Living with Fibromyalgia: My Journey and What I’ve Learned Over 30 Years
I was just 19 years old when I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what it meant, aside from the fact that it involved pain—pain that sometimes made the simplest tasks feel impossible. My dad had been diagnosed not long before me, so I had a small glimpse of what this “fibro” thing might look like. But when it became part of my own life, it felt new. Unknown.
I’ve always been an active person, and I wasn’t ready to give that up. Even at 19, I had this stubborn belief that fibromyalgia wasn’t going to control my life. I wasn’t interested in following the traditional medical route either. I thought, I can manage this on my own. And so, I set out to do exactly that.
Trial, Error, and Stubbornness
At first, my management style could best be described as “push through”—not exactly a textbook example of self-care. I didn’t want to slow down. Slowing down felt like giving up, and that was my greatest fear. But fibromyalgia is a persistent companion, and I quickly learned that it doesn’t appreciate being ignored.
I began to figure out, often the hard way, what my limits were. Some activities came with painful repercussions that lasted for days. Other things, I realized, brought genuine relief or at least didn’t make things worse. Over the years, through trial and error (and yes, sheer stubbornness), I found ways to live with fibromyalgia rather than against it.
I’ve now been managing fibro for 30 years, and while it hasn’t always been easy, it’s taught me a lot about myself, my body, and what truly matters.
What Holistic Management Looks Like
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this—you have to listen to your body. It’s easy to brush that advice off as a cliché, but it’s made all the difference for me. Over time, I’ve built a toolbox of holistic methods that help me maintain balance and live a life I love. Here’s what has worked for me:
- Listen to your body. This was my biggest lesson and the hardest one for me to learn. Pay attention to the signals your body is sending. Know when it’s okay to keep going and when it’s time to stop. And yes, sometimes you might still choose to push through, but at least you’ll go in with your eyes open.
- Stay active (within reason). Movement has been essential for me. Hiking, for example, is one of my greatest joys, and something I’ve been able to continue doing. I’ve also fallen in love with yoga. It’s helped me stay grounded, flexible, and in tune with my body’s needs. The key was figuring out what movement worked for me—finding balance without overdoing it.
- Eat in a way that supports your body. There’s a lot of trial and error here, too. I’ve had to learn what foods trigger pain and brain fog and what fuels my energy instead. Everyone’s body is different, so this is a process of tuning in and making adjustments.
- Be mindful of your environment. Stress, toxins, and external factors can all have an impact. I’ve worked to limit my stress as much as possible (admittedly, not always an easy task), and replaced toxic products in my home with healthier alternatives.
- Use natural support tools. Essential oils and other natural remedies have played a big role in my management. They’re not magic fixes, but they’ve been helpful tools along the way.
- Adapt as needed. One constant in life is change, and that applies to your body as well. What worked for me at 19 doesn’t look exactly the same at 49. You have to be willing to adjust and keep experimenting to find what works in each phase of life.
A Life Well-Lived, with Fibro Along for the Ride
Here’s the truth—fibromyalgia isn’t a life sentence. Yes, it’s part of my life, but it doesn’t define it. Over these 30 years, I’ve learned how to work with my body instead of against it. That stubborn teenager who refused to back down? She’s still with me, but she’s a little kinder now. A little softer.
Some days are harder than others. That’s true for all of us, fibro or not. But I’ve found that there’s so much life to be lived when you let go of the fear and focus on what you can do. Hiking trails, laughing with loved ones, trying new things—these are the moments that remind me that fibro doesn’t get to take the lead.
If you’re walking a similar road, I want you to know you’re not alone. This condition can feel isolating at times, but there’s a whole world of people who get it. And trust me—it’s possible to live a fulfilling life even with fibromyalgia by your side. You’re stronger than you think. Keep listening to your body, keep experimenting, and most importantly, keep going.
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