My story is very similar to most - Years of pain, doctors not knowing what was wrong - misdiagnosis. - Relief when finally diagnosed - depression finding out there was no real treatment or cure available.

The part where my story changes is that I am doing very well now. I have a long ways to go, but I am funtioning better than I ever have. I have changed my life and am becoming a much better, well rounded person than I ever would have been if I would not have had this thorn in my side along with another condition called Hereditary Angio Edema.

When I read these stories of people with Fibromyalgia, one of the things that really sticks out to me is the amount of people who seem to be “A” type personalities. Which I was - TO THE EXTREME!

One of the things that I would love to be able to bring to others with fibro - is HOPE! I remember a time when I did not feel like living, a time when I often wondered how I was damaging my family, a time when there was little HOPE. I wished to speak with someone who understood, but who was not GUNG HO - that there way was the only WAY…..

What I have discovered about Fibro, is it is a personal journey of discovery. Of listening to our bodies, and learning about them in a very personal way. Our bodies have decided that we have not been listening to what it is telling us, and now it has shut down so we have no other choice but to listen and change or live in constant pain.

Not that I believe for one minute that we have brought this upon ourselves, I just choose to make something good out of everything, and that is how I deal with Fibro.

The changes I have made are extremly drastic. I am very surprised now when I think of my lifestyle in the past and my lifestyle I am striving for. My past lifestyle was one of excess, I smoked, I drank and I ate a lot of junk food. I did quit smoking when I was 23 and was in great health, but I started smoking again around 29 - WHAT was I THINKING!

In addition, I exercised excessively, I cleaned excessively I did EVERYTHING excessively. I think that is why it was so difficult for me when I became really ill, because I was so active, strong and BUSY!

Now, I never eat junk food (I still drink coffee in the morning) but no, sugar, pop, Starbucks Mochas, you get my drift. I never thought I would be able to live without Pepsi, or Reeses’.

I spend a lot of time breathing, it is amazing what deep breathing will do for your body, I play breathing games now and practice OFTEN.

I see an accupuncturist [accupuncturist], a Nurse practicioner and a Bio Feedback counselor. In addition a physical therapist and a Pain Mangagement doctor. I RARELY - see my regular doctor, and the last few times I have seen her, I have seeked out alternative therapies.

I take Herbals now and drink tea - I rarely take vitamins, but I do take amino acids - A LOT of amino acids. I do take Hydrocodone for pain, and thyroid medication that is prepared for my personally, but those are the only 2 things I take for Fibro - and those are partly used for Hereditary Angio Edema.

I exercise DAILY - but gently exercise - NOT competitive - strenuous exercise as I did in the past. Chi Gong is how I started, any one can do Chi Gong, even if you can not get out of bed you can do Chi Gong. I have added Elliptical training daily - 10 minutes to 30 minutes. Yoga and recently I decided I am going to work up to jogging 5k or 3 miles. I am at 1 mile walking right now -

Oh Yeah, the other really big factor in my life is - I no longer eat Dairy - Meat - animal products of any kind, or anything that is a chemical - So basically whole foods. Never thought I could give up meat. I have basically been on the Atkins - or low carb for YEARS and loved meat, but now I LOVE VEGIS…..

So just remember there is HOPE, just be willing to change, and try new things and listen to others advice, even if you dont take it. You may learn something to try or never try.

Good Luck & Live Well