Fibromyalgia Support Group

Has anyone had any experience going to face to face fibromyalgia groups? I've been going to one for quite sometime. At one point I stopped because it made me feel hopeless. I thought going tonight after my inpatient visit (it was recommended actually) would be good, but tonight I just felt depressed.

There was one guy raving on and on about a juice that cures his body and joint pain, and another girl talking about how she might have it but thinks she just pulled her shoulder, everyone else seems like they are on disability and carefree, and I was just feeling hopeless. I told them that and they told me that it was ok because I was young and may find a cure in my lifetime.

I know they were trying to help, but I still felt like...I don't know. This disease just makes me feel hopeless. I don't feel like I'm making progress. It's like running into a brick wall over and over.

I'm close with the support group leader, and she knows about my inpatient visit so she let me go early and understood because I was anxious. Another lady feels like I do an we're going to start getting together.

Has anyone else ever experienced this?

Brandi, I have to say, it sounds kind of like you had a miserable experience. You said you've been going for a while, is this the first time it made you feel worse? If it is, I would consider it an anomaly and go back when you feel up to it.

On the other hand, not all support groups are created equal. I've been in some that I loved going to and meeting with the people and making friends, and others that I just felt like a fish out of water in.

If you're feeling like this all the time, you might want to check into other brick and mortar groups. Maybe this one just isn't right for you. Since you're close with the group leader, she should be more than happy to help you find a group that better suits you.

Don't drink the juice! It could be a cult thing disguised as a support group. LOL JK

Brandi, I'm sorry you felt so out of sorts with your group tonight. Perhaps, as Tina said, go back when you feel like it and see how it goes. If you still feel the same, then I would say it's probably time to find or create a new group.

Larry, I hope you're not here for the express purpose of trying to sell us stuff. Even the best fibro treatments don't work for everyone and I wouldn't want people to get their hopes up.

Stacey! ROFLAMO!!! Good one!

If people think juice can cure Fibro the illness with no cure then I have some V8 and the Brooklyn Bridge up for grabs.

Yeah checked his profile and links to the magical juice. He is here to "heal" others.

LOL! Stacey you are a trip. I mean this guy was really going on and saying his wife tried it and she had this poor look on her face like "uh-huh, sure..."

I don't think it's the group. I've had great times there. Some days it's just seeing other people suffering and in older age it just...get's to me. I have been depressed all day anyways though, so I'll still give it a shot the next go a round. I'm just in a funk today

Oh, and I think surprisingly, this is the ONLY one in Orlando area. Considering the size of the city it's a bit ridiculous....

Brandi, sorry you did not have a good experience at this group. I have several thoughts about it and would like to share them with you. First of all, its hard when you are face to face with people who you may not have alot in common with except your FMS. If they are mostly not working, many issues may be different. If they have FMS much worse than you, then again, different issues. When your on line, you can "tune in and out" of the conversations. YOu can offer support, but then move on to he next. YOu can't do that when you are IN group. Another thing is that when you are sitting with others, I think it makes many of our fears more real. Here on line, there are no faces, no raw emotion, no physical connection to the pain someone else is feeling. When you are sitting there, its a different story.

Perhaps you and the other person that share mutual opinion about this group can make another that have persons with more in common, therefore sharing like experiences. Its hard to though unless it is MEANT for a specific demographic. If not, then you get the same "hodge-podge" of people, with disconnected issues except for the fibro.

I think heading a new group is a wonderful idea though. I wish you luck with that and all your ventures. I hope you are feeling better and continue to do so. Hugs to you!!