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Robin Kellick of Williamsport is seated with her dogs, Norman and Toby. Kellick was diagnosed with fibromyalgia more than 10 years ago. She says that she has had to learn to take time out for herself. (By Yvette May/Staff Photographer / June 29, 2012) |
But, regardless of how tough some days can be, Kellick said she won't let fibromyalgia get her down.
"I try to keep a routine, which I think is important," she noted. "It keeps me from thinking and worrying. I get up in the morning, let my dogs out, have a cup of coffee and, when the weather is warm, sit outside. In the afternoon, I lay down and if I do have to go out, I pace myself, which is true of everything I do during the day."
Kellick said she relies upon her faith, which helps her maintain a positive outlook on life.
"I've always had a strong faith, but it has deepened now more than ever. I have that higher power," she said. "I believe that there's a reason for everything."
Kellick said she currently takes several medications each day, uses a heating and cooling pad on a regular basis and always has a pillow close by for support —including in her car.
Along her fibromyalgia journey, Kellick said she has met some wonderful people, "who help boost my spirits and lend a sympathetic ear. It's important to have someone you can talk to."
But she couldn't get through her days, she added, without her husband.
"He has been my rock," she said. "He helps me in any way he can. He's been wonderful. No one can understand the pain, but he never doubts what I'm going through. I don't know what I'd do without him."
Since the diagnosis, Kellick said she has learned to eat better, take time for herself, have more patience and cry when she needs to.
"I also pray that it might not be like this forever," she added. "I'm hopeful that I'll be able to at least manage future pains that come with aging. And as far as my future? When I'm 70 or 80, I'll be so used to having pain that I'll tell everyone else, ‘get over it.' I think I'll be stronger than ever."
Fibromyalgia symptoms
The main symptom of fibromyalgia is pain, but not everyone experiences it the same way. Fibromyalgia pain may be felt as:
Additional common fibromyalgia symptoms may be felt as:
— FibroCenter.com
"I try to keep a routine, which I think is important," she noted. "It keeps me from thinking and worrying. I get up in the morning, let my dogs out, have a cup of coffee and, when the weather is warm, sit outside. In the afternoon, I lay down and if I do have to go out, I pace myself, which is true of everything I do during the day."
Kellick said she relies upon her faith, which helps her maintain a positive outlook on life.
"I've always had a strong faith, but it has deepened now more than ever. I have that higher power," she said. "I believe that there's a reason for everything."
Kellick said she currently takes several medications each day, uses a heating and cooling pad on a regular basis and always has a pillow close by for support —including in her car.
Along her fibromyalgia journey, Kellick said she has met some wonderful people, "who help boost my spirits and lend a sympathetic ear. It's important to have someone you can talk to."
But she couldn't get through her days, she added, without her husband.
"He has been my rock," she said. "He helps me in any way he can. He's been wonderful. No one can understand the pain, but he never doubts what I'm going through. I don't know what I'd do without him."
Since the diagnosis, Kellick said she has learned to eat better, take time for herself, have more patience and cry when she needs to.
"I also pray that it might not be like this forever," she added. "I'm hopeful that I'll be able to at least manage future pains that come with aging. And as far as my future? When I'm 70 or 80, I'll be so used to having pain that I'll tell everyone else, ‘get over it.' I think I'll be stronger than ever."
Fibromyalgia symptoms
The main symptom of fibromyalgia is pain, but not everyone experiences it the same way. Fibromyalgia pain may be felt as:
- Chronic pain
- Deep pain
- All-over pain
- Aching pain
- Radiating pain
- Shooting pain
- Tender pain
Additional common fibromyalgia symptoms may be felt as:
- Sleep disruptions
- Chronic fatigue
- Problems with memory and thinking clearly (sometimes called "fibro fog")
- Problems with depression and/or anxiety
- Overlapping conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, restless leg syndrome, migraines and others.
— FibroCenter.com
