Experiences of a fibromyalgia patient
"I found my new life inside a mountain"
For 13 years, Bettina (47) endured unbearable pain throughout her entire body. Doctors puzzled over the causes of the pain for years. It was not until fall 2013 that she received the correct diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Since then, regular treatments in the radon thermal tunnel have helped her live with this incurable disease. We spoke with her about her experiences with fibromyalgia:
Can you still remember when your fibromyalgia first became noticeable?
"The pain started 13 years ago when someone in my family died. I began to suffer from a stiff neck more and more often. Even back then, nothing helped. Massages and medication had no effect. When my neck wasn't hurting, I had problems with my finger joints or my shoulder. Eventually, almost every joint in my body began to hurt."
Did any other symptoms occur?
"Yes. Not only was it impossible to determine where the pain was coming from, I also couldn't sleep at night. At times, my fingers couldn't hold anything, couldn't even carry a plate."
Were you even able to go to work?
"I always forced myself to go to work for half a day to maintain at least a little bit of normality. But the constant sleep deprivation and exhaustion continued to take their toll on me. Often, I was so weak after work that I couldn't even move. More and more often, I spent entire days on the couch during this time. It was awful."
What has been your experience with the doctors?
"My doctors were at a loss, puzzling over what illness was causing the pain. One diagnosed Borriolosis, another thought it might be psoriatic arthritis. Some claimed that I was just imagining the pain. It was a terrible experience. I was really desperate. Not only did no one know what was wrong with me, but none of the doctors could help me either. After one course of treatment, I actually felt even worse than before."
And the painkillers? Didn't they help with the pain of fibromyalgia?
"No, nothing helped me at all. I took almost 50 painkillers a month and went to the doctor almost every week. Even tilidine, a morphine-like drug, didn't help! I could hardly cope with everyday life, and I could only do things spontaneously, depending on whether I had enough energy. I had already given up my beloved hobby of hiking."
How did you find out that you have fibromyalgia?
In the fall of 2013, I heard about radon heat therapy in the Gastein Healing Gallery. I thought it was worth a try. The doctors there suspected that I was suffering from fibromyalgia. Later, the diagnosis was confirmed by a rheumatologist—it was a ray of hope for me to finally have a name for my illness."
You also visited the Gastein Healing Gallery. What was your experience like?
"You take a train to different therapy stations and stay there for about an hour. In the tunnel, I immediately noticed that something was doing me good, that my body was working: but the pain remained – for the time being. Four weeks after my stay at the spa, I suddenly noticed that something had changed. I was suddenly a new person, was able to stop taking all painkillers, and even started exercising again.
(See also the video with a personal account from Ms. Staib)."
That's an amazing success after the first course of treatment!
"Oh yes. I never expected such success myself."
How has your life changed since you started coming regularly to the Gastein Healing Gallery for treatment?
After the treatment, I have many months during which not only does the pain disappear, but I also don't have to take any medication. A real improvement in my quality of life. I am a new person today! I can work again, go hiking, and even take city tours. And I now go to the healing gallery once a year.
Based on your experience, what advice would you give to other fibromyalgia patients?
Listen to your body and give it a break when it needs it. Why not give the healing gallery a try? You've got nothing to lose except pain.
