Andorran Women Battle Fibromyalgia's Pain, Fatigue and Fog

Women in Andorra living with fibromyalgia describe daily battles against widespread pain, profound fatigue, and mental fog that force major adjustments to their routines and relationships.

Albertina Baiao, president of the Associació de Malalts Reumàtics, Fibromiàlgics i de Fatiga Crònica (AMARE), spent 12 years largely confined to her bed and sofa. "No one told me there was a way out," she said, recalling periods when even basic tasks overwhelmed her. The condition, a chronic disorder involving generalised pain, intense exhaustion, and cognitive difficulties, reshapes everyday life in unpredictable ways.

Lídia Leal, AMARE's vice-president, explained that pain prevents sitting still for long. A three-hour film becomes unbearable without constant movement and position changes. Symptoms fluctuate with cold weather, stress, or poor sleep, while "brain fog" leads to forgetfulness and confusion. "If I don't write it down, I forget," Baiao noted. Simple chores stretch out, and past misunderstandings often routed patients to psychiatry, eroding self-esteem. "Some spent 20 years thinking they were just complaining too much," Baiao added.

Carme, diagnosed a decade ago, struggled most with acceptance. Initially expecting recovery through rest and vitamins, she faced halted work and reduced family time. "You never know how you'll wake up," she said, calling it a "continuous battle between body and mind." Constant pain affects mood without equating to depression, she stressed, urging cognitive-behavioural therapy to manage intrusive thoughts. Social plans dwindle, and judgment from friends, family, and society persists.

Cidalia, symptomatic since 2010 and diagnosed 10 years ago, highlighted muscle and joint pain, sleep disorders, gut issues, and mood swings. "It consumes you from within," she said, with pains sometimes "horrible." Only those affected truly understand.

Turning points came through education and energy management. Baiao, who once cried daily, now speaks confidently after two years of progress. Leal emphasised that consistency—gentle exercise, accepting good and bad days—prevents decline. "You go slower, take longer, but you get things done," Carme said. "If one day you can't, it's fine."

While pain endures, understanding the condition restores control, allowing women to reset expectations, respect limits, and prioritise energy.