i know ive been slacking people...
I know I haven't been going about this the typical way but well you have to do what you have to do. This past year has been a lot about me, for the first time in my life. My entire way of life has changed. Let me explain. In June I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I am 26 and after 8 years with constant pain and many exams in hospitals, clinics, and doctors offices I finally became pro-active and started asking my doctor questions if I had it. Anyways, I remember crying my eyes out. One because I finally had an answer and this pain I had been feeling that since 18 I swore was going to kill me internally at a young age, wasn't and two because they don't even know what certainly causes it so surely in my lifetime there will be no cure for it and no sure way to help it. Since getting the diagnosis, I felt the only thing I could do was take my life into my own hands and learn as much as I could on it. I bought many books, spent many hours online, and even took books out at the library. Everything that was recommended by the doctor or from books, I did. My life has now taken on a different path...the path i have wanted for years but haven't been strong enough to try. I now eat only raw organic foods for lunch and breakfast. For dinner I do have 1/2 to a whole chicken breast and some hot veggies. Every once in a while I will treat myself to some soy products like sour cream or cheese or coffee or a protein bar with some organic chocolate. The once over eater who didn't know how to stop eating is now eating like a health nut. I have lost 45 lbs and it just keeps coming off! I decided to keep going with the new me and the once shopaholic is now barely shopping at all, only for neccessities. I am also attempting to de-clutter the house while making some extra money to go to our bills. My life has changed for the better and I am proud of that. so needless to say, i have been doing gifts but many of them are going to myself and my family for i want to be a better person for the both of us. so even when i am not posting, i am still giving presents :) happy giving!
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Comment by Allie Andersen on February 21, 2010 at 10:34am
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Rhonda, thanks for writing me! If you have some of the other strange symptoms of fibro there is a huge chance you have both. In all of my fibromyalgia books they speak about something traumatic happening to your body or your mind that often sets off the fibromyalgia. I am assuming having something wrong with your nerves in your groin could definitely be this case! It sounds like you have tried a lot of the drugs that they would prescribe you if you did have fibro so I suppose that isn't a horrible thing that they are doing double duty. I basically diagnosed myself from online and then took it to my doctor. I have read a lot of books that say that a person specializing in arthritis is often the one to diagnosis those. But keep in mind, all of the research says it takes an average of 5 years for a person to get diagnosed!!! It took me many tests, many "no, i can't find anything wrong," and many times thinking I would flat out just die one day in my young years totally an 8 year span to finally get a diagnosis! I would say, if you honestly don't feel in your gut that your diagnosis is correct see someone else. Like I said, you can definitely have both. Unfortunately, they have no real idea about Fibro so they have no real test. The doctor and I went through all of the symptoms (which I didn't have just one), she touched all of my lovely tender points, and then she did blood tests to rule out the other things like lupus. It has come a long way in the medical world but I know of one doctor out here in my town who doesn't believe it in at all! And well, the population as a whole has no idea. Just make sure you are your own health advocate, if you aren't truly happy with the diagnosis, keep going on your journey! Good luck!
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Comment by Dawn wwt on February 7, 2010 at 9:04pm -
it's funny how things that we initially think are "the end of the world" can turn into blessings. i am so proud of you! i hope you feel better and better. Hugs, Dawn
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Comment by genuine, wwt, welcomer on February 7, 2010 at 11:58am -
yeah, you should be proud of yourself!
Way to go!
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Thank you both! At first, I was devastated....I kept thinking I would like some other diagnosis where there is a cure but then it got me thinking...this wasn't going to kill me, this wasn't going to make my life a daily hell unless I let it. It is quite ironic that the worst thing in my life has been by far the best thing too! I can honestly say, I am healthy now and that I am proud of myself for taking this by the horns and well just taking each day as it comes. I have bad days still but I have many many more good days!
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Comment by Deb~ Community Manager on February 7, 2010 at 10:02am -
I am so happy for you Ali~ I wish you the best. You are so strong and I admire you for all you have done and are doing. WooHoo on the weight loss and the new YOU! Fabulous... Blessings to you and yours.. Love hearing from you again~
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Comment by The Flamingo Room on February 7, 2010 at 9:45am -
Wowee-zowee! Doesn't life amaze and shock us - your diagnosis was a challenge but also turned out to be a path for you, Allie. Sounds like you're feeling very well. So glad to hear it. And thanks for the reminder that there are things in our control.
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