Hi lilbear1978. My name is Deena. I am sorry to say this but most of get little or no support from family and friends. My husband supports me the best he can. But really I just do my coping skills: pain meds, sleep aids, wrist band, limping, extra rest (4 yr old and 6 yr old so hahhahha) and just keep going. I hope Bluelakelady can give more input on this. She was the one who taught me that our pain is private and not to share. My Mom is very concerned and helps when she can. But NONE of my friends do or will. After 2 months of trying to explain the pain and disability issues with family and friends I was very angry. Like you they all said I look fine ect.
Blue explained to me that fibro is so hard to understand that half the time we don't get it. How can we expect others to? I finally had to let that part go. And believe it or not the stress of trying to get people to understand made me worse. I am on a new sence of peace. I keep my thyroid under check and just keep going. Last Friday I had a really bad flare that caused me to limp and ect all week. I think it is better now. But I don't even tell my husband anymore. He see but I just do what I have to. Keep smiling on the outside even if I am crying on the inside to keep my home balanced and peaceful.
Actually I have a stock answer for most family and all friends and it is this: Oh, I am on the road to recovery, thank you. B/b we may have good days but this is a chronic condition and the reality is I may never feel like my old self.
Blue taught me that we can still live good productive lives even in the midst of severe pain. I clap and sing with my boys even in the worst flare. I push my 4 year old on the swing even when I feel like dying.
I am not trying to preach I swear. I have days when I feel sorry for myself. And long for my old self. But I wake up and start thinking negative thoughts I instead thank God for today. Even for the pain. Thank God it's not cancer. Grab your heating pads and water bottles and think of it like well some people have vitamins or meds and we have our aids we need to survive. That's OK!
I feel for you. My prayers are with you. You always have us to vent to. Just try to not vent to most family and friends. They do not want to hear it. And we are stronger for our courage to face the world in spite of our pain!!!!
Sorry it's so long. I always kill a thread b/c of this. Just have no one but my Mom to talk to.
Love, prayers and thoughts to you
Deena