Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive dysfunction (brain fog). Despite decades of research, the exact cause of fibromyalgia remains unknown. However, one emerging theory suggests that chronic infections may trigger or worsen fibromyalgia symptoms. Some researchers propose that latent or persistent infections—such as viral, bacterial, or fungal pathogens—could alter immune function, cause widespread inflammation, and contribute to nervous system hypersensitivity, leading to fibromyalgia. This article…
Denied and Dismissed: When a Doctor Turned Down My Fibromyalgia Referral and Said I’m ‘Not Sick Enough’
I walked into that appointment with hope. It had taken weeks to build up the courage to ask for a referral to a specialist, and even longer to convince myself that my symptoms were valid. The fatigue, the pain, the brain fog—they were interfering with every part of my life. I knew something was wrong. I needed help. But when the doctor looked at me and said I wasn’t “sick enough” for a referral, the…
Beyond the Pain: I Have Fibromyalgia and Yes, I’m Disabled—Here’s What That Really Means
I have fibromyalgia, and yes, I’m disabled. That sentence often surprises people. There’s an uncomfortable pause, a moment of disbelief, and then the all-too-common response: But you don’t look disabled. This reaction cuts deeper than most realize. It invalidates an experience rooted in chronic pain, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and emotional struggle. It minimizes the very real limitations that define my daily life. Fibromyalgia is invisible, but its impact is not. It changes how I move,…
To the Boyfriend Who Jumped Into My New Fibromyalgia Reality: A Letter of Love and Gratitude
When fibromyalgia entered my life, everything changed. The rhythms of my body, the way I moved through the world, the plans I had for the future—all of it shifted under the weight of unpredictable pain and fatigue. But amid the uncertainty, one constant remained: you. This is for the boyfriend who jumped into my new fibromyalgia reality without hesitation, fear, or judgment. You didn’t just stay. You adapted, you learned, and you loved me differently…
14 Things I Learned Choosing an Accessible Wedding Venue as a Fibromyalgia Bride
Choosing an Accessible Wedding Venue as a Fibromyalgia Bride Planning a wedding is a mix of joy, dreams, and countless decisions. For most brides, it’s about finding the venue that captures their vision. But for someone living with fibromyalgia, the dream has to meet reality in deeply personal ways. When I began the journey of choosing an accessible wedding venue as a fibromyalgia bride, I quickly learned that beauty, romance, and style were only part…
12 Truths No One Tells You About Fearing New Symptoms With Fibromyalgia
When You Fear Developing New Symptoms With Your Fibromyalgia Living with fibromyalgia means living with unpredictability. Each day, your body might speak a different language. Pain, fatigue, brain fog — these are familiar companions. But there’s another constant that rarely gets the spotlight: fear. The fear of what’s next, The fear of new symptoms. The fear that your already fragile balance could tip at any moment. When you fear developing new symptoms with your fibromyalgia,…
13 Ways Fatphobia Nearly Cost Me My Life With Fibromyalgia That No One Talks About
How Fatphobia Threatened My Life With Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is hard enough. It brings daily pain, fatigue, and a fog that clouds both thoughts and emotions. But living with fibromyalgia while also being fat adds a whole new layer of struggle — not from the condition itself, but from how the world, and especially the medical system, sees me. Fatphobia didn’t just make life harder. It made me sicker. It delayed my diagnosis, dismissed my symptoms,…
10 Unspoken Reasons Why I’m Retiring From Advocacy as a Queer, Disabled Survivor of Abuse
Why I’m Retiring From Advocacy as a Queer, Disabled Survivor of Abuse There comes a time in every journey when continuing forward no longer feels brave — it feels like survival without self. For years, I poured my energy, heart, and lived experience into advocacy. I fought to be seen, to make space for others, to speak truths that were too often buried under the weight of silence. I showed up in rooms that weren’t…
24 Quiet Battles: A Day in My Life With Fibromyalgia That You Never See
Fibromyalgia does not follow a script. Every day is different, shaped by the level of pain, energy, and mental clarity I wake up with — or don’t. From the outside, it may seem like I live a quiet life, one that moves at a slower pace. But what people don’t see is the strength it takes to get through each part of the day. This is a look into a typical day in my life…
7 Powerful 2021 Sundance Films That Nailed Authentic Disability Representation
The 2021 Sundance Film Festival offered a refreshing and long-overdue spotlight on stories that reflect the real world — including authentic disability representation. In a media landscape that often excludes or misrepresents disabled individuals, Sundance provided a platform for filmmakers who brought truth, dignity, and complexity to disability narratives. These films did more than just feature disabled characters — they told their stories with nuance, respect, and realism. From bold documentaries to groundbreaking dramas, these…