This week we are getting to know Fibro Warrior, Renee Ranallo. She lives in the middle of the desert in Salton City, CA (20 miles from the nearest traffic light). She was just diagnosed in January of 2015, at the age of 49.
Tell us a little about yourself:
I just turned 50 on 3/21, I’m married (20 yrs in May), we have 1 daughter (26) who lives just 4 miles away, 2 fur-children. I worked in Human Resources 18+ yrs before moving out to the desert, then worked at the local casino until May 2014 when the pain became too much. I used to enjoy off-roading until about 15 years ago when my back pain made me stop. We like to go target shooting, I love spending time with my hubby and daughter doing just about anything I’m able to. Now, I enjoy watching tv, going on Facebook, reading magazines and articles about Fibro.
What lead up to your diagnosis (symptoms, dr visits, etc)?
I had a 3-level cervical fusion surgery with bone from my hip in August 2013 and lumbar fusion with rods in November 2013. I returned to work in January 2014, still in pain but afraid to lose my job because we were in the process of buying a new home. The pain just kept getting worse, and it was different from before my surgeries. My surgeon said there was nothing more he could do, my pain specialist said there was nothing more he could do other than put in a pain pump, and my primary doctor checked for everything he could think of. When the pain got too bad (May 2014), he took me off work – permanently – saying I was doing more harm than good trying to work and being on my feet and/or sitting for hours at a time (I wasn’t able to finish any shifts at that point). When I told him that I couldn’t understand how spinal surgery could make my hurt all over, he checked for the trigger points, asked me a few more questions and said he believed I had Fibromyalgia. After some tests to rule out RA, Lupus, and a few others, he confirmed Fibro in Jan 2015.
After my diagnosis, I began doing research on Fibro and found that I had many symptoms – some for years – long before my diagnosis, I just didn’t know they were connected.
How many years did you have symptoms before you were diagnosed with fibromyalgia? Share on XHow did your family initially handle your illness?
They have been awesome! My hubby’s attitude was “at least we know what it is, now what do we do to make you feel better”. My daughter’s attitude was “what can I do to help?”
What do you feel is the most challenging aspect of Fibro?
Not knowing how I’m going to feel from one day to the next, not knowing what is going to trigger a flare up. Having people – even extended family – who still think I pick and choose when I get a flare. If there were a pain meter on my forehead to show them just how much pain I am in at any given moment, they would see that even when I manage to have a good time, I’m still in pain or have done something I can’t do often to control the pain that day (at my birthday party I just doubled up on Norco and took it every 2 hours – obviously I suffered major constipation issues the next few days!).
Do you have any other co-existing conditions?
I have chronic pain that is caused by permanent nerve damage in my lumbar spine (waited too long to have the surgery), spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, arthritis in my spine, bone spurs, scoliosis, and a couple others that I can’t begin to spell – all spinal related.
How open are you with friends & family about your illness & symptoms?
Very open – I want them to know there is a reason for me being the way I am. I have discovered that apparently I share a little too much and some have begun to “tune me out” when I start talking Fibro or chronic pain. I’ve even had a few people stop following me (not unfriend) because I “like” too many pages on Counting Spoons and Chronic Pain from a Patient’s Perspective pages on Facebook. Those are my “support groups” and I won’t give them up.
What have you done/ found that has helped?
When I get proper rest – including naps – I feel a little better. When my husband gently rubs muscle rub on my back, or if I’m in a flare and can’t handle being touched, Lidocaine patches help a bit.
What is the best advice you’ve received about Fibromyalgia?
Don’t feel guilty about taking care of myself. Reserve my spoons for special days or events and budget them wisely. Don’t be afraid to say “Sorry, I can’t do that”.
What was the worst advice that you followed?
Exercise more. I tried to “work through the pain” and walked around 2-3 residential blocks every day for 2 weeks, then when that hurt too much I tried walking every other day for 2 more weeks. I was in a flare for the entire month. Now I just walk when I feel up to it – about 1-2 times a week, for just about 1 block.
What is your favorite way to cope with your life as a spoonie?
Naps and support groups on Facebook.
What is it that inspires you to keep going, despite your illness?
My hubby and daughter. If it weren’t for them I probably wouldn’t be here. There are some days I just wonder if it’s worth all this pain to just survive the day, but then I think about them and realize, yes – it IS worth it.
What is one thing you’ve learned about yourself since your diagnosis?
I’m my own worst enemy. I try too hard to avoid asking for help.
What is the most important piece of advice you would give to someone newly diagnosed with Fibro (or even still seeking a diagnosis)?
Research – I’m still surprised by things I didn’t think were related, but that turn out to be symptoms of Fibro. Keep a journal of your pain/symptoms to show your doctor (if still seeking diagnosis), find a page or group online for support.
Is there anything else you’d like the readers to know?
Fibro isn’t the end of your world – it just feels like it sometimes. 🙂
If you’d like to get to know Renee better you can contact her via email at JandRRanallo at juno.com, or find her on Facebook – Renee Ranallo
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