If it is accepted the conference isn't until NOVEMBER so I will put together the survey and it will give anyone interested enough time to fill it out.

If you didn't read it yet or you did read it but didn't know if you wanted to help or not please think about it. My goal is to present this at the National Music Therapy Conference in St. Louis. I want to educate people in my field about fibro and what it is like to have it. We all talk about how people don't understand our needs. I hope to convince them we are real people with a real condition that shouldn't be dismissed. If you already responded I have your name so you don't have to do it again- fibrofog/ don't want to get confused

Here is the proposal if you haven't read it. They need to know how difficult it is living with this and all the things we have tried and are trying to live a normal life as well as all the things we have lost because of having this condition.

To everyone who has responded THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH! Let's hope it is accepted- hope this doesn't sound too corny but I really LOVE YOU GUYS.

Here it is.....

A. TITLE OF PRESENTATION (12 words maximum)

“Fibromyalgia: You Can’t See what I Feel!”

B. ABSTRACT (50 word maximum; appropriate for inclusion in conference program)

Approximately 2% to 5% of the population is struggling with a condition known as “Fibromyalgia”. Presently there is no known cure nor is there one identifiable cause. Suffers “look” healthy but complain of various symptoms: the primary one being “pain”. Understanding the physical and psychological components of Fibromyalgia can help healthcare professionals better treat their patients and dispel the notion that “It is just all in their heads”.

Add image - C. LEARNER OBJECTIVE(S) –include 1 or more learner objectives to be addressed through this presentation.?????

- What is Fibromyalgia and who gets it?

- Possible causes of Fibromyalgia

- Fibromyalgia verses Chronic Fatigue

- Mainsteam medical treatment model

- Some alternative treatment models

- What people with Fibromyalgia are saying

D. DESCRIPTION (300 word maximum)-Provide sufficient information concerning the proposal for reviewers to evaluate its suitability for this year’s conference. Please do not simply include an outline. Rather, please write in narrative form. Clinical proposals should include information on assessment and documentation.

“Fibromyalgia” is a word that comes from the Latin word “fibro” meaning fibrous tissue, “my” meaning muscles and “algia” meaning pain. There seems to be a growing epidemic of suffers worldwide. Women are diagnosed more frequently than men. Even though pain is the primary symptom, other secondary symptoms may include but are not exclusive to problems sleeping, difficulties concentrating, and struggles with extreme fatigue.

Currently there is no one known cause. Some researchers speculate possible causes ranging from genetics, trauma, and infections as well as autoimmune, biochemical and neurobiological mechanisms. Even with these findings there are still medical professionals who dismiss it purely as a “psychological disorder” because there is not a concrete “test” to verify its existence. Sadly the impact of this reality weighs heavily on persons with the condition. They often suffer with low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and feelings of worthlessness because of lack of affirmation and understanding.

This presentation hopes to shed some light on what fibromyalgia really is and current traditional and non-traditional approaches to treating it. The presenter also will include information provided by members of an online fibromyalgia support group. Such members vary in age, sex, and number of associated symptoms. The presenter and the forum members hope to see this as an opportunity to educate others: especially healthcare professionals who might encounter clients with fibromyalgia in their practice. Others might benefit who have friends or family members with this syndrome. The presenter herself has fibromyalgia.

I LOVE YOU TOO!