If you've never had a flare, then you are one of the few lucky ones. It's really hard to describe it, and it's a bit different for everyone, but for me, it is the pain "blowing up" so to speak, it's much worse, and none of my pain meds will even begin to take the edge off of it, and I'm on some heavy-duty meds. When I'm not in a flare, the meds will bring my pain level down to a 4 or 5 (not even the heaviest pain meds work right on fibromites) but it is down to a place where I can pretty much ignore it and do things without it intruding. When I have a flare, my pain level stays at nearly a 10, and nothing helps for more than a few minutes, not meds, nor hot baths, not a massage, in fact a massage almost KILLS when you're in a flare. None of the usual things that help when you're not flaring help now. Also, in a flare, every symptom that you occasionally have will be there at once...in my case, IBS, migraine, insomnia, muscle cramping (charley horse) arthritis symptoms, muscle symptoms (body wide), tender point inflammation, and worst of all, the brain fog becomes overwhelming. I just had to look up 3 words while writing this, including insomnia, as I kept wanting to write...?? Now I can't remember that either. I also have to keep back-spacing, and I will have to spell check this (if I remember to) before I send it off. Also, due to the brain fog, I'm sure I've forgotten to list a few things, even though I can feel them. It's nuts. I'd say we all know what it would feel like to have Alzheimer's, although at least this isn't terminal. Just incredibly annoying. No, much worse than annoying. As I said, consider yourself very lucky if you've never had a flare. If you have one, you will know it beyond a shadow of a doubt.

The sad thing is, that at one time we all used to work like crazy people. So many of us can no longer do it, and it usually is because of the flares. At some point there seems to be no way to force yourself to work during one, and they seem to become worse with time. We all kept on for as long as we could, and some here still manage to keep working. Most of us who don't would give anything to be able to do so once again. I know I loved my job and would give anything to be able to do it again. Then there is the fact that most of us are suddenly so much worse off financially, so I hope this NEVER happens to you. There are a few lucky ones. You could be one of those.

Peace and Love
Caroline