We've teamed up with Fibro Fighter, Katrina (@katrinairapah_), to raise awareness of fibromyalgia; how it affects the lives of those who suffer from this illness and the psychological impact it can have.
Katrina blogs at https://katrinasfightwithfibro.com and this week she is sharing with us her lived experience of fibromyalgia in the posts below.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia has had a history of being poorly understood by medical professionals and therefore it is difficult to diagnose, the cause is unknown, it is very challenging to treat and sadly there is currently no cure.
However, with more research being done over the years there has become a better understanding of what the illness is, and pain specialists have found some ways of managing the condition which is a positive light in all of that darkness! It is now understood from a medical perspective that it is a neurological chronic (long-term) health condition which causes widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body. People with Fibromyalgia tend to have an increased sensitivity to pain, extreme fatigue, difficulty sleeping, suffer from migraines, muscle stiffness, dizziness and problems with memory or thinking clearly also known as “fibro fog”.
Unfortunately, these are not the only problems people with Fibromyalgia are likely to face. It is very common to also develop anxiety, depression, Temporomandibular disorder, IBS and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
The best and most honest way I can define this condition in simpler terms from a fibro fighters experience and I’m sure fellow Fibro fighters will agree, is it is an illness that causes excruciating, indescribable pain throughout the whole of the body and skin all day, every day. It is draining and exhausting both physically and mentally creating many battles in life affecting employment, social relationships and mental health problems. With raising more awareness I am hoping more people speak out there experience and more people can be easily diagnosed.
More posts
> Things not to say to those who are chronically ill or have an invisible illness