A WOMAN who suffers from chronic pain and fatigue has spoken about her illness to encourage others with fibromyalgia to seek support.

There are days when 60-year-old Diane Leak, from Darlington, struggles to get out of bed because of the pain.

Sufferers refer to fibromyalgia as "the unseen disease" because for those on the outside it is difficult to understand, said Mrs Leak.

Symptoms include painful joints, sleep disturbance, irritable bowel syndrome, depression and anxiety.

"At first I thought I was going doolally. Every day I would have pains in different parts of my body," she said.

"It is hard to cope with because to others I often look perfectly well. It was a relief to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia because then I knew it wasn't all in my mind."

Mrs Leak was diagnosed with the illness about five years ago while undergoing two hip replacement operations.

She decided to set up a support group in Darlington and almost 30 people attended its launch earlier this year.

She also runs a helpline so that sufferers, their carers and families can call her for help and advice.

Group secretary Pam Dixon was diagnosed with fibromyalgia last July but has suffered with the symptoms for 13 years.

She said: "Just knowing you're not alone and that there is support out there really helps," she said.

The group meets once a month. For details call the helpline on (01325) 461728.