It is really hard to come to terms with having a chronic disease and I think a lot of us have different ways to "protect" ourselves from admitting to ourselves that we have one, especially at the beginning. I work really hard to acknowledge that I have fibro, that it's changed my life, my memory, my relationships and some of my abilities. Some days I do a better job of it than others. Sometimes I try to live life the way I used to and feel like I can do anything I set my mind to (just like EmmaEarp). My body reminds me quickly that I can't! I struggle with feeling like I'm being a wimp and that other people handle having fibro better than I do. Intellectually I know that's not true but I tend to beat myself up.

Something that helps me a lot when I don't want to admit to myself that I have a disability or I'm feeling bad: I remind myself that whether I admit it to myself or not, I have fibromyalgia and it isn't going anywhere. Ignoring it doesn't help. If I treat the symptoms, there's always the chance that it will help, if I don't treat them I am guaranteed to feel awful. It isn't my fault that I have it and I'm not imagining it, it doesn't matter what other people think about me, my symptoms, my lack of energy, my brain fog etc. It doesn't matter if they believe it's real or not. I'm the one who has to live with it not them.

Just remember that you aren't alone and that everyone with fibro struggles emotionally in some way because of it. You aren't weak because you're struggling, you're human. And getting help isn't being weak, it's being responsible.

I can't even remember when I was diagnosed. I just remember always seeing the doc for this pain that pain to the point where he thought I was nuts. That's when he discovered it was fibro....
My new family physician is super supportive. I've been on doxepin since diagnosis to sleep because I am an insomniac. I never took anything for pain... ever. Until recently. When I was younger I counted on mind over matter and exercise to get through the day. It worked. Now I take cycloprine for the muscles at night. Tylenol 1s I'd I can't take the pain anymore ans the doxepin to sleep. I recently also discovered that diet has a lot to do with flare ups. I'm gluten Intolerant and lactose intolerant. Apparently gluten and dairy cause inflammation which aggrivates the fibro. So, officially gluten free dairy free and also switching to organic free range raised meats chicken and beef and sticking to mainly fish. I find that lifestyle affects fibro such as alchohol consumption too. Keep it to a minimum lose the dairy aND gluten and exercise more. It works for me not saying it's the solution for everyone but the medical facts and research are there everything is worth a shot. Get up dust off face the day like a champ!!

Before I was diagnosed with Fibro, I was taking meds for arthritis and found that nothing worked 100%. When I stopped those meds, my Fibro went into full swing. I still can't find anything that takes all of the pain away but I'm afraid to stop in case the pain is worse than what I feel.
We all want to get back to pre-Fibro days lol. It's so very frustrating to get fatigued from taking a shower. I don't know how many different meds I've been through. I think my combination I have now is the best. Sounds like you've found the best one even if you still get symptoms. I've spoken to many women with MS (because they have come to me thinking I also have it) and their meds help with the big symptoms, not everything.
All we can hope for is to find something that will let us function as much as possible.
Stay strong.
Take care

I think maybe it's denial. I know I'm still in denial, that's way I haven't went back to the rheumatologist. I've been seeing the pain clinic , they help ! but only my back and I think it's time I set down and try to get a better idea of what fibromyalgia really is and what I can do to help my self. Does anyone else have weakness in their legs and arms ? Sometimes I feel like they will give out , while I'm walking, before I get to the chair . With my arm when I'm holding my granddaughter or folding clothes I feel like I just can't do it.

I don't seem to do that . But i do do the denile thing and pay for it the next day. I think I can do things but I can't do it with out the pain increasing . Hugs and take care of ya self try not to be to hard on year self.