[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 80 (Thursday, May 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING FIBROMYALGIA AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2023

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring greater awareness of 
fibromyalgia: a complex chronic illness that causes fatigue, cognitive 
problems, and debilitating pain for people across demographics, but 
mainly in women. There is no known cure.
  Over 6 million people in the United States--two to four percent of 
our population--and millions worldwide have been diagnosed with 
fibromyalgia. Some are still waiting to be diagnosed. It can take an 
average of three to five years to receive a diagnosis. Those who are 
diagnosed with fibromyalgia may experience a lack of social acceptance 
and disbelief.
  First coined in the 1950s from a set of difficult to explain regional 
and widespread musculoskeletal pain issues mixed with symptoms of 
psychosocial distress. While the diagnostic criteria changed in 2010, 
and is by some seen as a primary pain disorder with a neurobiological 
basis, we lack consensus in the medical community. In 2017, 
fibromyalgia flashed in the mainstream news when popular music artist 
Lady Gaga revealed how severe pain from a fibromyalgia flare-up caused 
her to cancel part of her concert tour.
  Chronic or persistent pain, a primary symptom of fibromyalgia, is 
pain that carries on for longer than 12 weeks despite medication or 
treatment. Chronic pain correlates with complications, including severe 
depression and suicidal attempts and ideation. 20 percent of our 
population have chronic pain, and 10 percent have pain with work 
limitations.
  It is my hope we can work together to support a better future for 
research, treatment, diagnosis, and education on fibromyalgia and 
chronic pain in order to greatly improve lives and bolster the overall 
success of our Nation.

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