Last Sunday after yet another weekend ruined by no sleep and weird and wonderful pains, I sat down and wrote a list of all the health problems I have been experiencing over the last few months (years?) Even the inexplicable "am I going mad" ones like sudden pain in my shoulders, back, arms, legs, feet - all over! The numbness and tingling, cramps, weakness, dizzy spells, hot flushes, word mix-ups, inability to sleep, and even when I do, not feeling better.

I felt even more insane when I read the list! What on earth was happening to me?

Then I read a question on a health page in a women's mag - the lady concerned had just been diagnosed with Fybromyalgia, and listed her symptoms...

It was as if a light switch had been turned on! Here was someone else going through the same as me. I searched the internet and found your message board. Reading through the messages was enlightening, comforting and terrifying all at the same time.

This morning I went to my GP, who suggested that I was just stressed. Thanks to the warnings on the board, I pressed my case and said I wanted answers.

I have a blood test scheduled for 2nd September. My doc says that if that comes back normal, then she will refer me to a rheumatologist. In the meantime she has prescribed mild sleeping tablets so I can at least get a night's sleep (I hope)

Thank you all for being so honest and open in your messages, maybe through you i will find some answers.

Take care all of you, and God Bless

Valerie