May 12 is the designated Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. Throughout the month of May please share awareness about Fibromyalgia.
Several years ago Fibromyalgia was a disability categorized as “psychological”. Now it is recognized as a very real physical condition that affects every aspect of a person’s life.
It’s hard to understand how it feels to be told you are mentally having a problem when your body will not perform what you are asking it to do. How can that possibly be mental? Patients were, in effect, being told it was “all in your head.” I went through this with people I knew once I became unable to function because of Fibromyalgia. Everyone wants to tell you that you just need to get up and do something and you will feel better. They don’t understand you barely have the strength to make it to the bathroom and back. It is often hard to get emotional support from your family and friends.
Fortunately, the medical field has produced enough research to re-classify it as a true physical disability that is often paired with studies and treatments for arthritis and rheumatism. No longer can people say that it is in your head.
Here is a brief list of common symptoms of this disease:
- Chronic pain throughout the body
- Burning, numbness and tingling
- Tenderness when pressure is placed on or around the neck, elbows, hips, thighs and knees.
- Sleep disorders
- Chronic fatigue or exhaustion
- Facial Pain
- Jaw Pain (TMJ)
- Memory Loss
- Irritable Bowel
- Tension or Migraine Headaches
- High sensitivity to foods and medications (allergic type reaction).
- Minimal tolerance to heat and cold
- High sensitivity to bright lights and sounds
- Hair Loss
Because symptoms develop gradually, this disease is often misdiagnosed. Based on the American College of Rheumatology a person is diagnosed with Fibromyalgia when he or she suffers pain throughout the body for at least three months and has 11 out of 18 tender points presen
Fibromyalgia basically means pain in the muscles, tendons and ligaments. It affects mostly women and up to 4% of the general population. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
People with FMS have the additional stress and frustration in their lives of trying to explain (all the time) why today they can do almost anything and the next day they can barely get out of bed. Depression is a frequent side-effect of FMS and who can question it? Living with a body-wide toothache-like pain constantly is something only fellow sufferers can truly understand.
My prayers go out to everyone who is affected by this condition as I understand it well having lived with it for over 43 years. Please spread the word and let the world know about Fibromyalgia.
Remember millions of people worldwide suffer from Fibromyalgia. They lose their independence, their lives, and often their family. Raise your awareness and support those with invisible illnesses.