Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

WHEREAS, fibromyalgia is a chronic pain illness which affects more than 10 million people in the United States as a primary illness and millions more as a secondary illness (two to six percent of the population); and

WHEREAS, fibromyalgia is a condition affecting the central nervous system, for which there is currently no cure; the disease causes fatigue and debilitating pain in women, men and children of all ethnicities, many of which go undiagnosed; and

WHEREAS, family members of fibromyalgia patients are much more likely to experience the disease, as compared to the inherited trend in other disease states – eight times more likely with fibromyalgia versus two to three times in other similar disease states; and

WHEREAS, fibromyalgia is not only very common, but is typically very disabling; up to 15 to 20 percent of fibromyalgia patients may be on long-term disability; and

WHEREAS, patients with fibromyalgia live with widespread body pain, extreme fatigue, sleep disorders, stiffness and weakness, headaches, numbness and tingling and impairment of memory and concentration; and

WHEREAS, patients often have a number of co-existing conditions which may include chronic myofascial pain, IBS, TMJD, migraines, environmental sensitivities, anxiety and depression; and

WHEREAS, it may take years to receive a diagnosis of fibromyalgia; and

WHEREAS, increased awareness and expanded knowledge of the realities of  living with fibromyalgia and its impact on patients’ quality of life will allow the community at large to better support people who struggle with the challenges of this chronic-pain illness; and

WHEREAS, the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association, Leaders Against Pain Coalition and other groups around our country have joined together to advocate for fibromyalgia awareness, support and a better future through research, diagnosis, education and treatment:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim May 12, 2013, as

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

in the state of Alabama.