has anyone out there got fibromyalgia who are on this site and how do you cope with it?

Question

Hi has anyone reading these sites got fibromyalgia as i would like to know how their partners respond to their condition...i find none of my girlfriends ever stay with a partner long because of their condition....people do not understand it....because they cannot see what you are going through..invisible illness....regards Sandie

Answer 1

I healed my fibromyalgia through dietary changes-no meds or supplements, just changed the way I eat-I also recovered from lupus, arthritis and other ailments. Feel free to read about it on my recovery blog at http://360.yahoo.com/my_profile-8un2KqU5fqcymrT5VxB0z8D4HEMAF4PLG8OJLQ--;_ylt=ArCqEQqmzeeNuW0iV5A_G4GsAOJ3?cq=1

Answer 2

I have fibromyalgia as one of my symptoms of lupus (SLE).

In the past some of my friends (both male&female) have found it hard to cope with, in particular taking offence when i had to cancel arrangements at the last minute (took it as personal affront that i didn't want to see them rather than accept it was because i felt poorly); and as i have some mental health problems as part of my range of symptoms some just could not handle me/know how to respond when i had "hypomanic" episodes.
At initial diagnosis i also found it very hard to cope, as did family members, but i found that geting information to help me (& others) to understanding the condition; sharing information about how my illness affects me with those close to me; learning to pace myself; and accepting my limitations/need for lots of relaxation/sleep did help me & most of my friends to cope better.

The "friends" who could not cope with me i now do not consider to be true friends and i have stoped wasting my time & energy with them!, (when you are ill the last thing you need is so-called "friends" who do not respect you or support you!). I currently have a very supportive boyfriend who accepts me with my illness (even provides massages which help my aches!) so don't give up hope.
My closest friends also offer support and help with shopping, cooking, cleaning etc for me when i'm feeling really bad

Two of the hardest things i have found are:-
(1) i can look perfectly normal yet feel really ill, and my symptoms vary greatly from 1 day to another, hence i think that it is important to let friends/ family know how you feel when you see them (are you on a "good" or "bad" day for example)
(2) accepting that i have a health condition which can result in me cancelling plans when i'm having a "bad day" ( i used to feel guilty about doing so and would try to "carry on regardless" which subsequently made my symptoms worse) but i have found that truely supportive people do understand & accept cancelations because "i don't feel well enough" so don't be affraid to say or to ask for help (supportive people around you actually feel better if they can do something to help)
I would advise that you check with your GP whether you also have SLE in combination with the fibromyalgia (it only takes a simple blood test for ANA (Anti-Nuclear Antibody) to screen for lupus and in my opinion the 2 conditions are very similar/different manifestations of the same kind of underlying immune system disorder (i actually think there is probably also a link to "chronic fatigue syndrome" as the symptoms are very similar)
The charity "Lupus UK" (www.lupusuk.org.uk) has been a great support to me & there are many local lupus groups all around the UK. There is also a fibromyalgia web site www.fibromyalgia-association.org.uk which you, partners,friends &family may find useful
hope this information helps your query

Answer 3

You can do a any kind of search to find out about it.....Has your friend been tested for Lupus????? She could also have Lupus....Fibromyalgia....is often diagnosed in its place....because the doctors do not always know what is wrong with the patient....she should definitely do her research on and monitor her symptoms as well...Good Luck and God Bless

Answer 4

If you check out Patrick Halton's website there is lots of info on diet plans only it is healthy eating it is great to read and you should find some help on it worth having a look at. Good luck

Answer 5

I personally do not have Fibro, but i have RA, and aside from the limp and the distortion in my fingers, i too look normal... i have found it hard to stay on top of my friends...

I am also on a forum for RA, lupus, fibra, etc... 4ratalk.com.. we are a group of people from all over the world who laugh and support each other... its agreat site and lots of people have fibro on there.. check us out.!

4ratalk.com

Answer 6

Personally, I can't tell you much, but this website has alot of good informational articles considering Fibromyalgia.

Good Luck to you!


http://www.fibromyalgia-support.org



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Answer 7

You can safely heal fibromyalgia by eating a protein ONLY diet for one month. But you have to strictly avoid carbohydrates etc; this doesn't mean you have to eat lots of steaks or red meat, you can get protein from soya meat,chicken. fish etc.
I highly recommned this treatment.
hope this helps!