Fibromyalgia: Understanding the Condition & Living Through It

Fibromyalgia is often described as a chronic condition that affects how the body processes pain. But for those living with it, it’s rarely just about pain.

Fibromyalgia can show up as widespread discomfort, fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest, brain fog, and a general sense of imbalance in the body. It doesn’t look the same for everyone—and that’s part of what makes it so misunderstood.

There’s no single test for it. No one-size-fits-all solution. For many, the journey becomes less about curing it—and more about learning how to live with it. For me, that journey is personal. So instead of just explaining fibromyalgia, I’m sharing my experience in a different way—through conversation.

A Conversation: Living with Fibromyalgia

When were you first diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and what did that moment feel like for you?

I was officially diagnosed in 2017, but truthfully, I knew before that. My symptoms started in 2016, and even without a diagnosis, I could feel that something wasn’t right. As I started paying attention to my body and doing my own research, fibromyalgia kept coming up—and it made sense to me. I brought that to my doctor, but he didn’t agree. Like many people experience, I was initially prescribed an antidepressant.

Over time, he ran multiple tests—checking for things like lupus and multiple sclerosis—but everything came back negative. And that’s where it stopped on his end. For me, though, it didn’t stop there. I still needed answers—and a body that I had to learn how to understand.

But how did I feel? I was feeling frustrated, unseen and unheard by my doctor. I became relentless...I refused to stop digging for answers. I have always been one to face problems head on. I'd much rather know what I'm dealing with rather than live in the dark. You can't face what you aren't willing to face.

Before your diagnosis, what were you experiencing that you couldn’t quite explain?

It started with something simple. My husband and I had gotten a new mattress, and it was extremely uncomfortable. It's not uncommon for the body to have to adjust to a new mattress, but I was waking up in pain I'd never experienced before.

Every morning, I woke up stiff…aching…like I had the flu. We exchanged the mattress, thinking that would fix it—but by then, my pain was getting progressively worse. But it wasn’t just pain. There was exhaustion that didn’t make sense…mood swings…just an overall feeling of being unwell.

As time went on, I started listening to that inner voice—that gut feeling—and it kept pointing me in one direction. Fibromyalgia. That’s when I started doing my research. And a lot of it.

What does fibromyalgia feel like for you personally?

Fibromyalgia feels like another being living in my body with me. At times, it feels like we’re in a constant battle for control. Most days, I manage my symptoms well. I’ve learned my body, I move with intention, and I stay consistent. But there are times when fibro manages to take over. It shows up how it wants, when it wants—and there are moments where I have to adjust instead of push. I don’t refer to fibromyalgia as my illness. It’s my nuisance. Something I live with…but not something that defines me.

What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about fibromyalgia?

I personally feel, and this only applies to me, the biggest misconception stems from the label, and the label, alone: "Sick." "Illness." However, in my world, I don't, nor will I ever, wear the "sick" badge. I believe that once you label yourself with something, you become it.

I consider fibromyalgia to be a medical condition. More personally, it’s my nuisance. That doesn’t mean it’s easy—or that it isn’t real. It's just positioning myself accordingly so that I never stop facing it head on. I never want to give in to it, and let it take over my life.

People don’t understand what we actually deal with. The pain…the exhaustion...the brain fog—those things are real. But because fibromyalgia is so misunderstood, people on the outside sometimes assume it’s exaggerated…or even imagined. And that couldn’t be further from the truth.

How has fibromyalgia changed the way you approach your body and your health?

I’ve always made my health a priority. Living as naturally as possible has always been important to me. My mom is a breast cancer survivor, and I was raised around natural, “old school” remedies that I’ve always respected. When I was diagnosed, I researched everything—including pharmaceutical options. I made the decision, long before my official diagnosis, to never treat my fibromyalgia or any of the symptoms with the pharmaceuticals available for the condition. The potential side effects, and long term effects, were none that I'd ever want to add to my plate.

That was a personal decision. I chose to manage my symptoms naturally.

In many ways, fibromyalgia didn’t change how I approach my health—it reinforced it. It pushed me to stay aligned with how I was raised…to be intentional…and to listen to my body.

Movement is a big part of your life—what role does exercise play in managing your symptoms?

I’ve been in the gym pretty much my entire adult life. There was a time when I worked out primarily for aesthetics. But that changed. I know there are people with fibromyalgia who feel like they can’t move—that exercise will trigger a flare. And I understand that everyone’s experience is different. But for me, that has never been my belief, nor has it been my reality.

I’ve learned that my symptoms are worse when I don’t move. When I feel a flare coming on, getting up and going to the gym will often minimize it—or stop it altogether. Exercise isn’t just something I do. It’s a lifeline. It’s a core part of how I manage my pain—naturally, intentionally, and consistently.

On the harder days, what does taking care of yourself look like?

On the harder days, taking care of myself starts with listening to my body. I’m still a work in progress. I’ve always had a mindset of pushing through—pushing, pushing, pushing. But I’ve had to learn that’s not always what my body needs...or even wants.

My husband reminds me of that often.

Self care is top priority. It always has been for me. I believe it plays a huge part in managing pain, and keeping it at a minimum. I see a massage therapist every other week We have a hot tub that is utilized almost daily. But in recent years, I added what has turned into a weekly staple in my life. I take one day every week to disconnect from the world. I don't leave the house. I don't communicate with anyone if I can help it. There's always a self care component. I may work on projects, tie up household loose ends, craft, or sometimes, I'll do nothing more than watch movies all day. In-days have become such a staple, my weeks are off kilter whan I'm unable to disconnect one of the days.

How has fibromyalgia impacted you emotionally?

I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder about 10 years before fibromyalgia. One thing fibromyalgia has done is heighten everything.

I describe it as being “on call” 24 hours a day. From the moment I wake up, I have to think about what my day will look like—not just my schedule, but how my body may respond. When I go to bed at night, I have to think about what tomorrow will bring. Rain.

Weather plays a huge role in my symptoms, so I’m constantly checking forecasts—morning, night, even thinking about how it might affect my sleep.

It’s not something I can turn off.

And having to think about something like that all day, every day—it’s mentally exhausting.

At times, it can feel overwhelming… even agonizing.

Especially layered on top of something I was already managing.

But it’s something I continue to navigate—day by day.

Living with fibromyalgia has changed me. It has changed my life. It has changed my whole world, and how I live in it. But what it hasn't done...it hasn’t stopped me...from moving or from living my best life as best life to the fullest.

I’ve learned how to move with intention. And how to keep going—even when it looks different than before. And per my husband's instruction, I'm learning how to listen to my body. Not to control me, but to force me to step back and evaluate. Allowing my body to rest and recuperate gives me more room to really enjoy my life, and live it how I want.

Best,

Sloan

The Lady Trainer