Fibromyalgia is indeed a terrible diagnosis and it is even more so when you know that the syndrome itself is as mysterious as it could have gotten, even today, in the 21st century.
It is quite understandable why this medical condition has been misunderstood for such a long time if you think of the fact that not even the best medical technology and not even the greatest scientists in the world have been able to figure it out.
Fibromyalgia: What is It, Actually?
Put shortly, fibromyalgia is a syndrome that is mainly characterized by widespread pain.
However, this is not the only symptom that patients suffering from this medical condition show (and this is precisely what makes it so complex).
Sleep disturbances, fatigue, depression, anxiety, stress, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, balance issues, sight issues, hearing issues, memory and concentration issues and many, many other medical problems are either associated with fibromyalgia as symptoms, as risk factors or even as co-morbid conditions.
This is what makes fibromyalgia very, very difficult to diagnose the syndrome and it makes it even more difficult to determine the actual causes of the disease.
Fibromyalgia: What to Expect from It
If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, then you may feel confused, angry and extremely depressed.
The truth is that there is no actual cure for this medical condition and that only a set of prescriptions (drugs, alternative medicine, a healthy diet and so on) will help you continue your life as normal as possible with this syndrome. What should you expect from it though?
Do expect fibromyalgia to change your life, your relationship and potentially your career (or at least do expect it to do this for a while until you learn how to manage everything).
Make sure that all of your friends and family members are aware of your symptoms and that they will not do anything to make them worse (such as turn on the light unexpectedly if you show sensitivity to light).
Also, do expect to experience all sorts of therapies, from physical therapy to Yoga and from acupuncture to Tai-Chi.
Expect to try out a few types of medication as well and be ready to have to change them from time to time (of course, only under the close supervision of your physician).
There is no actual “recipe” for making your life better and it is you who will have to discover what works best for you.
One fibromyalgia patient’s symptoms can differ a lot from those of another one and this is why a medical professional will suggest a few alternatives before you find one that is suitable for you.
Expect to change your diet, especially if you show irritable bowel syndrome symptoms or sleep disturbances.
You may have to cut down completely on certain products and be prepared to adopt a whole new way of eating.
Furthermore, do expect your symptoms to come and go and prepare those around you for those moments when you may not feel like you belong to your own body.
Get ready to experience all sorts of crazy feelings and get ready to learn how to cope with it.
Most importantly, prepare yourself not to lose hope. Keeping yourself in good spirits as much as possible is extremely important, especially since it has been shown that depressive moods, anxiety, and stress can worsen the pain and the other symptoms.
Life with Fibromyalgia: Is it Possible?
Yes, it is. It is believed that one in every fifty Americans only lives with fibromyalgia.
Even more, there are many people out there who have admitted publicly to suffer from this syndrome as well.
Morgan Freeman and Sinead O’Connor are just the two of them, but they have managed to find a way to cope with the fatigue and with the pain and their careers appear to be as successful as ever.
Yes, living with fibromyalgia is possible, but you will have to know exactly what to expect from the moment you are diagnosed with it onwards.
You will have to change your lifestyle drastically and you will have to learn to live differently.
The symptoms you are now experiencing will eventually become easier to manage and you will be able to live a life that is as fibromyalgia-free as possible. Be strong and find inspiration wherever you want to.
Find something you truly enjoy doing and which is not very harsh on your body, since this will help you manage your mood and your symptoms better.
Fibromyalgia does not have to be the end of the line if you don’t want it to be and being strong will eventually help you and, why not, it will help other people in the same situation as well.
Hi Lori.
My heart goes out to you.
My doctor just told me that she believes I have Fibromyalgia. I definitely have other obvious medical issues too but I do have all the symptoms of fibromyalgia. I feel a little disheartened about it but at the same time it explains a lot & it gives me some peace of mind. I hope that you have someone that understands & supports you, although, not having your family’s understanding & support must be very hard. Think positive & take good care of yourself. I hope this article will help your family to understand & support you.