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From left to right, Linda Jones (Treasurer), Liz Barber ( Secretary) Jean Crossley ( Regional Co ordinator) Gerry Crossley ( FMA UK Trustee) Pat Appleyard (Chair) & Vince Jones ( Group Member).

The Hull and East Riding Fibromyalgia Syndrome Support Group was set up in 2000 to offer help and support to people with this painful condition and to help those who care for sufferers too. Pat Appleyard who's the chair of the group and Liz Barber, the
secretary, who both have this syndrome came into the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Humberside studios to talk about the problems this condition creates and what they do as a support group to help others in the same situation.

Pat and Liz are fighting to get Fibromyalgia Syndrome more recognition. They say it appears little is being done to help people who suffer from it. Externally there are few signs that there's anything wrong with the patient. Although anyone with this problem,
feels fatigue, has restrictive movements and is in chronic pain. Nine out of ten of people who have it are women and it can come on at any age and even affects children.

The triggers are thought to be a combination of factors; for example, an accident, having an operation,Μύor a virus to name a few.ΜύSome days are worse than others, 'flare-ups' occur intermittently and it makes it very difficult for the person with it to have a 'normal' life as often people are unable to work because of it.

Diagnosis is difficult and sometimes, the process of diagnosis can take a long time as some symptoms mimic those of arthritis. Pat and Liz, both say that it's difficult for people to understand what they're going through and say because they look perfectly
healthy people suggest they're not genuine.

For Pat and Liz, the constant pain is a reminder that it's anything but that and there's no specific treatment. Although not life threatening, it's a condition that is likely to last for life. In their interview they talk about how important it is for people with the
problem to get together to talk about it and give each other comfort that they're not alone.

By sharing experiences they hope that people will have a better quality of life for themselves and that of their families. Through groups like the Hull and East Riding Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Pat and Liz have learned that light exercise specifically tailored to their condition can help a great deal in alleviating some of the symptoms and they're keen to spread the word and would encourage anyone with the condition to contact them You can find contact details by using the links on this page.

Later this year there will be an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) meeting on fibromyalgia and coffee/tea reception at Portcullis House, London.Μύ This meeting has been arranged to coincide with International Fibromyalgia Awareness day on
Monday 12th May 2008 and is part of their Raise your Cups for Awareness Campaign.Μύ The APPG is organised by Rob Wilson, who's the MP for Reading East and Chairman of the APPG on Fibromyalgia.