Sufferers of Fibromyalgia deal with this every day, but want to give each other some kind of support while they suffer this condition.

A group of Inverell people who suffer from ‘Fibro’ meet once a month to talk, swap remedies and simply benefit from talking to someone who knows exactly what they are going through.

It is still not known what causes Fibromyalgia, with a number of theories but no one cause to be pinpointed by the medical profession.

Some of the possible causes of Fibromyalgia put forward by researchers include viral infection, immune or endocrine system dysfunction, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, substance P, physical injury or trauma an accumulation of phosphate due to enzyme deficiency or chronic sleep disorders.

This chronic condition affects two per cent of the population, and is characterised by widespread pain and fatigue usually accompanied by a variety of symptoms.

Few symptoms are outwardly visible, which has led to much confusion, labelling Fibromyalgia ‘the invisible disability’.

Common Fibromyalgia symptoms include fatigue, post exceptional malaise, muscle and joint aches, cognitive dysfunction, jaw pain, morning stiffness, chronic headaches, balance disturbance, mood and sleep disorders, abdominal pain, nausea, skin sensitivity and PMS type symptoms.

Fibromyalgia is more common in women, with many people affected unable to continue regular employment due to the severity of their symptoms.

A spokesperson for the group said it was refreshing to have other people to talk to about living with the condition.

“When you live with a condition like this it is great to have someone else to talk to who knows exactly what you are going through. This condition cannot be cured, so you need support from people to make life a bit easier.”

The next meeting of Inverell Fibromyalgia sufferers will be on June 20 where Bowen practitioner Chris Virgo will visit to give a demonstration on Bowen for Fibromyalgia sufferers.