FW: Welcome to Fibromyalgia-CFS

[Guest guest]

My name is Pam (another new member named Pam) I have had pain for years,

but avoided going to doctors due to the very bad health of my baby. The

past 2 1/2 years have been extremely difficult due to her illnesses,

surgeries, diseases, etc... I figured I had CFS, but didn't get a

diagnosis until I finally started seeing doctors the past few months. I

have extreme pain in ALL 18 pressure points for Fibro, and have CFS also.

Here's the answers to the bio questions I was sent. I look forward to

learning with, leaning upon and helping others with Fibro and CFS. (if my

sister is a member of this board also, this is a reminder to her that what I

share and say online is confidential!)

Age range: 35-40 years old

Male/female: female

What are the symptoms? extreme pain, fatigue, moodiness, irritability,

PAIN, (did I mention that already?!?, poor memory (I used to have a great

memory!),

Has you illness been diagnosed? yes

How long did you suffer before you got help? 2-3 years of intense pain,

mild pain and problems for many years.

Is there a time that you can remember when it started? yes

Some of us have found lack of exercise we are overweight. Have you found

this to be a problem also? yes, overweight.

Are you on disability? I am a mother of a very ill baby, so I stay home

fulltime anyway.

If you are any pointers for others trying to get on disability? N/A

What have you found that helps ease the pain, warm baths, medications etc.?

Nothing yet.

Do you have sleep problems? How do you deal with it? yes, problems

sleeping due to pain. I deal with it by not going to bed ... then when I

do, I stay there until the pain is unbearable. Hopefully a few good hours

of sleep happen between the two. A normal 'getting to bed' is 3-5 am.

Do you have family that understands your illness? my sister has an

extremely bad case of Fibro and her pain is excruciating. My parents and

siblings know what it can do to a person and how dibilitating it can be. I

think they have NO CLUE what it is like for me, because I have suffered so

silently due to my babies illnesses.... not to mention that all my life my

parents have always told me I was a hypochondriac, so I didn't want to hear

that anymore! My husband knows my sister has pain, etc... and of course

knows I do also. However, I don't think he actually understands. He helps

out around the house and with the kids a lot, but he doesn't seem to

understand that sometimes the pain is so great I just want to be left alone.

He also doesn't understand how come it makes me irritable. It is difficult

to have very young children and a husband when being touched anywhere hurts.

Fibro & CFS is definately difficult on the entire family!

Some have found certain foods causes problems with CFS or Fibro, have you?

Don't know -- I'd like to learn more about that.

What type of Doctor have you found that has helped you the most?

Rheumatologist