During the past two years I have visited the doctor's office more times
than I had in the past twenty years. My complaints ranged from insomnia
to weird roaming pains all over my body. But, my most persistent and
most annoying problem was constant, unrelenting fatigue. Some days even
something as simple as loading up the dishwasher left me so exhausted I would
have to sit down and rest before I could even begin thinking about tackling
dinner.
I spent many days feeling as if I was trudging my way through mud, both
physically and mentally. I can't even remember the last time I woke up
feeling refreshed and ready to start a new day. Most times, when I slept
at all, I'd wake up feeling as if I'd just competed in the Indy 500 on
foot. Other times, I'd feel like I'd been beaten with a broom
stick all night long. The worst part, though, was the guilt I felt every
time I would tell my children "I'm too tired, honey. I just can't"
do whatever it is they wanted me to do.
It is difficult to explain the joy I felt when my family physician finally
diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. I wasn't crazy, wasn't a hypochondriac,
and wasn't inherently lazy. I had a disease, not usually a debilitating
one, nor one that is usually life-threatening. Neither is it one that is
easily treated or diagnosed. There is also no known cure, and the causes
of the disease also remain a mystery. However, the symptoms can be treated and
relief for some of the more difficult problems the disease causes is
available.
If you suffer from a variety of complaints, like the ones that I
experienced, and that your physician has been unable to alleviate, I urge you
to take the time to check out some of the links listed below. Print out
the symptoms list and take it your physician if you feel that you might be
suffering from fibromyalgia. You won't know until you ask, and asking
may save you from years of needless suffering, and in my case, guilt.
Symptoms
of Fibromyalgia
Treating
Fibromyalgia
Holistic
Health and Fibromyalgia
