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If Your Fibromyalgia Could Text You, It Might Look Like This

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Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain, diffuse tenderness, extreme fatigue and a number of other symptoms, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association. The invisible illness manifests itself in a variety of ways, and it can be a real pain in the neck — like an unwanted friend who just. won’t. stop. texting. you.

Of course, fibromyalgia cannot text the people who live with it, but if it did, it might look something like this. The Mighty teamed up with the Fibromyalgia by ProHealth Facebook page to ask people who live with the condition what a text conversation with fibromyalgia might look like.

Here’s what they had to say:

1.

Me: I think I'll wear my new sweater today, it'll be cozy! Fibro: Ha ha ha! No. That new sweater is clearly made of needles and broken glass. It's cool though, right?
Tia Borkowski

 

2.

"Fibro: You thought I would simply disappear, didn't you? Think again, lady! You've had eight years to get a doctor to tell you I was wrapped around your neck and back, and now you can't get rid of me! Haha. Me: Fibro, my unwanted pain in the neck, I will not be defeated. I will fight you every step of the way!"
Sandra Mario Provence

 

3.

"Fibro: Lets play a game. Guess what's going to hurt today? Me: What? Fibro: Everything!!!! Hahahahahahah!"
Jeannine Avaltroni Seery

4.

"Fibro: Sorry! Me: Sorry doesn't make it hurt any less."
Renee Neal

 

5.

e: I'm cold. I think I'll curl up with a blanket. Fibro: You mean this thing that feels like a sheet of concrete? The weight will surely crush you. F: It's OK though, here's a hot flash to warm you up. Me: No, not another hot flash! I just showered! Fibro: Too late (fire emoji)
Tia Borkowski

 6. 

"Fibro: I'm going to let you have a good day and forget I'm here. Then I'm going to hit you like a ton of bricks and make you feel like you've been run over by a bus! Me: Ouch!"
Lisa Kirkham

7.

 Me: I think I'll get up and do stuff today. Fibro: hahahaha that's cute.
Eliza Marie Holmes

8.

"F: How are you today? Me: I've got this."
Elaine Emond

 

9.

"Fibro: Go back to bed. Me: OK. "
Michelle Puckey Weslager

10.

Fybro: Gonna get ya, gonna get ya, gonna get ya. Me: @#!* you, Fibro. I'm gonna fight you all the way."
Gill Wood

11.

"F: Hey I'm gonna make you suffer today. Me: I don't think so. I'm gonna kick your butt!"
Jenny Evans

12.

"Fibro: Be afraid. Be very afraid. Me: Go jump in a lake..."
Kathleen Breen

13.

"Me: I woke up today with pain and tiredness beyond my wildest dreams. Fibro: Well at least you have a friend... "
Dawn Howard

 

14.

"F: Haha I got you. You are under my control. Me: I've been fighting you for 49 years, what makes you think I'm giving up now?"
Barbara Curtis Jordan

 

MORE ABOUT FIBROMYALGIA:

Fibromyalgia, a chronic illness with three main symptoms — widespread pain, chronic fatigue and cognitive trouble. Fibromyalgia is a complicated illness that’s not well understood. In the past, it was mischaracterized as a mental health disorder. Even today, some doctors wave off fibro symptoms as being “all in your head.” This isn’t the case. Read The Mighty’s comprehensive guide to fibromyalgia here. Click here to join our fibro community and connect with people who get it.

Originally published: January 26, 2016
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