Dear Fibromyalgia,
We need to talk.
No disease should have unrelenting insomnia and fatigue so crippling that it is impossible to stay awake. Causing both is not only contrary, but greedy. Choose one!
While we're at it, let's talk about temperature intolerance. Again, I ask that you choose just one. Heat induced hyperhidrosis and fatigue plus cold induced pain is just too much. And no, deciding that 21°C is both too hot and too cold, leading to all the symptoms, is plain rude. I'm tired of experiencing cold induced joint pain while being drenched in sweat. Enough is enough!
Beds are either too soft or too firm, not both! Trying to make a digestive system work too fast and too slow is just a pipe dream. You've got to be taking the piss with that one! Speaking of, constantly needing to pee is one thing during the day, but could we give the routine a rest overnight?
On a related note: I really don't think I need to be as thirsty as you make me think I am. Ever heard of water conservation?? It works in human systems too.
Even when you don't want it both ways, there's always a trade off. If I go for a walk to ease the back pain you've so delightfully instigated, you make sure I come home with aching hips and knees. If I use compression gloves/sleeves/socks or a weighted blanket to ease joint pain, you turn on the allodynia and my skin feels like it's being assaulted. When I sit down to ease fatigue or pain you'll make my legs numb instead. Then I get to choose between continuing to sit and potentially making the numbness worse, or trying to stand up. Have you ever tried to stand up when you can't feel your legs and feet??
And what's with the random leg and hand tremors? The muscle weakness? Do you just enjoy watching me stare at my leg, trying to hold it down, until it stops shaking? Splashing tea all over the place when my hand goes wonky? Or dropping mugs I was perfectly capable of holding onto a second ago? I'm a bit of a klutz anyway. I didn't really need your help.
Then there's the days you're plain old lazy. You've run out of creativity, so you send me to bed with a migraine, or give me fibro fog so severe I feel like an elderly person with dementia.
This is not a healthy relationship. I am not going to put up with your abuse any longer. It's time for you to pack your bags and go. You can no longer live here.
So long. Farewell. And good riddance!
(If only it were that easy!)
#Fibromyalgia #ChronicPain #ChronicFatigue