Replies

This is to you, and the other two above you ( as I haven't learned to reply to multiples, yet).
You all are very kind in your suggestions and thoughts. I will definetly look in to the other thread, and I completely agree about using other alternatives in stead of what I call the 'cocktails' modern medicine has to offer.

I used to be one not to talk about it, either. They 1) didn't understand and thought I was looking for sympathy, or 2) had alot of sugestions, trying to be 'helpful', but ultimately told me 'they' had just as many problems, or worse,and I would just have to learn to live with it.

It is so true, unless you know the pain - or are close to someone who does - there is no way to understand how this condition effects your life. Just getting out of bed in the morning can be a chore.

I have begun a support group at Oprah, and have had many inquiries. It amazed me as to how uneducated even the sufferers are - due to misinformation from their doctors, and lack of support from the 'normals'.

In the beginning, I felt very sorry for myself, and did go through the five stages of grief as though I had lost a loved one. I suppose I did: me. But,as I studied, dug through all the info available - I found out the natural approach was much more helpful, for me and many I had met along the way. The daily supplements and Soy I take FAR out weigh the meds the doctors gave me. It was then - when I discovered the TRUTH, and my eyes were opened about micronutrients and how your body can really take care of itself if you give it the right tools - I decided to get the word out to everyone I came in contact with. It was then that I decided to share the good news, and became a nutritional consultant.

Being optimistic EVERY SINGLE day is the only way to go. God sees me through, and I refuse to give into this illness. I now spend my time and energy dwelling in the good sense - trying to reach those sufferers who are still lost, wandering around looking for a way to make it through another day, and trying to educate the public as to how real this illness is. Many doctors still do not believe this is legitimate, and will label one a drug seeker in a heartbeat!

To me, talking about it and educating, and researching is BEATING IT, not letting it BEAT ME! The most courageous thing I have ever done is to step out and bring this subject to light. Staying in the shadows, going it alone, and allowing the medical community to continue to deny us, was something I could not allow to happen.

I have learned that Nutrition and dealing with chronic illnesses is a lot like attempting to spread the gospel. People either look at your research and accept it, or they don't. I had one lady come into my husband's place of business, see my sign for nutritional consulting, and almost end up in tears because she had been searching so long for someone to just UNDERSTAND her.

My FMS has left me without a job, a house, and some friends and family. BUT, it has gained me a wealth of dignity and respect because I know it is possible to reach out and give hope to others - in ways I never thought possible! FMS consumes me, because I will not let it beat me, I will not let it beat others I know who have it, and I will not let the medical community beat US and belittle our exisitance, just because they STILL do not understand it.

One more thing - I have visited many message boards regarding support, FMS, being the wife of a Firefigher, etc. - and the one thing I have realized - people have VERY LITTLE TOLERANCE FOR OTHERS WHO ARE NOT JUST LIKE THEM. And often, those who ARE just like them, have very little tolerance because they want to put it away and pretend it doesn't exist. One group I visited only accepted messages of 'pity me', and refused to post any message of hope. Such a shame.

I also refuse to let FMS get the best of me - but I will fight every day, on my blog, on my website, through any medium I can, to help those who cannot find their way. One person cannot make a difference? Oh yes you can. You just have to do it one person at a time.