Walk a Mile in My Shoes Before You Judge Me!
Posted: Wednesday, July 13, 2011
by Iris Taub
I think the most frustrating thing a person can experience is feeling really horrible and going to a primary physician or specialist and told that there is nothing physically wrong with you!
For those of you who have experienced this type of experience, I extend a loving hand and give you a emotional hug!
I have been living with Fibromyalgia and battling the daily struggle of just getting through a day by sticking to a strict diet and most importantly keeping active!
It is easy for others to look at me and say that they can't see anything physically wrong with me because according to them, I look healthy and don't act sick!
What they don't see and don't understand is that unless you are in so much pain that you can't get out of bed or it has affected the way you stand or walk, I do look "normal".
They don't understand that I choose to function as normally as I can and not let this condition take over. My motto is I have fibromyalgia but fibromyalgia doesn't have me!
I don't take the traditional protocol to control some of the symptoms associated with this condition because although I have tried them in the past, my body doesn't respond to these traditional forms of medication so I have to rely on eating a healthy diet free of preservatives, and dyes, and eat plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits and stick to eating lean meats. I exercise every other day for an hour by going to a local fitness center that for the time being, my insurance covers and on the days I don't go to the fitness center, make sure I keep moving by walking as much as I can without experiencing any pain in my joints or body or when my feet begin to ache, to have the sense to stop and relax.
For those who think that fibromyalgia is not a medical condition, they are lucky that they don't have to experience the pain and frustration associated with this condition because most patients with this condition have different symptoms. All I can say is that on those really bad days, I feel like I have the flu 24\7 and sometimes the nerve pain is so bad that it feels like I have a sunburn that is inside my body and if anyone tries to touch me when I have a flare up, even a gentle touch is painful.
There is nothing worse than having this condition and not being able to hug a loved one without feeling pain if they hug back too tight.
So the next time you see someone who looks "perfectly normal" and doesn't show signs of a physical condition, don't assume they don't have one.
I choose to try my best to function as "normal" as I possibly can and don't advertise the fact that I have a condition that has changed my life from being an active productive working individual to a person getting through the day without thinking about pain and how my life has changed.
They say when you have lemons you can either make lemon aide or you just have sour lemons. I choose to look at life as a challenge and I take things one day at a time and never take my family, friends and life for granted!
Iris S Taub
Parkland, Florida
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)thanks for the insight into fibromyalgia. the doctors thought I had it years ago, but it was aching from early Athritis.Hi Jessie,
Fibromyalgia is one of the most difficult conditions to diagnosis let alone treat. Not all Rheumatologists are experienced enough to deal with the complex complications that can be triggered from this condition. Don't assume that your symptoms are justs early arthritis. If you are not satisifed with the one doctor's opionion, get another one! Good luck!
Iris Taub
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