Hi: My name is Paula. I'm not actually "from" Rhode Island, but I lived there for a little over five years. Kerrie invited me to join anyway. I composed a letter of introduction yesterday, but I didn't send it. Glad I didn't. It was just as horrible as I felt. I thought I was coming  out  of a flare, but then good ol Fibro reared it's ugly head and BOOM. I ache all over, even my eyelashes hurt. I was mad as hell at the world and depressed and just felt like exploding. I stood in the kitchen and bawled for two hours. I took some Ultram and some Ativan and tried to lay down and rest. Today I slept until 9:30. I feel a little better. I know I've had Fibro/CFS for about 15 years. The symptoms just started to slowly creep up on me. It was after I got Lyme Disease. I farted around with Doctor after doctor. They took tests and scans etc and gave me Rx for headaches, muscle relaxers, beta blockers, etc. One doctor even asked me if I didn't have anything better to do that sit in the clinic! About two years ago I saw a doctor at the University Medical Center on what I thought was an unrelated subject. He asked a ton of questions, ran a battery of tests to rule out some diseases and asked me if I had ever heard of Fibro. I told him that my sister has it and I have so many of the same symptoms. Two doctor appointments,and one psychiatric evaluation later they all concluded that it was indeed Fibro/CFS. I also have TMJ and a host of other diseases. When I'm not hurting so bad I can be a real fun person, but when I'm flaring I can go bear hunting with a broom. Have a nice weekend. Gentle hugs...Paula