YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A companion online community discussion board for The Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast with Paul Gilmartin

Hey All-
So I have pretty bad fibromyalgia. When I have a "flare" it is a combination of really bad pain and a chronic fatigue-like exhaustion. It is a big decision to get up and get a book or just stay in bed. I have to cancel out on about 40% of things I plan. Sometimes expensive--had ticket to Morrissey and was in bed during concert. Miss meetings with friends and hope they don't think I am faking it

Anyway, I have a flare right now and have tickets to the Pixies tonight. Bought them months ago.

I say "Fuck it! I'm gonna drag my sorry butt out of bed and go!" Hope I feel okay!

Wah, wah!

Hope the concert rocked!

It was great, Manuel! Thanks for the wishes !

I am so glad you went, I just saw the Dallas show, amazing!! and so good for the soul!!

I would like to hear more about how you cope with this issue. While I don't have fibromyalgia, I relate to the feeling of extreme fatigue and needing to cancel plans (or at least wishing I could). When you are able to pull yourself out to a show like this, how do you feel during the event? Are you able to enjoy yourself or do you use all your energy staying upright? How long does it take you to recover afterward? Do you, like me, find yourself having anticipatory anxiety about plans because of how bad you might feel that day?

I am so glad you made it to The Pixies though! I saw them in Feb. and it was amazing!