Kayleigh Thomson: Living with Fibro

My name is Kayleigh, I’m 22 years old and have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia since I was 20.

I’ve been experiencing pain since I was a child, but it was always put down to growing pains. Then at the age of 12, after my parents pressing for answers, I was diagnosed with Hyper mobility syndrome. So, since that diagnosis every ounce of pain I experienced was put down to that and treated with anti-inflammatory pain killers. It wasn’t until I was around 17/18 the pain was so bad it was becoming bed bound and the pain was lasting longer and longer each time. We were back and forth from A&E, sometimes resulting in stays in hospital until in October 2017 I was that poorly my Mam put her foot down and demanded further tests and a diagnosis. That’s when they came back with Fibro.

For me personally I have widespread pain which can leave me bed bound and cared for by my family sometimes for weeks on end. I can’t walk, or even stand up unaided, I can’t wash myself, make myself food or dress myself.   I get migraines, bloating, numb limbs, sensitivity to light and touch as well as so much more. It’s awful and sends me to a really dark place sometimes, I’m so lucky I have my amazing family to pull me out of that.

I also notice how bad it doesn’t just affect me but also my family, I see my boyfriend getting upset and tired but staying strong to help me. I see my mam, holding everything together but being so angry that this is happening. I also see my dad, who understands my pain as he also is in pain, but he wishes he could take mine away. I see my little sister, caring for her big sister and not even thinking anything of it. I even see how it effects my dog and how he won’t leave my side and puts his paw on my hand when I’m crying.

Fibromyalgia has completely changed mine and my family’s lives. I was working to my dream career and about to achieve it, but that’s now been taken away from me as I’m in too ill health to carry out the role. It’s gave us financial problems as I now can’t work as much as I did. It’s gave us all a different outlook.

I have gone from being an outgoing 20-year-old who loved to go out to being sometimes bed bound, with my own wheelchair, walking stick, medicine cupboard and a GPs receptionist who knows my name. But I’m one of the lucky ones with a supportive, loving family to help me through.

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Dan Bradshaw: Why I am fundraising for FMA UK

My mum first became ill with fibromyalgia about 11 years ago. We didn’t know what it was, it wasn’t diagnosed until a couple of years later as she had other health issues that doctors believed what could be causing her pain, exhaustion and complete lack of energy. As a nurse who was regularly on her feet, the condition stopped her from working as there were some days where she had no energy to even get out of bed. However, through persistence  and determination over the past decade she has managed to get back to work and even do some regular gentle exercise

Me and my mum used to run regularly together, however it is too uncomfortable for her now as she suffers from hip pain if she’s on her feet too long. I’m running the Brighton marathon this year to help raise awareness about fibromyalgia as there are so many people who have never heard of the condition, let alone know what symptoms include and how it can affect people’s daily lives. Whilst my mum has improved dramatically, she still suffers from hypersensitivity, joint and muscle aches (particularly in the shoulders and hips) and profound fatigue. As she used to be extremely active this can be frustrating as there are days she wants to go out and exercise but her body won’t allow it

Fibromyalgia is draining both physically and mentally for all people that suffer with the condition and by running a marathon this year I hope I can raise money and awareness that will hopefully lead to more effective treatment and understanding

Dan Bradshaw: Why I am fundraising for FMA UK

My mum first became ill with fibromyalgia about 11 years ago. We didn’t know what it was, it wasn’t diagnosed until a couple of years later as she had other health issues that doctors believed what could be causing her pain, exhaustion and complete lack of energy. As a nurse who was regularly on her feet, the condition stopped her from working as there were some days where she had no energy to even get out of bed. However, through persistence  and determination over the past decade she has managed to get back to work and even do some regular gentle exercise

Me and my mum used to run regularly together, however it is too uncomfortable for her now as she suffers from hip pain if she’s on her feet too long. I’m running the Brighton marathon this year to help raise awareness about fibromyalgia as there are so many people who have never heard of the condition, let alone know what symptoms include and how it can affect people’s daily lives. Whilst my mum has improved dramatically, she still suffers from hypersensitivity, joint and muscle aches (particularly in the shoulders and hips) and profound fatigue. As she used to be extremely active this can be frustrating as there are days she wants to go out and exercise but her body won’t allow it

Fibromyalgia is draining both physically and mentally for all people that suffer with the condition and by running a marathon this year I hope I can raise money and awareness that will hopefully lead to more effective treatment and understanding

Yvonne Scott: My struggle with fibromyalgia

I was diagnosed in my mid-twenties but had suffered increasing symptoms for over several years before.  I used to do long distance running and cross country races for School and once I left school and started working I went to the gym 4 times a week and swam a mile 3 times a week but gradually I found I could do less and less until I could barely walk some days.  I managed to continue to work full time until I was 45 but by then I had spent about 10 years on crutches, I have 'smart' crutches that distribute the weight and pressure along the forearm and take the pressure of the hands and wrists as I also have osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis.  As my condition has deteriorated as the years have gone on, I have lost friends and then family who didn’t or wouldn’t understand what was happening me.  If it wasn’t for my new husband (married 2 years) and his family I wouldn't have anyone.  2 years ago, I joined the local Fibro support group and have made some new friends who understand and accept my limitations and unreliability as they are dealing with the same.

It took several years and many, many tests before I got my diagnosis (35 years ago) and once everything else was eliminated I was told it had to be Fibro and that there was nothing that could be done about it so to go away and get on with it

Fibro is a robber - it has systematically robbed me of my fitness, looks, friends, family, ability to work and my independence.  I am still relatively young, 52, but feel much older and I am dependent on my husband for a lot of things, I now have to use a wheelchair a lot of the time, I have difficulty washing and dressing at times and a lot of the housework is beyond me these days.  I am fortunate that he is so loving and understanding, I was already severely affected by the time we met so he knew what he was getting into.  1 year ago, he changed jobs to a part time role much near to home so as to be able to help me more and take care of me.

Danny Williams becomes an FMA UK ambassador

We’re delighted to announce that Danny Williams is now an official ambassador for FMA UK.