How Does It Feel To Have Fibromyalgia ?
Ongoing pain and fatigue are the main symptoms. Most people have been very ill for five or more years before they get a correct diagnosis. The patient has probably had every test possible, MRIs, CAT scans, blood test, etc. The patient is told all the test are normal and no medical problems are found. At long last, probably in the rheumatologist office, the patient is correctly diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Your muscles feel stiff & knotted. it is painful & hard to turn your head to see over your shoulder. Your knees, hips or ankles may not let you to walk or sit normally. Your ribcage may prevent lifting or bending. Your shoulders, arms, wrist, and hands might not allow you to reach, lift, grasp, or carry. Your mobility becomes limited. Stress can also aggravate Fibromyalgia. When your mind is stressed, muscles tense up. With Fibromyalgia, muscles are already tensing inappropriately, and the stress induced tightening of the muscles cause more pain. Fibromyalgia can cause the chest muscles to tighten with a prolonged, intense pain that can make you feel as if you are having a heart attack. Some days it's a struggle to get up, shower and dress. Small chores can be exhausting on bad days, but when you have a good day you can get a lot done. If you do too much on a good day, you will strain yourself and end up having a bunch of bad days as a result. Knowing your limitations are vital. This is not to say that on a daily basis, the reason you are having pain and fatigue is because you did something to bring it on yourself. The symptoms of the disease are going to intensify for reasons unknown and are unavoidable. The weather also seems to be a factor. Cold, damp weather can really make you ache. It's easy to become frustrated. you want the normal, healthy life that you once had, but the disease stops you. You can become angry and depressed as well. The frustration, anger, & depression over your health issues can be compounded by other daily problems. People with Fibromyalgia usually do not use a wheelchair, crutches, or anything that would give an outside appearance that there is a medical problem. Others assume you are healthy. They may say things like "You have a disease? "You don't look sick to me".
This is typical of life with Fibro. I took this from www.Fibrostop.org
