Struggling for a tolerable existence: the meaning of men's lived experiences of living with pain of fibromyalgia type

Chronic pain is a major health problem in Sweden because of its consequences in daily life. Fourteen men with fibromyalgia-type pain were interviewed regarding their experiences. A phenomenological hermeneutic method was used to interpret the transcribed interviews. Three major themes emerged: experiencing the body as an obstruction, being a different man, and striving to endure. Overall, the meaning of men's lived experience of chronic pain was experienced as change in the body, self, and relationships. Striving to live life required achieving balance during both calm and difficult phases of the illness--struggling for a tolerable existence. Information from this study could provide guidelines for health care staff members to give empathic and supportive care to men living with a long-term illness.