Hello from Texas

Hi, my name is Elizabeth, and I've been on many FM/CFS/Chronic pain groups off and on on the internet for many years, and I've just joined this one. I've had chronic pain for about 20 years and was first officially diagnosed with FM/CFS and chronic myofascial pain about 12 years ago. I also have really bad structural deterioration in both feet and ankles and have degenerative disc disease also. I have had a double spinal fusion, a breast reduction surgery, and a foot reconstruction in the past 4-1/2 years--all of them attempts to lessen my pain with only minimal success.

I still work only because I have to in order to live. I am a writer and editor by trade, and I am also a professional harpist. I still do private gigs and teach lessons. It hurts to play, but it is one of the few things I have left that helps to keep me somewhat sane most days. I also have a hot tub, and that is a wonderful thing!

As you might guess from my e-mail address, I am working on a book about living with fibromyalgia or any form of chronic pain. Please contact me off-list if you'd be interested in sharing your story with me. I decided to write this book after realizing a month or so ago that it has been 20 years since chronic pain started invading my life. I was sitting in my hot tub and just cried like a baby for about an hour! I just knew that I had to find some way to make my suffering come to some good for someone, somehow, and I hope that this book will be it.

I am also a single parent (never married) of a wonderful 23-year old daughter, and my father (almost 96!) lives with us. Every day is such a struggle, and I've now been without insurance for more than a year after my previous job got outsourced to India! I am "uninsurable," so I am unable to seek any treatment beyond Tramadol and Flexeril prescribed by my family doc. I joined a gym so I could do water exercises, but it is a lap pool, and it is way too cold. It actually made me feel worse just because of the cold. I need to find a Y or someplace that has a warmer pool! I would love to put in an above-ground pool in my yard but don't have the funds to do that.

Well, that's a little bit about me. I will look forward to getting to know all of you.

I am very new to this . In fact, you are the first person I have the pleasure to chat with. Tomorrow is my birthday, aayup a whole 46. I hate B-Days, they make me even more depressed. Sorry to lay this all on you, but I have been in terrible pain lately { like 3 years } I try to keep a positive attitude, but some days i just want to cry. I am trying a new doctor tomorrow. I hope he has some answers for me. I live way up north and the weather has been rainy almost daily which doesn`t help much. In the morning I feel like I ran a marathon and every muscle aches. My children and dogs keep me going. Last year I joined a health club, it was pricey, but the benefits were great. I only went into the pool and jaccuzzi. I am going to try meditation, which costs nothing!!! I think a positive attitude will go a long way. GOOD LUCK, and keep your spirits HIGH!!! Oh by the way, I also have IBS which is all connected to fibro. I was put on Gabapentin , a generic drug, which is a cousin drug to Lyrica which has helped with the nerve pain. I hope this info. helps. It was nice to meet you. Lazy Lou