Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 brotherjgizmo Jan 29, 2009 14:10:32	Anyway I've been in a long-distance relationship with my girlfriend for a year and 2 months now. The first day I met her I learned that she had fibromyalgia (or that's what the doctors have diagnosed he with as she doesn't present the necessary number of symptoms to be diagnosed with lupus). Anybody else knows about someone with any of these two conditions and has any advise (if things go well I may very well be marrying her in a couple of years when we have both secure jobs and living space).
#2 terronus Jan 29, 2009 14:50:55	My mother has had fibromyalgia for several years and has recently started therapeutic massages. I don't mean to promote this as any kind of cure, but it certainly alleviates her symptoms. She has said she's felt better than she has in several years and (she's an older gal) started working regularly in her garden again. So while it may not solve the root problem, if your girl can make the investment, regular massages (from a good masseuse, of course) may help her feel more comfortable on a regular basis.
#3 Johnathan_Vagabond Jan 29, 2009 17:23:24	From what I understand Fibromyalgia is 'ghost pain'. There's no recognizable reason for it (wikipedia lists 8 theories) but that doesn't make you not hurt. My guess is that, right now, Fibromyalgia is a catchall disease. While two patients may both have Fibromyalgia, they probably both have different (but unknown) underlying causes. Because the doctor doesn't know the underlying cause (not their fault, no one does) they catagorize it under the symptom. I'd guess that as we learn more about it 'fibromyalgia' itself will disappear as a disease and emerge as a symptom. Lupus, on the other hand, is composed of a variety of auto-immune disorders. One lupus patient I met (when I had never heard of it before) described it as AIDS that can't be transmitted. Your immune system goes kamikazi on the rest of your cells and kills you slowly. It's favorite targets are the least desireable ones (heart, lungs, nervous system, blood vessels). But wikipedia says that with modern medicine fatalities are becoming rarer. They don't cure Lupus, but they do handle it's (sometimes life-threatening) symptoms.
#4 brotherjgizmo Jan 29, 2009 17:33:08	Well yeah, you're basically right there. Lupus is the more serious of these 'Sisters' and my girlfriend sometimes worries to the point of tears about being diagnosed with it —even though she has never demonstrated enough symptoms to be diagnosed with it (her mom tells me her worries come not because of fear from Lupus, she knows that modern medicine makes life with lupus 'normal', but rather that my girlfriend is worried that she won't be able to take care of me (I'm a diabetic). I tell her not to worry, but those bad days she can't help it (same thing happens with me when I begin to worry about my condition and if I'll be able to give her the care she needs as well). Either way, thanks for the responses you guys.
#5 terronus Jan 29, 2009 17:40:25	my girlfriend is worried that she won't be able to take care of me (I'm a diabetic). I tell her not to worry, but those bad days she can't help it (same thing happens with me when I begin to worry about my condition and if I'll be able to give her the care she needs as well). Wow, that struck home. I've been type 1 diabetic since I was 11. You're not alone man, and if it comes to the stress of the issue, I do suggest therapeutic methods. Again... its a constant battle, but it can really alleviate so much of the negative aspects of such a condition.
#6 brotherjgizmo Jan 30, 2009 9:53:58	Ja ja ja. Thanks man but actually I've been diabetic since 5 years so I'm ok with it, most of the time I'm proud of being a healthy diabetic.