Robin Stevens
I wish that I had some good news about dealing with this disease. I also have Fibromyalgia. Along with that I have Sjogrens Syndrome, Systemic Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Asthma. I was first diagnosed with Sjogrens in 1998 and the rest just followed along. Autoimmune diseases can really shake your life up. They can cause not only physical pain and stress, but emotional, mental and sexual pain and stress as well. I can't tell you it will be easy, because it will not be easy. If you are married as I am it can make things difficult. It is so tiring to hurt all the time. You get so tired of being sick and tired. Your spouse and family also get tired of you being sick and tired. It is so hard for them to understand why you hurt and are so tired all the time. I am dealing with that right now with my spouse. Communication is a big thing. The more you know and understand what you are going through the better it will be when you try to explain it to them. The best advice I can give is to get plenty of rest, avoid stress as much as possible (that's a hard one). Most of all pay attention to your body. Write down everything you notice. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Do research (Libraries, Book Stores or On-Line. Also, a heating pad helps ease the pain. Or, what I do when my body hurts from head to toe is wrap up in my electric blanket. Stay positive. We can't give up. God will see us through.