LIVING WITH CONTINUOUS MUSCULAR PAIN - PATIENT PERSPECTIVES .2. STRATEGIES FOR DAILY-LIFE

This second article of the study Living with Continuous Muscular Pain is Part II: Strategies for Daily Life. The primary purpose was to expl ore, analyse and describe how women with fibromyalgia, living in two d ifferent cultural, health care and social security settings, managed t heir everyday life in spite of the limitations imposed by the conditio n. Data were collected through qualitative semi-structured interviews with 40 women, 20 living in the USA and 20 in Sweden. The different st rategies used by the women were identified and a preliminary typology of strategies is proposed as a base for further and more specific stud ies. The results support earlier findings, though the qualitative appr oach adds knowledge regarding the women's own perception, interpretati on and experiences of how to deal with the problems that arose. The fi ndings in the two national groups were very similar, but differences i n the medico-legal compensation systems influenced the women's opportu nities to reduce working hours. Changes of habits, roles and lifestyle , as well as ergonomic considerations were required. These changes tak e time and require continued support from the environment and the heal th care providers. Further insight into the consequences of the condit ion is necessary for the planning of successful treatment and support programs.