Welcome to Fibro Friday for October! This link-up is a dedicated space for bloggers, advocates, and anyone living with fibromyalgia to share their stories, insights, and resources. There are so many great voices here raising awareness, offering support, and expressing their lived experience with Fibromyalgia and other chronic illnesses.
Together, these seventeen articles offer many different perspectives—from navigating friendships and managing chronic pain to understanding the science behind fibromyalgia and confronting medical gaslighting. Whether sharing personal breakthroughs, practical self-care tips, or powerful reflections on identity and resilience, each article contributes to a deeper, more compassionate understanding of life with fibromyalgia. We hope you enjoy visiting these articles created by wonderful Fibro Bloggers.
1. This blog post dives into the growing concerns surrounding Gabapentin, especially its off-label use and potential risks.
In “What’s The Negative Chatter About Taking Gabepentin?” Melinda explores why this widely prescribed medication is facing increased scrutiny. Drawing from recent studies and personal experience, the post highlights side effects. It also discusses the blurred lines between helpful treatment and questionable prescribing practices, urging readers to make informed decisions and consult their doctors before starting or stopping Gabapentin.
This is a must-read for anyone navigating chronic pain or long-term medication use.
2. This heartfelt blog post shares eight empowering self-care strategies for managing fibromyalgia pain with grace and intention.
In “Fibromyalgia Self-Care Strategies That Help Me Manage Pain” Lee offers a personal guide to living well with chronic illness. From pacing over pushing and setting boundaries, each strategy is grounded in lived experience. The post emphasizes that while these tools aren’t cures, they help reclaim control, reduce overwhelm, and foster self-compassion.
3. This blog post captures the emotional tension of seeking answers while living with fibromyalgia and unexplained pain.
In “Should I Curb My Excitement?” Dale shares his cautious optimism ahead of a long-awaited appointment with Musculoskeletal Services. After experiencing some alarming symptoms, Dale reflects on the challenges of navigating new symptoms are often dismissed as “just fibro.” With heartfelt honesty, he describes his hopes for proper testing and validation, while preparing for the physical toll of the journey.
4. This candid and empowering post explores the chaotic collision of perimenopause and fibromyalgia—and how to survive it.
In “When Hormones Pour Gasoline on the Fire,” This Fibro Chick shares a relatable account of what happens when fluctuating hormones intensify fibromyalgia symptoms. She breaks down the science behind the struggle and offers practical strategies for coping. She reminds readers that they’re not broken—they’re navigating two major life transitions at once.
5. This poetic and powerful post is a love letter to resilience, written for anyone living with chronic pain.
In “Morning Magnolia: Learning to Bloom Through the Pain,” This Fibro Chick reflects on the symbolism of the magnolia. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt prose, she draws parallels between the magnolia’s quiet strength and her own journey with fibromyalgia. It’s a reminder that beauty and growth are still possible, even when life feels heavy.
6. This heartfelt post is a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand the invisible weight of fibromyalgia.
In “What Those Who Don’t Have Fibro Need To Understand,” Dale Rockell offers a personal perspective on what it’s really like to live with chronic pain and fatigue. With honesty and clarity, he outlines the daily challenges, emotional toll, and misconceptions people with fibromyalgia often face. It’s not a plea for pity, but a call for empathy, patience, and awareness.
7. This blog post offers practical, compassionate advice for managing chronic pain through small but meaningful lifestyle adjustments.
In “Small Lifestyle Changes To Make When Living With Chronic Pain,” Melinda from Looking for the Light shares a thoughtful guide to improving daily life when traditional pain relief falls short. She explores how gentle exercise, dietary tweaks and experimenting with temperature, noise, and bedtime routines.
8.This deeply personal post explores the emotional and physical journey of reclaiming trust in your own body after trauma and chronic pain.
In “How I Defeated The Fear Of Touching My Legs & Making Pain Worse,” Carrie shares her experience with allodynia—a condition where even light touch causes intense pain. She opens up about the fear of worsening her symptoms and the emotional toll of feeling disconnected from her body. She describes how she slowly reintroduced touch and reframed her relationship with pain.
9. This beautifully written post is a heartfelt letter to anyone who’s ever felt lost in the fog of chronic illness.
In “Dear Stranger: Letters from the Fog,” This Fibro Chick speaks directly to the reader and captures the emotional weight of fibromyalgia—the isolation, the invisibility, the longing to be understood—and offers solidarity to those navigating similar struggles. This piece reads like a warm hug for the soul.10. This powerful post explores the subtle, damaging effects of gaslighting—especially in the context of chronic illness.
In “Am I Experiencing Gaslighting?” Dale reflects on moments when his pain and symptoms were dismissed, minimized, or questioned by others, including medical professionals. He shares how these experiences made him feel and how recognizing the signs of gaslighting helped him reclaim his voice and validate his reality. The post is both a personal story and a broader call to awareness.
11. This empowering post offers twelve practical, self-directed strategies for managing chronic pain and reclaiming control over your life.
In “12 Ways You Can Help Yourself Manage Chronic Pain,” Melinda shares a compassionate guide filled with realistic, actionable tips. The post encourages readers to listen to their limits, explore complementary therapies, and build a toolkit of coping strategies that work for them. It’s a hopeful, validating read for anyone seeking relief and resilience in the face of daily pain.
12. This post delivers a bold critique of systemic flaws in American healthcare, especially from the perspective of chronic illness and patient advocacy.
In “How American Healthcare Gets it Wrong,” Johanna shares a personal and passionate account of navigating the U.S. medical system while living with chronic illness. She highlights how profit-driven models, rushed appointments, and dismissive attitudes toward invisible conditions often leave patients feeling unheard. She also explores the emotional toll of being gaslit by professionals and the importance of self-advocacy.
13. This uplifting post reframes menopause as a sacred rite of passage—especially for those living with invisible disabilities.
In “Magic in the Midlife: Embracing Menopause as a Sacred Transition,” Beverley of Blooming Mindfulness shares a deeply personal reflection on aging, chronic illness, and the spiritual awakening that can come with menopause. Rather than viewing it as a decline, she celebrates this life stage as a time of transformation, wisdom, and self-discovery.
14. This moving post offers a glimpse into the daily reality of living with invisible disabilities—and the strength it takes to keep going.
In “Living Beyond the Visible: My Life with Invisible Disabilities,” Beverley shares her personal journey with chronic illness, mental health challenges, and the emotional toll of being misunderstood. She reflects on the frustration of looking “fine” while battling pain, fatigue, and anxiety, and how mindfulness, faith, and creativity have helped her find peace and purpose.
15. This heartfelt post explores the emotional toll of chronic illness on friendships—and offers practical ways to stay connected despite unpredictability.
In “Maintaining Friendships When You’re the ‘Unreliable’ One,” Sarah Warburton shares the guilt and grief of being the friend who cancels plans, struggles with energy, and fears being left out. Living with fibromyalgia means her availability is never guaranteed, and she candidly describes how flares and fatigue can derail even the most well-intentioned commitments.
16. This reflective post blends community, creativity, and chronic illness into a celebration of connection and visibility.
In “Joined Up Thinking For Fibro And Photos From LB’s Big Lunch,” Dale shares his experience attending a community event aimed at raising awareness for invisible disabilities like fibromyalgia. Through photography and storytelling, Dale captures the joy of being seen and heard, while also highlighting the importance of joined-up thinking in healthcare and advocacy.
17. This insightful post breaks down the complex science of fibromyalgia into clear, compassionate language that validates the lived experience of chronic pain.
In “The Science of Fibromyalgia — Explained Simply,” This Fibro Chick shares how understanding the biology behind fibromyalgia transformed her relationship with her body and symptoms. She explains that fibromyalgia is not imagined. It explores what contributes to heightened pain, fatigue, mood swings, and fibro fog.
Reading these stories reminds me that I’m part of a vibrant, resilient community. Each voice brings something unique—offering comfort, clarity, and a sense of connection that’s so needed. I’m truly grateful you’ve joined me for this Fibro Friday. I hope these articles inspire you, validate your journey, and help you feel just a little less alone.
A heartfelt thank you to all the incredible contributors who shared their voices this Fibro Friday. Your honesty, creativity, and courage help build a stronger, more compassionate fibromyalgia community. I'm so grateful for the wisdom and warmth you bring to this space.
Special thanks to:
Each of you has helped make this collection truly sensational. Thank you for raising awareness, offering support, and reminding us that we’re never alone in this journey.
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