's Story

It took me two years to get diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I have been to hell and back and I've been off work sick so often.

The steps that led up to my diagnosis were long — it took three years for me to receive my diagnosis.

Trying to move was extremely difficult; it felt like I was being stabbed by a thousand needles all at once.

I found myself in the emergency room many times and disappointed because I left the same way I came in — without any answers.

After 15 years of chronic depression, bipolar depression, and chronic pain, my primary doctor finally discovered that I was suffering from fibromyalgia.

My doctor researched my symptoms. I had heard of fibromyalgia in February of that year, and in December testing was done and the diagnosis confirmed.

I was reading incessantly, trying to figure out what was wrong with me. When I found a scholarly medical journal about fibromyalgia, I was astonished.

I was diagnosed almost 40 years ago. I don't really remember a lot, other than there were a lot of appointments and my family has always been supportive.

When I was a baby I was diagnosed with roseola, an infection that causes a fever and rash. During my childhood I had many other illnesses, too.

I miss working with the elderly very much. Housework that used to take an hour now takes all day because I have to rest.

About 14 years ago when I described my symptoms to my primary physician he suggested I stop complaining.

30 years ago when I was 30 years old I woke up one morning completely numb from head to toe. My husband did not believe me.