How Has Fibromyalgia Impacted Your Role as a Mom?
I was diagnosed back in 2000 for Fibromyalgia. I was 40 years old. I started out with muscle pain in my thighs and it gradually spread everywhere else except my lower legs and lower arms. I was diagnosed with Arthritis back in my early 30's in my hands and knees. Everything else I have, I have spent a lot of money on trying...
View MoreHow has fibromyalgia affected you as a mom?
Since I am older, I have grandchildren. I try to help my son out by taking them a few days a week. My one grandson is a toddler that loves me to hold him. The thing is, too much picking him up causes me a lot of pain in my hip and I can't move for a little while to even sit down or twist. So, my spouse has to take him for a minute until I can sit down. My body gets irritated and inflamed and I am in my room for a week trying to get it to calm down and doing only little things for a short period of time until then. I have to pick and choose what I do. I love my grandsons and it makes me very sad when I have to set out a weekend or something without them.
How do your children inspire you to keep on going?
I love my grandsons more then anything and I know they love being with me. I am lost without them because that was the kind of mother I was when I was healthy. I lived for my children. So, I try hard to keep doing what I can to help out. Some times though, you just can't because instead of just one part of your body hurting, it is the whole thing.
What advice do you have for other moms with fibromyalgia?
You have to pick and choose what you do around the house so you have what it takes to take care of your children or grandchildren. Maybe call in somebody to help clean the house once in a while if you have to. I hope they have a spouse that will help out with things to. You need that kind of support. Maybe if you have to, take turns doing things with a friend that has children in the same things you do so getting them to and from their activities will be handled. Explain to your children sometimes things are very hard on you because of pain you can't control and you have to take it easy once in a while and that it makes you sad when you can't be there for your children.
What do you wish your children would understand?
My adult son that I watch his children for, sometimes he doesn't understand that I am in a lot of pain from having them over here for a few days and I can't just keep pushing through. He will deal with it but he seems pretty disappointed about it. I don't have money to give my children so I do what I can personally for them while I am here.
