Jennifer Embree Dayton, OH I am twenty-two, a college student, a bride-to-be, and every day I struggle with the trials of Fibromyalagia. I started having symptoms when I was fifteen; numbing of the hands and feet, fatigue, Raynaud's syndrome, and numerous others. I went to my Pediatrician and was referred to a Rheumatologist. I was told there was nothing she could do for me; she was the head of Rheumatology at a very prestigious teaching hospital. As time passed my symptoms became more consistent, depression set in, digestive problems, sensitivities to noise, light, and smell, horrible pain radiating throughout my whole body, fatigue, and exhaustion. After much frustration with the doctors who continued to put me on medication after medication, I began to take my health in my own hands. After much research I came up with Fibromyalgia. I took my self-diagnosis to my Rheumatologist and after many struggles got him to agree: I have Fibromyalgia. So what does all this mean? Every day is a struggle, I cannot hold a job and I fear for my future. FM is a chronic illness, there are no two ways about it, many people suffer from its effects and as for me; it has ensured my distrust for our health care system. My life has been greatly effected by Fibromyalgia, for I know this will be with me for life. YOUR STORIES Karin M. Amour, Fibromyalgia Lyssa Bode, Chronic Fatigue Immune Disfunction Syndrome Frankie Campling, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Laura Cerasuolo, Fibromyalgia/Myofacialsyndrome Karen Cerio, Fibromyalgia Rhonda Dewinter, Various Immune Diseases Jennifer Embree, Fibromyalgia/Raynaud's Syndrome Lynne Enman, Turner Syndrome/Various Fibromyalgia Patient, Covington, KY John Kennedy, Chronic Fatigue Immune Disfunction Syndrome Susan Larick, Fibromyalgia Melissa Lawler, Fibromyalgia Irene Leeder, Fibromyalgia/Various Cait Lommel, Pseudotumor Cerebri Jennifer Munn, Chronic Lyme Disease Robin Poole, Fibromyalgia/Lupus Pam Schmidt, Phenylketonuria Lynn Tonoli, Various Various Patient, Haughton, LA Suzanne Witt, Muscular Dystrophy/Fibromyalgia ARCHIVED STORIES WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Jose Pedro Greer, Physician W.F. Nagle, Physician Ronda Riebman, Exercise Cathleen Schilling, Case Manager Jim Sykes Home | Awareness | Patient Files | The Challenge | Your Stories | Outreach | Resources About the Program | About Fred Friendly Seminars | Our Partners | Site Map | Credits © 2001 Fred Friendly Seminars, Inc.