We’ve carefully selected these blogs because they are actively working to educate, inspire, and empower their readers with frequent updates and high quality information. If you would like to tell us about a blog, nominate them by emailing us at bestblogs@healthline.com!
Think fibromyalgia is all in your head? Think again.
Not only have researchers discovered the physical mechanism that causes the pain associated with fibromyalgia, but proper diagnostic criteria are helping people get treatment and connect them to the larger fibromyalgia community.
An estimated 5 million adults are living with fibromyalgia in the United States alone, a vastly disproportionate number of them being women. For many people with a chronic illness, it’s helpful to know that they are part of a community, to read thoughts and stories that might also apply to them, and to have a friendly voice explain the latest scientific study about their condition.
Here, we present some of the best blogs on the web that are doing just that.
Brainless Blogger
Unlike the name suggests, this blog is anything but brainless. Nikki Albert has fibromyalgia as well as chronic migraines with aura, and many of her posts deal with the complexities of explaining these conditions to other people, as well as maintaining social relationships when your condition makes you often prefer to stay at home.
Nikki also blogs about how her conditions affect her ability to work, a common hurdle for people with complicated and often misunderstood chronic conditions, and distills research through a patient’s perspective.
Tweet her: @Nikki_Albert
Chronic Mom
No, Chronic Mom is not a Dr. Dre reference. It is, however, a great resource for people living with chronic illnesses — fibromyalgia and Lyme disease in particular. The writer behind Chronic Mom first began to develop symptoms after the birth of her son, and received misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis until the root of her health problems was discovered.
She blogs about issues that not only directly affect her, but those that other people living with chronic conditions tend to experience, such as having trouble sleeping, learning to distract yourself from pain, and tips and ideas for self-care.
Chronicles of Fibromyalgia
If you’re looking for someone to emulate, meet Leah Tyler. Yes, she shares the same pain as anyone else with the condition, but that doesn’t mean she’s not dedicated to being fit and healthy.
On her blog, she discusses the ways that “the drug dance,” “incurable fog,” and other effects of fibromyalgia can keep you from the gym — and how to find ways to accommodate them, rather than be beaten by them. That’s not to say that Leah doesn’t occasionally falter, but she always has the strength to pick herself up and keep going.
Tweet Leah: @leahtylerwriter
Counting My Spoons
Julie Ryan is a self-professed “spoonie,” or someone living with an invisible illness, as fibromyalgia tends to be. On her blog, you’ll find out about the latest studies that are recruiting subjects, read book reviews, hear about product giveaways, and get a wealth of information to help better your understanding of fibromyalgia.
Julie also addresses the challenges of staying positive when you have chronic pain, and of finding doctors who will take it seriously. She regularly spotlights “Fibromyalgia Warriors,” saluting other people who have the condition and are finding ways to take control of it.
Tweet her: @drunkitty2000
Cranky Fibro Girl
If you like a little snark, Jenny Ryan, a.k.a. Cranky Fibro Girl, should be your fibromyalgia blogger BFF. Jenny uses the “healing power of snark” to talk honestly and openly about how being diagnosed with fibromyalgia has impacted her life.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or a veteran of the condition, the descriptions of her experiences and encounters will leave you either intrigued, rolling over with laughter, or mouth wide open in surprise. (Or all three!) Check out her post about her complicated relationship with her neighbor. Pure gold.
Tweet Jenny: @CrankyFibroGirl
Fed up with Fatigue
If you don’t have time to keep up with all the latest fibromyalgia news, Donna distills it down for you each week. And much like the name suggests, she isn’t afraid to tackle the frustrations that come with having a chronic illness.
Donna shares tips for reducing and managing fibromyalgia pain, talks about her experiences going gluten-free, and discusses the research and evidence for new treatments, like cannabis.
Tweet her: @fedupfatigue
Fibro and Fabulous
Because she was already a writer and author, it was only natural that writing would become part of Kimberley Linstruth-Beckom’s therapy after she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2005.
Whether she’s doing the writing or welcoming guest bloggers, her website contains a trove of information particularly regarding the importance of maintaining a healthy diet when you suffer from fibromyalgia. And if you’re an animal lover, you’re in for a treat, because Kimberley is also known to post plenty of photos of her dogs and cat!
Tweet her: @KimberleyLB
Fibro Daily
Trustworthy information isn’t always plentiful on the Internet, so Fibro Daily is a vital resource for people at any stage of their condition. More than just a blog, the online resource has regularly updated sections that help people make sense of their diagnosis, treatments, and symptoms, like how to tell the difference between symptoms of fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis.
There are also posts about diet, and they cover the latest news on research and therapies. If you’re looking for an all-in-one resource for your fibromyalgia, Fibro Daily is where it’s at!
Tweet them: @FibroDaily
The FibroFrog
One of the things Amy Mullholand loved before being diagnosed with fibromyalgia was cooking. It brought her great joy, and she describes the pride of being able to cook again on her blog. She also posts links to studies that are actively recruiting fibromyalgia patients, an important step for people seeking better treatments for their condition.
Make sure to check out her post on the catch-22s of a pain flare-up, like being unable to keep up with daily chores and then being forced to play catch up when you’re feeling better.
Tweet her: @jaammull
Infinite Daze
Not everyone loves a hot shower. When you have fibromyalgia, it can leave you feeling wiped out, and even the act of combing your hair can make your muscles ache.
Besides listing common frustrations, Infinite Daze tackles the latest news about treatments as well as complicated research papers, distilling them into a language that real people can understand. She also writes candidly about the way language is used when describing certain conditions, especially regarding women’s bodies, cautioning readers to be mindful when people try to convince them they need certain treatments or detoxes.
Learning to Balance Life Changes
People with fibromyalgia are often told they “don’t look sick,” an issue that Deborah Bolton addresses regularly here, along with what it’s like to not just feel like you’re missing out on things because of your chronic pain, but also the guilt that comes with it.
Her approach is to tackle these feelings, as well as whatever else life brings her way, with baby steps. From organizing your shoes, to buying a new home, she advocates for making and responding to change step by step, rather than putting it off and being forced to deal with a greater load another day. If figuring out a plan of attack is a common issue for you, this is the blog for you.
My Foggy Brain
When you have a chronic pain condition like fibromyalgia, your brain can feel cloudier than a cold, winter day. Despite having fibromyalgia, depression, and ADHD, Tamiko’s writing has a sunny disposition.
Instead of focusing on the negatives, she turns negative experiences into positive ones, looking for opportunities to be thankful – for the people in her life, for the visitors to her blog, and more. She also features guest posts, like one from Josh Rivedal, executive director of The i’Mpossible Project, which covers the benefits and importance of simply being open and talking about your condition.
Tweet her: @myfoggybrain
Painfully Aware
Getting effective treatment for fibromyalgia can be, well, a pain. And Anna at Painfully Aware is painfully aware of this.
From trying to recover lost energy to mitochondrial enhancers, her blog runs the gamut of topics related to fibromyalgia and similar chronic conditions. Her tips for planning a wedding with a chronic illness — like learning to delegate, planning ahead, and tasking a bridesmaid with an “emergency kit” — are ones not to miss.
Seeking Equilibrium
Life is about balance. When fibromyalgia pain strikes, Rosemary Lee tries to find humor in everyday life. A challenge, yes, but so is chronic pain.
Her blog is a mix of humorous musings about her own life with fibromyalgia, as well as a hard look into new therapies and research. Her post on the problems associated with coming off Cymbalta and Savella is a must-read for anyone who has been prescribed these drugs and wants to be as informed as possible before taking them.
Tweet her: @skippylee
Let us know about other great fibromyalgia blogs by contacting us at bestblogs@healthline.com.
