how do we catergorize fybro?

So, when trying to tell people about what we suffer from, what do we put it under, what do we call it besides FYBRO? Is it a condition, a disorder, a disease?  What other words can we use to help people better understand? Just curious........ Angelic

Hi Angelic, According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, it is a syndrome or condition.  Some research points to FMS being an autoimmune disorder. 

How to describe the condition to others???  When you get that one figured out, let me know!!!!  I am a RN and cannot begin to put it into words.  Especially when trying to get the point across to a doc.  Go figure. I read another post about skinny people hurt more, and that's certainly true for me.  After shedding 100 #'s I was hoping that my pain would diminish.  Not so. Cindy in TX 

Hi Cindy, yeah, the skinny post was from me. My Dr told me that at my appt the other day. And I am starting to believe it because the pain is just not going away as I lose the inches, like prior Dr's thoughtit would. Thans for responding re; our 'condition'. Now I know! Thanks again,  Angelic

The main ways that I use to explain Fibro to people is that I feel as if I have the aches and pains of the flu all the time.   That is exactly how I feel, and when I have the actual flu, I have to stay zoned out on pain meds or I can't bear it.

Another thing I had been told is that it is like lupus in that it attacks muscle tissue and joints like Lupus attacks your organs.  Don't really know , don't have Lupus so I can't compare. I have also noticed that when it rains and mostly when the barometer goes below 30.0 I hurt like he!!. Darlene

Ive no done well with getting people to understand. Try not to say im in pain any more than I have to. Tired of being looked at as a  whiner! Today I catergorize it as a big pain in the..........wherever it decides to hurt! LOL Happy Thanksgiving! Shannon

Hi Angelic, I also have fibromyalgia syndrome.  It is a "syndrome." According to fmnetnews.com: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder. Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons—the soft fibrous tissues in the body.  Wish knowing that would help us feel better.  Kitty

I try not to try to explain anymore. Some people well thing  you are just whining I just don't care anymore when I feel grappy I just get into bed are do what make me feel good. All I know is the HB seen what I went though in the early stages, that when I say iI feel scrappy he knows what I  means. I limited what I did for a long time it been a long time since a flare up but now that a  lot of the things. I wasn't getting done is begin to pile up.  Im doing thing I need not be doning. I began to feel the body beginning to hurt like  a few years ago.I use to say I felt like a Big Mack  truck hit me.I never had the flu unless this is what through me into the Fibro.  The 1st  year I  fell sick I have one of the first flu shots that was supposed to be safe. I fell ill that year and have been sick every since.  I used to thought it was all in my head until a few years later people start complaining about the flu shoots. Even with diabete the Dr. couldn't get me to take another shot. for 7 yrs. he told me about the shots he was giving until he got smart and just did mention it, anymore.  With the WLS SURGERY I was feeling good lots of meds gone, asthma better haven't used inhaler since surgery and lung is a lot stronger(breathe test)  Allergy Dr. was amaze he   forgot I told him that I had WLS until he  went into his charts and seen the 62lbs weight lost. and saided that is why the breathing is  better. Diabete medsalmost got no more shots 4x dly 4 pills at night gone only 2 pills at night .  I still have a few medical conditions I'm working on but I think they will come undercontrol soon. Man but you don't have must between you and what you are setting on Im always thing  sometime is left on the car seat are the chair seat. It's just the boney butt.  And I miss my water bed because of the warm of the water, under my back I've been stiff  lately so I've been looking for another waterbed next week. It will be 34yrs of the 12 our  anniversity present to us. Kathleen 07/02/2007