Can this be passed on to my children? I have two girls.

I'm only 40yrs old. I can't imagine having to live the rest of my life like this. I have a 7yr old little girl. I can't run after her or teach her to ride a bike. All she understands is mommy hurts. I have a 20yr old, and I just get on her nerves now because she is tired of it, my husband of 11yrs is a whole other story.

Having to cope with daily life can be a trial when you have fibromyalgia. When many days bring pain and fatigue, it can be difficult to carry on, especially if you have multiple responsibilities such as raising a family, household duties and employment.

On the days when pain is bad, you have to attempt to conserve your energies for the important things. The same goes for fatigue (see my most recent blog on "How to Cope with Fatigue").

Are you on any medications or treatments to help you cope with symptoms? You didn't mention if you were undergoing any treatment. There are some medications used specifically to target fibromyalgia symptoms, and many people get relief from them. It may be worth discussing with your physician.

As for family not understanding, fibromyalgia can be a frustrating condition for the entire family. Because symptoms are not visible, sometimes people have a hard time understanding why you don't feel up to certain activities. I have no real words of wisdom here because every situation is different. It might be helpful to have a family meeting with your physician so that he/she can explain the condition more thoroughly (if you have this type of relationship with your doctor). Honest, open communication is key in my opinion. Perhaps some short-term counseling might benefit everyone?

As for passing it on to your children, they may be more at risk for developing fibromyalgia, but this is out of your control. If they do someday develop fibromyalgia, you can't be blamed, and you can't blame yourself.

Sometimes it helps just knowing there are others who understand.
Take care!

I hate to be negative, but do not know how to cope. I have been in sever pain since 2004. 13 surgeries (8 major). I have 6 physicians and never do I hear that I am getting better or stable, it is always another problem. To name s few: osteo-arthritis, arthritis present in several other places in my body, pinched nerve in neck and protruding discs and arthritis in my shoulder causing numbness in my right arm which causes me to be unable to even hold a fork, degenerative Disc disease, IBS, sever gastric reflux which is dissolving my esophagus and teeth, chronic asthma, frequent kidney and lung infections, and so much more.

I take 28 rx, get trigger shots every 2 weeks, and tail bone epidurals. I am a human guinea pig. I have been tested for so many different things, been misdiagnosed so they just summed it all up and told me I have fibromyalgia. I have 16 of the 18 points of pain. I would give anything if I could just step out of my body. I would than give birth to 10 children naturally in the hottest desert in the world.

I have even begged for the nerve that sends signals to your brain to be cut. No one understands. You know how they say walk a mile in someones shoes, well just spend an hour in mine, then people would see. I have even been told that it was all in my head. I am not crazy, and if I was going to dream up something, do you really think it would be sever pain?

I totally understand why you are feeling negative- anyone in your situation would find it hard to look on the "bright side of things". That is a lot to cope with, and chronic pain makes it difficult to find even small things to feel good about.

I have no words of wisdom. I can't know what you are feeling, and it would be presumptuous of me to say that I know how you feel. Sometimes venting helps though. SupportGroups.com has an online forum. Maybe it would help to talk to some others who are walking in your shoes.

Sincerely,