How to explain to family?

I've always tended to keep my pain and exhaustion to myself for the most part. I didn't want to put my problems on anyone else and I was always sure that once I figured out what was going on I'd be "fixed" and the pain would go away. Now that I know I have a life long condition I don't want to keep it to myself anymore, but I'm afraid my husband and family will just think I'm using fibro as an excuse now. I remember the day after I found out I was pregnant with my 2nd the prego fatigue hit me hard and I was tired all the time, my husband told me "You just found out you are pregnant and now you're too tired and have to sleep all the time? It sounds like power of suggestion to me"
At least that was only 9 months...what if he thinks that my letting him know how I feel isn't letting him in, but instead me exaggerating or the "power of suggestion" is making me worse?
I don't think I could go a lifetime of keeping this to myself.

I agree....it's not easy, but this is your reality, and you shouldn't have to have the added pressure of trying to act like it isn't.

It took my hubby years to fully "get it," and I hope that doesn't happen in your case!

But whether or not anyone does really understand, don't get caught in the trap of trying to do too much. That will only backfire, and you'll have to crawl out of an even deeper pit.

Good luck. Keep us posted....

Debbie

i found out in Feb.2008 that I had RA. and this year in Feb. I believe, my family doctor told me she thinks I also have Fibro. Lucky me. At first my hubby was supportive...but lately he has actually told me to "suck it up". He doesnt understand or doesnt want to. I think he believes I am making it up, want pity or something....I really dont want or need his pity...just understanding would be nice.
Good Luck, I hope you get things sorted out. At least we have this forum and people who really get it for support.

When you get info to explain things make sure you find things on how fibro affects different people differently. It's SO annoying when you tell someone and they respond with "well so & so has that and can do x,y,z./isn't that way./doesn't have those problems./only takes [insert med here]./doesn't have to take anything for it." etc.

My sister was that way towards me. I'm not sure she even "gets it" now or ever will, but I don't push it because its not causing issues. Just as long as she can understand that I'm not exactly well, I'm content.

Good luck =)

It's hard to get people to understand the situation. I tend to not let others know about my condition, but it's a double edge sword. I need to work for money... and if I tell them that I've got this condition, chances are I won't have a job. If I don't tell them, then I might look very unprofessional when I can't cope with the demand.

I am very sure my ex does think that I use it as an excuse.

I do felt that it's really hard to explain to my 6 y.o. that why I'm tired in the morning.

I think people just don't know how to "digest" and emphatise with the sufferer. They just can't grasp the affect of being in constant pain over many many years, and what that condition does to a person physically and mentally.

I know my fiance and I would not be together if I wasn't doing all that I could to help myself by coming into this forum, by eating healthy, by reading up about how to help my various health conditions, and by trying to be as positive as I can about my situation. I live in a bubble and he does not mind.

He loves how proactive I am without dwelling on it and when he does see my bad days he's very supportive about it because he knows I'm doing my best.

I've gotten to the point that I think we really all need to stop hiding in the dark ages and work on getting people aware that Fibro is a neurological condition. It isn't "crazy" or a put -on on our part, any more than Michael J. Fox is making up MS!

I used to think Fibromyalgia was sort of a made up syndrome for people who had my pity...I felt they put themselves there.

Now I know better. We have to educate people...make the invisible visible.
I'm going to be "out" with my Fibromyalgia...and if that makes someone not want to hire me, I wouldn't want to work for someone like that anyway.