Hello everyone. I hope you’re all doing as well as can be.
I’m in a bit of a dilemma.
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia by my internist in July after I had complained about widespread pain including back spasms, fatigue, etc.
I was laid off from my job from a place that helped people with low vision in March due to COVID-19 and has been on unemployment and Medicaid since.
My fibromyalgia symptoms really reared their head afterward but I’ve been going through symptoms for at least 2 years with headaches.
On Labor Day 2018, I had the first of 30 plus acute angle-closure glaucoma attacks in my left eye and side of my head. The most excruciating pain ever.
My internist and I thought I had migraines and was treated for such.
Simultaneously I was diagnosed with a cataract in my left eye and retina holes in my right eye.
After finally getting the diagnosis of glaucoma in April 2019 after a referral from my doctor they had to do multiple laser surgeries and cataract surgery to manage my condition since my pressures were so high.
As a result of going through more vision loss, I left my job at a pharmacy warehouse and tried to start over again. Looking back I had fibromyalgia symptoms like headaches and restless legs that I couldn’t connect the dots to.
I guess enduring both of my parents’ deaths from cancer in 2013 and 2014 and my grandmother’s death from dementia in 2017 took a toll on me in every way possible.
I have had to advocate for my health in various ways and it’s so tiring.
I want to go back to work but I don’t know how to go about it. My doctor has me on Cymbalta and amitriptyline but my sleep is still sporadic with nightmares of my parents usually if I do sleep which is usually in small increments.
My doctor diagnosed me with chronic PTSD and depression along with fibromyalgia.
I’ve listened to his instructions taking walks but no matter what I do I feel winded no matter what I do and have to rest. I’m a 36 year old man who has slowly lost independence because of health issues like my vision and now fibromyalgia.
I don’t know if I can ever get back to a place where I can work part time let along full-time. If I can’t and file for disability they apparently want a rheumatologists opinion. More doctors appointments and medicine to be a guinea pig satisfying people’s criteria. Smh.
I apologize for this being long but I guess I needed to vent. These past 8 years for me have been daunting.
If anyone has ANY suggestions I’m all ears.
Thank you for reading.
