How does it feel to have fibromyalgia?

Learn more about the journey from saying "I have fibromyalgia" to feeling like yourself again.

Closeup of a mid-thirties man in athletic clothing outdoors rubs his shoulder due to muscle tenderness caused by fibromyalgia

How did your fibromyalgia begin? Suddenly or slowly? How long did it take to get an accurate diagnosis of fibromyalgia? What fibro treatments are working for you? What is it like to live with fibromyalgia? 

If there's one thing to be said about fibromyalgia, it's that the journey from first saying "I have fibromyalgia" to getting back to some sense of normalcy is a completely individual one. While most people with fibromyalgia feel pain or tenderness somewhere in their body, symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. And for some people, symptoms come on slowly, while for others, symptoms like pain and fatigue happen seemingly overnight. 

For many people, it takes years to get a proper diagnosis of fibromyalgia. In fact, it wasn't until 1987 that fibromyalgia was even formally acknowledged by the American Medical Association. Getting diagnosed often means ruling out other diseases with similar symptoms, such as rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica and even hypothyroidism. 

Moving past the uncertainty 

On top of the fact that there's no one-size-fits-all blueprint for fibromyalgia diagnosis and treatment, you may also live with feelings of confusion from not knowing with any certainty what caused your fibromyalgia in the first place. 

So, it's time for a little more certainty in your life. It's time to take a look at all the things you can do to help manage fibro pain, reduce fatigue, lift your spirits and just feel more normal.

More On

Are there natural treatments for fibromyalgia?

video

Are there natural treatments for fibromyalgia?
There are many natural treatments for fibromyalgia, including getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, minimizing stress, exercising, and counseli...
Choosing a doctor for your fibromyalgia care

article

Choosing a doctor for your fibromyalgia care
Discover 3 strategies to help you work effectively with your fibromyalgia specialist to manage your fibro symptoms.
8 ways to get more exercise when you have fibromyalgia

slideshow

8 ways to get more exercise when you have fibromyalgia
Try these expert-backed tips to fit more physical activity into your day.
Can the Change of Seasons or the Weather Impact My Fibromyalgia Symptoms?

video

Can the Change of Seasons or the Weather Impact My Fibromyalgia Symptoms?
Research suggests that changes in seasons and the weather do not have an impact on fibromyalgia symptoms; but patients often claim that weather makes ...
What Causes Fibromyalgia?

video

What Causes Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia currently has no single cause, but experts know that there is something going on in the central nervous system that causes an individual ...