Fibromyalgia Awareness | Information, Tips, Support, Patient Stories

Dedicated to raise awareness about Fibromyalgia and offer online support. Find fibromyalgia information, news, interviews and tips.

Fibromyalgia Patient Interview 1: Grace Simpson

Fibromyalgia (FMS), one of the most complicated syndromes, affects every patient differently. We bring to you the real stories of Fibromyalgia Patients from across the world. Every patient's story is a source of learning and inspiration. These stories serve many purposes like helping us understand the condition and symptoms better, helping people with similar symptoms get diagnosed in time, finding tips that work and making the 'Invisible Illness' visible so that sufferers are saved from the stress of making people understand that they really are unwell.

Meet Grace Simpson from Richmond, VA, USA. 
She has been very kind to join us in our mission to raise awareness about Fibromyalgia and we thank her for participating in the interview.

Age: 26 (as on August 2013)
Location: Richmond, VA, USA
Occupation: Data entry & management
Kind of occupation: Part time
Year when symptoms started: 1990
Diagnosed in: 1993
Marital Status: Live-in

Fibromyalgia Awareness Video: Daily Symptoms

Explaining Fibromyalgia to people is one of the toughest tasks for a person suffering from the condition. The answer to the question, "So what do you go through when you have fibromyalgia?" is quite extensive and patients find it strange to go on and on with the umpteen problems they face.

The biggest hurdle is the fact that people with fibromyalgia do not look sick. We are trying here to make it easier for people to explain and understand the symptoms in a non-medical language.

Please view our Fibromyalgia Awareness Video on Daily Symptoms that has been created out of our most effective poster. Please SHARE to help us spread the word.
Have you Liked our Fibromyalgia Awareness Facebook page yet? Do join us today and help us raise awareness!

When you need to overdo

  

With fibromyalgia, it is really tough to do several tasks, forget multitasking. But there are times when you simply have everything on your plate. What to do when you have to do it all?

KEEP OTHERS INFORMED: So first and foremost, ensure that you let your family and friends or even colleagues know your situation. If they already know your limitations with fibromyalgia, they will understand how overexerting increases your fatigue, pain and other symptoms. If not, there is nothing wrong in letting them know.

MOVE IT: Next, while you are in the multitasking phase, try not to stay in the same position for long. If you are cooking a meal for many guests, try to sit while chopping the veggies as you might be standing a long while cooking. If you are travelling and need to walk a lot or maybe trek, remember to sit for a few minutes at intervals. I will try and give specific examples in the upcoming posts.

TAKE A BREAK: More importantly, plan a break after the completion of the do-it-all phase. Maybe you have many guests coming to stay overnight or maybe you are juggling with deadlines and managing kids, try to take a day or two off. Otherwise, you might just end up worsening your symptoms and increasing your medications.

'WEATHER' YOU LIKE IT OR NOT: Also, keep the climate in consideration. If your bothered by hot summers, try these tips. If you need to deal with people who only give you unnecessary stress, here's what to do.

All in all, just listen to your body and take it easy!