It's important, no matter how long you've suffered with Fibro, that you get with a physician who believes in Fibromyalgia and is willing to diagnose and treat the illness.
Fibromyalgia is real. If your doctor doesn't believe you, find one who will. It is extremely crucial to the quality of life you will live.
You may find it strange that I'm starting from the "beginning" when I've already covered so much ground regarding this illness.
Here's why I'm doing this:
- there are approximately 6 million people in the US alone who suffer from this illness, that we KNOW of...
countless more who are suffering in silence.
- As for a worldwide count, the only statistic that I've been able to find is that approximately 2 - 4 % of any given population has this illness. So, if you live in a town of 10,000, 200 - 400 could have Fibro. That's a pretty large support group!!?!
Now, if those numbers don't "WOW" you, then just think about how many areas of your life Fibro has affected or may affect in the future;
- your family life, marriage and ability to care for children if you have them,
- work, if you can work at all,
- friendships, are you losing friends who "doubt" your symptoms,
- ability to leave the house, feeling lonely and sick,
- ability to drive, the side effects of medications can be huge,
- your happiness, what is my future with this illness,
- your financial status, what will I do for money? How will I pay for medications, medical bills?
It is extremely important that you get with a doctor who will make the diagnosis and work WITH you to treat your symptoms. You not only deserve that but in some countries, areas of the world, it is the LAW.
There is NO cure for Fibromyalgia, as of yet. You may and will see countless sites when you search about magical Fibro "cures". They are not real. The reason that I can say that is not because I am a "know it all" or a doctor, it's because I would have found it....after 15 years, I would have found it.
I have struggled with this illness for, actually, OVER 15 years and I have tried everything from guaifenesin to accupuncture, Lyrica and Cymbalta to opiates. Sure some of these methods and medications may improve your symptoms but nothing will "cure" you.
DO NOT despair, however. Life with Fibro can be good and you can enjoy your life in spite of how you feel!
Furthermore, I venture to say that life with Fibro can even be better than your life would have been without it. But before we go there, I want to return to the doctor issue.
The doctor (preferably a rheumatologist) will treat the symptoms and you can tell him/her what is working and what is not. Finally, you will arrive a "comfortable" place where you are able to function at some level and have a "life". It may not be the "high powered career" you once had, or as an olympic athlete for that matter. But you can enjoy your life again.
NEVER consider Fibromyalgia to be a "bed sentence". Someone once said to me that Fibromyalgia won't kill you, but it will make you want to die.
I find this statement harsh and not so encouraging. Sure I've had bad days. I've also had days where I wondered if the world might be better off without me. But I would NEVER do that to myself, my family or my friends. It's selfish and unGodly. Period! End of discussion.
The pain, fatigue, stomach issues, etc. etc. etc., that wax and wane with Fibro are miserable at times and can make you wonder "what you did to deserve" this life.
But hold on. One day, you will wake up and realize that because you found the correct doctor and he found the correct treatment that works for YOU, you're not dreading getting out of bed as much as you may have before.
I'm not going to say that it will be easy. But taking that first step in finding the correct physician and getting on a treatment plan that works for you, could make your life MUCH MUCH better.
The point is to NEVER give up hope! You may be working with a physician now and feel your are "stuck", your pain continues to be severe and your fatigue is pushing the limits. Then it's time to change physicians. If the relationship isn't working, fix it or move on.
There are tons of ways to search for doctors online. Remember, the most appropriate doctor to treat Fibro is the rheumatologist. The AMA website has a "doctor finder" where you can search your location for Rheumatologists. It will often tell you about their credentials and their schooling. You can simply search the yellow pages for a Rheumatologist in your area as well.
As for other countries, I am sorry, I am not as familiar with what search databases you may have to locate the specialist in your area. But please DO your research.
Your life can and WILL be better. I promise you! Just take that first step, or second, if your doctor and you are "hitting it off".
I am living proof that the Fibro life can be almost "normal" : )....whatever that means.
But my days can be good ones, if I keep a positive attitude, keep busy, keep working with my doctor(s) and keep in mind that life can and will get better as more treatments are discovered through research, etc.
Keep the faith and keep your hope!
Blessings .........
Mo M.
Fibromyalgia is real. If your doctor doesn't believe you, find one who will. It is extremely crucial to the quality of life you will live.
You may find it strange that I'm starting from the "beginning" when I've already covered so much ground regarding this illness.
Here's why I'm doing this:
- there are approximately 6 million people in the US alone who suffer from this illness, that we KNOW of...
countless more who are suffering in silence.
- As for a worldwide count, the only statistic that I've been able to find is that approximately 2 - 4 % of any given population has this illness. So, if you live in a town of 10,000, 200 - 400 could have Fibro. That's a pretty large support group!!?!
Now, if those numbers don't "WOW" you, then just think about how many areas of your life Fibro has affected or may affect in the future;
- your family life, marriage and ability to care for children if you have them,
- work, if you can work at all,
- friendships, are you losing friends who "doubt" your symptoms,
- ability to leave the house, feeling lonely and sick,
- ability to drive, the side effects of medications can be huge,
- your happiness, what is my future with this illness,
- your financial status, what will I do for money? How will I pay for medications, medical bills?
It is extremely important that you get with a doctor who will make the diagnosis and work WITH you to treat your symptoms. You not only deserve that but in some countries, areas of the world, it is the LAW.
There is NO cure for Fibromyalgia, as of yet. You may and will see countless sites when you search about magical Fibro "cures". They are not real. The reason that I can say that is not because I am a "know it all" or a doctor, it's because I would have found it....after 15 years, I would have found it.
I have struggled with this illness for, actually, OVER 15 years and I have tried everything from guaifenesin to accupuncture, Lyrica and Cymbalta to opiates. Sure some of these methods and medications may improve your symptoms but nothing will "cure" you.
DO NOT despair, however. Life with Fibro can be good and you can enjoy your life in spite of how you feel!
Furthermore, I venture to say that life with Fibro can even be better than your life would have been without it. But before we go there, I want to return to the doctor issue.
The doctor (preferably a rheumatologist) will treat the symptoms and you can tell him/her what is working and what is not. Finally, you will arrive a "comfortable" place where you are able to function at some level and have a "life". It may not be the "high powered career" you once had, or as an olympic athlete for that matter. But you can enjoy your life again.
NEVER consider Fibromyalgia to be a "bed sentence". Someone once said to me that Fibromyalgia won't kill you, but it will make you want to die.
I find this statement harsh and not so encouraging. Sure I've had bad days. I've also had days where I wondered if the world might be better off without me. But I would NEVER do that to myself, my family or my friends. It's selfish and unGodly. Period! End of discussion.
The pain, fatigue, stomach issues, etc. etc. etc., that wax and wane with Fibro are miserable at times and can make you wonder "what you did to deserve" this life.
But hold on. One day, you will wake up and realize that because you found the correct doctor and he found the correct treatment that works for YOU, you're not dreading getting out of bed as much as you may have before.
I'm not going to say that it will be easy. But taking that first step in finding the correct physician and getting on a treatment plan that works for you, could make your life MUCH MUCH better.
The point is to NEVER give up hope! You may be working with a physician now and feel your are "stuck", your pain continues to be severe and your fatigue is pushing the limits. Then it's time to change physicians. If the relationship isn't working, fix it or move on.
There are tons of ways to search for doctors online. Remember, the most appropriate doctor to treat Fibro is the rheumatologist. The AMA website has a "doctor finder" where you can search your location for Rheumatologists. It will often tell you about their credentials and their schooling. You can simply search the yellow pages for a Rheumatologist in your area as well.
As for other countries, I am sorry, I am not as familiar with what search databases you may have to locate the specialist in your area. But please DO your research.
Your life can and WILL be better. I promise you! Just take that first step, or second, if your doctor and you are "hitting it off".
I am living proof that the Fibro life can be almost "normal" : )....whatever that means.
But my days can be good ones, if I keep a positive attitude, keep busy, keep working with my doctor(s) and keep in mind that life can and will get better as more treatments are discovered through research, etc.
Keep the faith and keep your hope!
Blessings .........
Mo M.
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