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“No one is listening.”
“No one believes me.”
“No one understands.”
“No one will help.”
These are the cries of fibromyalgia patients everywhere. They scream out on blogs, social media posts, online forums, and in-person reports. Occasionally we’ll hear of someone who has found a fantastic physician, alternative healthcare practitioner, or just the right combination of medications or herbs to help them rise above the pain. But it seems like those are few and far between. For everyone else…even just to have a voice, to be heard and believed…that would make all the difference in the world. Being heard will obviously not make the pain go away or fill you with long-overdue energy, but it is affirming. And when you usually feel like the only person in your corner is you – not your doctor, partner, kids, parents, friends, or boss – then affirmation can actually go long way toward improving your mental and emotional well-being. Those take enough of a hit with the symptoms alone. Enter a fibromyalgia support group.
Why a Support Group is Definitely Worth the Time
Before I lose any of you who live in remote locations or simply cannot get out of bed to attend a group, keep reading because there are some possible solutions for those situations. But first, let’s look at the benefits of support groups. Think for a moment about what it’s like when someone simply listens to you about your pain and the emotional toll you feel. Especially when they are obviously filled with compassion for what you are experiencing. Imagine a whole room full of people just like that, except not only are they listening compassionately, they actually get it because they live it. Suddenly you are no longer alone in your symptoms. You feel empowered because you can be open and honest. You can cope a bit better, understand your fibromyalgia better, and even swap resources, tips and tricks on who or what works best in each case. Or…you can just cry and feel the comfort that comes from a room full of people who are feeling the exact same thing.
Of course, not everyone feels they need the support found in groups like this because they belong to the few who have wonderful support at home or from friends and family. Nevertheless, the Mayo Clinic advises turning to others outside of your immediate circle. Sometimes dealing with all that fibromyalgia carries with it can make you feel isolated. But a support group is comprised of people just like you, dealing with the same physical, mental, and emotional symptoms as you. Mayo Clinic also cautions that a support group is not meant to replace your medical care, rather the support from your fellow sufferers is to help you cope.
Where and How to Find Support Groups
Since you’re reading this, you obviously have internet access. Simply Googling “fibromyalgia support group near me” will turn up a variety of options. One excellent resource is through the National Fibromyalgia and Pain Association which offers a state-by-state list of groups specifically for fibro patients. These are usually set up at physical locations in your region. If, however, you are bed-bound or live in a remote area where there are no support group options, check with groups you find closest to your area through email or phone. Ask them if they have call-in options or even Skyping capabilities for a video chat during the support group session. That way you can at least benefit by a virtual presence. It’s one of the miracles of modern technology that allows you to connect on an emotional level with people who may be thousands of miles of way, and yet who still perfectly relate to your fibromyalgia symptoms and issues.
Other ways to find groups either include asking your healthcare provider, checking national or regional fibromyalgia centers, and of course, searching the internet and asking friends who also deal with fibromyalgia or similar problems. Lastly, I once heard a lecture on an obscure topic in which an audience member asked, “Why aren’t there any support groups for this kind of thing?” The lecturer, who also happened to be a psychologist, answered, “I have found that when someone is asking for a support group, they are usually the ones who have to start them.” So don’t be afraid to start a support group for fibromyalgia if you cannot find one or are simply uncomfortable with what you have found.
Will the support group fix all of your fibromyalgia problems? Nope. But it sure can help you mentally and emotionally. Everyone needs support, especially those who feel the most alone.
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