This article was on MSN's home page

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/pain-management/fibromyalgia/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100253538&GT1=31055

Why Fibromyalgia has a credibilty problem

Thanks for sharing that link, Libby. It is a good article.

I don't know how to convey this - but I will try. There are people out there who are fakers claiming to have some illness when they don't - for some perceived benefit, or to get out of some obligation. Those people get me so angry. Why? Because they make those of who are authentic, those of us who are trying tooth and nail to find ways to improve out lot, the fakers make us look bad!

I think it is pretty easy to spot those frauds though - they're the ones who wouldn't try to improve themselves if you beat them with a stick.

On the other hand, here we are, with REAL illness hashing out plans every day, comparing notes, and trying like mad to find ways to make it through each day a little better than the day before - -and we get wrongly lumped in with a bunch of fakers.

Those fakers might be the ones who turn doctors into eye rollers.

Great article and so are the links at the bottom

Thanks for sharing Libby. Sherrine I couldn't agree more - just a short experience would change anyone's mind about how real Fibro is. I heard a nurse say once that she used to think Fibro wasn't real until she was the one crawling to the shower in the mornings.

AustenFan said...
Great article. If only we could bottle our pain to dole out to non-believers (only for a day though; I wouldn't wish this long-term on anyone).

Hugs - Austen

That's one of the problems.  Most people get aches and pains for a day or two, but nothing cronic.  If we wan't non-believers to believe us, they would have to experience this for a longer period of time, just like we do!

Thanks for sharing.
Lisa

I'm not sure there are a lot of fakers.  Of course their are some but I think there are a lot of people that are "hypochondriacs" and are seeking attention.  Much of this IS a "mental" problem.  But, it hurts those of us with true pain. Pain doesn't show.

 

Most of us are women, too.  If there was an equal number of men with this illness, more doctors would start believing it, in my opinion.  Women are still looked down as weak in certain circumstances.  That's why we have to stand up for ourselves and be active participants in our health.  Doctors have been wrong many, many times.  So, find a doctor that believes that fibro is an illness and you will get the help you need.

 

Sherrine