From SanoLabs, the makers of the Sam app
Believe your parent and make daily life easier
If your parent has fibromyalgia, it means long-lasting pain all over the body, often with fatigue and poor sleep. You help by listening, taking tasks off their plate and preparing the doctor visit.
What helps day to day?
There is no single test for fibromyalgia. That does not mean the pain is imagined.
- Don't question the painBelieving them is the first help.
- Take over specific tasksShopping, laundry, cleaning: offer one thing instead of "Let me know".
- Plan for bad daysSymptoms fluctuate. Cancel plans without blame.
- Movement at their own paceA short walk together, if your parent wants to.
Sentences that take the pressure off
You can say I believe you. How was the night?
Sleep is one of the core symptoms.
You can say I will do the shopping, you tell me what to bring.
Help that asks for no proof.
You can say Shall we jot down good and bad days for the appointment?
Your parent decides, you offer.
What do you bring to the appointment?
- Good and bad daysPain, sleep and fatigue in a few words.
- Current medicationEverything your parent takes.
- Questions for the doctorFor example about exercise, sleep and support.
- Trend from Apple HealthIf available, in the monthly report.
Sam for your parent
Good and bad days as a history for the visit
At the doctor, what your parent can say about the last weeks counts. In Sam it is already there, in their own entries.
- Note days in secondsYour parent taps body aches, joint pain or fatigue and picks mild, moderate or severe. Sleep problems can be noted too.
- Show where it hurtsFor body aches, your parent taps where it hurts on a body outline, for example back, arms or joints.
- Monthly report to bringSam sums up symptom days and, with an Apple Watch, sleep, resting heart rate and steps. Shareable as a PDF.
- Share what your parent choosesThrough Care Circle your parent shares symptoms or sleep. You see them read-only, without alerts about their data.
Body aches, Fatigue
Duration and history
from today
A calmer way to the appointment
Instead ofnotes on slips of paper that are missing at the appointment
In SamEntries with date and strength, on the phone and ready as a PDF report to take along.
Instead ofdescribing from memory how the last weeks were
In SamGood and bad days side by side, in your parent's own entries.
Instead ofsleep data on the watch and notes in separate apps
In SamSleep from Apple Health and their own entries in the same monthly report.
Sam records and sums up; Sam cannot measure pain, and what suits it is for the doctor to say.
What family members often ask
EmergencyWhen should I get help right away?+
This is general safety information, not a diagnosis. It applies to anyone and does not tell you whether a condition is present.
- Chest pain that feels tight or like squeezing
- Severe difficulty breathing
- A drooping face, arm weakness or speech problems
- Loss of consciousness
If your parent has any of these, get medical help now: call your local emergency number (112 in the EU, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US). If you are unsure, call your doctor's practice or your local out-of-hours medical service. Do not use this list to decide on your own whether something is wrong.
Is fibromyalgia real if nothing shows up?+
Yes. There is no single test for it. A doctor makes the diagnosis after a conversation, an examination and blood tests.
Is rest the best help?+
Not on its own. Care usually combines exercise, psychological support and sometimes medication. A doctor decides what fits.
Can a device measure the pain?+
No. A smartwatch does not measure pain, and neither does Sam. Sam sums up Apple Health data and your parent's own symptom entries, such as sleep, steps and fatigue.
What can I do on a bad day?+
Ask what helps today and take over specific tasks. Don't push activity, and cancel plans without blame.
Should I suggest therapies?+
Better not. Ask about options at the appointment. Your parent decides together with the care team.
Sources
Last updated: October 2026
Go to the appointment with an overview
Sam sums up symptoms and Apple Health data in a monthly report you can bring along.
Sam is a wellness companion, not a medical device. Sam does not diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition and does not replace a doctor. For acute symptoms: call your local emergency number (112 in the EU, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US).