Sidmouth home to new support group

Sufferers of fibromyalgia to get support group in Sidmouth

A NEW support group, for those suffering with fibromyalgia, will hold its first meeting in Sidmouth next month.

Angela Bea, herself a sufferer of the debilitating condition for 13 years, plans to hold the first meeting at Twyford House, Coburg Road, from 10am to noon on Friday, December 2.

Angela, 58, is a qualified nurse, midwife and therapist and contracted the condition following a riding accident.

She said: “I live with it. I am fairly active. I changed my diet and I exercise, but I can’t work full-time.”

She has held two meetings at her home in Sidmouth and believes there is a demand for such a self-help group, which she says she will “focalise”.

If people are diagnosed with fibromyalgia, they are welcome to contact her on (01395) 519366 or by email at angelabungalow@yahoo.co.uk to chat about the group, which will meet on the first Friday of each month.

There is an initial registration fee of �3 to cover admin costs and each session will cost �5.

“There are a lot of people out there who suffer with fibromyalgia,” said Angela. “Mothers used to call it rheumatism. The main symptoms are pain in the muscles, irritable bowel, bloating, a leaky gut and brain fog.”

Chronic fatigue and hypersensitivity to pain are also indications of fibromyalgia, which, believes Angela, is caused by toxicity in the system that can be improved by a “cleansing diet, exercise and positive thinking”.

She said it mainly affected women aged from 40 to in their 60s and added: “Sometimes you feel you can’t get out of bed and other times you can do a lot. Most sufferers look very well.”

Angela’s group is aimed at providing support, social contact and sharing experiences. She will offer leaflets and guidance and says it will fill a gap as the closest groups are in Exeter and Cullompton.