I had been meaning to answer this, and of course never was motivated enough. When I saw it was active again. I decided to chime in. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 6 years ago about 15 months after I had my daughter. I at first thought it was just postpartum changes, lack of sleep, new mom syndrome. Looking back on it, I've had back problems, migraines, carpal tunnel, GI problems since my late teens/ early 20's. I've always had chronic pains, but the sleep issues,poor concentration/forgetfulness, chronic exhaustion was mind blowing. Leading to many specialists, and many antidepressant trials. I have tried both Lyrica and Cymblata with no significant benefit. I had returned to work part time, but I just couldn't focus to complete paperwork, I'd drive and not know how I got there, my attendance was poor, and the final straw was a patient error. I went on a leave, and 3 grueling years later was approved temporary disability. I have tried many things, PT, massage, many medicines,therapy. And I've seen many specialists. Recently seeing a gynecologists to see if hormones are playing a role in this. Again the answer, it's Fibro suck it up. I'm seeing a new female psychiatrist at present, and she says she likes a good challenge. Well here I am. :) It seems I'm flared the majority of the time, but winters are the worst! And I'm frustrated with the lack of benefit of any treatment, 9+ med trials, and counting. I feel like a shell of my former self, and most days I'm in tears thinking this isn't what my husband signed up for, and it's definitely not the kind of mom I want to be. Life just sucks! Reading the posts here, admiring everyone's gardens, and sense of humor usually brings a bright spot to my day. Even if I can't get motivated enough to plant seeds, or have the energy to work in the garden, I can live vicariously through you all. :) A little piece of my remaining sanity......LOL. Now if I can just remember where I put my seeds, and hope I don't forget where I'm going on the way out to plant them, or where I hid my milk jugs so I would be sure I didn't forget where they were. There are times I seriously think I can't keep doing this.But it takes on glance/word from my little girl, and I struggle on. Here's hoping for some new success. Thanks for letting me vent. Best wishes to all, hang in there!

Ray and Flowerfarmer, Your posts are inspiring. I do hope that the kids will want to flower farm too. I know the girls at least would do great at market. They just love to talk to just about everyone and usually the adults like to talk to them too. I am thinking of letting them sell mini boquets they grow and make up themselves. The market I am interested in selling at is going through a transition to local growers only. I am on the list but I don't believe the transition is quite final yet. I haven't been called to attend the meeting yet. I won't have enough flowers anyhow except later when the zinnias and sunflowers come. I have hopes that I can sell those to two other places (plus any others blooming at the same time) if the market doesn't work out (it should but you never know). This is definitely a trial year with lots of learning, building up soil, perennial counts and so on. Wow, Irish Eyes, I thought Ray's psychiatrist mention was funny. Btw, in case you are wondering, I am not trying to have it all (don't recall anyone else here trying to either). My family is first period. I stay at home to take care of them. Now that they are school age, I have more time to pursue gardening. We do not have a house in the suburbs or two expensive vehicles in the yard. Our vehicles are paid for and the 19 acres will cost us the same whether or not I flower farm. There has been quite a lot of mentioning in a matter of fact way about various ailments but I am fairly sure none of us would dream of complaining to customers. I of course take it that your advice was friendly and well meaning. I don't have lofty goals. I will be very satisfied if I can add interest to my life and some money by flower farming. Whether or not I ever actually sell flowers, I think gardening and flowers really add to my life. You are right about not having it all but I don't see a problem with trying to do better with what you already have? Also, I just wondered about people not wanting to cut the flowers after they grew them. I don't think I will have a terrible problem with that. Hubbies flower garden tempts me too much (off limits) but then I didn't grow those. Planting of perennials in rows is a bit of a different story. I really would like to make pretty little gardens with them but am holding off on that. I agree soil management will be necessary. I do know tons of sucessful farmers that don't use compost (don't know flower farmers other than here) so that is why I asked. Composting should start in a big way very soon (maybe even yet today) but not good enough for this year. Hopefully, I can find a good source soon. Shirley

I am only 19 years old, I have been suffering from chronic pain for over ten years.. I have been seeing a doctor since age 10 and that is when my file begins. At first I had bad posture. I saw my chiropractor once a week, was in a back brace and forced to perfect my posture.. no fix as my posture was fine. Then I was diagnosed with scoliosis.. at age ten, suffering from chronic migraines and sever constant neck, shoulder, and upper back pain. I was perscribed with Vi-ox, Vicodine and Valuim at age TEN! I cried all day in school, not even able to carry my own back pack.. coming home just to beg and beg and beg my father to rub my back more and more. As he dug his fists into the knots in my neck that refused to loosen a massage that would cripple an average person I found temporary relief. Then Vi-ox was recalled and I was continuously sent to a chiropractor, physical therapy, and a pain clinic that quickly became a financial burden. But it was all they could offer.. as I grew in age the pain worsened.. now to my lower back oh only a new curve? then my hips in which I've torn muscles doing basic exercise or just simply walking because my muscles were so tight and I gained tolerance to the vicodine and valium.. taking it on a regular basis for relief.. as I grew older I got impatient no longer being able to afford my chiropractor or physical therapy and suffering. I saw a specialist, and then a orthopedic surgeon who broke me the news that I indeed was not suffering from scoliosis.. my spine was normal and in perfect health. I began to stretch and run until the muscles in my hips would no longer allow me to do so. I would spend the majority of the day stretching and wake up stiff as a board. I grew helpless, I saw a therapist and was treated for depression because at this point I was suicidal and still with no relief.. in February of 2010 I was diagnosed by the rheumatoid specialist at the University of Michigan with fibromyalgia.. after two other professional opinions with the same answer I was given more vicodine more valium, Lyrica, cymbalta, trazadone, klonzaphan, xanax, etc. AT ONLY 18! I spent time and money with yoga classes more physical therapy and three other chiropractors and now after all my research I feel like I have hit a brick wall. who knows anything about this disease? NO ONE! do you give this diagnosis just to diagnose? I'm scared, I'm confused, and every minute of every day I am aching and aching and aching with the most sever pain you could ever imagine which has now crept into my knees. I cant sleep, I can't eat, I cant work, Focus on my school work, I'm not able to even enjoy the company of family and friends. these drugs do nothing for me.. the muscle relaxers and pain medications numb the pain and continue to kill my liver and my body. The depression has gotten so much worse and I feel there is no help for any of us out there. I am only 19.. how will i feel or cope in 30 years? if i even make it that long.. I need help, I'm desperate for help.. I don't know if I can take this a minute longer.. please, anyone.. save me.

That's sad. I didn't know about him and his research, but I'll look into it. Dr. Atkins died of a head injury, too. His work attracted a lot of controversy, but I think he made an important contribution. A start, at least. He was my physician in NYC.