Fibromyalgia Support Group

I have lost several friends..
I have lost the Ability to Work..
I have lost Confidence in my Ability to have an Intelligent Conversation..
I have lost my Independence...

But I have gained alot as well...

Well lets see I cant work and havent for 5 yrs now..I have adapted finally too this.It took along time and it was like losing a good friend for me I had to go thru the grieving process.I have also lost friends do to being sick so much..I have not been able to make commitments anymore to anything..
But snice finding this site i have now have major support it has changed my life.I no longer feel sad and alone.I have a stronger sense of being..
I now know I have fibro it does not have me!!!!

I have been on disability because of bipolar disorder and I have been going to college. Now I am wondering if my goal to return to work will happen. The fibro makes me so exhausted and in so much pain that I can barely handle keeping my house clean. So how could I possibly work? I had weight loss surgery (lapband) and lost 30 lbs. Then the fibro kicked in with it's ugly head and I gained 25 of it back because I can't exercise anymore without ending up in bed for days. I am having a hard time remembering things and my concentration has become so limited. I am losing a lot, but I know I still have a lot to be grateful for. But in all honesty, I am angry with this disease. I am sick of feeling like I am 80 when I only just turned 40.

Like Bonnie, I havent worked for 3 years. I have no friends, no confidence, I find it hard to take care of myself, I can;t shower every day, I cant wash my hair more than once a week on top of feeling unwell and in pain I am fat. I am exhausted all the time. lost a lot. Have gained friends on DS and . I have gained loads of weight .

WOW.. so many things..
freinds
active lifestyle
cant go anywhere for very long
changes in my marriage
dont drive a car anymore
cant go to church
hard to walk
guess i could think of alot of things.. only thing it cant take away is my soul.. I used to be so active.. and now i have lay on a heating pad most of the day.. i push to do my housework.. clean nut.. good days bad days.. Somehow we all must try to press on.. nice to come in here and have friends on ds.. very grateful for that.. :)

fibro has changed my life a lot. I don't paint anymore that was one of my hobbies. I still work full time but I miss a lot of work when I have bad spells. I get scared that it is taking my life away because i am always in pain and don't enjoy doing anything anymore. I guess you just take it day by day.

Fibro and what ever else I have has nearly destroyed my life. My sanity is hanging by a thread. I lost I job I really liked, nearly destroyed my marriage, almost had to give up my kids (when I was still trying to work and go to school), I lost all but 2 of my friends because I couldn't keep up the relationships, lost the ability to hold my musical instruments let alone play them. Lost my confidence in my intelligence and my confidence in what I do know. Any "disposable" income is a distant memory as now the question is meds or groceries or gas for the car. Most of the hobbies I loved I had to give up or cut way back on because of fatigue or loss of use of my hands and legs. College degrees are basically wasted. *sigh*

What I gained though is a deeper spirituality. The knowledge that I am here for a purpose, just have to figure out how to fufill it. I also gained the knowledge of what is truly important in life. Who cares where I live or what I drive, my kids are healthy and happy, I truly love my husband and fall more in love with him every day. The friends I have are true friends that would be willing to do anything for me, and me for them. I also gained (or am gaining) the ability to take a step back and look at my life. I have lost so much, but I'm getting closer to happiness than I ever have been. The pain is constant and horrible, but I know that I am not alone through it.

Loss of ability to work family friends etc.Have gained many friends here at DS and am becoming more proactive in my care. Life goes on but its different. Loss of income still hard to deal with. Always have to struggle each month. My personal care ie baths and shampoos get put off sometimes but life goes on. Pain is hard to deal with even after 25 years,

I am still fighting the changes and mourning the losses.
I have lost the ability to work; lost my independence, can't shower every day (makes me feel worse)
Sometimes I can't drive
Lost confidence and am in a fog most of the time.
I am no longer reliable.
I have lost the ability to care anymore.
What I have gained seemed like alot;a
A kind and caring husband
2 adult children that accept and try to help me
4 young grandsons who even know that sometimes Gammie just can't do it.
The creation of my own business.
An incredible group of friends met thru the business who have become a great support group
Found some great drs.
A life, if I want it.
It seems like so much more has been gained than lost, maybe God is trying to tell me something.

Entirely Too Much, in my opinion.
-stop working 6 years ago
-can't have an intelligent conversation without forgetting what I know that I know, or saying words wrong, or forgetting what I was saying.
-Can't go grocery shopping, without taking a nap after.
-Can't go dancing
-Sick and tired of being sick and tired
-Lost my good looks
-Lost a few friends
-listen to BS from family members about how to cure this or it is not that bad etc
-Hate my lack of life
-Spend the majority of my time inside my house
-I can go on for hours, but basically I am not who I was and I HATE IT