From Pain to Unexpected Fame: One Woman's Journey to ...( - Martha Beck and Leading Experts Jo...)

- Martha Beck and Leading Experts Join Together to Help People Living with

Fibromyalgia -

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Living in pain for one day can be excruciating, but for Martha Beck, one day became a seemingly endless cycle of widespread pain, fatigue, emotional changes, and memory problems. It took 12 years of searching for an answer to the painful symptoms she was experiencing before she finally received a formal diagnosis of fibromyalgia at age 31.

Along the way, Beck developed coping skills that helped her manage her fibromyalgia while achieving her personal goals. She earned a Ph.D. in sociology, became a mother and an author, and launched a successful career as a life coach with regular appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

In an effort to help the 5 million Americans with fibromyalgia(1) play an active role in the management of their disorder, Beck is, for the first time, publicly sharing her personal journey by spearheading Know Fibro. This national initiative, co-sponsored by the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY), provides comprehensive fibromyalgia information, symptom management tools, practical tips, and an interactive Web site, http://www.KnowFibro.com .

"When I was diagnosed, I was eager to learn how I could manage my symptoms, but I found there was little credible information available. Unfortunately, that story may sound all too familiar to those living with fibromyalgia," said Beck. "I was forced to create my own coping techniques that helped me take control of my fibromyalgia. Now, I look forward to sharing my experience with fibromyalgia and
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