May is Fibromyalgia Awareness Month. It’s a relatively common condition according to The Arthritis Society of Canada, affecting 2 per cent of Canadians. Yet many are unaware of what it entails.

Jessica Bergman, a Morden resident diagnosed with the condition in 2015, has been dealing with a decade of crippling muscle pain, fatigue, memory loss, insomnia, stomach issues and numerous hospital visits. Though invisible, it causes pain throughout the body, similar to Lyme disease.

Bergman has found various ways of dealing with symptoms that are getting progressively worse.

“Massage and chiro[practic therapy] really helped my body relax to sleep at least a couple hours at a time. Clean eating helps with the stomach issues, cutting out sugar and stuff like that. I know there's a stigma around medicinal cannabis, but that together with deep stretching really helps ease muscle pain and headaches. Breathing exercises really helped me relax and clear the brain fog. I've also recently been blessed to be connected with a home care service here in Morden.”

Bergman says that for 10 years doctors would often tell her that the pain was ‘all in her head.’ She shares that this led to her developing a sense of shame about her physical pain, a shame that has permeated every aspect of her life. She adds it’s a factor that is firmly attached to this invisible condition.

At the age of 26, at a time when most women her age are enjoying an active lifestyle, Bergman began using a walker, an aid that now she can't do without. She says dealing with the debilitating symptoms has changed her life.

“The career that I went to school for and worked hard to attain - it's gone. A lot of my relationships are over. Honestly, I have struggled, especially as things have gotten worse in the last years, with finding meaning in life. And I've asked God, ‘Why won't you heal me and what could possibly be the purpose?’ For me,” Bergman adds, “living like this and speaking about it, maybe I can help somebody else come forward and get the help that they need.”

The Society says Fibromyalgia affects primarily women but is also seen in men, teenagers and children. Doctors are unsure what causes the condition.

Bergman believes her experience can provide a measure of hope for others suffering from the condition.

“Just remember that you know the most about how you feel, so it's important to speak to your doctors with this in mind. Be brave in suggesting certain treatments that you think might help you or a suggested medicine isn't going to help or if you're not comfortable with it. It's also good to ask lots of questions from your doctors and do lots of research. I know that there isn't a cure for Fibromyalgia yet, but maybe we can be part of changing that.’

The Society has found that women are more likely to develop Fibromyalgia than are men. While there is no cure, a variety of medications can help control symptoms.

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