I am about to soon embark on a treatment for about a twelve week period.

Here's hoping it will give me a small ray of sunshine and hope to the many silent sufferers out there.
F is for Fibromyalgia........Forfilled........Family........Forgiving........Fantastic........Future......

Well, firstly to begin with my story so you have a clearer picture of my journey.

I am in my early forties, a wife, and mother of four individual and courageous children - all who live with the agonizing affects of Fibro when it visits our home.

I work in a  role that I am really passionate about and I am constantly grateful for the daily rewards it brings. I am always surprised at how I can work to empower and build capacity of others but can't always fight the big battle of Fibromyalgia.

F is for Forfilled........

As most of you know the daily battle begins when the alarm sounds, after what seems a constant state of painful wakefulness throughout the night.
My now strategy involves counting to ten, then I tell myself it's time to move this aching body out of my warm bed. It's another struggle but the day has to begin.
I again repeat my counting process until I'm so frustrated with myself and the passing time that doesn't wait for sickness .........and I begin my day.

It is about here I should mention, I have several other conditions that seem to also place other boundaries upon me. My blood pressure is so low I regularly collapse in the morning and usually in the shower and several times after getting out. My trusty cat will often sit alongside me as if to protect and offer comfort at this time. I have finally managed getting dressed and with the ever aching morning shoulders attempt to blow dry my hair. I actually had much of it cut short to avoid this but unfortunately my hair is so thick it doesn't even dry in the cooler months without blow drying.
I somehow figure, even though I feel so terrible if I look ok within my presentation at work, no one will notice my true pain and at least I can blend in and have a slower...... but somewhat normal day. (Well, that's my dream).
My body hurts so much by now that I struggle to eat breakfast. I take a substantial lunch to work to help keep me going. My fussy but caring husband has packed this protein rich lunch to help me through the day, along with my cocktail of medication........ I head out the door to begin a new day.
With the enjoyment I get from my work I can sometimes overcome some or even a little of what I am feeling. I've found that a  smile can assist with being a great camouflage, and if you have the strength to smile at others, you will mostly receive one back, that's always good medicine for me (and cost nothing).

So by now the  coolness is setting in the evening air. It's a total struggle with my strength and will to just hold myself upright. I can now feel it's presence hovering over  both my body and mind.

I push through with all my inner strength until I'm home in my warm comforting cacoon, where I am soon surrounded by support, love and acknowledgement of what's truly going on. I'm now tucked  in a warm bed after another batch of medication. This is all that can be done to cope with the desperate and  inadequate feelings shadowing my being.

F is for  Family.........

Moving along....slowly....to where it actually all began.....Some three and a half years ago. Apparently, after my responses to the Black Saturday fires that devastated our community and many others across the state of Victoria, my Fibro began to visit and certainly made its presence known.

For is for Forgiving...........

I, just like many of you have tirelessly tried many treatment approaches.
Varied rubs, hot and cold packs, billions of pysio appointments. GP visits, Rhumatologists, Neurologists, CT and MRI scans. Multiple drug therapies - some ok, some horrific. Vitamin and mineral therapies, tonics, raw green vegie juices and exercise coupled with pain management classes. The list goes on...

I actually can't count how many trips in the ambulance I have had so far this year, but I guess the simple fact I now seem to be on fist name basis with a couple of the ambos says something.Thank goodness for Ambulance cover.....They are amazingly compassionate and always very respectful.

I'm not sure if this sounds at all familiar to anyone else but would love to know.

The absolute worst Fibro pain for me is the chest and rib pain. It engulfs my chest with a heaviness and movement like all of the Fibro particles are flowing through each and every cavity of my chest. Its visit is  frightening and overwhelming and has the desire to always command my body and bring with it the flow of tears and inability to cope in its powerful  presence...........I wish it would leave the room. It debilitates me upon every visit, and because I also have a rare Heart condition it is always an emotive time for us all.

The above events have  been a regular occurance within my home this year.......

About here and now was where I really began to search for even more information or treatment that could be a possibility.

So that's what has lead me to embark on not just a new treatment but also this blog. I'm hoping to meet others that are too feeling challenged by this and I feel that this is a positive way of networking and the only opportunity that I really have to have these type of discussions.
I don't know anyone personally with Fibro and do not have access directly to a support group. Please join me in discussions and support, with hope we can also raise awareness of the daily difficulties we share.

I will keep you posted with my events....It's about to begin on the 28th of May so I hope to share more then......I look forward to feedback.........Gentle hugs to you all .......

F is for Fantastic Future.