Chronic fatigue. Muscle pain. Irritable bowel syndrome. Lack of strength in arms and legs. Depression. Itching of the skin. Bruises.
These are just some of the symptoms of one of the perhaps most unknown diseases, fibromyalgia. In addition to everything that the disease itself brings with it, many of those who suffer from it must also add the stigma of a disease that many believe does not exist.
The Asociación de Fibromialgia y Fatiga Crónica was founded in Calpe in 2007; after a few years of interruption, the association resumed its activities this summer and gained strength with the formation of a new board.
Gloria, Carmen, Concha, Marga, Pili and Mónica have decided to take over the leadership of the association to combat this ignorance and improve the quality of life of all those suffering from fibromyalgia in Calpe.
We were with them so that they could tell us more about the association.
What goals have you set for the association?
"Above all, we want the association to help other people who are not informed," they reply.
They point out that the main problem they face is the lack of knowledge about the disease, not only among the general population, but also among medical staff, as it can take years from the first symptoms to diagnosis.
What would you recommend to a person suffering from the symptoms of this disease?
"The first thing they should do is to call their family doctor so that they can refer them to a rheumatologist who can diagnose the disease.
Although symptoms can be confusing when viewed isolated, when examined together they present a picture that allows the degree of the disease to be assessed.
What is the most difficult thing for a person with fibromyalgia?
"The first is that the others believe that you are suffering from this disease yourself. Unfortunately, some people have used this disease to say that they were sick when they weren't, which has led to a certain distrust. We have to say that it is a recognized disease that is diagnosed and even leads to some people being recognized as "unfit for work".
How is fibromyalgia treated?
There is no treatment as such. The symptoms can or must be treated. Therefore, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc. are prescribed, but without a doubt, physical and mental activity is the most helpful. Yoga helps us, for example, to stretch, swim, because the weightlessness of the water alleviates pain, gymnastics, which we do one day a week at the Centro Maite Boronat, walking...".
"The mental attitude is also important and therefore we should not stay at home and go out. From the association we want to help all people suffering from this disease in Calpe to find a place where they know they are not alone," they add.
On September 11th, the Asociación de Fibromialgia y Fatiga Crónica will be at the Punt Jove de Calpe, offering information to all people who want to know more about this disease and the activities of the association.
The phone number is +34 645 84 52 71