Fibromyalgia affects many Utahns

SALT LAKE CITY — About 20 years ago, Jeanne Fetzer began having "off and on" episodes of pain in various areas of her body.

"In my legs, my arms, my shoulders," she said. "And I would wonder what that (was) and it would go away."

Then, approximately 16 years ago, the pain became widespread and the intensity increased, the 57-year old Salt Lake City homemaker explained.

After consulting with several doctors, Fetzer said she was diagnosed by a rheumatologist with fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia or FM is a sometimes disabling condition that is characterized by widespread chronic pain and stiffness, numerous chronic tender points and chronic fatigue with exertion intolerance reminiscent of arthritis and autoimmune disease.

"It's a condition where all pain is amplified," said Dr. Lucinda Bateman, executive director of the Organization for Fatigue & Fibromyalgia Education & Research. OFFER is a Salt Lake City-based non-profit whose mission is to improve community resources for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, while educating medical providers, patients and the public about the illness.

The organization also advocates on behalf of patients, as well as supports research into the cause, diagnosis and treatment of CFS and FM.

OFFER is hosting its annual conference for health care providers and patients on Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Marriott Salt Lake City Downtown. Visit www.offerutah.org for more information.

The condition typically strikes women three times more often than men, with a median age of 40 to 50, either definite or gradual in onset, often following periods of emotional stress, and sometimes associated with infection, hormone shifts such as menopause, surgery or mechanical trauma.

"I also suffer from anxiety," Fetzer said. "Fatigue often accompanies the pain and sleep has been difficult without medication."

Bateman said the cause of FM is unknown, but it is a medically recognized illness with about 5 million to 10 million people in the United States afflicted with the condition. While millions of people suffer through chronic pain, there is still some debate about whether fibromyalgia is an actual disease.

"There is a large body of scientific evidence that says (fibromyalgia) really isn't a disease," said Dr. Frederick Wolfe, director of the National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases — a non-profit, independent research group based in Wichita, Kan. "Some people believe it is a disease, some people believe it isn't a disease."