From: National Fibromyalgia Association
Lynne Matallana, Founder/President
3857 Birch St., Suite 312
Newport Beach, CA 92660
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Giving Fibromyalgia Patients a Stronger Voice in their Care
CBD Survey Launched
Ann Arbor, Michigan – The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) today announced their partnership with investigators from the University of Michigan to launch a study on CBD and chronic pain. In a constant effort to provide fibromyalgia patients with the best options for receiving quality care, and safe and effective treatments, the NFA is asking people with fibromyalgia and chronic pain to take part in the newly developed survey to help the investigators to better understand whether and how, individuals with chronic pain use cannabidiol (CBD).
The survey will help inform physicians, researchers, policymakers and patients about potential benefits and risks of CBD as a therapeutic agent. The NFA is asking the FM and pain communities to participate in this research study to provide the investigators with the communities’ current opinions and experiences with the use of CBD. Despite the amount of media coverage and accessibility to CBD, there is limited research providing evidence that CBD may be an option for managing anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain.
The investigators at the University of Michigan warn that without sufficient collection of information through patient self-reported surveys and high-quality evidence from human studies, it’s impossible to pinpoint effective doses of CBD, and it’s difficult for consumers to know exactly what they are getting when they purchase CBD as an unregulated supplement. In order to ensure a future where patients can feel safe and be able to make responsible decisions about CBD, organizations like the NFA need to assist investigators to be able to gather enough patient self-reported information to help further their research efforts.
“Many people with fibromyalgia live with unrelenting pain, and often have a difficult time explaining to their health care provider what their pain actually feels like. They also are at a loss as to what types of treatments to try, and how to assess a treatment’s effectiveness in helping to reduce their pain,” reports Lynne Matallana, Founder and President of the National Fibromyalgia Association.
“The University of Michigan has an outstanding group of researchers who have made some of the most important research discoveries regarding fibromyalgia and chronic pain over the past three decades. The NFA is honored to work with this outstanding research team to help them in their efforts to further the research into the use of CBD for chronic pain.”
Matallana added, “Considering the amount of distress people with FM and chronic pain experience, it has been a slow process to find new ways to help this underserved population of people. It’s exciting that researchers are becoming more interested in the patient’s perspective and giving them an opportunity to share their experiences and opinions. ”
ABOUT NATIONAL FIBROMYALGIA ASSOCIATION
The National Fibromyalgia Association’s (NFA) mission is to help improve the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia (FM). Founded in Orange County, California in 1997, the NFA works to build international awareness of this chronic pain disorder, provide patient assistance and support, educate the medical community, facilitate and implement research, and build collaboration between the patient, health care provider and scientific communities.
Visit the NFA’s website at www.fmaware.org for valuable and up-to-date information on the latest in fibromyalgia information, patient resources, scientific research, and activities to support fibromyalgia advocacy.
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If you would like more information on this topic, please contact Lynne Matallana at the National Fibromyalgia Association at Lynne@fmaware.org.
