Endarterectomy on asymptomatic patients

and others, showing disproportionate complaints compared with observed behavior in fibromyalgia patients, unlike arthritis patients. Since pain-complaining behavior is likely related to effort (or lack thereof), “work capacity” may not be a valid way to compare fibromyalgia patients with other groups of patients with actual pathology. Finally, Dr. Romano’s unctuous advice about use of “terribly expensive” tests rings hollow, given his advocacy of SPECT in medical-legal fibromyalgia patients.32 Perhaps he justifies it based on his own uncontrolled research on “posttraumatic fibromyalgia syndrome” patients.35 I am afraid Dr. Long’s emotional personal testimonial doesn’t bear much comment. I t is largely based on faith and wishful thinking rather than science. Like Dr. Romano, he chose to ignore my comment in the editorial that Hubbard’s hypothesis of electromyographic trigger points has not been verified by reliable, acknowledged electromyographers. In fact, evidence contrary to Hubbard’s findings has been published? I thank Dr. Holmlund for his comments and endorse his suggestion.

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