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FMA UK response to Guardian article

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Category: Press Releases

Published on Tuesday, 02 March 2010 16:49

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In response to the Dr Crippen article in the Guardian March 2nd.

FMA UK takes exception to the flippant, off hand way fibromyalgia is referred to in the article. It shows a lack of understanding and concern for the millions of people who suffer from this chronic condition on a daily basis. We would suggest that the doctor concerned is brought up to date on current research and we would be pleased to send a medical professional booklet to aid with this.

Fibromyalgia patients often suffer years of pain before getting a diagnosis.  Although some attribute the onset to an accident involving whiplash, this is not always the case.  Many other traumatic events can act as a trigger.

Research has shown through functional MRIs that people with fibromyalgia do feel pain more acutely than others.  This is due to chemical imbalance in the neurotransmitters which enhance the sensation of pain and increase sensitivity to many external stimuli such as light, noise and temperature.

Fibromyalgia does have a psychological component in that people are having to deal with the symptoms of pain, sensitivities and fatigue every day of their lives.  In common with other long term conditions this has an effect on their psychological welfare.

Treatment for fibromyalgia through the NHS is patchy to say the least.  A recent audit of Musculoskeletal Framework, which is supposed to be responsible for treating people with fibromyalgia, showed that this had not been set up in many PCTs.  Certainly FMA UK had not noticed any improvement in the availability of treatment options since it was launched.

Of course this lack of NHS treatment leaves vulnerable people in search of treatment and can lead to unscrupulous money fleecing.  If effective treatment were available throughout the country through the NHS, money would be saved.  People with fibromyalgia could lead a useful life, perhaps being able to remain in work and not having to rely on benefits or carers to look after them.

For information on fibromyalgia www.fmauk.org
For information on the Musculoskeletal Framework Audit www.arma.uk.net

If you would like to respond to the Guardian article you can contact them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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