Not all kids feel like you do , but children who have FMS or CFS do feel the same as you. You may find that kids like you may not have pain in the exact same areas of their bodies as you do , but very similar. I have a list below that best describes what you may be feeling.

Symptoms of CFIDS/FMS in children and teenagers

Children may have several or all of these:

· Growing pains

· Frequent spells of not feeling well

· Attention Deficit Disorder

· Sleep disturbances/ insomnia

· Irritable Bowel Syndrome including gas, bloating or periods of alternating constipation and diarrhea or loose stools

· Urinary tract problems such as reduced bladder control, bladder infections or painful urination

· Deep aches in calf and other muscles

· Frequent severe headaches

· Lack of stamina

· Short term memory loss

· Neurological problems such as shooting leg pains, Restless Leg Syndrome (feeling a constant need to move the legs), muscle tics or twitches, or numbness

· Reactive hypoglycemia when symptoms may include racing heart beats, feeling shaky, blacking out, sweats, anxiety or panic attacks.
Data From: St. Amand RP: Personal correspondence and Williamson ME: Fibromyalgia: A Comprehensive Approach, New York, 1996, Walker and Co.




Hopefully this list above will help you know what to say when you do talk to anyone about your illness. These symptoms are very common ones when it comes to the way we feel . If you have any questions about these symptoms , make sure to ask a grown up or your doctor. If you have these aches and pains listed above make sure someone knows so they can help you.

You may want your parents to talk to your teacher about FMS and let him or her know that somedays you may not be feeling all that well and may need to lie down or go home early. Have your parents explain how you feel when you are sick and mabey the teacher can help you keep up in your studies by offering some tudoring after school at your home. Explain to your friends why you may feel sick at school somedays and explain what you feel like when you do get sick with FMS. Mabey they can help you study or help catch you up on what you may miss when you have to stay home from school. That will help alot . That way you can keep up in class and learn as they do . There are many ways to help ,the school and your parents can work it all out for you. Don't feel bad about being sick. Just remember there are a lot of people who feel the same way you do at the same time as you too. You are not alone. Just smile and remember that tomorrow is another day, mabey tomorrow won't feel so bad.

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FIBRO FACTS FOR THE PARENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS !

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