Maggie's Attic

10 things you probably don't know about me. 

1.I have fibromyalgia, and Sjogren's syndrome. I coincidentally have Celiac disease, which causes a malabsorption syndrome that contributes to the inflammation and pain of the FMS and SS.
2. Most people assume: That I am fine because I don't let my pain show much. Even when I am hurting, I try to keep a positive attitude and keep my friends and co-workers feeling positive too. 
3.I'm not a 'morning person,' never have been. So calling me before noon, or expecing me to be at my best in the morning is not wise. I wake up, I hurt, it takes me an up to an hour to really get moving. I don't know if the pain I have when I crawl out of bed will get better or worse throughout the day, but I push myself to keep going.g up.) 
4. Treatments and medications: I wish insurance covered massage and acupuncture. The meds I get, I take at maximum dosage just to be able to get through each day at work. 
5. People are surprised to know: I am stronger than they expect. When this first hit me, I felt helpless and overwhelmed, and let the diseases have control. Then I learned, the hard way, that giving up is the wrong tack. I started fighting back, by doing a tiny bit more each day. I grew stronger, but I am nowhere near as strong as I was before. But the struggle to be stronger physically, has made me stronger mentally and emotionally.

6.The hardest thing to accept about this combo of disease is that I must 'pace' myself. Unlike most people, I can't just jump in and do things and push through the pain, because if I overdo, it may cause a 'Fibro-flare'  which could set my progress back considerably. So if I spend 5 minutes on my elliptical each night, I only increase by 1-2 minutes a week - more is dangerous.
7.Something my illness has taught me: patience, kindness, understanding, compassion, to be supportive. People can be cruel because they don't understand that I truly am in pain, but that I'm so accustomed to constant reminder of an achy body, that I simply let it flow over me and keep going. By the end of the night, walking down one flight of stairs can be too much, or getting to my car may mean I have to stop and rest before lifing my tired legs into the car.

8. The commercials about my illness: Lyrica ads, but they downplay the how you really feel, the illness and are unrealistic about results. Lyrica did absolutely nothing for me. I did get the right rheumatologist and the right medicine, but it's not a walk in the park. I wish I could walk in the park - I live less than a mile from Forest Park and have been there once in two years. 

9.Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: sleeping through the night. I wake up every hour or two because of pain. I miss being able to walk throuigh an entire mall. I miss biking, and just walking down the street. 

10. Despite being hit with this, I've learned over the last 15 years to roll with the punches. I'm grateful to be alive, to have a career I'm proud of, and family and friends I can turn to when needed. I thank God, or whatever higher power you want to name, for the mercy of not becoming completely disabled. I'm a fighter and I'm not giving up. I've learned to eat healthy, because a vegetarian diet reduces inflammation; less inflammation translates to less pain. I'm not a Vegan, I'm a flexitarian, cause I still want a bit of chicken vindaloo now and then.  If you've stuck with me this long, thanks. Now you know me a little better.