Did you know that in 2017 Lady Gaga abruptly canceled her concert in Brazil? Her reason? Fibromyalgia. In this blog, we will explain why wearing a medical bracelet may help others understand your condition better and how it may help you get the right treatment in an emergency.

But first ... What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a long term chronic rheumatic condition characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain throughout the body accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Symptoms can vary from person to person, some of which include:

• Increased sensitivity to pain
• Stiff muscles
• Difficulty sleeping (fatigue)
• Memory issues or difficulty concentrating
• Headaches
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Low mood

The exact cause for fibromyalgia is unknown, but many researchers believe it is linked to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes in the way the central nervous system processes pain signals throughout the body. In many cases, this condition appears to be triggered by things that are physical or emotional, such as an injury, an infection, or stress. Read more about fibromyalgia at mayoclinic.org

Do I need a medical bracelet if I have fibromyalgia?

Diagnosing fibromyalgia can be difficult as there’s no specific test to diagnose the condition. And the symptoms are like those of several other conditions. Therefore, it is usually the last diagnosis once everything else has been ruled out.

Medical jewellery quickly alerts first responders of your condition and other medical conditions that may or may not be associated with it. Medical professionals are trained to look for a medical ID tag, so a bracelet or a necklace would be ideal as they are worn at your pulse points. Here are three things to think about:

Be wary of flare-ups.

Chronic pain alone is enough to send you to the emergency room, but if you’re diagnosed with fibromyalgia, you are at extra risk of flares or flare ups. Flares can cause intense pain, and they can happen at any time or place. Physical and emotional stress are the most common triggers of fibromyalgia flares, but they can also be caused by poor sleep, changes in the weather, and hormone imbalances.

This is why a medical ID is recommended for fibromyalgia as wearing such jewellery can alert first responders and other health professionals of your fibromyalgia and get you the right treatment when needed.

Chronic fatigue syndrome.

When it comes to chronic pain and fatigue, some immediately think they have fibromyalgia, but these two symptoms are also known in chronic fatigue syndrome. It’s common to mistake the two, but the key difference is that in fibromyalgia, fatigue often takes the backseat to debilitating muscle pain, whereas in chronic fatigue syndrome, people often have an overwhelming lack of energy.

A medical bracelet can help clarify which diagnosis you have, prevent unwanted drug interactions, and ensure that you get the help that you need – even if you are unconscious or unable to speak.

An invisible illness.

Living with fibromyalgia means to live with chronic pain without knowing the reason. It is only after you are diagnosed with fibromyalgia that you know the reason for your pain. For this reason, fibromyalgia is considered an invisible illness.

A medical ID can easily inform first responders or other medical professionals of this condition and if a patient is under fibromyalgia medication. It makes it much easier to “communicate the invisible”.

What should I engrave on my fibromyalgia medical bracelet?

Your bracelet can include important medical information such as your medical condition (fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome), details of any medication and contact details in case of emergency. This ensures you receive the right treatment when needed, while keeping in touch with your family.

As a guideline, your bracelet should say “Fibromyalgia”, so your symptoms are easily recognised and not mistaken for something else. You could also include your name or emergency contact information so your family can be notified of what has happened and advise doctors on your behalf. Equally, you can include information on any prescribed medications you may take, such as gabapentin. This will tell doctors not to give you anything that may react negatively to this medication. But what you engrave is a personal choice and you can reveal as many details as you wish.

If the text is clear and understandable, it can be discreet or stylised. Our jewellery is designed to be attractive and personalised so you get an item that you will wear.

Have a browse of our medical bracelets or necklaces to decide which one suits your style the best. 

Where can I go for more support?

Around 2% of the UK population currently live with fibromyalgia, so it’s important to remember that you are not alone. This condition can affect men, women, and children of all ages. With this invisible illness, it’s so important to connect with others through local support groups and read about others experiences.

Physiotherapy is an effective method of treatment that will help relieve some of the symptoms you experience from fibromyalgia. The main aims of physiotherapy are to reduce pain and stiffness using a combination of strategies.

Lynn talks about the importance of physiotherapy whilst living with fibromyalgia. “Exercise is so important. But don’t just go and exercise, you need to see a physiotherapist or a gym instructor. Doing the wrong exercises can be harmful as doing nothing. Make yourself keep walking, cause when you stop it’s so difficult to get going again” - Lynn. Have a read of Lynn’s story.

Since anxiety and stress exacerbate fibromyalgia, talking to a therapist may help you to relax your mind. Through counselling, you can find what reinforces your pain through your usual thoughts and habits. Have a read about more self-help tips you can try.

John’s story shows how you can get the best quality of life through proper management.

Daryl’s story talks about how connecting with others made it easier to live with fibromyalgia.

And Kara’s story shares how she deals with chronic fibromyalgia pain.

In addition to exercise, maintaining a healthy diet can help with your fibromyalgia symptoms. Candace explains how recognising certain triggers in her diet and removing them has helped improve her energy levels and lessen her pain.

Find support at painuk.org

Find support and grants at fibro.org.uk

Read more on people’s experiences with fibromyalgia.

So in conclusion, wearing a medical bracelet for your fibromyalgia can help inform others of your invisible condition. You can choose your own style, design and engraving to let others know how to help you in an emergency. Equally, your friends and family members will feel reassured knowing they can keep in contact with you.

If you need any help designing the engraving text for your medical bracelet for fibromyalgia, or how to choose the right style for you, just get in touch.

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