Posted by TENA/ DIAMOND on 1/2/2009, 4:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Letter to NY Times #10"
Hi- I'm a 39 year old woman, mother of two, ages 10 and 7. I was diagnosed back in 2000 with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Later, in early 2007, discovering my pain was not RA, but Fibromyalgia. My new Doctor put me on Lyrica because it was the newest drug out there at that time. Now, I'm not one to take much medicine. I'm
more of the belief that exercise and a positive attitude can win over the pain most days. I actively play tennis and suffer through it sometimes. It keeps me going because I love the sport of it and I feel its good for the soul/mind. I started the Lyrica in spite of my beliefs and found that the side effects of sleepiness was more than I could handle in the am with the kids. So I stopped even though I was feeling less pain. So....time passed and I stayed active and went through my days faking it with the smile, as all Fibro people do. Then I had a stressful situation happen and my body gave in. I could not walk for days. Started back on the Lyrica and have been 80% better. I have not gained ANY weight, which I believe is because I stay fit and see the benefits of exercise with Fibro. I have issue with Alex Berenson, someone who clearly does not live with the pain and the difficulties that come with the diagnose of Fibro. or any other debilitating pain.
Not everyone takes the diagnose as a "medical condition" and falls into a depression with it. Its very assuming of the writer to put us all into that category. Until you walk in the shoes, don't judge!. Of course the drug companies are going to make a ton of money. They are in the business to!!. They are also in the business to help people in need. People who are waiting for new meds to help them feel like they use to, as they remember. Mr. Berenson should be ashamed in himself in trying to limit the growth of help with Fibromyalgia. Just because someone has access to a paint brush and canvas does not mean they should color the world with untrue ugliness. Hopefully the world will choose to ignore his opinion to the disease he clearly does not understand. Lyrica IS helpful and that is what should be told. Stacey A. Chicago IL ************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* ***** To Whom It May Concern, Yes, I was very upset by the
comments concerning the article in the New York Times by Dr. Wolfe and other MDs that Fibromyalgia is not a disease. As an eight year survivor of Fibromyalgia I can defiitely tell you this disease exists as I have lived it painfully every day. I am buoyed by the fact that Fibromyalgia patients, although weak mentally, physically and emotionally, we are strong in number and we will not let these naysayers push us around. I personally feel I am proud, that even though there have been some physicians who have just said my pain was all in my head, I kept knocking on doors until I found medical treatment and will continue to do so in the future. So Dr. Wolfe can write an article and then recant it all he wants, I will perserve over him and all the other physicians who try to keep me from treatments to treat my Fibromyalgia. Sincerely, Heather Gomez ************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* ***** This article is a big joke. I
have fibromyalgia. It greatly impacts my life. It is a REAL disease. I often wish that people without fibromyalgia, would have to live in my body. Many of them wouldn't last a week. They would understand what I face each day. I have learned to live with the pain. It is usually unbearable and never goes away, but my life continues. I would not want to be a patient of those doctors who do not believe that fibromyalgia exists. I have news for them--It is REAL!!!! I am greatful to the doctors who believe fibromyalgia exits. Shame on the newspaper for printing this article!!! You need to interview one of the many doctors who are researching fibromyalgia. Ms. Tammy J. Schalesky Minot, ND ************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* ***** FAIR USE NOTICE This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to
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I JUST HAVE TO SAY THAT I FEEL THAT THE REPORTER DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT FOR LIVING WITH THIS DISEASE FOR SO MANY YEARS, JUST THINKING OF GETTING SOMETHING TO EAT, IS AN EFFORT. I AM FED UP WITH THE DAILY PAIN AND FEELING SICK . I HAVE NO QUALITY OF LIFE AND I HAVE A FAMILY TO CARE FOR. I WOULD DO ANYTHING NOT TO BE LIKE THIS. THANK YOU . TENA/DIAMOND
PLEASE ....IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW SUFFERS FROM THIS , PASS IT ALONG AND HOPE WE CAN MAKE A DIFFRENCE !!
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