Michele’s Story
My “new life” is so positive and filled with hope that I hesitate to stir up old memories of my battle with Fibromyalgia. For 20 years, I struggled with this mysterious affliction. My illness began as a series of flu-like symptoms accompanied by extreme fatigue, weakness and pain in my arms and legs. Everyday tasks became overwhelming and something as simple as lifting a carton of milk from the refrigerator became a major challenge. I had two elementary school-aged children who were dependent upon me as their primary caregiver and that fact was sometimes my only motivation for getting out of bed. In an attempt to provide them with a “normal childhood” I altered my lifestyle, eliminating any unnecessary activities so I could focus what little energy I had on their needs.
Every outing, chore, or event meant at least a day or two of recovery. I felt as though I was living a “half-life” and prayed that I would live long enough to see my children grow up. The burden of living as the “sick” family member made me feel guilty and depressed and I knew it was difficult for them to understand how I could be so sick without showing any outward physical signs. Out in public I wore my “happy face”. No one saw the real me who woke up in the morning dragging my aching and stiff body out of bed, feeling like I was 100 years old.
My search for a cure led to multiple doctors and a host of possible diseases. Could it be Multiple Sclerosis, Arthritis, Lyme, Chronic Fatigue, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Diabetes, or was it just psychosomatic? Too many tests, numerous drugs, repeated lifestyle changes, and many years of disappointment and lost opportunity finally left me feeling hopeless, with a huge distrust of the medical profession.
However, in March of 2004, I made a last ditch attempt to find help and visited the Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Center of Dallas. Dr. Kippels began in-depth testing which revealed a thyroid dysfunction and multiple hormone imbalances that contributed to my debilitating symptoms in a major way. Once these issues were addressed and under control, I began feeling stronger and more energetic. And, it was not long before I began to feel as though I had been given a second chance at life!
Taking control of a condition that had controlled me for 20 years is a powerful feeling. My first step was to start walking and just 9 months after beginning treatment, my grown children and I walked the annual Dallas 5K Turkey Trot. Since then, I have also enrolled in a class at the Community College to begin a new career path and have participated in the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program in my community. My family is amazed at the “renewed” Michele they have in their midst. Even though I realize I must maintain an ongoing maintenance program, making up for that lost 20 years has become an exhilarating experience. I wake up each morning with a new vitality for life. Who knows what new adventure tomorrow might bring?