Meet Barbara White, one of our most active members and a wonderful person. She used to have an awesome job as a production department manager and is now on disability following fibromyalgia. Her advice to families, friends and doctors of those with fibromyalgia is worth giving a thought. Do read her entire story and thank her for sharing this with us.
I begin this interview with a big apology for the delay as Barbara had sent across the completed interview months ago and I kept forgetting (perhaps it was my fibro fog, but I am not citing that as an excuse)
. I am so sorry Barbara and I start this year's Hold My Hand campaign with your interview first. ~Anuradha
Name: Barbara White
Age: 52 (As on January 2014)
Location: Daytona Beach, FL, US
Occupation: On Disability, Former Production Department Manager of 35 people
Year when symptoms started: Chronic back, knee and neck pain for 25 years now
Diagnosed in: February 2012
Marital Status: Widowed and now have a live-in boyfriend
What's your story? How and when were you diagnosed with Fibromyalgia?
Were you misdiagnosed at the start?
I have had chronic back pain for 27 years. I have had osteoarthritis in both my knees for 18 years, with multiple surgeries. I was in a car accident in 1994 and suffered a herniated disk in my neck that has plagued me ever since. In 2008, I moved to a new state and it was just about the time the economy tanked here so finding a new job was not as easy as it should have been with my work experience. I was out of work for months, landed a job and got laid off after only five months and have been out of work ever since.
I have had chronic back pain for 27 years. I have had osteoarthritis in both my knees for 18 years, with multiple surgeries. I was in a car accident in 1994 and suffered a herniated disk in my neck that has plagued me ever since. In 2008, I moved to a new state and it was just about the time the economy tanked here so finding a new job was not as easy as it should have been with my work experience. I was out of work for months, landed a job and got laid off after only five months and have been out of work ever since.
I had
no health insurance at this time and with no income, I had
to tough out the usual pain. I began to experience severe burning and
tingling in the front of my right thigh. It got so bad that I could
only find comfort stretched out on my couch. It didn't go away. Then I
began experiencing such severe pain in my neck and shoulder that I
needed assistance in getting in and out of clothes, shampooing my hair
became near impossible, even wrapping a towel around me was
excruciating. I did a lot of research and when the pain became
unbearable I borrowed money to go to a doctor. He gave me pain meds but
knew I couldn't afford tests. When this went on for a year, I filed
for disability because I knew there was no way I could go back to work
like this. The doctor helped with the paperwork but when I mentioned
Fibromyalgia he just told me that there wasn't enough information out
there yet and dropped it. I ended up changing doctors eventually and
once my disability went
through and I got insurance, my new doctor ran a battery of tests and
blood work on me and told me I was a classic case of Fibromyalgia.
How would you describe your pain and what kind of symptoms do you face
regularly as well as occasionally?
I have joint pain, nerve pain and disk pain. The nerve pain in my feet is horrible. The nerve in my right hip/thigh (meralgia parasthetica) gets so hot and painful that I have to lay flat. The symptoms I have besides the pain are insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, blurred vision, depression, chronic fatigue,sweating, weak legs, brain fog, to name a few!
I have joint pain, nerve pain and disk pain. The nerve pain in my feet is horrible. The nerve in my right hip/thigh (meralgia parasthetica) gets so hot and painful that I have to lay flat. The symptoms I have besides the pain are insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, blurred vision, depression, chronic fatigue,sweating, weak legs, brain fog, to name a few!
Do you have any other medical conditions along with fibromyalgia?
High blood pressure which is under control with medicine and depression.
High blood pressure which is under control with medicine and depression.
How has your life changed with Fibromyalgia?
I hate that I can't do anything. I can't climb stairs, walking any distance is not possible. I can't go shopping anymore. Driving isn't always possible because of the meds I take. I cannot stand for more than a couple of minutes before the pain is so severe I start sweating profusely. What I hate most is that I cannot plan anything. Most of the time, I have to cancel if I have plans to do something.
I hate that I can't do anything. I can't climb stairs, walking any distance is not possible. I can't go shopping anymore. Driving isn't always possible because of the meds I take. I cannot stand for more than a couple of minutes before the pain is so severe I start sweating profusely. What I hate most is that I cannot plan anything. Most of the time, I have to cancel if I have plans to do something.
How has fibromyalgia affected your relations? There have been
times when it has been a cause for arguments. Before the diagnosis of
FM, my boyfriend used to think I was just being lazy. He's more
understanding now that he realizes why.
How has fibromyalgia affected your career?
The last big job I held was a very lucrative one. I made good money as a single woman, could afford to do things, go places when I felt up to it. Now, between the loss of the financial comfort and the fact that I couldn't possibly do the job anymore because my concentration and physical abilities aren't what they once were, I do feel insignificant.
The last big job I held was a very lucrative one. I made good money as a single woman, could afford to do things, go places when I felt up to it. Now, between the loss of the financial comfort and the fact that I couldn't possibly do the job anymore because my concentration and physical abilities aren't what they once were, I do feel insignificant.
What kind of specialist you are consulting? I see a rheumatologist now.
Has your medication changed over the years? What medicines you are
having now and are they helping?
I was always on some type of opiate pain medication but I only take them when I absolutely have to. At one point I was placed on Elavil and it caused me to sleep constantly with very bizarre dreams. Now I am on Lyrica and it helps the nerve pain tremendously. I am also on hydrocodone for the other pain. Again, I try not to take those unless I'm really unable to cope with the pain.
I was always on some type of opiate pain medication but I only take them when I absolutely have to. At one point I was placed on Elavil and it caused me to sleep constantly with very bizarre dreams. Now I am on Lyrica and it helps the nerve pain tremendously. I am also on hydrocodone for the other pain. Again, I try not to take those unless I'm really unable to cope with the pain.
Have you tried alternate therapy? Did it help you? I used to get
regular deep tissue massage when I was working and it helped keep the
pain down. Unfortunately, I cannot afford them now.
What are
your personal tips for relief? Rest, hot showers, comfortable shoes,
moist heat packs, sitting in my recliner helps a lot, going to the beach
and sitting in the hot sun feels good on my legs and knees.
Do / Can you exercise? What exercises do you do? Do you
meditate?
I really can't exercise at this time. I hate getting the "lecture" from the doctor about exercise because I know he doesn't understand even though he is a rheumatologist. I do meditate but not regularly. If I can't get to sleep I do put on new age music and perform deep breathing.
I really can't exercise at this time. I hate getting the "lecture" from the doctor about exercise because I know he doesn't understand even though he is a rheumatologist. I do meditate but not regularly. If I can't get to sleep I do put on new age music and perform deep breathing.
Have you changed your diet / gone gluten free and did it help you?
No I haven't.
No I haven't.
What would you like to say to people who know someone with
fibromyalgia?
Don't judge them and be a little understanding that you "don't" know how they feel.
Don't judge them and be a little understanding that you "don't" know how they feel.
What would you like to say to doctors? Stop telling us how we should
feel and what we should do and listen to us. Start understanding more
about the illness and that every person feels differently from it.
What relations and activities makes you feel better?
Facebook is where I chat with my many friends around the world and also where I belong to this wonderful support group.
Facebook is where I chat with my many friends around the world and also where I belong to this wonderful support group.
When did you join the Fibromyalgia Awareness blog www.
I have only belonged to both for several months now. A Facebook friend sent me the link to the group page and I am so grateful she did. I have learned much more there than I have from medical websites and articles. It's the people living with it that are able to relate to what you feel.
I have only belonged to both for several months now. A Facebook friend sent me the link to the group page and I am so grateful she did. I have learned much more there than I have from medical websites and articles. It's the people living with it that are able to relate to what you feel.
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Interview
published on 22nd November 2013. This blog and its owner have the rights to
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do not advocate the use of medicines / drugs, if any, mentioned in the
interview. Kindly consult your doctor before starting any therapy or medicine
mentioned here.
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You can write to us on contact@fibromyalgiaawareness.com
We hope you Like and Share our Facebook Page.
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Fibromyalgia
(FMS), one of the most complicated syndromes, affects every patient
differently. We bring to you the real stories of Fibromyalgia Patients from
across the world. Every patient's story is a source of learning and
inspiration. These stories serve many purposes like helping us understand the
condition and symptoms better, helping people with similar symptoms get
diagnosed in time, finding tips that work and making the 'Invisible Illness'
visible so that sufferers are saved from the stress of making people understand
that they really are unwell.
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