The Fibro Diva Report
Not everything you hear about Fibromyalgia is true.
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As a person with Fibromyalgia, you probably already know this. How many times have you rolled your eyes after a well-meaning, albiet ignorant, family member, friend, or stranger says something about Fibro to you that you know isn't true?
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On this page we will list some of the most common Fibro Myths.
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ONLY TYPE A PERSONALITIES GET FM
Anyone can get FM. It does not take someone who strives to be "perfect" or who is "stressed"
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ONLY DECONDITIONED PEOPLE GET FM
World class athletes have FM. People who are enjoying the height of their physical stamina and health get FM.
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ONLY DEPRESSED OR CRAZY PEOPLE GET FM
25-30% of all people who have a Chronic Illness suffer from depression. FM does not hold the only criteria for depression.
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ONLY WHITE WOMEN GET FM
Age, Economical, Educational, Ethnic, Geographical, Gender, Marital Status, Occupational, Political, Racial or Religious Boundaries (© 1995 SJohnson) Of those diagnosed with FM, Men, Children and people of color account for 5-10%.
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FM GETS BETTER WITH TIME, NOT WORSE
The majority of those with FM will get progressively worse if left untreated. With more accurate diagnosis being done sooner, along with the availability of affordable treatment options, prognosis could be better.
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Fibromyalgia is an AIYH condition [All In Your Head]
Despite the fact that Fibromyalgia and Fibromyalgia-like symptoms have been described for centuries and research for decades, there are still healthcare providers and members of the general public who ascribe to the dangerous and derogatory belief that people with Fibromyalgia are imagining their symptoms. In 1987, The American Medical Association recognized Fibro as a real medical condition. In 1990 The ACR (American College of Rheumatology) established criteria for the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. It has since modified that criteria two times. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognized Fibro in 1994. Nearly 15 years ago, Dr. Muhammad B. Yunus formerly of the University of Illinois at Peoria, began discussing Fibromyalgia as Central Sensitization. Dr. Yunus' studies demonstrated that the central nervous systems (spinal column, nerves, and brains) of people with Fibromyalgia are hypersensitive to stimuli.
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​​Next: The Accidental Advocate
Fibrostory: The History of Fibromyalgia Awareness, Research and Treatment
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