When the un-supportive family members think I should go to each and everything that is going on, I will say "sorry I will not be going to X this time because I don't have enough bandwidth to be there, thank you and call again when you have something else to go to." When I come from a space of not trying to convince them that even though I look good I might be sicker than a dog with this disease they really have no "come back" with their comments.
And by the way - those people just don't care anyway so you never will convince them you have an invisible disease. What I do is stand in a strong presence within myself - you know be in control of what I say yes to and no to-we are in control of that even if we are not with fibro/cfs). My close friends I tell them this: I am given a bit of energy for my day - I call them coupons - and I use those coupons when I do something, like go to the store. When my coupons are close to being used up for the day I quit doing anything. My friends will call me and ask: Hey we are going to the show tonight do you have enough coupons to do that and go out to dinner afterwards? Once you get the people that care and use the coupon system then the ones that don't care don't hurt as much. I hope some of this makes since. I have had fibro/cfs for 18 years now and moved a dozen times where I have had to "train" new friends each time and the coupon thing really does work. Try it.

I know my husband and family are never going to know or understand what it is like to live with fibromyalgia, so I don't complain about it to them - that is why this site is so helpful - you can tell it like it is and feel the support of others. 🌻

@Mermaidgkirl - You will find that many folks, even doctors, don't understand this illness at all. They think we are just making these symptoms up.

Your best bet (and it does work) is to ask them if they have ever had the flu? Tell them it is like having the flju 24/7 plus knowing you have it for the rest of your life. That usually shuts them up.

As you think about it - -it does resemble the symptoms of the flu. Hurt all over,-- the only place you are comfortable is in bed.

Don't you just ,love it when they tell you to "get with it" - - they do not understand the pain involved.

Try telling them it's like having the flu. Every one has had the flu at some time in their life. It usually works!!.\\

THOUGHT FOR TODAY: A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

6/6/17

i try not to really tell anyone outside of my 2 best friends and my husband. No one else really wants to hear anything or say just snap out of it

My family was the same way for many years they thought I was crazy on how much my body aches day in day out!!

It was not until now that they hear it on TV 📺 but still they make fun of me so I have learned to ignore the ignorant and their negative comments I know that I'm sick and I honestly don't care what my family says and/or even think about me 😩😩

It's not easy but remember you're the one that is suffering and you will learn how to ignore those that do not understand or believe in you 😩😩

Sending soft hugs 🤗 and prayers 🙏🏻🙏🏻