Hi there folks, sorry its been so long

[Minny]

Cheers Wendy for still thinking bout me. I know its been ages since i've been on, wanted to come back, but didn't know what to say cos it has been so long. Just been gettin on with things. Gettin used to the fibro nw, but i still hav to pace myself.  Both me and my son are doing well. He's nearly finished his 1st year at senior school. It has gone so fast.  My back and muscles still ache most days, but thats part and parcel of stuff.  I've been off my tablets for months nw,  cos they weren't doing anything, but were makin me so tired.  Anyway i am back, and hello to everyone.

Helen

[Kerry Smith]

Hi Helen,

  I saw you on Who We Are - I am a newcomer to the site and noticed your about my age. I am 33. Can I ask you some questions please but if you prefer me not to then thats ok too. x

[Olive]

hi Minny welcome back. Glad you are getting to grips with your fibro,i know how hard it is especially having to pace your self all the time. Olive

[Kerry Smith]

I still cant pace myself. I have always raced about doing 5 jobs at once, and still try to until my brain just stops working and i get a blank.

And sorry Minny didnt mean to be abrupt   its just i not known anyone else who is as young as me and got fibro, just wanted to know what your pains are and where and how its affecting you and your family. Hubby is really good, not got any kids but our friends and their kids know when I have had enough.

xx

[Minny]

Yeh do try Olive, but like u sometimes, i'm racing about, but then do suffer for it later, is hard when u hav kids, and i'm on me own too!!!

Helen

[Minny]

Yeh Sure Kerry, ask away....

I tend to ache all over, have a lot of problems with my ankles swelling, and feel extremely tired all the time, do have back problems as well, and like a lot of fibro sufferers, we all hav other health problems with the fibro.  I'm a single mum with a 12 year old boy, so as u can imagine, he ain't much help, especially with fibro, u can't see whats up!! lol  Obviously when my back goes, i'm limpin, so he does know!!!  Fortunitly i'm not working at the mo, but am looking now for some part-time work now. I was on a lot of pills, but for me personally, i found they didn't help, but made me even more tired, so not on them now.  Its just something i have come to terms with, but like Olive said, sometimes i overdo it, and do suffer a few days later.
Anymore questions Kerry, ask away. Hope i can be of help.

Helen

[Wendy]

Im going to start a new thread to find out everyone's experience with Fibro, please come along with me.

[Kerry Smith]

Thanks Helen,
  .... How long have you had the symptoms and when were you diagnosed? Do you get disability? Can you still drive and look after yourself and your son?, or do you have outside help?

  I applied for disability and got turned down, but that was before I was diagnosed. I think the only things I really cant do are hoovering and keeping house clean. I can do everything else cos I have to.

  Am on new pills which have really helped me to walk a lot better but I cant remember what they are called but they are pale pink lol Think I will try to claim disability again.

  Dont know about you but it looks like I am a lot able than some others on here, and its not got as advanced. That is what I have discovered from talking to Scribbler and another customer of mine who has it. It shows that I may very well get a lot worse over the next 10-20 years. Thanks guys!!!

  My pain is generally in knees and anckles, which is why I am on a walking stick. But recently its got to my fingers, wrists, elbows, my neck and back have got worse, I was in tears last night cos my neck hurt so much. When I am really bad the only way I can explain it is it feels like my bones are crumbling away.

  We dont have any kids together, but we have a goddaughter that i dote on and spoil rotten cos she is the closest I am gonna get to having my own now

It sounds like you are strong in yourself though if you are single mum. Just to let you know I am here if you want someone to shout or cry to

speak to you soon

Kerry

[Minny]

Yeh sure wendy, deffo, think its a good idea, will come and join u.

Helen

[Minny]

Had the symptoms for bout 18months on and off before i got diagnosed in Jan "09".  Get ill a lot too, my imune system ain't great, so get a lot of head cold symptoms, thought that was strange, so went for various blood tests, which found nothing, then got told i had Fibro!!

Don't drive, but yeh hav to look after myself and my son, which can be hard at times. When days are bad, i don't do much, but do more when i'm not so tired or achy.  Don't get any outside help, but like u, applied for disability, and got refussed. Not mad on cleanin my house, so jst pace myself, and do it in stages. Do struggle with hoovering, but thats mainly cos of getting up my stairs.  

Have a lot of problems with my ankles and legs achin too, but like u, starting to have problems with my wrists nw!! Also my back, sholders and neck.

Yeh hav to be strong mate, plus my 12 year old son don't really understand. Do feel like cryin sometimes, and get sick of achin and feeling tired sometimes too.

Take care

Helen

[Kerry Smith]

Ah Helen,

  It's shit aint it! Before you started to become ill were you the type of person I was, full of energy, on the go all the time, doing 5 jobs at once and never stopped??

  I found it hard to come to terms with cos I still want to go at a million miles an hour. but friends and family now understand.

  Having the Bookshop keeps me going, otherwise I would not get out of bed at all cos that's the only place once settled I am relaxed and not in much pain. I can do as much or as little as I want in the shop depending on how I feel. And it keeps me in contact with customers, some who have become friends.

Got to go delivery has arrived at shop.

Gentle hugs
xx
Kerry

[Minny]

Still try at times Kerry, especially when i've got loads to do, and even now, when my body's resting, my minds going ten to a dozen!!! lol that never changes!! Think thats part and parcel of being a woman, and a mother!! lol

Yeh i did too mate when i found out.  I wanted to know why me, and why when i'm so young, but also put an explanation to all the symptoms i was having, when for years i just put it down to life, and maybe stress.  

My friends and family do sort of understand, but is hard when u can't see the physical symptoms, and u look fine. People only tend to notice, when i'm walking a little stiff, or rubbing my back cos it aches!!

Never mind, life carries on mate. If u want my e-mail address mate, just ask away.

Take care
Helen.xx