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Male Case Study - Paul Evans

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Category: General Information

Published on Monday, 19 November 2018 10:39

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As Part of our recent request for male case studies during Mens Health Awareness month we have the pleasure of sharing Paul's story below:

Paul saw numerous GPs over a period of 3 or 4 years before finally getting a diagnosis of fibromyalgia over 30 years ago.

"I was physically active and enjoying life with a young family before I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.

One GP was dismissive, others were sympathetic but offered very little other than ‘change your lifestyle.' A family member searched out a consultant for me. Diagnosis by consultant was a relief after several years not knowing what was happening to me. Having a name to tell people when they asked made a big difference. Once I’d been seen by hospital consultant, diagnosis was quick. Follow up management in primary care was Ineffectual.        

I feel much more in control since having to leave full time employment and learning how to self-manage. Still very restricted in what I can physically do. I’m still prone to low mood, but feel better able to self-manage condition.        

I was diagnosed 30+ years ago. As the ‘bread winner’ of what was then a typical young, professional family - 3 young children, stay at home wife, mortgage etc., the pressure to support them precluded good medical advice to change lifestyle aka career. Whilst male and female roles may have evened out, I still believe that in many cases, the same old male/female expectations exist, and that men can be much more reluctant to admit ‘defeat’, or at least believe that employers will be less understanding of long term illness."

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