We are appealing for more trustees to help in the management of the Fibroduck Foundation.
We particularly need trustees with experience in grant applications, fundraising and publicity.
Unit 191 Blackpool Selfstore,
Tellcom Business Centre,
20 Clifton Road, Blackpool
FY4 4QA
Email: fibroduckfoundation@gmail.com
There are numerous ways you can get involved and help Fibroduck. Please visit this page to read all about the help we need here.
Copyright © Fibroduck Foundation 2009-
DUCK30 £3 to 70070 OR DUCK05 £5 to 70070 OR DUCK10 £10 to 70070 OR DUCK20 to 70070
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So you've finally been told what's wrong with you, after years of endless tests you've been given a label you don't know how to pronounce or understand what it means. At best you will have been discharged from your specialist with a leaflet and some unhelpful advice.
Once you are diagnosed there’s a kind of grieving period to go through. it's perfectly normal for you to mourn the loss of the active and busy life you once had whilst you adjust to your diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. Go easy on yourself during this adjustment period and start learning to say no to people demanding your time and energy.
Diagnosis makes things very final and it’s a two edged sword. On the one hand it’s a huge relief to finally have a name for all your symptoms, which in most cases have gone undiagnosed for years. On the other hand it’s very hard to accept that you will never do many of the things you used to be able to. It means you have this condition for life, there is no cure, only careful management from here on in.
Many of us used to lead very busy fulfilled lives, working six or seven days a week, managing families, we come from all walks of life. Adjusting to a diagnosis takes time, you’ll have good days and bad along the way, but you will find a way through. You may not be able to lead the life you once did, but in time you’ll find new interest and pursuits that you are able to enjoy.
It’s important to remember your life isn’t over, it's just moving in a different direction to the one you hoped to take. During this period you’ll also be breaking the news to family and friends. Many of us found we lost friendships along the way because people don’t understand our illness. Don’t be too rough on them, it's hard to understand something you cannot see and it will take time for them to adjust too.
Allow yourself this time to adjust, cry when you need to, laugh when you can, but most of all hang on in there, this period won’t last forever. In time you’ll start to come to terms with your diagnosis and begin to find new ways forward, new pastimes and hobbies and quite probably new (better understanding) friends.
Join a support group if you have one nearby, they can be a really good source of support and comfort.
Join Fibromyalgia support groups online, through websites like Facebook, or do a Google search and see what's local to you.