A Whole new LIFE.....

Yesterday I spent most of the day at DUKE hospital, with a specialist.

I now have an official diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, and am enrolling in the study that uses CBT and sleep research.

Some of you know that I have had an ongoing battle with some very scary symptoms.  I have been to so many doctors and have heard the same thing over and over again....they just can't figure out what's going ON with me.

This appointment was TOTALLY different.  He took the time to truly LISTEN to my story. He kept going back to be sure he understood the Chronology. Then he began to ask me questions. Not *have you ever had migraines?* but *WHEN did you start having Migraines?*.  He made reference to things that not even my closest friends know about me, and then he said he knew I had a certain kind of biological makeup, a distinct wiring harness, as it were.

He said he almost hates to even USE the word Fibromyalgia because it has such awful connotations.  He is one of the foremost experts in the field and knows a LOT about how his medical colleagues have dealt with the *disease*.

He doesn't believe it is a disease condition.  He feels that it is a biology. That all of us have this fatigue to some degree, some cognitive fog, some aches and pains due to age and wear and tear...but that people with Fibromyalgia are wired in such a way that everything is magnified, amplified, and ALWAYS on.  The pain receptors just keep firing, even though the trigger may be long gone. There is no rest because the brain just runs at TOP SPEED all the time and never has a chance to rest and recover.  We have extreme reactions to insect bites, to changes in weather or barometric pressure, to medications in small amounts, to sounds and smells and tastes that other people would barely notice.  We're always THINKING, and  often about dozens of things at once.

We're just like everybody else, only MORE so.

Which, oddly enough, is also the way I've often described my autistic children.

The inflammation is real. My body is always rushing fluid to the scene of a perceived emergency because the pain receptors really are firing. 

So.  All I have to do to get better is to change my biology. Just change my MIND, as it were.

Please join me here as I share this journey.  Perhaps we can all learn something NEW together.

xox

Namaste.

Comments

[Cat's Eye Studio]

Hugs sweetie!!!! It is a horrible thing and really throws your life into a tail spin. I am so glad you found a great doctor I am still searching...

Love and hugs!!!
Cat

[greta]

Thanks for the hugs, Cat!
As is my way, I don't see this as something horrible.
I see it as a chance to really learn something NEW, to solve some long standing mysteries, and to truly be grateful for what goes RIGHT in my life, given the odds of neurons misfiring at any given time...
I've found the right doc for ME, but everybody is different.
All Blessings and LOVE to you on your journey.
xox

[Norma]

Another hug from here, but not too hard. "Just" change your biology, herm? Well, goodness knows you've done HARD things before. You can do this too. Love you, Greta.

[greta]

Thanks, Norma!
That's pretty much what everyone who knows me well has said...I take it as a great compliment.
I DO love a challenge, and irony,
so the Universe gives me both!
More Terrier Tuesdays will certainly keep me going....
The pupsters here send smooches.
Lots of LOVE right back atcha, dear friend!

[Sharlene G]

I must be a relief to just finally know something, and to be able to work towards a plan for resolution or just a plan for moving forward! Hang in there--you are in my thoughts!

[greta]

Thank you Sharlene, it is indeed a relief.
I really appreciate the support.
Lots of love to you and yours!

[Jane]

It's always such a relief to get a solid diagnosis, because then you can constructively begin to deal with whatever it is. I know you are going to overcome this with your strong mind and great heart.

[greta]

Thank you so much, Jane.
I appreciate the love and support SO much!
It means the world to me.
Love to you, as always!