Fibromyalgia Awareness Contest

by Wendy Walkiewicz, Assistant Editor, Fibromyalgia Network
Posted: May 11, 2012

Since 1992, support groups and individuals have celebrated Fibromyalgia Awareness Day on May 12th and throughout the month of May. The concept was started by patient advocate Tom Hennessy, Jr., President of RESCIND, Inc., as a yearly reminder to the public and to health officials that people like you really do exist. Since then we have come a long way, but we still have far to go with more work, research, and understanding.

This year, the Fibromyalgia Network invites you to submit information about your awareness activities. Getting others to understand your symptoms and improve public perception can be done in countless ways. Here are some examples:

  • health fairs
  • proclamations from government officials
  • hosting or assisting in an educational event
  • posting/distributing public information
  • special support group meetings
  • or any other creative ideas

Email us a photo and a short description (one to three paragraphs) of your fibromyalgia Awareness activities. The top ten entries will receive a free Membership or renewal to the Fibromyalgia Network. The best five will be posted to our website’s Latest News blog. Deadline for submissions is Thursday, May 31st.

Our Awareness campaign is designed to remind people that while your illness may be invisible, it is still very real.

51 Responses to Fibromyalgia Awareness Contest

  1. Roland says:

    My wife has this horrible disease and I have seen it develop from the first
    sign which was a sore foot to the point that one year later she is in almost
    constant pain. There are pain medications available that do help as does
    movement such as swimming, doing some basic exercise while in the pool.

    • Mavis Jenkins says:

      I have had Fibro now for 3years and there is not one here In Hobart Tasmania to talk to . My Dr. and I are going to try and get a group going. Hope we can get it off the ground. As all the information I have is from this site. I get so lonely that there is no one to have a cuppa with and talk about my pain. All I get is exercise , I can’t go in the pool any more as I am allergic to the chlorine.

  2. sabrina fitch says:

    i repost anything and everything i read about fibro as i have many friends on my facebook page that have it or have a loved one with it. i am so glad that this information is out there so that we can all benifit from it. thank you.

  3. Randi G. Pakula says:

    I HAVE FIBRO!

  4. Wilma Fox says:

    I do feel people don’t take this disease seriously. I am afflicted by it. They either say it’s based on old age or my being overweight. While those factors may have some merits in how I feel on a daily basis, there’s much more pain associated with fibromyalgia. I also suffer from osteoarthritis and tendonitis as well. Now on a daily basis, I have alot of pain I deal with.

  5. ansie says:

    Hi my name is Ansie and i have fibro.You are sutch a insaration to me,and i love to read all the info i can get. Thank you

  6. Rozanne Moreo says:

    I belong to a fibromyalgia support group in Naples, Florida and we have a great leader named Susie Percival. When I hear of other people with fibromyalgia, I try to get them to join our support group. I swim to try to ease the pain from my fibromyalgia. I also do physical exercise in the pool Due to fracture in my left leg (femur) and spinal fracture L3, I can barely walk which I do daily.

  7. Chrissy Stewart says:

    i subscribed to your site through facebook..everyday I get update messages..I feel I am not alone with my suffering. Some days its very hard to cope well most days if I am honest. but getting your info helps heaps.

    My doctor doesnt seem to offer much help to me..just pills and more pills.

    thankyou so much

    • Cheryl says:

      GET YOURSELF ANOTHER DOCTOR ASAP! I left two doctors who claimed I was a hostile, uncooperative patient who probabley didn’t want to have my two wonderful children, needed to get out and exercise, needed to get a career or some hobbies. Nice, Huh? The fact is I’m an avid crafter, with many talents, which I can do at my own pace. DO NOT PUT WITH DOCTORS THAT IGNORE YOU!!

  8. Colleen says:

    I organised a blue jean Friday a my place of work and raised over $150 that will be donated. I posted information on fibromyalgia both inside and outside my cube. Plus I gave everyone who donated a purple ribbon.

    • Judy Shultz Hair says:

      Having a flower garden, Pet, good relationships, rest, keep trying to see if things like Water Therapy, eating well, making good decisions, don’t give up, keep good humor in your life, spread awareness so people will understand you a little better, let go of any guilt you may be carrying and keep a positive mind, be a member of Fibromyalgia, and be a good listener to others.

  9. molly nelson says:

    Does anybody know if diets such as raw food/microbiotic can help with fibro? I watched a program on TV called “the incurables” and cancer/MS/lupus etc all healed by changing to correct diet. ????

    • LaViva Primm says:

      Molly,
      For the last few months I have radically changed my diet from sorta healthy to consistently eating more raw, natural food. I feel better than I have in a long time. I lost over 20 pounds and I seem to have more grace and less pain than usual; however, the fibromyalgia is not gone. I still have pain daily, my brain still gets foggy, and other symptoms persist. Still, it’s worth it.

    • Ellen Carey says:

      Hi Molly
      I started a diet of low to no carbs about 5 weeks ago and after about 9 days I found my pain had reduced significantly and I was losing weight. After the first 2 weeks I started reintroducing foods and in only 2 days my pain levels were going back up. So of course I have once again cut the carbs and although I still have pain it is reduced. Well worth the effort.

  10. KELLY BRIGHTHART says:

    I have Fibro. for the last 3 yrs all i can say about this disease IS ”” DEVIEL PAIN”’

  11. Bernice Williams says:

    I have fibro. There are so many parts of my body that has been affected by this that I could not list them all. I am in constant pain and all the pain meds in the world don’t seem to touch the pain. Sometimes I can’t even stand up without falling or running into walls. I am afraid to start anything because I never know if I can finish it. Even fixing a simple meal is agony.

    • Mary H Chilton says:

      Bernice, I can only guess what you are living with. I too am in pain almost constantly. It is not what I expected in life–nor has any one! I can not do much of anything, but I do send out prayer requests for my church. Even this can be difficult when my brain goes on vacation. Many blessings, MaryC+

    • Barb says:

      I have had FM for over 15 years (I even asked my dr but he scoffed) but was only recently diagnosed officially. I push myself to do things, but the rebound effect is terrible and painful. My children think I’m a hypochondriac, but my husband tolerates my down time, although he doesn’t understand. Today my neurologist put me on a list to have Botox shots for migraines. Anyone else have this?

      • Linda says:

        I’ve been given Botox for migraines but it did not help me. Diet and gentle exercise, along with pain meds has given me some semblance of a new life. I’ve had fibromyalgia for 20 years.

        • Adelle says:

          Linda I don’t know if you are not wanting to try drugs but I was about to resort to Botox. Ur apart from the expense theres a chance it won’t work for me,my migraines are so bad I throw up I have to go in my room and wear earplugs no one can talk to me or make any noise I get very I’ll and my head feels like its splitting in two I started Topriamate every night.

  12. Brighteyes says:

    i have had fibro since 1999 and all the docs out here just think i want pills and that im a drug addict and i hate that i try so many other things that work it is just sometimes u need something to take the edge off when u have gone overbored at doing something cuz it ended up being a good day and u dont think before u do it

  13. michelle says:

    my husband has had fibro since year 2000 and he is in pain all the time some days are worst than others and some days are ok days he is one of the few men that have this and he is soo young still

  14. Paula Mecham says:

    I have been to where I think I am dying inside from the pain and tiredness all the time. I went on a low carb diet and lost 15 lbs. I found out we should treat our bodies like we have low blood sugar. People with fibro should not be on heavy duty carbs. I also have been on the reversal of fibro by reading Dr R. Paul Amands book ( What your dr. may not tell you about fibromyalgia) READ THIS BOOK!

  15. judy gooch, louisiana says:

    I HAVE FIBRO SINCE 2004. NOW THAT MY CLOSE FRIENDS AND FAMILY HAVE GOTTEN USED TO MY SYMPTOMS; ESPECIALLY WHEN A FLARE IS APPROACHING, THEY MAKE ME REALIZE WHEN THINGS ARE GETTING BEYOND MY ABILITY TO HANDLE. IT HELPS A LOT TO KNOW THEY CARE AND TAKE THEIR TIME TO HELP ME. REALISING THAT AN ERUPTION IS COMING NOT ONLY OF PAIN BUT DEPRESSION, REALLY CALMS ME DOWN SO I RECOVER EASIER.

  16. TnKountrygirl says:

    I have fibro along with DDD and constantly in pain I didn’t realize that with fibro there is memory loss till I just read it nor did I know that you stayed tired all the time so I am relieved to know those two things cause I want to sleep all the time and when I try to carry on a conversation I know what I want to say but I can’t think of the word and that scares me. Is there itching with fibro

  17. James Malicoat says:

    I am a male with Fibro and I have been suffering for about 30 years. It seems that men have a harder time dealing with this. I could not get a diagnosis while I was on Medicare and Medicaid,which was about 20 years, but once I was on private Insurance I got a diagnosis and it seems that I am having far fewer problems now that I moved from Texas to California.

  18. debbie says:

    I also have fibro and take too many pills but continue to suffer from relentless pain,sleep problems etc etc. I work full time as a nurse, which puts me on the sofa on my days off. The only things that help my pain in laying in the sun and hot baths. Im also going through menopause! My family is just starting to understand why i feel this way.

  19. Hazel says:

    I love the Fibro Network news. Recently the whole Network news was right on my symptoms , to help me sort how I feel vrs Parkinson disease

  20. Alice says:

    I have had Fibro for 21 years. At first I thought I’ll get well before long .
    However, in spite of all I have done in following my doctor’s suggestions and doing all I can think of to help; I am getting worse.
    I know many people do not understand and that makes is hard. My memory bothers me so much. I can think of something I want to say and the words just don’t come to me.

    • Sherry says:

      IM 56 STRUGGLE AT A STRESSFULL JOB. AND I FEEL JUST LIKE YOU. I CANNOT THINK OF MY WORDS, SAY THE WRONG THINGS. CANNOT DO MY PAPERWORK OR BILL,IT TAKES TWICE AS LONG. I FORCE MYSELF TO DO EVERYTHING. I CANNOT QUIT BUT I DO NOT WANT TO GO ON SSD IM TO YOUNG,THOU I THINK I WOULD GET IT. TAKE CARE FEEL BETTER. PEACE

      • Pat Joyce-Deegan says:

        Sherry, if you are 56 you will probably have no problem getting SSI. I tried once and was denied and then tried again at age 55 and was successful. You definately need to find a good attorney and my rheumatologist and psychiatrist were very cooperative in their records which I believe werre the reasons I was awarded SSI. It is a major relief to no have to work Good Luck

    • Adelle says:

      My mind is my biggest issue aside from the pain to cymbalta helps me with serotonin but not sure about pain I just started it I’m 33 had this since I was 20 I cannot lift up my babies ,walk or stand some days I cannot work or exercise but I have gaps in my memory I cannot find words I get very stressed can’t think or concentrate.cannot shut off very noise effected it’s horribleo

  21. shireen fredericks says:

    Hi I’m from South Africa the here are not as well informed as the Drs in yhe states Iwas diagnosed in 2004 and had to educate our g’ps as I educated myself through your sites still life as I knew it is over the pain is constant I live day by day and try not to overburden my family I suffer in silence and try to be “normal”

  22. Ginnilee says:

    I’ve had Fibro since I was 2- running under a swing your brother is on & getting his bony butt in your face is *not* my idea of how to have it triggered. I had to have reconstructive surgery of my nose & sinuses, and the Fibro getting triggered also affected both my immune system *&* my muscular coordination; I have so many allergies & so many accidents it’s not funny!

    • Adelle says:

      I also have an auto immune disease in my connective tissues I’m very prone to all kinds of infections and I do believe fibro is “AWAKENED”in us at some point in our lives due to trauma of some kind emotional or physical is it our brains response to cause us this pain? Maybe everyone has the switch in them but only some have the trauma to flick that switch?? Love to hear thoughts on this??

  23. Sherry says:

    I am 56, a social worker and I drive a lot with my job. I have had fibro for about two years. I stuggle with the pain, but deal with it .Lyric helps me but I cannot take it in the morning. I am in mental fog so much of the , time that I cannot get my paper work done. and often forget things I should know. and it is affecting my job .I force my self to do everything.

  24. Marianela says:

    Im worried that I will get fired from work because my boss thinks Im making this things up and I miss work. But its true I HAVE a disease that sometimes put me out of service!

  25. Donna says:

    I am 56, a social worker, who can no longer work full-time. Thanks to the help I received from our local Social Security office, I was able to apply and be approved for benefits in just 5 months. I love how much accurate information is out there to help, ditto to you all. When I was diagnosed, the information available made it seem like a “factitious disorder.” It is nice to be understood.

    • Adelle says:

      My best advice make a time to sit down and go over this sight with your boss and sit and read it to them so they take it all in and even read some of the comments from other sufferers so they get an idea what we go through.i did it with my partner and my friends now they understand at least a little bit more,so I feel like I’m not making excuses all the time.worth a shot!? :)

  26. Donna says:

    I’ve had fibro for 35 years. At first I was sent from doc to doc who all said that the pain and fatigue was due to depression. So then I spent years in psychotherapy and on antidepressants but the pain, sleeplessness, and fatique never wavered. This was before computers so it was difficult to research on my own and fibfomyalgia wasn’t even recognized as a disease.

  27. Joan says:

    I had fibro syptoms for decades, but no one knew the disorder much less how to treat it. I was told by my supervisors that I was not doing the work that was expected of me in 2001 and 2003, and so was invited to leave the jobs! After the second job lost, I applied and recieved SSD.
    The past nine yrs have not been good. I try to keep a positive attitude, do things to help stimulate my brain.

    • Adelle says:

      Joan you sound like my mum it’s not you fault you tried people do t understand all you can do is be practical and spread awareness,I keep a smile on my face everyday an no one believes how bad I am I can’t carry my babies or go anywhere with my friends much at 33 that sucks but be practical we’re sick we do what we can each day as it comes if I can’t walk today maybe tomorrow ?

  28. Carolyn Bush says:

    I post everything i see on your post alot lf my friends have it to as well as I do,i was diagnose with it in 1984 and was told i had it since child hood ,its been a rough rd,i had to quit work in 2001 for good this time,I went back and forth for years but can’t any more hard to even get out of bed,thanks for all your post,God Bless.

  29. Candace Ashworth says:

    After suffering from FMS since the age of eleven, I organized a presentation with a woman also from my small hometown. We presented information to our town council and a segment in our local paper was dedicated to our newly founded FMS Awareness Day each May 12th. I am happy that local information was brought to our community as many people suffer in silence and are unable to find a physician.

  30. wanda says:

    I have had fibro sense 2009. Every summer. I feel better n think it might be going away. Than fall comes temp drops, weather starts changing n I am in pain.

  31. Tina says:

    Hi! I was diagnosed with fibro. a few weeks after I had my Gall Bladder removed back in 1993. To help with this pain disorder I go to a pain disiorder doctor who presrcibes neutotin, hydrocod. zanaflex and voltaren jell. He sugested for me to go to aquatic excerise classes and to walk but massages help the pain too. I read the free fibro. pamplets at the doctors office and your fibo. website.

  32. Margaret Hills says:

    Going to the doctor I was scared to tell him all my medical problems for fear that he would think I was crazy, so I only told him the worst problem. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia two years ago, every day I hurt some where I have no energy and I sleep a lot with or without my medication. I also have chronic bronchitis, ulcerative colitis, sleep apnea, migrain headaches my meds don’t work.

  33. Karen says:

    I too have fibromyalgia and would like to invite anyone who lives in the surronding area of Pasco County, FL to come to our support group which is lead by myself and another leader. We speak about all topics We meet the 1st Friday of every month at the Cares Center in Hudson at 12417 Clock Tower Parkway, from 2pm to 4pm. Please feel free to contact me (Karen) by email at klrae@verizon.net.

  34. Kathy says:

    I have suffered with Fibro for 20 years and have looked for a support group here in Harrisburg, Pa. The closest one is 20 miles a way which I can’t do. I would be willing to run a group with help. Please answer in this forum! Thanks!

  35. Pat says:

    Someone had asked in a earlier message, if anyone had itching problems.
    I have the feeling like something on my skin, when there is nothing there.
    I also have pain on just my skin. I use to say, that my skin hurt. Of course,
    we didn’t know about Fibro
    I believe I have had Fibro since I was a small child. Only had it confirmed by a Dr. several years ago.

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