Hi Welcome to this group. I hear you and believe you.

I would stay away from blogs and other internet sites that are offensive towards the diagnosis fibromyalgia . Come here instead . We get it because we have it.

Welcome! And I'm so sorry that you have heard such rude things concerning fibro. If anyone put us down around here, they would be run out of town on a rail. So you don't have to worry about that with our group.

Sorry you are in so much pain. You can vent here whenever you need to. We all understand.

Welcome! You will find a lot of support here. Although curbing stress does help mitigate symptoms, it is thoughtless of people to assume that with a snap of your fingers, all will be well. This is a complicated and unforgiving condition that doesn't respond well to standard treatments, but rather, through trial and error, discovering what works specifically for you. I've often wondered what those who have no idea would think if they had to live our lives for just one day. So, here you will find a great group of people who truly do understand and will be there for you. You are not alone.

Hi welcome to the group, you're not alone. It can be very isolating to navigate this diagnosis and some ppl may look at you and form judgements and opinions, but you can't control that. What you can do is try to educate those closest to you about what you're going thru and how they can help support you. When dealing with doubters, I've realized it only depletes my precious energy to try to convince them they're wrong and does no good for me. All you can do is inform yourself and those around you and some may rise up to support you and others may not. We all have our good days and our bad ones, but remember how tough you are to be traveling this path and give yourself that credit.

Welcome to the group!

I'd like to recommend that you purchase the book "Fibromyalgia for Dummies." It is available on Amazon. It will give you a comprehensive overview of this complex illness and a lot of ways to try and manage it. Knowledge is power.

It is also a very good book to share with family and friends so that they can better understand what you are trying to manage.

Fibromyalgia (FMS) is recognized by the National Arthritis Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. And, it has its own diagnostic code. It is not an illness that is a new fad sickness or something only druggies get. I don't know where you are reading this stuff but please stop as it is wildly inaccurate.

In some people, FMS is triggered by high levels of stress, surgery, an accident, childbirth, physical or emotional abuse. The mechanism that triggers it is not understood. It can be managed to some degree with certain classes of prescribed medication. You can still live your life but pacing is key. And curbing stress is very important.

I'm glad that you have reached out for support. Our head Nerd and spokesmodel, Leo, hosts daily check in for us. It is filled with interesting trivia. Feel free to jump in or just lurk. You are not alone!

I understand what you are going through. It is hard when you feel alone and no one around you really understands the pain you feel every day and do not understand FM or take the time to. I do not post often on this site but I do come here often to read the posts. It is a wonderful and very positive and supportive site. I am so glad I have found it. Definitely stay off the other sites that are negative. I do not have any friends with the diagnosis and have only confided in a couple; it is hard. My mom does suffer too so I have her to turn to. Hang in there and welcome!

I used to get SO fatigued that after work, I immediately needed to lie down and "nap" for an hr before I could make dinner. (This was before I knew I had fibro.) People would tell me to "go to the gym, exercise more." "You need to work out more to get more energy! Push yourself!", they said. Well, I said, "If I could do that, then I don't have a problem to begin with!"

It was SO frustrating! Of course, I couldn't exercise even if I wanted to. Good thing I didn't; otherwise, I would've flare up some more. After I got the diagnosis of fibro and read up on it, I learned that the right thing to do was to TAKE IT EASY. The book that I read on fibro actually said that fibro sufferers are "exercise intolerant". So these days, when I get comments like those, I just say, "I'm exercise- intolerant!" And they think I'm being facetious. So let it be! I actually don't bring this fatigue stuff up anymore. I only tell my close friends about my fibro. Definitely to no one at work!

I honestly have gotten the impression from a lot of people that Fibromyalgia is a figment of my imagination, and a diagnosis they give you when they think it's all in your head. I agree give them a month of this random pain and fatigue and I guarantee they would change their tune!

I had four hours the other day without pain. I felt the way I did before this awful illness. Did errands that usually I would ask husband to do. Went to a class, and later to a massage. In the evening my computer helper came over and took away lots of my shoes that I can't walk in anymore.

As you may have guessed, it was all too much and. the pain all over my body brought me back to earth. I really do dislike having this f'm.

I deal with people mostly by avoiding them,but that's not a great idea because you end up kind of lonely.I don't like the feeling of being judged and it triggers feelings of unlikableness ,etc. Other baggage I carry.
I think on a good day,I try to be matter of fact,and just tell people I don't feel well and can't do many things I'd like to be doing.that ,that's just the way it is.out of my control..
Surround yourself with people who have similar problems or compassionate people.. Like here in this group..

Aloha! Welcome to the group!

You are not alone. Unfortunately with having fibro insensitive remarks / criticism / judgment, etc seems to come with the territory. But in fact that generally seems to happen to anyone who has a chronic illness or chronic pain from what I notice. Ignorant people think they have all the answers and they can "fix" you.

I've had FM for over a decade. I still get weird remarks from people. The other day one of my friends -a FRIEND- told me I have "ghost pain" that if I just learn to calm myself down the pain should go away. Umm right. I was also told the other day that I need to learn to "push THROUGH the pain" that when I start learning how to do that I should be able to do more things. Oh I see... so that's my problem. I just don't know how to push "through" the pain! (facepalm).

These people don't know what the heck they are talking about. Just nod smile and walk away. If they are your relatives / close family give them fibro books to read and tell them to shut up till then because they don't know anything.

A couple weeks ago my husband and I got into a huge argument because he believes I should not be taking sleep aids and should "train" my body to sleep. (FACEPALM!)

Yes less stress can help reduce your pain. Pacing yourself as well as very gently exercising regularly. But there is NO cure for this. We can only do things here and there to help manage the symptoms. Best you can do is read introductory books about fibro and get your close family members and friends to do the same, if they claim they really care about you, that's one way they can prove it.

Good luck to you... I'll say a prayer for you. Hugs....

Sorry to be late! Hellow, welcome, and pfft, to those other "sites". We know it's real. We live it. Vent, cry, spout, whatever, we're all there ourselves at any given moment.

Purring welcome,
Leo

Welcome to the group.
I have been ill with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue for more than six years. Prior to becoming ill I had a great career as a Registered Nurse and worked on a research team. I have been on disability for the last few years.
Recently, someone asked me what I do all day, since I am not employed. I answered politely that I like to paint and take care of my three cats. But in reality, the answer should have been different. As you and all other FM/CFS patients know, our day revolves around coaxing our aching bodies to perform daily tasks. Pain, stiffness, dizziness and brainfog are just a few of the FM symptoms that make everyday routines extremely difficult. Most of us have days where we are basically bedridden....

My point, to answer your question, is to choose your confidants very carefully. Most people around me do not know how sick I am, as they only see me on my better days, with my hair on makeup done! They do not know that after going out to the mall for one hour, I will need to spend the next two hours in bed. Of course my husband and my daughters know and they try to support me.Be prepared to find some disbelief about this condition. Sometimes I just say that I have Arthritis....and leave it at that.

Thank you to everyone who responded. It is so nice to know that there are others out there that understand what I am going through. It seems that all of you have dealt with peoples opinions and are just as frustrated as me. I will follow the advice here, No more blogs for me. I downloaded the Fibromyalgia for Dummies book and will begin reading it today.

Thanks again everyone :)