I am 75, was fibro diagnosed in early thirties. My dr, who’s now deceased, told me there are a myriad of connective tissue diseases that mimic each other. He felt in time I’d have enough symptoms to make a clear diagnosis, until then, he diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. He thought chronic fatigue was a quack diagnosis.

Forty years have passed and I had another full battery of tests because the symptoms of muscle stiffness - relieved with rest - seemed different. They did find idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.

I have never had the energy others have and they now have a name for the flu-like muscle aches after exercising: post-exertion malaise. It’s frustrating when I’m told exercising will make me feel better. Exercising makes me sick.

I now have bone on bone OA in one knee and am not sure knee replacement surgery is right for me.

I am independent, take muscle relaxers and Tylenol as needed, but knee is making it difficult to walk. Tired all the time. Not terribly social, I am comfortable being at home and getting out daily to go to a store just to stroll and use my legs. About 4K steps per day.

I do think fibro is autoimmune, caused by virus. I had severe stiffness in my spine and legs when first diagnosed - a coworker I worked in close proximity was diagnosed the previous year and another close co-worker was also diagnosed.