|
|
Fibro and the Family
It all started about 13-14 years ago.My wife was in her mid 20's. She had always been very active, and spunky. Then she started to just get tired and run out of juice easy.Not all of the time, just sometimes in the beginning. Then it started to happen more often, and she decided to see a doctor, and get checked out.At this point my wife was still gorgeuos, and very healthy looking.
She went to see our family doctor about the tiredness, and the headaches.He ran a few test that didn't show anything, and gave her some medicine for the headaches which also contained caffine. This helped some for a little while. Then as she developed more fibro symptoms, they gave her more medicines for each symptom. Soon she was on a lot of differnt medicines, seeing half a dozen different doctors. All saying they can't find anything wrong. Stress tests, MRI's, catscans, the whole enchilada. NOTHING.Then a neurologist said she needed to see a psychologist. MUST BE ALL IN YOUR HEAD. At this time my wife was still gorgeous and healthy looking.
Probably the worst of all the symptoms,depression, came on full force. This was the point when the pain was getting very bad,(doctors wouldn't give her pain meds, cause it was all in her head).At this point I must tell you that we are Christians, and have always been strong in our faith. That's why this has to be the hardest thing to deal with depression. It will challenge your faith to the uttmost.It was about 5 years since the beginning when she hit the bowels of the fibro black hole. It was at this time she was having suicidal thoughts. My wife was still gorgeous and still healthy looking.
There in the bowels of the black hole is where god took over. I had to do the hardest thing in my life, I had to commit my wife because of her suicidal thoughts. They put her in a clinic that had a special unit called "The Rapha Unit". It is a special unit which uses all christian based therapy and medical procedures. It was here that my wife finally got a diagnosis. It's not "all in her head". There really is a problem. The pain IS real. She was still gorgeous and still healthy looking.
What all the other doctors couldn't do, they did at Rhappa. She was seen by a lady psychiatrist who is also a licensed physian (or she may have been an angel)She diagnosed my wife with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and Epstein barr. She was put on a regimen of medications, and had Christian based therapy to teach her how to mentally help deal with the pain and stuff.
Odds are that if you have come to this page, You are one of the many who are eithr suffering with this, or you know someone who does. Like us, you are hoping to find someone who has found the miracle cure. I'm sorry, but to be blunt, there is no cure. All I can offer you is some suggestions on how to help.
(#1) Have GOD in your heart, have GOD in your heart, have GOD in your heart.
(#2) Try to avoid taking pain meds as long as possible, fight it off as much as you can. Believe in yourself, you're tuffer than you think.
(#3) You're going to have good days, and bad days. Try to enjoy life as much as you can on the good days, but don't over do it.
(#4) Get as much rest and sleep as you possibly can. There is times when you hurt all over, even your hair hurts. One thing we bought that has helped (we couldn't really afford) is an air adjustable bed. It's worth its weigth in gold. Sometimes you sleep better on a soft mattress, sometimes you need a firmer one. It changes.
(#5) You,ve probably heard rumors that friends, or family just think its laziness, or you just don't like to work, or blah,blah,blah. Never let it get you down. You have a real illness, They have a real ignorance of your illness. They can't understand how anyone can be ill and not look sick. "for they no not what they do".
(#6) Never give up hope. 13 years ago, hardly anyone had ever heard of Fibro. The medical field is now realizing that it is a serious debilitating illness. Doctors are now doing much more research and diagnosing the illness much faster. Hopefully, the medical community, insurance companies, and the goverment, will start spending money on research, to find a cure or at least come up with better medicine.
Tinawillie@netscape.com