Fibromyalgia? You don't have to go through it alone

Angele Kesek no longer calls it “my” fibromyalgia. She now calls it “the” fibromyalgia.

That's because she no longer suffers alone — she is part of Sudbury's Fibromyalgia Support Group. Every week, she meets with others who suffer from the disease and together, they discuss ways to cope.

“I'm not there to cry about it,” she said. “I want information.”

From 1-4 p.m. on May 11, the community is invited to learn more at Sudbury's International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day Extravaganza, dubbed IFADE, at Theatre Cambrian.

According to arthritis.ca, fibromyalgia affects about two per cent of Canadians.

While there is no known cause for it, fibromyalgia can be triggered by an illness, a traumatic incident or a stressful, emotional experience. Symptoms include fatigue, pain, swelling, bruising and mental fatigue sometimes referred to as “fibro-fog.”

Janet Lewis said it's a real pain. The unpredictability of the disease makes it impossible for her to hold down a full-time job. Sometimes it's so debilitating, it's hard for her to get out of bed. When she first discovered the support group, she was elated.

“There was more people just like me here,” she said.

Since she began attending sessions with the group, she's been able to help many others.

Upon being diagnosed, Lewis had the opportunity to meet a women who called fibromyalgia “a death sentence.”

Upon attending the support groups, which meets the second Wednesday of the month from noon to 2 p.m., and the fourth Wednesday of the month from 6-8 p.m. at 720 Balmoral, as well as on Facebook, she, too, has learned to deal with the disease and make the best of it.

Anyone looking for more information on the disease or looking to reach out is encouraged to attend the extravaganza.

On top of information, there is an extensive penny table, silent auction and prize list, as well as demonstrations, musical entertainment, a 50/50 draw and goodies. For more information, search IFADE Sudbury on Facebook.

All of the proceeds raised at the event will help the support group publish a brochure letting people with fibromyalgia learn about their options.