Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Please join me at Lime Salon - Inverkeithing at 6pm on Friday 27th July, 2018 when I will be shaving my head (more correctly, Calum will be shaving my head) to raise awareness and money for a wonderful charity who's work is of great importance to myself and so many others - Fibromyalgia Action UK.  

(I am also about to celebrate my 50th birthday and thought it would be a great excuse to find out what my natural hair colour is these days. Am pretty sure most of my blonde has been replaced with grey, or white or perhaps silver!)

In 1989, at the age of 21, I was diagnosed with something called Fibromyalgia. Back then there wasn't a great deal of knowledge about the disease and treatment was rather "hit and miss".  I was prescribed several very strong antidepressants which made me feel worse than I did without them. I was young and had always been extremely active. I worked as a Lifeguard and Swimming Instructor and even took part in the first Wang International Triathlon as part of a Co-ed Team (and of course we took 1st place!). Then, out of the blue I was struck down with pain throughout my body, difficulty sleeping, muscle tremors, memory loss and the list goes on. After 3 years of heavy medication, I decided I couldn't continue with the drugs and I would fight this horrible chronic condition and take back my life. With my GP's blessing, I came off all medications and pretty much used mind over matter to try to overcome my illness. 

For almost 24 years I managed to control the disease. Then, after several illnesses and surgeries, Fibromyalgia reared its ugly head once more. 3 years ago I was once again struck down by this horrible, devastating and debilitating disease. I hurt all the time. Not the kind of hurt that an Aspirin makes better, constant, at times excruciating pain, I now struggle to walk and am forced to use walking sticks or crutches depending on the day. When I go anywhere that I would have to be walking any distance I have to use a wheelchair or power chair. The painkillers don't take the pain away. The drugs used to treat Fibromyalgia have caused me to gain over 10 stone. My immune system is compromised and I am exhausted all of the time.  I am no longer able to work due to the pain and memory loss (or Fibro Fog as it is called).  People I considered good friends have dropped out of my life. I have days where I struggle to get out of bed. My legs are outrageously swollen all of the time which means I can't wear my shoes.  I have several other serious illnesses which are made worse by the Fibromyalgia.

I am not alone. There are millions of others who suffer the affects of Fibromyalgia. Some not as bad as me, some even worse.

I don't often ask for favours but this time it is really important.  Please help me to raise awareness and money to help to fight, and fund research for this horrible condition.  

Fibromyalgia Action UK is a registered charity run primarily by unpaid volunteers. The majority of volunteers are also fibromyalgia sufferers who work extremely hard, despite their condition, in order to forward the cause of fibromyalgia. FMA UK was established in order to provide information and support to sufferers and their families. In addition, the Association provides medical information for professionals and operates a national helpline.

Thank you very much,

Heather ❤️

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