About Me

I am a 55 year old woman suffering with Osteoarthritis and Fibromyalgia, as well as Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and migraines. I live in Canada (Ontario) and I am having the worst time trying to find pain relief that I can tolerate and that doctors would be willing to prescribe for me. At first, the only meds they would give me were anti-inflammatories, which ruined my stomach and I cannot tolerate them at all (tried 4 different kinds). My family dr finally gave me Tylenol threes which are also hard on my stomach, but better than nothing. My whole day is spent trying to be comfortable while in pain. I use heat therapy mostly and relaxation techniques, but the good effects are minimal from this. The Rheumatologist I saw here was a joke. She did not listen to me at all. I had an appointment with a Fibromyalgia specialist in Toronto, Ontario and he tried me on a med for Parkinsons, which evidently has had some good results for Fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, I also could not tolerate it. The nearest pain clinic is an hour and a half drive from here, but does not have a doctor with it....that's Northern Ontario for you! I am on Disability Pension now, and finally in subsidized housing, so at least I have made it through those challenges. My interests are: needlepoint, movies, reading, researching my illnesses, visiting with family (2 grandchildren), watch way too much tv, and Messenger and e-mail. I have not been on the Fibromyalgia thread for some time now, due to my son being in a car crash just before Christmas last year and I have had to go over four days a week and be his caregiver. It has been extremely hard through the winter to go out so often, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Now we have made it through that crisis and he is doing really well again, but now I have my older son living with me temporarily and that takes up so much time and energy just to have someone else here, I just don't have time or energy left to post and keep in touch. I do apologize to all my good friends and supports on "Living with Fibromyalgia" thread, but don't know when I'll be back routinely again. I am extremely grateful for all of the support I have been given and all that I was able to give. Without this site, I would maybe never have come to a point of acceptance with this illness, but thanks to everyone here, I am functioning much better and know what to do on the days that I'm not. I do wish everyone a wonderful, painfree summer and I will be back when I can. Do not forget to ask the angels for help, they are there if you are willing to use them. May we all find peace within the storms of our existence.