kept the flowers

I have fibromyalgia. I was diagnosed at 14, but I’ve had it my entire life. My mom has it as well and saved me the pain and frustration she endured to discover her condition as doctors told her she was crazy.

It’s a subject that I’m passionate about for obvious reasons. But I see it as part of a larger problem in our society: The fact that we ignore, deny, and discredit the conditions we cannot see. This ranges from mental health issues like depression to invisible illnesses like fibromyalgia.

I hope I can connect with fellow fibromites and spread some empowerment.

About fibromyalgia from the National Fibromyalgia Association:

Fibromyalgia (pronounced fy-bro-my-AL-ja) is a common and complex chronic pain disorder that affects people physically, mentally and socially. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome rather than a disease. Unlike a disease, which is a medical condition with a specific cause or causes and recognizable signs and symptoms, a syndrome is a collection of signs, symptoms, and medical problems that tend to occur together but are not related to a specific, identifiable cause.

Fibromyalgia, which has also been referred to as fibromyalgia syndrome, fibromyositis and fibrositis, is characterized by chronic widespread pain, multiple tender points, abnormal pain processing, sleep disturbances, fatigue and often psychological distress. For those with severe symptoms, fibromyalgia can be extremely debilitating and interfere with basic daily activities.

Whether you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia or suffer from its symptoms, or have a family member or friend with the disorder, this section is designed to provide you with a better understanding of this chronic pain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide.