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Fibromyalgia group gathers support
A SUPPORT group gathered in the Arndale Centre on Monday to help raise awareness of a little-known illness causing chronic pain and fatigue.
Fibromyalgia is a central nervous system disorder which can cause muscle pain, headaches and mental confusion, but it has no visible symptoms and its existence can often be disbelieved.
Anne Davies, 44, was diagnosed two years ago but, unlike many sufferers, is able to work part-time.
She said, "I went to the Citizens Advice Bureau for help and the woman working there looked at me and said, 'You don't look ill'.
"That's part of the problem — people look at you and think you're alright. They can't see your pain, they can't see your confusion."
Anne suffers from short-term memory lapses as part of her condition and says she often completes tasks like locking doors three times so she can be sure she has done them.
She was relieved to be able to put a name to the muscle spasms, pains and memory blanks and to understand how they were linked.
Asked if people were sceptical about her fibromyalgia, she said, "Not all doctors believe in it and if doctors don't believe in it why should anyone else?
"My doctor was saying there is something wrong with you but I don't know what it is so there is nothing I can do about it.
"Even when he found out what it was he still said there was not much he could do."
Eastbourne Fibro Support has 35 members who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and provides support and advice.
Anne believes there may be many people walking around with the illness but unable to put a name to it. Many would not seek help.
"It is embarrassment as well with the confusion aspect of the condition — you feel ashamed that you can't do simple things, you don't want people to know that you have gone out and left the front door open or something daft like that."
Janice Blasby, the group leader, said often people with fast-paced, high-octane lives could develop the condition, stopping them in their tracks.
Florence Nightingale, she added, was a famous victim of it.
She said, "The illness can be very difficult for people, all of a sudden their lives just drop. It took me about three years to come to terms with it."
Eastbourne Fibro Support is appealing for a new leader to take over from Janice later this year. The role requires around three hours' work a month. Call 0845 3452632 or 412810.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Saturday 04 February 2012
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Temperature: 0 C to 3 C
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