My Fibro Story by Adrienne Dellwo: “Fibromyalgia may have taken away the TV career that I loved, but it also gave me an opportunity to do something much more personally rewarding.”

As About.com’s  “Guide” on Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Adrienne Dellwo is one of the top writers and bloggers on CFS and fibromyalgia, regularly bringing her readers the latest news on groundbreaking research, treatment options and tips on managing the chronic pain illnesses.

We are very fortunate that Adrienne took some time out of her busy schedule to write “My Fibro Story,” an exclusive on FibroBlog!

My Fibro Story
By Adrienne Dellwo

I used to be a TV news producer. I thrived on stress, juggled multiple tasks and tight deadlines with ease, and loved working in a noisy, chaotic environment where I never knew what would happen next.

Then, the fibromyalgia that had been creeping up since the birth of my second child leapt onto center stage in my life. My dream job became a nightmare — the stress caused intense pain to ricochet through my abdomen; I lost the ability to multitask; the constantly looming deadlines threw me into a panic; my short-term memory was gone; and the general hubbub surrounding me all the time overwhelmed my brain and left me, on some days, unable to do even the basics of my job.

I’d arrive home (on the days I didn’t call in sick) only to have nothing left for my family, collapsing on the couch in agony instead of cooking dinner or playing with kids. My husband was left with all the work of running a household and raising two young children, as well as taking care of me.

We needed my income, so when I finally decided I had to leave TV news behind, I had two options: applying for Social Security disability, or becoming a freelance writer. It was scary, because I had no idea whether I could be successful with either option.

Right away, my health improved tremendously. I spent what time I could preparing a Social Security claim and scouring the Internet for writing jobs. I also did a lot of research on my illness.

Then one day I came across a job listing: About.com Guide to Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I said to myself, “That’s my job.” After a rather long and grueling process that involved a lot of writing, research, and tinkering with technology, About.com agreed and I became the new Guide. That was almost three years ago.

Staying on top of research and talking to other fibromites has helped me find treatments that work for me, and of course it’s incredibly helpful to communicate with people who truly understand what you’re going through. When I started, though, I had no idea how rewarding this job would be — I’m regularly brought to tears by stories from readers who say I’ve made a difference in their lives. That’s an amazing thing. I’ve learned that some of the most powerful words in the English language are, “I’ve been there, I believe you, and I understand.”

My blog is one of the more important aspects of my job and takes the largest chunk of time. Even with major improvements in my health, some days I just don’t have the energy to write, or the fibro fog is too thick. Fortunately, I have the freedom to work when I’m able and rest when I’m not, and I can read emails from readers or comments left on my blog for inspiration.

About.com is a great company to work for. They provide all the high-tech tools and support, as well as an amazing platform for unique voices. Even though I work from home, I don’t feel like I’m in this alone. Also, where else can you get a job because you have a chronic illness? Fibromyalgia may have taken away the TV career that I loved, but it also gave me an opportunity to do something much more personally rewarding.

For the chronically ill, blogging is a powerful thing. We often feel isolated and invisible, but when we put ourselves out there in a blog, we suddenly have a voice, and we start to build a community. It does take a lot of energy, especially when you explore topics that are emotionally taxing, but the end result is worth it. I know I’m never alone in this, and I can help other people see that they’re not alone, either.

Today, I’m actually grateful that my life didn’t continue on its original path. I went into news because I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, but I touch more people in a more meaningful way now. The time I can now spend with my family is invaluable, and I’ve even managed to cobble together a social life, with friends who understand my limitations.

While I’d like to be in perfect health, I’ll settle for making slow, steady progress. The people I’ve met on this journey have enriched my life more than I could ever enrich theirs. Even if I were suddenly in perfect health, I would never go back to my old life. I was forced to slow down, re-prioritize, and simplify my life, and I’m happy for that. It’s given me far more than my illness has taken away.

Tags: Adrienne Dellwo, fibromyalgia, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Guide, national fibromyalgia association