This is a wonderful thread! I have fibro, M/E (used to be called Chronic Fatigue) and osteoarthritis. I've been very fortunate to have doctors that understand but I've just moved to a remote area of Arkansas and there are no rheumatologists here. Since I've found a family MD that's willing to write the rx's for what I take, I'm not going to bother trying to find a rheumatologist.

I've been living with fibro and M/E for 8 years. I've done tons of research and nobody really knows what causes these diseases. They have learned it may be a traumatic experience...either physical or emotional...and they know that the genetic make-up of those who get sick is different from those who don't.

Having gone through so many different meds and having none of them make me well, I've learned to pace myself and listen to my body. I can no longer work and only have a few hours in each day that I can be physically active. So I decide what I'm going to do each day, get it done if possible, and just stay put the rest of the time. It's been very hard but I'm gradually increasing the number of hours a day I can be active and that's a big plus.