Buxton support group for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue sufferers up and running

Survive And Thrive Support Group’s mission is to share advice on everything from staying as healthy as possible to preparing for medical appointments.

The group aims to provide a safe, confidential, relaxed and friendly environment for support between people who share the same experiences.

Survive And Thrive’s committee chair Angela Williamson said the group hoped to increase members’ knowledge of the conditions, raise awareness and positively influence health and wellbeing services through sharing, researching and hosting talks and speakers.

Speaking at a meeting during which the group was proposed Buxton grandmother-of-one Angela Williamson - who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2016 - told how the illness left her with a ‘loss of self’.

She told an audience at The Green Man Gallery: “I started feeling like I was just this illness.

“Even well-meaning questions from friends at that time like ‘how are you?’ felt like they were talking to my illness rather than me.”

Speaking about seeing another fibromyalgia sufferer before her own diagnosis Angela told listeners: “I recognised that walk because it was mine too.

“That day was a wake up call for me - I started reading everything I could get my hands on about Fibromyalgia.”

Though 51-year-old Angela admits she was shocked when a doctor gave her the bad news she added ‘it started me on a journey to wellness - I started doing a lot of research’.

Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.

Symptoms include extreme tiredness, problems with mental processes – known as ‘fibro-fog’ – and irritable bowel syndrome.

Survive and Thrive Support Group is open to adults living with Fibromyalgia, CFS or ME and under-18s accompanied by a parent or adult carer.

Angela added: “Through companionship we will strive to reduce the loneliness and isolation that comes with feeling misunderstood.”

Anyone suffering from one of these invisible illnesses and living in Buxton or the surrounding areas who is interested in becoming a member and attending the monthly support group meetings can email [email protected] to be added to the mailing list.