Hi! I'm new. I have my story and some questions. Hope that's cool.

[pinkpanther20]

I'm new, and I figured I'd share my story with you all, and ask a question or two. I hope that's cool.  I'm Meg and I'm 17. I was diagnosed with fibro two years ago. I'd been sick for a while--migranes, anemia, various colds/flues, etc. No one knew what was wrong. At first, when I was diagnosed with migraines in my sophomore year (I'm a senior now

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[amber_fool]

I was lucky, in that my fibro is very manageable with meds (lyrica and tramadol right now, with some experiments to try to control migraines, and I may try to swap out the lyrica for savella or cymbalta, something that doesn't make me as tired).

When I was in school (I was very active in high school, the fibro was triggered the summer between HS and college), I worked with my profs and the dean's office to be able to turn in my work a bit late when I needed to, and I gave myself permission to do that if I had to, but I tried to get it in on time if I could. Now, I work for the government which means my job is relatively secure (I'm an engineer), I have good health insurance, and my boss is flexible. She lets me work flexible hours when it's possible (if I don't have training or anything), and when I need a day off, she's willing to work with me.

I do T'ai Chi, and I keep meaning to get back into swimming, since it's no-impact. They just did a study showing T'ai Chi can help manage the pain, and it's definitely helped some of mine so far, although I don't do it as much as I should...

I've been upfront with boyfriends. Especially early on, make sure he knows that if you need to cancel a date, that it's because you feel like crap, not because you're trying to play games with him. The guy I'm now engaged to is understanding and works with me. If he's holding me and something hurts, I let him know and he'll move. Understand that he has physical needs, so when your relationship reaches a physical level, work with him to find things you can do that don't hurt, or that you can do sometimes. But if you show that you're thinking of him, and that you understand that it's difficult for him as well, he'll be a lot more willing to work with you. And that actually goes for many things - let people know you appreciate their help and consideration.

[pinkpanther20]

I've heard tai chi is really good! My Mom's been trying to get a workout tape for that, and also for yoga. My mom did yoga for a while, so we still have the mats and stuff for that, which is nice. :)

<3

[amber_fool]

If you have the option, try to find an actual instructor. Mine is part of a martial arts studio (T'ai Chi is actually a martial art, but doesn't have the sparring or anything like that), so those are good places to look. It's been very helpful to have someone who can look at what I'm doing and tell me if it's right. I think a lot of people try the videos and it doesn't help them, or it hurts, so they stop, but it's because they didn't do the forms right. Plus, my instructor has experience teaching people with illnesses and injuries, so he can adapt the forms to my body if needed. He actually taught what he could to an MS patient in a wheelchair! But you need someone who knows the forms well to be able to adapt them for you.