Readers’ interest in fibromyalgia continues. Here are several additional letters and e-mails I’ve received.

Q I was the one who sent the information about fibromyalgia and I read the question asked by Dr. K.B. in Anderson. I would like him/her to know we have a support group in Belton that I started in 2003. We have about 29 members. I would like to talk with Dr. K.B. about his/her interest with fibromyalgia. I know of one other support group that was meeting in Anderson, but I don’t know if they’re still meeting. Our group stopped for the summer but we’ll meet again at 6 p.m. on the last Monday of September at the First Baptist Church in Belton. If you think Dr. K.B. would be interested, maybe we could get a countywide group to come together for him to speak to us. Please send the doctor my e-mail address. Thank you for your help. — GAIL WILLIAMSON, GAILWILLIAMSON@CHARTER.NET

Q My mother has fibromyalgia and a friend sent me the article you wrote which contained a letter about living with fibromyalgia. Can you send me a link for that information? — A.E., E-MAIL

A The letter was printed on a fibromyalgia help Web site called “Fibrohugs: Your Home of Fibromyalgia Support” (www.fibrohugs.org). The letter to which you’re referring was written by a person who has fibromyalgia. He wrote about living with the illness. The direct link to the letter is www.fibrohugs.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11870&Itemid=80.

The site also has other posted letters and comments that you may find of interest.

Q How long has fibromyalgia been around? How long do people live with it? — J.S., CALHOUN FALLS

A I am not sure when the name fibromyalgia was first given to the group of symptoms that include fatigue and widespread pain and discomfort in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. The disorder is difficult to diagnose and a person may undergo many diagnostic tests to rule out other diseases and disorders.

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has developed guidelines to help doctors assess possible fibromyalgia. Your doctor puts light pressure with his or her fingers on each of 18 points on your body, to see whether you feel pain or tenderness. ACR criteria state that pain in at least 11 of the 18 points may indicate fibromyalgia.

According to references at the Mayo Clinic, that guideline is controversial. Doctors question whether it’s helpful in diagnosing fibromyalgia because the pain associated with fibromyalgia symptoms may come and go.

Disorders that may have similar symptoms and should be ruled out include (but are not limited to) carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, thyroid disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis and osteoarthritis.

As difficult as it is to live with this chronic illness, the disease is not progressive nor life-threatening.

Send your health questions to Debbie Jackson, PhD, MN Clemson University, 302 Sikes Hall, Clemson, SC 29634-5155 or e-mail her at dbj@clemson.edu.