Reggie

[Guest guest]

Just to dump my two cents in - I think there are a few key things you might

be missing here.

Many of us, myself included, have just recently been diagnosed. We have gone

round and round to get an answer and Fibro is not a pretty one. If you can

remember back to when you first were diagnosed you might remember all of the

emotions and confusion that went along with it. It's not that we don't want

to fix it, but we do need time to absorb, understand and accept the fact that

we have it.

Also, there is a distinct difference between how men and women are treated by

doctors. If a man goes to a doctor with a complaint they are more likely to

be taken seriously. Women are seen as complainers and worriers that make

mountains out of molehills. So naturally it is all in our heads. I have

heard that phrase so many times from all kinds of doctors that I almost

bought into it. It is a fact that women have a harder time being taken

seriously, not just at the doctor, but the auto shop, etc.

As for other types of conversations on the group, there are many who have no

support system outside of here. Families who do not understand, co-workers,

friends. There are many who are house bound and this may be their only way

to socialize. Yes, we want information, we want an answer but, in the

meantime, once in a while we need a distraction and a laugh. If those types

of things were not posted this board would be too depressing to read.

We are not black or white or purple, male or female. I like to think that

this group looks beyond that to the fact that we are all here for one reason

- to learn, to question, to help when we can and sympathize when we can't and

support each other through this insanity. We are hundreds of personalities

joined by one common thread and, if you can accept these differences in

people in real life, why not here?