Personally I tell people who ask , that I have FMS , I feel like the more it gets mentioned the more people are likely to believe in it. I have never seen a diabetic hide behind their dz so why should I ??? No apologies given , no long involved explanations given unless asked...and believe me...I don't get asked twice by the same person...LOL...I could talk the ears off an acre of corn...LOL...
I have reached a stage in my life that I don't give a rip if people think I'm crazy...I've got more important things to worry about.
And I have always loved people who are a little bit crazy.
Luv y'all

When someone says they don't 'believe in Fibro,' I simply say that I can't believe they're so ignorant & ill-informed!
Yeah, it's kinda mean, but it works for me... especially when I fix them with my 'Don't mess with me' stare! LOL

I usually don't say Fibro. I say I have a muscle and tendon disease that gives me grief, and let it go at that. It usually works. If someone really digs, I say there is a lot of muscle and tendon pain associated with it, including migraine headaches, (if you are one of those who get those darn things, or whatever else seems to pop up with your symptoms). That usually satisfies most curiosity. If they ask about treatment, I reply I love my doctors and they are doing as good a job as they can since little is known about this particular disease. That should stop further questions. For family, that is an ongoing process - after all these years, my husband, who is an absolute darling, cannot understand why sometimes I feel great, and others, I feel lousy without any explanation about why one should feel great one day or hour, and lousy the next! That's my coping with the questions, hope it helps. Prayers and hugs

I tell them it is an autoimmune disease that the pain in muscles and joints is worse than arthrititis. People usually understand it that way.

I just tell them "three auto immune diseases" and they usually back off after that. They know I mean business and there's no more questions. The people that really matter to me already know the details and I don't feel the need to explain to anyone else.

I tell people that I have a disability that feels like I was hit by a truck pulling a freight train loaded with M1 Tanks...it's called FMS. I walk off first...because they always have a stunned look on their faces.

I take it as an opportunity to educate about Fibro as I was diagnosed and have a cause. I tell them I have Fibro from a biotoxin disease resulting from unsanitary conditions during a medical procedure. On top of that I have a bona fide medical diagnosis of Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency so they want to say it's all in my head but they don't dare. It makes me mad they would even go there.

Thanks for the input. Did I forget to mention that my sister-in-law is a nurse. What do I tell her? Most Nurses and Doctors don't believe in Fibro.

I just say I have chronic pain, and they don't know how to cure it. It really sucks, because I seem so healthy, but I also take great care of my skin & eat healthy.

I TELL THEM THE TRUTH, BUT MOSTLY IT'S JUST A GREETING TAT IS NATIONWIDE.....SO USUALLY THEY EXPECT YOU TO SAY FINE, NOT GO INTO DETAIL, BUT LIKE I SAID, I TELL EM THE TRUTH....HELEN

i just plain old tell them i have fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis if they don't like they can bite me...lol

My friends know better than to ask..and everyone else that I dont really know who ask...I really dont care what they think....so I usually use the acronyms. Many people are too embarrassed to ask what that means and they take it at face value.
So I have FMS, TMJ, MPS.
If I say it fast enough and with confidence others think that I feel they SHOULD know what all that means and then when I walk away, they are left wondering. Sadly, this gives me great pleasure!! lol

I usually tell people that I have Fibro and six other things, which I choose not to bore them with. It usually gets them to stop asking, and if they are genuinely concerned they ask more questions and I give more answers!

i tell people i have fibromyalgia,and i have alot of chronicpain

I always say fibro and I totally agree with you dixierose the more its out there the more people become aware of it,I dont get intimidated by it anymore I mean this is my life now so I have fibromyagia and all my friends and whoever have to know me with this fibro from now on because thats the way it is ,,and now I'm rambling too much,,So Allycat I hope that helps ,

I think what I'm trying to say is it physically dominates us but lets not let it emotionally dominate us and by speaking out about it helps me,
Hugs to you AllyCat