Although fibromyalgia is recognized by the American College of Rheumatology and some insurers as a legitimate disease and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug (Cymbalta) to specifically treat the condition, many people, including medical experts, still doubt its existence.  Skeptics say the symptoms are too varied and vague, there’s no definitive lab test to prove the disease and most of the people claiming to have fibromyalgia are really suffering from stress, depression and anxiety. As a result, confusion and controversy continue to surround the illness.

To help clear up some of the mystery surrounding the disease, a resolution was recently proposed to initiate the Fibromyalgia Legislative Task Force for California. The task force would aim to promote public awareness and proper treatment for the disorder. Please see below for a brief exert from the California legislature—2007–08 regular session.  You can go to http://www.leginfo.ca.gov and search for “Fibromyalgia Legislative Task Force.”

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 112; Introduced by Assembly Member Soto March 3, 2008: Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 112—Relative to a Legislative Task Force on Fibromyalgia legislative counsel’s digest ACR 112, as introduced, Soto. Legislative Task Force on Fibromyalgia.
 
This measure would establish a Legislative Task Force on Fibromyalgia, consisting of specified members, to establish a public information and outreach campaign, work with other state and local agencies to promote fibromyalgia education and training programs for physicians and other health professionals, collaborate with a broad group of stakeholders, review current state policies and practices concerning treatment of fibromyalgia, develop a State Fibromyalgia Strategic Plan to be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature by September 1, 2009, and hold a Fibromyalgia Summit during the 2009–10 Regular Session of the Legislature.

I believe it’s about time something is being done for people with this condition.  It’s always difficult when I work with someone suffering from this because they are not taken seriously and often made to believe they have a psychological problem and the symptoms are all in their head.  It’s also very exciting to see that research continues to increase studying different approaches to help this population.  Please go to my News & Research page to see some of the latest Fibromyalgia news and research. Unfortunately, many healthcare providers still prescribe opiates and many people develop other problems including addiction.