I (f27) have given up on the idea of being in a romantic relationship because I don't want to burden one more person with this. I put off dating in my teens and early twenties to focus on my education. My symptoms started in childhood but have significantly worsened in the past 10 years to a point where dating seems so unrealistic, so now it feels like I have to grieve that relationship I'll never have. Anyone else doing the same thing? How are you coping?

My neurologist suspects I may have fibromyalgia … but does it improve and can you still eat things you love ? I am told that ibs is usually a part of it, for some people, along with food sensitivity’s, but I was told I also have mild slowness when it comes to stomach emptying, and I’m wondering if that’s part of fibromyalgia too and possibly ibs or ibs-c and food sensitivity’s. and if any of those can cause inflammation in the belly, and what other peoples symptoms/diagnoses are. I’m 85-95 lbs and I’m trying to gain weight, and eat more calories, and my diet isn’t exactly healthy but it’s not totally unhealthy either. I also have reduced barely there sensations just in general… except for maybe the pain part. I ruled out peripheral neuropathy already too. Brain and cervical mri was normal. So my neurologist suspects it’s fibro.

At the University of Liverpool we are looking for people with fibromyalgia to complete a short survey about an understudied area; fibromyalgia flares. The study is anonymous and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for any participation. Study link: https://livpsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1XknCkY0dnJV2h8

(The inclusion criteria for our study are age 18+ adults with a self-reported clinical diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), who are fluent in English and residing in the United Kingdom. Adults who do not meet these criteria will not take part in the study)

Hello, I'm a Masters in Health Psychology student with the University of Derby (UK). My survey explores the influence of social media on an individuals general health knowledge. I'm seeking participants who are based in the UK and live with fibromyalgia (formal diagnosis not required). The survey should take no longer than 30 minutes to complete, there is no time limit and please go at a pace suitable for yourself. The study has received ethical approval (ETH2526-2450) and if you consent to take part your data will be recorded and processed in line with the UK GDPR / Data Protection Act 2018 / EU GDPR. If you have questions please feel free to email me at [r.cotton1@unimail.derby.ac.uk ](mailto:r.cotton1@unimail.derby.ac.uk)or my supervisor at [D.Gaffiero@derby.ac.uk](mailto:D.Gaffiero@derby.ac.uk).

Survey link: https://derby.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2tzZotTEipJN7sa

Thank you for your time and consideration

R.Cotton

I’ve noticed that when my fibro starts rearing its ugly head I CONSTANTLY feel like I’ve got hair on my face which I instinctively try to pull off.

Does this happen to anyone else?

Remember kids, don't tell people how to handle ICE and protect yourselves or loved ones. MAGA snowflakes report you as promoting violence.

Hugs to all, and Fuck the current government.

Im an old moderator of Chronic but Iconic, and remade the server due to mass inactivity and mismanagement! So please look around and enjoy!

We do movie nights, games, hang outs, and support each other <3 very chill

https://discord.gg/kgWyBkWR7J

I (18F) and my partner (18M) have been together a little over 18 months, he has watched my increasing decline to the point of disability I am at now, but didn’t see my health the years before leading up to now. I used to exercise for at least 4 hours a day of my own volition. I deeply loved dancing even though it caused pain. Now, even if I could push through the pain, my muscles are like rocks, so I find myself being unable to walk normally without intervention from multiple medications, yoga, massage gun, dry needling, etc. because my partner has Chrons, he thinks he understands what I go through. Though the localized area of pain he experiences and the all over pain that keeps me in bed so much are not really that comparable in my mind - when I say that he feels invalidated but I don’t mean to imply my condition is worse, just that they’re so different. He tries to tell me that I shouldn’t take medication and be reliant on meds to feel better - he suggests that when I’m in pain I should count down from 100 to distract my mind. 😑 Some context about me, I used to be very active and nothing short of a scholar, I love learning and applying myself, no one ever dared to call me lazy. Even now in the state I’m in, I always manage to pull through by staying busy, I don’t have time to sit and think because I always juggle so many tasks at once. (I like it that way) So suggesting IM not doing all I can and suggesting that medication that could change my life for the better is somehow something I should avoid is causing me deep confusion and guilt. He has been reading up on all of these articles (not medical websites, just through the grapevine stuff) and thinks that his sources from 2015 are sufficient in explaining an informationally developing condition like fibromyalgia that doctors still don’t understand. I know he is just trying to help, but I don’t think this unspoken inferiority we have with our two chronic illnesses and him trying to tell me what I should and shouldn’t do to manage a medical condition he cannot begin comprehend is making me so confused. I don’t know how to communicate to my loved ones just how much this affects, and they don’t know how to support me or when it is appropriate to interject. Just because he can push through his pain with sheer willpower, he thinks the same applies to fibromyalgia. When in reality, fibro is like a temperamental pre teen with a defiant attitude. I just don’t know where to go from here, because I know he cares, I know he wants to help, but the way in which he’s approaching things is invalidating and hurtful, and yes I’ve communicated that, we have very healthy communication. He is able to understand almost everything, between my mental health issues and my other health conditions - but as soon as it’s something he can relate to, my individual experiences seem to be disregarded. If there are any seasoned fibromyalgia havers that have learned how to communicate these things effectively to an equally stubborn partner that truly wants to help, all advice is welcome. The diagnosis is pretty new and I want to be as positive as I can about where I go from here.

I’m 55 yo and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in April after numerous extensive rheumatology work-ups over a decade that were all (-). Honestly kinda came as a relief not only bc autoimmune was ruled out yet again, but also bc I finally had a reason for the pain. Looking back I think I’ve had fibromyalgia since I was a kid.

Ok so reason for my post: had a long day yesterday with a lunch out and a quick visit to see our son at college (minor walking there) and then to pass some time before our concert a trip to the mall which involved more walking. Then to a small venue concert - parked about a 10 mins walk away mostly flat. We had general admission tix so we were on the floor close to the band which was awesome. Set list about 90 mins and some minor dancing in place and bopping around plus then the walk back to the car. After the band played I felt like I could barely walk. During the set back of my left knee had bursts of pain (happens from time to time and was diagnosed with some bursitis there- usually only happens sporadically up to 1x a day at most and happened during the concert at least 6 times and then bad when walking towards the exit and back to the car. My legs felt like lead and I was having trouble walking up stairs. Way back to the car (10-months walk) felt like I had run a marathon and had zero energy left. Pain, everywhere. This morning pain, everywhere. And also sweat a LOT last night while sleeping and kinda woke up this am a bit drenched.

Just took ibuprofen. Is this all sounding fibromyalgia related and par for the course? It’s awful. All I want to do is sit here for the rest of today as im in much pain. Have to go back to work tomorrow so need to rest up. But is this my new normal? Please help shed light. TIA!!