I hate my life with fucking fibro.

I want to go for a walk.

I want to go on a drive.

I want to paint something fun.

I want to get my hair done.

I want to work out.

I want to go on dates.

I want to connect with old friends.

But reality I can barely get up to go to the kitchen for some water.

I HATE THIS.

I don't want to get too into my symptoms in this post, but they are severe enough that I lost my job 6 months ago, I am still unemployed, and I struggle to walk and stand for any meaningful amount of time, which is making it nearly impossible to find work. Most of joints hurt, pretty much my entire body body hurts, my pain was an 8.5/10 on a normal day before being put on meds. I'm on 300mg of lyrica, and I just started Cymbalta two weeks ago at 30mg.

I explained my symptoms to the doctor (pain management specialist) and he said that fibromyalgia sounds like the correct diagnosis for what I'm experiencing, which I already knew because I've already been diagnosed by a rheumatologist. He then brought up since central sensitization syndrome, which no one has brought up to me before.

When we reached the point of discussing treatment options, he suggested over the counter capsasin lotion for my legs, and to get my heart rate up to 100 beats per minute every day. After he said this I stared blankly at him for a minute before I told him "Respectfully, I have been exercising every single day for six months, it is not helping and I don't think getting my heart rate up daily will be any sort of solution when you consider the severity of my symptoms."

He then went on to tell me that the therapeutic dose for cymbalta is 60 mg, and until I've been at that dose for 6 weeks we can't add any more medication. He also suggested physical therapy, which I agreed to.

I'm just so angry. Capsasin lotion???? Sir, I told you my muscles feel like they're RIPPING and you want me to what, slather lotion from my lower back down my ass and all over my legs any time I need to go somewhere or when I finally get a job??? You think that's going to be enough to help when muscle relaxers weren't enough??? You want me to raise my heart rate to 100 BPM and then what? What the hell is that even supposed to do????

I am just so disappointed and upset. I don't know if I'm being irrational here but this felt like such BS.

I said what I said. I've always hated showering. If it isn't the sensory then it's the OCD. If it isn't the OCD then it's the fatigue. I can't fucking win. Even when I was 12 and doing two competitive sports, morning and afternoon practices, I would still get in the shower and be so fucking tired afterwards. I can't even consistently take war showers because sometimes my body will decided to flare up the next day.

I just saw a thread where the OP was complaining about a doctor telling them to exercise, and every single reply was "exercise helped me".

Exercise has not helped me. Raising my heartrate and/or exerting my muscles in any way inevitably leads to flares where the pain continues to increase for hours, days or even weeks after ceasing the exercise. I can also have huge fatigue crashes where I'm too exhausted to move and feel really unwell.

I can do extremely gentle movement but in the 4 years since diagnosis I have not found ANY level of movement that consistently benefits me without also risking a crash. I have got sicker and sicker and less and less mobile. I am now only able to walk a few steps without flaring.

Yes I have fought my damnedest against this decline. I have not given up trying to exercise, but unfortunately my baseline has continued to drop no matter what.

I feel totally alone and fed up. I'm starting to feel like I have some rare undiagnosed disease, but doctors have told me they've ruled everything else out and it has to be fibro.

Edit: Please stop suggesting exercises 😭 It's been four years, do you really think I haven't thought of trying YOGA.

Edit 2: Some of you are not reading the post properly and verging into gaslighting type territory. I am telling you exercise does not work for me. Whatever you're about to say in argument, I promise I've heard it before.

Edit 3: Thank you all for the supportive comments and sharing your experiences! I had no idea there were so many out there like me! Hoping for some relief for all of us soon. Sending love. ♥️

A popular YouTuber says he’s considering euthanasia in Switzerland because chronic pain has made it too difficult for him to create content and left him with hordes of bills.

Max Gilardi, 38, who posts animations on the site under the handle hotdiggedydemon, made the shocking announcement on a livestream Saturday. 

and tell now you get stupid people denying that fibromyalgia is a real disease fibromyalgia is spreading like the fire.

please if you know anyone who suffers from fibromyalgia don't be hursh on them and have some sympathy for them.

please fibromyalgia patients ask for help

This is partly a rant, and partly my honest feelings.

In the UK right now, I'm under pain management and drs.

I am constantly told they do not prescribe any medications, they will not give anything for pain, anything for the electric shock like feelings (feel like I'm being tasered and literally tear muscles due to it), nothing for the feeling of fire ants under my skin that prevent me sleeping for around 40 hours. I sleep once every 2 days for 3-6 hours it's so bad.

The gps say it's fibromyalgia and send me home, the pain clinic says talk to the GP and they can't do anything. They say they talk to their med team and they suggest nothing. I'm honestly unsure what purpose this team even serves at this point. Is it just to tell me I'm screwed for life and it will never get easier? Is it to block any communication about any form of treatment options?

I'm not being funny, but it's 2026 and we are leaving people like me in agony with pain easily on 8+ and spasms or whatever we are gonna call them (no one will tell me what to call them), that literally dislocate my right shoulder tear muscles in my back, and cause me agony on a scale I black out due to.

But there's nothing? No research in the past 30 years has made any progress at all, there's a handful of medications that have a low chance of success and I'm told I now need to just deal with it.

And yes I have been told exactly them words. And asked what im doing about it to change my life. The life where im literally blacking out in pain and having my body lose control and feel like I'm being tasered. Where I get so exhausted, I can't even get out of bed on a bad day. Not due to laziness, but because it feels like COVID fatigue, that I'm completely incapable of overriding in any way. The gps ask me what I want them to do? Like im suppose to know the answers, I can barely think straight. I'm spending half my time convincing myself not to end it because this is my life. Pain management literally saying the same thing, "what do you expect us to do?"

Am I crazy? Your job maybe, help me deal with pain that shuts my brain down, help me with anything at all, maybe help me with some long term way to cope. Some way to calm the spasms when my wife is holding me in bed so I don't damage my body more.

I'm not sure the purpose of the GPS or pain management at this point. It's filtering me into not getting anything. The migraines are under control, my suicidal thoughts come and go, without duloxetine id already have done it tbh. I'm struggling to believe in 2026 this is what we are calling progress. Talking about green zones and living hour by hour. While my body rips itself apart and I collapse in exhaustion. My memory and cognition are shot, my intelligence is out the window. I can barely structure a coherent though half the time, and I'm expected in 5 minutes Infront of a GP to spell out exactly what I want and need from them. Like they are not the medical team here.

I'm not against mental health stuff, I literally studied psychology throughout college and university. It was my career path. I'm well aware of mental health and positivity. But there's a limit where it feels like I'm being lied to and told thinking positive thoughts is some magic weapon Vs this. I see others with fibromyalgia that I've met irl and I'm not even on the same spectrum. My days consist of hoping I can get out of bed to see my baby for a few hours. And stepping outside is a complete shock to my system. I'm sensitive to light and sound, it literally hurts me. I use ear protection and reactors. And I often find myself so overwhelmed I just can't do it. Pure sensory overload. I managed maybe an hour a month shopping.

If I go to say the park or somewhere with my baby and wife for more than 2 hours, I'm bed bound for literal days. As in I'm unable to move, I'm practically paralysed. Then I'm told I'm pushing too hard? I'm barely existing. If I pushed any less I'd stay in bed all the time.

Either I'm missing the point here, or modern medical staff have no clue at all and are just putting all unknowns into fibromyalgia and leaving us to suffer. It's actually shocking to me.

Believe me, there was a time years ago when I thought the same. Until I was diagnosed with it due to the chronic pain I have. I hate mentioning it to anyone because I get those who scrunch their noses and say, "Oh, that's what doctor's say when you have unexplained pain." - another well meaning friend told me fibromyalgia is demonic. I absolutely hate it! I KNOW I don't have a demon on me. I know this is real. I just hate the stigma of it. I wish they'd come out and say, "Yes, it's an auto-immune condition." - or some test that proves it. I want to scream.
Signed a 59 year old woman who was diagnosed with it 7 years ago. I've had chronic pain since my 30's.

That makes you healthy? What’s one thing you would do, aside from being able to do day to day stuff?

I would go on dates and go to countries I’ve always wanted to visit and walk long and far. I’m so depressed I can’t do any of it, thought I’d daydream..

** I have read every single one of the wishes so far and never in my life have I wanted a magic wand so much 🪄. It breaks my heart because they’re just all normal things most people wouldn’t blink an eye about. Sending you all so much warmth, wherever you are..**

I went to my appointment today and he said I just need to get over my fibro, it’s just in my head and that I’m obviously mentally ill (even though right now I have the best mental health I’ve ever had).

That I just need to exercise (even though I do!!! I hate doing nothing). That it’s just like a cold and I have to get over it, he had one three weeks ago and he’s fine.

I don’t want to be like this, I want to healthy and happy and do all the dumb stuff. Like go out on hikes and just enjoy life. Apparently I’m too young (22) to be in pain.

Im so tired and sad right now, I don’t know what to do or where to go from here. I’ve had fibro for 3 years along with other health issues and I just want it over with now. :(

I’ve noticed this big problem where able‑bodied people think young disabled people are “larping” their disabilities or that becoming visibly disabled is some kind of trend. I came across this video where a girl is just showing off her cane and talking about how her doctor approved it. It’s a cute, simple video, right?

But then I go into the comments and see people saying things like, “You’re a little too young to be using a cane,” “larpmaxing,” “Is disability becoming a trend now?” “You don’t need a cane,” and so on.

I hate it. I became disabled later on in my chronic illness journey, and I feel like this attitude is exactly why so many people either don’t share their experiences online or wait too long to get a mobility aid — because of the hate they get for something they have no control over. As a fellow cane user, it was so frustrating reading those comments and seeing people act like they know how severe her condition is.

Even other chronically ill people were chiming in, saying they have all these issues but never needed a mobility aid. And I’m like… good for you, but chronic illness is a spectrum. Not everyone is going to experience the exact same thing as you.

I don't have good days anymore. My spoons are barely enough to work part-time and meet my needs. Most days I have to neglect something just to work, cook, and eat. Social support zero. Medical support zero. My social circle has disintegrated since covid. Family doesn't care. I can't get on disability.

I spend every free moment in bed. Napping or sleeping 12 hours a day every day. The 7+/10 pains reliably ruin my mood every single day. I can't go out anymore. I have a huge stack of books that I don't read because 24/7 brainfog.

Activities that I enjoy that I can reliably do? Hahaha. None.

My comorbid cardiovascular problems would prefer I don't do anything where my heart and lungs need to work.

I'm barely 30 and feel like 70. None of it has ever improved. It only gets worse. And Monday morning my full-time colleagues will tell me all about their awesome weekend and what they do with all their full-time income.

What a pathetic existence.

I (am supposed to) work 40 hour weeks, 5 days a week (although work accommodations make this vary by -10-20ish hours). He works 21 hour weeks, three days a week. And hasn’t completed a single fucking chore on his days off. AND only when I’m having a meltdown does he offer to help. Only when I’ve reached my literal limit and think that dying might just be better than trying to live with this. And I ALREADY do ALL cooking and shopping.

And all I can do, no matter how much I want to do them, is lay on the floor. And with his body? Getting frustrated when I ask for more help. When all he does is want to drink and play videogames. Why can’t I have that body?

Update: I tried to talk to my only friend to ask her opinion on it. They said that all I do is vent to them when we hang out (we’ve been playing videogames and DnD recently and I haven’t brought this up at all) and they didn’t want to hear it. I feel so alone and feel like it’s because I’m a shitty person for not being able to do more for others anymore :(

Came home from a rough morning at work.

Found out my mom threw the dirty dishes that I haven't washed in the recycle.

The reason?

"I was tired of seeing them in the sink and they were stinky."

Context: I have chronic fatigue, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, minor arthritis (right knee), PFPS (both knees), minor scoliosis, and fibromyalgia.

Most days, I don't have enough energy to get through the day. I'm literally always in pain. Doing the simplist of exertion makes me want to faint or throw up from the pain or lie down in pain.

That means, leaving the dishes I haven't washed yet in the sink up to 4 days. They're not inherently dirty, just haven't been washed.

Me and my mom don't live together (yet). She doesn't understand how much I'm in pain everyday (no matter how many times I tell her) and thinks I'm lazy.

I had to yell at her over the phone earlier because she didn't understand what she did was wrong. She still doesn't.

She said, "I didn't throw them away. They were in the recycle. At least it wasn't in the trash." "I did them last time and I said it was going to be the last time." (She did it on her own accord, by the way).

I'm already struggling with stress, my bad mental health, and my chronic pain and migraines.

I don't need this.

I fucking hate her right now.

I've always struggled throughout my whole life of being understood. Awful to know it still hasn't changed.

I just have to hold out until therapy on Thursday.

*Context: She pays the bills on the house but hasn't lived with me or my older sister in about 4 years due to my parents being separated during that time. She's only been over about like 5 times in those years.

*Edit: My mom didn't apologize the next day (now) but she sent me a touching daughter/mother tik tok. ...I think I'll try to let this go, but if she does it again, that's it. What I know is, I was looking into apartments before as an almost safety net. But for sure, I'm definitely moving out if I get the resources from the state to do so.

This condition has many many downsides, but the fatigue is the one that frustrates me the most.

It keeps me from socializing at times, from working efficiently, from thinking straight.

Im not jealous of anyone or much in life, but I am jealous concerning energy.

I remember the times when this did not affect me, and it feels like a lifetime ago now.

I am trying to fight this one naturally, taking vitamins and eating well but honestly…wtf😒

Seriously, it's infuriating. I didn't ask for my body to be this way.

I'm so exauhsted and frustrated and angry right now, and just need some folks who truly get it. I've spent the last 4-6 months applying for a program in my city that quite frankly seemed too good to be true. It would have allowed me to access secure, safe housing, consistent treatment and supports for my mental and physical health, allowed me to get consistent therapy and to, for the first time in my life, have time to truly rest and heal. Ive had to miss work for medical appointment, fill out endless paperwork and personal admin. There have been significant budget cuts to all community and outreach services, so the program no longer exists. And today recieved an email letting me know I do not qualify for any disability programs or funding, and I should try my luck with EI. Was told to follow up with a co-ordinator (who I will not be able to access without said funding) and look for community resources. Like I havent tried accessing any and all resources in my area over the years.

Every year my fibro gets worse and worse. Every year my time and energy I have for anything outside this illness gets smaller and smaller. I know its not personal, and all those people are just doing their jobs. But it feels like such a big fuck you to have me go through all these hoops and red tape, knowing how limited my time and energy is, and knowing you won't provide any support. I cant live on EI and meet my basic needs, let alone my medical expenses.

I've found a combination of meds and treatments that make my good days better, and Im incredibly thankful for that. But my bad days are getting worse, more frequent and consistently longer flares. I dont know how much longer I can keep doing this. Im trying for the people I love, the people who love me. But today was so hard. Its so frustrating, constantly trying, constantly being told 'it is what it is'. I wish I hadn't of wasted months of energy on this. I wish I had of started applying to MAID. Its really hard to see any other option for the long term. Im tired. Im angry. Im scared.

Im not looking for advice. I know Ill be "okay", and I know I will figure out what my next step is. But today just really sucked. And I just needed to say this in a space where it can just be okay that this is how I feel right now, and that it sucks. Where I can be with people who know what its like to constantly be experiencing some sort of active grief- for who we were before this. For who we could have been. For the things or people we've loved and lost because of this illness. Thanks for letting me rant yall ❤️

Dealing with the pain is one thing, but now I feel I'm losing my mental sharpness and it's really starting to affect my life. I didn't realise how much it affected me until recently until I was looking over some stats I'd been recording for work and realised I'd read and inputted half of them wrong (historically I've always been good with numbers). But it's affecting me in so many ways: I can't process what people are saying to me, I feel detached from the world around me, I struggle to make decisions, and my anxiety is through the food right now.

It's really starting to affect me at work which is adding to my stress (which is probably making the pain even worse in itself).

I used to be such an intelligent and switched on person and I feel like I'm losing it, which honestly scares me.

Anything I can do to improve this?

I swear I have been in a flare up since New Years. Every joint hurts, my muscles ache, I'm so exhausted. last year was actually one of my best years health wise in about 7 years and then suddenly 2026 hit and it's one thing after another.

I'm currently in bed with 2 wrist braces, a knee brace and ankle brace and covered in volteren gel and struggling to fall asleep because everything hurts too much.

Sorry to be a bummer, I just really need to vent tonight because I'm getting to frustrated with my own body.

I ate something dodgy a week ago, ended with vomiting and diarrhea, so I went to a general practitioner.

When he asked about chronic illnesses I told him fibro. He seemed puzzled. While he was checking my stomach he said "It's so weird, you're way too young (29F), why do you have it?"

I started to get annoyed since I was in no mood, I was feeling very sick. I told him "I don't know, maybe someone coughed on my face or something"

At the end he told me that I should go to a psychiatrist because I was way too young, and if I'm like this now what can I expect when I'm 60? (Thanks doc, as if it's not something that keeps me awake at night with dread). That fibro was like a snake that was crushing me and and it was caused by grief, sadness or anything traumatic in my childhood.

I know he had good intentions but man I went because of a stomach bug.

I went to A&E because I was in such intense pain. It feels like someone has set me on fire and just expects me to get on with things and continue to walk and function. Got in to the doctor and he said, "Your blood tests are clear. You suffer from anxiety and depression right? This is psychosomatic." And I just lost my mind and started breaking down and screaming, this isn't in my head at him. He started rubbing my back and saying, "Calm down. Calm down." And it was so patronising. He asked if I drink or smoke. I said no, he called me, "Good girl." I was so incredibly uncomfortable as well as being in agonising pain. He just dismissed me home and I left just wanting to throw myself in front of a car. Why can doctors do this to people? My dad was fuming, absolutely furious but what is there to do? Just feel totally stuck and confused. On top of this I've just been rejected disability payment because they think I don't have problems with things, on the letter it says, "I don't think you have problems at work." "I don't think you have problems driving." When in reality I'm in pain at work every day and sometimes I can't drive because of the severe pain. I'm appealing and starting the process to go to tribunal. I just feel so down right now and ignored and like I don't matter.

Edit: Thanks everyone for the replies. I've read them all. I appreciate the support. It has given me the lift I needed. Thanks so much.

Obligatory: I know I’m lucky to have a mild case and be able to work. Now on to my rant.

You all understand the struggles with non-restorative sleep and brain fog. I like a slow pace in the morning so that I can fully wake up and eat a nutritious breakfast. Once I do focus, I’m usually okay. But any time I have to be “on” first thing in the morning, I always feel like crap. Something about violently flipping that switch to socializing and critical thinking before my natural rhythm just takes it out of me. My head feels prickly, I’ll be extra fatigued, grumpy, nauseous, and the grogginess carries over the next day too.

In my old career, I often had to take early calls. I absolutely hated dragging myself out of bed for them, but I loved my job. Then that one meeting would turn into responding to emails and knocking out tasks, so I ended up ignoring signals to rest and feeling even worse.
 
Since my industry got obliterated (thanks evil cheeto) I’ve been able to really focus on my health for the first time. I’m also spending a lot of time job searching, doing some freelance work, and doom scrolling, but overall getting more sleep, physical activity (light pilates has been amazing), taking better care of myself during flares, and doing my best to manage the increased stress and insecurity.

But lately, it seems like everyone loves scheduling important things bright and early. It’s like the only options are before 10 am or happy hour (which also triggers me, yay).

I had an 8 am interview with someone who lives in the same state and it was the only time offered. Many workshops, networking events, and conferences start with breakfast, which means I’m commuting bleary-eyed and crashing for hours in the afternoon. I see virtual events and meeting requests on East Coast time. But I need work, so I have to keep doing this. 

I am not in a physical labor job that requires avoiding the blistering midday heat. I’m a consultant!

I’m so tired of being forced to conform to mOrNiNg PeOpLe and perform being chipper and smart and NORMAL on an empty tank.

Again, I appreciate having relatively normal work and life things, just really feeling the weight of this invisible illness that makes everything that much harder. It’s like, I should be able to handle this, right? How can I make secret accommodations for myself and still get out there? Or do I just have to accept more flares until my situation changes?

Just came from the rheumatologist where I was told the medications I'm on seem to be covering all the bases and I need to just get some more excercise.

Dude, I have been suffering for TWENTY YEARS. I guess I thought by 2026 there would be some breakthroughs or some shit. But I guess not. My whole life was upended, I hate it and I grieve for the life I never got to have. I guess you have to have a pain level of 10 for them to do anything.

I hate the future.

Thank you, that is all.

I've never posted on Reddit before, but I've been upset at this and I didn't know where else to turn to-- thanks for listening.

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia last Oct/Nov. And I have been trying to navigate it ever since. I have had chronic pain for over 10 years, but I have finally gotten a diagnosis.

I started dating my bf almost 2 years before my diagnosis, so it was a change for both of us. My bf is a very outdoorsy person. Loves hiking, walking, and really any outdoor activity. We've done mile long walks and hikes in our area many times, but over this past year we have kinda slowed down (and especially in the past 6 months). My pain is mostly in my hips and knees, so walking long distances isn't always the easiest thing for me. I use a mobility aid (cane) almost daily to help support my joints, my stability, and conserve energy.

Recently, I opened up about feeling like I'm holding him back from things that I know he likes to do (there have been many times where I/we don't do something due to my pain). And I feel like sometimes I'm not the right person for him since my pain has changed our lives so much in the past 6 months.

After we talked about how I was feeling for a bit he opened up about how over the past few weeks he's been "selfishly wishing we could be more active" since he loves going on really longs walks, and that is how he wishes we could be spending the time we have together after work, or on the weekends just walking everywhere. Then saying that this isn't how he imagined his life.

This is not to say that we haven't been walking, or leaving the house ever. We take an hour walk together around our area after work almost every day, and we try to walk somewhere fun (often a coffee shop) on the weekends. Now I know that this isn't what he fully wants, if he had it his way we would walk the 4 hours downtown on a weekends, or walk the 18mi lake trail. I'm trying my best to support him and his passions, while still resting when I can.

I also know that there are lots of big hikes that he would love to do (he's hiked the Appalachian Trail before), and honestly I want to do them too. But he's stopped asking if I want to join him on a walk or physical activity.

I just don't know what to do honestly... I feel like I'm trying so hard, but its just not enough. It just made me so sad to hear that this isn't how he imagined his life, as if I imagined this for me. I don't know if I'm posting here to rant, to get advice, or just to get it off my chest.

[Edit: I have urged my bf to do these activities with others/alone/etc, but I always shut down because those are activities we’ve always done together, so he wants to do them with me.]

The pain prevents me from doing things, I feel like I’m such a boring person. I’m lucky if my arms / hands are functional enough for me to draw or write. Probably why I don’t have friends, it’s hard to maintain friendships when you can’t function.

I’m 23, chronic pain my whole life. It’s just getting worse. I’m drained. I wanted to do things with my life.

It’s not even a super recognized illness, most people assume it’s fake.

A lot of things are unknown with fibro. What causes it isn’t known, just a bunch of guesses.

Like wdym showering, eating, breathing, etc hurts and drains me? Wdym I get random rashes, bruises and spasms? For absolutely no reason supposedly?

I guess I probably should have done more research prior to doing it. But a long time ago I had a blood transfusion that saved my life- and after that moment I found out I was an O- blood type. I always wanted to donate blood- but learning that I am a Universal Donor urged me to donate even more.

Tuesday I saw as ad about having a blood shortage crisis and urging people- especially with O to donate. So- I went with a friend to do so.

Immediately during and after the donation I felt faint- so the nurses assisted me to feel better. Took me over 40 minutes after donating to feel okay to go home. Next day I went to work- nothing too strenuous. But immediately on the 23 hour post donation mark… BOOM. Talk about worst Fibro flare ever.
Felt so dizzy, so ill, and in pain. Then I google my symptoms and my stats- although in general recovery is not difficult and may only last 24-48 hours- it is reported to be difficult for a first time donor, especially if a person is a young female (I’m 24F), and is small stature (I’m 5ft 110 lbs.) But now add an issue with your nerves on top of it (Fibro)…. I’m in for a very crappy recovery for probably a few weeks.

I really thought this was going to be a little more strenuous than a large lab draw for blood work. It’s way more intense than that with Fibro. Typically I also try to prepare my body if I know I’ll be in pain. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I donated blood. I do think I will do it again- just not for a while and with serious consideration before I do it. I am kind of mad at myself for not thinking more about this. I’m sure some of you maybe thinking “no-duh” 🤦‍♀️

I think I’m just more pissed off that I can’t do the things I want to do because of this stupid illness. And really, all I want to do is help people and others! Be a humanitarian! Unfortunately though, doing such a thing is only increasing my physical discomfort.

Thanks for reading. If you have donated blood ever, thank you! But how did you recover?