National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day Finds Patients Struggling to Cope with Their Disease

Survey from National Fibromyalgia Association and American Pain Foundation released on reveals impact of fibromyalgia on patients’ quality of life.

Survey results released by the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) and American Pain Foundation (APF) reveal “the debilitating effects of diagnosed or undiagnosed fibromyalgia or other chronic pain conditions on the lives of sufferers.”

A news release from the APF explained that the survey “survey looked at the impact that living with a chronic pain condition, such as fibromyalgia, can have on everyday tasks, parenting, relationships and life decisions.” The online survey was completed by 3,018 people living with diagnosed or undiagnosed fibromyalgia or other chronic pain conditions (including 2,559 people diagnosed with fibromyalgia).

Survey findings include:

• Nearly 90% of respondents said that “they are no longer the person they were before they started living with chronic pain”
• 92% reported that “their pain condition has had a significant impact on their major life decisions” involving their work, level of physical activity, and personal relationships
• 68% reported that the pain they experience limits their ability to care for their family
• 95% of respondents who have children reported that the effects of pain from the condition “affects at least one of their parenting duties,” including engaging in physical activities and play with their children, performing daily childcare responsibilities, and managing their children’s schedules and activities
• 98% of respondents “reported they have implemented some type of adaptation to their daily routine in order to conduct activities and tasks despite their pain condition;” three-quarters (75%) have made three or more daily adjustments, including reduced physical activity, asking for more help from family and friends, and performing fewer daily household chores

Half of survey respondents also reported that “not being able to be there for their partner, spouse, or family” was a primary reason for seeing a health care provider about their pain. On average, patients consulted with four types of physician specialists over the course of three years between first experiencing symptoms and receiving a diagnosis of their condition.