In mid-2012, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.
It didn’t come as a big surprise as I had been unwell for some time. I was told that some people get better and if they do it is generally in 2-5 years. I was quite sure I would be one of those that got better. I cut back on work, I tried multiple medications and a few months later stopped work completely. 2 years went by. I spent much of that dealing with income protection insurance and dealing with the side effects of medications. 3 years went by, I kept trying new things, more tests, a new specialist, new health professionals, but I just kept getting worse. 4 years went by, same shit, probably even the same bucket.
It has now been 5 years since I was diagnosed. I’ve been through many of the stages of grief. Some of them multiple times. I am slowly coming to terms with the possibility that I’m not “one of those”. I may not ever be well enough to return to the job I love, or to go out drinking and singing (I use the term singing very loosely) karaoke until midnight or beyond. But maybe I can find another, different, just as meaningful existence.
I’ve found some things that work for me. They either help me feel better, through reducing specific symptoms, increasing energy, or helping to make day-to-day tasks a little easier. I’ll share the things I’ve already tried. I’ll let you know how much they helped and in what way. I’ll try new things, and let you know how they go, and I’ll let you know what things make me worse.
I hope you’ll join me in this journey and if, in the years to come, I do become “one of those” who gets better, then I’ll host a karaoke party and everyone will be invited!