Fibromyalgia Fog Frustration; Progress in Spite of It!

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3.7K followers

I had been challenged with learning to put images on my website. But now I have slayed that dragon, only to find that my images will not show up on my website. They look great on Site Content, but only a blue line with the title shows up online.

Fibromyalgia Rears Its Ugly Head

I have fibromyalgia, which sometimes causes "fibro fog". This makes my thinking "foggy", and I have difficulty processing new information or performing unfamiliar tasks. Sometimes it "sneaks up" on me, and I don't realize that I am in a fog until something happens that makes it obvious.

That was the case when I was working with SiteSupport in an attempt to solve the problem of my images not appearing online. They would give me instructions, I would attempt to follow them, only to become increasingly frustrated when I was unable to achieve the tasks they requested me to do. They asked me to send them a screenshot of the problem on Dropbox. I took the screenshot, signed up and downloaded it, and followed the instructions, but the file would not budge. It just sat there. Things went downhill from there, until I finally realized that I was in the midst of an episode of fibro fog.

Oh No, Not Again


Eventually, SiteSupport showed me that my image was a .doc instead of a .Jpg, when I was certain I had saved it as a .Jpg. They told me to use WordPress instead of SiteContent to add my images to my posts.

By then, I knew that I was not capable of dealing with the issue at that time due to the fogginess of my brain. I thought I would have to go back to the source of each of my images and re-save them, even though my images said that they had been saved as Jpegs. I told them that I was not capable of tackling that situation until the fog had cleared.

It is very embarrassing and frustrating when the fibromyalgia acts up and the fibro fog sets in. I feel stupid and lose my self confidence during those bouts of fogginess. I know that it is a temporary situation that will clear up when the fibromyalgia attack is over, but it is still very distressing when it occurs.

However, in spite of my frustration and embarrassment, pain, and fatigue from the fibromyalgia, I have made some progress during the past couple weeks.

Making Progress In Spite of It

I still have not tackled that job of moving all my content to WordPress and adding my images yet again, but I have been using my time to immerse myself in my niche and do research that does not involve new technical issues. These are activities that are not affected by the fibro.

I am excited to share with you that I have been accepted into the affiliate program for VeryFineDance Shoes, and given their approval to utilize their logo and images of their dance shoes. I will be using these in my review of ballroom dance shoes that I am writing for my website.

I've also made contact and discussed ballroom dance shoes with two dance instructors and am in the process of developing an affiliate program with DanceShoesofTennessee. They do not have a formal affiliate program at this time, but we will be discussing one, which I plan to pattern after some of the other affiliate programs I have read about and will be applying for.

I am now on a mailing list for information on ballroom dances that are occurring in the Asheville, NC area, and have found other resources for ballrooms in other cities as well. One of the dance instructors invited me to a dance this weekend, and said he knows several gentlemen who might be in the market for a dance partner! It would be so wonderful if my research for my website led to my having someone to dance with again! I probably won't go to the dance this weekend because I'm snowed in again, but am planning to go the next weekend.

One of the problems I plan to address on my website is where to go dancing. When my husband and I were traveling and wanted to go dancing, we did not know where to go, or how to find out where the ballrooms were in a strange city. (That was before the days of smart phones!) By providing a centralized place with links to a variety of cities' ballrooms, I can provide dancers with a service that they need.

One of my goals is to provide a page of links for ballrooms all over the US, and possibly other countries as well. Anyone out there in WA land know of ballrooms I can contact?

I'm feeling better today, and I think my head is clearing up, so hopefully I can finally complete Lesson 6 and move on to Lesson 7 this week!

Carol

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Recent Comments

74

Read your post and the comments as well. I also can completely relate. I have Lupus and fight the fog myself at times. Difficult to make plans or schedules when you are never 100% sure your body and mind will cooperate with your commitments.
I meditate a lot to help me. Know that is not the answer for everyone. It works to get my head back on straight when I feel floating about in the fog.
Your doing great!
All the best!
Christina

Hi, Christina. Don't think I've met you before, but appreciate your comments. I think it is helpful to have friends who are in similar situations who really do understand. We are so fortunate to have WA and this precious community. Following you. Just out of curiosity, what is your niche? Mine is ballroom dancing, something I love to do, but haven't done much since 1993, when my dance partner and I divorced. Carol

Hi Carol, I also have Fibro, plus Systemic Scleroderma and Rheumatoid arthritis all on top of my lung disease so I can totally relate to the brain fog!

I read the spoon theory a couple of years ago and it really is a good metaphor for what it's like living with chronic illness/disability.

You're cleary doing amazingly well in building your business and as you say, 'in spite of it'!

As you can see from all the comments here, we're certainly not alone and I don't know about you, but I find that rather comforting

Great post Carol, sending you a huge HUG (((((Carol)))))

Thanks, Juliana. Yes, there are several of us with chronic illnesses attempting to find a way to support ourselves or supplement our incomes that we can work on within the confines of our abilities. It is nice to meet others who are not giving up, but soldiering on in spite of our bodies not always cooperating with what our desires are. Thanks for the hug, and the support! That's so important! Here's a hug back at ya! HUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Any autoimmune disease carries brain fog and I have difficulty determining which of mine is actually acting up sometimes. I know how very frustrating it is, though! I have had this issue today.

I don't have to be in a full flare of any one thing for it to happen and having been sick and, honestly, still trying to ditch all the congestion that came with the flu, has left me feeling the fog myself.

Of course, as you know, I have a lot of stress on me right now that I have no option but to just go through. Stress helps no one, healthy or not.

I'm glad that you feel as if you are coming out of it now. It's great that you have still been able to accomplish things through this time. I have been making progress, too. It is slow coming some days, but it is there.

I am assuming you have heard of the spoon theory. If you haven't, you should Google it. We just have to remind ourselves that there will be days when it takes all our "spoons" just to get up, get dressed, and feed ourselves some days.

Anita

I get it too and totally sympathize!

Thank you!

Thanks, Jessica. That means a lot to me. Carol

I know what you mean about fibro fog appearing on its own, even without a flare up. That's one of the most frustrating parts of dealing with it! Loved the spoon theory. Hadn't heard about it before, but will be sharing it with a lot of friends and family, because it explains things so well.

My sister died of lupus when she was only 51, and her daughter, who is in her late 40s has been sick for years without a definite diagnosis. I'm going to send this to her right now. Thanks so much, Anita. Carol

Hi Anita,

Just read the "Spoon" theory, it hits the nail on the head, doesn't it!

Thanx for your help.

Steve

I can see you becoming a real authority in your chosen niche. It is encouraging to see you fighting through your challenges.

Thanks, John. That means a lot to me. Carol

You could not have expressed it any better. Glad that nasty fog is lifting. Keep on keeping on!

Thanks, Darleen. Are you familiar with the spoon theory, as Anita mentioned above? I hadn't heard of it before, but it certainly does explain what it's like to live with a chronic illness. Carol

Hi Carol
I get what you say about Fibro Fog - I also get sore spots on my skin which I cannot touch, and if I move a certain way serious pain. Having osteo and rheumatoid arthritis with it too doesn't help.

If you ever need to touch base drop me a PM, I also know Fibro has a few manifestations.

Steve

Thanks, Steve. That's thoughtful of you. Had you ever heard of the spoon theory that Anita mentioned above? I hadn't heard of it before, but just Googled it. It really explains what it's like living with a chronic illness. You might want to look it up. Carol

Will be looking at the spoon theory later today. I hadn't heard of it either, sounds interesting though. Thanx. Steve

Hi Carol,

read "spoon" theory just now - wow!
Can show this to my children, who do understand but this will help a lot.

An amazing explanation.

Steve

You are doing so well Carol! Wow! You are making great progress with all of those connection, leads and ideas! I am so happy for you! Don't get discouraged. You are really doing so well!

Congrats!

Jessica

Thanks, Jessica. I appreciate that. When I've been stuck for so long on Lesson 6, I don't feel like I'm making much progress, but when I take inventory on the other things I've been doing, I can tell that I really am. Carol

I understand the fog issue too. My problems (still undiagnosed auto-immune conditions, the doctor knows I have some but not sure which ones) cause it. It is always worst in the morning when I can barely function. It makes getting ready for work and driving in on the freeway a challenge so my boss lets me work a later shift when I need to.

My niece,who is in her late 40s, is in a similar situation. Her mother had lupus and scleroderma, and the docs went back and forth with her diagnosis for years because the symptoms overlap each other a lot.

I have a friend with scleroderma also. It sounds terrible.

Yes, it is really awful. My sister had gangrene in her fingertips from Raynaud's syndrome...the small blood vessels in her fingers stayed constricted, and she wasn't getting enough blood flow to them. She had a cardiac arrest and died having outpatient surgery to try to restore the circulation to her fingertips.

Oh my goodness. I am so sorry to hear that Carol. Auto-immune diseases are so serious and so poorly understood. There are many of us who don't get diagnosed or it takes decades and in the meantime it is so hard to even explain what we are going through. Then after the diagnosis there still isn't a cure, just management of the symptoms. That is part of why I am so excited to embark on my new website. I have already had a lot of interest from people. I don't have the cure but I have found ways to feel better.

I wish you all the best, Carol. Keep going at whatever rate works for you. No need to be embarrassed nor frustrated. It's what it is for now.

I believe in you!
David

You're right, David. Thanks. Carol

There is probably many long answers to what you have written but as I am in a haze, mist, fog of my own, I will simply say you are doing amazing and it really sounds as though your plans are coming together.

Take a day to be proud of yourself and appreciate all your efforts, well done!!

Wayne

Thanks, Wayne. How is the Super Affiliate program going?

Foggy!

Have fun!

Wayne

Wondered if that was what you were foggy about! Got a laugh outta me. I needed that! Carol

Hey Carol

It’s all about finding that laugh! Keep smiling that’s what it’s all about and laughing is better. I was more frustrated than anything, it will fall into place, sometime this year! Lol

Cheryl did a post yesterday about giving up and I told her of my day with me covered in smelly stuff. My day of distraction but still not thinking today.

If we can smile about it all, it’s not such a bad thing.

Enjoy things there!

Wayne

I can certainly relate to your day covered in that stinky stuff! And certainly understand frustration and foggy thinking!!! Let's hope tomorrow is better for both of us! (And Cheryl, too!)

Hi Carol

I went to bed thinking about branding last night, I’m seeing more about the bigger scheme of things. I get it, well getting it.

My last 25 years working as a Quantity Surveyor, so affiliate marketing really is a new thing. I’m up for the challenge though.

Foggy days are fine sometimes. I just took two days of distractions and I’m a bit perkier today.

Have the most wonderful day, my friend Carol!

Wayne

Glad you're starting to feel more comfortable. I can relate, as I spent 25 years as an occupational therapist, so building a website is foreign territory to me. It's just the technical stuff that really gets me. I suppose someday we'll look back on these days and laugh at how illiterate we were in the affiliate marketing world!

OMG, did I use the word comfortable? Probably half the problem, comfortable, I have spent the last 5 years travelling, probably a little to relaxed?

One day at a time is a phrase I used to use a lot. No more past (depression), no more future (anxiety), just the present, nice people and chit chats and suceesful business's of course!!

Cheers Carol!

Wayne

Sorry to give you a heart attack, Wayne! You didn't use the "C" word...I did. All you said was that you're starting to "get it".

Lol! I’m ok, just plodding a little lately. The fog is lifting or may be just cleaning my spectacles was all it needed?

I hope you are coasting along!

Talk soon!

Wayne

Cleaning your glasses is always a good idea! Still struggling with the images not showing up on my website, but Jessica sent me explicit instructions for using WordPress to do it instead of SiteContent, so hopefully THAT will solve my problem! Enjoy the vision from your shiny, clean spectacles! Carol

I may even start cleaning them daily, it was so much brighter! Lol

Enjoy your pictures!

Have a great day!

Wayne

It's amazing how that happens!

I love your attitude Carol, and I thank you for sharing your story here.

Thanks, Mia. My attitude wasn't that great when I kept having trouble understanding what SiteSupport wanted me to do. But things are looking better today.

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