Hi, I'm new to the forum

[mostlysunny]

My sign on name portrays my usual attitude. That is what has helped me survive so far, a good attitude and sense of humor. I've had fibro for many years. Looking back on the symptoms I realize I probably began around age 16 with fibro. I am now pushing 50. When I was younger the problems were off and on and over the years gradually increased to the point where I can no longer work and experience pain daily, usually very extreme pain. I am in the disability process and will discuss that on another topic. I was actually diagnosed 12 years ago and have experienced many typical symptoms of fibro. My story is much different than the one everyone else has to share. It's amazing how we all have the much of the same symptoms in common and there are a wide variety of symptoms! I will just add ditto, ditto to others who have posted and not bore you with my details of symptoms. I have been married 29 years (if he puts up with me another 2 weeks, lol! Should have come with a warning label!) and we have 4 children, 3 boys and 1 girl. There ages are 25, 21, 19, 12. Thank God for my kids, they have brought many days of smiles that have helped to cover the days of tears. My kids have all watched my illness progress and I feel so bad for all the times I haven't been able to do a lot of activities with them. They're great kids though and understanding. Unfortunately, the boys have each showed some symptoms of fibro the past few years and all had problems with "growing pains" when younger, which seems to be common in younger ones who show up with fibro My daughter has also been diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter disease, a common cause of knee pain in children but also one I have noticed others have noted they had and now have fibromyalgia. So only time will tell but my heart does ache for them when I think that they might have to fight the fibro battle someday. I try to encourage exercise and taking care of themselves now so hopefully they will be better prepared if and when their time comes.

Tammy, thank you so much for making this forum available and for all the obvious hard work you have done regarding fibro. I look forward to reading more about the SSDI reform and plan to join the forum to be of whatever help I can be. I hope to be a frequent visitor to this site and look forward to meeting everyone, sharing in their ups and downs.