Please welcome Sandy from Fighting Fatigue back to the blog –
Ever since the FDA approved the drug Lyrica for Fibromyalgia patients, skeptics have been crawling out from the woodwork to post their “opinions” on the validity of Fibromyalgia.
It amazes me that in this day and age, millions of people who are sick (3 – 6 million to be exact) with Fibromyalgia still feel as though they have to defend themselves and defend the fact that they are truly, physically ill.
I have been reading on different websites across the Internet comments such as:
– We are whiners who complained until someone gave us a drug to treat our so-called condition.
– People who legitimately suffer from chronic pain are few and far between.
– We are taking the easy way out by popping a pill and refusing to deal with the realities of life.
– We have so-called psychological issues due to the fact that we were neglected or treated unfairly as children.
– We expect the world to revolve around us and expect people to bow down to us because of our illness.
Yes, these are statements that I have been reading! All I can say to all of the Fibromyalgia skeptics who are out there, come live with me for one week. By the time you have spent 24 hours a day with me for 7 days, you will realize that it is impossible to fake this illness. Walk in my shoes for one day, one hour even, and you will have a new appreciation for what real strength is.
To those who don’t believe, I pray that the day comes where you are not struck down with a chronic illness. If you are, and if you seek out compassion, understanding and acceptance, remember how you treated others.
Sandy Robinson is 38, Female, live in the Northeast, married with a 6-year-old beautiful son. Sandy started the Fighting Fatigue website to help raise awareness and offer support to others for the chronic illnesses I Sandy personally suffers from: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Interstitial Cystitis.
Sandy the incredible thing about this post is I could easily replace the words Fibromyalgia and chronic pain with words like depression and everything you wrote would still apply. I don’t think sufferers of Fibromyalgia are alone in feeling that lack of compassion, understanding and acceptance.
I sometimes think many illnesses are like the existence of God – either you believe they exist because you personally suffer from them or you know someone who does, or you don’t believe they exist. People with mental illnesses like depression often feel that same need to defend themselves and rather than try to prove they are ill, they’ll just shut up. :( Good on you for not being silent about this.
Sandy also wrote – Maintaining A Positive Attitude While Chronically Ill previously as a guest poster for get out of your niche here on the blog.
And remember, you can get out of your niche too – all bloggers are welcome. Just contact me.
I have a few friends who suffer from FM and I think one of the most frustrating things for them is they feel people don’t believe them or don’t take them seriously. But yes, when it happens to someone you care about, you know they are not pretending or making up their symptoms. In my opinion, with the technology we have today, nobody should be in unnecessary pain.
I too have Fibro as well as other chronic illnesses. I read and learn from Sandy’s blog. I try to be an advocate for people with any type of disABILITY or chronic illness. The stigma that is attached to Fibro and many of the “invisible illnesses” shocks me every day.
I noticed a big change of perception from other people when I had to use a cane for being unstable on my feet. People that once thought I shouldn’t park in handicap zones, that thought I was faking or exaggerating looked as if I were really sick.
I no longer use that cane but I will tell people that I’m disABLED if asked why I park in that blue spot, why I use a scooter in a large store, etc. I’m happy to explain in detail about my illnesses if they are so inclined to listen. The discussion usually ends quite abruptly though.
i have a very good friend who has FM and i really feel for her. it is VERY real and i can’t believe people would doubt it and be so hurtful!
Thank you. Fantastic article. I feel like yelling this at people sometimes. When I have been told that it’s all in my head, you need to see a psychologist, your making yourself sick, etc. I wouldn’t wish this illness on anyone, but I wish some could live inside my body for 1 week. Then tell me if it’s real or not.