This looks promising...

so those of us with FMS can only hope that when this test becomes available, doctors will take us seriously.

"Autoimmune Technologies LLC, a New Orleans biomedical company, and
Corgenix Medical Corp., a producer of diagnostic tests based in Denver,
developed a method for accurately diagnosing fibromyalgia, a chronic pain and
fatigue disorder. The test is called the APA ELISA Kit, short for Anti-Polymer
Antibody Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay.

Researchers at Tulane discovered the antibodies that form the
foundation of the APA ELISA Kit. Using several million dollars provided through
private equity capital, Autoimmune began developing this technology in 1995.
Corgenix was brought on to take the product through the final stages of
development.

The kit will hit the world market in September and, pending Food and
Drug Administration approval, will be available in the United States in less
than two years. The kits, which will be administered by medical professionals,
can test up to 40 people at a cost of $149 per test. "

So the good news is that there is now a test to diagnose FMS. The bad news is that we have to wait about two years for it. As for the $149 cost, obvioulsly at this time there is no way to know if it will be covered by insurance.

"Michael Charbonnet, Autoimmune chief executive, said his test kit strongly
supports fibromyalgia as a disease.

Unfortunately, many physicians still think fibromyalgia is something
made up by a bunch of crazy women, he said."

Yes, I've seen doctors who think I'm crazy and put me on anti-depressants. My own sister, herself a physician, thinks I'm using FMS as an excuse not to work. She'll be getting a copy of this article. I cannot work because of this. This is no excuse! Hell, if I had never been diagnosed with this, I'd probably still be in Massachusetts!

"In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology, a professional organization
of rheumatologists based in Atlanta, defined fibromyalgia as a chronic pain and
fatigue disorder. Most doctors now accept it as a real disease but many still
believe it is nothing more than women complaining about a few minor aches, said
Dr. Robert F. Gary, professor of microbiology and immunology at Tulane
University Health Sciences Center.

There is much that still needs to be learned about this illness,
including how it is contracted, Gary said. But it is a very real disease and the
women effected are truly suffering."

Shortly after that, the Social Security Administration has classified it as a disabling disorder, and is eligilible for coverage for Disability and SSI claims (something I've been trying to get for two years! I first applied for SSA Disability and SSI two years ago yesterday!)

I'll keep my eyes and ears open and see if there will be any clinical trials. I'd love to get in on something like that, even if it's just to prove to people that I'm not faking it!

--MorelaterZ--