When reading
this thread, about a girl with Chrone's disease, I noticed that several GCers mentioned that they too had the illness. Part of the problem in that situation, it seems, was that some of the individuals involved were not aware of Chrone's and the problems it causes for those living with it. To that end, I thought that I'd start a thread in which those of us with chronic illnesses could discuss them, educate our fellows on the more obscure ones, and maybe find some others who are living with the same ailments.
So I'll start: I have
Fibromyalgia. The easiest comparison is to take Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and add chronic pain. Other symptoms include Irritable Bowel Syndrome and chronic depression/anxiety. The causes of the disease are unknown, but thought to be a result of improper neurotransmitter production. Most people with mild-to-moderate Fibro manage it with antidepressants, pain medication for flare-ups, and light exercise. It can, however, be so severe as to result in people being housebound. The worst part is that there's no cure. The most frustrating part is that it's an "invisible" disease, so people just dismiss it. It's hard to diagnose, and I was told for 21 years that it was all in my head.
As for me, I'm living with it now. It was a relief finally to get an accurate diagnosis so that I could learn to manage it. I work out daily, try to eat right and get enough sleep, and remember to take my happy pills every day.
Threaded Mode