Effect of fibromyalgia on relationships with friends, family and sexual partners
Family and friends were a great source of strength and support for many of the people we spoke to. Susan says about her family -...
We asked people if and how they got information about fibromyalgia. It was quite common for people to feel like they were just given a leaflet and sent away with not much else after they were diagnosed. Most people wanted more information than they were given and sought this out from a range of other sources such as the internet, books, online or face-face support groups and through talking to others. However, some people like Aleysha, Bette and Audra felt that talking to other people with fibromyalgia could sometimes be less helpful . Some people said they didn’t know how to find information and wanted more signposting.
Several people said they regularly search the internet for information about how to cope and manage their symptoms and also to check for any new developments or treatments. Some people read about symptoms in magazines or books before they even knew they had fibromyalgia, recognising and relating to what was described. Quite a few mentioned looking at NHS or charity websites rather than others that might be less trustworthy. Martin said, ‘You get a lot of dodgy websites out there.’
Although some people wanted to search for as much information as they could find, others talked about not wanting too much information, because it can be depressing or doesn’t really apply to you. Bette said she doesn’t want to be ‘bogged down with too much information.’
Family and friends were a great source of strength and support for many of the people we spoke to. Susan says about her family -...
We asked people if they had any advice to health professionals who care for those who have fibromyalgia. A common theme was ways of showing...