: : : Im a 38 year old male, married , one 10 year old daughter. I am probaly not saying anything you all have not heard or experienced but Im very scared of all this. I have had chronic pain and fatigue for a year I was blaming it on my weight. I am 6 ft tall and wiegh 429 lbs. I was in th process of getting everything set foe wieghtloss surgery when this is discovered.
: : : I am afraid to go forward with the weight loss surgery now, I feel I need to try and lose weight withiout surgery because I am not sure I can mentally now prepare myself for the surgery.

: : : I am on medical leave from my work ( sedentary , call center/ computer work) and Im afraid I will not be able to return. I have severe anxiety which I have had for years, the pain in my shoulders, neck, back, lower back and legs is so severe daily if I do not take 2 darvocet n 100's I cannot be anywhere near productive all day.

: : : I need friends to correspond with and get info from , I do not know what I should be doing now.
: : : FibroMan@webbox.com

: : : Allen

: Allen,
: I understand your pain..I've suffered for 16 years with this. The important thing is not to lose faith. Yes, you do need to lose wt., but you might want to start with some simple stretches and some weight training. Gradually, increase your exercise time and eventually add some low impact aerobics. I find that I get alot of help from aquanastics. There's no stress on the joints as the water keeps you buoyant. If you have a YMCA near you, check to see if they offer this class. I, at this point have good and bad days....thats not to say I am pain free ever, but on my good days its tolerable.....on my bad days, well, I don't do much of anything. I do not take any pain meds on a regular basis.....only anti-inflammatories when I'm really hurting. My doctor has recommended amitriptyline for nitetime to help sleep, but I find them too sedating. I occasionally take temazepam for sleep, but I go very easy on these as they have addiction potential. Also, massage therapy helps immensely. It can be expensive if your insurance doesn't cover it, but see if there is a massage school near where you live. The rates are much cheaper if you are their guinea pig! Ha! Good luck to you. Let me know how you're doing. You're not alone and you can get better.
: Sincerely,
: Judy

Allen, my condolences on your diagnosis of fibro. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. First, you need information and a doctor that is extremely knowledgeable about fibro and fatigue. If you are near Dr. Alpert, I recommend him highly. He is an expert on all facets of fibro. If that is not possible, call all around and find somebody knowledgeable. Allen, I am a very large woman and have been shedding (not losing weight, because we tend to look for what we lost), pounds. Doctors keep putting me on medicine that they tell me I will gain weight on. Allen, I have decided enough of the weight, it holds me back from living my life the way I choose to. I have severe fibro and have never gone into remission. If there are any questions I can answer for you, just write. Allen, the bottom line is we have to learn to live in the moments. If at a certain time we can do something, do it. Allow yourself no guilt for not being able to do something. Learn to do what you can do when you can do it. Also Allen, I did not tell my family or friends and I have had it for almost 20 years. That was a mistake. Tell people so they may have the grace to give (and accept willing with a thank you, no apology) of themselves. You will find that most people love to give to others. And Love yourself for who you are. God gave you gifts and now your may receive new gifts as a result of the changes in your life. Live in the moment and bless every moment that you have.