Daily Life With Fibromyalgia

Since November 2006, Marla Singleton* has hurtit.
all over. She has tender places on her bodyDiagnosis is usually made by a rheumatologist
where even a slight touch causes her to cringe ineven though any MD can make the diagnosis. A
pain. She sleeps very little, tossing and turninglist of patient complaints in conjunction with a test
most of the night. Her entire body is very stiffthat is referred to as the tender-point test is
each morning, making movement difficult. Pain isused to confirm fibromyalgia. There are eighteen
her constant companion. She is always tired, andtender points on the body that the doctor checks.
she feels overwhelmed and gloomy. Marla hasEleven of the eighteen points must be tender to
fibromyalgia. At 42, Singleton is an office managervalidate diagnosis.
for her local branch of a big corporation. She feelsAccording to Wilson, fibromyalgia pain and fatigue
like her daily life is a big roller coaster.is difficult to describe. "When people ask me what
Fibromyalgia, also known as FM, is a chronicit feels like, I tell them that it feels like I have a
condition that is distinguished by widespread pain innever ending case of the flu," says Wilson.
the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Parts of theSingleton describes the pain and fatigue as feeling
body are tender. Sleep disturbances are commonlike her muscles are overworked or pulled. "The
in people with fibromyalgia, resulting in fatiguepain is a deep aching in my muscles, and I feel like
from lack of restorative sleep.I am in a fog most of the time" notes Singleton.
According to the National Fibromyalgia Association,Fortunately both women have family that
seven to ten million Americans suffer fromsupports them in their daily battle against the
fibromyalgia. Women are primarily the ones thatdebilitating effects of fibromyalgia.
are affected, though it does affect men andThere is no cure for fibromyalgia, but there are
children. The cause of fibromyalgia is not knownmany things that help to lessen the pain and
but it appears that there are triggering eventsmake daily life much more pleasant. Exercise such
that rush its onset such as physical injury,as swimming, yoga, walking, and stretching are
infection, or the onset of another disorder such asbeneficial, and help reduce pain. Physical therapy,
rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.occupational therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback
Life with fibromyalgia varies from day to day.and medications are all used to treat and help with
"Some days I feel good, other days I haverelieving the pain.
constant pain and lack the energy to functionSupport groups are everywhere, and provide
effectively" says Singleton. "My doctors aresupport from others that know what it is like to
working with me to ease my pain and to help mehave fibromyalgia. Hospitals and doctor's offices
to get my quality of life back. It is a long process,can often provide information on finding a support
and the past year has been a nightmare. "group. Singleton joined one in her area that meets
For another person with fibromyalgia, life is a littleonce a month. "We compare notes, discuss the
better. Shari Wilson* sees her fibromyalgia as alatest drugs and treatments, and how to address
challenge. She bikes, swims, and challenges herselfour pain with family, friends and how to answer
to do what she can to minimize her pain. "When Iquestions from strangers. People that I don't
was diagnosed with fibromyalgia I was told toknow such as friends of my friends or
keep moving," notes Wilson. She works full-timeacquaintances will slap me on the back or arm
as a paralegal, and the job keeps her going bothjust being friendly, and I almost cry because it
physically and mentally. She also takes medicationshurts so much. My skin is very tender and I don't
to help her manage her pain so that she can keepknow how to explain to them that even a light
up with her current lifestyle.touch is painful. This group has been a lifesaver"
For many years the symptoms of fibromyalgiasays Singleton.
were considered by doctors to be psychological.For more information about fibromyalgia, contact
Pain was normally something that could be relatedthe National Fibromyalgia Association or the
to an injury. Since there was no visible injury,Fibromyalgia Network.
doctors didn't know what to think of the patient's*last names changed at the request of
complaints of pain and fatigue. With more casesinterviewees
of fibromyalgia being diagnosed, a greater number© Copyright 2007 Patti McMann. All rights
of doctors are learning about it and how to treatreserved.