I have this and wanted to share it.

1. Fibromyalgia & Creativity
Breakthrough by Denise
I have had fibromyalgia for 16 years following a whiplash injury from an assault. When I first became ill, I was very frightened and no one could help me, not even
by acknowledging that this was very real and beyond a hysterical reaction. “Shrewdly it spread this pain to my soul, banished my heart and swallowed me whole”
Now I have a better understanding of what is happening and am not quite as frightened. Thus…”Breakthrough”
Fibromyalgia – chronic widespread pain – affects more than 6 million people in this country. It is not a well understood condition and cur-
rently there is no cure, but once diagnosed, there are treatments that can help. It can be difficult for someone with Fibromyalgia to receive
a diagnosis and get treatment. This process can be very frustrating and discouraging and, for many people, there are times when they feel
very alone with their pain.
Art has long been a source of comfort, stress relief, and expression and can give “voice” to suffering people who feel unheard. Fibromyalgia
and Creativity is a collection of visual and written works of art submitted to the American Pain Foundation by people with Fibromyalgia.
www.painfoundation.org 1-888-615-PAIN

2. Unlock the
Mystery of
Fibromyalgia
with Education
by V. Hester
Millions of people suffer
with the pain of Fibromyalgia
and yet there are some doctors
who still don’t understand it.
Thousands of sufferers go
through each day not under-
standing why they can barely
function. Even those of us
who think we understand Fibro,
don’t truly know how to handle
it.
Help us be free to live our
lives as you do and unlock the
mystery of Fibromyalgia with
education for all!!!
“When I'm
drawing or
painting it takes
me to another
level where I focus
on creativity
instead of the
pain.”
Yo Vivia En Esta Casa
— Treappling
by Lillian Aragonés

3. CAREGIVERS I cannot take away pain, but I have,
An ear to listen…
by Lois V. Pike
They descend upon us with winged surprise
A hand to hold…
As if falling stars from faraway skies
A heart to share…
Bringing with them gifts sent from above
Unlimited caring, comfort and love. Which builds…
Who are these magical beings telling jokes? A friend who cares.
Who strengthen our spirit and provide us with HOPE
With mighty power, true grit and strength —Teresa Shafer
Easing our burdens, always going to any length.
They come to our aide by just staying true
Following their calling in everything they do.
A most difficult task, as all would agree
To make us feel special and a bit more free.
They suffer in silence while trying their best
To lend compassion, inspiration and zest.
Understanding what is and what is to be
Never feeling sorry for themselves, you or me.
We know them by name, each one apart
They possess pure magic deep within the heart.
Our wonderful caregivers, true to their name
Working for us, they never seem to complain.
Pain Angel by sindie14
I look at her and imagine her saying "Oh, you poor thing"
Or perhaps she is singing, maybe even praying for me.
Whatever I want her to be doing.
Whenever I look at her she always brings a smile to my face.

4. Masquerade
by Kat Updike
I feel old today, I cannot pretend to act like
nothing is wrong.
My pretend face, my mask does not fit right
this morning.
Today is a day to whine and I give myself
the permission to complain.
Life with Pain
by Elizabeth
This is my representation of the challenges of
living with chronic pain. It includes the confusion
and mental fog from all the pills. It also shows
the outside things that I think about that affect
my life.
I have had chronic pain since 2001. I now
have Fibromyalgia and Sjögren‟s Syndrome.
A friend of mine says, "You don't get it until
you got it." So very true.

5. Endless by Holly
The pain is truly Endless...and even
though none of us wants it, those of us
with Fibromyalgia live with it Endlessly.
Every day I wish that I could have free-
dom from pain...but it is Endless. My
friends and family hear of it, bear with
me, support me, but, I'm sure, tire of it,
Endlessly.
I feel locked behind a closed door, End-
lessly entombed, eternally doomed, End-
lessly reminded...of pain.
My prayer is for the end of pain for all of
us who suffer...Endlessly.
Beauty in Life
by Treappling
“I feel like my life has been stolen away from me.
I am dependent on my family for daily care giving
and am isolated from the „outside‟ world. In my
paintings, I express the beauty in what I see.”

6. I am NOT a non-person
by Glenda Dykstra
You cannot tell me a time to be there
Threatening me if I don't show
Then making me wait for almost an hour
Just for you
I am a person! Human and Proud
My time is important too
I hurt and live on my schedule
Yet you do not care
I am a non-person to you
Shove me at a student
Don't bother you with me
I am not a non-person
I refuse your treatment
After I cried all the way home
I thought you would help me
Now I know better
A number, a non person
A nothing to you
I showed up in hope
You would be able to help
But I looked at you and
Isolation Watched you look through me
Another Pain Patient
I AM NOT A NON PERSON
by Martha Travaglini Believe me when I say
I HURT too much to be nothing
Believe Me or Not
by Susan
Anyone listening? I search for relief!
I don't think my doctors care.
The pain and fatigue are beyond their belief.
I'm treated like FM's not there.
I try not to grumble, gripe and complain.
It bothers my family and friends.
So where do I turn and how do I cope?
Depressed and pain is a 10
I've got to admit sometimes I lose hope.
And yet I must rein it in.
"You must not give up. Keep plugging." I say.
That even falls on deaf ears.
So the next time you ask me "How're you, by the way?"
Guess what - I'll tell you my dears!
"I hurt all the time but what bothers me most? "
I've gathered the nerve tell.
Whether doctor, plain folks who believe it's a hoax.
You can just go straight to --uh----- well-------
After all, I may be living with FM and you may not believe in Fibro Quilt Block
it, but I'm still a LADY! by Andrea Cooper

7. The Agony
I have seen the winter
rivers frozen bank to bank,
pristine white, shore to shore.
A low sound -
a moan like elephant song,
below human perception -
creeps into my bones.
The surface cracks,
ice shards splinter
with discordant screams.
I live with pain.
The Solution
Thin splinters of silver
Bring pulsing life
in the hands of a master.
Trace the channels.
Pinpoint the pain.
Relax:
Breathe deeply.
Meditate to silence.
Let healing begin.
The Agony and The Solution — Painting and Poetry by Kjysten
Shattered Spirit
by Chompie
My spirit often feels
broken into many
different pieces and
many different colors.
Yet, I find peace in what I
do.

8. That Special Place
Fragments
by Glenda Dykstra
There is a place in a far away land
I go there just as often as I can
Getting away from this pain from Fibro
I go there to keep from being dragged too low
Always perfect and ever there for me
I can go just to look and see
There is a place in a far away land
It is as far as the moon and as close as my hand
Where strife is not evident anywhere at all
Fragments by Beakerless This little place inside my own skull.
This piece is titled “Fragments” because of the way chronic pain can shatter a person’s life into fragments of
what it might have been. The S-curve represents optimism that the individual can pull those fragments
back together, however, creating a life filled with joy and value.
When I have a Bad Day
Spring Night by Anne
by When I have a bad day;
The soft squeeze of a friend’s hug,
Sharon Leiker
My body screams.
“I think of the painting When I have a bad day;
and forget about me.”
Kind words from a friend,
My spirit soars.

9. The Battle Rages On…
by Morgan
Though I'm here in pain and confused,
the battle rages on.
Though I long to be "normal" again,
the battle rages on.
Though I do as the doctor suggests and then nothing happens,
the battle rages on.
Though I'm told "it will get better",
the battle rages on.
The battle rages on no matter the situation...
Though I try to live as if nothing is wrong,
the battle rages on.
I try the therapies and all the meds,
but yet the battle rages on.
I try to find the answers. I'm taken to the best,
and still the battle rages on.
I go to friends and loved ones in my constant times of need,
because I know that the battle rages on.
I will continue to live my life,
though the battle rages on.
"I am a Chavez"
by Susie Chavez
I am a Chavez, I have learned
to politically, socially, educa-
tionally, and economically
overcome adversities.
I am a Chavez. I am learning
to overcome the oppression
of Fibromyalgia.
I am a Chavez.

10. Mother of Painless Days, Bless Me Through Frieda’s Eyes
by Susie Chavez
By Beakerless
I Suffer in Silence
By Michelle Hamilton
I suffer in silence so that no one knows that I am weak.
I don't want anyone to see the dark side of me.
I suffer in silence so that people think that I am strong.
I don't let them know everything that is so wrong.
I don't let them see the pain raging in me like a storm.
I don't let them know the extent of the harm
That this condition is doing to my life.
Not sick enough to die
I don't let them know the extent of my strife.
Not well enough to live
I keep going all though sometimes I want to give in
And let the pain completely take over within. Serve my sentence everyday
I bottle it all up and keep it deep inside When will you forgive?
And save my tears for late at night before I cry.
© 1996 M. Mueller
I suffer in silence and hope for a brighter day.
I suffer in silence and keep looking for a way
To beat this thing that is controlling every part of me.
I hope for a cure to set me free.

11. A Flower to
Lift the Spirits
Submitted by:
Fawnridge
“When I need to get
away from the pain, I
The Outside World create my own world.
My world is filled with
by Ashley Mahoney colorful flowers. May
flowers live there and
blooms never fade
away.” — Kathy
The pain lies in a shell
A shell of normalcy
How can pain look so normal?
When it feels
Like fire
Burning underneath.
My insides are being jabbed
With a knife.
My foot sends a shocking
Pain up my Spine
My back shivers inside.
But still,
I smile.
My shell of normalcy
Showing the outside world
There is nothing wrong
Headache by Martha Travaglini

12. In the Garden of My Creator
by Reverend Kurt Fondriest
My work is the reflection of living with fibromyalgia. I connect to my spiritual vision through creating spiritual landscapes. I often
feel these are places I imagine to escape to when I'm in pain, which is a chronic affair. I find these places beyond my time, my world,
or even spirit. These places are drawn by my soul's connection to the physical world.
Special thanks to all of the artists and poets who submitted works to our Pain & Creativity Project in collaboration with HealthCentral Network.
For more information contact the American Pain Foundation at 1-888-615-PAIN (7246) or visit www.painfoundation.org.