My Story: Marci Clark

What were the steps leading up to your diagnosis?

I was in the generation of fibro diagnosis when the doctors did not have the knowledge they do today. I kept changing doctors until I found one who looked at my list of symptoms and said, “You have fibromyalgia.” I wanted to kiss him – I was not crazy! I then found a pain management doctor who taught me how to get the best quality of life while living with this. Having to pace myself is, and has always been, one of many daily struggles.

What lifestyle changes have you needed to make?

I used to be one of those people who was always doing something. Now I have to pick my activities a bit differently. I have to settle for doing one of my hobbies at a time. I miss being able to ride my horses and give them a bath, and then go home to cook for my family. Now if I want to ride my horse nothing else is going to get done, because I will have to rest for the next two days. I will not stop doing the things I love, I just don't get to do them as much.

Who has been there for you? How?

I’m very lucky to have a really good support system in my family. My husband has been the greatest, and for that I feel very fortunate. I have known people whose marriages have come to an end because their spouse just couldn’t understand, or wouldn’t try to understand, what comes with this. My husband has never told me, "But you don't look sick," or "Just keep pushing yourself and you’ll be fine." I don't know what I would do without him and my two grown daughters, who have also come to my rescue more than once.

What accomplishment are you proud of?

I have always done my very best to get myself up and out of bed every day. If I can't keep going very well after dressing and a warm shower then I may have to chill that day. I have had to quit working. I also have back issues but still try to stay active. I have been dealing with this for over 15 years but still will not give up on living as normal a life as I can. I will never give up on living life to my fullest.

I will never give up on living life to my fullest.

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Love your body, learn your body and pace yourself.

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What's your advice to someone else living with Fibromyalgia?

If you're just being diagnosed you need to find a doctor you can trust and speak to freely; be kind to yourself and try to manage your stress levels; love your body, learn your body and pace yourself; education about this is key; and finally, be proactive with your medications. Some doctors will give you meds that only make you feel worse. Educate yourself about what medications have worked for others, but know that you are individual. You will have to try different things until you find what works for your body.

Find a doctor you can trust and speak to freely.

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Is there anything else we should know?

I take care of my elderly mother. My husband is also disabled with two knee replacements. I have two dogs who I believe are the therapy that helps me the most. Their love and calming effect on me is one of the highlights of my day. I am a huge animal lover!

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My advice to anyone living with a chronic illness or chronic pain is to listen to your body.— Michelle McCallister

Be easy on yourself.— Tiffany Brown

Rest when needed.— Patricia John

Comments by Vanilla

June 18

Living with fibro can be achieved with learning how to avoid flare ups. Thanks for your story!😊😊😊😊

June 18

Not necessarily

June 18

It is a constant challenge! I so agree having a pet is such good therapy for us. After a lifetime of having pets, I now am without one due to a life change and I miss that companionship especially at night.

January 29

I am in California I have Kaiser the Dr did not know what was wrong with me Then i went to a Rheumatologist. There is a blood test for Lupus but not for FM. get the Sleep and take care of the Depression and other things and remember do not get UP SET

January 29

How it would affect my family and social life. I believe we need to have a social worker help the whole family adjust to the new reality and how everyone can can be on board.

March 17

Joy I knows what you talking about with those muscles , I been complaining to every Dr I seen asking why do my muscles hurts so bad , sometimes these knot's form underneath my skin the size of s dime , sometimes the size of a nickel and they hurts so bad ,Osteoporosis has attack my left leg so…

March 16

Was first diagnosed at the age 19. It came and go over the yrs and now at the age 38 I find myself looking back at how active i used to be how less tired I would feel even though I felt tired and in pain... I had drs then that believed in this diagnosis and now I don't they say I need to see a…

March 13

Exercise and eat healthy what I'm starting on

March 13

I feel somewhat better just knowing there are others that have to in pace themselves like I do. Your life in alot of ways is like mine.

March 13

My muscles are tight so at the very least I stretch every day and it helps me. In the past year I have tendons and ligaments all torn up in both knees, 1 ankle and my elbow. It is frustrating. God Bless my fibromyalgia warriors!

March 15

I just joined this group I fell in 2009 and downhill ever since. I had the tight muscles , the dr did not help . So epson salt baths, magnesium , I used CALM powder, an aboslutely no wheat , grains, processed clean diet, BUT there is another thing, Sleep , undiagnosied sleep problems made me wake up frozen and clenched . A sleep study revealed undiagnosed sleep apnea . Now unless I do something repetitive I am for the most part muscls spasm free, let tight muscles , ramge of motion and then less stress on all the joints ....

March 15

Kathy I also fell about 6 months ago and have really struggled. God Bless you !!!!

March 17

Oh no I just had a bad fall last night oh Lord I should have went to er I bruise my collar bone and I feel stored up my left ankle is not cooperation right now !!!

March 17

Doe's this cause falls ?

March 17

Neva Caldwell yes it absolutely can. Wishing you well.

March 17

Oh Lord because I fell out of the blue next thing I knew my husband and grandson was trying to get me up

March 17

Thanks Joy !!!

March 13

When I find something fibromyalgia friendly I will let you know..

March 13

Definitely keep trying ! Painting is good for me ...I use to color sometimes but that hurts my hands alot now and so does knitting but painting isn't that bad ... Also light stretching if you can call that a hobby hahaha ♡♡♡

March 13

Jillian Lea soft music helps and of all things the old game shows are helpful. They aren't really noisy and everyone is really nice to each other.. Right now WHATS MY LINE is on and Miss Lauren Bacall is on... How cool is that?