Fibromyalgia & Creativity

Breakthrough by Denise I have had fibromyalgia for 16 years following a whiplash injury from an assault. When I first became ill, I was very frightened and no one could help me, not even

by acknowledging that this was very real and beyond a hysterical reaction. “Shrewdly it spread this pain to my soul, banished my heart and swallowed me whole”

Now I have a better understanding of what is happening and am not quite as frightened. Thus…”Breakthrough”

w w w . p a i n f o u n d a t i o n . o r g 1 - 8 8 8 - 6 1 5 - P A I N

Fibromyalgia – chronic widespread pain – affects more than 6 million people in this country. It is not a well understood condition and cur-rently there is no cure, but once diagnosed, there are treatments that can help. It can be difficult for someone with Fibromyalgia to receive a diagnosis and get treatment. This process can be very frustrating and discouraging and, for many people, there are times when they feel very alone with their pain.

Art has long been a source of comfort, stress relief, and expression and can give “voice” to suffering people who feel unheard. Fibromyalgia and Creativity is a collection of visual and written works of art submitted to the American Pain Foundation by people with Fibromyalgia.

CAREGIVERS

by Lois V. Pike They descend upon us with winged surprise

As if falling stars from faraway skies

Bringing with them gifts sent from above

Unlimited caring, comfort and love.

Who are these magical beings telling jokes?

Who strengthen our spirit and provide us with HOPE

With mighty power, true grit and strength

Easing our burdens, always going to any length.

They come to our aide by just staying true

Following their calling in everything they do.

A most difficult task, as all would agree

To make us feel special and a bit more free.

They suffer in silence while trying their best

To lend compassion, inspiration and zest.

Understanding what is and what is to be

Never feeling sorry for themselves, you or me.

We know them by name, each one apart

They possess pure magic deep within the heart.

Our wonderful caregivers, true to their name

Working for us, they never seem to complain.

U n l o c k t h e M y s t e r y o f

F i b r o m y a l g i a w i t h E d u c a t i o n

b y V . H e s t e r

Millions of people suffer with the pain of Fibromyalgia and yet there are some doctors who still don’t understand it.

Thousands of sufferers go through each day not under-standing why they can barely function. Even those of us who think we understand Fibro, don’t truly know how to handle it. Help us be free to live our lives as you do and unlock the mystery of Fibromyalgia with education for all!!!

Yo Vivia En Esta Casa

by Lillian Aragonés

“When I'm

drawing or

painting it takes

me to another

level where I focus

on creativity

instead of the

pain.”

— Treappling

I cannot take away pain, but I have,

An ear to listen…

A hand to hold…

A heart to share…

Which builds…

A friend who cares.

—Teresa Shafer

CAREGIVERS

by Lois V. Pike They descend upon us with winged surprise

As if falling stars from faraway skies

Bringing with them gifts sent from above

Unlimited caring, comfort and love.

Who are these magical beings telling jokes?

Who strengthen our spirit and provide us with HOPE

With mighty power, true grit and strength

Easing our burdens, always going to any length.

They come to our aide by just staying true

Following their calling in everything they do.

A most difficult task, as all would agree

To make us feel special and a bit more free.

They suffer in silence while trying their best

To lend compassion, inspiration and zest.

Understanding what is and what is to be

Never feeling sorry for themselves, you or me.

We know them by name, each one apart

They possess pure magic deep within the heart.

Our wonderful caregivers, true to their name

Working for us, they never seem to complain.

Pain Angel by sindie14

I look at her and imagine her saying "Oh, you poor thing"

Or perhaps she is singing, maybe even praying for me.

Whatever I want her to be doing.

Whenever I look at her she always brings a smile to my face.

Masquerade by Kat Updike

I feel old today, I cannot pretend to act like nothing is wrong.

My pretend face, my mask does not fit right this morning.

Today is a day to whine and I give myself the permission to complain.

Life with Pain by Elizabeth

This is my representation of the challenges of living with chronic pain. It includes the confusion

and mental fog from all the pills. It also shows the outside things that I think about that affect

my life.

I have had chronic pain since 2001. I now have Fibromyalgia and Sjögren‟s Syndrome.

A friend of mine says, "You don't get it until you got it." So very true.

Endless by Holly The pain is truly Endless...and even though none of us wants it, those of us with Fibromyalgia live with it Endlessly. Every day I wish that I could have free-dom from pain...but it is Endless. My friends and family hear of it, bear with me, support me, but, I'm sure, tire of it, Endlessly. I feel locked behind a closed door, End-lessly entombed, eternally doomed, End-lessly reminded...of pain. My prayer is for the end of pain for all of us who suffer...Endlessly.

Beauty in Life

by Treappling

“I feel like my life has been stolen away from me. I am dependent on my family for daily care giving and am isolated from the „outside‟ world. In my paintings, I express the beauty in what I see.”

I am NOT a non-person by Glenda Dykstra

You cannot tell me a time to be there

Threatening me if I don't show Then making me wait for almost an hour

Just for you I am a person! Human and Proud

My time is important too I hurt and live on my schedule

Yet you do not care I am a non-person to you

Shove me at a student Don't bother you with me

I am not a non-person I refuse your treatment

After I cried all the way home I thought you would help me

Now I know better A number, a non person

A nothing to you I showed up in hope

You would be able to help But I looked at you and

Watched you look through me Another Pain Patient

I AM NOT A NON PERSON

Believe me when I say I HURT too much to be nothing

Believe Me or Not by Susan

Anyone listening? I search for relief! I don't think my doctors care.

The pain and fatigue are beyond their belief. I'm treated like FM's not there.

I try not to grumble, gripe and complain. It bothers my family and friends.

So where do I turn and how do I cope? Depressed and pain is a 10

I've got to admit sometimes I lose hope. And yet I must rein it in.

"You must not give up. Keep plugging." I say. That even falls on deaf ears.

So the next time you ask me "How're you, by the way?" Guess what - I'll tell you my dears!

"I hurt all the time but what bothers me most? " I've gathered the nerve tell.

Whether doctor, plain folks who believe it's a hoax. You can just go straight to --uh----- well-------

After all, I may be living with FM and you may not believe in

it, but I'm still a LADY!

Isolation

by Martha Travaglini

Fibro Quilt Block by Andrea Cooper

The Agony

I have seen the winter

rivers frozen bank to bank, pristine white, shore to shore.

A low sound -

a moan like elephant song, below human perception -

creeps into my bones.

The surface cracks, ice shards splinter

with discordant screams.

I live with pain.

The Solution

Thin splinters of silver

Bring pulsing life in the hands of a master.

Trace the channels. Pinpoint the pain.

Relax:

Breathe deeply. Meditate to silence.

Let healing begin.

The Agony and The Solution — Painting and Poetry by Kjysten

Shattered Spirit

by Chompie

My spirit often feels

broken into many

different pieces and

many different colors.

Yet, I find peace in what I

do.

Fragments

Fragments by Beakerless This piece is titled “Fragments” because of the way chronic pain can shatter a person’s life into fragments of

what it might have been. The S-curve represents optimism that the individual can pull those fragments

back together, however, creating a life filled with joy and value.

That Special Place

by Glenda Dykstra

There is a place in a far away land

I go there just as often as I can

Getting away from this pain from Fibro

I go there to keep from being dragged too low

Always perfect and ever there for me

I can go just to look and see

There is a place in a far away land

It is as far as the moon and as close as my hand

Where strife is not evident anywhere at all

This little place inside my own skull.

Spring Night

by

Sharon Leiker

“I think of the painting

and forget about me.”

When I have a Bad Day

by Anne

When I have a bad day;

The soft squeeze of a friend’s hug,

My body screams.

When I have a bad day;

Kind words from a friend,

My spirit soars.

The Battle Rages On… by Morgan

Though I'm here in pain and confused, the battle rages on.

Though I long to be "normal" again, the battle rages on.

Though I do as the doctor suggests and then nothing happens, the battle rages on.

Though I'm told "it will get better", the battle rages on.

The battle rages on no matter the situation... Though I try to live as if nothing is wrong,

the battle rages on. I try the therapies and all the meds,

but yet the battle rages on. I try to find the answers. I'm taken to the best,

and still the battle rages on. I go to friends and loved ones in my constant times of need,

because I know that the battle rages on. I will continue to live my life,

though the battle rages on.

"I am a Chavez" by Susie Chavez

I am a Chavez, I have learned

to politically, socially, educa-

tionally, and economically

overcome adversities.

I am a Chavez. I am learning

to overcome the oppression

of Fibromyalgia.

I am a Chavez.

Mother of Painless Days, Bless Me

by Susie Chavez

I Suffer in Silence By Michelle Hamilton

I suffer in silence so that no one knows that I am weak. I don't want anyone to see the dark side of me.

I suffer in silence so that people think that I am strong.

I don't let them know everything that is so wrong.

I don't let them see the pain raging in me like a storm. I don't let them know the extent of the harm

That this condition is doing to my life.

I don't let them know the extent of my strife.

I keep going all though sometimes I want to give in And let the pain completely take over within.

I bottle it all up and keep it deep inside

And save my tears for late at night before I cry.

I suffer in silence and hope for a brighter day. I suffer in silence and keep looking for a way

To beat this thing that is controlling every part of me.

I hope for a cure to set me free.

Through Frieda’s Eyes

By Beakerless

Not sick enough to die

Not well enough to live

Serve my sentence everyday

When will you forgive?

© 1996 M. Mueller

The Outside World

by Ashley Mahoney

The pain lies in a shell

A shell of normalcy

How can pain look so normal?

When it feels

Like fire

Burning underneath.

My insides are being jabbed

With a knife.

My foot sends a shocking

Pain up my Spine

My back shivers inside.

But still,

I smile.

My shell of normalcy

Showing the outside world

There is nothing wrong

A Flower to

Lift the Spirits

Submitted by: Fawnridge

“When I need to get

away from the pain, I

create my own world.

My world is filled with

colorful flowers. May

flowers live there and

blooms never fade

away.” — Kathy

Headache by Martha Travaglini

Special thanks to all of the artists and poets who submitted works to our Pain & Creativity Project in collaboration with HealthCentral Network.

For more information contact the American Pain Foundation at 1-888-615-PAIN (7246) or visit www.painfoundation.org.

In the Garden of My Creator

by Reverend Kurt Fondriest My work is the reflection of living with fibromyalgia. I connect to my spiritual vision through creating spiritual landscapes. I often

feel these are places I imagine to escape to when I'm in pain, which is a chronic affair. I find these places beyond my time, my world, or even spirit. These places are drawn by my soul's connection to the physical world.