I am a single woman who struggles to learn to manage this "invisible" disease called Fibromyalgia.   Not having the recognition of "other" illnesses makes it difficult for us to get the assistance we need to maintain ourselves!

My life was turned upside down post an MVA in Feb.' 03 with an in city 5 car pile up.   I was the last car, or the first in the pile up that absorbed the impact of the 4 other vehicles.   One of the drivers had passed out and sent the two cars in front of him into mine 2-3 more times.   So my body absorbed more impact, and I was also twisted around since I wanted to leave my vehicle.

Since the MVA, I have not been able to return to a full time job, my insurance has denied my claim, regardless of the Sept.' 03 diagnosis of post MVA trauma FMS.   So, I not only feel debilitated by the illness, but have to worry about losing everything I have.   No matter what my Rheumatologist writes or other MD's, the insurance will not address my needs for medical treatment or the income replacement I paid for in my policy.   Ironically, they were willing to spend money on assessments to prove I was a fraud.   The cost for the assessments alone would pay for the medical treatment that I have been denied over the past year.

I find myself in turmoil and the light at the end of the tunnel does not even flicker at this time.   Unfortunately, my own strong will does not pay the bills I have to address in order to put a roof over my head, food on the plate, or fill prescriptions.   After my visits to FMS forums, this seems to be a constant struggle for those with this chronic illness.

MK