Navigating Love with Fibromyalgia
I was diagnosed back in 2000 for Fibromyalgia. I was 40 years old. I started out with muscle pain in my thighs and it gradually spread everywhere else except my lower legs and lower arms. I was diagnosed with Arthritis back in my early 30's in my hands and knees. Everything else I have, I have spent a lot of money on trying...
View MoreA lot of partners have trouble understanding the challenges you face with fibromyalgia. How does your loved one understand your condition?
He doesn't. He knows when he gets a headache, he stays in bed most of the day. When my body hurts, mine mostly affects my hips, thighs, shoulders, and neck. I still have to do things around the house and take care of him. I am still expected to go grocery shopping. He doesn't understand that bad stress causes me more pain and that it can last for days, weeks, or months sometimes. My last job, I was stressed out because of bad management and I hurt for the whole year, not just once in a while. I finally ended up quitting last May because I couldn't do it anymore. I am working on getting rid of my stress and changing my life.
How does your partner make your routine easier for you?
Since I have had this, he has only cleaned the kitchen once in a great while. Done laundry once in a great while. He has only really taken care of me this last winter when I got the flu and shingles. Sometimes I am able to stay in bed most of the day but he always comes in and asks what's for lunch, what's for dinner. So he still doesn't get it that I hurt and have a hard time moving. I have had this since 2000.
What do you do to help your partner understand your symptoms?
When his knees or back is hurting him, I tell him now times ten with that and put it all over you body, not just those areas. That is how I feel. You know the getting hit with a Mac truck pain. That is what it feels like. It is hard to talk to him about how my body feels so he understands, I can't keep going and going. I can't keep taking care of somebody that is able to do things for himself when I can't. I need to rest and not over do things. Can't stand in one place anymore and cook meals.
