u/Limping_Birdy

Hello! I am 17 and I cannot drive in a very car-dependent city. This means I can't work, I can't go to school on my own, and I am essentially trapped in the house.

I was learning to drive last year until I one day couldn't lift my arms. I was about to be on the level of highway driving. Now, I can drive but only for around 15 minutes on a good day which is promptly followed by a week of flare-up.

I need help deciding whether I should continue learning to drive and if there's any accommodations for my situation.

- My legs go numb or tingle and cramp within 5-10 minutes.

- My back becomes so distractingly painful and I need help getting out of the car.

- Since I am learning to drive, I get pretty overwhelmed to begin with. Having to deal with brain fog on the road has gotten me lost and almost into 3 wrecks. It's simple things I struggle with the brain fog: which side of the road I should be driving on, which pedal does what, how to turn, red means stop.

- I have been nearly falling asleep in public lately and I am terrified of falling asleep behind the wheel. Talking to my doctor about starting amitriptyline for fatigue.

Edit: Are there any stretches you might recommend for building driving muscles? If I find treatment for the fatigue, any modifications to my seat that could help? Could it be that my anxiety when driving is making this significantly worse than my body would naturally respond to driving? Anyone find success in a similar situation?

Extra information: I am parent-taught learner and my Dad drives with me. I have my learners permit until October of this year. I drive in a Ford F-150. I am taking 30mg of Cymbalta which worsens my fatigue drastically and does not help my pain. I have supportive people who are willing to drive me if I cannot permanently.

Hello! It's summer time and that means its 100°F daily and I'm trapped in the house awaiting the school year to begin.

Last summer I had adopted birdwatching, kite flying, swimming, gaming, Frisbee with my brother, and atleast 2 outside walks a day. I was also learning rollerblading, tree/rock climbing, and strength training.

I can no longer do these activities (with the exception of swimming and 1hr of gaming a day) and its eating away at me. I have tried crocheting, but my hands cramp up and its not terribly enjoyable - might do it once in a while. My brother and I were looking into wood carving, any thoughts on this?

Audiobooks/podcasts are off the table as I struggle with an auditory processing disorder. I struggle with energy and being in any position too long (including lying down). Any ideas welcome! Please and thank you.

For the past couple of months I have been really worried about my future. Honestly, I've been grieving what it could have been.

Last year, I was a soon-to-be junior in high school with a promising ability in welding. Now, I'm 17 and a senior and I can barely get out of bed. I can't drive. I can't work. I can't sit for more than an hour a day (with breaks).

Naturally, I'm thinking of disability benefits and remote work as a teen. My dad would respond to this with "You can either let the pain limit you or don't". He means all the best, and definitely understands fibromyalgia as my mother suffers from it too. But, I feel like he never truly understood my journey so far.

This morning, he told the whole family that he fears I won't be able to do welding as a career and that he's worried I'd be disabled. I told him, "I hate to say it, but you're finally caught up to speed".