Fibro category : Do you say Fibro is an... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

Fibromyalgia Action UK

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Fibro category

Scooterz2 profile image
14 Replies

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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Scooterz2
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14 Replies
Hazel_Angelstar profile image
Hazel_AngelstarAdministratorFMA UK Staff

It depends who/situation I'm talking in - but mostly describe it as a chronic health condition.

Bananas5 profile image
Bananas5

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

disability

desquinn profile image
desquinnPartnerVolunteerFMAUK Trustee in reply toBananas5

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.

Bananas5 profile image
Bananas5 in reply todesquinn

It does say ' at is usually permanent or lasts for a long time'

any people do not like the word....disabled' as it akes the stand out fro the crowd. That is how we are...pack creatures.

and no one want to be different.

Accepting is all part of being able to deal with ut.

I a blind and I know that but wasn't born that way.

Blind people have changed wording to sight ipaired. Hate it

Sorry...keyboard ignores certin letters

Not a short person but vertically challenged""""""

x

desquinn profile image
desquinnPartnerVolunteerFMAUK Trustee

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.

desquinn profile image
desquinnPartnerVolunteerFMAUK Trustee in reply todesquinn

Reply to myself to add the definition of disease

"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.

Carlt profile image
Carlt

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".

KimiJay profile image
KimiJay in reply toCarlt

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!

fibo profile image
fibo

Hi I would say it's a disabling as I have been unable to walk for years so have this last year I bought an powered chair as the walking has got worse

Responsable profile image
Responsable

I'm with you - it definitely is a condition.

lola1956 profile image
lola1956

I would say disabled as fibromyalgia is very disabling and can and did leave me disabled unfortunately

Scooterz2 profile image
Scooterz2

some really interesting views here, and terms we use when discussing our Fibro.

KimiJay profile image
KimiJay in reply toScooterz2

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.

MaggieSylvie profile image
MaggieSylvie

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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