Fibromyalgia, my story

I have had "body" pain for years. Way back in the 80's I remember my Dr. mentioning "Fibrosis" but there was no cure or definite way of proving my pain. I just let time go by without going to the Dr. Everyday I woke up feeling like I was hit by a train. I thought I had some kind of terminal illness or something; after all there was no explanation for my pain.

In April 2002 I was in a head on collision on the freeway. After 4 surgeries consisting of 2 cervical fusions and 2 lumber fusions I was a tormented mess. My Orthopedic Dr. suggested that I have Fibromyalgia but I blew it off -- it just couldn't be so! Then my primary Dr. told me I definitely have it - no two ways about it. I got up the nerve to ask him if physical abuse could have started it and he said in his opinion "yes" I was mad as heck.

My first symptoms came at the age of 20 when I was pregnant. I had my first migraine headache, I also had toxemia, as if things weren't difficult enough! From that time I have had migraines. I always complained of "hip" and “feet” pain amongst other aches and pains. I was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago and have osteoarthritis. My orthopedic Dr. said my right knee is bone on bone, and I am going to need knee replacement surgery.

I have had "body" pain for years. Way back in the 80's I remember my Dr. mentioning "Fibrosis" but there was no cure, or definite way of proving my pain. I just let time go by without going to the Dr. Everyday I wake up feeling like I was hit by a train. I thought I had some kind of terminal illness or something; after all there was no explanation for my pain. I had weird feelings of guilt, I felt strange because there was no “real” proof.
I thought I was going kooky or something!

I have to take a number of pain medications like Lyrica for Fibromyalgia, and Ambien for sleep to help me live with the pain, but I wish I could be free of them. I am so nervous that they will damage my organs but at this time there is no way I can stop.

Now I know why though. Strange, but I am comforted to have a diagnosis - an explanation of why I hurt so badly - of why I fumble for words and cannot concentrate - of why I wake up feeling like I was hit by a train - of why I cannot sleep through the night - of why I am so very tired and weary of it all.

If not for the Lord I would jump off a cliff, because of Jesus I have hope that one day this will be over and I will have a new body and NO MORE PAIN!

I could go on and on but this is enough for now - there is just so much along the way I could write a book!

Thanks for listening,
Susie Pedersen