In the United States alone, between 4 to 8 million suffer from fibromyalgia. Even though Fibromyalgia does not discriminate, women tend to get Fibromyalgia more than men.
Fibromyalgia is a condition that produces chronic pain of the soft tissues in the body including the tendons, ligaments, and muscles. This condition also causes major fatigue, poor concentration, depression, numbness and tingling throughout the body, migraines, and gastric upset, and these are just the top symptoms. Imagine the last time you had a really bad flu, the overall feeling that you had. This is what it feels like to have Fibromyalgia daily. Some people have worse symptoms then others, sometimes the symptoms are manageable to where you can walk down the street and the next day you can not even get out of bed.
As if dealing with the physical aspects of this condition is not enough, a person who suffers from Fibromyalgia will more than likely become depressed, especially if she or he has no support from family and friends. Even with support, the person suffering can still get depressed because they are not able to do the things that others can do.
The problem lies with people’s ignorance, selfishness, and lack of compassion. Some people think that there is no such thing as Fibromyalgia, including some doctors. Even though Fibromyalgia is finally getting the attention of doctors, very few have had training in this area. Family and friends begin to slowly back away from the patient’s life because she simply cannot do the things she use to do. People stop calling, people stop visiting, and most of all people stop caring. The patient is left alone to deal with her condition all by herself and is at times unable to take care of herself properly. Depression starts to kick in even more, and before long, she might just give up.
In order to beat this condition, you have to be strong. When you are in constant pain, anywhere from something that feels like a bruise to not being able to breathe normally because your chest hurts so bad from moving. At times you feel that you are going to die. One person can only be strong for so long before she starts to break down and simply cannot fight anymore. Yes, it is rough on the person with Fibromyalgia and it is extremely rough on the people that love her, but loved ones need to be there to help fight.
People tend to want to push things aside if it does not really affect them. Forget the fact that their loved one is hurting and just avoid the whole issue altogether. Not to mention they forget about the person who takes care of her if she is lucky enough to have someone there. That person also needs support as well.
Society likes to push the sick aside. Well, just remember that one day you might be sick and need someone to be there for you. A simple, “How can I help you” or “What do you need done” can mean the world to someone who either has Fibromyalgia or the caregiver. A simple call to say hi, I Love You, and was Thinking about you call is a wonderful experience. Do not ignore the person, that is not going to help the healing process at all.
So, remember. Next time your loved one or someone you truly care about gets diagnosed with something, make sure you take the time to understand what they are going through. If for some reason you simply can not deal with them being sick, then let them know up front and part your separate ways. But remember, karma always has a way to come back and kick you right in the @$$.
