I’m a people pleaser, but learning to stop that. I need to take care of myself and my family and friends sometimes don’t understand when I’m not up to doing things. I’ve had Fibromyalgia for over 20 years and as I get older it mixes with the aches and pains of middle age so people need to understand this isn’t going to get better and offer a little support

I’m a people person: Gender, age, race, etc. none of it ever mattered to me. Anywhere, anyone, anytime I was out interacting with the World and loving every minute of it. Never hung out with a certain group, always had different people and different experiences to go and enjoy.
This July will be 20 years now with Fibro, stuck in my house lucky to get out 3 maybe 4 times a month and those times are for errands I’m always way behind on getting done. A social life, No. All my old friends, no longer talk too. Things I do for enjoyment, hope I can have a day that the pain doesn’t have me stuck in bed. Go to sleep every night hoping this is the one, the one time I don’t wake up and can finally be in peace.
Family tries to understand but I don’t blame them, if roles were reversed I’d be looking at someone saying you look good to me. Not looking for pity or sorry to hear that, just hoping if even 1 person reads this and realizes they’re not alone it’ll help them make it through another day. We live in our own personal hell that unless you have Fibro nobody will really ever understand.

Louise I know I am one of many Fibro Warriors that know and understand what you are going through. Many times I had to cancel at the last minute because of a flare or too exhausted to go. I really hate making plans in advance to because I never know what to expect from my body. The only thing I will suggest is to make plans and if you have to cancel.It is alright. You are in charge of your life no one else. Hang in there! Be Strong! You are not alone!

Yes, guilt. I struggle with it. I tell myself fibromyalgia is not my fault, yet I still feel guilty for disappointing people by canceling. Some people don't realize that I am more disappointed than anyone!

I understand.I'm always cancelling on friends and family and feel so guilty as most don't understand. But you have to take care of yourself. You know your own limits. Sending love xx