Top Websites, Videos, and Books for Fibromyalgia Sufferers
Chronic pain is a very personal challenge, and every sufferer has to fight fibromyalgia in their own way.
However, that doesn’t mean you’re on your own all the time, and while it’s up to you to reach out and investigate resources, there are plenty of helping hands at the ready.
The best way to stay in physical and emotional control of your illness is with a range of resources – fibro news, social support, and tips for daily management – that are both convenient and accurate.
News and Info on Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia research is gaining momentum, and there are more places to go for breaking news and helpful reference than ever before. Here are a few sites notable for their depth, accessibility, and up-to-date information.
National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association
Like many fibro info sites, this one covers everything from medical resources to financial issues. However, NFMCPA is particularly well organized and proactive: as a non-profit organization, they use their huge audience and top-notch fundraising to advocate for fibro patients, and keep the community informed with a variety of online literature.
The site also focus on the relationship between fibromyalgia and other chronic syndromes, since these connections are responsible for a lot of the discomfort and challenge.
Fibromyalgia Network
Fibromyalgia Network is a fantastic place to go for general fibro news, plus there’s a host of specific tools to help you expand your knowledge. The annual membership fee of $28 may seem steep, but you can order the free info packet first to help you decide if it’s right for you.
Aside from the Fibromyalgia Network Journal and eNews alerts, you can take advantage of their database of updated referral listings and health care providers for each state.
Fibromyalgia Information Foundation
Hosted and administered by doctors, the Fibromyalgia Information Foundation is dedicated to keeping patients informed and participating in their fibro care. Proactive patients can download and watch lectures from previous conferences, or simply browse the useful videos on good stretching, exercise, and relaxation techniques. Plug your name and info into the database to get info on upcoming research studies, too.
Social Support
Chronic pain is isolating, and the danger of that is clear: the less support you have, the easier it is to lose confidence in yourself, and give in to your disease. Luckily, the more connected the world becomes, the easier it is to build good support systems filled with people who understand your perspective.
If you are not able to attend a support group in person, don’t fret – there are plenty of online forums and communities to help you get answers, share stories, and gain comfort and confidence.
Daily Strength
Daily Strength hosts a particularly well-organized and well-attended fibro group, where you can join in or start a thread of discussion on a huge range of fibro-related topics. There’s also a fairly sizeable repository of info, and even some medical experts on hand to answer your tough questions.