January to be dedicated to fibromyalgia awareness

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Senate approved legislation designating January as Fibromyalgia Awareness Month after an emotional floor speech by its sponsor, state Sen. Capri Cafaro of Liberty, D-32nd.

Cafaro offered the bill to recognize individuals like her sister, Renee, “who struggled everyday with the stigma that people didn’t believe that something was wrong with them. But there is — you just can’t see it.”

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder “characterized by widespread pain, abnormal pain processing, sleep disturbance, fatigue and often psychological distress,” according to an analysis compiled by the state’s Legislative Service Commission.

“Those with fibromyalgia also may experience morning stiffness, numbness of hands and feet, headaches or migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, problems with memory and thinking, or painful menstrual periods and other pain syndromes,” the LSC analysis said.

The disorder affects 3 to 4 percent of men, women and children, making it difficult for them to complete everyday tasks, Cafaro said.

The senator said it took about 10 years and a couple of misdiagnoses before the disorder was recognized in her sister.

“This is something that is real,” Cafaro said Thursday. “This is something that affects many in our state and something that has a significant impact on individuals’ ability to just conduct themselves on a daily basis.”