My Diagnosis Story
I am a 57 year old woman who lost her position as a teacher due to my condition. It annoys me that I was unable to continue in the job I loved but frequent absences due to flare-ups meant I was not reliable. I was in a stressful job and stress made my condition worse. I'm fortunate in that I have a loving, supportive...
View MoreWhat symptoms led up to your diagnosis?
Initially, I was achy but the aching got worse. I found the aches and pains were increasing daily, moving throughout my body and I was becoming more and more fatigued as a result. My sleep patterns were affected, I never managed to get comfortable in bed and tossed and turned for hour after hour.
What tests did your doctor do, and what was this experience like?
I visited my GP and she said straight away that she thought it may be fibromyalgia. I was sent to see a neurologist who did blood tests and tested my pituitary gland. He confirmed that his diagnosis was fibromyalgia and recommended that I go to see a pain specialist. I was glad to have a definite diagnosis.
Upon learning about your diagnosis- what happened next?
The pain specialist put me on gabapentin and recommended I go to see an occupational therapist. The occupational therapist involved a physiotherapist. I was given gentle exercises to do and also attended relaxation classes where I was taught how to use relaxation to benefit my body. Mindfulness was also part of the programme and it was suggested that I keep a diary of my symptoms so I could see if anything was a trigger for my pain. I researched my condition, finding out that no two people experience fibromyalgia in exactly the same way. I felt as if I had been to see lots of different people on my fibro journey but each had shed different light on my problem. It was worth all the hospital visits and time spent in waiting rooms.
I am more aware of my body now than I have ever been. I know when I am doing or have done too much. I can now pace myself. I can tell when I am going to have a flare up. I make sure I make time every day to relax.
I would give my former self the following advice. Don't be afraid to accept help doing the daily chores. Don't be afraid to say No. Sometimes it is better not to do something than do it and make life difficult tomorrow pain-wise. Make time every single day for yourself; relax in the bath; read a book; listen to music; even if it is only ten minutes.
Finally, don't get worked up when people make insensitive comments about how you look, or tell you that you need to lose weight or do more exercise. Unless they have walked in your shoes and experienced your pain they will never understand what you are going through.
