Not every Fibromyalgia sufferer has or needs a carer, or has access to anyone to care for them when they actually need one.

A carer is someone, who, usually without payment, provides help and support to a partner, relative, friend or neighbour, who could not manage without their help.

Anyone can become a carer, carers come from all walks of life, all cultures and can be of any age. You need no qualifications but respond to needs, personal and social. It helps to drive a car or have access to transport, and have a sense of humour and boundless energy.

Carers of Fibromyalgia sufferers do not always do their task by choice, but get involved over time out of love and caring as the disease takes hold.

Often it can mean a major change to life style, giving up work, taking early retirement, moving home, having less time to yourself, being under constant pressure and demands.

Many carers do not consider themselves to be a carer as such, they are just looking after their mother, father, wife, husband, partner, daughter, son, or best friend.

A carer can become overworked, little appreciated and miss out on a lot of events due to the relentless tie being a carer can mean. Few moan about their problems and they remain a largely under appreciated resource, without whom suffering from Fibromyalgia would become intolerable.

Maurice a carer for his wife makes the following observation on his role, "never in a million years would I want Fibromyalgia like my wife has, I will relentlessly do all I can to care for her and help her cope. Often I feel I am not doing enough and feel helpless, isolated and depressed, my needs are insignificant compared with hers, I am sure I am not alone."

Other suffers helping as carers!

Many Fibromyalgia sufferers find that being in contact personally or via discussion and chat boards, by telephone and email help them understand and cope with the disease - by helping others you help yourself.

Fibromyalgia is often a depressive illness so communicating with other sufferers helps lift everyone's spirits - as well as make new friends and contacts. Many informal groups have been formed in towns and cities who chat by telephone or meet for meals or just a coffee once a week or month. Many find this better for them than more formal groups which may mean extra travel. Many cannot cope with crowds but prefer a 1:1 or 1:5 approach and feel more relaxed and comfortable.

Our Discussion pages allow sufferers to post and reply to messages about carers. Also the carers themselves have a special forum to chat among themselves and discuss the issues relevant to them.

Read Maurice Clarke's article on his caring experiences here