Executive Director International Institute for Human Empowerment, Author
Chair: Fibromyalgia Task Force of New York State
WELCOME
We are glad that you are here!
Clinical Practice is based upon collective wisdom from patient experiences and research. As one who has Fibromyalgia, and has worked toward creating public awareness of Fibromyalgia for the last seventeen years, I have been privileged to hear patient stories from across New York State and beyond. Here is a summary of my findings:
Current state of Fibromyalgia
Conflicting medical information about Fibromyalgia over many years has understandably created physician and patient frustration. Lack of adequate symptom management has led to loss of jobs and careers, increased patient reliance upon Social Security Disability and Medicaid, unstable family relationships, a general lack of hope, and depressed patient outcomes. Those who report attempting suicide, as well as those who complete, are over twice as likely to have reported chronic pain. Addiction rehabilitation centers report patient addiction to alcohol by those with chronic pain. Younger people report not being believed about their symptoms. Reliance on complementary treatments has increased due to lack of appropriate options in traditional medicine, but access to these treatments is uneven due to costs and lack of insurance coverage. The labor market continues to suffer losses of often well-experienced people in necessary positions due to Fibromyalgia.
It’s time to remedy this untenable situation.
Thank you
Thank you for being part of this rising tide determined to close the gap between Fibromyalgia research and clinical practice. Thank you for being dedicated to improved patient outcomes. Thank you to those who through medical research are discovering many new avenues for treatment options. Thank you to those who carry the message that Fibromyalgia patients deserve better and that we are committed to making that a reality.
Thank you for coming to this website to help expand your understanding of Fibromyalgia, and to increase your ability to treat patients. Thank you to our Legislators who have supported our efforts for over 17 years. Thank you to the physicians, medical researchers, educators, business, patients, therapists, and artists who, together, make up the Fibromyalgia Task Force New York State. Thank you to all the patients who have shared their stories that this picture of the current state of Fibromyalgia might be drawn. And thank you to our physicians, those on the front lines of facing suffering, for your knowledge, understanding, and empathy that are our hope.
May all of our efforts together improve patient outcomes, increase physician fulfillment, and cast a light on and eliminate inequities, so that we may ensure a better quality of life for all.
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