Fibromyalgia Help – Where Can You Find It

Learn everything you can about fibromyalgia. Learn not only about the condition but also about how FMS affects you and those around you. You need to take control and learn to cope successfully with this condition every day. It is your responsibility to discover what works best for you. The more you know and understand about your condition, the more "normal" you will feel. This means recognizing and accepting fibromyalgia as part of you. Learn how to adjust your lifestyle to best control your symptoms. It also means helping others to understand what you are going through, whether they be friends, family or employers. It is up to you to stick with your treatment program. Your doctor and other members of your medical team have given you recommendations and ideas but it is up to you whether you choose to follow their advice. Information Therapy When you medical practitioners supply you with health information that enables you to make informed decisions about your health care, you are receiving information therapy. This helps you to participate in your own well-being and thus decreases the use of healthcare resources. By increasing your knowledge, you will increase your confidence in your abilities to manage your fibromyalgia responsibly. Libraries Check out your local library for books, magazines, audios and videos on fibromyalgia. Ask your head librarian or a research librarian, if your library is so equipped, for assistance in finding information. They love to help! Many libraries belong to a network so that if the book you are looking for isn't in your local library you can still loan it through interlibrary loan. You can also check out local colleges and universities, especially if they have medical programs. Take notes as you read. You will not remember everything – no one can – but especially if you are experiencing cognitive deficiencies. Keep your information organized, perhaps in a loose-leaf binder with labeled tabs. Don't forget to write down the source of each note so that you can go back as needed. Internet There are literally hundreds of websites on fibromyalgia. Some of them can be classed as "authoritative," meaning the content is written by a doctor, researcher, government agency or other medical practitioner. Fibromyalgia sufferers just like you, however, have written much of the content you will find. They write about their symptoms, what they have tried, what works or does not work, how they are coping and what they have learned. With so much content available, you need to be cautious because the amount of information can be overwhelming, complicated or even just confusing. Many well-meaning, caring individuals provide medical advice but have no medical license or medical background. In addition, since no two fibromyalgia patients are alike, you are unlikely to find consistent treatment recommendations. The best strategy is to gather the information and then share it with your medical team. Support Groups If you have trouble getting around, then a virtual Internet support group may be your best option. Yahoo! Groups has both large and small groups from which to choose. Make sure the group is moderated for the best content quality. Check with your doctor or local hospital for information about possible local support groups. Visit a couple, if possible, to compare leadership styles and to see how you fit in. Support groups are great for family members, too, as they can help them to adjust to your condition with others who are experiencing the same thing.