Things I Know About Living With Fibromyalgia

I know that there is no cure. No amount of home remedies, pharmaceutical drugs or physical therapy will make it go away forever.

• What is Fibromyalgia?
• What Are Common Fibromyalgia Symptoms?

I know that people assume that I’m just lazy or out of shape.

I know I’m labeled as a “drug-seeker” on the down low.

I know my condition will cause me to lose friends.

I know I’m unreliable day to day.

I know I shouldn’t feel guilty for having this condition.

I know there are days where simply getting out of bed is a major accomplishment.

I know I’m not “crazy” or a hypochondriac.

I know not everyone will understand what I’m going through.

I know that sometimes saying “good enough” is more than good enough.

I know my smile is the cover that hides the inner pages of my book.

I know that I’m never going to be the perfect mom (but really, who is?) but I am going to give it my absolute best.

Most of all, I know I am worth being loved, respected and treated with patience and kindness. There are no obvious signs and I cannot expect people to just take me at face value, but I can try to advocate for myself and others who live with chronic illness, in order to show people that sometimes, there is more to a person’s story. I’m going to smile because in spite of everything there is wrong, there is so much more that is right.