title: Individuals' descriptions of living with fibromyalgia.
abstract: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome with no known etiology, cure, prognosis, or clear diagnostic criteria. This interpretive descriptive study was focused on the experience of living with FM. Using a constant comparative inductive analytic method, the researcher collected and analyzed data from in-depth, semistructured interviews with eight participants. This study's findings offer insights into the experience of living with and managing FM and identify social, policy, and health care issues that profoundly affect those suffering from it. Participants believe that people with FM would benefit if more health care professionals, as well as family and friends, would validate their condition and provide them with better support. More research could clarify ways in which health care providers may provide more effective interventions, appropriate care, and ongoing support for those affected with FM.
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: Margaret Mui
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jillings
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012380:Role; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires