Pain

Rainbow at shoreline

The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association, a 501(c)3 founded in 1985, exists to meet the needs of patients with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) or FM (Fibromyalgia), their families and loved ones. The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association works to educate health-care providers and the general public regarding these severely-disabling physical illnesses. We also support patients and their families and advocate for more effective treatment and research.

September is Pain Awareness Month

Details: Last Updated: 24 January 2016 24 January 2016

This page is dedicated to September, Pain Awareness Month (2011)

A public awareness campaign about chronic pain is underway on Facebook, sponsored by the American Pain Foundation (APF). The Foundation is hoping to secure a presidential proclamation designating September as “National Pain Awareness Month.” In honor of their endeavor, Massachusetts CFIDS/ ME & FM Association has created a new section in our Resource Library specifically designated for articles and information related to chronic pain. New items on this topic will be added in the weeks and months ahead.

Here are some of the resources:

Books about Pain and Pain Management
Learn more about what might be causing some of your pain and therapies or techniques recommended by physicians for each type of pain
Pharmacological therapies approved for Fibromyalgia
Review of medications approved by Food Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for the treatment of fibromyalgia
Comprehensive Treatment of Fibromyalgia
Advice from an internationally known FM specialist, Robert Bennett M.D., FRCP
Treatments: Conventional Medicine
Summary of conventional treatments, for pain, and other symptoms plus numerous resources

If you suffer pain from fibromyalgia, request that your physician acquire a copy of recently published article in Journal of Rheumatology, July 15, 2011;38(7) which may promote more realistic expectations about FM, including pain: A study of 1555 FM Patients provides valuable insight on longitudinal outcome of FM.

Notice about names

The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association would like to clarify the use of the various acronyms for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) on this site. When we generate our own articles on the illness, we will refer to it as ME/CFS, the term now generally used in the United States. When we are reporting on someone else’s report, we will use the term they use. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies, including the CDC, are currently using ME/CFS.

Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association changed its name in July, 2018, to reflect this consensus.