I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in the nineties after years of suffering the indignity of connective tissue pain, headaches, severe fatigue, brain fog and several other sometimes debilitating physical and mental problems. I was eventually diagnosed with celiac disease, Graves' disease, Hashimoto's disease and pernicious anemia. There are all autoimmune diseases that though common, are often overlooked. Doctors who at first treated me like a hypochondriac were more than willing to label me with fibromyalgia and put me on anti-depressants, muscle relaxers and other expensive medications instead of looking beyond the horses to see that there were a herd of zebras in my metaphorical corral. Although the fibromyalgia diagnosis wasn't helpful for me, it was not nearly as bad as being accused of hypochondria early on. This affected my relationships with nearly everyone in my life and the taint of that mistake still stains relationships I have with family and friends, who prefer to believe their suspicions about my desire to get well were justified than to admit I was actually quite ill (and could have used their support). I am now writing a book on the destructive impact on a patient of an improper hypochondria diagnosis and would love to hear stories of people who have been through that experience. Even if you haven't been officially diagnosed with hypochondria, perhaps you feel you've been suspected of it and mistreated because of it. Please contact me with your stories at kitkellison at G Mail dot com. Put "hypochondria" in the subject head so I can discern you from spam. Thanks again. We will never be taken seriously as patients unless we stand up for ourselves. Let's do this thing!

Hi my name is Anna, I'm 41 and was diagnoised with Fibro, almost a year ago. I had been very ill, and had several pains which the Drs couldn't figure out. In and out of the ERs. I gess my experience wit being acused of this is at home. I know its annoying hearing me day after day week by week n so on about I HURT!! Truth is I do :-( and I wish someone could genuinly. Understand, and I know it sounds awful but yes I want ur pitty! The. Only one who fully understands is my mom, she also has it. Although mine is a lot worse, I really would lolve sum answers to why.

My son was diagnosed two years ago. It took almost 4 years for a diagnosis. I had to beg a local children's hospital to evaluate him because his pediatrics group refused to refer him. He was unable to walk some days and had severe pain in his breast bone area. A doctor said in front of him that she felt there was no way that his pain was "real" and I noticed her look at the other doctors and make faces like here we go again. His pain started after he had his appendix out in 2005. He was only 6 years old. He finally got referred to physical therapy, counseling and chiropractor. These things have helped build up his stamina and he was finally able to play baseball again last year. He still deals with chronic pain and occasional chronic fatigue but it is not as severe. His fine motor issues have gotten worse and he drops things frequently and has trouble tying his shoes . He was very coordinated and strong before this surgery. He has or has had most of the symptoms listed on this site. No prescription meds have helped him. Massage (light) seems to help also. It has been a very stressful ordeal for him and us. Feel so helpless, so unfair. Doesn't seem to be any experts in this field. Our confidence in the medical community is very low.