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Posted 5/14/2009 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
This is my first time on the forum.  I was diag with FM one year ago.  I have been having problems for years.  My worse issue is with my co workers and boyfriend.  The just dont get it.  They think my FM is BS.    How do I get through to them.

Thanks

Kim

Posted 5/14/2009 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kim!

And welcome to our fibro family! We're glad you have joined us...it truly helps live a better life to be able to talk to others who understand. And that's your problem...these other people in your life just don't get it. They're likely not stupid or uncaring, they just are uneducated on fibromyalgia.


There are lots of things you can do to help educate people around you. You can have them get online with you and start reading some of the stories here or read good information on the internet. Not "miracle cures" but real scientific studies on this disorder. Try:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000427.htm
http://health.nih.gov/topic/Fibromyalgia
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/AR00056

You might also try taking them along on a doc appointment and let him/her explain it to them. When I have the need to explain what's wrong I just say..."I have a muscle condition that causes chronic pain, 24/7. It's sort of like MS but not life threatening." That has always done it for me. They get it with the comparison.

I guess the other thing I would have to offer is...if they don't care to "get it" then you may want to consider looking for people to hang around with who DO get it. None of us can afford to be beat down by the people we are around daily. It's hard enough just getting through each day let alone have someone degrading us. I would walk...or send them packing. A try friend would care. Just my opinion there.

Keep in touch,
Chtuz
Posted 5/15/2009 1:01 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Kim, welcome to the forum!

I am from NO too.  I move to Baton Rouge at 17.  I still have lots of family there.  I am living in Canada now, but plan on moving back to BR some time.

I am sorry to hear you are having problems with your coworkers and boyfriend.  Taking your boyfriend to a Dr. appointment is a great idea.  It made a huge difference with my husband.  As for your co workers, if you can't get them to go on  the internet with you maybe you can print out something for them to read.  I know it is hard but don't give up.  Education is our best tool.  I am sure you are still learning a lot yourself.  There will always be people out there that don't understand or don't care to understand.  My family (mother, brother and sister) still doesn't really acknowlegde I have FM.  Every time I tell them I am hurting (which I try to avoid doing)they ask why. So I explain it.  Then, the next time it comes up with them, they ask all over again.  Meaning they totally dismissed it and did not listen to me.  I just carry on. 

I hope they come to understand.  I hope you have people in your life that will support you.   I know you will find support here. Just remeber there will always be those idiots out there. 

Doodie

Posted 5/15/2009 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, Kim, and welcome...
Chutz and Doodie gave you great information. Hope something there will be helpful for you. It's difficult to deal with this darn FMS without being close to people who don't understand! Thank goodness for this forum and for the many caring and helpful friends we have on it. Hang in there and post often.. We honestly do care about you.
I used to live in New Orleans as a child and junior highschooler. We also lived at Pointe a la Hache for a year or two. One of my sons and his family live in Baton Rouge now. Small world sometimes........
((((hugs))))
Shash
Posted 5/15/2009 11:22 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome Kim: Congrats on finding us. I know you will find your answers here, I did.
Posted 5/15/2009 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kim and welcome to the family. It is really rather sad that dealing with fibro everyday isn't bad enough but we also have to convince those in our lives that what we have is real. There are people that I tell I have auto-immune problems and muscle problems and leave it at that, like my neighbors. The only reason I tell them anything is cause I'm not too steady on my feet sometimes when I'm walking in the yard and if people didn't know better would think I had been adding a little something to my Diet Pepsi. There are some in my life that really do want to know what fibro is and what I feel, some I know love me but they don't take the time to read and educate themselves on what it is I have. Then there are those that have read, been told or form their own opinions that fibro isn't real and it is all in our heads and there really isn't any place in my life for those people.

 

With your co workers it depends how close you are to these people and how deeply into all that goes with fibro you want to go with them when educating them on fibro. Your boyfriend needs to go to the doc apps and get online with you so he truly understands what it is your going through.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 5/15/2009 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, and welcome!  I'm so glad you found us and joined in.  You  have gotten some good advice here but I did want to pop in and welcome you to this wonderful forum.  We have terrific people that love to help one another and we really do care about each other, too!

 

I stopped trying to get people to understand fibromyalgia.  It was far too aggravating for me and caused me stress so I don't mention it.  When I'm having a bad day and they see me moving very slowly, grimacing when getting out of a chair, or seeing me limp, they have to know something is wrong.

 

Be sure to check out the Fibro 101 thread...the second thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibromyalgia in there.  There is one link called Doctors Respond to New York Times Article that has learned doctors explaining about fibro and how it affects people.  That might help if you want to try that.

 

Meanwhile, read back posts and ask questions.  We are here to help you.  I'm glad you are here and I hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

Posted 5/15/2009 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks to everyone.  I feel better already.  I will show patience

with my love ones.  I think I will bring my boyfriend to my next Dr appt. next Thur May 21 , I do have a great doctor.  I am looking forward to all the information and education I can find.  I now know I have found the right place.

Gatta Go

Thanks Again

Kim :-)

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