10 February 2009

Fibro Fog (Fibromyalgia/CFS)

Anne Félicité

Kind of 'art' related.... I discovered this artwork, while browsing some FMS support forums. Lately it's been one of those many frustrating times for me, which has turned into weeks!! If anyone suffers from FMS or similar, feel free to comment or email me and we can bitch about it together!!

If you don't know what it is, here's a little insight. If you aren't interested, no problems I understand totally - just skip this post - I won't be offended at all :)

FMS - I hate it :(

Fibromyalgia Syndrome

When the standard depiction of fibromyalgia was first introduced, we lacked even basic comprehension of the condition, and had only a guide for researchers who were attempting to deepen this knowledge. Due to increasing research, our understanding has grown from counting tender points and focusing on painful muscles to an evolving concept of a heterogeneous set of subgroups who have central nervous system sensitivity and a countless variety of potential dysfunctional biochemical and metabolic interactions. With this new FM concept comes the need for a depiction that acknowledges the complexity of fibromyalgia.

The image - Designed by artist Anne Félicité, wife of the famed French researcher Dr. Jean B. Eisinger. The figure depicts fibromyalgia in a new way, reflecting that those of us with fibromyalgia are not victims of fate (or of three Fates), are more than the sum of our tender points, and are complex individuals who are each unique in metabolic make up and needs.

FMS is a syndrome, but that doesn’t mean it is less serious or potentially disabling than a disease. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other afflictions are also syndromes. FMS may be present along with other conditions such as those just mentioned. There is no blood test that can accurately identify FMS. FMS patients often look healthy, and others may expect them to act as if they are. FMS may vary in its severity, not only from patient to patient but from hour to hour and day to day. Careful pacing is a skill necessary for optimized function.

2 comments:

  1. sorry you're not feeling well this week. xoxo- Lee

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  2. A year after I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia was added to the mix. Though severe spinal compressions and nerve damage are my biggest battles these days, that blasted Fibro still rears its ugly head at most innoportune times. All I can say is trying to keep active despite the limitations seems to be what works best. I came across a poem about FMS and I'd like to share it with you. I don't know who the author is...


    I invade
    I possess, like a black-hearted demon,
    Every inch of your body,
    Every corner of your mind.
    You know who I am,
    You can name your tormenter,
    But you, you sorry soul,
    You cannot number my infinite guises,
    My masterful disguises
    And I laugh, I mock you
    Hidden behind one mask,
    Or another.
    I am powerful,
    That you can feel.
    I can keep you from sleeping,
    From walking, from breathing
    Without my consent.
    I can make you writhe in pain,
    While I steal your memory, thought-by-thought.
    I release you from my grasp
    Like a mouse in a cat’s paw
    A breath away from escape
    Before I clutch your heart,
    Your body, your mind
    In an iron grip
    That would turn stone to milk.

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