Get real info on fibromyalgia and how it affects people's lives

Find interesting blogs where you can get first-hand information from many people with fibromyalgia.
Visit the blogs of real people with fibro describing their life and symptoms.
Visit Fibro Blogger's Directory.
If you have a fibro blog join us and help educate people about real life with fibromyalgia.

Fibro Blogger Directory

If you have a fibro blog yourself or if you are looking for real stories about fibromyalgia from the people who have fibromyalgia visit the Fibro Blogger Directory.

What's your top 3?

What helps your fibromyalgia?
We all need ideas because we all need to self manage our own condition. Being pro-active is important as there is no known cure, so far, and therefore your doctor can only help to a certain level.

The EULAR guidelines for the management of fibro recommend making non-pharmacological interventions a priority.

Please post your own suggestions in the comments so we can make a large list.
This may help on days when we are low and can't think what to do to help ourselves (No one else can really help us! I heard a funny thing "Doctors are just there to amuse us!")

These are 3 that I can think of that help me.

• The spa bath or hot tub


• Getting to bed before 10.30 pm


• Thinking positive

MedicineNet's top 3 things patients can do to help themselves are:

• Self-education
• Stress reduction
• Exercise

Mayo Clinic's options for coping include:

• Relaxation: Deep-breathing exercises, Progressive muscle relaxation, Meditation and Visualization.
• Avoiding negative self talk and turning it into positive talk.
• Asking for help and having a list of people on hand for the difficult days. 

You might also like to read: What works for me to help fibromyalgia

You need support from others when living with Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia, like many other conditions, can lead to isolation and loneliness. Social isolation is a problem for many people and especially for those with chronic illness and chronic pain.  

A huge part of Fibromyalgia is the pain, which in itself is isolating, as we feel that others do not understand or want to know what we are going through. This can make us withdraw.

Sufferers need to make an effort to get support and I feel getting support really makes a difference on so many levels. It is a great way to find out what treatments may work for others and may be worthwhile to try. It is wonderful to just be with others who understand what you are going through. Connecting with others can provide much comfort.

One friend, one person who is truly understanding, who takes the trouble to listen to us as we consider our problems, can change our whole outlook... Dr Elton Mayo

 

Luckily there are a few options for finding support - we can attend a pain clinic (try your local hospital), find a local support group that has get-togethers or find some online support if getting out is not possible due to mobility issues or the closeness of meetings. 

Below I have started a list of different Fibromyalgia support groups available and I would love to hear from you if you have some to add.

SUPPORT MEETINGS

Fibromyalgia Meetups - worldwide

National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association (NFCPA) List of American Support Meetings

Canadian Support Groups

ONLINE SUPPORT:

FIBRO FORUMS 
Daily Strength Forum Fibromyalgia Support Group

Fibromyalgia Forum founded in 2008 and run by volunteers who have Fibromyalgia.

Patients like me Fibromyalgia Forum with over 112,000 members.

MyFibroTeam

Patient

FACEBOOK GROUPS: There are hundreds of these groups. I have listed the one I am in.
FIBRO CONNECT  To join this group please 'Friend' me on Facebook then request an invite.

You may also be interested in the following:
Fibro Blogger Directory with over 5,000 in the group
Fibro Files with over 2,500 people in the group


FIBRO SUPPORT in Australia will be a coming blog post - watch this space.

The emotional support derived from support group participation can help reduce stress, which can have a positive impact on health. ~ Winchester Hospital.