It’s been a couple of weeks since I posted about the best part of giving up. I thought I would follow with an update on life living with, instead of fighting against, chronic daily migraine and fibromyalgia.

This time last year I had three to four specialist appointments a week. I would see my dental specialist for face pain and my neurologist for yet another medication attempt, and my physical therapist twice a week. I spent most of my days either visiting doctors or recovering from what they did to me.

As of today I have quit all the medications with nasty long term side effects and limited if no positive benefits. I am managing my joint pain with  Joint Comfort tea and Tramadol as needed. I am managing my headache with exercise, ice, and when absolutely necessary a pain killer.

This time last year I barely managed a shower every day. Now I get up, eat breakfast, feed the kids, get to school or at least help them get ready for school if I can’t drive that day. I clean the house and do laundry and make dinner. Delicious dinners too. I walk the dog nearly every day and my goal is every day. Now that I have a Wii Fit Balance Board in the house I work on my core muscle strength, arm strength, and flexibility playing video games for an hour every other day. (So sore!!) I am making it into work once a week with fewer missed days. I am working in my studio one or two days a week and painting for fun and relaxation here and there as well.

Through all of this my headache, joint pain, sore skin, and over sensitive nerve endings are ever present. They try to force themselves to the forefront of my consciousness on a regular basis. When they succeed I take a deep breath, acknowledge their presence, and work on relaxing my muscles and continuing my day. Sometimes they beat me and I have to go lie down and rest. I brew a pot of tea and snuggle my cat and either play a calming game or watch a show. I rest when I need to, I forgive myself when I cancel plans, and I accept that some days I will accomplish a lot and others I will make my cat and dog very happy.

I am in no worse pain than I was last year. I simply have stopped trying to defeat my enemy and am learning to live with it. I have found that simply stopping the medications removed the side effects from my life. Fewer side effects means more spoons. More spoons means a bigger life.

I am beginning to feel as though the darkest times are behind me for now. I can enjoy the burgeoning sunrise and enjoy time with my husband, adventures with my children, quiet morning coffees with my mother and shopping trips with my dad. Somehow, by embracing this disability, I am coming into my own.