Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Susan

Susan describes having experienced pains and swellings for about ten years. After her fibromyalgia diagnosis, she was referred to the pain clinic which she found very helpful. Her family have been a great support and her faith keeps her going.

  • Background

    Susan is 54, married and has three adult children. She had to give up her career as mental health therapist and support worker due to her health problems. Ethnicity: Black...

  • Age at interview 54
  • Emma

    Emma started noticing symptoms when she was pregnant, and these have deteriorated over time. She is looking forward to starting a 10-week course at a pain clinic. Emma hopes the course will enable her to reduce some of the medication she's currently on.

  • Background

    Emma is 40 and lives with her husband and two school-aged children. Ethnicity: White English

  • Age at interview 40
  • Debbie

    Debbie started noticing symptoms about two years ago which gradually got worse over several months. In 2019, she was diagnosed. She has a very supportive friend who also has fibromyalgia, and she finds her local support group incredibly helpful.

  • Background

    Debbie is 30 and lives with her husband and school-aged daughter. She works part-time as a care assistant. Ethnicity: White Northern Irish

  • Age at interview 30
  • Martina

    Martina started experiencing pain after a car accident in 1997 and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia ten years later. She finds her local support group incredibly helpful, and over the years she has worked out how to manage her symptoms.

  • Background

    Martina is 46. She is unable to work due to her ill-health. Ethnicity: White Northern Irish

  • Age at interview 46
  • Karen

    Karen experienced pain for several years before she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2017. She has her own Facebook page and hopes that she can raise awareness and help others by sharing what it's like to live with fibromyalgia.

  • Background

    Karen is 33 and studies towards a degree. Ethnicity: White British

  • Age at interview 33
  • Michael

    Michael was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2018. He is concerned about a lack of information and guidance for patients with fibromyalgia. He thinks that those with the condition would benefit from having a care plan; and regular reviews with their GP.

  • Background

    Michael is 63. He had to retire early due to complex health issues. Ethnicity: White English

  • Age at interview 63
  • Jacqueline

    After experiencing pain for four years, Jacqueline was diagnosed with fibromyalgia by a rheumatologist around 2000. She is active in a local support group that tries to support those living with fibromyalgia and educate others about the condition.

  • Background

    Jacqueline is 53, married and the mother of two adult children. She is retired. Ethnicity: White Irish

  • Age at interview 53
  • Alexis

    After first experiencing pain in 2018, Alexis was diagnosed with fibromyalgia by a rheumatologist. Her advice to other people with fibromyalgia would be to ask health professionals about support groups when being diagnosed.

  • Background

    Alexis is 24 and single. She lives with her parents. Alexis works part-time as a church choir singer. Ethnicity: White English

  • Age at interview 24
  • Kristie

    Kristie was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2020 after experiencing pain for two years. Her advice to other people with fibromyalgia would be to be open with how you;re feeling, don't feel guilty about not feeling well, and just look after yourselfrdquo;.

  • Background

    Kristie is 32, single and lives with flat mates. She works full-time. Ethnicity: White English

  • Age at interview 32
  • Elsie

    Elsie experienced pain for several years before being diagnosed with fibromyalgia by her rheumatologist. She and her friends started a support group after feeling that there was nothing much being don to support people with fibromyalgia in their area.

  • Background

    Elsie is 58. She had to give up her work due to ill-health. Ethnicity: White English

  • Age at interview 58