My mom has fibromyalgia. Reading this made me cry for her

by chronicillness · Published December 12, 2023 · Updated February 8, 2024

Chronic pain is increasingly rampant today.
However, chronic pain and chronic diseases are often invisible. In many cases, there are no plasters, visible rashes, or nasal discharge involved.
Those who suffer from chronic pain often appear “normal”, perhaps a little more fragile or sad than average.
I suffered from chronic headaches for four and a half years and chronic hip pain for two and a half years.
He often seemed depressed, disinterested and angry, when I was simply in pain.
There were many days that I could not get out of bed. After a conversation, it became difficult at times.
I lost a job because of my pain. I canceled plans and ignored friends.
I felt misunderstood and alone. I was suffering. I know the answer was there and finally, I cured myself.
However, at the moment I wanted to scream from the top of my lungs all the things that all chronic pain sufferers want me to know:
1. Just because you can not see it, does not mean that I am not in pain.
2. It’s not all in my head.
3. It’s not just the flu. It will not disappear in a week.
4. Please, never say, “Just do not think about it.” Being in constant pain is impossible.
5. Hugs can do magic. So they are good messages. I need to know you’re here for me.
6. Thank you for sharing the “magic cure” you have read online. Trust me, I’ve heard about it, and if it was relevant, I’ve tried it.

7. I am trying very hard to live a normal life.
8. I try my damned best not to cancel plans and never cancel plans if I had a choice.
9. I can not get out of it.
10. Some days are better, some days are worse. Some days I can even feel close to normal, other days I can not even get out of bed.
11. I worry about you. I want to know about your life and dreams. I want you to be happy and healthy.
12. My chronic pain is different from other people’s chronic pain. All diseases and pain symptoms are unique. Our experiences may differ, but we are all in pain and can relate to each other.
13. Please do not try to convince me to drink and “live a little”. All I want is to live a little, in fact, live a lot. A drink, however, is the last thing on my mind.
14. If I look depressed or bored, it means that I am really in tremendous pain and doing everything possible to look happy and normal.
15. I can not explain how chronic pain feels. However, I can not say, “You will know once you have it” because I would never want someone to feel so much suffering.
16. I need a lot of sleep. But sleep can be difficult with so much pain and often it still leaves me exhausted.
17. Just because I have chronic pain does not mean that I know how to handle it or live with it.
18. Sometimes I feel like I’m in a prison, living someone else’s life.
19. I still have interests, passions, goals, and dreams.
20. I do not want you to forget me. I do not want you to give up on me.
21. I have not given up on healing yet. Deep down I know there is (or will be) an answer out there.