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My Fibromyalgia Experience
I have recently been diagnosed with FMS. It is something that I have often heard of, but until my doctors started to suspect that I had it, I knew almost nothing about it.
I remember EXCATLY what my Rheumatologists words to me were: "I have good news and I have bad news.....The bad news is, You have Fibromyalgia...The good news is, this isn't something that will shorten your lifespan...the other bad news is.....We can only treat you by managing your symptoms......." I was so relieved that this was not something that could possibly take me away from my family sooner. Then I went home and began to research this illness and became so frustrated by the lack of solid information on it. The thing is....the medical community is deeply divided on the issue as a whole. Some doctors believe in it, some don't. There are more theories than you can count as to what triggers it, how to manage it, treat it...etc, etc. etc. I can tell you this - whatever Fibro "is" it is very real. It's no picnic and I am so lucky in that , at this point, I am functioning with it so much better than many other people are able to. That said, even I have almost all of the more common symptoms.
These classic FMS symptoms are:
Widespread and severe muscle pain and tenderness
Weakness
Overwhelming fatigue
Stiffness
Unrefreshing, poor quality sleep
Numbness and tingling sensations
Dizziness
Frequent severe headaches
Frequent abdominal pain
Cognitive and memory impairments
Skin rashes
Subjective swelling
Muscle spasms
Worsening of vision
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bladder
Impaired coordination
Intolerance to heat and cold
Breathlessness
Sinus and allergy symptoms
Chemical intolerance
Dry eyes and mouth
Mood swings and disorders
Pain and tenderness in chest
Below you can find links that really helped me to learn and understand about this illness. Fibro is such a variable thing...You never know from one day to the next what to expect. So many people with FMS don't have a strong support network of family and friends - which is crucial to managing your symptoms and your state of mind. I am truly Blessed in that I DO have wonderfully supportive friends and family.
Many people, though well meaning, simply don't understand what Fibro is and how it affects those who have it. Maybe in some way, these links and my searching for myself can help others to understand what they are dealing with and will help their loved ones to be better able to offer them support and encouragement. I hope that this will be a useful resource to the newly diagnosed and their loved ones. I will update and add more links to this section as I continue to research FMS.
Learn more about Fibromyalgia - visit these links!
Letter Those Who Wish To Understand FMS
Editorial Comment <g>
~~ all though I somewhat disagree with the tone of this "open letter" I do relate to much of what is said in it. ~~
Questions and Answers About FMS
FIBROMYALGIA Syndrome Resource
FMS information from the Arthritis Foundation
WALLPAPERS TUTORIALS INCREDIMAIL LETTERS AWARDS SIGNATURES SCANS TUBES ABOUT ME
ARTISTS CREDITS PSP GOODIES BY ME FAN-ART CONTESTS KEVIN SMITH TRIBUTE GALLERY
GROUPS AND WEB-RINGS WHERE I PLAY (AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND)
