25 Things People Without Fibromyalgia Should Know About People With Fibromyalgia

By Puja Rios
 

Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2008. 

Uses her experience and education to liberate others from the painful truths of this disease.

If you know someone with Fibro and want to understand them better, here are 25 Things People Without Fibromyalgia Should Know About People With Fibromyalgia. Are you a Fibro warrior? Share this post to spread awareness and understanding.

1. Give gentle hugs please — my skin hurts.
2. I can sleep all day and still feel like I just ran a marathon.
3. When i’m tired, let me sleep
4. If i cancel my plans with you, don’t be mad — I already feel bad.
5. If I went out last night, I need a day to recover — its okay, it was worth it.
6. When I’m in a flare, leave me alone in a dark room (but check in). It makes me feel good.
7. Every morning is a tough morning.
8. Your friend with Fibro who that has no pain doesn’t make me feel any better.
9. “You should exercise.” My work day is my exercise.
10. Certain foods make me flare up, i.e., peppers of any kind, sugar, caffeine.
11. Yes, diet matters, but in flare mode, all bets are off.
12. Because of Fibro, I get to spend more time with my husband.
13. Bright lights, loud noise and too many smells overload my senses and make me nauseous.
14. My day, week and month are carefully planned to accommodate my Fibro.
15. Yes, my face is swollen. No, I didn’t gain 5 pounds overnight. (I’m flared!)
16. I have 3 different sizes of clothes in my closet to accommodate flare vs. non-flare days.
17. I play hide and go seek with the elements — too cold, too rainy, too hot, too much sun.
18. To you, car rides are joy rides. To me, they’re a painful roller coaster ride
19. Going to the doctor makes me mad — it’s a reminder of my condition.
20. Some days it’s OK to let my Fibro win. It reminds me that this is a marathon, not a sprint.
21. I can get moody, you would be too if you were in pain all the time, be patient with me.
22. I can tell your mood as soon you walk in the room because my Fibro/spidery-senses are tingling.

1. There are no no-pain days, but my low-pain days are my happy days.
2. Because of Fibro, the mandated downtime gives me the opportunity to write this blog, and I’m grateful.
3. Because of Fibro, I’ve become part of a strong, supportive community that reminds me I’m never alone.