Hello!

     I'm going to start off this blog with a short definition of what fibromyalgia is according to the National Library of Medicine:

Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome in which a person has long-term, body-wide pain and tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Fibromyalgia has also been linked to fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, depression, and anxiety.

So, there's a basic medical idea of fibromyalgia.

     Now, why am I called a Spoonie? Well, that would be because of Christine Miserandino's Spoon Theory. Originally, Ms. Miserandino used this theory to describe her experience with lupus, but many with chronic illnesses have adopted this idea to better explain their pain and suffering to more able-bodied people.

A little on myself:
     My name is Shannon, I've been suffering from chronic pain and fatigue since I was 11. For three years, I was tested continuously for lupus, then diagnosed with juvenile arthritis and chronic migraine syndrome. I had that diagnoses up until May 2012, after coming home from studying abroad. I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

     I'm very quiet in terms of my health, I don't like making a big fuss. My mother often forgets I have a chronic illness because I don't complain. It wasn't until my last semester of college that anyone from school outside of my roommates knew I suffered, as I made my senior thesis show about my condition.

     I hope to make this blog to reach out to the fibro community and to help find and spread information and become a resource for others.

Regards,
Shannon G.