What can I do to help my friend who was just diagnosed with fibromyalgia?

My best answer for you is to learn all that you can about fibromyalgia and encourage your friend to do the same.

Your friends life will change but some of those changes will be for the better. I know that's hard to believe but its true! We learn to put ourselves first and learn that only we can do many of the things that can make our lives better. Most people with fibromyalgia are "A" type people and tend to put everything first before our own health.
Here is my favorite link for learning about fibromyalgia and its accompanying secondary disorders.Knowledge is power!
http://fibromyalgiasupport.com/

I know that Fybromyalgia can be devastaing .I had a sister that had It and my mother has it.With the reasearch that I have done alot of the problems with fibrimyalgia is stress.You do have to get your mind and body in a better state of wellness. Don't give in to it,you must fight .Luckily there is an answer , I am all for the Natural way of treating anything . Drugs just cover up the symptoms ,they do not heal .If you want more info you can go to this site for more info .There is a better way ,god bless .

The best thing to do as a friend is to be there and to listen. If your friend is on the computer at all..tell him/her to study. There is a lot of information out there. Some good and some not so good. Don't pay for any treatments off the web without talking with the Doc. Also, there are some great support groups out there with people that all have either secondary or primary Fibro. Check Yahoo and MSN groups. Mine is on there but is only for me. Called Men Surviving FMS. Best of luck.

have empathy-

don't say
why can't you just (talk a walk, clean your room, stay up late/get uip early...)

don't mock for sleeping more than average

don't be offended if they have to cancel or can't make plans

don't say
everyone has aches and pains
or everyone gets tired

The only thing I can tell you is just be there for your friend. Fibro is such a painful disease for some and it can be very overwhelming to have to live with pain everyday. Try to be positive so your friend doesn't throw themself a pity party. Gotta stay upbeat with this sort of thing.