Fibromyalgia Sufferers

There are an estimated six million fibromyalgia sufferers in North America alone. Fibromyalgia can affect women or men, young or old. There are more people being diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome every day, but to diagnose fibromyalgia can take a long time, sometimes up to a year or more. Very little is known about fibromyalgia syndrome. Consequently, diagnosing it ends up being more along the lines of the process of elimination. Doctors first test for certain known diseases and illnesses, and when those test negative, they then diagnose it as fibromyalgia syndrome.

It can be very frustrating getting properly diagnosed and in the meantime the symptoms can become almost debilitating. In the years past, many people struggled with their physicians because some of them would be convinced that their pains and symptoms were “all in their head” because they could not get a definite diagnosis. Today is a different story, and more people are being properly diagnosed. As more is being understood about fibromyalgia, there will be more fibromyalgia sufferers getting the support and help they need.

There are certain things these six million fibromyalgia sufferers have learned to do to minimize the frequency and intensity of flare-ups. Getting plenty of sleep and eating a well balanced diet with a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables is two of these things. Daily mild exercising has helped fibromyalgia sufferers with keeping them a little more flexible. Some doctors have prescribed antidepressants to help with the psychological aspect of being in constant pain, and they also prescribe pain killers.

What most of the six million fibromyalgia sufferers have discovered is that, for the most part, it is a case of mind over matter. Having the mindset that the pain of fibromyalgia will always be there to some degree helps them to live their lives above the pain.