fibromomof5
06-02-2005, 01:35 AM
Hello all, I just found this brd and felt I needed to post to vent and get support from others who I am sure can relate to this never ending pain. I am a 28 yr old mother of 4 ages 9.5, 7. 5.5, and 3, and also serving as a mommy to my 16 mth old niece who lives with us. I have been dxed with fms for over a yr but had to spend several yrs waiting for the dx. If lesions had been found on my Mri, the drs would have stuck with the MS dx. I have seen 3 specialists, and am now looking into a pain specialist, because the pain is unbearable. I ache all over and most days have trouble getting out of bed, moving hurts, and actually so does merely breathing. I have trouble with numbness in legs, hands, and feet with burning, pins and needles. This keeps me up most nights. Maybe that is why I feel so tired all the time. My worst symptom besides the above is that my scalp is so sensitive that it brings me to tears everytime I brush my hair. My husband now does it for me because I cannot bear the pain. Sometimes he forgets, and I go days with my hair rolled in a scrunchie just cause I cannot make myself brush out my hair. Beacuse Of this my long once healthy hair is now breaking off and very dry. I will need to cut most of it off but cannot force myself to go to the beauty parlor for fear of the pain. Most people who do not have FMS cannot understand how painful it is and I worry that the person doing my hair will hurt me. I also have a weight/self esteem issue coresponding to the fms. My problems started after birth of 4th child, and during the long process to diganosis, I gained 50 pounds. I am so embarassed by the weight<I used to be a body for lifer> but due to pain and fatigue I keep ignoring my need for exersize. This is such a vicious nasty cycle. I am hoping to meet and make online friends to help get me through this. Thanks for listening, Jennifer
Sponsor
bluelakelady
06-02-2005, 02:31 AM
welcome jennifer,
you have come to the right place. we all go thru the same issues and bizarre pain. i have been on this journey for over ten years now. i want you to know you will find your way. how much you weigh is not who you are. nothing can touch who you are inside. not fibro and not weight. you know the true you. so do those who love and know you. they see your spirit much more than the shell that carries that glorious spirit. you will learn to see your inner self. it is the gift that comes with fms. insight.
there are meds you can take for the restless legs and arms so you sleep better. i take neurontin at bedtime. have you tried it?
i hope you have a good doctor who listens. that is paramount to any healing. and yes, exercise does make a difference. i drag myself to physical therapy twice a week. sure it hurts. but hey, i hurt anyway. might as well be the good burn of muscles and tendons coming back to life. i have massage therapy also. deep tissue fms massage and myofacial release. they hurt. alot. for a couple of days every inch of me is daggers. then the third day dawns and i am without pain, with energy and ready to be the best me i can. smiling and laughter help so much. mostly i laugh at myself and the silly things i say or do.
if you could go thru childbirth 4 times you can do this too. 4 times. i take my hat off to you. once was enough to tell me i never wanted to do that again. i love my son. he is so sweet and special to me. he is 26 now. with health issues raising children is hard. not impossible, just hard. you have a rare opportunity to teach your children compassion for sick people. so many children do not know this. another gift fms gives you. this rare chance to create compassionate little beings who will become compassionate adults. much is learned thru illness. we find the things we thought were so important really are not. and we find the things that do matter. patience, compassion, tolerance, love, most of all love.
again i welcome you to our unique and wonderful family.
peace,
bluelakelady
you have come to the right place. we all go thru the same issues and bizarre pain. i have been on this journey for over ten years now. i want you to know you will find your way. how much you weigh is not who you are. nothing can touch who you are inside. not fibro and not weight. you know the true you. so do those who love and know you. they see your spirit much more than the shell that carries that glorious spirit. you will learn to see your inner self. it is the gift that comes with fms. insight.
there are meds you can take for the restless legs and arms so you sleep better. i take neurontin at bedtime. have you tried it?
i hope you have a good doctor who listens. that is paramount to any healing. and yes, exercise does make a difference. i drag myself to physical therapy twice a week. sure it hurts. but hey, i hurt anyway. might as well be the good burn of muscles and tendons coming back to life. i have massage therapy also. deep tissue fms massage and myofacial release. they hurt. alot. for a couple of days every inch of me is daggers. then the third day dawns and i am without pain, with energy and ready to be the best me i can. smiling and laughter help so much. mostly i laugh at myself and the silly things i say or do.
if you could go thru childbirth 4 times you can do this too. 4 times. i take my hat off to you. once was enough to tell me i never wanted to do that again. i love my son. he is so sweet and special to me. he is 26 now. with health issues raising children is hard. not impossible, just hard. you have a rare opportunity to teach your children compassion for sick people. so many children do not know this. another gift fms gives you. this rare chance to create compassionate little beings who will become compassionate adults. much is learned thru illness. we find the things we thought were so important really are not. and we find the things that do matter. patience, compassion, tolerance, love, most of all love.
again i welcome you to our unique and wonderful family.
peace,
bluelakelady
bluelakelady
06-02-2005, 02:41 AM
ps. me again. i shave my head bald. hair hurts so i got rid of it. by the way i am 50 years old. i have a lovely shaped head and love my no work hair doo. giggle. now i only have to do my hair once a week and the pain of my hair being on my head is gone. can't brush what ain't there, giggle.
i shaved it the first time for a friend who was going thru chemo. that was almost 7 years ago. her hair never feel out. well not that time. she had it 3 times before she left her body. amazing woman. every time i shave my head i think of patti. she showed me how short life is and how much it matters to say and do all that you can. never leave till tomorrow words you can say today. she would get a blood transfusion and hop a plane to mexico for the day of the dead. or to new orleans for mardi gras. she packed a whole life into her last 5 years. so, tee hee maybe you could shave your head too? just kidding. however it did solve my problem. my head is less sensitive with the hair gone. shaving my head is easy and does not hurt. like shaving my legs only rounder.
sweet dreams,
bluelakelady
i shaved it the first time for a friend who was going thru chemo. that was almost 7 years ago. her hair never feel out. well not that time. she had it 3 times before she left her body. amazing woman. every time i shave my head i think of patti. she showed me how short life is and how much it matters to say and do all that you can. never leave till tomorrow words you can say today. she would get a blood transfusion and hop a plane to mexico for the day of the dead. or to new orleans for mardi gras. she packed a whole life into her last 5 years. so, tee hee maybe you could shave your head too? just kidding. however it did solve my problem. my head is less sensitive with the hair gone. shaving my head is easy and does not hurt. like shaving my legs only rounder.
sweet dreams,
bluelakelady
hangin
06-02-2005, 05:35 AM
Jennifer,
Welcome to a place of comfort and compassion. You will receive that here and more.
So sorry to hear you are suffering so. Taking care of your children 9 to 16 months old while going through this must not be easy.
I just want to say in the simplest way that my heart goes out to you and I cannot help but think that you must be an amazing woman, having your children and all. So many on this board understand and are here to listen, talk, laugh with, whatever you need...
You will find a lot of caring people here. I care.. Keep sharing and letting us know how things are. There are times in our lifes when we have to reach out and talk with people who get it.
Hang in there.
Peace and love, Janet
Welcome to a place of comfort and compassion. You will receive that here and more.
So sorry to hear you are suffering so. Taking care of your children 9 to 16 months old while going through this must not be easy.
I just want to say in the simplest way that my heart goes out to you and I cannot help but think that you must be an amazing woman, having your children and all. So many on this board understand and are here to listen, talk, laugh with, whatever you need...
You will find a lot of caring people here. I care.. Keep sharing and letting us know how things are. There are times in our lifes when we have to reach out and talk with people who get it.
Hang in there.
Peace and love, Janet
dpaz
06-02-2005, 07:39 AM
Hi Jennifer, so glad to meet you. Sorry it had to be here, no one wants this pain, but we are glad to have you. You'll find the support you are looking for here, I know that I have. Hope to hear much more from you.
Peggy
Peggy
corin
06-02-2005, 09:51 AM
Jennifer,
Welcome, I just wanted to mention briefly about the hair salon. I had long hair until, like you , it began to be as ill and tired as I was, falling out. My fear of the pain not only to my scalp, but the embarrassment and pain to my neck and shoulders weighed heavily on my mind. I put it off for several years. Just this past Feb, I went in on a quiet day/time, and spoke to the lady, about my needs physically and my embarrassment. She was gentle and accomodating. If your like myself and cannot deal too much with the face to face approach, call and speak with the salon by phone, explain and ask if they can manage your needs, then and only after they assure you, go in and tell them, my name is Jenn, I called and spoke with so-and-so about coming in, she/he seemed to be able to understand my needs here. ( make sure to ask when on the phone when she will be in ) I would like to see her today. I was pleasantly surprised, and the shorter length is a welcome change. I just went in 2 days ago again, and they were once more fabulous.
Welcome, I just wanted to mention briefly about the hair salon. I had long hair until, like you , it began to be as ill and tired as I was, falling out. My fear of the pain not only to my scalp, but the embarrassment and pain to my neck and shoulders weighed heavily on my mind. I put it off for several years. Just this past Feb, I went in on a quiet day/time, and spoke to the lady, about my needs physically and my embarrassment. She was gentle and accomodating. If your like myself and cannot deal too much with the face to face approach, call and speak with the salon by phone, explain and ask if they can manage your needs, then and only after they assure you, go in and tell them, my name is Jenn, I called and spoke with so-and-so about coming in, she/he seemed to be able to understand my needs here. ( make sure to ask when on the phone when she will be in ) I would like to see her today. I was pleasantly surprised, and the shorter length is a welcome change. I just went in 2 days ago again, and they were once more fabulous.
bluelakelady
06-02-2005, 09:59 AM
hi jennifer,
no such thing as ranting too much here girlfriend. it takes time to adjust to this. be as patient with yourself as you are with your children. here is a little something i do on good days. i fix two or three dinners that can be frozen. that way there is a home cooked meal right there to thaw out and eat.
these days it is only my brother and i. we are mostly vegetarian and that makes cooking even easier. steam some vegies and rice. or vegies and pasta with a bit of olive oil and parmesan cheese. sometimes we eat organic oats for dinner. nothing fancy, just healthy.
i have also found my determination to be the strongest ally i have. our creator endowed us with amazing power. even thru illness that power is there. you will find your way. and you have all of us here cheering you onward, offering a shoulder, and our love.
peace,
bluelakelady
you will fall in love with us, your new, other family.
no such thing as ranting too much here girlfriend. it takes time to adjust to this. be as patient with yourself as you are with your children. here is a little something i do on good days. i fix two or three dinners that can be frozen. that way there is a home cooked meal right there to thaw out and eat.
these days it is only my brother and i. we are mostly vegetarian and that makes cooking even easier. steam some vegies and rice. or vegies and pasta with a bit of olive oil and parmesan cheese. sometimes we eat organic oats for dinner. nothing fancy, just healthy.
i have also found my determination to be the strongest ally i have. our creator endowed us with amazing power. even thru illness that power is there. you will find your way. and you have all of us here cheering you onward, offering a shoulder, and our love.
peace,
bluelakelady
you will fall in love with us, your new, other family.
corin
06-02-2005, 10:01 AM
Maybe see about getting a B12 shot to help with the fatigue. I know fatigue can be a massive blow to my days as well. As for more home cooked meals, why not have the kids help wash and peel stuff? One thing I do that does help, is whenever I am cooking something, I will double the recipe, then freeze the rest for a bad day. I also do so on good days, cooking maybe 2 o 3 meal ideas at once. Other times I go for bagged salad, and because I already have rice ~4 times a week, I will steam lots of it at once and leave the rest in the fridge. On really bad days, pizza makes everyone else content! Then, like this last 2 weeks, I was so tired and ill, it all got away from me. Rahter than stress over it and see all I had to catch up on, I realized that like every other time, I would soon emerge from that cave and spend a week or two getting up to pace. Hope your day is a good one.
corin
06-02-2005, 10:03 AM
lol BLL, I think we were typing tandem!
bilij
06-02-2005, 12:04 PM
Goodmorning Jennifer, welcome to the fibro board. You will find a
wide range of people with many different ideas, but we all share the
condition of fibromyalgia. I wanted to ask you something about home-
schooling; I know 3 young mothers who home school their children and
all 3 of them have fibromyalgia. They tell me the stress never lets up
and they worry their children are not keeping up with their age group.
(One of them has 2 children; the other two have 4 each.) I am a Christian
mother and grandmother and I know public schools have lots of problems,
but your health is in jeopardy and I don't see how you accomplish so much
on a daily basis. I greatly admire your ability and I'm sure your reason for
home schooling is a good one, but you sound so much like my three young
friends here, I had to ask. As for cooking and cleaning, I say just do the best
you can and don't worry about what goes undone. When kids are grown, they
don't remember how clean the house was or the well balanced meals we cooked;
they remember the special days and the fun things their mother did with them.
When my 4 middle-aged children get together, they talk about the drive-in
movies that cost $1.00 a car load and the jug of kool-aid because we couldn't
afford a coke. They remember the hotdogs cooked in the back yard over a
fire of sticks. This sounds melodramatic, but it's the truth. I pray that you can
find balance in your life and balance usually comes when we can filter out the
harmful stress and replace it with things that bring God given joy to our lives.
Please take this in the ''grandmotherly'' way it was intended. Please keep in
touch. Love to you!
Bilij
wide range of people with many different ideas, but we all share the
condition of fibromyalgia. I wanted to ask you something about home-
schooling; I know 3 young mothers who home school their children and
all 3 of them have fibromyalgia. They tell me the stress never lets up
and they worry their children are not keeping up with their age group.
(One of them has 2 children; the other two have 4 each.) I am a Christian
mother and grandmother and I know public schools have lots of problems,
but your health is in jeopardy and I don't see how you accomplish so much
on a daily basis. I greatly admire your ability and I'm sure your reason for
home schooling is a good one, but you sound so much like my three young
friends here, I had to ask. As for cooking and cleaning, I say just do the best
you can and don't worry about what goes undone. When kids are grown, they
don't remember how clean the house was or the well balanced meals we cooked;
they remember the special days and the fun things their mother did with them.
When my 4 middle-aged children get together, they talk about the drive-in
movies that cost $1.00 a car load and the jug of kool-aid because we couldn't
afford a coke. They remember the hotdogs cooked in the back yard over a
fire of sticks. This sounds melodramatic, but it's the truth. I pray that you can
find balance in your life and balance usually comes when we can filter out the
harmful stress and replace it with things that bring God given joy to our lives.
Please take this in the ''grandmotherly'' way it was intended. Please keep in
touch. Love to you!
Bilij
Glojer
06-02-2005, 01:53 PM
Welcome fibromomof5, I take my hat off to you taking care of 5 children and home schooling! My 2yr old grandson wears me out when he is here. We are a friendly bunch and I hope you can join our family, I'm sure you have some great ideas too! We are also a supportive bunch, so just come here when you need a little TLC.
A suggestion for meals when you don't feel like cooking (I can relate to that!!!).
Check your area for a place where you go and prepare meals ahead of time all at one time. I go to one my daughter in law takes me to, it is called meal something like make it or makers or something like that. We go one night a month and make up to 12meals (main dishes) then you take them home and freeze them and pull one out of the freezer on the days you need it. Maybe you could get together with some friends and do the same thing at somebodys house. Just a few suggestions.
Take care of yourself Jen because your family needs you, and visit us often we can give you support.
Glojer
A suggestion for meals when you don't feel like cooking (I can relate to that!!!).
Check your area for a place where you go and prepare meals ahead of time all at one time. I go to one my daughter in law takes me to, it is called meal something like make it or makers or something like that. We go one night a month and make up to 12meals (main dishes) then you take them home and freeze them and pull one out of the freezer on the days you need it. Maybe you could get together with some friends and do the same thing at somebodys house. Just a few suggestions.
Take care of yourself Jen because your family needs you, and visit us often we can give you support.
Glojer
rosebuddy
06-02-2005, 02:08 PM
Hi Jennifer, Welcome to our family. We all help eachother and there are some people here who contribute valuable information about fms that we don't have to go search for elsewhere. I love this group of people. As you can see, you will find understanding and empathy. We have deep thinkers, philosiphers who help to see what really matters. I hope you keep posting. You are an inspiration and have so much to share with us too.
In regards to the weight, I gained 40 lbs in the last year and understand how you feel. Its hard to get used to and none of my old clothes fit. I had to go buy fat clothes and wash them every 2 days. I am walking now for 30 minutes every morning and I start each day with raisin bran. I had to start off slow with 5 minutes. Sometimes i couldn't even go that far and had to lay down in the grass. I try to have the same thing for lunch every day, like a half of a sandwich. Thinking of food as fuel. The evenings are hard for me. I am hungry and cannot get full which I believe is from the medicine. I am practicing saying no to that craving.
In your first post, you mentioned referred pain from trigger points. I had the same symptoms and had cascades of trigger points that went untreated and got worse because I wouldn't take the time to go to the pain management doctor. When I finally went, it took about 12 weeks of injections into trps, myofascial release by physical therapists, and exercises at home to get better. I don't have any problem with trps except in my upper back that my chiropractor releases every 3 weeks or so.
I would keep your life as simple as possible. Only you can decide by searching your heart what you are willing to let go of so that you can focus more on getting as healthy as possible.
My husband cooks most of the time. When I cook its a pot of something like spaghetti or zatarans black beans and rice with sliced smoked sausage and an extra can of black beans. Takes about 20 minutes tops. You don't have to use a lot of meat because it has beens. Frozen Pizzas. Toasted cheese and veg. soup. chicken filets cut into chunks (I use scissors) and seasoned in 2 tbs oil and simmer. add frozen vegetables and simmer and eat over rice. Very fast and healthy. You can freeze the chicken chunks and use them in fetucinni or linguini. Just open a couple of cans of that white sauce (lite) and mix. Very easy. Sometimes when i was flaring and knew that I was going to be too tired to cook supper. I would cook it in the morning.
The sinks at the salon hurt my neck so I go with wet hair. My hair is alot thinner and brittle and dull. I just had a thyroid blood test and am waiting for the results to see if that is the cause.
Hugs,
Donna
PS I loved your posts blue lake lady and bilij You helped me today. Thanks
In regards to the weight, I gained 40 lbs in the last year and understand how you feel. Its hard to get used to and none of my old clothes fit. I had to go buy fat clothes and wash them every 2 days. I am walking now for 30 minutes every morning and I start each day with raisin bran. I had to start off slow with 5 minutes. Sometimes i couldn't even go that far and had to lay down in the grass. I try to have the same thing for lunch every day, like a half of a sandwich. Thinking of food as fuel. The evenings are hard for me. I am hungry and cannot get full which I believe is from the medicine. I am practicing saying no to that craving.
In your first post, you mentioned referred pain from trigger points. I had the same symptoms and had cascades of trigger points that went untreated and got worse because I wouldn't take the time to go to the pain management doctor. When I finally went, it took about 12 weeks of injections into trps, myofascial release by physical therapists, and exercises at home to get better. I don't have any problem with trps except in my upper back that my chiropractor releases every 3 weeks or so.
I would keep your life as simple as possible. Only you can decide by searching your heart what you are willing to let go of so that you can focus more on getting as healthy as possible.
My husband cooks most of the time. When I cook its a pot of something like spaghetti or zatarans black beans and rice with sliced smoked sausage and an extra can of black beans. Takes about 20 minutes tops. You don't have to use a lot of meat because it has beens. Frozen Pizzas. Toasted cheese and veg. soup. chicken filets cut into chunks (I use scissors) and seasoned in 2 tbs oil and simmer. add frozen vegetables and simmer and eat over rice. Very fast and healthy. You can freeze the chicken chunks and use them in fetucinni or linguini. Just open a couple of cans of that white sauce (lite) and mix. Very easy. Sometimes when i was flaring and knew that I was going to be too tired to cook supper. I would cook it in the morning.
The sinks at the salon hurt my neck so I go with wet hair. My hair is alot thinner and brittle and dull. I just had a thyroid blood test and am waiting for the results to see if that is the cause.
Hugs,
Donna
PS I loved your posts blue lake lady and bilij You helped me today. Thanks
hangin
06-02-2005, 02:52 PM
Hey Jennifer,
Good morning!! :wave: You have gotten some great advice from the best. We are all in this together. Remember that when you are feeling overhwhelmed.
You mentioned going to a pain management specialist. The one I see is wonderful and I had to jump through many hoops for years until I found him. Sometimes these docs are highly qualified, anesthesiologists who also do pain management. I hope this doctor can help you...be honest about your pain when you see him and tell him how much pain you are in.
One thing I have done to make dinner time easier is to make tons of spaghetti sauce every few weeks. It can be a family project. I put in whatever is in the refrigerator. It turns out delicious and no food goes to waste. I freeze what I do not use the first night and put them in individual containers. It is so easy to take one out and have chicken caccitori (SP?), you know, cook chicken in the skillet on the stove. Another night baked ziti, another night eggplant parmessan. Kids love plain, old spaghetti. If your family likes Italian they can have it when they want it.
Try to be kind to yourself. I know that life is hard especially with a large family and very young children. You are your best friend and extremely powerful when it comes to your well-being. Our creator endowed woman with alot of strength. To this day I believe that if men gave birth they wouldn't produce many brothers and sisters LOL.
Sounds like you have things under control when you say you have given the kids and husband a chore list. Also, as others pointed out, don't worry about your home being messy or dirty. Do you have a budget where you could get someone to come in once or twice a month and do the heavy work. I had to do this, the woman who comes was referred by a friend, she is wonderful and makes my life a lot easier. Maybe you can ask someone in your church for a referral. The woman I got isn't expensive and the pay off is worth it when I think about how much less stress I have and in turn a happier family. If I am feeling better spiritually and mentally, the family follows as well.
It seems as if you have a strong spiritual life. It helped me more than words can express, made me look at the reasons my life is like it is. Helped me to accept it and embrace the fact that I am different (sounds corny and out there but it works for me). Made me not ashamed of it and I was able to tell friends and family who all came running to help. You may be surprised at how many people are wanting and willing to help you in your time of need. Whether it be watching your kids so you can nap, cooking a meal, bringing a meal, anything to be of service to you. People really love to help, makes them feel better too.
Sorry about your hair, maybe it will ease up a bit. I do think it could be a good idea to cut it, that is what I did also. I had hair down to my backside, very long. I had them cut it and use it for people who loose their hair due to illness, I cannot remember the name of the organization that does this (fibro fog)!! Corin had great advice for you regarding your hair, I would look into it. Hair will always grow back but a short haircut is heaven.
I had a spiritual teacher tell me once to choose my battles. In other words, right now your battle is finding a way for you to live with you fibro in as little pain as possible. Not your weight, house or cooking meals for your family every night. You are beautiful the way you are. Your husband isn't understanding that you have an illness and your weight cannot be the issue now. Try not to feel guily, this was a very hard one for me and in all honesty took a long time to get over it. Guilt destroys our feelings of self-worth and is so destructive. Try to let go of the things that you just cannot do at the moment and/or the things that are not terribly important or can be addressed later. Be gentle with yourself, your body is telling you these things.
When you are going to the Pain Man. doc?
Sorry for going on and on. I hope I do not sound preachy, just want to help.
Hope you have a good day, be easy on yourself, love yourself.
We are your family as others have said. :)
Peace and love, Janet
Good morning!! :wave: You have gotten some great advice from the best. We are all in this together. Remember that when you are feeling overhwhelmed.
You mentioned going to a pain management specialist. The one I see is wonderful and I had to jump through many hoops for years until I found him. Sometimes these docs are highly qualified, anesthesiologists who also do pain management. I hope this doctor can help you...be honest about your pain when you see him and tell him how much pain you are in.
One thing I have done to make dinner time easier is to make tons of spaghetti sauce every few weeks. It can be a family project. I put in whatever is in the refrigerator. It turns out delicious and no food goes to waste. I freeze what I do not use the first night and put them in individual containers. It is so easy to take one out and have chicken caccitori (SP?), you know, cook chicken in the skillet on the stove. Another night baked ziti, another night eggplant parmessan. Kids love plain, old spaghetti. If your family likes Italian they can have it when they want it.
Try to be kind to yourself. I know that life is hard especially with a large family and very young children. You are your best friend and extremely powerful when it comes to your well-being. Our creator endowed woman with alot of strength. To this day I believe that if men gave birth they wouldn't produce many brothers and sisters LOL.
Sounds like you have things under control when you say you have given the kids and husband a chore list. Also, as others pointed out, don't worry about your home being messy or dirty. Do you have a budget where you could get someone to come in once or twice a month and do the heavy work. I had to do this, the woman who comes was referred by a friend, she is wonderful and makes my life a lot easier. Maybe you can ask someone in your church for a referral. The woman I got isn't expensive and the pay off is worth it when I think about how much less stress I have and in turn a happier family. If I am feeling better spiritually and mentally, the family follows as well.
It seems as if you have a strong spiritual life. It helped me more than words can express, made me look at the reasons my life is like it is. Helped me to accept it and embrace the fact that I am different (sounds corny and out there but it works for me). Made me not ashamed of it and I was able to tell friends and family who all came running to help. You may be surprised at how many people are wanting and willing to help you in your time of need. Whether it be watching your kids so you can nap, cooking a meal, bringing a meal, anything to be of service to you. People really love to help, makes them feel better too.
Sorry about your hair, maybe it will ease up a bit. I do think it could be a good idea to cut it, that is what I did also. I had hair down to my backside, very long. I had them cut it and use it for people who loose their hair due to illness, I cannot remember the name of the organization that does this (fibro fog)!! Corin had great advice for you regarding your hair, I would look into it. Hair will always grow back but a short haircut is heaven.
I had a spiritual teacher tell me once to choose my battles. In other words, right now your battle is finding a way for you to live with you fibro in as little pain as possible. Not your weight, house or cooking meals for your family every night. You are beautiful the way you are. Your husband isn't understanding that you have an illness and your weight cannot be the issue now. Try not to feel guily, this was a very hard one for me and in all honesty took a long time to get over it. Guilt destroys our feelings of self-worth and is so destructive. Try to let go of the things that you just cannot do at the moment and/or the things that are not terribly important or can be addressed later. Be gentle with yourself, your body is telling you these things.
When you are going to the Pain Man. doc?
Sorry for going on and on. I hope I do not sound preachy, just want to help.
Hope you have a good day, be easy on yourself, love yourself.
We are your family as others have said. :)
Peace and love, Janet
fibromomof5
06-02-2005, 05:00 PM
Corin,
thanks for sharing about how you handle the salon. I think that is exactly what I will do. I need to make an app asap since I have not brushed my hair out in 3 days. I wash my hair and bathe more than I brush..I am sure that sounds weird but I feel better when I know my tangled hair is at least clean. I am still fishing around trying to find the pain managment doctor. I recently tried chiro/acupuncture which I think might help if I coild only find a chiro who knows how to be gentle. the one I saw last week was over an hour away<came highly recommended> but he was too rough, and kept pressing all my tender points. Plus for $190.00 all he did was stick magnets on me. Didn't help any...thanks again for your kind advice.
thanks for sharing about how you handle the salon. I think that is exactly what I will do. I need to make an app asap since I have not brushed my hair out in 3 days. I wash my hair and bathe more than I brush..I am sure that sounds weird but I feel better when I know my tangled hair is at least clean. I am still fishing around trying to find the pain managment doctor. I recently tried chiro/acupuncture which I think might help if I coild only find a chiro who knows how to be gentle. the one I saw last week was over an hour away<came highly recommended> but he was too rough, and kept pressing all my tender points. Plus for $190.00 all he did was stick magnets on me. Didn't help any...thanks again for your kind advice.
fibromomof5
06-02-2005, 05:01 PM
Does anyone have experience with the b12 shots? Did they help and how much? Thanks, Jennifer
fibromomof5
06-02-2005, 05:29 PM
Hello, thanks for your concern. Homeschooling for my family has been a wonderful experience so far. My kids are very well rounded and they certainely have more fun learning hands on, then being stuffed in a school for 8 hrs a day. I use a Christian program that was written to cater to the Christian family<and once a child reaches the 2nd grade level, they are all on the same page and do school together. I have a soon to be fourth grader, and my 2 other boys will be in first grade. My second oldest just turned 7, but due to some developmental delays is more on his younger brother's educational level. My baby has been enrolled in preschool and I am debating about sending her again next yr, because she really is advanced. She listens to her mommy teaching phonice and has learned quite a bit. My niece who just turned 16 mths is the new one to the bunch since she is offically not "mine" yet. But that is a work in progress. my husband comes from a long line of abusers<dad, and mom> who shouldn't have had kids. By the grace of God my husband turned out normal but a few of his siblings did not. Kylie<my niece> is my brother in laws baby, and he is very screwed up. He made a bad choice and had the baby with his girlfriend<whom he is still with> when she was just 16. she also comes from a crack/heroine family and has many, many issuses. The first being she didn't want the baby and tried to get an abortion. My crack addict mother in law<that's being nice> forced her to have the baby promising all kinds of help. Heather was counting on the help<we didn't know about this situation because we rarely talk to them> and my mother in law cannot give her that kind of help. she couldn't take care of her own due to her own selfishness, and immaturity. <drugs and sex were more important than her 4 boys> SHE MAKES ME SO MAD!!!! And she is still cracking out and moving from place to place. We first learned of Kylie's hell hole life<she lived uncared for, neglected in very dangerous places with 3-8 vicious pitbulls at a time. Her young mother feels the need for their protection and will not part<she'd rather keep the dogs than the baby> 3 mths ago when my mother in law who had the baby asked for help. Of course we offered help but seeing the baby dirty, and sick< asthma due to crack smoke, pot and cigarettes> we knew we couldn't let her leave. my kids have taken Kylie into their hearts and refer to her as their baby sister. Being busy with my four and having fibro probably should have made me think about this commitment a little longer before diving in, but hey my husband and I alwys said we would eventually open our home to foster kids or adopt, and what kind of Christians would we be if we turned our backs on an innocent baby who just needs family to love her, nutrious food<she came underweight and malnourished> and a steady home. So everyone out there in fibroland if you believe in prayer please say a prayer for our family. Our budget was already strapped, and we need to provide Kylie with clothes because she came with 2 bags of dog peed on clothes, that reeked so bad I had to toss everything. Its very sad but hopefully we will find a way to make this work. Thanks for listening, Jennifer
bilij
06-02-2005, 06:19 PM
Jennifer, when God leads you to a situation, He will lead
you through it. It was your health I was concerned about,
but you seem energized by the task ahead and your children
seem to be thriving well. I will pray for you and baby Kylie as
well the rest of your family. Remember, your mother-inlaw and
Kylie's mother are not out of God's reach......they really need
prayer. Please post as often as you can. I have found so much
love on this board. We do not all have the same beliefs but we
share a special bond and you can feel it.
We have sunshine this afternoon in Alabama and I am rejoicing.
The weather has caused this old grandmother to really hurt.
Bilij
you through it. It was your health I was concerned about,
but you seem energized by the task ahead and your children
seem to be thriving well. I will pray for you and baby Kylie as
well the rest of your family. Remember, your mother-inlaw and
Kylie's mother are not out of God's reach......they really need
prayer. Please post as often as you can. I have found so much
love on this board. We do not all have the same beliefs but we
share a special bond and you can feel it.
We have sunshine this afternoon in Alabama and I am rejoicing.
The weather has caused this old grandmother to really hurt.
Bilij
fibromomof5
06-02-2005, 08:53 PM
Bilij,
Thanks for listening. A sticky situation arose tonight with Kylie's parents demanding to see her. i feel angry because even though I am trying to be patient with them, they constantly intrude. we even set up a visting night, to be fair to them and our children. And for 2 weeks in a row have not showed, without a phone call. Just left us waiting. The last time we saw them over 2 weeks ago, they were without food for days and starving. They showed up around dinner time so I offered them dinner which they ravenously ate. they are in constant need of showers, money, food< they are homeless living in a park>. Tonight I feel exceptionally angry because I went out to buy Kylie and my daughter some things at walmart and when I came back my husband said kylie needed to be dropped off at Heather's mom's trailer<the heroine addict> and that they DEMANDED to see their daughter. We go to church Thursday night's and this interfers big time with our schedule. My husband thinks that this will have to involve CPS soon, and that we need to turn them in for their neglect of Kylie. What is your advice? <open to all opinions> Jennifer
Thanks for listening. A sticky situation arose tonight with Kylie's parents demanding to see her. i feel angry because even though I am trying to be patient with them, they constantly intrude. we even set up a visting night, to be fair to them and our children. And for 2 weeks in a row have not showed, without a phone call. Just left us waiting. The last time we saw them over 2 weeks ago, they were without food for days and starving. They showed up around dinner time so I offered them dinner which they ravenously ate. they are in constant need of showers, money, food< they are homeless living in a park>. Tonight I feel exceptionally angry because I went out to buy Kylie and my daughter some things at walmart and when I came back my husband said kylie needed to be dropped off at Heather's mom's trailer<the heroine addict> and that they DEMANDED to see their daughter. We go to church Thursday night's and this interfers big time with our schedule. My husband thinks that this will have to involve CPS soon, and that we need to turn them in for their neglect of Kylie. What is your advice? <open to all opinions> Jennifer
corin
06-02-2005, 09:48 PM
Well, only because your asking, yes (IMO) CPS will need to be called, if for no more than to protect your legal interests should events turn even worse. Also, I would get into the habit of documenting all these events. You will be glad you did. Dates, times, events. Keep a log. Your Christian faith does not preclude action in such cases, nor require passive involvement.
bluelakelady
06-02-2005, 10:14 PM
hi jennifer,
children come first. you know this to be true. call cps. all children have rights too. they have the right to feel safe. the right to eat. the right to be clean. the right to medical care. the right even to be protected from their own parents.
the stress of inaction will eat you alive. with fibromyalgia stress is a no no. be proactive, as your creator endowed you with this ability.
peace and kiss baby for me,
bluelakelady
i have always said there is only one right side to be on. the side of a child.
children come first. you know this to be true. call cps. all children have rights too. they have the right to feel safe. the right to eat. the right to be clean. the right to medical care. the right even to be protected from their own parents.
the stress of inaction will eat you alive. with fibromyalgia stress is a no no. be proactive, as your creator endowed you with this ability.
peace and kiss baby for me,
bluelakelady
i have always said there is only one right side to be on. the side of a child.
Glojer
06-02-2005, 10:38 PM
Jennifer, I agree with BLL and corin get cps involved. Children need our protection and it seems as if you and your husband have been chosen to help Kylie. I will pray for your family, let us know how you are doing and listen to bluelake and take care of your stress and yourself.
fibromomof5
06-02-2005, 10:43 PM
Thanks for the advice..I did think of starting the log and will def go buy a notebook tomorrow just with the purpose of keeping track of them. My husband dropped kylie off and ther is one more hour to pick up. I think everyone is right and cps should be called. I just am hoping not to have a ton of social workers at my house over the next week or so. My mom called cps on her step mother< as an adult> for allowing suspected sexual abuse to occur< my uncle was 5> and the mother took him and ran to another state and we haven't heard back from them since. I am scared of not being able to do more for Kylie.
but now back to Fibro......
Does anyone seem to be getting sick very frequently...catch colds easier than before the fibro? I have had the flu bad every yr since its start and get sick every few weeks. Just wondering
but now back to Fibro......
Does anyone seem to be getting sick very frequently...catch colds easier than before the fibro? I have had the flu bad every yr since its start and get sick every few weeks. Just wondering
rosebuddy
06-02-2005, 11:22 PM
No I don't get sick frequently and yes I think you should contact children services. Bless you. You and your family are in my prayers. Donna
SarahF
06-02-2005, 11:37 PM
Hi Jennifer... sorry you had to find us
I think you really should get a thyroid test... you sound like it would be worth investigating. The thyroid board here has a ton of information. Many of us thyroid patients also have fibro.
You sound like a great lady.
I think you really should get a thyroid test... you sound like it would be worth investigating. The thyroid board here has a ton of information. Many of us thyroid patients also have fibro.
You sound like a great lady.
fibromomof5
06-02-2005, 11:54 PM
Bluelakelady, your kind words are inspiring! I appreciate the unseen boost! ZI would write more but am getting really tired. thanks again and God bless, Jennifer
hangin
06-03-2005, 01:05 AM
Hey Jennifer,
IMO I believe you need to call CPS, things sound bad already for the child. DOn't worry about the Social Workers invading, you are doing a service that will have God smiling down on you. Give all your children a hug for me. You are in my prayers tonight.
Peace and Love, Janet
IMO I believe you need to call CPS, things sound bad already for the child. DOn't worry about the Social Workers invading, you are doing a service that will have God smiling down on you. Give all your children a hug for me. You are in my prayers tonight.
Peace and Love, Janet
jdlfmc
06-03-2005, 10:00 AM
Hi, I just wanted to jump in say you have my admiration, you have a full plate for sure and I think it's wonderful you are coping so well.
My children are all grown and I have just had my 7 yr old twin granddaughter for a week, WOW the things I had forgotten.
So I just wanted to say hi and welcome and that I think your pretty remarkable to do all you do and home school also.
Linda
My children are all grown and I have just had my 7 yr old twin granddaughter for a week, WOW the things I had forgotten.
So I just wanted to say hi and welcome and that I think your pretty remarkable to do all you do and home school also.
Linda
bilij
06-03-2005, 11:12 AM
Dear Jennifer, I didn't post last night because I needed time to think.
I agree with Corin on not using your Christian faith to do nothing. Our
faith is useless unless we act on it. I believe children have the right to
see and know their birth parents, but there comes a time to take a
stand on the safety of Kylie. You need the counsel of your pastor and/or
others in your church to face this task ahead. We here on the board can
give you encouragment and pray for you but, we are not there to give you
the the actual ''hand-on'' support you need right now. How does your
husband feel about this situation?
Last night I went back to your very first post and there I saw you
reaching out for the kind of help we can offer here on this board. You
have received some of the best advise from others on how to deal with
some of the problem; fixing meals ahead, about the pain your hair
was causing you and the pain and confusion of fibromyalgia. I can feel
everyones arms reaching out to you in love and concern, but where little
Kylie is concerned, you need help there with your Christian brothers and
sisters who can offer more than words.
Remember, fibro feeds of anger, fear, indecision, and all the negative emotions
that try to rule our very soul. Again I ask you to take this post in the way
it's meant. I too think you are a wonderful person and a strong one too.
With love from the deep south.
Bilij
I agree with Corin on not using your Christian faith to do nothing. Our
faith is useless unless we act on it. I believe children have the right to
see and know their birth parents, but there comes a time to take a
stand on the safety of Kylie. You need the counsel of your pastor and/or
others in your church to face this task ahead. We here on the board can
give you encouragment and pray for you but, we are not there to give you
the the actual ''hand-on'' support you need right now. How does your
husband feel about this situation?
Last night I went back to your very first post and there I saw you
reaching out for the kind of help we can offer here on this board. You
have received some of the best advise from others on how to deal with
some of the problem; fixing meals ahead, about the pain your hair
was causing you and the pain and confusion of fibromyalgia. I can feel
everyones arms reaching out to you in love and concern, but where little
Kylie is concerned, you need help there with your Christian brothers and
sisters who can offer more than words.
Remember, fibro feeds of anger, fear, indecision, and all the negative emotions
that try to rule our very soul. Again I ask you to take this post in the way
it's meant. I too think you are a wonderful person and a strong one too.
With love from the deep south.
Bilij
corin
06-03-2005, 02:53 PM
I hope I did not sound critical on my post regarding CPS. On the contrary, it was meant to encourage. I myself am a Christian, and have seen many ugly things, and sometimes people of faith become tangled in a web of doubt and guilt on how best to respond in a Christian manner, intended to honor their faith in the everyday. Some people are overridden with a feeling that "turning the other cheek" and "forgive others as I have forgiven you" means they must withstand all things. This is not so, and we are meant to advocate and protect the smallest of persons, sometimes we must fight. this is a sanctioned Christian right, I only meant to allieviate any feelings regarding these issues. Your commitment to rescue and defend this child is a perfect example of living in faith. Follow those instincts, which are a guide to your heart on what is the right thing to do. You need only follow it. This is what I meant to express.
bluelakelady
06-03-2005, 03:11 PM
hi corin,
i went back and reread you post. it was perfect. your words were much needed at the time and you spoke them.
peace,
bluelakelady
how you feeling today mom of 5? did you sleep okay?
i went back and reread you post. it was perfect. your words were much needed at the time and you spoke them.
peace,
bluelakelady
how you feeling today mom of 5? did you sleep okay?
bilij
06-03-2005, 03:15 PM
Hi Corin, I was agreeing with you. Sometimes my mind gets ahead
of my fingers and it dosen't come out right. Thank's for clearing it up.
I hope your day is a good one.
Bilij
of my fingers and it dosen't come out right. Thank's for clearing it up.
I hope your day is a good one.
Bilij
OraEtLabora
06-03-2005, 03:20 PM
Dear Jennifer,
I just had to jump in here, because you sound like you could be me - your symptoms are identical. I had a few more as well, but then my problems started during the 5th month of my pregnancy, and that was 16 years ago.
Long story short, the problem turned out to be my thyroid. Oh, yes, it was checked, and every year they said it was "normal." Well, when I asked for thryoid antibodies to be done, the results explained everything. My body has been making antibodies against my thyroid gland, destroying it systematically, year after year, and in the meantime, I was suffering with the flu-like symptoms that one would expect when one's body is beating itself up (instead of a foreign invader), and I had the symptoms of hypo and hyper thyroidism that is the hallmark of the disease, which is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.
This is a VERY COMMON problem with women, especially after childbirth.
Please get some additional testing on your thyroid gland! You'll be doing yourself a real favor!
Good Luck!
OraEtLabora
I just had to jump in here, because you sound like you could be me - your symptoms are identical. I had a few more as well, but then my problems started during the 5th month of my pregnancy, and that was 16 years ago.
Long story short, the problem turned out to be my thyroid. Oh, yes, it was checked, and every year they said it was "normal." Well, when I asked for thryoid antibodies to be done, the results explained everything. My body has been making antibodies against my thyroid gland, destroying it systematically, year after year, and in the meantime, I was suffering with the flu-like symptoms that one would expect when one's body is beating itself up (instead of a foreign invader), and I had the symptoms of hypo and hyper thyroidism that is the hallmark of the disease, which is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.
This is a VERY COMMON problem with women, especially after childbirth.
Please get some additional testing on your thyroid gland! You'll be doing yourself a real favor!
Good Luck!
OraEtLabora
corin
06-03-2005, 03:56 PM
bilij!
In no way did I interpret your post as negative, just the opposite, it brought to my attention the need to elaborate on my intention, I should really be thanking you for helping me to clarify the meaning.
In no way did I interpret your post as negative, just the opposite, it brought to my attention the need to elaborate on my intention, I should really be thanking you for helping me to clarify the meaning.
fibromomof5
06-04-2005, 12:27 AM
Corin and Bilij,
Thanks both of you for offering your honests opinions. As a stay at home mom, I don't get to talk these things over with other adults <besides my husband> it helps to get other "women's" opinions... I am not a walk all over me kind of person or Christian for that manner. My husband is the one who rolled out the welcome mat to these people and actually allowd them to stay in our home to keep them off the street. I felt very angry and everytime I mentioned how unhappy and upsetting this was to have two lazy smelly people fornicating in MY HOME while I worked my butt off taking care of my responsiblities plus THEIRS...needless to say we fought over it. And we rarely fight in front of our kids...my husband feels bad because its his brother, and he hardly has any family which I understand but this is our home and santuary... Thank God we finally rid of them, <it was only then that I fully understood how disturbed heather really was> but the day they lefty they ripped Kylie out of here, taking only a diaper bag for almost two weeks. They stayed at her sister's house<them in their shed> and kylie in the house. On Mother's day before church again..we got a frantic phone call that we needed to get kylie out of there immediately because her brother in law was trying to beat her up with kylie in her arms. Oh what a mOther's day THAT was. we have had Kylie ever since. I have had a bad day today so i'm gonna cut this short, and Blue lake lady..thanks for asking about my health.
Thanks both of you for offering your honests opinions. As a stay at home mom, I don't get to talk these things over with other adults <besides my husband> it helps to get other "women's" opinions... I am not a walk all over me kind of person or Christian for that manner. My husband is the one who rolled out the welcome mat to these people and actually allowd them to stay in our home to keep them off the street. I felt very angry and everytime I mentioned how unhappy and upsetting this was to have two lazy smelly people fornicating in MY HOME while I worked my butt off taking care of my responsiblities plus THEIRS...needless to say we fought over it. And we rarely fight in front of our kids...my husband feels bad because its his brother, and he hardly has any family which I understand but this is our home and santuary... Thank God we finally rid of them, <it was only then that I fully understood how disturbed heather really was> but the day they lefty they ripped Kylie out of here, taking only a diaper bag for almost two weeks. They stayed at her sister's house<them in their shed> and kylie in the house. On Mother's day before church again..we got a frantic phone call that we needed to get kylie out of there immediately because her brother in law was trying to beat her up with kylie in her arms. Oh what a mOther's day THAT was. we have had Kylie ever since. I have had a bad day today so i'm gonna cut this short, and Blue lake lady..thanks for asking about my health.
fibromomof5
06-04-2005, 12:58 AM
I just wanted to share my other interests so that my whole world does not seem to revolve around the Fibro monster. I love to read<fiction, and mysteries> writing poetry, and baking. I also love decorating, and adore all things primitive.
Glojer
06-04-2005, 12:43 PM
Fibromomof5 you are a talented women. I hope you get to enjoy some of the other things you like to do more often than I would think with 5 children. Remember take care of your fibro, take care of you. I also had my thyroid checked and although it didn't eliminate fibro, it did help with some of the symptoms. Check out the thyroid board if you have time, they have a lot of great info
Glojer
Glojer
fibromomof5
06-04-2005, 02:08 PM
CaN YOU STILL HAVE THYROID PROBLEMS EVEN IF ALL BLOOD TESTS COME BACK NORMAL?
Glojer
06-04-2005, 03:26 PM
Yes I think you can, but what is normal to one person may not be normal to another. Your TSH should be between 1 and 3 and your FT3 and FT4 should be in the upper 70% range. This is the recommended standard, but some people feel better at different ranges, read up on the thyroid board and ask some questions there. They have some pretty knowledgable people there, they have helped me. Good Luck!
jdlfmc
06-04-2005, 03:46 PM
Back many yrs ago before this fight with CP, lupus, and FM began I had all my blood work done and everything keep comming back norma,l finally I had a dr send my blood to some sort of specialist and the problem was everything was comming back "normal" but all in the low range of what they call "normal" such as thyroid, adrnial glands and more I can't remember what all, the point is after finding all this out and the dr treating me with a special diet and supplements amd meds I got all this backup in the high "normal" range and was feeling better then I had ever "TIL" the spinal injury and everythig else started fallin apart.
My point is what is "normal" for one as was already said may not be anothers, especialy when in the low ranges..
Linda
My point is what is "normal" for one as was already said may not be anothers, especialy when in the low ranges..
Linda
Dolphin43
06-05-2005, 09:03 PM
Hi my name is Dolphin,
I have five children ranging from 10-21 three girls and 2 boys, i have been diagnosed with (fibro since 2001 nov) :wave: I have learnt to cope some how by pacing myself not doing everything all at once otherwise u feel worse than if u dont see if u can find a "support group for the area u live in" that will encourage u like i did. I do find life hard sometimes but it dose get easier if u pace yourself i have a ten year old called Stephen and Sarah is 13 and Debbie is 17 at collage and Lisa she 20 at work and Anthony hes 21 just gone somedays i dont feel like doing anything not so much because of "pain" i have it under control apart from pain of arthritis am waiting to have bones fused together in my r foot with "bone" taken from my "hip" so will be in plaster and boot for how long dont know.Iam not looking forward to the above but would rather that than be in pain for rest of my life.
Go and see your doc and ask him to send u to "pain" clinic mine did and best thing that can happen as can relive pain in different ways?Hope u feel better soon.
dolphin43.
I have five children ranging from 10-21 three girls and 2 boys, i have been diagnosed with (fibro since 2001 nov) :wave: I have learnt to cope some how by pacing myself not doing everything all at once otherwise u feel worse than if u dont see if u can find a "support group for the area u live in" that will encourage u like i did. I do find life hard sometimes but it dose get easier if u pace yourself i have a ten year old called Stephen and Sarah is 13 and Debbie is 17 at collage and Lisa she 20 at work and Anthony hes 21 just gone somedays i dont feel like doing anything not so much because of "pain" i have it under control apart from pain of arthritis am waiting to have bones fused together in my r foot with "bone" taken from my "hip" so will be in plaster and boot for how long dont know.Iam not looking forward to the above but would rather that than be in pain for rest of my life.
Go and see your doc and ask him to send u to "pain" clinic mine did and best thing that can happen as can relive pain in different ways?Hope u feel better soon.
dolphin43.
Dolphin43
06-05-2005, 09:06 PM
Hi my name is Dolphin,
I have five children ranging from 10-21 three girls and 2 boys, i have been diagnosed with (fibro since 2001 nov) :wave: I have learnt to cope some how by pacing myself not doing everything all at once otherwise u feel worse than if u dont see if u can find a "support group for the area u live in" that will encourage u like i did. I do find life hard sometimes but it dose get easier if u pace yourself i have a ten year old called Stephen and Sarah is 13 and Debbie is 17 at collage and Lisa she 20 at work and Anthony hes 21 just gone somedays i dont feel like doing anything not so much because of "pain" i have it under control apart from pain of arthritis am waiting to have bones fused together in my r foot with "bone" taken from my "hip" so will be in plaster and boot for how long dont know.Iam not looking forward to the above but would rather that than be in pain for rest of my life.
Go and see your doc and ask him to send u to "pain" clinic mine did and best thing that can happen as can relive pain in different ways?Hope u feel better soon.
dolphin43.
I have five children ranging from 10-21 three girls and 2 boys, i have been diagnosed with (fibro since 2001 nov) :wave: I have learnt to cope some how by pacing myself not doing everything all at once otherwise u feel worse than if u dont see if u can find a "support group for the area u live in" that will encourage u like i did. I do find life hard sometimes but it dose get easier if u pace yourself i have a ten year old called Stephen and Sarah is 13 and Debbie is 17 at collage and Lisa she 20 at work and Anthony hes 21 just gone somedays i dont feel like doing anything not so much because of "pain" i have it under control apart from pain of arthritis am waiting to have bones fused together in my r foot with "bone" taken from my "hip" so will be in plaster and boot for how long dont know.Iam not looking forward to the above but would rather that than be in pain for rest of my life.
Go and see your doc and ask him to send u to "pain" clinic mine did and best thing that can happen as can relive pain in different ways?Hope u feel better soon.
dolphin43.
JenniferEvelynn
06-06-2005, 03:50 PM
Hi Jen,
Welcome to the Board!! My name is also Jennifer, I have 5 children (all mine), am a woman of Faith and have FM. Alot of connections, here, eh?
My faith has helped me endure this disease - especially on the days when it can drag me down.
I've also gained alot of weight....40 lbs in the last couple of years. I've taken off approx 10 and kept it off, the rest is stubborn! I joined Curves about 6 weeks ago and am afraid I will have to cancel my membership. The first two weeks were okay, but since then I'm having an increasingly hard time managing it. I hurt terrible in the morning especially so getting up early to do Curves and then going to work isn't working out so well. I feel like a quitter, but if I can't do it, I can't do it. I have a treadmill so I'm thinking of spending that time I would spend at Curves at home on the treadmill instead.
I hate how I feel and how I look but I know that I'm the only one who can change that.
Keep your chin up...
God bless, Jen
Welcome to the Board!! My name is also Jennifer, I have 5 children (all mine), am a woman of Faith and have FM. Alot of connections, here, eh?
My faith has helped me endure this disease - especially on the days when it can drag me down.
I've also gained alot of weight....40 lbs in the last couple of years. I've taken off approx 10 and kept it off, the rest is stubborn! I joined Curves about 6 weeks ago and am afraid I will have to cancel my membership. The first two weeks were okay, but since then I'm having an increasingly hard time managing it. I hurt terrible in the morning especially so getting up early to do Curves and then going to work isn't working out so well. I feel like a quitter, but if I can't do it, I can't do it. I have a treadmill so I'm thinking of spending that time I would spend at Curves at home on the treadmill instead.
I hate how I feel and how I look but I know that I'm the only one who can change that.
Keep your chin up...
God bless, Jen
fibromomof5
06-06-2005, 11:07 PM
Jen,
We have alot in common it seems. How old are your children? I think I posted my kids ages before on this thread but in case I didn't, my oldest<son> is 9.5, second oldest<son> just turned 7, third oldest son<is going on 6> and my daughter is three and a half. My niece is sixteen months and growning like a weed. I also rely on my faith for stength because most days I don't seem to have much of my own. We try to go to church 2x a week so my kids have extra socialization and learn more about God. Sometimes like yesterday we just don't make it, even though we do try. Getting 5 kids out the door is a daunting task and as helpful as my husband may be, I still do most of the work myself. He can't handle picking out clothes and getting kids dressed on time...lol We ended up going out in the country and taking the kids carousel rides<each ride only costs $1.oo> so it is cheap family fun. I am homeschooling 3 of them altough we are about to break for the summer. My oldest is going to cub scout camp, and golf camp for a few weeks. He does this every yr so he can take a break from his siblings. My other boys will hopefully be participating in a local nature program meant for their age group. Everyone will also be going to vacation Bible school as well. Although these things are lots of fun for my kids and a necessary part since we do homeschool, I find the idea of driving them here and there and everywhere exhausting! That's the hard part with fibro, not knowing when I am going to feel just awful and not having the needed energy to feel like I am really participating in life instead of just merely existing. It sounds like you can relate! Are you currently working? I would not be able to got to work even if it were necessary. alot of people question my homeschooling because of the fibro but in actually we keep it very flexible. Often forgoing school work on a really bad day, and then having school on an off day like saturday or a sunday, or vacation days. I tried curves last yr also. I went very infrequently because of my energy levels and the fact that my hubby was working at various side jobs<he's in construction> and he was home at all different hours. I really feel awful about my weight problem too! I understand exactly how you feel. I know too well what it has done to my self esteem. I recently viewed a photo taken a few months after my third child and felt terrible. It took me just a few months after his birth to lose the 40 pounds of baby weight. I worked out vigoursiously and looked and felt great. people were amazed that I had just had my third child. After my fourth<gained alittle more than the last time around> I took the depo shot because I was nursing and within in no time, I had gained quite a bit. Instead of losing weight I just kept gaining and gaining. Fibro symptoms hit me soon after and I have been fighting this for almost 3 yrs. I need to lose weight but it is just so hard, if you know what I mean!! I hope I didn't tire you out with this loooong post, I just wanted to let you know that there is someone else out there who is in the same boat as you. Feel free to email me any time for support or a friendly chat at [ please carefully review the posting rules - no emails ]. Hope tomorrow brings a pain free day. Take care, Jennifer
[ please carefully review the posting rules - no emails ]
[ Please read the posting rules which explain that offering or asking off board contact is not permitted. The boards are to be used for on board sharing, only. The email and private message features are turned off so that use of the message boards remain anonymous. The only contact you may make with members is to post on the board. ]
We have alot in common it seems. How old are your children? I think I posted my kids ages before on this thread but in case I didn't, my oldest<son> is 9.5, second oldest<son> just turned 7, third oldest son<is going on 6> and my daughter is three and a half. My niece is sixteen months and growning like a weed. I also rely on my faith for stength because most days I don't seem to have much of my own. We try to go to church 2x a week so my kids have extra socialization and learn more about God. Sometimes like yesterday we just don't make it, even though we do try. Getting 5 kids out the door is a daunting task and as helpful as my husband may be, I still do most of the work myself. He can't handle picking out clothes and getting kids dressed on time...lol We ended up going out in the country and taking the kids carousel rides<each ride only costs $1.oo> so it is cheap family fun. I am homeschooling 3 of them altough we are about to break for the summer. My oldest is going to cub scout camp, and golf camp for a few weeks. He does this every yr so he can take a break from his siblings. My other boys will hopefully be participating in a local nature program meant for their age group. Everyone will also be going to vacation Bible school as well. Although these things are lots of fun for my kids and a necessary part since we do homeschool, I find the idea of driving them here and there and everywhere exhausting! That's the hard part with fibro, not knowing when I am going to feel just awful and not having the needed energy to feel like I am really participating in life instead of just merely existing. It sounds like you can relate! Are you currently working? I would not be able to got to work even if it were necessary. alot of people question my homeschooling because of the fibro but in actually we keep it very flexible. Often forgoing school work on a really bad day, and then having school on an off day like saturday or a sunday, or vacation days. I tried curves last yr also. I went very infrequently because of my energy levels and the fact that my hubby was working at various side jobs<he's in construction> and he was home at all different hours. I really feel awful about my weight problem too! I understand exactly how you feel. I know too well what it has done to my self esteem. I recently viewed a photo taken a few months after my third child and felt terrible. It took me just a few months after his birth to lose the 40 pounds of baby weight. I worked out vigoursiously and looked and felt great. people were amazed that I had just had my third child. After my fourth<gained alittle more than the last time around> I took the depo shot because I was nursing and within in no time, I had gained quite a bit. Instead of losing weight I just kept gaining and gaining. Fibro symptoms hit me soon after and I have been fighting this for almost 3 yrs. I need to lose weight but it is just so hard, if you know what I mean!! I hope I didn't tire you out with this loooong post, I just wanted to let you know that there is someone else out there who is in the same boat as you. Feel free to email me any time for support or a friendly chat at [ please carefully review the posting rules - no emails ]. Hope tomorrow brings a pain free day. Take care, Jennifer
[ please carefully review the posting rules - no emails ]
[ Please read the posting rules which explain that offering or asking off board contact is not permitted. The boards are to be used for on board sharing, only. The email and private message features are turned off so that use of the message boards remain anonymous. The only contact you may make with members is to post on the board. ]
JenniferEvelynn
06-08-2005, 09:50 AM
Hi Jennifer,
You sure are busy! My children are 16 (girl), 14 (boy), 12 (girl) and 9 year old twins (boy and girl). They all go to public school - thank God! If not, I'd have to shoot myself! Only kidding! I give you alot of credit for what you do....especially having FM and managing all the kids and homeschooling.
We also go to church quite a bit. My husand and I are there at least 3 times a week, if not more. We are very involved. My faith has helped me tremendously throughout my illness. My church family is wonderful and supportive also. Having the Lord to lean on takes the weight off of me.
Speaking of weight.... weight gain seems to be an issue for those of us with FM. Inactivity is the main problem but I also think that we don't eat as nutritionally as we should. I, for one, would rather fix a meal that is quick (and not necessarily that good for me) instead of "slaving over a hot stove" to make a "real" meal. The combination of the two is my downfall!
Unfortunately we can't write to each other via personal email. It's a rule!! It would be great to be able to do that, but I think one reason is that writing on this board benefits so many others. We all have so many shared experiences and knowing there are others who are going through what we are makes it easier on us to deal with FM.
So... keep writing here and I'll keep writing back!!!!
I pray that we all have a less painful day today!
God bless, Jen
You sure are busy! My children are 16 (girl), 14 (boy), 12 (girl) and 9 year old twins (boy and girl). They all go to public school - thank God! If not, I'd have to shoot myself! Only kidding! I give you alot of credit for what you do....especially having FM and managing all the kids and homeschooling.
We also go to church quite a bit. My husand and I are there at least 3 times a week, if not more. We are very involved. My faith has helped me tremendously throughout my illness. My church family is wonderful and supportive also. Having the Lord to lean on takes the weight off of me.
Speaking of weight.... weight gain seems to be an issue for those of us with FM. Inactivity is the main problem but I also think that we don't eat as nutritionally as we should. I, for one, would rather fix a meal that is quick (and not necessarily that good for me) instead of "slaving over a hot stove" to make a "real" meal. The combination of the two is my downfall!
Unfortunately we can't write to each other via personal email. It's a rule!! It would be great to be able to do that, but I think one reason is that writing on this board benefits so many others. We all have so many shared experiences and knowing there are others who are going through what we are makes it easier on us to deal with FM.
So... keep writing here and I'll keep writing back!!!!
I pray that we all have a less painful day today!
God bless, Jen
fibromomof5
06-10-2005, 01:54 PM
Jen,
Sorry it took a few days to reply to your post. I got myself banned for giving my email. I think I unknowingly overlooked that rule but I won't make that mistake again.
WOW! It seems like you have your hands full with 2 teens and 1 pre teen and twins! LOL I am not looking forward to the teen stage...but I guess I have a few more years to enjoy before my oldest gets there.
I am very busy today cleaning cabinets and refrigerator out since today is the first day in a long time where I have felt GOOD. So I'm not gonna write a long post. I will however keep in touch via the brds1 have a great pain free weekend! Jennifer
Sorry it took a few days to reply to your post. I got myself banned for giving my email. I think I unknowingly overlooked that rule but I won't make that mistake again.
WOW! It seems like you have your hands full with 2 teens and 1 pre teen and twins! LOL I am not looking forward to the teen stage...but I guess I have a few more years to enjoy before my oldest gets there.
I am very busy today cleaning cabinets and refrigerator out since today is the first day in a long time where I have felt GOOD. So I'm not gonna write a long post. I will however keep in touch via the brds1 have a great pain free weekend! Jennifer