But you don't look sick!!!!!

I have kept delaying sharing another entry due to my continued denseness regarding technology!! Once again thank you so much to my patient, skillful niece!!!

When I think back upon the early days of fibromyalgia sometimes it seems like eons ago, and other times it seems like only yesterday. That in itself is very important to me because I have a tendency to focus on the negative, rather than the positive. That is a reality check for me because it is so easy to take things for granted! I have to remind myself how incredibly lucky that I am to have made all the progress that has enabled me to live with decreased pain, anxiety, insomnia, depression ….. When the fibromyalgia began, I remember distinctly thinking and feeling that there was no way that I was going to be able to live with this excruciating pain throughout my body! And that was just the tip of the iceberg regarding the physical components of auto immune diseases. I believe that the emotional/mental aspects of the diagnoses are more critical than the physical symptoms. I remember telling God that this is not going to work!!! And furthermore God, " there is no way that I can handle this!" And I felt that way for a long time. I felt all the feelings of grief, as one feels in a loss! I was beginning the first stages of the grief cycle. Dr. Kubler-Ross originated those 5 stages in her model. Denial, Anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. I believe that the loss of health is a huge grief issue. Health: pre fibro vs. post fibro. I have to be aware of my own triggers regarding concentrating on the negative facts that I cannot change: and, forcing myself to concentrate on the positive, for what I have control. But it sure is hard to think positively about excruciating pain that has interrupted your way of life in every facet.

Going back to the title on this entry, it sure was hard for me to think positive thoughts about a new, young podiatrist that I had to visit due to horrible pain on the bottom of my feet! I was suffering from planters faciatis, and he asked me, "Do you really think that fibromyalgia is real?" Oh boy!!!! ( if only he could have it for a month!!!!!!)

It would be very helpful to me if you wanted to share any thoughts or feelings on your journey with fibro/chronic pain!