My Life With Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia

So... Fibromyalgia.

It sucks doesn't it?

I mean, who would have thought that something I'd never heard of thirty years ago could have such a massive impact on my life.

And back then it was still so new.

Only officially recognized as a condition in 1987.

And yet, there are still doctors who do not believe in it.

But we, we who have it, we believe.

And the doctors say it is not progressive, that it does not get worse over time.

But we who have it, we know the truth.

How every year new symptoms, and co-existing conditions pop-up.

And existing ones get worse.

So yeah, it's progressive. It gets worse over time.

At least for me.

It's classed as a form of arthritis.

And a condition of the central nervous system.

Arthritis of the Central Nervous System, if you will.

And because it affects the Central Nervous System, it affects everything in the body.

And I mean EVERYTHING!

There's the Pain - all consuming and overwhelming

Fatigue - bone crushing, soul sapping

Brain Fog - simple words lost, misplaced items slapping you in the face

Lightheadedness - Stop the world, I want to get off!

Balance - walls and chairs are my friends

IBS - what will it be today?

TMJD - can I have a new face, this one feels broken?

Changing Eyesight - seriously, how often do I need new glasses?

Skin - Hives! Everyday Hives!

The Weather - "I'm telling you, it's going to rain, I feel it in my bones. Literally"

Sleep - either too much or not enough

Exhaustion - different to fatigue... What..? Where'd the last 15 minutes go?

Where does it end?

Where does it begin?

So many questions, yet no answers. Just guesses. And ever changing 'facts'.

So much advice, so many 'good' suggestions for dealing with it.

But in the end, all we can do is Live With It!

Do the best we can, day by day. Enjoy ourselves when we can. Because it's important to take pleasure in life. Especially when dealing with Fibromyalgia - a condition that can wear on you. Wear you down.

Find joy in the small things. You may be reduced to a passive participant in life, but that means you can watch the world around you.

Take note of it's beauty. The beauty of nature. The beauty of music. The beauty of those who care about others. The simple, everyday things that are so often overlooked. Notice them. And let them warm your heart.

Because you need it. You deserve it. You are worth it. You are special.

And you are loved.