Fibromyalgia flattens me. Here’s what helps me cope with constant pain | Nikki Marshall

A flare-up starts with instant exhaustion and a brain fog so dense I might struggle to speak

• Full Story: The pain can feel like an evil flower blossoming inside me'

Sometimes it hits in the middle of hot yoga. One moment I'm working hard, dripping sweat; the next I'm flat on my back in corpse pose, trying - usually failing - to practise calm acceptance. When the class ends I might need help rolling up my mat.

A few months back the first twinges flared when I was the designated driver at a family gathering. I felt like a demented cattle dog trying to round up the drinkers, barking at them to skip goodbyes so I could get us home before it smashed me.