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Many people have heard of fibromyalgia, but unless they suffer from it or know of someone who does, it's hard to understand the physical and emotional toll it takes on its victims. Fibromyalgia is one of the more than 100 rheumatic disorders related to arthritis.

It's a musculoskeletal disease that strikes some six percent of the U.S. population and although men and children do contract it, the chronic pain illness seems to be partial to women.

Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread muscle pain and stiffness, soft tissue tenderness and chronic fatigue. And according to the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA), the pain is profound, widespread and chronic and often migrates to all parts of the body, varying in intensity. Other symptoms, according to the NFA, are irritable bowel, severe jaw pain, dry eyes and mouth, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and insomnia.

Boyd was diagnosed with the disease at age 28, after experiencing crippling muscle pain. Shortly after giving birth to her second child, her doctor told her she was not only suffering from postpartum depression, but that she had Fibromyalgia, as well.

Though Boyd was surprised by the diagnosis, looking back she realizes she first began experiencing muscle pain and fatigue about age 17, after a horrific knee injury. She was eventually diagnosed with arthritis and joint problems.

And though Boyd still experiences many of these symptoms, the fitness instructor at the Mattoon Area YMCA has learned to manage them - for reasons not entirely her own.

"A year after my diagnosis, my son was diagnosed with autism. Frankly, I didn't have time to be sick so I learned to manage my disease so I could help my son," she explained.

But as those who know her would probably attest, Boyd isn't the type of person who would let a disease control her. And though there is no cure, her energy and optimism about life in general helps her deal with it.

"I knew if I let it, this disease would get me down," she explained. "But I wanted to control it, not let it control me. At first I took medications. But what has really worked is learning how to avoid stressful situations - good or bad - and exercise, particularly aquaerobics."

The NFA advises gentle exercise and stretching for Fibromyalgia patients to help maintain muscle tone and reduce pain. Boyd said doctors recommended water exercise for her - common advice for this disease.

Boyd was first introduced to aquaerobics in 1992 when she began taking the classess at the YMCA to help soothe her arthritis and joint problems. She began to teach the class in 1993 and has been instructing ever since. Certain months cause her disease to affect her more, especially seasonal changes. During those difficult months, she spends more time exercising in the water.

"Exercise is one thing I have to do for my body," she explained. "Meticulous nurturing is getting me through this. People tell me that there is no way I'm in pain by the way I move and act. I tell them that I am often in pain, but I'm controlling it with exercise."

Ironically, the YMCA is no stranger to Fibromyalgia. Two other fitness instructors there have also been diagnosed with the disease.

At age 66, Shirley Nolan has had the disease for 16 years.

"I was diagnosed at age 50 and just hurt all over," she explained. "When I was diagnosed, I was actually relieved. I finally knew what I was dealing with." Her doctor told her the best way to "deal" with her disease and make herself feel better was to go to the Y and take aquatic classes or just get into the pool.

"I was leery of the water. I couldn't swim so I gave the excuse that I lived too far away to drive to the YMCA," the Ashmore resident said. "The pain got so bad, I forced myself to go." And it made all the difference in the world, she added.

When she first attended the Hinges and Twinges class, she said she was terrified of the water and stayed at the edge of the pool. Today, the mother and grandmother teaches the class specifically designed for arthritis sufferers.

And then there's Nancy West. She was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis with Fibromyalgic tendencies when she was just 11. The disease progressed so quickly that she was not physically able to attend high school. She was schooled via an intercom system between her school and home, established by the local phone company.

Today the 42-year-old mom is an active aquaerobics instructor. She said her reaction when diagnosed was, "I can beat it." She manages her disease through medication and water exercise.

All three women swear by water exercise and offer the same advice to people suffering from muscle and joint pain - Get into the water.

"I was skeptical that water exercise was the answer," West explained. "Now I'm sold on it and encourage others to get in the water. No matter how much effort it will take, it will be worth it."

Nolan agreed. "It's the best thing I ever did for myself."