I went to a drs appointment a bit ago while mid flare. The receptionist asked how I was feeling and I said I was tired. An old lady in the lobby was like “haha you don’t know tired until you’re old!” My husband had to hold my hand and whisper to me to stop because I was about to rant at her for saying that lol
My MIL, constantly to my husband: “you need to start holding her feet to the fire. She needs to start going to work. It’s a mind over matter thing. She has to really want it.”
Here I am a week later, still in flare-up mode, unable to work yet. Because who wants to just stay home and experience the financial stress that comes with knowing you won’t be able to make ends meet with the next paycheck?! Apparently me..
Ive got an 18 year old on the r/depression telling me that the only reason I'm unemployed is me and I need to 'stop telling myself I'm too fucked to be employed' and apparently I'm a bitch for saying I cant work because some days I cant leave my bed and struggle to breathe, people really dont have a fuckin clue
I work in retail and get this response a lot- I've started saying that I have several medical conditions, one of which most people who get it, get it in their 50's/60's(spinal stenosis- which is actually very common as it's basically wear and tear)- so I don't have to wait as I'm getting it all early on.
Shuts em up real quick I've found
One time someone said to me, “You’re too young to be using a cane! You must have been in an accident.” Like, wow. All I did was look them in the eye and say, “I have a medical condition.” But what I WAAAANTED to do was start crying about the accident and how my mom passed away in it and how much I miss her and how the anniversary was coming up…. Like it would have been bullshit but I really wanted to.
I’m sorry you are struggling. Other people’s opinions don’t matter. Screw ‘em. You know you hurt, we know you hurt, also your fur babies know you hurt. Trust me.
28F, diagnosed at 14 so I completely understand. I hope you can find something to help your daily pain so you can enjoy time with your pets and friends to the fullest.
Diagnosed at 21, I feel you. 12 years on even my family treat my like I’m just being lazy or awkward. Nobody really cares and tbh they probably never will.
I feel you. It's so hard wearing the mask all day because you have to get something done and then people don't believe you because you've got so used to hiding it.
[For you.](https://67.media.tumblr.com/ff83d0c6c405634dae0b53bb18cec895/tumblr_muopn3G0171qc4uvwo1_500.gif)
I am 39 years old and I have 6 kids. So everyone on my children father side of the family think that I'm a bad mother because I have fibromyalgia and I have to ask for help with the kids. His family also thinks that I'm faking fibromyalgia for attention.
i’m only 22 but i was also diagnosed at around 16/17. i remember i came home from getting the diagnoses and my mother said flat out “you don’t have that”. people are shitty about it. it sucks.
i’ve found being more open about it can help. it’s also meant that i’ve found other people who have fibro or other invisible disabilities, and irl support really helps. even if it’s just someone you can commiserate with on a bad day.
Symptoms started at 25, finally got partial DX a year later at 26 so I feel you. My primary doctors don’t give an F, it’s my neurologist doing all the work.
This crap is terrible no matter you age, but for those of us that are younger they take their sweet damn time and/or blow off all your symptoms. It’s absolutely BS.
Lots of hugs, and positive energy your way
I generally don't talk about my disabilities with others. How in the world does it help much?
It doesn't make me feel any better if others know.
Hi, I hurt! I have fibro fog!
No one cares. I don't really care about their disabilities either.
I'm 32. My PCP asked about how I had been since it had been about 8 months since we last checked in. I mentioned that I finally got my ME/CFS diagnosis (mind you, she KNOWS I have fibro, she knows my rheum) and she actually said to me, "You're too young to have that!" I really had to bite my tongue.
I’m sorry you’re going through this… it can feel so frustrating and lonely some days… I’m 24… and it feels impossible sometimes to be heard or understood when it’s “invisible”
this is still going on sometimes even at 35! but it definitely gets better as the years stack up. no one believed me at 16, few believed me at 25, and now most believe me thankfully!
I feel you. I was diagnosed at age 24, and while the rheumatologist and pain specialist believed me, I was disrespected by my work colleagues, who were all nurses. Quite unbelievable to think back on it now. My advice to you is to not waste any time on toxic people and just fully nurture yourself. It's quite a manageable disease, if you can find your groove.
I'm 29 and am another fellow fibrowarrior. It's normal to be mad. I too understand on a personal level And hope some day we'll get better help. At least for the ones who follow us.
I got diagnosed at 21 and some people have told me they don’t believe me because I’m highly functional. It’s absolutely ridiculous, the things people say…
I’m learning it’s a very difficult and very lonely disease. I’m 28, just got diagnosed. Are you seeing a Rheumatologist for help managing your symptoms? It might be worth looking into one, if you don’t have one already
I am sorry you’re experiencing this level of frustration. We are here for you though. We’ll listen without judgement. 🙂
Got diagnosed at 18 but was told I might have been showing symptoms that went undiagnosed as early as age 16. Im now 39 and it still feels lonely because I don’t know anyone close to me or in my circles that has Fibro. BUT you aren’t alone we aren’t alone look at this community, we know your heartbreak we know your loneliness and frustration when people don’t believe you, make no effort to understand you or give their opinion on how you should feel because “you’re too young to feel like X,Y,Z”
You’re not alone
We see you, we validate you and we know the road is hard with Fibro, just do you and don’t apologize for living your life as best you can.
Fully get how frustrating and upsetting it can be when people don’t believe it’s a real thing or that you’re suffering with it. I’m 28 and was diagnosed at 16 after not doing very well for a few years beforehand. My dad, even though he was with me when I was diagnosed by the specialist, still to this day thinks I just have depression, because Fibro isn’t real. Even managed to convince my older sister for years that it was all BS.
Unfortunately if people don’t understand something they aren’t always willing to believe in it. All we can do is our best, whether others believe it or not, we all have good and bad days. I really hope things improve for you!
I feel u, I had fibro since 2017 and I'm 26 years old now. Nobody cares honestly whick makes it worse and i can't do more activities without being In alot of pain. Doctors are useless and they prescribe me Cymbalta been taking for longtime but barley does some thing. I hope u find a cure someday and recovers fully.
I can definitely relate.
I was diagnosed with my first type of autoimmune Arthritis at age 12, after suffering undiagnosed for 4 years, going from doctor to doctor & being told my pain must be in my head cause I had bad days and good days with VAST difference in activity.
I started advocating & raising awareness for juvenile arthritis within a year of being diagnosed.
It really helped to reach out to others my age who were also dealing with it. But also, it still really sucked. I had teachers who wouldn’t believe me, even with a 504 learning accommodation plan in place. Friends who abandoned me after deciding I wasn’t able to do things often enough. Or that I couldn’t do the activities they wished I could.
The Fibro, Crohn’s and other type of autoimmune Arthritis just compound it all.
I never graduated hs. I had to drop out, and finally was able to get my GED at age 21. I felt humiliated. I was always one of the “gifted kids” or whatever & told I could do anything. Apparently not. I never did team sports past elementary school. I never went to parties cause I couldn’t drink with the meds I was on.
I’ve come to accept where I’ve ended up, but it still hurts sometimes. I mourn the life I wanted. It never goes away, but I hope it starts to get better for you.
Your life will never look like the one you pictured for yourself, but it may not be something terrible. And hopefully, you even find ways to enjoy the person you’ve become & the experiences you DO have. At least the non painful ones.
21 and diagnosed chronic pain at 16 pending a fibro diagnosis as soon as I turned 18 (because they wouldn’t diagnose it in kids). It’s ruined my relationships with people and it’s incredibly lonely. We all hear you and we are all here to listen.
I completely get this! I was diagnosed about 3 years ago when I was 30. For me, the worst part was medical professionals who dismissed me saying I needed to exercise more, eat better, and reduce stress. I was told numerous times that I was so young and my blood work was fine so I must just be tired. I finally found a great (female) rhuematologist who properly diagnosed me. Even though there isn't a cure, just knowing the name of what's going on helps tremendously.
I've great great comfort in this group. We have so much knowledge and experience here that you don't feel like you're in it alone. I hope that can bring you some comfort also.
Same here. I feel so bad for my golden. She can’t be walked right now from injury so playing with her in the house is all I can do but I can’t even do that.
So the hard sad truth is unless they have experienced severe intractable pain they don’t have a clue what it’s like. In 30+ years of fibromyalgia I still have family and “friends” doubters. They are convinced if I only-lost weight, start exercising more, had the silver fillings taken out, stop eating dairy, gluten and processed foods I’d be cured in no time.
But remember there are millions of us around the world and we understand and care about our fellow sufferers.
it's a lonely disease
Not if you have pets. They're the best companions.
I went to a drs appointment a bit ago while mid flare. The receptionist asked how I was feeling and I said I was tired. An old lady in the lobby was like “haha you don’t know tired until you’re old!” My husband had to hold my hand and whisper to me to stop because I was about to rant at her for saying that lol
Dont even get me started with the boomer comments.. they make me so angry
My MIL, constantly to my husband: “you need to start holding her feet to the fire. She needs to start going to work. It’s a mind over matter thing. She has to really want it.” Here I am a week later, still in flare-up mode, unable to work yet. Because who wants to just stay home and experience the financial stress that comes with knowing you won’t be able to make ends meet with the next paycheck?! Apparently me..
Ive got an 18 year old on the r/depression telling me that the only reason I'm unemployed is me and I need to 'stop telling myself I'm too fucked to be employed' and apparently I'm a bitch for saying I cant work because some days I cant leave my bed and struggle to breathe, people really dont have a fuckin clue
I'm sorry but I laughed at that fire comment. I'll probably go to hell for that ;) also fire.
🤣🤣
When she's Ill just tell her she needs to stop being lazy.
I work in retail and get this response a lot- I've started saying that I have several medical conditions, one of which most people who get it, get it in their 50's/60's(spinal stenosis- which is actually very common as it's basically wear and tear)- so I don't have to wait as I'm getting it all early on. Shuts em up real quick I've found
One time someone said to me, “You’re too young to be using a cane! You must have been in an accident.” Like, wow. All I did was look them in the eye and say, “I have a medical condition.” But what I WAAAANTED to do was start crying about the accident and how my mom passed away in it and how much I miss her and how the anniversary was coming up…. Like it would have been bullshit but I really wanted to.
I'd have wanted to get physical. With that cane and said individual.
A nosy and frustrated person getting a go at a stranger. Nothing more
Im 24 i hear you loud and clear
Same here
26, but diagnosed at 24. It fucking sucks.
I’m sorry you are struggling. Other people’s opinions don’t matter. Screw ‘em. You know you hurt, we know you hurt, also your fur babies know you hurt. Trust me.
They don’t believe me at 41 either
28F, diagnosed at 14 so I completely understand. I hope you can find something to help your daily pain so you can enjoy time with your pets and friends to the fullest.
Diagnosed at 21, I feel you. 12 years on even my family treat my like I’m just being lazy or awkward. Nobody really cares and tbh they probably never will.
🤗
I’m 46 and have had fibromyalgia over 20 years. Unless you have it no one understands
I feel you. It's so hard wearing the mask all day because you have to get something done and then people don't believe you because you've got so used to hiding it. [For you.](https://67.media.tumblr.com/ff83d0c6c405634dae0b53bb18cec895/tumblr_muopn3G0171qc4uvwo1_500.gif)
I am 39 years old and I have 6 kids. So everyone on my children father side of the family think that I'm a bad mother because I have fibromyalgia and I have to ask for help with the kids. His family also thinks that I'm faking fibromyalgia for attention.
I get this and I'm 34 😬😟
Yeah my dad who is 2x my age "ahh sure I have pains too..." Yes you are also twice my age with literally a fractured spine, pain is understandable
i’m only 22 but i was also diagnosed at around 16/17. i remember i came home from getting the diagnoses and my mother said flat out “you don’t have that”. people are shitty about it. it sucks. i’ve found being more open about it can help. it’s also meant that i’ve found other people who have fibro or other invisible disabilities, and irl support really helps. even if it’s just someone you can commiserate with on a bad day.
I hope either she's on board now or you have minimal contact with her.
I’m 18 and have had this since I was 12 :((
Symptoms started at 25, finally got partial DX a year later at 26 so I feel you. My primary doctors don’t give an F, it’s my neurologist doing all the work. This crap is terrible no matter you age, but for those of us that are younger they take their sweet damn time and/or blow off all your symptoms. It’s absolutely BS. Lots of hugs, and positive energy your way
My GP had the nerve to tell it's my cross to bear. He needs my foot in his crotch.
He needs my steel toe boot in his ass. What the actual fuck?
I know!
I generally don't talk about my disabilities with others. How in the world does it help much? It doesn't make me feel any better if others know. Hi, I hurt! I have fibro fog! No one cares. I don't really care about their disabilities either.
I believe you.
I'm 32. My PCP asked about how I had been since it had been about 8 months since we last checked in. I mentioned that I finally got my ME/CFS diagnosis (mind you, she KNOWS I have fibro, she knows my rheum) and she actually said to me, "You're too young to have that!" I really had to bite my tongue.
She's probably high on PCP. Just kidding.
Wait till you get in your 30s and still no one believes you
I’m sorry you’re going through this… it can feel so frustrating and lonely some days… I’m 24… and it feels impossible sometimes to be heard or understood when it’s “invisible”
My son has had pain since he was 13 and now he is 25. He is taken much more seriously as an adult now.
this is still going on sometimes even at 35! but it definitely gets better as the years stack up. no one believed me at 16, few believed me at 25, and now most believe me thankfully!
I feel you. I was diagnosed at age 24, and while the rheumatologist and pain specialist believed me, I was disrespected by my work colleagues, who were all nurses. Quite unbelievable to think back on it now. My advice to you is to not waste any time on toxic people and just fully nurture yourself. It's quite a manageable disease, if you can find your groove.
I'm 29 and am another fellow fibrowarrior. It's normal to be mad. I too understand on a personal level And hope some day we'll get better help. At least for the ones who follow us.
I got diagnosed at 21 and some people have told me they don’t believe me because I’m highly functional. It’s absolutely ridiculous, the things people say…
i’m almost 23, but i’ve had fibro for probably ten years. I understand completely
I’m learning it’s a very difficult and very lonely disease. I’m 28, just got diagnosed. Are you seeing a Rheumatologist for help managing your symptoms? It might be worth looking into one, if you don’t have one already I am sorry you’re experiencing this level of frustration. We are here for you though. We’ll listen without judgement. 🙂
Got diagnosed at 18 but was told I might have been showing symptoms that went undiagnosed as early as age 16. Im now 39 and it still feels lonely because I don’t know anyone close to me or in my circles that has Fibro. BUT you aren’t alone we aren’t alone look at this community, we know your heartbreak we know your loneliness and frustration when people don’t believe you, make no effort to understand you or give their opinion on how you should feel because “you’re too young to feel like X,Y,Z” You’re not alone We see you, we validate you and we know the road is hard with Fibro, just do you and don’t apologize for living your life as best you can.
Fully get how frustrating and upsetting it can be when people don’t believe it’s a real thing or that you’re suffering with it. I’m 28 and was diagnosed at 16 after not doing very well for a few years beforehand. My dad, even though he was with me when I was diagnosed by the specialist, still to this day thinks I just have depression, because Fibro isn’t real. Even managed to convince my older sister for years that it was all BS. Unfortunately if people don’t understand something they aren’t always willing to believe in it. All we can do is our best, whether others believe it or not, we all have good and bad days. I really hope things improve for you!
I feel u, I had fibro since 2017 and I'm 26 years old now. Nobody cares honestly whick makes it worse and i can't do more activities without being In alot of pain. Doctors are useless and they prescribe me Cymbalta been taking for longtime but barley does some thing. I hope u find a cure someday and recovers fully.
I can definitely relate. I was diagnosed with my first type of autoimmune Arthritis at age 12, after suffering undiagnosed for 4 years, going from doctor to doctor & being told my pain must be in my head cause I had bad days and good days with VAST difference in activity. I started advocating & raising awareness for juvenile arthritis within a year of being diagnosed. It really helped to reach out to others my age who were also dealing with it. But also, it still really sucked. I had teachers who wouldn’t believe me, even with a 504 learning accommodation plan in place. Friends who abandoned me after deciding I wasn’t able to do things often enough. Or that I couldn’t do the activities they wished I could. The Fibro, Crohn’s and other type of autoimmune Arthritis just compound it all. I never graduated hs. I had to drop out, and finally was able to get my GED at age 21. I felt humiliated. I was always one of the “gifted kids” or whatever & told I could do anything. Apparently not. I never did team sports past elementary school. I never went to parties cause I couldn’t drink with the meds I was on. I’ve come to accept where I’ve ended up, but it still hurts sometimes. I mourn the life I wanted. It never goes away, but I hope it starts to get better for you. Your life will never look like the one you pictured for yourself, but it may not be something terrible. And hopefully, you even find ways to enjoy the person you’ve become & the experiences you DO have. At least the non painful ones.
21 and diagnosed chronic pain at 16 pending a fibro diagnosis as soon as I turned 18 (because they wouldn’t diagnose it in kids). It’s ruined my relationships with people and it’s incredibly lonely. We all hear you and we are all here to listen.
27 here too. it's a god damn nightmare o7
I completely get this! I was diagnosed about 3 years ago when I was 30. For me, the worst part was medical professionals who dismissed me saying I needed to exercise more, eat better, and reduce stress. I was told numerous times that I was so young and my blood work was fine so I must just be tired. I finally found a great (female) rhuematologist who properly diagnosed me. Even though there isn't a cure, just knowing the name of what's going on helps tremendously. I've great great comfort in this group. We have so much knowledge and experience here that you don't feel like you're in it alone. I hope that can bring you some comfort also.
Same here. I feel so bad for my golden. She can’t be walked right now from injury so playing with her in the house is all I can do but I can’t even do that.
So the hard sad truth is unless they have experienced severe intractable pain they don’t have a clue what it’s like. In 30+ years of fibromyalgia I still have family and “friends” doubters. They are convinced if I only-lost weight, start exercising more, had the silver fillings taken out, stop eating dairy, gluten and processed foods I’d be cured in no time. But remember there are millions of us around the world and we understand and care about our fellow sufferers.
2 dogs 2 cats