The 'Other' Pain of Fibromyalgia
The physical pain associated with Fibromyalgia holds a wide range in degree of severity with those whom suffer. For some, the pain is a modest inconvenience that may slow them down a bit. For others, the chronic pain has become a life-altering burden that has branched out into other maladies connected with the illness, such as; Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Interstitial Cystitis, and chronic Migraine headaches. However, no matter the degree to which one suffers the physical pain, anyone who mentions that they suffer from this illness, will undoubtedly be subjected to an unbearable degree of skepticism. This is the "other" pain of Fibromyalgia. Such skepticism brings to those already suffering from the real physical pain of Fibromyalgia, the additional burden of shame, guilt, and pressure to mask what lives inside them. If you know, love and/or care about someone afflicted with Fibromyalgia, I beg you on their behalf...do not question the validity of their suffering.
A "NOT-SO-BAD" DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FIBROMYALGIA SUFFERER
Though waking several times during the night, this time you know you must arise to walk among the living. A new day has dawned. Often likened to a "bad case of the flu," you lay still while summoning the will to move against the pain that saturates your entire body. Every once in a while a tear gives way to the thought of it's unending torment. Once moving about like an old woman two to three times your age, you take whatever medication is required of you, and perform whatever tasks are required of you. And, one hour later, you are so completely drained of all energy that you feel an overwhelming desire to sleep. However, as today is a "not-so-bad" day, and you are not additionally burdened by the caustic burning in your bladder or the draining bouts of diarrhea or the debilitating headaches, you take yourself outside among the living and begin to water your plants.
Just then a neighbor stops by to admire your flowers. "Gee," she remarks, "you don't have the beautiful display of flowers that you used to have." Now you must make the decision; Do you explain why you are unable to maintain such a landscape, or do you allow her to think that you simply don't care anymore? Once again you make the wrong decision and explain that the Fibromyalgia from which you suffer has cut back on the amount of energy you spend in the garden. Her facial expression changes ever so slightly with the veil of skepticism that drapes over it. "Oh," she replies, and bids you farewell. The pain of her skepticism pushes you over your pain tolerance threshold. You give in, take yourself inside, and fall into a light sleep that will not allow you to escape the pain.
Thus continues each of the twenty-four hours of this "not-so-bad" day.
Give a very gentle hug (as the slightest touch may hurt) to someone with Fibromyalgia today. Then, please tell them that you believe in them, and that it is all right for them to be ill. Tell them that they don't have to pretend or feel guilty anymore.
Bladder Pain and Interstitial Cystitis
The Center for Patient Advocacy
Fibromyalgia and CFS Basics
Physical Proof of Fibromyalgia
Pyramid Solutions
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Copyright © 2001 Jacqueline C. Mercurio. All Rights Reserved