God that's terrible, You poor thing, I guess it's something that is hard for others to understand as we generally look so 'well'.

Might I suggest you wrap yourself up in bandages, get some crutches, paint bruises on the exposed bits of skin and then tell your family and friends ;-)

Jen,
I'm sorry to hear nobody believes you or seems to care. A lot of people just don't think it is real.

The more you try to explain it the more you push them away. Just be yourself and time and daily life will reveal it to them.

I don't talk about it but my friends all know and can tell when I'm having an off day.

My Mom sounds like your Dad. She told me she has fibro just not as bad as I do. She has the internal fortitude to get through her day and not need to lay down.

When I hear a comment like that I just say nothing. There is nothing I can say that will change their mind anyway.

I understand. Hugs, Keleee :)

YUP My parents don't understand at all My freinds just kinda poo poo it but my immediate family ie: husband and kids understand because they live with it every day. I do have a good and understanding doctor I would say it gets better but you never know how people will respond good luck sweetie and we are here to listen to you and understand and we won't think you are making it up and we won't ignore you
Tam

when i was diagnosed a few years ago no one understood. now i get so bad and have slowed down so much that they can see the effects it has on me. give them time, it took a while to get a diagnoses from dr;s. it will take time for everyone understand it. take care of you cindy

Dear Jen,
It maybe because they dont get it and there embrassed about there lack of knowledge.Maybe you can send them some info or you tube has great videos on fibro.Sometime Men act like they dont care because they dont understand!!!

I guess I am one of the fortunate ones. All my life I was fighting cancer on and off. I finally got a good bill of health, then I got into the car accident. My parents are both 76 and every day after my nerve block treatments they call me on the phone to make sure I was O.K. I asked both of them last Wednesday what they would like for xmas and the both told me at the same time "for you to get better". I am sorry for the lack of support. You will have to educate them somehow. Get some material for your hubby to read. Ask your friends that say" I have that too" to explain to you their symptons. F/m effects people differently. Do a little research yourself before asking them. Then you will see how foolish they look. Also ask them when were they diagnosed? what meds are they on for it? what treatment plan are they on? I could go on on. I am truly sorry that you have to through this. After being a member for a short time I have found out how some people are insensitive to f/m and they think it is all in our heads. Good luck Caroline

Not everyone can process bad news instantly and give an appropriate response, no matter how much they love you. In fact, the people who care most may have the hardest time because it hurts them to see you this way. They are also naturally going to be scared for themselves, as they fear what life will be now that you are ill. That will pass fairly quickly unless you belong to a circle of narcissistic people. IMHO, it is not necessary for your loved ones to "understand" FM as much as it is to learn how to be supportive of you in general. This is something you will have to help them learn by asking them to be supportive and being specific on how best to do that.

My DH is a Firefighter Paramedic so he is very supportive and stays by my side. I need to get this tocalm downso I can go back to working so he isn't working two jobs though. Makes me feel so bad

I am so sorry...and Yes I do Understand...when it comes to Any Illness...the Less you talk about it, the more they will hear you...is Odd how it works...this Illness takes over so much of your life...and it is easy to become overwhelmed...
So talk to us hon, cause we Know and Understand everything...give your family all your good stuff you can and come here with all the rest...Do not allow anyone into pushing you into things they think you should be able to do...cause you simply cannot anymore...slow and steady is the best way to life at this point...and if ever you feel guilt about not being able to do something...just take a real deep breath and do something else...
you will find somethings are worth the pain/ fatigue you will feel later...be ready for it...you don't want to miss out on everything !!...conserve energy...have a good book ready by ur bed...and rest lots...
try to always rest BEFORE you become fatigued...hard to get back up once you have already exhausted urself...your family just has no clear understanding right now of what this means to you...they will as they watch you struggle everyday to get thr it...have patients...
I pray that you find the right Dr. and the right tools to help you live as Pain/and fatigue free as you can !!

Bonnie

I am sorry they are responing this way. It often happens and seems to be an illness they don't understand right away. Just be yourself and take care of you. Rest when you need too. Eventually they will probably come around. Get as much info as you can and leave it in sight for them to see.I know it is hard but hang in there and know that we are here for you as we do understand and live with it too. marilyn

Ditto to what everyone has said. My advice would be to continue to take this very seriously for yourself and seek outside support. It's good to build a strong support network when you are not in crisis so when things get hard those people are there to help.

I hope that your husband will be able to open his mind and heart to the problems you are having.

I do understand this, as I have experienced it myself. One of my sisters actually said to me one day (with a look of disgust on her face), "Oh all you need to do is go get a massage and you'll be fine." I was dumbfounded. Since then I have sent her all types of info that I got off the web and she has remained silent. So my advice would be to send your loved ones information about Fibro

There are good videos on youtube that explain quite well how fibro affects us

It might take time and a lot of FM education on their parts before they can become fully supportive and understanding.

My husband is supportive and picks up the slack, but still things a "remission" is just around the corner, since I have a good mix of drugs that have me semi-normal most of the time.

He doesn't get it totally, but 95% is pretty damn good.

You might have to print off information for them and put it in their face. Once they are aware, they might be of better help to you.

Hugs!

Oh, and I just love those people who are trying to push to get us to do stuff that say "oh, yeah, my sister has that...I know all about that."

UH, NO, YA DON'T!!! If ya did you wouldn't be trying to push me into something I've clearly said "no" to due to my FM.

WHAT PART OF "NO" IS UNCLEAR!!

...okay, bella rant is over.