You are much more than your diagnosis! Let’s explore that a bit.

I think that most of us experienced our fibromyalgia symptoms long before we finally got a diagnosis, some of us for years. We wondered what was wrong with us, and really weren’t sure we wanted to know. When our diagnosis finally came, we greeted it with very mixed feelings. Denial, because we did NOT want this! Acceptance, because we FINALLY knew what was wrong and the pain was not all in our head. A kind of a lose/lose situation, would you agree?

But underneath all the pain, and never-ending fatigue, there is still an amazing person. You are still worthy of love, you still have a purpose, and you can still make a difference in the world. You have gifts and talents that you can use to bless others.

You may have FM, but you are not FM. Your diagnosis is only one dimension of the multi-faceted person that you are. You are a survivor, a warrior, and you have a legacy to leave to future generations. You may be “disabled” but you are not “unable.” You can accomplish great things even if it’s from your bed, or for short periods of time.

Yes, we all have a “new normal.” We all get to the point of acceptance in different ways, and by different time tables, and that’s perfectly normal. Sometimes we want to share our diagnosis with friends and family, and sometimes we just want to sit with it awhile before sharing it with anyone. It takes a brave person, like you, to share that diagnosis with others, mostly because we have no idea how they will react or respond to us going forward.

You may not be able to do some of the things you used to, but you’re still capable of great things. Don’t sell yourself short and don’t allow others to either. For some, it may be the first time we ever stood up for ourselves. It may seem selfish, initially, but it’s really important to give our health priority, more than ever before. We are here to help you navigate this and be a source of support!!

A book you might find helpful, even though it deals with a different diagnosis, is: “Defining the New Normal: A Guide to Becoming More Than Your Diagnosis,” by Colleen Brunetti .

How do you define and navigate your life, post-diagnosis?

Note: Fibromyalgia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Fibromyalgia News Today, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to fibromyalgia.