I will tell them that it is a pain disorder where my brain is on overload from the pain signals.

My mother-in-law suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis. It was crippling and she had so much pain doing the most basic things. As I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia - we compared medications and treatment. We were on so many of the same medications to relieve pain, decrease swelling, help us sleep. If I got a “blank look” when I said “I suffer from Fibromyalgia” - my next statement would be - “It’s very much like Rheumatoid Arthritis, in that it is felt in the joints, it concerns many parts of the body, it can be very painful and makes simple tasks harder to do -BUT it is not destroying my joints like RA does. I am thankful for that - as I use my hand so much -on the computer, piano and sewing and I have family to care for and keep up with. Fibro can flare up and land me in bed for several days if I push myself to exhaustion, so I am forced to pace my days and not do as many activities. “

Fortunately, the word is getting around. I only have a few people who ask me if I still have my illness. Just smile and say - there’s no cure yet.

Try not to give people homework because the majority will not do any research unless they absolutely have to. (I was a college instructor and will swear that to be the human nature of well over 95% of my students.)

Karen

Yes That's funny Fibro OH!

No one understands us. They always say you look good. It is only the people that are going through all this fibro pain and everything that goes along with it, that understands!

Yeah, whenever I tell someone that I have, they just ask what it is. I'm like, oh lord. Look it up. It's so hard to explain sometimes so I sum it up with the body pains, fatigue and stuff like that