Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?
The quote I like the most is this one.
I find so many people these days judge people on their job or how wealthy they are, not whether or not they’re happy and look down on them. I take people as I find them, not by others opinions.
Another favourite quote is Never judge a book by it’s cover and I feel the same goes with people.
I’ve not been on here for ages again. I don’t know where the time has gone. Have been struggling with the fibromyalgia and especially low back, hip and pelvic pain which at times has been driving me absolutely insane. I find that when I’m in a lot of pain I can’t think straight, it affects my mood and I get frustrated at all the things I can’t do.
Before I had fibromyalgia I was an active person with a tidy house. I regularly went to the gym, 3-5 times a week. Walked a lot, caught up with friends. It’s amazing how many friends disappear when you have fibromyalgia. One reason is I had to keep cancelling as not feeling up to going out and people don’t believe you when you have an invisible illness. They don’t see you on the days that you’re really suffering. I don’t like people seeing me like that.
I hate when I have to take to my bed, or sit on my sofa frustrated at all the things I so want to do. When I do anything like go out or do housework I then pay for it. So annoying.
A few weeks ago an old work colleague was leaving where I used to work and it was her birthday so a group of us went for a night out. We had a lovely meal and the cocktails were 2 for £12.95. I very rarely drink but was in the mood for it and there was a great atmosphere. Afterwords we went to a pub with music. Must have had a few cocktails as I was actually able to dance. Something I’ve not done in a long time. I knew I’d suffer the next day but I was having a great time. Think I may have embarrassed my 21 year old daughter a bit as she was also on the night out.
I’ve found personally that even though I’m going to suffer I have to get on with things otherwise I wouldn’t do anything except for when the pain level is too high, then it’s the sofa or bed with hot water bottles, a good book and the television and an extra large mug of tea.
I hated that I had to give up my job, been selling a few things on vinted on better days. I could do with some cleaning fairies though. I love watching hoarding programs as makes me feel tidy. I know my house isn’t too bad, but it is for me. I like things very tidy and having fibromyalgia stops that, unfortunately.
I’m going to sit and have a cuppa in my garden now while the sun is still shining. Weather was beautiful last week but it looks like it’ll be changing this week. Hope everyone else is okay and would love to hear how other people cope with fibromyalgia or other invisible illness.
What advice would you give to your teenage self?
I would tell my teenage self to not criticise her self as much as I did or compare myself to others. To be happier in myself and to not let other people’s opinions matter. Also to not let the past eat away too much into everyday life. It can’t be changed, use the experience to make me stronger and happier. Always believe in myself.
Living with fibromyalgia is a pain and I mean literally. It’s so frustrating not being able to do all the things that you want to do. Even boring things like housework. I used to be on top of things and now all I see is all the stuff that needs doing. I love watching a program on BBC One on a Tuesday at the moment called Sort Your Life Out with Stacey Solomon because it makes me feel really tidy. Her and her team help people sort through all their stuff in their house. They have to pack everything up and it then gets displayed in a giant warehouse.
Over the next two days they have to get rid of 50% of their stuff. The rest of her team are back at the owners home cleaning and up-cycling items to make their home more practical. Stacey then helps and they organise the items they’ve kept. The end result is always amazing.
I find that with fibromyalgia I always seem to be on catch up. You have a day when you can get more done and maybe do too much and then it costs you a day or two in bed or on the sofa constantly re boiling the kettle to fill up hot water bottles because your back is in spasm and making large mugs of tea because I love tea.
It takes its toll on you sometimes because the endless cycle of being in pain and not able to do everything you once did, especially when people say you look fine or why are you not working still. Giving up my job last year was the hardest thing for me and it still makes me sad now. They should come round and see me when the pain levels are unbearable and can’t sleep, most nights. That would shut them up for sure.
It’s been a while since I’ve been on here. A lot happened last year. I had to hand my notice in at work because of the fibromyalgia. Previous to that I experienced vertigo for the first time. Not a very pleasant experience at all. I suffer from room spinning migraines but vertigo, yuk, that was something else.
After officially leaving work in August I felt very sad, lost and lonely. It wasn’t a difficult job, working in retail in a card shop. The standing all day was not good eventually for me due to the Fibromyalgia and since discovering I have osteoarthritis in my hips and lumbar spine. No wonder I was in pain. Yet I never complained. I really liked my work colleagues, still friends with them and I had gotten to know so many customers.
Being at home and physically not able to do things really got to me, still does. It’s so frustrating to do a bit of housework and then find I have to sit down with hot water bottles and take painkillers. When my back goes into spasm and I’m getting headaches or a migraine I feel let down by my own body. I used to be active, go to the gym, go on long walks, a social butterfly. Now there are days when I feel I just exist. Pain takes so much from you, it consumes you, you can’t think straight, you can’t even eat sometimes.
When I do go out, maybe pop to the local shops or a garden centre people don’t realise how much effort that’s taken. They haven’t seen the tears, the sadness, the constant struggle with pain, the many wasted days in bed. I read, I write poems, watch TV, listen to music, find distractions. I’m still luckier than a lot of people, just wish my life wasn’t ruled by pain. Fibromyalgia is cruel, it affects a lot of people, I hope one day they find a cure.
Who are your favorite people to be around?
My favourite people to be around are my family and close friends. I used to be a very sociable person spending a lot of time with extended family and friends but I had to keep cancelling plans due to fibromyalgia taking over. Luckily I like my own company, always have liked time on my own even when I was younger and out socialising a lot. I love sitting with a book and an extra large mug of tea, especially when it’s raining outside. A good book is a great way to escape.
Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.
My favourite pair of shoes are a pair of flat River Island Boots that I’ve had for about 8 years. They’re so comfy and warm, not something for the summer. They’re black suede with some faux fur trim on them and I still get compliments on them. They’re easy to drive and walk in. I go everywhere in them, not so far anymore due to my fibromyalgia having gotten worse. I used to go for walks along the sea front, luckily I live near the sea and for walks in the woods. I’ve been on lots of lovely shopping trips with my daughter and Christmas markets. I’ve worn them to garden centres looking at Christmas displays and having tea and cake. I’ve driven miles in them. Unfortunately I think I may have to buy some new ones this winter as to me they’re looking a bit worn, but until they fall apart I will keep on wearing them.
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Yesterday I went to one of the local Garden Centres with my daughter and their displays were beautiful. I will be adding more photos and videos soon.
Their theme was from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and I can’t wait to go back on a week day when it’s not so busy.
I love Autumn, when it’s sunny. There’s been so much rain lately. Actually there’s been so much rain all year. I love the pretty colours of Autumn, nice walks. I miss being able to go on long walks, thanks to fibromyalgia. I also love the cosy evenings when I light all my lovely scented candles and cozy up on the sofa with a book and a nice soft snuggly throw.
Fibromyalgia Warrior, People Watching fan who loves TV. 