From a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Press Release about findings being presented at the International Congress of Neuroendocrinology June 19-22, 2006:

Stressful or traumatic events experienced during pregnancy can have long-lasting effects on the fetus, yet these effects may not become apparent until many years later, according to a study suggesting that girls born of such pregnancies may be at greater risk for developing a painful muscle condition called fibromyalgia as adults.

The details sound very much like recent findings regarding abnormalities in reactions to stressors in chronic fatique sufferers. That could lend credence to those who believe fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are related conditions.

How do you explain your illness to those who don’t have it?

While I haven’t come up with a good way to explain chronic fatigue syndrome, I describe fibromyalgia as a full-body migraine. Anyone who has ever had a migraine understands immediately, and most people at least know someone who does have disabling migraines.

If someone wants more info, I can go on about the fact that fibromyalgia is a neurological disorder and talk about recent research. If they’re really curious, I can hand them a paper I wrote.

Help me out here, please? What’s the best brief, “gets to them” description you know of for your chronic illness?

I’ll record episode 3 as soon as my sound tech (aka Sam, my partner) is available.

Right now, though, I’m in the mood to plump up my blogroll. Suggest other blogs and podcasts about fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, or chronic illness, please! What are your favorites? Do you have one yourself? Tell me about it!

It’s a word that I made up, combining “vibrant” and “fibromyalgia.” A fibrant life is one that is well-rounded, balanced, as healthy as possible, and has more joy than pain in it. The goal of this blog and podcast is to spread fibrancy and to support each other in maintaining our fibrant lives.

I hope you’ll join me as share what I’ve learned and experienced in my 14 years of living with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. I’m committed to learning more, and to reach out to find as many other people as possible who have something to share as guest bloggers and interviewees on the podcast. I hope to hear from people who have chronic illnesses, friends, family members, and caregivers of those with chronic illnesses, and professionals who have special insights for us.

Namaste,
 Cyn