Fibromyalgia is a disorder that consists of heavy musculoskeletal pain. Accompanied by stiffness, digestive issues, headaches, fatigue, sleeping difficulties, etc. About 2 percent of adult Americans have this disorder. It is most common in middle-aged women.
There are, however, many unknown facts about fibromyalgia that need attention too. Those facts may help people with this disorder, since, a small chunk of people have been diagnosed with this condition. But, the actual amount of people may be higher because of the cases of undiagnosed people.
Celebrities with fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia, like any other disease, does not discriminate among people. Hence, there are more celebrities coming up with this condition and they don’t hesitate to share their feelings. Let’s take a look at what they say about fibromyalgia.
1. Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman is a celebrity that can be seen everywhere. whether it is movies, voice-overs in animated movies, or narrating films. And, other than that, Morgan Freeman is also an opinionated advocate of Fibromyalgia Awareness.
In an interview with Esquire magazine, Freeman discussed that he is not being able to do some activities. He used to do a lot before the disorder, and now he is unable to do some of them because of fibromyalgia. Yet, he wants people to know that this disorder is not that depressing.
From his interview, we gather that people should know that there is a reason behind the changes. People have to move on to other things like Freeman still plays golf, he still works despite having this condition. His point was, that life does not stop there when you have this condition. You should keep going with your life.
2. Sinead O’Connor
The singer and songwriter is not a stranger to controversial and sensitive topics. In 2013, O’Connor sadly declared she was letting go of the music career. She left the music business because of the severe pain and fatigue caused by fibromyalgia. And, she blamed her career in music for all that has happened to her. She said it rendered her invisible and murdered her soul. And, she announced that she was never going back to music.
Sinead O’Connor had many health issues, like PTSD, Bipolar disorder, and hysterectomy. She took time off her career-long enough and returned to the music business after that. She referred to fibromyalgia as a gift, because you get a chance to reassess your life.
3. Janeane Garofalo
Ever since her career started in the 1990’s, the comedian Janeane Garofalo has made people laugh at her sarcasm. Over the years, Garofalo has covered a wide range of topics, but recently her health took a spotlight. She hasn’t been able to appear more often after that, or quoted in interviews. But, she does talk about her condition about fibromyalgia with a great sense of humor.
In 2009, she told her audience, “I had no idea I was chronically dissatisfied,” in reference to her new treatment involving antidepressants.
Celebrities often encourage people to have a positive outlook when dealing with fibromyalgia. And, as Garofalo has demonstrated it with a slight sense of humor, it may help you laugh it off once in a while.
4. Jo Guest
Jo Guest, a former British model, had to retire from her career because of severe pain symptoms leading to fibromyalgia. In 2008, an article published in Daily mail, in that article, Guest was quite frank about fibromyalgia. She said “At first I thought it was just a virus, but it just wouldn’t stop. I was getting up and being sick all morning and having to spend the afternoon in bed,” she recalled. At first, Guest’s doctor wasn’t able to figure out what was wrong with her. “When you come out of the hospital and you’re told everything’s normal, you should be happy, but I don’t want to be told everything’s normal, I just want to be told what’s wrong with me,”
5. Rosie Hamlin
Rosie Hamlin is the late lead singer of Rosie and the Originals. She is still famous and loved for her musical talents and her boldness in taking on fibromyalgia. In an Interview with Fibromyalgia Aware Magazine, Hamlin talked about her struggling days with fibromyalgia. it reduced her ability to work on everyday tasks. She said, “I’ve always been extremely energetic and very, very busy It’s taken me a couple of years now to have to deal with fibromyalgia, and I have to re-think my life, re-organize, and realize. Just having to realize I’m so limited now. I don’t like it, but I have to deal with it.”
Hamlin moved on from a grueling schedule in her music career to one that focused on painting and fibromyalgia awareness. She stayed active until her death in April 2017, at the age of 71.
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