Reflective Essay: How Fibromyalgia Changed My Life

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and TMJ in the eighth grade. It completely altered my life and how I lived it. I underwent surgeries and various blood tests to deduce what conditions I could have had. The surgeries and blood tests never revealed that anything was problematic with my body. In order to acquire a definite diagnosis, I had to endure a series of pokes and taps of the tender points for a fibromyalgia patient. Having fibromyalgia was inevitable. Every point touched on my body there was a stabbing sensation. My temporomandibular joint, predominantly known as TMJ, was diagnosed when the doctor felt and fondled my jaw and pushed on the pain sites. Right then and there I was given the news that I had TMJ.
My TMJ was treated by using electric shock therapy on my jaw to help relax it more and reduce pain. I …show more content…
I struggle to keep up with other athletes at times because fibromyalgia causes me immense pain. I have taken seizure medications in an effort to ease my overactive nerves, but no medication has relieved my pain yet.
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome my freshmen year. I had no choice but to go through surgery in attempt to open my airways to improve breathing, which was unsuccessful. Due to lack of sleep and breathing, I had to carry out a sleep study. Spending the night at the hospital and responding to additional questions aided the sleep specialists in deciding what was wrong with me. The specialists came to the conclusion that I had sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome.
To help treat my sleep apnea, I am restricted to only sleeping on my sides. Sleeping on my back or stomach blocks airflow to my lungs. I take a few different types of prescribed sleeps aids and I have a sound machine to assist me in falling asleep. Since I also have restless leg syndrome, I am required to take iron tablets and vitamin C gummies to prevent my legs from moving in my