Do you say Fibro is an illness, condition, disability, disease or do you use any other words?
I personally say Fibro is a condition.
To me cancer is an illness for example, Fibro is a condition and an amputee is a disability, and HIV is a disease. there are of course other examples but I never use illness or disability to describe my Fibro. What does everyone else do/say/think?
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an illness, injury, or condition that makes it difficult for someone to do some things that other people do, and that is usually permanent or lasts for a long time
but fibromyalgia is not a disability in itself but can cause people to become disabled. There are many with fibro that are not or would not consider themselves disabled. Cataracts will cause disability but are not a disability until they disable you. They can even be fixed before they become a disability hence the disconnect from the "condition" and disability.
I would say all but disability are the same thing and synonyms really. You can get into a philosophical or semantic discussion very quickly when talking about this. Add in syndrome, and disorder for good measure.
Disability is a consequence and describes a lack of ability to do things and more often than not is a function of benefits systems or measures to gain access to things. I adapt my language constantly and one of my early changes within the charity and fibro community language was to deprecate syndrome as it was getting in the way of discussions. It is still valid but as awareness has increased it is less needed in casual conversation.
"a disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that has a known cause and a distinctive group of symptoms, signs, or anatomical changes."
I have bolded two parts that make disease less applicable to fibromyalgia. However, this language is conditional. The rest is all correct.
I don't really have a favourite name for it but it is interesting that the medical professionals I have dealings with use different terms.
My GP calls it a "condition" but my endocrinologist calls it a "disease" (and is quite vociferous that Rheumatologists have no business meddling with it).
I feel (but may be wrong) that "condition" or "syndrome" have a bit of a defeatist ring to them, describing something that can be treated but not cured.
"Disease" or "illness" are terms that seem, to me, to imply curability...eventually.
"Disability" is the physical or mental state we find ourselves in due to the "thing" we are suffering from.
I think I might have talked myself into deciding on "condition".
Oh my goodness! Your Endocrinologist sounds very interesting. (I hope I shall find time to google what that medical speciality entails.) I was always puzzled by being sent to a Rheumatology clinic. Oh well! ...This b..y disabling condition jut keeps on giving doesn't it!
Aren't there! I am really intrigued by Carlt's comment about his endocrinologist's view of fibro! I also look at the Health Rising website too when I have time.
I call it a condition but when it becomes a major cause of immobility, then it becomes a disability. For instance, when you can't get dressed, do simple household chores, walk without support. That's a disability.
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