Did I comment already in this thread? I don’t remember.
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia around 1997-98, when I was about 36. The doctor said that, based on my symptoms, I probably have had the condition since I was at least 19. I remember asking people, including doctors, if it was normal to feel your hands and feet. I couldn’t think of how else to describe it. They said I needed to stretch/exercise/not exercise/drink more fluids/stop smoking (I did when I was 35), and a whole other range of “suggestions” that didn’t help. My “favorite”? It’s in my head.
It was WONDERFUL to put a name to my range of symptoms. Knowing I wasn’t crazy or whiny or lazy allowed me to attack the symptoms, if I couldn’t get rid of the disease/syndrome/condition.
At 64 I’m still in pain. 24/7. It interferes with much of my life but it doesn’t stop my life. I sleep when I need and try (try) to exercise.
Right now I’m working on my weight. I gained weight when I stopped smoking in ‘97. Then I kept gaining weight and over the last 2 years I gained 20 pounds due to being depressed and not active. Carrying the extra weight can be painful plus I don’t feel really good about it. I need to lose at least 30. Not for anyone else but so that I’m not in pain.
To anyone living with this condition, there is no cure. We CAN treat it and take control of our symptoms. We don’t have to let it control us.