I've always been a very active person. Sitting idle, unless immersed in a good book, was not something I cared to do. I still don't care to, and it's very frustrating trying. But I have had to learn, and am still learning, that sometimes something happens, and you have to make some very difficult adjustments.
Some years back while still working as a nurse, I began to start feeling more tired, and started experiencing pain in places I never had before. A lot of strange things started happening to my body, to the point where I was almost sure that something was so horribly wrong, that I was going to die.
I sought answers from one doctor, then another, and it was some time before I finally was referred to a rheumatologist who diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. It was such a relief to finally have long sought after answers, and to know that I wasn't crazy, wasn't terminally ill, and what was going on with my body, was indeed real. I still tried to keep working for a while, but as things got worse, I just could not continue.
Thankfully since the time that I was diagnosed, there has been progress made in the medical community where fibro is concerned. For such a long time, many doctors were in denial that fibro was real. I have to wonder how many people's lives have been damaged because of some doctor's attitude. And it wasn't only doctors, but many people in general. The concept of something that can be so debilitating, yet not visible, was very hard for many to accept. Outward appearances can be deceiving with fibro, as they do not indicate the suffering that is going on inside the body.
Quite often, people are only going to see you on your better days anyway. They're not as likely to see you out and about on those really bad days, when body and mind just aren't wanting to function.
I always liked the comparison of fibro and the flu. Think of a time when you had the flu so severe, that your whole body was in pain, you felt weak, and you were completely devoid of energy. Now, think about living the rest of your life like that.
Not every day with fibro is that bad, there are days that are better, but really "good" days are a thing of the past. And days are very unpredictable, things can change in a matter of hours, or even minutes.
So just what is fibromyalgia? There are still many questions to be answered through research, but in a nutshell, it's chronic fatigue and pain. Along with that comes a myriad of other problems that a fibro patient can experience. Sleep disorders, headaches, chest pain, problems with memory, impaired coordination, nausea, dizziness, and depression, are only some of the problems that may be experienced.
How is fibro diagnosed? As of yet, there is no special lab test for fibro. This too was something that made it harder to be accepted like other conditions that have specific tests. Fibro is diagnosed by a thorough physical and medical history, a process of elimination, and by checking for key tenderness points on the body.
As the reality of fibromyalgia becomes more accepted, and research into causes, effects, and treatment advances, there may yet be hope for those who suffer from this debilitating disease. New treatments are available in the way of drugs, diet, and exercise. Already new inroads into understanding the why, what, and how, are being made. New theories are coming to light, and more possiblities are presenting themselves.
Here are some links that may be of help to those who suffer, or have a loved one who suffers, from fibromyalgia.
National Fibromyalgia Association
Fibrocenter
Fibro-Mayo Clinic
