Patient Education about Fibromyalgia

Patient education is very important. You are not likely to make long term life changes unless you understand why you must make those changes.

Learning everything you can about your illness and it’s symptoms or co-illnesses is an important first step in helping you understand and cope with the disease and its diverse symptoms.

You will need to get this information from multiple sources. Unfortunately, not all physicians are intimately acquainted with the subtle and unpredictable aspects of this illness. Therefore, community hospital support groups and the local chapters of the Arthritis Foundation have become important educational resources for patients and their doctors.

The 'Arthritis Foundation' is a national voluntary health organization that provides community education through their many local chapters. Community hospital support groups also provide an arena for patients to share their experiences and treatment successes and failures.

Keep in mind that your doctor cannot possibly tell you everything you need to know in the short period of time he has to see you. Be sure to continue reading and researching until you find a solution. It is out there - so don't give up or believe that you will just have to learn to live with the pain. This book on patient education is an excellent place to start:

"What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia: The Revolutionary Treatment That Can Reverse the Disease"