Joanne Smith spent years fighting chronic migraines, pain, and insomnia with ultramarathon training and strict diets, convinced she could heal herself. Two and a half years ago, doctors diagnosed fibromyalgia. She stopped chasing a cure and started taking medication to manage the condition instead.
I have to admit, I gave up the, um, I gave up my dream for recovery. I actually got myself to a point where I thought, I think I'm out of ideas. I think I've exhausted everything that I can do to get well. With many symptoms, chronic migraine, chronic leg pain, chronic back pain, chronic neck pain, eye pain, massive visual, all sorts of symptoms, insomnia, Jaw issues, ear issues, you name it. Massive issues, all sorts of things. I finally exhausted what I thought. I always was really passionate that I'm gonna get well, I'm gonna recover. I got really strong along the journey. I started running ultramarathons, for those of you that have known me some time. I did everything I could to be strong and healthy and fit and eat well and exhausted the options. Never ever Kind of given up the hope more than anything. And then I finally, about 2 and a half years ago, admitted defeat. Maybe, maybe I'm a dreamer. Maybe I'm living in hope. I've been told by all these doctors. I was finally like, I gave up and went back and said, I need some help. And I was referred to rheumatology and I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I was told, you're just gonna have to do the best you can I can't guarantee the best case outcome possible, and I came away, I'd admitted defeat. I accepted the medication that they gave me. I thought, I'll give it a try. I'm just exhausted.
