Hello, and carry a copy of Fibro for Dummies with you. If they won't read it, or let you read to them from it, you can always use it to smack them on the head and say, "See? That's how I feel all over!" OK, that last part was a joke...

Seriously, I find it best to simply tell people that my doctors know the truth, and so do I, and then I move on.

Actually, Fibro for Dummies is a great book to own for any FMer, and is useful to our families and doctors, too.

Again, hello, welcome, and feel free to check out the daily check-in, it's sort of our "come drink a cup of coffee" thread. Participation optional, but it's a nice way to see how we're all doing day to day.

Cheers,
Leo

Welcome Lady of Shallot! Sorry you need to be here, but I'm glad you found this group. I was laughing at Leo's joke, but I would probably go ahead with the head smacking personally...not that it helps. One thing we have to accept is that we cannot make others understand or make them want to understand even. We can share information if they ask, but that's about it. If they don't ask, I don't offer. What I can and cannot accomplish in my office is between me and my boss. I have a note from my doc explaining that it's a chronic condition that sometimes keeps me from being in the office as much as I'd like. That note made a huge difference in her level of acceptance, but she still doesn't know that it's fibro that I have. She doesn't need to know.

IOW, I tend to keep the diagnosis to myself most of the time at work. With my friends, some of them know and some even understand. Others don't want to know so I don't bother and all "plans" that we make are always tentative so I don't have to listen to them gripe when I have to back out sometimes.

Well, enough about that. Welcome and I hope we'll see much more of you around here!

Hello there and regrettably welcome! Lol. I would say number one is keep moving. Even tho you hurt please keep moving. It does help alot. Make sure your listen to your body. Pushing to far on a good day will make the next day worse.

As for making other people get it. . It's 50/50. Some people get it, some people think your nuts. Just remember, they don't know you, the aren't living your life and they most certainly aren't paying your bills. Best you can do is explain it and walk away.

We are here to listen, we get it and we are here for you. It really does help when you can read how people feel and finally you can be like " OMG MEEE TOOOO" . Sounds dumb but it feels great. Lol

Whoo! Thank you so much to all of you for your kind responses! I was feeling pretty lonely last night when I posted but coming home to read all of your warm encouragement makes me feel so much better. I will certainly track down the Fibro for Dummies book and carry it in my bag so I can surreptitiously smack folks with it. I can count on ya'll for help with bail, right? Jussst kidding. :D
JC, thanks for your advice on the acceptance piece. That part is definitely a work in progress, lol. Sonya, I used to troll pinterest for memes on Fibro just so I could have that "OMG me too!" experience. Its nice to be in a place where I can say "the sheets hurt" and no one will look at me cross eyed. Thank you all for the warm welcome and I look forward to getting to know you better.

hugs sweetie...I can relate....is there a way you can cut on your hours at work....i think it is more stressful to give completely up your job....
I feel your pain...even where I live in CT the drs don't want to put fibromyalgia as a diagnosis...I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2004, I probably had it all my life....I come from a big family with no support....I got tired of trying to explain or doing things to get people to understand...it causes more stress and make you even worse...
Being on here you will get a lot of support and make a lot of friends...who may share or not share the same stories...but one thing we all have in common if fibromyalgia and we understand....