How will fibromyalgia affect her throughout her life?
My Girlfriend has just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, how will this affect her for the rest of her life? Does it decrease her life expectancy? Is there anything that I could do to help her deal with the symptoms?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Public Comments
1. there is really no such thing as fibromyalgia. most doctors agree with that statement, that's what some docs say: "you have fibromyalgia", when you have vague, atypical symptoms and they cannot come up with a real diagnosis.2. It seems that you are already concerned and supportive and that is a large help since this is an illness that is not always understood by others. There isn't a cure right now for fibromyalgia; but life with fibromyalgia can be manageable. People with fibromyalgia tend not to sleep well which makes them tired and unable to think clearly. Fibromyalgia does not decrease one's life expectancy.You can assist her by taking over when she is in pain or displays a lack of energy. In most cases, fibromyalgia gets better over time if you bank your energy by getting proper rest and manage your pain by exercising in a warm pool.
3. there is such a thing as fms--
but it is highly overdiagnosed by idiot docs who just use it as a general label for pain...
1st--it depends if she really has it--or actually has a different condition....
doctors miss many things--even with 'thorough evals'
fms is not progressive--technically...
but i am too ill to cook much--so rely on unhealthy convenience foods....i can't exercise as much..those things can lower life expectancy..
to help---you may need to do more of the housework, cooking, etc to help keep her healthy...the less she has to do the more she can concentrate on her health like exercising
most docs DO NOT AGREE that it doesn't exist--but most think it exists, but don't know what it is..and then they wonder why their malpractice insurance is so high...
4. T.J., I'm sorry you're gf was given this diagnosis. First of all, it will not decrease her life expectancy. You can have a room full of fibromites and they may all have varying symptoms and degrees of these symptoms. How this condition affects your gf depends upon her symptoms and how severe they are. She will need to learn to pace herself and learn what she can and can't do. If she's having a great day, just remind her not to do too much so she doesn't have to pay for it later.
The best thing you can do for her is to be there for her. Help her with anything strenuous (things which may not be difficult for anyone else). Give her massages if she says it feels good. One thing my husband does is give me reflexology massages on my feet. I know it sounds strange, but they are amazing! I'm sure you can find some info on foot reflexology. (We actually get on opposite ends of the couch and rub each others feet, so he gets some benefit too!) Most importantly, enjoy the times she feels like going and doing things, and be understanding when she doesn't feel like going.
Encourage your gf to learn everything she can about her fibro and how to take care of her body. Be supportive of her. I'm sure she may have some emotional issues (as anyone just given a diagnosis of a chronic condition), but if you continue to show her you love her regardless, she'll deal with this so much easier. Just remind her that this is a bump in the road, not a sinkhole. You two can have a normal, healthy relationship.
Thanks for being such a good boyfriend to her.
