A landmark genetic study has established ‘clear biological’ basis for fibromyalgia.

It was in the wee hours of the morning when I saw the news. I was cautiously hopeful, but not ecstatic.

I did all of the above after years of being gaslit by doctors, waiting for a diagnosis, and following getting diagnosed, struggling to get the treatment and medication I needed.

We have suffered years of being told ‘it’s all in your head’ or having our pain and symptoms constantly minimised, as we try to live a normal life in a body that is anything but normal.

My story isn’t unique. Every other friend and person I know in a dance with fibromyalgia has experienced the same. Our stories and struggles are the same. 

We know that more research is needed. More awareness and education for the population, for government, employers, researchers and doctors is needed, so that we can get the support and reasonable adjustments required for us to live as best as we can.  

Ultimately, the researchers say the findings could lead to better ways of identifying how to treat fibromyalgia ion the future, with existing trials on incurable conditions like Huntington’s disease having the potential to benefit fibromyalgia patients.

I really hope it does.

Findings

The study was led by international experts including from Kings College London, and looked at data on 2.5 million adults in the UK, US, Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Estonia.

They found:

• That fibromyalgia represents a problem in pain processing, which we have known for some time.
  
• A strong link between fibromyalgia risk and the HTT gene, which is also associated with Huntington’s disease, a rare inherited brain disorder with no cure.
  
• Genetic overlap between fibromyalgia and other conditions such as lower back pain and irritable bowel syndrome.

I am still glad to see leading researchers taking an interest in this, with expert organisations like Kings College London being involved. It gives me a little hope. 

And after so many years of fighting, what often seems like losing battle, we could use some more hope.

Gentle hugs x