New Fibromyalgia Website Created to Aid 1.2 million Patients

The 1.2 million sufferers of fibromyalgia inhabiting the nation of the maple leaf have just received a new resource to aid them with their disease.

A new website has just been launched for Canadians who suffer from fibromyalgia; the website is the first of its kind, as it provides fibromyalgia patients with a community of experts and fellow fibromyalgia sufferers, as well as reliable, up-to-date information, research, and news on the disease.

The website, Fibrocentre.ca, was created by one of Canada's leading research-based pharmaceutical companies.

The founders stated that they developed it because they believe it is vital to destroy the stigma associated with fibromyalgia, and in order to do that, awareness of the symptoms and impact of this condition can have on an individual’s life must be increased.

Fibrocentre.ca will offer anyone who seeks information on the condition as well as treatment options a home base of sorts, and will also allow fibromyalgia patients to receive advice from experts on managing their pain. There is also a section of the website dedicated to helping patients discover better methods of describing their symptoms to their physician.

"It can sometimes take a long time for a person to get a diagnosis of fibromyalgia because the symptoms often mimic other conditions," reported Steven McNair, president and CEO of The Arthritis Society. "Canadians living with fibromyalgia need access to a variety of tools and resources, tips and advice that will make researching and finding treatment options much easier."

"I'd say the most important first step in obtaining a diagnosis is that people living with fibromyalgia need to take the time to prepare before their doctors appointment so that they can talk to their doctor knowledgeably about their symptoms," continued McNair.

Fibrocentre.ca provides supportive videos from patients as well as health care professionals who offer information and advice to fibromyalgia sufferers who visit the site. There is also a list containing the names of doctors who accept new fibromyalgia patients and contact information for Canadian associations.

Further, the website acts as a venue for visitors to make a charitable donation by simply adding themselves to a support map of Canada, and Fibrocentre.ca will donate $5 to The Arthritis Society in order to support awareness programs for patients living with fibromyalgia.

Dr. Roger Shick, Physician Operations Leader of the St. Paul's Hospital Pain Centre in Vancouver, commented on the importance of physicians and health care professionals being knowledgeable of the symptoms and severity of fibromyalgia.

"Reaching a diagnosis is more likely to be successful if you educate yourself about fibromyalgia and what you can do to help to manage your symptoms," said Shick. "The more you know, the more involved you'll be in your treatment and the easier it will be to develop a treatment plan that works best for you."