BERE GROVE CARE HOME PUTS FIBROMYALGIA ON THE MAP LOCALLY
Bere Grove Care Home, Gales Rise, Horndean, helping to make Fibromyalgia visible to the community by hosting the first local Fibromyalgia Support Group and then regularly on the second Thursday of the month 1-3pm.
Many people are still not aware of Fibromyalgia and the devastating impact it can have on peoples’ lives and their families. Currently in Britain are over 2.5million suffers. It is estimated that 2%-4% of the population are suffering with Fibromyalgia, spending years suffering with widespread chronic pain and fatigue whilst still waiting on a diagnosis.
Fibromyalgia is a long-term, chronic condition characterised by having amplified widespread, fluctuating musculoskeletal pain, accompanied by fatigue, sleep issues, cognitive difficulties, followed by a variety of other symptoms which vary from one patient to another depending on causation. There are many reasons as to why people have Fibromyalgia. It is considered to be either hereditary, trauma to the body following a car accident, sporting injury, surgery, repetitive injuries, following a previous infection or illness or an emotional/mental trauma.
Fibromyalgia is more prevalent in women then it is in men due to complications and the intense stress that is placed on a women’s body, when giving birth. Because the symptoms vary in intensity, the day-to-day planning of work and daily life can be extremely difficult. The feeling of letting people down can add to the frustration and stress which only exacerbate the condition. Not understanding why this is happening can lead to a sense of guilt and worry about possible causes for the sufferer, and the anxiety that follows because of the misunderstanding of the condition by employers, family members and friends.
People who suffer with Fibromyalgia often feel isolated, because there isn’t enough education or support from within the medical profession, so to help combat the isolation and stigma that Fibromyalgia patients still endure, Marcella Payne, who is a sufferer herself working alongside Fibromyalgia Action UK, has set up a local support group based at Bere Grove Care Home, so suffers, friends and family can share experiences and reduce the feeling of isolation, feel more positive and be proactive, knowing they are not alone!
Graham Allen, General Manager at Bere Grove Care Home said: “We are delighted to support the local Fibromyalgia group by providing a welcoming space for people to come together, share experiences and support one another. Community connections are incredibly important to us, and we look forward to hosting the group again on the second Thursday every month”.