You just have to find the right person. Sometimes it also takes giving your partner/spouse info for them to read up and educate themselves. If after that, they still don't have the compassion or the support to give, then they are not the right person. Give time for a new relationship to develop before sharing your medical issues. Let him get to know and appreciate you first and then share some of your concerns.

I met my boyfriend after being diagnosed with arthritis and fibromyalgia. It's still early days but we are very happy . I just want to let others know that it is possible to date and have happy relationships despite being I'll, so don't give up hope.

I'm so sorry Shauna. It can be so so lonely dealing with this crazy illness. Maybe if we turned purple with yellow polka dots then people could believe us when we say that we're hurting.

My husband and I are having issues now...it's so hard for him to understand and my step-children are just like him. Some days I just want to give up!

It is very hard for others to understand what we are going through. I am in a relationship and fibro does take its toll on it. My mate tends to think a energy drink will resolve my fatigue not realizing the best thing for me to do is just rest. Then on another note I have 10 children age ranging from 18-2. They don't quite understand either how tiring and debilitating this disease is so when I say no I can't do something I really can't but yet I push myself and while they ( including my mate) are somewhere enjoying the day, I'm some where exhausted and in pain from pleasing them. What I am learning is how to say NO and not feel bad about it. At the end of the day I'm dealing with this not them. Its hard because my mate thinks I'm boring and want to be a home body not taking in consideration what I am going through on top of dealing with the kids and doing household work and other things. You don't want to be alone, but then you do because it beats the stress of trying to get your mate to understand