I've posted about my chronic pain 2 months ago. To summarize it, ever since I have had a sport injury on my right wrist... I'm dealing with chronic pain that does not want to go away. It started with my lower right arm and gradually spreaded to my elbow, shoulder, back, left arm, wrists, legs, neck etc.

I've seen a number of doctors to find out what's causing it and to battle it. I've had 2 surgeries for what looked like a cause of the pain. 1 was for exercise-induced compartment syndrome and 1 for carpal tunnel syndrome. Sadly, both surgeries did not help.

now what...?

I've visited a rheumatologist to find out if that may be a underlying cause. She did her research and found out that ALL my tendon insertions are EXTREMELY painful when you press them (lightly). Even on places I didn't knew that were that sensitive. Blood work turned didn't show anything, and the rheumatologist that it points to Fibromyalgia. I've had a long conversation with a rheumatic consultant about it, also to try and take away my doubts about Fibromyalgia because I am kind of sceptical about Fibromyalgia as a whole.

Currently there is no 'effective' way to treat Fibromyalgia to point that you're cured. It's chronic, like other Rheumatic conditions are. It is not an officially accepted condition by official agencies here in The Netherlands.

Because of all these appointments I have had to change my battle plan.

Nr. 1 is to make a chart of what can trigger the pain. For instance, I found out that alcohol can be a big trigger. I won't have to worry about having a hang-over because the pain in the rest of my body is way worse for the rest of the day.

I have to accept some limitations. I am somebody that still try to do everything, even though it can hurt but in some cases I need to take a step back and really plan things. For instance, I know know that over-reaching for something can very easily and painfully pull some muscles in my shoulder, so... I should try to not do that anymore. But I don't pain holding me back, so as long as it's not pulling muscles etc. I still try to do everything normally as much as I can.

I am going to try to increase doing some sports. I am already making sure that I get enough exercise during the day by walking etc. (my kids also make sure that I get enough of it haha) but I'm going to try and lightly increase the exercise by including some fitness to try and strengthen my muscles a bit. I still have to watch out with the intensity for my arms due to the compartment syndrome so I really do need to build it up lightly.

Combined with the exercise, I am making sure that I'm eating properly. That doesn't mean that I'm on a organic tour. Just that I make sure that I'm eating at correct intervals (breakfast, lunch, dinner etc) , eating enough fruits, vegetables and that I don't eat too much to keep my weight at a correct level.

All that's left for me to do now is to have 1 more talk at the hospital to see if something can be done when the pain is heavy during the day. I don't want to be on medication 24/7. Especially not when it has nasty side-effects. I just want something that I can take when I'm having a bad day. I've read some good stuff about Cannabis but I don't want to smoke it and get high and the oil is pretty expensive so it might be a good thing to talk with my insurance about it.

If anybody that reads this is also battling with this, I am really interested in how you are handling it.

I still see the entire thing as the panorama that I've shot above. It's a storm... but the sun is shining at the end.