MY FIBROMYALGIA STORY
Most people have never heard of fibromyalgia and they are the lucky ones. I live with headaches, fatigue and the myriad other symptoms that make up fibromyalgia or fms. It is a condition that afflicts thousands of people all over the world from all walks of life but no one knows what causes it.
One of the most frustrating problems is finding a doctor who has any idea how to treat it. Most doctors consider it a form of depression or a sleep disorder. Even though most people who suffer from it have some depression (who wouldn't if you lived with the pain and discomfort) and problems sleeping, it is much, much more.
All my life I have had some of the fms conditions but right after I turned thirty, in 1978, the fibromyalgia became full blown but of course no one, not even the doctors knew what was wrong with me and I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis. The pain was so bad I really thought I couldn't live with it. That was really my main symptom then, the pain. I also had what was diagnosed as a spastic colon but I had no idea there was a connection. During a later flare up, I went to a rheumatologist and he told me I did not have rheumatoid arthritis but probably inflammatory bowel disease.
The following spring, I got better and was able to live a normal life. I never felt really well but I was able to function. I had some flare-ups but nothing too drastic. Sometime around 1989 I got worse again. My dad was dying and the stress over his illness and a very stressful work situation caused another major flare. It was the worst time ever, in some ways. I finally quit my job in 1991 to care for my new grandson, Blandon.
Sometime before I quit work, my doctor sent me to a different rheumatologist at the Baptist hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. This doctor finally diagnosed me with fibromyalgia but I still didn't know anything, I just had a name for the condition. He put me through a multitude of tests and x rays to determine if there was another problem with my stomach, colon, or any part of my digestive system. With later doctors, I have had x rays and mri's and know that I have bulging discs and degenerative discs in my spine.
I have tried too many medications to mention, many anti depressants, pain medications, sleeping pills, even anti seizure medication, along with several NASAIDS. The only thing that has ever brought a lot of relief is steroid injections and trigger point injections. Any good benefits from the other medications were outweighed by the side effects. All of the antidepressants, except Prozac, made me so drugged and tired I couldn't stay awake and I already struggle with fatigue. I took Prozac for several months because my doctor insisted but it never helped any that I could tell.
I had never heard of anyone overcoming fms until I got on the internet. There are countless pages of people who are resigned to living with the pain but I have found several people who claim that through diet changes and supplements they have found real relief. I believe there is an answer out there and I am searching for it.
The Bible says if we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart. I desire to be well. I believe that one day, after this life, I will have a total healing when I am with the Lord, but I believe He wants me to have health now.
Romans 8:28 says that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Therefore, I know He is using this for good, even though I don't see the purpose now.
In the spring of 2000 I heard about a mennonite doctor, Reuben Schwartz, in a neighboring county who practices irridology and in April I made my first trip to see him. Just by looking at colors and shapes in my eyes he was able to tell me several health problems and they were all things I knew to be true. One of the most amazing things to me, he told me I had something in my right breast and I already knew I did from my last mammogram.
Reuben told me I had problems with my thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands. He asked me if I had chest pain and I did all the time. He put me on an herb for my heart and it stopped the chest pain.
This is September and I am still seeing him periodically and taking the herbs and vitamins he recommends. My sinus problems or allergies are much better. I had seen my regular doctor because of chest pain and tenderness in my right breast and she put me on Celebrex. I could not take it and went back to see Reuben and he put me on aloe vera juice and the tenderness in nearly gone.
I am taking a multi vitamin mineral formula, psyllium, b complex, malic acid with magnesium, calcium/magnesium, 5htp, gota kola, bee pollen, digestaids, Vitamin "O", Cordyceps, bacteria for colon balance and a liquid herb formula for allergies.
So far, I have not seen a big change in the other fms problems. The herbs are expensive and I get discouraged and wonder if I should keep taking them but right now I think they are the only hope. I don't have any hope that regular medicine is going to be the answer any time soon. I would love to find a doctor in my area who practices regular medicine but also uses alternative remedies also.
I have taken malic acid and 5htp for at least a couple of years and I do know they help me sleep. I take Ultram when I first get up in the morning and sometimes I have to take the second one. It helps with the pain but more than that it helps with the fatigue.
It is September now and one of my worst seasons with all of the weather fronts. My most severe pain is in my neck and when I get a bad headache I have learned Excedrin migraine often helps. Some days the pain is so bad nothing helps. You can't help but wish on those days that the doctors who think this is all depression could spend the day in your skin.
I keep my 19 month old granddaughter and some days it is an effort but since my husband retired last month he is a lot of help. I want to do more (like clean my house good) especially things at church but sometimes it is just impossible.
There is a ton of information on the internet and anyone who is interested can learn more about fms. I cannot help but wonder if some of the people who claim to have found relief are only trying to sell a product. There are doctors who claim to be able to help people but a lot of them charge an exorbitant fee and if they have the answer why do they use it for profit?
There is a new development in my health saga.A new development.Here is a list of books that I have found useful and informative:
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