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I started full blown fibromyalgia in 1987 (although I wasn't diagnosed until Oct. of 1993).This was not a good year for me, I had severe allergic reactions to many different antibiotics, had all four wisdom teeth pulled, had surgery, and became pregnant with our second child. This is how it all started. Then came the pain and the sensation that my body was on fire, I couldn't stand for anyone or anything to touch me, (I HURT SO BAD). The doctor couldn't find anything wrong, so his answer for it was to "try" and send me to a phyciatrist,(I didn't go).

In Oct. 1993 I thought I was having a heartache or stroke, I had tingling and numbness in my arms and legs, blurred vision, headaches, and extreme chest pain. Talk about scared, I was terrified, (by now I had three children who needed me). I went to the doctor and he told me that I had severe myalgia (I guess he really didn't know much about fms, what can I say).

In 1995 I learned about fibromyalgia, saw another doctor who confirmed that I do have fms. YIPPEE!!!! I thought maybe we could cure it, after all we had a definite name for it, but that's not how things work. Here it is 1998 and I'm still tring to find ways to deal with the fibro. In Feb.'97, I thought that I was healed from my fibro. I didn't know it then but from what I am learning from others fibro can and does go into remission sometimes(only to flare up again at a later date due to stress ,inury, or surgery, etc...). Then in Sept.'97 I had an appendectomy and the fibro returned, this time with a vengance. I have been in constant pain and have had continous headaches since April'98.I hope to see a rheumatologist soon. Hopefully we can find a way to help me deal with the constant pain. Until then I rely greatly on my family for help.

Some of the problems that I have(health or otherwise) that are related to or worsened by the fibromyalgia are: constant and extreme pain, tired ALL the time, severe sleep apnea(with snoring...just ask my husband he'll tell you), weight gain, vision problems, dry mouth and eyes, migraines, swelling of the extremities, constant flu-lke feeling, concentration problems, allergies, confusion(fibrofog), panic attacks(sometimes), ear and hearing problems, bronchitis, sinus problems,severe heartburn, brittle nails bruising(this along with low platelets is tons of fun, I'm always finding bruises that I don't know where they came from), IBS, irritable bladder, hypoglycemia(low blood sugars), high blood pressure, I know there are others but I can't seem to remember them all right now(fibrofog)(HA!HA!HA!). My kids say to also add- cranky, grouchy, forgetful, funny (because I forget the name of objects and mix my words up...like calling the chair a table, and asking the kids to let the furry barking thing out...they find this highly amusing, truth be known I do to, if you can't laugh at yourself who can you laugh at). Oh, I almost forgot, PMS to the max, and extreme sensitivities to lights, noises, smells, and anything (like a piece of hair on me) drives me crazy until I can find it(it makes me feel like something is crawling on me).

Also for anyone who's interested fms does seem to "run" in families, I have others in my family who have it. I also have a friend who has fms and it "runs" in her family also.