Alison McGovern: Merseyside and Wirral fibromyalgia group offers vital support for sufferers

Sep 14 2011 Bromborough and Bebington News

LAST week was dedicated to fibromyalgia, a medical condition you may or may not have heard of. The NHS estimates up to 1.75 million people in Britain suffer symptoms of fibromyalgia, and yet little is known about the cause of the disorder.

A condition that causes widespread muscle pain and tiredness for sufferers on a daily basis, it can also cause ‘brain fog’, leading to poor concentration, memory loss, and an inability to multitask. For too long, medical professionals argued on whether fibromyalgia was a ‘real’ illness, and sufferers failed to receive the care they were due. Nowadays, thankfully, the Department of Health has given the condition the recognition it deserves, but scientists have yet to agree on a particular cause and, partially because of this, no cure has been found.

Very little treatment exists at all. Those diagnosed with the illness, mainly women (approximately 85% of all sufferers are female), rely on pain-killers to ease the chronic pain, and speech therapy and lifestyle changes to reduce its effect. Exercise is highly recommended to possible sufferers. Many people who suffer with fibromyalgia suffer from depression, as an effect from the pain and fatigue they experience.

The Merseyside and Wirral Fibromyalgia group meets monthly at Arrowe Park hospital. I was heartened to hear that they now boast a 100-strong membership, offering upbeat support for all those who have the condition in the area. I encourage all those involved to keep up all the brilliant work they do and all those that feel they can help in any way to contact either the local group or The Fibromyalgia Association, which is dedicated to raising nationwide awareness of the condition. Those who wish to find out more should consult the association’s website at www.fibromyalgia-associationuk.org or indeed the local group’s website at www.fibropals.co.uk/merseyside-wirral