We've all heard them:
- "That's just what doctors say when they don't know what's wrong."
- "That's not a disease - you're just tired!"
- "If you'd get out more, you'd feel better."
I could go on and on. Myths abound when it comes to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, and it's important that #1 - those of us with these conditions know the truth, and #2 - that we counter these myths when we come across them.
Toward that end, I've put together 3 articles about common myths and what the facts are:
- Myths About Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia Myths
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Myths
What myths have you encountered? Which ones really bother you? Leave your comments below!
NEWSLETTER | FORUM | BIO | TWITTER | FACEBOOK
Photo © David De Lossy/Getty Images
I’ve heard “You just need to shake this off and you’ll feel better”. Also, after I explain my condition, people who don’t have it will try to equate when they’re feeling tired to what I have. They just don’t get it…
I have to say that the biggest myth I’ve heard, from a doctor, no less is that depression causes fibro.
Thanks for repackaging these articles! In the short time since I’ve been diagnosed with FMS, I’ve heard all of these–and I’d heard them all during my ten-plus-year journey towards a diagnosis, too. Especially popular is the “it’s depression, pure and simple” line. When even the Cymbalta ads keep talking about how “depression hurts,” it’s easy to see how this particular bit of confusion is perpetuated.
I was told: ” to take a shower, you’ll feel better”. Needless to say, I don’t talk to that relative now.
One friend said to me “we’re all getting older & have our problems. ”
Ya right, so your laser therapy is expensive. That’s your big problem.
I was told by a Neurologist I was “interviewing” that all I needed to do was take a few Ibuprofen and get a good night’s sleep I will be just fine. Needless to say, he never saw my face again AND I told my referring doctor to NEVER send a patient to him again!
Love myth #4. I worked for a parcel delivery company and have performed labor that even some young men refused. I remember getting up at 3 a.m. for the preload and then get changed for next day air deliveries coming home at 7p.m.. I was so sore and exhausted that I got disoriented. I have never shyed away from hard work as I enjoy it more than sitting behind a desk. Over the years the FM has gotten worse but I am still managing and still laboring. May-be because many of us go the extra mile, we suffer more.
I was told years ago by my family doc, that I was depressed and overweight. He told me this constantly, while I felt like I was losing my mind. He referred me to a neurologist, who told me I was just stressed. After finally being diagnosed with FMS, I cried in relief to know that I wasnt losing my mind. Managing best I can.
I’ve been the recipient of many of the same you’ve just written but this one really throws me – “we all hurt after doing things we havn’t done in a while” – “maybe if you are more active and try to do more you’d hurt less” These comments irritate and tell me this person is clueless about fibromyalgia. Certainly we all get sore after doing things we haven’t done for some time but the thing is the “activity” which hurts and set’s me back a day or more wouldn’t hurt or bother you.
In my case it’s the continuation, the repeatativeness of activity that makes my symptoms worse – if I cook dinner days in a row I have to back off for a few days because the pain continues to intensify.
I’ve been the recipient of many of the same you’ve just written but this one really throws me – “we all hurt after doing things we havn’t done in a while” – “maybe if you are more active and try to do more you’d hurt less” These comments irritate and tell me this person is clueless about fibromyalgia. Certainly we all get sore after doing things we haven’t done for some time but the thing is the “activity” which hurts and set’s me back a day or more wouldn’t hurt or bother you.
In my case it’s the continuation, the repeatativeness of activity that makes my symptoms worse – if I cook dinner days in a row I have to back off for a few days because
the pain continues to intensify.
It is still a widespread misconception that Fibromyalgia is a “sack diagnosis” that doctors use when they can’t find what’s wrong with you. Back in the nineties my doctor suggested referring me to a psychologist. He didn’t recognize FMS as a legitimate diagnosis, so in his mind it was all in my head!
I truly thought I had heard it all until my PC told me; ” You are 56 this year, right? I read a research article in one of my magazines that stated fibromyalgia goes away when you reach 56! So you should be back to normal in no time!
Needless to say, I never look to this man for any advice or help when it comes to my fibro and I am seriously thinking I need to change PCs in the very near future!