BF(Before Fibro)I would list items in my Day-Timer and being a somewhat driven person, would not rest until I had crossed off every task. WELL, now there are fewer items and less energy to do them and I have less control over my life. I have to lie down frequently, but I can't sleep and guess what I think about? Right! The things I still feel driven to do, which frustrates the daylights out of me! I am like the turtle, who eventually gets where he's going, it just takes forever...Any of you feel the frustration or despondency at all these limitations on your life? Al

Absolutely,positively without question Al! I will force myself to keep going,even with my eyes half shut but I get frustrated because I find myself going in circles in a daze. I feel like I just can't get anything done and every time I turn around it's 5pm and time to make dinner. Then I think that I should have just napped if I wasn't getting anywhere anyway but by then it's too late. I get a second wind in the early evening and then can't get to sleep at night!! I'll be WIDE awake at 1 or 2 am, knowing that it will be impossible for me to get out of bed when the 7am alarm goes off. And I haul myself out of bed,usually late, and start the routine over. I do feel like I can't get my agenda covered and I very much beat myself up over not being a whirlwind anymore. Two things that have helped are 1. Setting one big task for the day and considering it an accomplishment if I get just that one thing done 2. Giving myself permission to not be perfect.

It's also surprising how much people are willing to take on themselves or help with if you let them. I turned all the finances over to my husband and gave up a volunteer position I had taken when no one else would. My kids are pitching in too and even having my 4 year old set the dinner table is a surprising break. In those times I can get something else done or take a little breather.

It IS frustrating and hard to let go of the "old" you. I always liked being a go-getter. Give yourself permission to relax Al!

Allen, Yes. It is so hard sometimes. I was also very driven. I may spell atrociously and not puctuate properly. This is one symtom of fms. I can't do things the way I use to.I print as much as I can, so I have it and don't have to rely on just my memory. Family and neighbors don't always understand what we are going through. You know the same old story. Attack the person who is sick but, doesn't look like it. Accept when they watch you walk funny. They hide behind there snears and comments that only show how disturbed they really are. I just shrug it off. When you have it for so many years you learn new coping tacktics. I have just changed the way I look at things and people that want to just hurt you, well I ignore. The ridilin really has helped.

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Dale

Al, one other thing that has helped is that I do a lot of my ordering online. I just got a notice about vitamins that I ordered and they're on their way right to my door. If you are careful, you can find sites with comparable prices to your local stores and if you are like me and live in a state that charges sales tax, the shipping isn't a whole lot more than you'd pay locally for tax! (On taxable items that is!). For a few extra bucks, it's worth it to not have to run all over the place doing errands. Some sites will even offer free delivery if you spend a certain amount or at certain times of the year (a lot of the toy sites have free shipping at Christmas). I've also been able to buy items online at the auctions and negotiate good shipping rates on multiple items. I got quarter maps for all my nieces and nephews for Christmas, got some for my kids and a few more for birthday parties. I got a lot of discounts so it was well worth it, I saved over buying them retail locally! Oh and my mom bought some of the millenium quarters as gifts and they wound up shipping for free with the maps since they didn't have much weight. Saved a lot of running around and stress!

Expandhorizons, it's definitely an option for you if you prefer not to be out driving. I've found web ordering to be painless and very safe but I try to stay out of the way of my mailman, lol!