Fibromyalgia: Walking with my fibro buddy

Margaret has just celebrated her tenth walk with East Surrey Health Walks (Tandridge Group). 

Yet only eighteen months ago in January 2010, Margaret was in hospital because she couldn’t walk.

For her, the worst part was not knowing what was wrong.  It took more than a year, numerous tests and several doctors before Margaret finally got a diagnosis.

It was a rheumatologist who finally told her, earlier this year, that she had fibromyalgia.

I immediately felt better. I finally knew the name of what I was fighting, and I could start looking for ways to ease the symptoms of this syndrome.
Margaret

This first thing Margaret did was to call on the support of her oldest friend.  As soon as Margaret mentioned fibromyalgia, her friend said, “My sister-in-law, Sandra, has had fibromyalgia for six years!  You need to meet her.” 

Sandra started visiting Margaret regularly for chats and to offer support, and the two became, as Margaret says, ‘fibro buddies’.  After a few visits, Sandra, a health walk leader, invited Margaret to come along for a walk.  So she did.

I used to be so active when I was younger, working for most of my life with horses.  But the lung cancer I battled with in 2006 and then the fibromyalgia really took all of the strength out of my muscles.  I rarely left the house because I was afraid of suffering a fall, and that left me feeling isolated and lonely.
Margaret

When she first joined her local health walk, Margaret needed a three-wheeled support frame.  After only a couple of walks, she was able to switch to a walking stick.

I feel less tired after the walks now than I did when I first started, but they still leave me tired; I have a long way to go yet to get stronger.  But walking makes me feel 100% better mentally and happier than before I started walking with this group.  I still feel stressed by my condition, but the walking helps me deal with that, too.  Everyone’s so friendly.
Margaret