You're lucky. It's a difficult condition to live with. I've improved my condition through a healthier diet and less stress, but it's still a huge impediment, particularly in changeable weather

@TheoryNumber3

I went to the National Fibromyalgia Foundation conference in 1996 in Portland, Oregon. I could sense enormous pain and depression in the room.

So I looked around the room for fit, healthy women like me. Six of those women lived near me. We became a support group and shared what worked for us.

I found a Tai Chi teacher. Coordinated classes. Tai Chi helped me tremendously. It's a moving meditation.

@LiterateHiker Yes,I agree. The support groups are very helpful. We have various groups in the Chgo area, but like you, I found them very depressing. When my fibro was at its worst, I did Qi Gong classes on a regular basis. It's also very beneficial for pain management. I really should start doing that again. It's good for mind and body.

Ii agree. I too have fewer problems during the warmer months.

Agreed! All artificially modified sweeteners, actually, like Splenda.

Yes... I cut out all of that several years ago. I switched to a plant based diet, cut out sugar and white flour too. I use Stevia Liquid exclusively as a sweetener. The Stevia sold in most stores has additional ingredients that can be harmful. I don't have nearly as much pain, but I still have the effects of weather changes

I'm not sure why they can't replicate the results in studies, other than perhaps the wide range of symptoms in fibromyalgia patients making it difficult to pin down. Arthritis sufferers have complained of the same thing for over 100 years and no one debates them on it. I often think it's because of the bias of people not "believing" in fibromyalgia, something I've lived with for over 40 years now.

@Lauren Maybe it's because it's not something they can observe and measure. With arthritis, they can see the swelling and decreased range of motion. With fibromyalgia, the diagnosis is generally based on the testimony of the patient, which is anecdotal and not really clinically measurable, at least to my knowledge.