An Open Letter to IBS & Fibromyalgia Warriors

Dear Fibromyalgia Warriors,

As people with fibromyalgia, we understand what it means to be a warrior. To be someone who puts up with life’s hardships and still manages to make it through the day. But everyone else does not understand this. It is not our fault that fibromyalgia is not a visible illness, nor is it our fault that we have weird side effects that go along with it.

But at least we have each other. We can depend on each other for sympathy and understanding. All of us have tried many ways of pain relief and we can share that. That is what is so great about social media. It can connect all of us around the globe in an instant, and before we know it we have a family. When we would get diagnosed with fibro, there is an instantaneous wave of isolation. But with social media, we can get through each day knowing there are people like us going through the same thing.

Fibromyalgia and IBS community

This community has made me realize that we are stronger together than we are apart. And even though no one knows why a lot of us also have IBS. Doctors do not help with solving this frustration, so we take to our community of fibro warriors.

We ask questions, get suggestions and try and try again until something provides relief. This community provides a shoulder to cry on, someone to rant to and also friends who can understand what you are going through. We come to each other tired and exhausted of what fibromyalgia threw at us that day, but somehow we push each other forward through this fight.

We understand the struggle of wanting to stay in bed all day, experiencing depression because on bad days it hurts to even exist. That moment is the scariest for me because no one else in my life understands what I go through the way that the other fibro warriors do.

I struggle with the fact that I am a teenager that is in constant pain and experiences bloating due to IBS, and on most days I just want to be a normal teenager in college. But on the days that I can, I look myself in the mirror and tell myself that I would be nothing without what I go through.

Fibromyalgia and IBS made me who I am today

I have grown into a strong and independent person on the inside, even if I cannot find her on some days. I know that I am constantly tired and always seem to have a headache. But that does not stop me from living out my truth.

I want you to focus on your life instead of what this illness is doing to you. Giving power to something you cannot control will only make it more powerful. Do not give in, control your point of view and you can have a better life. We may not be able to solve everything together, but we can help each other get through the day, one day at a time.

Sincerely,

An IBS and fibro warrior