[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 64 (Thursday, May 10, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL FIBROMYALGIA AWARENESS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN E. PETERSON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2001

  Mr. PETERSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day on May 12, 2001.
  Fibromyalgia remains a great mystery of the medical world. It affects 
3 to 6 million Americans and causes debilitating symptoms that often 
times make it impossible for an afflicted individual to lead a normal 
life. Fibromyalgia patients describe their pain as being so severe that 
it can be impossible to lift a glass of water or even get out of bed 
some mornings.
  While the disease tends to affect women between the age of 35 and 50, 
cases have been reported in children, men and the elderly.
  Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread 
musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and multiple tender points. These tender 
points are located in the knee, shoulder, hip and back and can make 
walking a short distance a challenge. It is also common for 
Fibromyalgia patients to have a sleep disorder, causing the fatigue to 
worsen.
  The most frustrating aspect of this disease is that is causes a 
chronic pain for which there is neither a cure nor a known cause. I 
hope that through awareness efforts like National Fibromyalgia 
Awareness Day, more attention will be focused on finding a cure and 3 
to 6 million Americans can return to living normal, pain free lives.
  I applaud the efforts of the National Fibromyalgia Awareness Campaign 
and ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing May 12, 2001 as 
National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.

                          ____________________