New Member, HI.

I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia since Dec 4,2007. I am unsure of how it will affect me. I have recently returned to full-time employment. I feel committed to finishing 2 more years so I will get full pension benifits. I hope I can make it. I have joined a local gym and enjoy the aqua-fit classes I try to work on my stamina with a fitness trainer as well.
I would like to know of any water exercises you can reccommend to increase my work-out time and improve my stamina. The pain is reduced if I can get to the gym 3 or more times a week, I am particularly pleased with the whirl-pool. I am able to use it to release tense mucles in my neck, arms, back and legs.
I am looking for a specialist that can monitor my fibro symptoms and reccommend further treatment supports to my family doctor. I live just outside of Toronto, Ont.
Hoping for some expert and personal advice

We're so glad that you are here! We have a couple members who are newly diagnosed and others, like me, who have been dealing with FM for years. It is good that you can still be active so keep going as long as you can. Water therapy is great for FM, I am told, although I don't have a program closeby that I can afford. One thing that I would recommend; however, is finding a program that uses a heated pool as cold water will only irritate your muscles, regardless of any benefit you would gain from the exercise. Any exercise that stretches your muscles without irritation would help and I have heard others say that "floating" helps their muscles relax. Perhaps the other members will have some tips for you as well so be sure and check back for replies.
I look forward to reading your posts and hearing about how you deal with your FM. It helps so much to hear abt other's experiences with this disease and I hope you will find the support you need here with us.
Again, welcome to the forum. If there is anything I can do for you please drop me a note.