New to the group

[Guest guest]

Hi, all!

I'm an almost-48 yr old female, diagnosed with fibro in early '99.

I'm currently taking Effexor (anti-depressant) and Doxepin

(tricyclic). I've been on Effexor the whole time but on Doxepin only

2 weeks. So far it's only added to my weight gain. The doctors

won't prescribe pain meds - say it won't help fibro - and I'm to

just " suck it up " . Well, I've been " sucking " for a long time and I

hate it! I was put on temporary disability a year ago, after working

for more than 30 years in a 12+ hour a day, highly stressful job.

In the past year I've used working around the house to keep busy and

not think about the pain. So far I've repainted the entire interior;

dug up & replanted the front landscaping & lighting; stripped &

refinished the wrought-iron stair railings & banisters; planted &

maintained a vegetable garden; cleaned out a concrete culvert in our

backyard; painted all exterior brickwork; cleaned out & organized the

garage; knitted/crocheted 2 afghans; and a handful of other minor

projects. I can't sit still for longer than 20 minutes. And even

tho' it hurts to move I tell myself that when my project is done for

the day (around noon) that I'll feel better. Boy! am I a good liar!!

My state disability benefit ran out in July and I've just applied for

Social Security Disability. I've been fighting with my employer's

long-term disability carrier since January. They don't see a range of

motion limitation in the doctors' reports so they feel I should be

able to do my " sedentary " job. Hah!!! Looks like I'll have to get

an attorney involved to get the benefits I've been paying for for so

many years.

I have 4 kids, 7 - 15 years old, and a WONDERFUL husband, who are all

glad I get to be at home with them, regardless of the reason [i have

to agree. I was missing out on so much by working my life away!!]

I'm looking forward to hearing/reading whats been posted already as

well as what gets posted in the future.

G'nite!