The pain is real!

I wanted to share a story from my past to use when people claim that fibromyalgia doesn’t exist.

Back in high school, I began experiencing symptoms of asthma. However, I was met with skepticism. I was told it was all in my head and urged to stop making a fuss over a boy (even though there was no boy involved). My parents were approached and questioned if there were issues at home, even if they were considering divorce. I was even sent to a “breathing class” because the male doctor treating me believed that girls didn’t know how to breathe correctly, as being pretty was supposedly more important to us than breathing. Yes, this actually happened. It took about two years before I was officially diagnosed with asthma and received medication for it.

I’m seeing a similar pattern with fibromyalgia.

When my daughter had her first asthma attack, we rushed to the hospital, and she was promptly diagnosed and prescribed medication. I was amazed by how smoothly it all went, and I even asked the doctor, “Where’s the doubt? Where’s the gaslighting? What’s happening?” He chuckled and acknowledged that the medical system had come a long way since then.

I believe the same progress will occur with fibromyalgia.