How do you cope with fibromyalgia? Take a Read, Comment on the Blog to show your Support and Share if you can Relate.
When I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I was so excited. I thought that since I have been diagnosed I will be better. However, most people are still not able to grasp what fibromyalgia actually is. Either that or that doesn’t sound like a real disease. I get muscle spasms, I still hold down a job.
My biggest challenge has been getting my friends, family, and unfortunately doctors too, to actually understand that it’s not just muscle spasms. It’s much more than that. A great example of this is when I’ve had an appointment for a physical as a requirement for disability. The doctor didn’t even know what fibromyalgia was, he had to look it up. He looked for physical symptoms. Here are some things I’ve learned in this process that helped me get this problem under control.
- Stop letting people compare you to other people. Well “my so and so has Fibromyalgia and they have this and this going for them.” Good for them but I’m not them and it hurts my feelings to be compared. It also makes me never want to be around you at all.
- If you are like me and your fibromyalgia is so bad that holding a job is nearly impossible, get a lawyer before you file for disability. You are in for a long fight and a lawyer makes that so much less stressful.
- It is okay to have bad days, you’re dealing with a disease that feels like a full body migraine along with a large number of other symptoms. You are allowed to be angry and frustrated sometimes.
- Don’t take it out on the people who love you. You have to realize that it can be frustrating for your friends and family too. You need a support network and if you are harsh to people, nobody will want to deal with you.
- Educate the people around you. Start by not grinning and bearing it. Tell people how you actually feel, honesty about your fibromyalgia is important. The people around you can’t read your mind. I personally have 3-4 websites that I tell people about if they want more information. I also have brochures for my family to look at. Fibromyalgia hasn’t actually been recognized for a very long time, so it’s understandable that some people don’t know what it is.
These points work for me, if they don’t work for you that is okay too. I’m just trying to express that having fibromyalgia doesn’t have to be a disastrous force in one’s life.
