2000

The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) hosts its FAME (Fibromyalgia Awareness Means Everything) conference in Los Angeles, CA.

 

2001

The Fibromyalgia Association Created for Education and Self-help (FACES, Inc.) co-hosted NFA’s FAME 2001 Chicago. 

 

2007

 Dr. Muhammad B. Yunus formerly of the University of Illinois at Peoria, began discussing Fibromyalgia as Central Sensitization.  Dr. Yunus' studies demonstrated that the central nervous systems (spinal column, nerves, and brains) of people with Fibromyalgia are hypersensitive to stimuli. [10]

FACES hosted The Mid-western Fibromyalgia Patient Education Conference. [11]

Lyrica (pregabalin) is the first drug ever to receive FDA approval for the treatment of Fibromyalgia. [12]

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2008

After a series of devastating health issues suffered by its founder, FACES dissolved. [13]

Cymbalta (duloxetine hydrochloride) is approved by the FDA for Fibromyalgia treatment. [14]

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2009

Savella (milnacipran HCI) joins the Fibro treatment team. [15]

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2010

ACR adopts a new diagnostic criterion for Fibromyalgia.  To be diagnosed with Fibro a person must meet the following three criteria:

 

• Has to have a Widespread Pain Index greater than or equal to 7 AND a symptom severity scale score greater than or equal to 5, or,

• a Widespread Pain Index greater than or equal to 3 to 6 AND a symptom severity scale score greater than or equal to 9, and

• Symptoms must have been present at the same level for at least 3 months. And

• The person does not have any other condition that would explain the pain. [16]

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2011

A group of researchers modified the 2010 diagnostic criteria for Fibromyalgia for use in epidemiological or community studies.  These changes were not approved/validated for diagnosis in a physician’s office.  For the purpose of research, a person is considered to have Fibromyalgia if the following 4 criteria were met:

 

• Must have a Widespread Index greater than or equal to 7 AND a symptom severity scale score greater than or equal to 5, or a Widespread Index greater than or equal to 3 to 6 AND a symptom severity scale score greater than or equal to 9, and

• Symptoms must have been present at the same level for at least 3 months. And

• Must have the following 6 self-reported symptoms:

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Fatigue

  • Poor cognition

  • Headaches

  • Depression, and

  • Abdominal pain, and

• The person does not have any other condition that would explain the pain. [17]

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2014

The Food and Drug Administration hosted a public meeting, “Fibromyalgia Public Meeting: Patient-Focused Drug Development” as it prepared to evaluate medication for the treatment of Fibromyalgia. [18]

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2016

ACR Fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria are modified again.

 

• Must have a Widespread Index greater than or equal to 7 AND a symptom severity scale score greater than or equal to 5, or,

• a Widespread Index greater than or equal to 3 to 6 AND a symptom severity scale score greater than or equal to 9, and

• Symptoms must have been present at the same level for at least 3 months, and

• Generalized pain which is defined as pain in at least 4 out of 5 regions is present.

• The presence of other pain producing conditions does not inhibit the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. [19]

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2017

NFA celebrated 20 years of Fibromyalgia awareness and supporting research.

 

“The U.S. government continued its assault on opioids during 2017, prompting more physicians to stop prescribing the drugs for chronic pain. As a result, many patients have been left without the drugs they depend on for daily functioning.” [20]

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Footnotes

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