It took years and a doctor he could talk to, to get my husband to understand it's not all in my head. And how do you stop the cycle of a disease that thrives on a cycle? Where do you break the circle at the FM pain that causes depression or at the depression that is causing the pain. Which came first the chicken or the egg? You said I don't mean to sound negative to tell the truth. I went into a rheumy once with a " positive attitude" and he said you don't look like you have rheumatoid arthritis nor did I look depressed and since my blood is rf neg I should just do Pilates and I would be all better! ( @&$&) this is a gross way of putting it but if you have a cat you have a cat box. And cats try to cover their " mess". I think that we are all cattish in that way. We try to cover up something that everyone calls " poo" I hope you get my drift. We tell ourselves ok look at everyone on the subway / bus/ park/ look at how normal they walk and talk and laugh why can't i do that? Add family members try to measure your pain by their own experiences. And everyone here knows unless you have felt the wild mustang pangs that FM hits you with it's hard to understand. My husband has actually said I want attention stop faking it and you just like Norco and I am faking so I can get pain pills. It is so hard for family members just don't understand. Or well meaning members who say you just don't eat enough or too much drink more water take vitamins. Etc. don't get too down on yourself. You have to give yourself that break. And take care of you. Sometimes the only comfort to me is knowing that even though you feel totally isolated in your pain there are others out there that know what your feeling even when your own family don't get it.
