Tuesday, December 1, 2009

My Fibromyalgia Story, Part 5

...continued from 4 previous posts.

While I'm still unsure of exactly why I got Fibromyalgia... why God allowed this to happen to me... and I still get overwhelmed at times... I've come a long way even since I posted the 4th part of my story.

God has been incredibly gracious to me. Showing me His constant sovereignty, His hand in my life, and His awesome ways.

And I am so thankful!

I have been recently tested again for thyroid problems, and it's all clear. I never did get further testing for Lyme's disease, but I spoke extensively with my doctor and I trust her, and I don't think that's really an issue for me. And as most of you know now, I've made huge strides in my weight and lifestyle adjustments. I've lost 6 pounds thus far and several inches in places like my hips, triceps, and abs. Woohoo! I know I still have a long way to go, and the holidays are setting me back slightly, but I will not give up, I will persevere with God's help!!

I've also had excellent biblical counseling with a friend from church (Fibro takes quite an emotional toll). I still deeply long to be a mother, but we're still waiting. I haven't found another rheumatologist. I haven't seen my amazing chiropractor in nearly a year. Mostly, he's too far out of the way and this year I wanted to concentrate more on weight loss and getting healthy. I love my new doctor, she is really awesome and knows a lot about Fibro. She's helping me stop taking some meds. I've already come off one and I've seen a difference in my blood pressure. We're working to come off another one... I am coming off it slowly to just see what happens. I hope to get off my blood pressure meds in the next 6 months or so. The hope is that as I come off these meds, I can handle things more naturally so that the weight continues to come off and my health continues to improve. I do not want to be so reliant on medicines if I can help it. (Not that there's anything wrong with it or that you should do likewise, this is just what I am thinking and what thus far is working for me because of other lifestyle changes that are assisting in the process.)

The biggest difference, of course, has been the exercising. I am so in love with my gym! From the awesome member advisor, to the personal trainers, to the nutritionist, they are all extremely knowledgeable about Fibro. I was so surprised. They are all so incredibly amazing. I remember feeling so intimidated for so long about going in. But I also know a coworker who loves that place (different location), and I knew it had a pool (thinking that would be all I could do). They have a 7 day free trial pass, so I finally decided why not? So in I went. And I have been very grateful ever since. I'm just thrilled with Lifetime Fitness, and cannot imagine going anywhere else. Ever. It's my kind of place! (Sometimes I still can't believe I'm even saying that!) Thank you Lord!!!!!

My Fibro story will continue to go on. But by God's continued grace, we will find ways to manage and control it so it doesn't overtake my life. Ever again.


Thanks for sharing in my journey with me!

2 comments:

Sherrie Sisk said...

Rochelle, thank you so much for sharing your story so beautifully. I'm so happy you're experiencing success with exercise and losing weight!

I've lost about 40 pounds this year, and I can't even begin to tell you how much better I've begun to feel. I still have flareups and I still hurt, but I keep telling myself how much worse I'd feel if I hadn't lost the weight.

I really believe that. There might not be any direct correlation but it certainly makes things harder. I've still got a long, long way to go. Slow and steady. Let's keep each other motivated. ;)

Congratulations on your amazing successes!!

Dee'sDetermined2staystrong said...

Thank you so much for sharing your story! I started reading your story and realized the similiarity between us, I am a sufferer of a skin disease (Darrier's Disease) that caused me to be in tremendous pain during flare ups. I went into the Dermatologists on December 23, 2008 to run some patch tests for skin allergies and needless to say I never did the test because I had the same or similiar sharp pain in my left shoulder that brought me to the hospital for them to be dumbfounded as to what caused this...to make this short, that was the beginning to my struggle of not knowing or doctors knowing why I suffered so much PAIN!!!! I believe that everything happens for a reason and that God has a plan and purpose for all we go through, so I try to keep the attitude but have to say its a hard hard struggle especially not having the family support needed to go through, but PRAISE GOD for people like you that give me insight knowing there's hope at the end of the tunnel. God Bless You, Denise!