It can be difficult to understand what a fibromyalgia patient is going through if you have never experienced it yourself. Therefore, we’re going to discuss a few things that someone going through a chronic illness will want from close friends and family.
Understanding – True, it’s tough to really understand a condition like this if you don’t have it. But one way to show understanding is to trust your loved one when she (9 in 10 sufferers are female) says she is in too much pain to do something. A person with fibromyalgia may not always look ill, but that does not make the pain any less debilitating.
Symptoms - There are multiple symptoms of fibromyalgia besides the pain. Other problems include headaches, nausea, insomnia, fatigue, and cognitive issues like memory problems and concentration issues. In fact, many fibromyalgia patients also deal with anxiety or depression.
Limited Energy – It’s not that your friend is opposed to hanging out or doesn’t want to have fun. Fibromyalgia leaves a person with a limited amount of energy. She may tell you it’s not a good night to go to the movies simply because she knows tomorrow is laundry day and is saving up the strength.
Gratitude – It may not always come out the right way, but if you have a friend suffering from fibromyalgia, she’s grateful to have you there during this difficult health trial. Don’t give up just because the answer to “Can we hang out?” is “No,” more often than you like. It’s not you, it’s the disease, and your friendship means a lot.
Another way to be a good friend is to let your loved one know when you discover something that can help. Just be sure that there are studies to back up the claim before recommending something bogus. Upper cervical chiropractors have seen success in helping fibromyalgia patients, and many have submitted case studies for review. To learn more, contact an upper cervical chiropractor near you.
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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
