I usually say its a Chronic Widespread Pain and Chronic Fatigue disorder and is coupled with a ton of other symptoms. Some people make the ouch face and don't want to hear more. Others will ask what it is called. Some will ask more detailed questions and I fill it in. When people start to say omg that sucks. I'm usually just like yeah, it really does, but I'm hangin in there. and then change the subject.
I think because people understand the terms chronic, widespread, pain, and fatigue, it gets to the point quickly in one sentence, and doesn't sound like i'm complaining. it sounds pretty clinical, a statement, a matter of fact. and I can gloss over it quickly if I want to, or they want to.

The spoon theory!!!

To me, the best way to descibe Fibro, and I have done 12 yrs. worth of reading on Fibro. Ask people if they remember Rheumatism. That is what Fibro is. All they did was change the name and because of chemicals in our foods and water, we now have tons more symptoms.

I definitely agree with @A MyFibroTeam Member!!! I usually tell people it's a neurological and that my brain can't perceive pain signals correctly. I have real pain from my osteoarthritis but what might feel like a slight tap to the arm would be excruciating to me - the pain is amplified - and it puts me to bed. And it completely drains your energy so I have to be real careful not to overdo it when I feel well or I'll be in bed the next day. I'm fortunate that I've responded pretty well to meds and am functioning well most days and that my supervisor's mom has fibromyalgia so she knows and understands many of the struggles and difficulties that I face - even more so since my pelvis fractured (and it was a non-injury fracture - go figure)!!!

Mentioned Users

A MyFibro...

Imagine you have the flu, your exhausted and sore and can't think ... and then you get hit by a truck .... That's how I feel, everyday.