In a recent edition of Fibromyalgia Aware magazine there was an article titled "10 Things You Should Never Say to a Fibromyalgia Patient," by Linda Meilink. Here are the ten things she listed: 1. I think I have that too. 2. My sister-in-law has fibromyalgia and she's still working. She says it helps to take her mind off the pain. 3. But you look okay. 4. Is that a real disease. 5. Maybe you just need some B vitamins. 6. Do you have any percocet? I could sure use one right now. 7. Well, we all start to ache when we get older. 8. Can you hold this box for me? I can't find … [Read more...]
No Resolutions Here, Just Resolve
I think by now everyone knows that something like 85% of all resolutions fail, so why commit yourself to something with only a 15% success rate? I made a resolution years ago to not make any more resolutions, and that is the one resolution I have stuck with. This year Rob and I are resolved to improve our health. We are both turning the big 4-0 in 2009 and have decided we want to spend the next decade healthier than we did the last. Because of my Fibromyalgia we have not been able to do the hiking, backpacking and other outdoor activities we once enjoyed doing together. An unfortunate side … [Read more...]
Weddings Make Me Nostalgic
I am flying to Hawaii tomorrow to attend the wedding of one of my best friends from high school. Kim & I have been friends for nearly 25 years, and her approaching wedding has made me very reflective and nostalgic about our friendship and our youth. It has also made me realize how much I have changed and how much Fibromyalgia has forced me to change. Kim and I met in high school. We had an English class together. I was a serious and studious student, sitting in the front row, taking notes, and hanging on to Mr. Gordon’s every word (partly because I secretly wanted to marry him). Kim … [Read more...]
4 Simple Daily Habits to Help Manage Your Fibromyalgia
For the estimated 10 million Americans living with fibromyalgia, there is nothing “simple” about it. The daily battle with widespread pain, fatigue, and mental fog can be debilitating. Trying to be a productive person under these conditions is a challenge. Fibromyalgia sufferers struggle every day coping with this “new” version of their lives. Gone is the independent, productive person you once were. In place is someone left wondering, “How am I going to contribute today?” And it is not simply how am I going to contribute to my job, to my home, and to my family, but how am I going to … [Read more...]