How Bad Can It Get?

I try to be active on a number of online support groups for Fibromyalgia Fighters and so I see a lot of questions, gripes, confusion from new fighters, and suggestions for ways to cope. This is a questions that was posted on one of the boards this morning and my response to it. I will not post anyone's name out of respect for their privacy.

Question:
I have a question it seem like to me my fibromyalgia is getting worse and if anyone else Is going through this comment back how bad can it actually get ?

My Response: (with some added details)
I think that a lot of it is dependent on our physical and mental atmospheres - like everyone has said there are good days and bad. I went through a point in my life were my fibro was so bad I was forced to live with someone because I literally could not care for myself (at 27 years old).  I was in a bad place mentally and I have to admit that suicide was a constant thought. I was mentally and physically miserable and I feel this contributed to my extreme fibro state. Fast forward 2 years and yes I still have days were mentally I become so dark and exhausted that physically I can't move but I have a home and job that provides for my daughter and I am constantly researching and trying new things to moderate my pain and improve my life.

Moral of the story being: yes it can get bad but maintaining a positive outlook and being proactive, goes a long way to keeping this disease from ruining your life  best wishes!

I was plunged into this massive flare because I had lost my job due to downsizing and I was very worried about finding a pharmacy job that would allow me as a single parent to care for my child and would not aggravate my Fibromyalgia. I am grateful for a family who allowed me to move home and even though she is in a wheelchair herself, my mother was always encouraging and even understood when I was in so much pain that all I could do was lay in bed and cry.

Working through suicidal thoughts is more exhausting than the pain itself, but let me tell you that even though we feel that they (our family and friends) would be better off without having to deal with our pain, think about the pain they would go through if they lost you. I am not saying that it will be an easy journey and from time to time I still face that Dark Demon but it is a demon I will defeat every time because I have come to realize that I have so much to offer this world - especially my daughter.

We can't know if there will ever be a cure for Fibromyalgia and while I have found a lifestyle that helps to manage mine in ways that medication never could, I do still have hard days and days I want to just give up. But we are FIGHTERS! We have come too far to let it slow us down anymore than it already does! So no matter how hard it gets, KEEP FIGHTING! If you need extra support, an understanding ear, you are always welcome to email me or leave me a message here, and we will fight TOGETHER and we will fight until your demon has been vanquished.

Because that is what friends do.

Here's to Happy and Healthy!
Rachel