A Moray support group for sufferers of a hidden condition that is estimated to affect nearly one in 20 people celebrated their five year anniversary this week.
The Lossiemouth Fibromyalgia Support Group consists of 15 regular members from throughout the region who meet up once a month for a cup of tea and a chat.
It is seen as a lifeline for many of the sufferers who feel that they cannot talk about their condition with anyone else, as it is very hard to understand.
For one of the founding members Susan Sutherland, the group was vital for her when she was at her lowest ebb.
She said: “The group has helped me because I was suicidal when I first had fibro, I had nobody to speak to, I didn’t know what the heck was going on or nothing.
“It was actually Fiona who phoned me and said, look we are thinking of starting up a group and the group of us got together, and it was the best thing I’ve ever done. Every month I look forward coming down to speak to everyone and to help everybody.”
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body and also causes other symptoms such as fatigue, muscle stiffness and problems with mental processes – known as “fibro-fog” – like memory and concentration.
The exact cause of the illness is unknown but it’s thought to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes in the way the central nervous system processes pain messages throughout the body.
It affects women more than men and often goes undiagnosed because its symptoms can be similar to a number of other conditions.
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The Lossiemouth Fibromyalgia Support Group was founded five years ago by Mrs Sutherland, Fiona Campbell and Karen McSheffrey and has grown substantially.
Mrs McSheffrey hailed the group as vital for all of its members.
She said: “The group has helped tremendously as we come in and we can have a good moan and a good laugh and support one another.
“We form friendships and can lift the phone to speak to somebody who knows what you are going and can understand what you are feeling and where you are coming from without being judgemental.”
The group meet on the last Wednesday of every month at Lossiemouth FC Social Club and are open to not only sufferers of fibromyalgia but also family members and carers of those with the disease.