May 12, 2015 is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.

Fibromyalgia (FM or FMS) is characterised by chronic widespread pain and a heightened and painful response to pressure. Fibromyalgia symptoms are not restricted to pain, however. Other symptoms include debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance, joint stiffness, trouble with balance, cognitive dysfunction, muscle fatigue, insomnia, hypersomnia, memory loss, migraine headaches, itchy/burning skin, abdominal pain, and tingling of legs or feet, Some people also report difficulty with swallowing, bowel and bladder abnormalities, numbness and tingling. Fibromyalgia is frequently associated with psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety and stress-related disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia June 21, 2013. I was initially relieved to finally have an answer to everything that had plagued me. I was started on a series of medications to help control symptoms (as there is no cure.) If these medications are helpful, a 30% pain reduction is considered a great response. There is very little understood about this disease, and therefore very little help.

My life changed dramatically after that day. I tried to continue on with life as usual, but quickly realized that would be impossible. My body was so exhausted from pushing myself for years already, and I suffered a herniated disc in my neck 3 weeks later which amplified my pain as well. In a relatively short period of time I had to give up my career, my business, my volunteer work, many of my hobbies, much of my independence, and my sense of security. I went from being a strong independent woman to depending on my husband for even simple daily tasks.  My life is forever changed.

If you are still reading, Thank You! I appreciate you sticking through my story. I knew I wanted to do a fibromyalgia inspired mani, but after seeing many posts regarding blue nails for autism I thought ‘Why not purple nails for fibro?’

So I ask that you share your purple mani’s and purple polishes throughout the month of May to help raise the much needed awareness for Fibromyalgia. We will be using the hashtag #PurpleNailsforFibro and I hope you will invite your friends and fellow nail artists to join in #PurpleNailsforFibro.