Tag: fibro pain
SuperFibroman… fibroperson? Fibro super powers…
Let’s be real – living with fibromyalgia is basically like being bitten by a radioactive sloth. You get all these weird-ass “powers” that nobody asked for and just make everyday life more of a challenge. But since we fibro warriors are stuck with them, we might as well lean into the absurdity.
For starters, we’ve all developed a spidey-sense for detecting chairs from a mile away. Usually with our shins when we walk into them but also when we look for them upon entering a room. I always clock exits, then chairs. Our bodies are so desperate for relief that we could spot a La-Z-Boy in a Vegas casino from the parking lot. Now thats not an always thing, some days I’d rather stand because I need to walk or stretch, but I HAVE TO know where my options are.
Then there’s our superpower of confusing the absolute shit out of doctors. We walk into their offices presenting a cluster of bizarre symptoms that have them scratching their heads harder than a dog with fleas. “You’re a real medical mystery!” they proclaim, as if we should feel honored to be their personal enigma wrapped in brain fog and muscle knots. Thanks, I guess?
Of course, our most impressive feat is the ability to look totally normal while feeling like microwaved garbage on the inside. We’re masters of disguise, slapping on makeup and clean clothes to conceal the bone-deep exhaustion and full-body aches. Somehow we make it through work, social events, you name it – all while our bodies are practically screaming for a horizontal surface.
And let’s not forget our supercharged empathy and ability to sense others’ invisible suffering. One look at someone and we can decode the subtle signs of fatigue, pain, and the dreaded brain fog. We see you, fellow spoonies – our x-ray vision cuts through the smiles and pleasantries.
So sure, having fibromyalgia may not give us the coolest superpowers in the traditional sense. But if you think about it, we’re all low-key superheroes just powering through each day with these bizarre abilities nobody else wants. Who needs super strength when you have the power to baffle medical professionals? Til next time gang, take care of yourself and each other!
Fibro be makin me crazy… or crazy makin me fibro?…
Fibromyalgia, the condition that makes “chronic pain” seem like an understatement, often comes with a side order of psychological hurdles, courtesy of our good friend, solitude. Picture this: you’re in a constant battle with your own body, and just when you think you’ve reached an understanding, your social life decides to pack its bags and take a vacation to “nowhere in sight.”
Isolation, the VIP section of the fibromyalgia club, isn’t exactly a coveted spot. Between canceling plans last minute because your body decided to throw a tantrum and having to explain for the umpteenth time why you can’t just “shake it off,” it’s no wonder you’re left feeling like the lone wolf in a pack of social butterflies.
Loneliness, the emotional equivalent of trying to find Waldo in a sea of blank stares, becomes your not-so-trusty sidekick on this rollercoaster ride. Who needs friends when you have your trusty heating pad and a Netflix subscription, right? But let’s be real, even the most dedicated binge-watcher can’t fill the void of genuine human connection.
Feeling misunderstood? Welcome to the fibromyalgia Olympics, where everyone’s a gold medalist in the sport of not getting it. Because nothing says “fun” like trying to explain why you’re tired all the time to someone who thinks a good night’s sleep can cure anything from a broken heart to a broken leg.
In conclusion, the psychological effects of solitude on individuals with fibromyalgia are about as enjoyable as a root canal without anesthesia. But fear not, fellow fibro warriors, for in the midst of the chaos and the pain, there’s humor to be found. So, here’s to finding solace in laughter, camaraderie in shared experiences, and the occasional eye roll at well-meaning but clueless bystanders. After all, if you can’t laugh in the face of adversity, what’s the point? Take care of yourself, and each other.
Fibro and friends…
Ah, relationships and fibromyalgia, the ultimate test of love and patience. Because what better way to spice up your romantic life than with a chronic pain condition that’s about as predictable as the weather forecast in the Midwest in May?
Picture this: you’re all snuggled up on the couch, ready for a cozy night in with your significant other. But instead of Netflix and chill, it’s more like a game of “Find the Least Painful Position” as you try to avoid triggering a fibro flare-up every time they accidentally bump into you. Ah, romance.
Also, the timeless struggle of elucidating fibromyalgia to your significant other without coming off like a wannabe actor on Grey’s Anatomy. “Oh darling, I’m not merely exhausted—I’m ‘fibro-fatigued.’ It’s fatigue with a twist, a dash of theatrics, and a sprinkle of existential dread for flavor. Just your average day in the life of a medical drama, right?”” I’ve always wanted to be on Greys. Or, honestly I’m old school and ER was my jam. STAT! lol
Oh, and communication? That’s a whole other ballgame. Because nothing says “I love you” like trying to have a serious conversation about your pain levels while your partner’s eyes glaze over like they’re watching paint dry. Ah, the sweet sound of empathy. I love watching the light in my partners eyes dim when I talk tender points. I can see exactly when he tunes out and I’m always tempted to throw in extra random shit to see if he’s paying attention lol
But hey, if your relationship can survive the endless doctor’s appointments, the mood swings from pain medication, and the occasional meltdown in the frozen foods aisle because they’re out of your favorite ice cream (or just because its Tuesday), then you know you’ve found a keeper. So here’s to love, laughter, and navigating the minefield of fibromyalgia together. Til next time gang, take care of yourself, and each other.
Off with her head… or all the rest of the parts that hurt…
We’ve all been there, some social event that you drag yourself out of bed for, any big gathering that you’ve saved up your spoons for because you know how things get. You’ve managed to smile for most of the people and start to ache, thinking only of the inevitable crash that comes after having fun with others. You’ve clocked the exits, you’re making your rounds saying goodbye to everyone. Hand shakes, gentle hugs for the chosen few, when someone sees you trying to make your quiet farewell. A loud someone. A judgemental someone. A someone you’ve artfully managed to dodge for the entire event, and there they are blocking the door. You can hear it already, their complete dismissal of the monster that consumes your entire being most days. How much you wish you could just transfer the monster to this persons back for five minutes, maybe you’d get a little empathy. Of course not. Today is the day they get through to you that you’re not feeling what you think you’re feeling, you’re feeling what THEY think you are feeling, and with a lot less first hand knowledge. Rolling your eyes and thanking them won’t work, but you are not in the mood to debate it, some people will just never believe what they can’t see, touch, or feel themselves.
You are not going to change hearts and minds here. Your best bet is to leave before anyone’s feelings are hurt (including your own, some people are mean). BUTTTTTT, you see where this is going, so you square your shoulders and smile, hoping to minimize the interaction and get out of there before drawing a crowd and having to say goodbye to everybody all over again. Bracing for it, you are not at all surprised to hear, ‘You know, I read that fibromyalgia is 100% mental, have you ever thought about the possibility you’re just too sensitive? It’s all in your head, I bet’
Oh boy. He went there. Now if you’re like me and you are not completely depleted from peopleing at this point, this is when you laugh. Not the good funny ha-ha laugh, but the ‘listen here f*cktw@t’ chuckle of you loading up the heat to roast this fool. Get out your marshmallows and gather round…
Guys fibro is hard, and fibro fog makes thinking of quick witty comebacks a near impossibility, but if you are prepared, locked and loaded with the snark this comment deserves this can be the highlight of the evening not just for you but for all in the vicinity, especially those who don’t enjoy this tool’s company. I GOT YOU! Look no further, these comebacks are sure to have him feeling the heat of that burn until the next party (where I promise at least this dumbass won’t be providing color commentary on your health.)
‘Oh wow of course! All I need to do is flip the switch in my brain labeled pain sensitivity to the off position, why didnt I think of that!’ – Ironically thats what some of our meds actually do, but this person wasn’t trying to be helpful and you don’t owe him a science lesson.
‘Wow, why didn’t I think of that? Let me just tell these nerves to stop being so dramatic’ – That one works best with an eye roll and then a fast subject change, as if you have no time for his shit.
‘Great idea! I’ll just add ‘ignore chronic pain’ to my to-do list. I’ll put it right under solve world hunger and teach you how to find the g-spot’ – That one is savage and might need to be adjusted in accordance with their sexual orientation
‘Oh silly me, I forgot to unsubscribe to the feeling pain newsletter, and I forgot my imaginary pain repellent! Can I borrow yours?’ – You can add ‘never mind, I’ll find my own, I forgot you keep yours up your ass with your head’ it depends on who is around and how much you dislike this person.
The last one is best delivered with full eye roll and exaggerated ‘I’m over this’ hair toss – ‘Ah, the elusive solution: simply pretend it doesn’t exist. Thanks for the groundbreaking advice. Remind me to cancel my doctors appointment and just think happy thoughts, why did I forget I was going to get to see Dr. Obvious, first name Captain’ and swish on out of there.
None of these are ideal, but neither are the ignorant people with uneducated opinions. You won’t change anyone’s heart or mind because its exactly as two dimensional as any other illness that has never touched that persons life, so you might as well get a decent laugh out of it, maybe provide a witness with a funny story to tell. Until next time gang, take care of yourselves, and each other!
Fibro because its not all about the Zzzs… except when it is…
Fibro folk, tell me I’m not alone, you’re out, having some fun with friends, one of them out of the handful that are around, knows about your Fibro and inquires about your health. You thank them for their genuine concern, pleased to know someone is listening, when another one says ‘Oh is that the sleeping one? I got some (insert name of sleep supplement here) from facebook/tiktok/my sister’s brother in law’s father’s uncle said it works for all those and it knocks me right out’ while you are looking down so that fire doesnt shoot out of your eye holes you remember you’re too tired to argue with this person that you hardly know about what the different kinds of tireds there are. Let her be her dumb ass self and hope that she never has any type of chronic illness, because you wouldnt wish any of it on your worst enemy let alone this obnoxiously oblivious woman.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia are both chronic conditions characterized by symptoms that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, but they differ in their primary symptoms and diagnostic criteria. “Just being tired,” on the other hand, typically refers to a temporary state of fatigue that can be alleviated by rest and does not meet the criteria for either CFS or Fibromyalgia.
CFS, also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), is primarily characterized by profound fatigue that is not alleviated by rest and persists for at least six months. This fatigue is often accompanied by other symptoms such as cognitive difficulties (often referred to as “brain fog”), muscle and joint pain, headaches, sore throat, and tender lymph nodes. The exact cause of CFS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of factors including viral infections, immune dysfunction, and psychological stressors.
Fibromyalgia, on the other hand, is primarily characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and tenderness, often accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive difficulties, and mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. The pain associated with fibromyalgia typically affects specific tender points in the body, and the condition is thought to involve abnormalities in how the brain and spinal cord process pain signals, as well as factors such as genetics, infections, and trauma.
“Just being tired,” or transient fatigue, is a common experience that everyone encounters at some point in their lives due to factors such as inadequate sleep, physical exertion, stress, or illness. Unlike CFS and Fibromyalgia, transient fatigue typically resolves with rest and does not persist for an extended period of time. While it may share some symptoms with CFS and Fibromyalgia, such as fatigue, it lacks the severity, duration, and accompanying symptoms necessary for a diagnosis of either condition.
Til tomorrow folks, be kind to yourself and one another.
Doctors who are helpful with Fibro, thats the real treasure to find…
Hi gang! I have some stuff to say about other topics but since its Fibromyalgia Awareness Month lets try and keep the Fibro convo going. Fibro’s a tough nut to crack when it comes to diagnosis because there’s no one-size-fits-all test that gives you a clear-cut answer. I totally get the frustration there. It’s crucial to team up with a doc who really knows their fibro stuff, one who listens to what you’re going through and doesn’t just slap everything under the fibro label. Sure, fatigue might be tied to fibro, but it could also signal something else lurking in the shadows. What if it’s a whole other issue that can be managed? It’s worth digging into. If your doc brushes off any of your worries, it’s time to find someone who takes you seriously. Seriously, advocate for yourself! Start by getting clued up on what you’re dealing with, arm yourself with info on what treatments are out there, what to watch out for, what might be red flags for other conditions. Sure, docs should be up to speed on all this stuff, but they’ve got a million and one things on their plate. You knowing your stuff gives you a leg up, at least you can point them in the right direction. Bring along logs of your symptoms, stuff you’ve tried, and hey, if you’ve found some golden nuggets of wisdom online, make sure they’re from a legit source. Doctors ain’t gonna take your brother’s buddy’s Facebook rant as gospel, and it just makes it tougher for the rest of us.
Ah, fibromyalgia, the mystical unicorn of medical conundrums, where symptoms are as clear as mud and diagnosing it feels like playing a round of medical bingo. Let’s paint the picture, you stroll into your doctor’s office armed with a laundry list of symptoms that could make even the most seasoned hypochondriac turn green with envy. But instead of the understanding you anticipated, you’re greeted with the classic eye-roll and the timeless response: ‘It’s probably just Fibro.’ Making you feel like its normal to hurt this way and you should just buck up and take it. You must be weak if you can’t handle it. Because, of course, who needs medical expertise when you’ve got stress to conveniently blame for every twinge and throb, am I right?
And when your doc finally has enough of your complaints they do the next predictable thing, referral so you are no longer their problem. The notorious medical dance – you know, where you hop from one specialist to another like a pinball in a machine, each one looking more perplexed than the last. “It’s just in your head,” they proclaim, as if that magically diminishes your pain, making it more… ethereal? Because obviously, feeling like you’ve been steamrolled by a freight train is just a whimsical creation of your imagination, not a serious condition worthy of genuine concern.
But fear not, dear patient, for there’s always the ever-popular misdiagnosis game to keep things interesting. Is it chronic fatigue syndrome? Is it rheumatoid arthritis? Is it just your body’s way of telling you that it’s time to invest in a better mattress? Who knows! It’s like playing medical roulette, except instead of winning a jackpot, you get a lifetime supply of confusion and frustration.
So, here’s to you, fibromyalgia warriors, bravely battling through the medical maze armed with nothing but your pain and a healthy dose of sarcasm. After all, if laughter is the best medicine, then you’re practically immortal.
Til next time gang, take care of yourself, and each other!
I forgot to add, George says ‘hey whats up?’ He’s off tearing shit up at the moment but he’s not going away lol.
Fibromyalgia, Bipolar, and me…
Hi Guys!
I’m actually writing this out before hand because my endless streams of consciousness get confusing and I wanted to give you all some facts with your funny today (or MY funny, I’m not going to presume to know how you feel about things). As I’ve talked about in detail, I suffer from both Bipolar and Fibro among some other alphabet disorders and such. Part of the challenge when you suffer from multiple illnesses is difficulty TREATING the illness has a whole because you are so busy trying to battle symptoms
Ah, the overlap symptoms, where Fibromyalgia and Bipolar Disorder play their favorite game of “Fibro, flare, bipolar or unidentifiable illness?” Let’s dive into this delightful pool of confusion, shall we?
- Fatigue Fiesta: Is it the fibro fog or the bipolar brain drain? Who knows! One day you’re bouncing off the walls with energy, the next you’re contemplating the physics of whether it’s possible to sleep while standing up. I’m talented enough to get both in the same day. I know, don’t be jealous lol Why choose between chronic fatigue and mood-induced exhaustion when you can have both, right? When you are dealing with this fatigue, it touches so many other parts of your life, and being tired all the time ruins your quality of life.
- Pain Parade: Is it fibro spreading its discomfort like peanut butter on toast, or just your bipolar mood swings throwing a tantrum in the form of physical agony? Who needs targeted discomfort when you’ve got a buffet of sensations to keep you guessing? Every new ache becomes a game of medical Clue: “Was it Colonel Fibro in the living room with the pain stick, or Professor Bipolar in the kitchen with the mood swing?” It’s like living in a mystery novel, except the plot twists are your own nerve endings.
- Gaslighting: Oh, don’t even get me started. Before you can say “It’s all in your head,” we’ve already played that mind game with ourselves a hundred times over. And when someone finally agrees with the doubts we’ve been wrestling with, it’s like a twisted validation that only makes things worse.
- Take my cardiac arrest saga, for example. My heart decided to play hopscotch with its rhythm, and each fluttery beat had me convinced it was just another fibro flare-up. So, I shrugged it off, attributing it to the usual suspects. Turns out, it was a serious problem hiding in plain sight, but hey, who needs hindsight when you’ve got a PhD in self-gaslighting, right?
- So, here’s to the dangers of doubting your own symptoms and the perils of playing doctor with Dr. Google. Because when it comes to your health, it’s better to be safe than sorry – even if it means admitting that sometimes, you don’t have all the answers.
- Sleepless Slumber Party: Can’t sleep? Welcome to the club! With both fibro and bipolar on the guest list, your nights are a delightful mix of tossing, turning, and contemplating the meaning of life at 3 AM. Is it the fibro’s fault for making your bed feel like a bed of nails, or is it the bipolar’s insistence on turning your brain into a 24/7 circus of thoughts? Sleep is overrated anyway, right? That’s why sticking to a routine is essential. I sleep ok finally, but I had to change a lot, I’m in bed by 9pm 90% of the time because I changed my routine to what fit me best. For the life of me I CANNOT sleep past 4 am so I have to adjust my bedtime accordingly. As I said, listen to the natural rhythm of your body as much as you can
- Mood Swing Shindig: Ah, the pièce de résistance of symptom overlap! One minute you’re as giddy as a kid in a candy store, the next you’re contemplating whether it’s socially acceptable to cry into your cereal. Is it the fibro fog clouding your emotions, or is it the bipolar rollercoaster taking you on a wild ride through the valleys of despair and the peaks of mania? Who needs emotional stability when you can have a mood swing buffet? Being in a mixed episode for a prolonged period of time, I can’t hold on to the ride and bouncing between the highs and lows is leaving me bruised and bewildered
- So, dear patient, welcome to the wonderful world where fibro and bipolar team up to keep you guessing and your doctors scratching their heads. Who needs clarity when you can have a medical mystery novel written by the masters of chaos themselves? Enjoy the ride!
Be kind to yourselves, and each other!
Can I just get it popped back to normal like Barbie?
Guys, I’m sorry, yesterday was CRAZY. It was my birthday which I told you about, but we also had our kid’s track meet, which if you’ve never been (because I hadn’t been. Not sure if you could tell this about me but one might say I have the athleticism and grace of a newborn giraffe on roller skates, so I did not participate in sports in high school) takes about 4 years hours and involves a lot of time waiting for it to be your kid’s event while kids stomp up and down the bleachers and there’s at least 4 other kids screaming then a small handful with their heads together giggling while there’s conversations simultaneously in every direction and your brain seems to latch on to a single word from each one of them collectively making NO fucking sense, bu… GEORGE!
We have to have some ground rules Sir, this is not sustainable. I’m here to tell a story, to make someone laugh even for a minute. You can’t keep interrupting me, its rude and disrespectful of these poor folks time.
Anyway, so before we went I wanted to zone for a bit and I figured I’d do the lawn, nice and sunny and before the heat of the day. All week I knew where I was going to go for birthday dinner. I was going to say the name but if the wrong person reads it I could be liable, I’ll have to research that. We’ll just say it was a BBQ place that I had been looking forward to going to for two weeks, it wasn’t as good as I remembered. Well, so it was already a low spoon day, I thought mowing might ‘recharge’ me since it does help me mentally. It did not. So I was almost out before we got there, but you know the drill, you soldier on. Then I had to walk. I had to walk far. SO far guys. Then METAL bleachers! I mean the nope’s were piling up.
I’m on a new med because of the eye (I don’t know if I showed you but I have something like a stye on my eye and we are trying the meds for three months to see if it responds.) I was told it might make me a little more sensitive to the sun. I was ill prepared for that situation too as it turns out, but at least that was easily rectified as daughter had sunscreen. I applied it too late of course so I felt every inch of me tighten. NOT A GOOD PLAN AHEAD-ER. I did wear a hat so I was kind of prepared, however, I neglected to consider my neck would be exposed. So I didn’t apply sunscreen. So yeah, today was maybe a 11 on the pain scale today. I’m finally coming out of it, I can tell when I’m on the upswing, no more down, in the words of T-Pain ‘we goin up!’
I’m concerned about my hip. Its pretty well constant pain now, and I get these blinding white hot flashes that will knock me down, so I’ve been debating getting shots, I know people who have had positive effects and those that had negative effects. Also this convo, it was hubby and I talking about it for the fiftieth time
I don’t know why it hurts so bad
Could it have anything to do with how you sit?
Why? I just sit normal
DO YOU though?
(that was all pics from today but all the way I normally sit. I almost always sit with one of my feet under me and yeah he’s not wrong lol)
So today was a recovery day all in all it was good, just a bit too much pain for my liking. I did discover something dangerous yesterday. Braums has dreamsicle shakes! Well its just orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream they don’t call it dreamsicle, its just half vanilla and half sherbet shake.
After I was able to sit down tonight I just found myself staring blindly somewhere in the general vicinity of the tv, nothing really notable but gang, listen to your body. Follow its cues. It will leave you so much happier at the end of the day. No one can know how you feel but you. I read somewhere theres a good percentage of people who go through life without any headaches. Thats UNFATHOMABLE to me. I bet something that was a 2 or 3 on a spoonie’s pain scale would be a 10 to them, they’d probably think they were dying. We are all different, perceive things different, experience things different. Til next time gang, take care of yourself, and each other.
WannaBeNormal 