If it were not for my brilliant niece, I would not be able to share a darn thing on this blog! I am still struggling!!! Technically challenged does not even cover it! :- [ The reason that I want to share my thoughts is to hopefully help anyone that is new to fibromyalgia or any other related auto immune disorder. And for some of the rest of us, we all need new information as well as encouragement in this daily trek. And of course, we know that we never stop learning, and more importantly, we never stop learning from one another! As our wonderful Sunday School teacher always states, "all of us are smarter than one of us!" I don't remember finding blogs or similar sites that I could draw encouragement/consolation when I was first diagnosed. The majority of the information was discouraging and depressing. In the very beginning, I went to what was called a support group. In actuality, it was a large circle of people - all ages, ethnicities and women. However, there was one gentleman. Later, I want to talk about the increased percentages of autoimmune disorders in men, and related issues.
All members proceeded to share with the group the litany of other disorders that they suffered from in addition to the original diagnosis. I believe that I attended two meetings. The rest of the meetings consisted of a presentation by either a chiropractor, physical therapist or pain management specialist. In otherwords, it did not offer me any support; but in reality, other ways to spend money!!!! But, I realize that many of those options are helpful to folks with chronic pain. But for me, I left thinking, wow those poor people are having a contest to see who has the most ailments!!! I knew that I didn't need any help feeling more defeated! I look back often at those early years of " fibro fun ", and shake my head at the progress that I have made! I have wonderful doctors with incredible insights to handle all of the interrelated issues that arise due to chronic pain and other associated factors. But it is certainly hard to see the forest for the trees.....
Hey, I am also new at this so hopefully, we can learn together!!! I am really looking forward to sharing my thoughts and experiences, and hearing the same from others. Sadly, I think we share many of the same feelings and frustrations. But the commonalities are also uplifting, for me! I hope for all of us! Sally
Hi Sally, I am new at navigating through a blog so I am writing this to test how messages are posted and where. I look forward to reading your blog and participating by sharing some of my experiences with living with Fibromyalgia.