Hi All--New Member

[Guest guest]

Age range: 40

Male/female: Female

What are the symptoms? I've had the pain all over for 9 years, IBS

shortly after, fog, short term memory is shot, dizziness, numbness of all

extremities, a few times a year I feel like I'm having a stroke, migraines,

sinusitis, rhinitis, ear and hearing problems

Has you illness been diagnosed? Yes by a Rheumy 6 years ago

How long did you suffer before you got help? at least 3 years

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

I had a car accident in 1985 and I think that is probably when the minor

stuff started. I had a staph infection after my c-section with my son in 1992

and thats when it came out completely

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

be a problem also?

Absolutely....up until my symptoms started I was a very active athlete..as the

years when on and the pain got worse, I have gained a substanial amount of

weight and even if I starved myself for a month, I would not lose much of it.

Are you on disability?

No, but I would love some information on it. I have recently attempted to go

back to work after being a stay-at-home mom and it is not going to happen..I

simply cannot function enough.

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

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

Clearing my mind of worries tends to help ALOT but being a type A personality as

most of us are, thats not an easy task. I have tried alot of meds over the

years and nothing seems to help.

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

My sleep problems were worse in New York but since we moved down to Florida I

bought a select comfort number bed. If you have the money, I suggest you get

one. My sleep has not been 100% better but I do manage to get a few more hours

than I used to.

Do you have family that understands your illness? My husband has been

unbelievably understanding..it has taken a toll on him immensely. I uprooted

them all to Florida for the heat. He had a great job with great benefits there

and was relying on my being able to work full-time here...unfortunately I don't

think that will be happening although I have a job I call in sick more than I am

there and they just aren't going to tolerate it much longer!

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

Salty foods tend to take longer to work their way through my body causing

flare-ups I think anyway.

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

I just found a great doctor down here who is just starting to specialize in FMS,

she has it herself so she is determined to help anyone who has it too!