What exactly is fibromyalgia? I don't know about you, but I find it hard to explain to others. People sometimes doubt it's existence because it's not something you can see. When you're in your 20's people don't believe you because they think it's something the elderly have. Well it's not mutually exclusive to an age group.
People don't realize that the smallest bump or the lightest hit can really hurt. My rheumatologist told my mom and I that a person with fibromyalgia will feel pain ten times more than someone without it. For instance when I fall on ice it will hurt ten times more than if my best friend does. Gently smacking me on the arm will hurt. People at work often tell me that I'm exaggerating and that it didn't hurt. Who are they to tell me what does or doesn't hurt. Like the other 5 million people who have fibromyalgia, my body is different.
So what exactly is fibromyalgia? Well is is a chronic pain and fatigue illness. Let's break down the name: "fibro" refers to your fibrous tissue (this would be your tendons and ligaments), "my" is your muscles, and "algia" is for pain. Other symptoms are fatigue, problems with sleeping, problems with memory and focus, depression, anxiety, stiffness, tingling and numbness, headaches, and irritable bowl.
There are 18 trigger points, and this gal has all of them. They are split into 9 pairs. The pairs are: the back of the neck, your elbows, the front of your neck, hips, lower back, knees, upper back, shoulders, and your chest. If you have at least 11 points you most likely have fibro. I always feel tired and pain, and I get a lot of flack for it. I mainly hear about it at work. People make fun of me because I am always tired, and say that because I am in my 20s I shouldn't be so tired or feel so much pain. I hope they read this so they can understand why. I always am forgetful or can't focus. I say things over and over again which annoys my co workers. My brain is in a fog that won't go away, so I have a difficult time. One time I couldn't remember how to use a GPS app. I started yelling at my mom, crying because I couldn't remember. Sometimes when I lay on my stomach my body from my lower back down starts tingling and feeling numb. It's so uncomfortable and I have difficulty moving. At work I can't put the truck away because of my fibro, and I know it irritates my fellow opener. I don't like having this, in fact I hate it. There have been times I have found it difficult to keep going because of how painful and inconvenient it is. It's difficult for me to work on my feet for 8 hours straight. Sometimes I sit down, and of course people make jokes. Well my pain is not a joke. It is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life.
Who has fibromyalgia? Well contrary to popular belief one in six people diagnosed with fibro are minors. While men still can have fibro, nearly 90% of those diagnosed are women. For those with children there is a wonderful article that shows you exactly how your child is feeling after their diagnosis. http://health.learninginfo.org/fibromyalgia-children.htm For women on Lyrica, before getting pregnant they must first go off of their medication. My doctor said it should only take a couple of months to be weened off of it. That means your pain will increase, and your symptoms will flare during pregnancy. It will be difficult to breast feed. So, when I say I don't want children it's a lie. I so badly want children, but I am so afraid of what I will have to go through and sacrifice to have them. What if I can't work? I can't get disability. What if my depression increases? What if my anxiety and pain are so bad I miscarry? I think about this often because that's how important having children is to me. I've been without medication before, so I know what it's like. I remember how I felt before my diagnosis. It scares me. I know if I ever get married people will start asking me when I am going to have a baby. People need to stop doing that because they have no clue about whether or not a woman can even have children.
Hopefully after reading this you will have a better understanding of what fibromyalgia is. I am not a doctor. Just someone who has eleven plus years experience with it. Please speak to your doctor if you think you may have fibromyalgia. There is no cure, but there are a variety of treatments. You're probably going to want to give up, but don't. I'm glad I didn't give up because I would have missed out on so much.
Keep Livin'
Kayla Dawn
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