So, I got my fibromyalgia diagnosis earlier this year when things were just awful health wise and it has been with me ever since. I have done a lot of research, spoken to lots of doctors, sought advice from social media and this is what I have learnt;

Fibromyalgia is a disease that affects the central nervous system.

There is no cure.

The main symptoms that I personally experience are exhasution, chronic pain, joint swelling, insomnia and brain fog.

The pain never goes away.

Powering on through the tiredness is not the thing to do.

If I rest for a few hours in between tasks I can get things done.

I have a full time job and cannot rest between tasks.

I have a small child   – see above about rest.

I am a single mum – see above about rest.

I am doing a phd – see above about rest.

I rarely get very much done.

Orange juice makes the swelling and pain worse.

Refined sugar makes me hurt and bloats me up.

Aromatherapy oils in my vaporiser and massaged onto my painful bits really helps.

Dry heat helps (another holiday to Grenada for health purposes?……).

I am allergic to lots of pain meds.

I feel very guitly abut not being able to do simple things.

I feel like a failure as a mother and as a friend and as a girlfriend.

I have to cancel plans at the last minute because I just cant manage to do them.

I have stopped making plans.