This article is intended for the loved ones and those around people with fibromyalgia.
Although fibromyalgia is subtle, it is very real. Many people believe that a person isn’t really sick if they don’t look it. A person with fibromyalgia may be perfectly healthy (on the surface), but internally, they may have a multitude of terrible symptoms.
Fibromyalgia is a difficult condition to understand. While there’s no cure, it can be managed to improve quality of life. Because each case is different, treatments such as exercise, medication, or therapy aren’t always effective. It’s important to constantly seek the solution best suited to your needs.
Don’t be fooled by appearances. Loved ones may often think that the person with fibromyalgia isn’t making enough effort to feel better because they aren’t eating well or exercising enough. In reality, every effort, no matter how small, represents far more work or sacrifice than what it would take to restore health.
Fibromyalgia is not a psychological problem. Many people believe it’s impossible to have so many distressing symptoms and that their medical tests reveal nothing. Therefore, they often attribute this condition to a psychological problem. It’s important to know that there is sufficient scientific evidence to prove that it is a real illness.
With fibromyalgia, life can change dramatically. It’s natural for a person with fibromyalgia to no longer be able to do the same things they used to, or to need significant help from loved ones to do so. This may involve changing routines or having to change jobs.
Fluctuations in activity level are normal. A person with fibromyalgia may be very active one day, while another day they may even stay in bed. The person is not lazy or pretending to avoid work. There will be days when energy is very low. Fibromyalgia is a condition with ups and downs.
A person with fibromyalgia lives in constant pain. Even if you don’t express it constantly, you constantly feel pain throughout your body, exhaustion, and many external stimuli, such as odors, noise, light, weather, and other factors, can aggravate your discomfort. Try to constantly put yourself in their shoes so you can understand them.
Sometimes, people with fibromyalgia avoid physical contact. You may experience intense pain from non-painful stimuli, such as handshakes, back pats, touching of the arms and shoulders, and even a strong hug—in general, any contact that causes friction. No one should be offended if, at any time, this type of intimacy is avoided.
Fatigue related to fibromyalgia is more than just tiredness. It’s not just physical exhaustion, but also mental exhaustion, which doesn’t improve with rest and can leave the person bedridden for days. The person feels exhausted, run down, or at the end of their rope.
People with fibromyalgia are neither antisocial nor apathetic. They often decline invitations or stop attending meetings, out of exhaustion, a flare-up, or a lack of energy. They fear that certain activities will trigger a flare-up, which could worsen all of their symptoms.
Fibromyalgia causes cognitive impairment. The person forgets things (sometimes insignificant, sometimes important) and has difficulty concentrating. This is called fibromyalgia. It often causes loss of objects or a feeling of disorientation.
Avoiding stress is essential for people with fibromyalgia. Stress has been shown to worsen fibromyalgia symptoms, increasing pain, fatigue, and discomfort. Try to create a calm environment at home and avoid stressful situations and factors.
People with fibromyalgia tend to isolate themselves. This doesn’t mean you want to end your social life or that you no longer appreciate yourself. On the contrary, try to understand them and maintain contact with them, showing them affection and support when needed. Offer to help with tasks you can’t do alone, such as grocery shopping or picking up the children from school.
Support and understanding from her family can help her feel better. While there’s little you can do about the illness, don’t treat it as normal. This attitude can be perceived as apathy or disinterest, which can harm your relationship with her and your physical and emotional health.
Instead, help them with household chores that can be labor-intensive, such as laundry. Be well-informed. If you’re still unsure about this condition, check the internet: there are many sources of information on the subject that will help you help your loved one better manage it. Accompany them to their medical appointments. This is one of the best ways to show your support.
Additionally, you will support them throughout their treatment, understanding their condition and progress. Good communication is essential within the family. Fibromyalgia arouses emotions in both the patient and other family members. Expressing them in a healthy way is essential to avoid resentment and hostile attitudes that can only worsen symptoms or trigger a crisis in the patient. I hope these simple tips will be helpful to anyone who has a loved one with fibromyalgia or another painful chronic illness.
