I had this idea floating around in my head to write about my struggles with health. I'm hoping in doing so, that I might be able to reach someone else with these same struggles. After all, what good is our suffering if we don't use it to help others? You see, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 3 years ago. For those of you that don't know, Fibromyalgia is a syndrome or disorder, not a disease. A disease has specific symptoms and characteristics. Fibromyalgia does not. This syndrome's symptoms mimic a wide variety of other diseases. Because of this, Fibromyalgia is very difficult to diagnose. I spent a lifetime with unexplained pain and illness before I was diagnosed. I had seen a number of doctors and underwent a number of procedures before the phantom illness was given a name. I was completely relieved when I heard the word Fibromyalgia. That may seem strange to some, but not knowing why you are hurting is much worse than finding out it is a real thing. As I said before, Fibromyalgia has a wide variety of symptoms. Some of the symptoms I have experienced are: muscle soreness and weakness, fatigue, joint pain and inflamation, stomach and bowl problems, headaches, sensetivity to light, sound, and smell. Those are only a few of the issues I deal with from day to day. Fibromyalgia also causes a lot of mental and emotional distress as well. I suffer from depression and anxiety. As you can imagine, dealing with all of this everyday is a battle. There are days that my activity is limited because of the aches and pains. My life revolves around how I am feeling that day. Some days, I can't even get out of bed. I feel that I am a 28 year old woman trapped inside an 80 year old woman's body. There is no cure. There are very few answers out there for sufferers. I have become somewhat a crusader for the cause. I have become a guinie pig for the doctors here. I have tryed many different medications and lifestyle changes. I will find what works!! So far, I have come to the conclusion that medication is temporary. The real healing power is in God and a healthy lifestyle. It is no secret that eating a clean diet and exercise are the keys to better health and a better life. This could not be more true for Fibromyalgia sufferers. I never knew how weak I really was until I started lifting weights. Weights gave me the muscle strength I was desperatley in need of. Of course, it was hard in the beginning, but the outcome was amazing. The pain was almost completely gone. I slept better and had more energy during the day. It was the change I needed. There is no pill that can give you what weights and exercise can. I also had to change my diet. I was eating a lot of greasy, salty, sugary foods every day. I was'nt overweight, but I was deffinately unhealthy. Toxic food is a sure way to cause yourself to become sick, especially if you have Fibromyalgia. With me, my diet became limited after an endoscopy revealed G.E.R.D. and a Hiatal Hernia. I almost could'nt eat anything until my stomach was healed. I slowly added the healthy foods I needed to round out my diet. Certain fruits veggies, and protiens are still restricted for me, but clean eating changed my health dramatically. I notice the difference between toxic foods and healthy foods as soon as they hit my stomach. Just say no to toxins!! This is just the tip of the iceburg for me and my story. I hope that someone out there is reading this and finding a common thread with me. Of course, I would'nt wish this disorder on anyone, but if you struggle with this or any other chronic pain, I'm here to offer a ray of hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel! Until next time, texqueen1 __________________ If you can't give 110%, DON'T BOTHER. 'A cheerful heart is good medicine,but a crushed spirit dries up the bones'. Proverbs 17:22 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' Phil 4:13 'The only handicap we have to overcome is ourself.'