Benny Cook's Page

Hi Ben, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I'm currently working full-time and that takes just about every bit of energy I can muster. I am lucky that I can work again, but for years I believed that I would never get better. Although I was in a relationship, I felt very isolated because I received very little emotional support, and even guilt about bringing my partner down to my level of existance. Another issue was trying to express how I was actually feeling and either being told that I was being "negative" or getting the "I feel tired too" response. You certainly find out who your real friends are. I recently contacted someone whom I considered to be a good friend, but had lost contact with. I couldn't remember the reason, but she reminded me that she had ended our friendship after I had "dumped" on her. I had actually written her a letter explaining what I was going through with my illness, and she had somehow taken offence. Needless to say, I won't be contacting her again. One thing that helped my FMS was hydrotherapy. I used to go to a rehabilitation hospital in Melbourne. I received gentle physiotherapy in the pool. At first it wiped me out and I would arrived home exhausted. After a few months I had enough strength to go to the local aquatic centre and do the exercises by myself. I also went to a community health centre for ultrasound therapy. It's not for everyone, but it did help me. I hope that the antibiotic therapy works for you, or you at least notice some improvement. Hang in there. John