Anyone else feel like people don't think Fibromyalgia is real?

I have bought 2 books fibromyalgia for dummies and mayo clinic guide to fibromyalgia. It's by my sofa and I dip in and out of them sometimes. I also sit under a heated blanket and don't feel guilty of watching rubbish TV. I am getting chronic pain more in my chest at the mo, probably my mild GORD and I am like many fibromyalgia patients intolerant to loads of tablets, ( but I still have to reach for a pill of course). I have found downing gaviscon helps and it sounds weird but while in bed I wriggle through the pain, ie make small movements to distract me abit. I think it's fair to say we have to work out for ourselves how to best live with this real condition. I have found what makes me feel almost normal is taking 2 co codamol tablets at night but sadly doctors don't like long term usage because of addiction. I am just taking paracetamol/ co codamol/ when I am desperate but I am determined to go tablet free one day. Here in England they offer a treatment plan where people with chronic pain can meet up/ talking therapy etc multidisciplinary approach which I am waiting for. Not sure what's in the states but I reckon joining a support group will help. I have learnt to say no these days when my body isn't up to anything and there's no harm in doing so as long as I remember to not let the fibromyalgia control me but I work around it.
We just have to remember it's not in our heads, it's a real neurological condition and there's alot of us in the same boat. I always play my violin in church when I can and when I can't I know it's a good place to be for support, and free and good for the spirit.
God Bless everyone , let's remember to be kind to ourselves and be forgiving of others that don't understand.x
Best wishes Guinea pig lover.x

@judyingenes I believe you are right. 'They' don't have chronic pain so do not know what it could feel like. Only those who have FM know the daily pain and how you cope with it. I just tell people I'm not available if they ask why I won't do what they would like to do, live the best life I can. I have had it since 1982 also with daily migraines until I was 70. You have an amazing outlook. Way to go.

New to this support group, but your post caught my attention. I was diagnosed when I was 15 with chronic fatigue syndrome and not with fibromyalgia. My mother helped me figure out that I had fibromyalgia. When I asked my doctor about the possibility he replied, "oh yes with the chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia is implied." It wasn't u til o contracted shingles about 6 years ago that I figured out, on my own, that gabapentin helped the symptoms. Other than my mother, the rest of my family treated me as though I was a hypochondriac. Earlier this year I purchased a Visible brand health monitor to try and learn my energy patterns more clearly. It's an armband and is black, and everyone around me has asked about it and I explain what it is and after that they completely change how they treat me. Sometimes its even too far the other way. My very aggressive father always told me that it was just a question of willpower and to push through. Now that I am wearing this band, he treats me like im made of glass. All this is to say, its the "invisible illness" effect. People, even medical professionals, have a tendency to not believe us, or to think we're exaggerating the amount of pain we're in. I actually have a very high pain threshold. Ive had several broken bones and a whole host of other injuries. The fibro, when it flares up, is worse than any of them. I sometimes wish I had a way to make it so that other people could feel the pain. Just a quick, here this is what its like, kind of demonstration. I tend to doubt and downplay my symptoms too, but that can make it worse. You're not alone, and medical science has come a long, long way just in my lifetime (i'm 38). Keep chugging along, and never, ever be afraid to advocate for yourself. I think everyone needs a loudmouth friend or relative who will get in people's faces for you. If you don't have one, find one! But seriously, I wish you the best, and keep working on it. Slow and steady wins the race, after all.

esander4 thank you for sharing. I will look into the armband. I appreciate your insight and sharing your experience. Very helpful!! Best wishes to you as well!!

Yes, I have experienced this from many friends who don't think Fibro is real and think I'm imagining my symptoms or overreacting. It's so frustrating. When I first started having symptoms, my GP at the time didn't actually say he thought I was a hypochondriac, but it was obvious that's what he thought. Because blood tests and other tests all came back normal, he didn't know what to do to help me and never even suggested it could be Fibro or some autoimmune disease. Other doctors think Fibro was real, but have no idea how painful and debilitating it can be.

@daisy17

Yes, Same thing here. People & Doctors are just Not Listening! I could just Cry! I am dealing with a LOT of STRESS, I just know it is Adding to the Pain.

Do you Know of Any Doctor I can go to for Fibro.

Thank you & Bless you Daisy

@esander4 Thankyou Thank you

Wish we could send your letter to NEWS and to All Doctors Everywhere!

This is REAL It is NOT in YOUR HEAD!

KEEP UP YOUR GOOD WORK and ABOVE ALL KEEP ON GOING!!!!!

@wendymykkanen
I knew it was time to switch GP's when, after months of telling my Dr that I was in extreme all-over body pain, I asked him if there was anything he could do to help me and his answer was, "No." I think he wanted to get rid of me as a patient because tests didn't show anything physically wrong with me. I now have a female GP who is more understanding, but there is not much they can do for Fibro other than recommend the 3 drugs the FDA has approved, which only work for about 30% of the people who take them.

I'm now taking low-dose naltrexone and 5mg of cyclobenzaprine daily. I had to go to a Pain Clinic to get the prescription for naltrexone but at my next visit with my GP I will ask her if she can renew my prescription to save me another trip to that Dr. I would ask your GP to recommend those two drugs. There are studies on-line showing they can help, so I would take that info to your Dr. If your GP won't do that, try and find a functional medicine Dr. I am doing well now but don't know if it's because of those meds or if I'm in a temporary remission. I also take a B complex vitamin, Vitamin C and magnesium glycinate.

It's almost more difficult when friends and family don't believe you or understand. Good luck to you.

Of course fibromyalgia is real, the pain is real the symptoms are real and it's not imagined. It's a neurological condition where unfortunately our pain signals are amplified. I don't want to keep taking drugs, visiting different doctors, departments spend several weeks in hospital and end up with a scar on my face, break 2 pairs of expensive glasses if I was making it up. I think the medication is trial and error and we are not just after the drugs. Most people don't understand as we often look healthy and doctors are only just beginning to understand the complexities of fibromyalgia. It makes me angry when people dismiss my symptoms but thankfully after finally meeting a neurologist in hospital questioning my amplified pain signals and seeing a pain clinic consultant who knew straight away I had fibromyalgia after looking at my medical records it has given me hope for the future. Thinking of everyone with fibromyalgia or having fibromyalgia symptoms that are real and haven't been diagnosed yet. There are good doctors out there, please don't lose hope.
Best wishes Guinea pig lover.
Ps I am writing lots because I am in alot of pain and think I am in a flare so it is good to write and know we are not alone...

Fibromyalgia is for real. I've been dealing with it for 25 plus years. Some things that help me is staying active, anti inflammatory and pain medication. I use different pain ointments for the Fibromyalgia pain and joint pains. Look into natural things like eating fruits and take vitamins. With Fibromyalgia blood flow to the muscles is important. Research things to increase blood flow, try massage therapy. Most importantly learn your physical limits. Don't overdo physical activities like yard work or house cleaning.