Fibromyalgia Support Group May 27, 2004 CVMC Offers July 28 Program, Support Group To Those With Fibromyalgia

Sometimes called a diagnosis of exclusion, fibromyalgia is a part of life for between 3 and 6 million individuals in the U.S. Fibromyalgia, a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and multiple tender points, is marked by many symptoms including fatigue, sleep disturbance, muscle stiffness, headaches, irritable bowel and bladder, depression, poor concentration, sensitivity changes, swelling and chest pain. Its cause is unknown. For those suffering from fibromyalgia, Catawba Valley Medical Center offers a Fibromyalgia Support Group the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Meeting in the classroom of the Comprehensive Pain Management Center on the CVMC campus, the group is led by Donna Price, director and psychologist of the Comprehensive Pain Management Center, with the assistance of the other health care professionals. "Our goal is to share information to educate our community as well as to provide social and support time for those dealing with fibromyalgia," said Ms. Price. There is no cost for attending the support group. "The first step in dealing with a chronic illness is taking control and ownership of the disease," continued Ms. Price. "Once this is done, coping skills can be implemented to help the individual improve the quality of life. "We also invite the public to attend a program on 'Coping with Fibromyalgia' to learn about these coping skills. For those with fibromyalgia, knowing more about the condition can help take back some control in life and decrease the never-ending pain." "Coping with Fibromyalgia" will be held at CVMC's HealthFirst Center at Valley Hills Mall (lower level beside Belks) on Monday, July 28 at 7:00 p.m. Ms. Price, a licensed psychological associate who has been working with individuals suffering from chronic pain for 15 years, will conduct this no-charge program. To register, call the HealthFirst Center at 828-485-2300. CVMC's Comprehensive Pain Management Center offers a team approach to managing pain with the expertise of physicians (anesthesiologists and interventional physiatrists), nurses, physical therapists and psychologists. The Center treats abdominal pain, arthritis, back & neck pain, cancer pain, chronic muscle spasm, failed back surgery, fibromyalgia, muscle tension & migraine headaches, myofascial syndromes, neuralgias, neuropathies, pancreatitis, post trauma/accidents, radiculopathy, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, shingles, sports injuries, TMJ Syndrome (jaw pain) and work-related injuries. Treatment modalities include biofeedback, nerve blocks, spinal injections, flouroscopy-guided injections, botox injections, prolotherapy, nerve stimulation, manipulation, exercises, counseling, massage therapy and medical management. Catawba Valley Medical Center is a not-for-profit healthcare system providing and promoting the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being of the public in addition to serving as a center for health education, wellness services, preventative medicine and acute care. It was designated in 2001as the thirty-second Magnet facility in the nation and the second in the Carolinas.