IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT PAIN

Most people don’t know much about fibromyalgia. They think that it is just about pain, but there are so many different symptoms of this illness. When I tell someone that I have fibro, the reactions are different. These are some of the many comments that I have gotten: “You don’t look sick!” “You just need to up your vitamin intake.” “Stop eating meat!” “You need to get moving, and you’ll feel better!” “This woman I know used to have fibromyalgia, but her doctor cured her.” “Have you thought about acupuncture or meditation?” It can be very frustrating to say the least.

I just want to be able to go to bed one night and sleep for five hours straight. I want to be able to wake up and not have to drag myself out of the bed, tired, aching and stiff. I want to be able to walk into any room and not forget what I was going to get. I would like to be able to rest, uninterrupted by unwanted visitors who don’t take into consideration my illness, or who make light of it.

It is tough dealing with the issues I face each day. I am trying to live without an income while my disability is determined by a group of folks that have never met me, who don’t know my plight, or what I go through daily. So, when I get a call from someone complaining about having missed a sale, or some other nonsense I get so disgusted I want to scream. I don’t want to hear anyone’s problems. I am not trying to be inconsiderate, I just simply don’t want to hear about your issues. There is nothing I can do to make them better, so please just spare me.

I have never liked people just to drop by my house without calling. I have always thought that was rude and inconsiderate. It is especially rude and inconsiderate for someone that is sick. There are many nights I go to bed and don’t wash my dishes. There are days where I don’t feel like putting on clothes, or straightening up the house. There are days where I just don’t want to be bothered with anyone. So, don’t come to my house and expect me to answer the door if you didn’t call me first. I have enough on my plate handling me…I can’t handle me and you both. Sometimes I am just depressed, and I don’t have to give an explanation about why.

So, fibromyalgia is more than just pain. It’s sleepless nights. It’s restless mornings. It’s fibro fog or forgetfulness. It’s depression. It’s stressful. All I ask is for some  kindness, consideration, and understanding.