It's Not In Your Head

I was 13/14 when I started with mild yet noticeable symptoms. I was aching, tired, got frustrated and confused easily, and was anxious. I was in and out of the Drs constantly, demanding answers as to why I felt this way. The longer it went on the worse I became. Drs would just put it down to Viruses or Stress from Exams.....I was made to feel it was 'All In My Head'.....But I knew it was more than that. I am now an Ambulance Driver and there was a period my symptoms became increasingly worse and noticeable and I was in and out of A&E. Eventually after all these years last year in 2015 I was finally given my diagnosis! I have been diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, IBS, Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease, Ectopic Heartbeat, Costa-Chondritis, TMJ Dysfunction, Joint Hyper Mobility Syndrome, and Chronic Pain Syndrome. (The Fibromyalgia is the culprit for most of my other conditions). When I was finally given the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS it was a relief, but also the upset that I was told there is 'No Cure'. But with a brilliant GP and people to support me I am slowly dealing with it. I've learnt that if I can't get rid of it, then I have to work with it. I've accepted I'm never gonna be what is classed as 'Normal'......But I refuse to let these illnesses defeat me. The fact that I look after people for a living gives me good strength as there are people out there worse off and it feels good and keeps me positive that even though I know I'm really not well, I can make a difference to someone else and make them feel better. I am on Amitriptyline to help my GAD and to help me sleep and Propranolol to deal with my Ectopic Heartbeat and by dealing with those it makes everything else a little easier to manage. I've got Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS.....But they certainly haven't got me! X