I'm guessing if you found this blog that you have at least a rudimentary understanding of Fibromyalgia and what it's all about. If not, I'll try to sum it up for you--despite many studies, doctors still aren't sure exactly what fibro is or what causes it. It is a collection of symptoms that includes muscle and joint pain, depression, fatigue, stiffness, digestion issues, tender points, etc. Basically, fibromites (a term I picked up to refer to us :) ) hurt and are really tired. A lot on both counts. We don't all have the exact same symptoms or the same degree of pain and we don't all respond to the same treatments. I'm pretty sure the princess in The Princess and the Pea was a fibromite--only we could feel a pea through those mattresses. ;)
Let me introduce you to my personal symptoms: allodynia (my skin hurts; seriously, it's awful), muscle tightness and pain, achy joints, extreme fatigue, stiffness (picture the Tin Man before Dorothy oiled him), periodic digestive issues, and depression. I don't mention all of this to garner sympathy--we all have our struggles and these are mine. I can't wear cute shoes and I have to choose clothing based on what I have the energ
y to wear and whether or not my skin is hurting. Sometimes it is physically difficult to expand my lungs to breathe because of fatigue and tight muscles. Sometimes I cry because I can't do what I use to be able to do. Fibro sucks.
BUT...I refuse to let it beat me down and take my quality of life away. It's not a fatal illness but it's disruptive and relentless. And I fight. So call me FibroMIGHTY! I have found ways to accommodate my fibro and live a fairly normal life. I can't do it all but I do what I can. I want this blog to be a source of comfort and inspiration for other fibromites--or anyone with a chronic, hidden illness. The way I see it, we're all in this together. So let's change the term "fibromites" to "fibroMIGHTS"! Gentle hugs, friends!
