Imagine waking up to a shocking hangover after a big night out mixed with a full blooded cold- Fibromyalgia sufferer and Dubbo support group member Tracey Napper says that's what it feels like to be victim of the chronic disorder.
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Ms Napper and fellow Support Group Member Cherie Greaves took on the battles of their own bodies and braved ice-cold temperatures to try and raise awareness.
Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues.
While Fibromyalgia is often not physically visible, the complex disorder hosts over 101 different symptoms and it can be difficult to diagnose due to many factors .
According to Ms Napper some of the symptoms can mimic other illnesses which can make diagnosis a long, tiring process.
"Fibromyalgia sufferers often appear healthy looking while suffering in silence . This is why awareness is so important to me," Ms Napper said.
"We hope that by doing these Fibromyalgia awareness events annually, we can help educate the community.
"It also gives carers a chance to gather some support as well, so they can look after their loved ones and friends can show more support and understanding."
Fibromyalgia amplifies pain sensations by affecting the way the brain processes signals.
A variety of medications exist to help in dealing with the symptoms, but there is no cure for the disorder.
"I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia when I was in my early 20's, and I am now 43," Ms Napper said.
"Fibromyalgia has changed my life in so many ways, not just physically but mentally.
"I suffer with constant pain throughout the whole body , abdominal intestinal issues , sensitivity to different weather, lights, sunlight, sounds and smells, muscle cramps and spasms, headaches, sleep apnoea, tingling in my hands and feet, memory and balancing issues and sometimes depression . Just to name a few.
"Every day is a slightly different, every day is a different pain."
According to Ms Napper the disorder often leads to depression and anxiety.
What one person can tolerate may be someone else's breaking point. Sometimes you can't see when someone is hurting, but that doesn't mean they aren't.
- J.Knight
"Fibromyalgia can make people feel isolated and cut off from the outside world at times as we have difficulty socialising and getting out of the house with friends like we once could- due to pain and chronic fatigue and sometimes depression .
"It is important to show sufferers in the community that there is support within our group.
Ms Napper says her new life with fibromyalgia is slow, restful, painful, full of constant doctor visits, specialist appointments and medication which only helps to manage some of the symptoms.
"I used to be very energetic and outgoing physically fit person," she said.
"Now I struggle to get out of bed in the morning and just to have a simple shower is an extreme effort, not to mention cooking dinner for the family or motherly duties.
"I need rest all the time. All of the everyday things I used to do without hesitation now are a distant memory of how I used to be and how I once was.
"My philosophy now is, don't dwell on the things you can't do anymore and concentrate on perfecting the things you can do."
The Fibromyalgia support network is accessible on Facebook page in a closed chat group.
Alternatively you can email Ms Napper for one-on-one conversation at dubbofibro@outlook.com.
"Just knowing that there is someone to chat too who truly understands how they feel can make the world of difference," she said.
