What you need to know about fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is not a new disease.In 1815, a surgeon at the University of Edinburgh, William Balfour, described fibromyalgia.Over time, it was described as chronic arthritis, myalgia, or fibrositis.
Unlike diseases, syndromes such as fibromyalgia have no known cause, but are a set of signs and symptoms that, unfortunately, for the patient are present at the same time.
Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are also syndromes. Most of the symptoms and emotional problems associated with fibromyalgia are not psychological in origin. This is not an “everything is in your mind” disorder.
In 1987, the American Medical Association recognized fibromyalgia as a real physical condition and a leading cause of disability. Fibromyalgia can be disabling and depressing, disrupting the simplest daily activities. -What you know about me:
1. My pain – My pain is not your pain.It is not caused by inflammation.Taking your arthritis medication doesn’t help me.I can’t work because my body can’t resist.It is not pain that remains in just one part of the body.Today it’s on my shoulder, but tomorrow it could be on one foot, or maybe it’s gone.My pain is caused by signals reaching my brain incorrectly, possibly due to sleep disturbances.This is not very well understood, but it is genuine.
2. My tiredness: I don’t just feel very tired.I’m very exhausted.I would like to participate in physical activities, but I can’t.Please don’t take it personally.If you saw me shopping yesterday, but today I can’t help but clean the garden, it’s not because I don’t want to.I pay the price for stressing my muscles beyond their capacity.
3. My concentration problems.All of us who suffer from fibromyalgia call these problems “fibro fog.”I may not remember your name, but I can remember your face.You may not remember what I promised to do for you, even if you told me a few seconds before.My problem has nothing to do with age, but may be related to the sleep disorder.I don’t have selective memory.There are days when I don’t even have short-term memory.
4. My clumsiness: If I get up or run after the crowd, I won’t run after you.I don’t have control over my muscles to do this.If you’re behind me on a ladder, be patient.Nowadays, I take life one step at a time.
5. My sensitivity – I can’t stay here!This may be due to certain factors such as bright light, very loud or low noise, odors.Fibromyalgia has been called “the disorder that makes everything worse.”
6. My intolerance: I can’t stand heat or humidity.If I’m a man, I’m sweating profusely.If I’m also a woman.And don’t be surprised if I move without control when it’s cold.I also can’t tolerate the cold.My internal thermostat is broken and no one knows how to fix it.
7. My depression: Yes, there are days when I would rather stay in bed, at home or die.Severe pain is unrelenting and can cause depression.Your sincere interest and understanding can pull me out of the abyss.
8. My stress – My body can’t handle stress well.If I have to stop working, work part time, or delegate my responsibilities at home, it’s not because I’m lazy.Daily stress can aggravate my symptoms and completely disable me.
9. My weight: I may be overweight or thin.Either way, it wasn’t my choice.My body is not your body My appetite is affected and no one knows how to fix it.
10. My need for therapy: If I need a daily massage, don’t envy me.My massage is not your massage.Consider what a massage on my body can do if the pain in one leg last week I now feel throughout my body.Massage can be very painful;but I need.Massaging regularly can help, at least for a while.
11. My good days – If you see me smile and function normally, don’t think I’m fine.I suffer from chronic pain and fatigue that has no cure.I can have my good day, weeks or even months.In fact, it’s the good morning that allows me to move forward.
12. My individuality: even those who suffer from fibromyalgia are not the same.This means that I may not have all the symptoms mentioned.
I may have migraines, pain in my hips, shoulders, or knees, but I don’t have exactly the same pain as someone with this disorder. I hope this helps you understand me, but if you still have questions about my pain, your bookstore, your library, or the Internet, they have good books and articles about fibromyalgia. Author’s Note: This letter is based on conversations with women and men with fibromyalgia around the world.This doesn’t represent any of the 10 million people with fibromyalgia in the world, but it can help healthy people understand how devastating this condition can be.Please don’t take this pain away
