Like Having the Flu

                                                       Fibromyalgia: , But Every Day

If you’ve ever had the flu — the real kind that knocks you flat — you know how awful it feels. The aching body, the crushing fatigue, the chills, the foggy head that makes even holding a conversation feel like hard work. Now imagine waking up like that most days… and never really getting better.

That’s what fibromyalgia feels like.

When people hear I have fibromyalgia, they often picture “just pain.” And yes, pain is a big part of it. But what’s often forgotten — or never even mentioned — is that fibro comes with a full-body, flu-like feeling that drags you down to the bone. It’s not contagious, but it is constant. A never-ending loop of exhaustion, heaviness, and an immune system that feels like it’s always fighting something, even when I’m not technically “sick.”

There are mornings I wake up and feel like I’ve been hit by a truck — muscles sore, skin sensitive, head pounding. My body feels inflamed and irritated, like it’s throwing a tantrum. My temperature might be normal, but inside? Everything screams. I ache in places I didn’t even know could ache. My limbs feel weak, like I ran a marathon in my sleep. I have chills without the fever, and my head is so foggy I can’t even remember what day it is.

And here’s the kicker: the world doesn’t pause for it. Life keeps moving — appointments, relationships, errands, responsibilities. But I’m stuck in a body that feels like it’s battling an invisible virus that no one else can see. I’ve been told, “You don’t look sick,” more times than I can count. And while I may look fine on the outside, my body is constantly at war on the inside.

There are days when brushing my teeth feels like a full workout. Days when taking a shower feels like climbing a mountain. Days when I feel guilty for not “doing more” — even though my body is already doing everything it can just to survive.

But here’s the truth: I am strong. Not because I’m pain-free, but because I keep showing up with the pain. Because I’ve learned how to adapt, rest, and listen. Because I’ve chosen to be soft with myself in a world that often doesn’t understand invisible illness.

So if you’re reading this and you know this version of “flu” all too well, I see you. You’re not making it up. You’re not weak. You’re living through something that takes incredible strength — and you’re doing it beautifully.

And if you’re someone trying to understand what fibromyalgia feels like, think back to the worst flu you’ve ever had. Now imagine never being able to shake it completely. That’s our reality.

But we keep going. Because that’s what warriors do.