After at least an 18 year battle, in July last year, I was finally diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I have lived in pain for as long as I can remember. Numerous blood tests, physio appointments, diagnostic tests, and more couldn’t determine what was wrong with me. Out of sheer despair, I went to my GP and simply asked the question as to whether what I’ve experienced my whole life could be Fibromyalgia: especially as it runs in my family. The GP carried out some pressure point tests and concluded that I was most likely right.
Although my battle to be heard was over, a new battle began that day; to find something that helps with the symptoms. So far, nothing has worked, and I’m in agony most days.
What is Fibromyalgia?
The NHS website describes Fibromyalgia as the following:
‘Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia
As well as widespread pain, people with fibromyalgia may also have:
- increased sensitivity to pain
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- muscle stiffness
- difficulty sleeping
- problems with mental processes (known as “fibro-fog”), such as problems with memory and concentration
- headaches
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a digestive condition that causes stomach pain and bloating
How fibromyalgia is treated
Although there’s currently no cure for fibromyalgia, there are treatments to help relieve some of the symptoms and make the condition easier to live with.
Treatment tends to be a combination of:
- medicine, such as antidepressants and painkillers
- talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and counselling
- lifestyle changes, such as exercise programmes and relaxation techniques
Exercise in particular has been found to have a number of important benefits for people with fibromyalgia, including helping to reduce pain.
What causes fibromyalgia?
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it’s thought to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes in the way the central nervous system (the brain, spinal cord and nerves) processes pain messages carried around the body.
It’s also suggested that some people are more likely to develop fibromyalgia because of genes inherited from their parents.
In many cases, the condition appears to be triggered by a physically or emotionally stressful event, such as:
- an injury or infection
- giving birth
- having an operation
- the breakdown of a relationship
- the death of a loved one
Who’s affected
Anyone can develop fibromyalgia, although it affects around 7 times as many women as men.
The condition typically develops between the ages of 30 and 50, but can occur in people of any age, including children and the elderly.
It’s not clear exactly how many people are affected by fibromyalgia, although research has suggested it could be a relatively common condition.
Some estimates suggest nearly 1 in 20 people may be affected by fibromyalgia to some degree.
One of the main reasons it’s not clear how many people are affected is because fibromyalgia can be a difficult condition to diagnose.
There’s no specific test for the condition, and the symptoms can be similar to a number of other conditions.
NHS
What is a typical day like with Fibromyalgia?
Honestly? No two days are the same. One morning you might wake up feeling as though you have the flu; bones and muscles hurt, fuzzy head, general malaise and exhaustion. Other days you might wake up feeling as though you could have something seriously wrong with you; chest pains, palpitations, electric shock-type sensations all over your body.
Then once in a while, on the most glorious of days, you might wake up and actually feel sort of normal. These days are both a blessing and a curse in disguise because, on those days, you’re far likelier to overdo everything. The downside to that is that you end up paying for that one glorious day for around the next week or more.
Because Fibro is so varied, it’s difficult to make plans because you never know when it’ll decide to rear its ugly head. There have been many occasions where I’ve planned to do something, only to have to cancel it because I can’t move.
Learning to accept and adapt
Possibly the hardest part of having Fibro isn’t the symptoms themselves (as vile as they are), it’s having to learn and accept that the life you were able to lead before is likely to be gone. No longer being able to do things that came so easily to you, is a bitter pill to swallow.
I know I’ve got a long way to go before I will have come to terms with it all, and I’ve still got grieving to do for the life I used to lead (not that I was an athlete or anything, mind you!). I used to enjoy hiking, dancing and I would pride myself on being able to survive on very little sleep. My life these days relies heavily on having to have what I like to call ‘granny naps’, just so I can make it through an entire day. That coupled with being in pain almost every. single. day, often leaves me feeling very sorry for myself!
Ultimately, I know I have no choice but to try and find a way to live with this and live as full a life as possible. Sometimes it seems almost impossible, but I also know I’ll find a way somehow. If you know someone living with Fibromyalgia, please remember that although their condition isn’t visible, it’s very real. Remember to be kind and not to take it personally if they cancel on you. They want to be there, but their body won’t let them.
Laura x
