.

You got to remember that everyone's pain level tolerance is different too. Plus, for some who have had fibro for lots of years.....you go through different stages. Just like if someone passed away....the grieving, the denial, the compromise, etc.

I think that was the hardest part to get through. Accepting that my body would never be the same again. Some days I miss the old me, and some days I can't even remember what it felt like to be "normal".

hi luv,
there is no such thing as normal. i checked. giggle!
have you thought of volunteering your time? schools need people to help teachers. hospitals need help. libraries need help. there are so many places that would love to have you any old day you can make it. the pressure of a paying job can cause problems. volunteering gives you alot more leeway to call in. it also feels great!
all of us who are out of the paying workforce still have talents to offer. there are so many places in need of free helping hands. museums, places of historic value, . . . oops! fibro fog, giggle. i lost it. oh well, you get the idea.
we are only pointless and without value or use, if we decide we are. i do not believe that is where you are coming from. what i hear is a voice with a purpose yet to serve. it is a joyous sound in the universe. you will find it, fulfill it, and create anew!
and, giggle, giggle, i am never wrong (said in a strong voice) giggle giggle. well, maybe once, years ago, tee hee!
peace,
bluelakelady
ps may i suggest the phone book as a starting point?

yuppers! :)

Along with my FM I have back, neck, hand and chest problems that cause me continuos pain, as well as causing me to become less mobile. Exercise is good for FM as well as depression, it's just hard to get going when you feel miserable. I can't walk well, so I try to get on my recumbant bike, but just like a lot of you, don't have the motivation. Fatigue is also a big meanie. Somedays you are so tired, you have to lay down, which actually you should do, if you are that tired. One thing I've noticed though the longer I am in bed (not from napping but from you regular night's sleep) the more I hurt, but I feel so tired, if I get up, somedays I just end up staying up for a couple hours then going back to bed! LOL

Anyhoo, pain everyday, a big yes on that. Oh to have someone come to my house and give me a massage everyday! AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH....

The thing I dislike the most about having FM is: you wake up, feel bad, and think, "Well tomorrow maybe I'll feel less tired and have less pain, so whatever I would like to involve myself in, I'll do that tomorrow." Unfortunately when you wake up the next morning, you feel like you did yestereday, and it can certainly be a vicious cycle. I DO know this, the more anxiety I feel, say like I have a day that's a bit overwhelming and I feel very anxious, then the next few days for me are totally useless. Getting stressed totally wipes me out. One stressful day can cause me to have a few useless days.

You can always read the boards to see how others are feeling and sometimes you'll run across someone who is worse off, and then you don't feel so bad. I read the Pain Management board sometimes, and I get a lot of info there. And if I'm feeling really pitiful, I'll read the Grief and Loss or Death and Dying boards, and sometimes reply to a post to maybe give some support to someone who has just lost a loved one, and that makes me feel better.

Here's wishing you a good spirit.
tk