My Life with Fibro

Fibromyalgia Might Not Exist: And Why it Doesn’t Matter…

,

Long story short.  You’re right.

Fibromyalgia might not exist.

But, it doesn’t matter.  The symptoms exist.  I don’t really care what you call them.  And, to those who delight in belittling folks who have been diagnosed with the laundry list of symptoms that are often grouped under fibromyalgia, I just wonder…  Would you prefer we, instead of simply saying “I have fibromyalgia,” listed each symptom individually?

Hi, I’m Kate.  I have chronic pain, migraines, IBS, memory issues, leg cramps, fatigue, muscle stiffness, and… and… and…

Would your highness/holier-than-thou self appreciate us using so much of your time?  I’m sure your schedule is busy.  Busy is the trendy life-sucking excuse for less-than-our-best.  Isn’t it? It’s pretty clear… upon hearing the word fibromyalgia you can’t bite your tongue long enough to let us finish our sentence.  You’re so eager to display your knowledge.  To set the world straight.  To be the ONLY person who knows for sure what it is that causes my symptoms.

Freak.  Please.  If you’re so confident go pitch it to the folks who spend their whole career trying to actually help people like me.  I dare you.  Just tell ’em.

“Hey.  I know it all.  I’ve got it all figured out.  They’re wusses.  They’re crazy.  It’s all in their head.”

I am sure they will be quick to acknowledge that you are, in fact, Doogie Howser, Dr. House, or whichever doctor you have Freaky Friday dreams about.  And then, after that, please bring us world peace.  I bet you’ve got that figured out too.

*Come back tomorrow (sorry for the delay… a migraine’s moved in) Saturday for my follow-up.

9 responses to “Fibromyalgia Might Not Exist: And Why it Doesn’t Matter…”

  1. Amy

    I saw a link to yoru blog on Wellspring. I too have Fibro. It has been a tough road, but I have learned a lot. I look forward to reading your blog!

    Reply
  2. K8

    I am glad you found me. I am proud of your positive attitude. Impressive!

    Reply
  3. happydai

    Hi K8,
    This post is interesting to me because I have heard some comments recently from (obviously) uninformed people out there that Fibro does not exist and it is just an excuse to lay in bed and not go to work. When I hear crap like that, I get so fired up and angry.
    Your right, maybe it doesnt exist, but the symptoms are still there. You cant deny that. I just wish these people could deal with fibro for ONE DAY and see what they have to say then.

    Also, I LOVE your line ‘Busy is the trendy life-sucking excuse for less-than-our-best. Isn’t it?’
    Can i use it?
    I have heard this excuse for so long that its almost like hearing my dog ate my homework. I just dont buy it.
    It’s like some people need to justify their actions by using this self important excuse to make themselves feel better.

    Reply
  4. Michelle

    I’m very happy to have found your blog, I love this post. I have every symptom of Fibromyalgia, but every doctor I go to just diagnoses me with all of my symptoms and doesn’t put them together or really try to help me at all. They are now finally sending me to a neurologist, because my symptoms are getting so bad that they thought I might have MS. But thank goodness the MRI of my brain was normal. I was told that whether or not I have Fibromyalgia I shouldn’t be diagnosed with it, because no doctor will take me seriously after that. It’s nice to see that I’m not alone!

    Reply
  5. K8

    Happydai: I am glad to hear you understand my point about busy being an excuse. I know there are many situations where busy is a legit reason, but I also know most of us are free to determine how we use our time. And it seems to be a disease for people to be overbooked and underhappy. I think there is a correlation.

    Michelle: What a relief that you don’t have MS. As to fibro, in my experience, once I was diagnosed most doctors have been understanding. They haven’t all respected my diagnosis, but they have been willing to help me with the symptoms.

    Reply
  6. My Life with Fibro | Fibromyalgia and Follow-Ups

    […] I don’t know what it’s been for, I just know what the symptoms are.  Sounds kinda like fibromyalgia, doesn’t […]

    Reply
  7. My Life with Fibro | Fibromyalgia Awareness Day Thoughts

    […] As I mentioned on Twitter today, I pray we, as fibrofolks, set a high standard and don’t lead others to think fibro is an excuse for, or result of, laziness.  I hope we recognize it is our responsibility to help others understand fibromyalgia; we need to provide (and/or seize) opportunities for education, instead of simply complaining about symptoms.  And, when confronted by someone close to us (or otherwise) who doesn’t “believe” in fibromyalgia, I wish us the ability to calmly say “You’re right.  Fibromyalgia might not exist.  But, it doesn’t matter.  The symptoms do.” […]

    Reply
  8. Sarah

    I truly believe Fibromyalgia exists, but in my opinion my mother in law uses it as an excuse to get out of doing anything. She’s fine with going out shopping, out to eat, drinking, smoking but the minute dishes need to be washed, the floor needs cleaned or ANYTHING needs cleaned her neck, body, whatever immediately starts to hurt, or she needs to go to work she needs to lie down. Its pure laziness on her part and no one can tell her otherwise because we “don’t know what its like.”
    I have lupus as well as recovering from lymphoma and I still get stuff done. If I sound rude I apologize, as I said I believe it exists and I’m sorry you go through it.

    Reply
  9. theevilwriter

    It does matter if it exists or not. If it doesn’t exist and doctors just use the label was a way to keep people from complaining about their symptoms, it’s not fair to the people who “have” it. Something is causing the pain, be it a psychical reason or an untreated mental illness, and calling it something it isn’t as an excuse not to bother to really find the root cause is inexcusable.

    Reply

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