Update: What Happened With the EpicGenetics Fibromyalgia Test?

When I first wrote about EpicGenetics and the FM/a fibromyalgia test back in 2021, I was genuinely hopeful. Like many fibro warriors, I wanted to believe we were getting closer to something so many of us have begged for: a clear, objective test that could help validate what our bodies have been screaming for years.

But part of being Fibro Savvy is staying curious, staying honest, and updating information when new details come out. So here is the important update.

EpicGenetics’ FM/a Test was promoted as a blood test for fibromyalgia, based on immune-system markers called cytokines and chemokines. The idea was exciting because fibromyalgia is still usually diagnosed through symptoms, history, exams, and ruling out other conditions. A blood test sounded like a huge step forward.

However, the story has become more complicated.

Since my original post, the FM/a Test has faced serious criticism over its accuracy claims and marketing. In 2023, the Center for Science in the Public Interest filed a lawsuit against EpicGenetics, challenging claims that the test was “99 percent accurate.” In 2024, the case ended in a settlement. As part of that settlement, EpicGenetics and related companies agreed to stop marketing and selling the FM/a Test and another test called 100Sure.

That does not mean fibromyalgia is not real. Let me say that louder for the people in the back: fibromyalgia is real. Our pain is real. Our fatigue is real. The brain fog, sleep issues, flares, and daily battles are real.

What it does mean is that we have to be careful when a company promises a simple answer to a very complex condition.

Another important update concerns the BCG vaccine study that once sounded so promising. The ClinicalTrials.gov listing for the Phase II BCG fibromyalgia trial is currently marked as withdrawn, with no participants enrolled and no results posted. So, at this point, there is no proven BCG vaccine treatment for fibromyalgia.

So where does that leave us?

Right now, fibromyalgia is still diagnosed clinically. That means your symptoms, medical history, pain patterns, sleep issues, fatigue, and other possible conditions all matter. Blood tests may still be used, but usually to check for other causes of symptoms, such as thyroid problems, autoimmune disease, vitamin deficiencies, inflammation, or other conditions that can look a lot like fibromyalgia.

And that is the biggest takeaway: please do not stop searching for answers just because one test, one doctor, or one label says “fibromyalgia.” Fibromyalgia can exist on its own, but it can also overlap with other conditions. If something feels wrong, if symptoms change, or if your gut tells you there is more going on, keep asking questions.

I still believe research matters. I still believe we need better tools, better testing, better treatment, and better respect for people living with fibromyalgia. But hope and caution can live in the same room.

For now, my updated opinion is this: be encouraged by research, but be careful with big promises. Talk with a trusted healthcare provider before paying for any specialty test. Ask what the test can and cannot prove. Ask whether it will change your treatment plan. Ask about false positives, false negatives, and whether other conditions still need to be ruled out.

Fibro warriors deserve answers. We also deserve answers that are honest, evidence-based, and not wrapped in hype.

Stay curious. Stay cautious. And most of all, keep listening to your body.

Myka Alley, Fibromyalgia Savvy