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Posts: 6,211
12/18/09 10:28 A

I hope everyone gets this...lol

I get that WebMD newsletter, and every now and then something great comes up! Here's an article I found very interesting and wanted to share:
www.webmd.com/pain-management/advances-in-
chronic-pain-treatment/treatment?ecd=w
nl_cbp_121709

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Kathy

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10/10/09 7:03 P

NEWSBRIEF: Next year, the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) will open an $86 million Center for Molecular Medicine that will include headquarters of the Whittemore Peterson Institute for Neuro-Immune Disease, which will conduct clinical trials and offer treatment for conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and atypical multiple sclerosis.

The developers say the state-of-the-art facility will help them recruit top-notch researchers and faculty. The medical director will be Dr. Daniel Peterson, a leading chronic fatigue syndrome researcher.

A $5-million dollar donation for the facility came from Harvey and Annette Whittemore, whose daughter Andrea has lived with chronic fatigue syndrome for nearly two decades, since she was 12 years old. Annette Whittemore has been actively promoting chronic fatigue syndrome research since 1994.

Read more about the institute and its goals at this link: http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...

Posts: 23
10/10/09 7:00 P

Oct 10 09 There is an interview with Dr. Peterson on NPR regarding a big break in research about the cause of certain types of CFS (and by extension, FM). You can go to the NPR.org website to learn more. Finally, there might be a real treatment for certain folks with CFS/FM. Hooray!
========================================
=====


Edited by: RCAMARDO1 at: 10/10/2009 (19:01)

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8/31/09 2:58 P

Quality Health article on alternative treatments for FMS.

http://tinyurl.com/ljfzrn

You have to answer a question to read the whole article but you shouldn't have to give your email or sign up for the newsletters (though they are excellent).

As you can tell by the number of things I've posted recently, I do a lot of reading on FMS, as well as certain other conditions, especially through Quality Health website. If I'm posting too much, please let me know.

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8/28/09 3:20 P

There was an article in SparkPeoples Health news today about IBS and the type of fiber that helps it best. I know a lot of us deal with IBS, sometimes daily, so I thought I'd pass it on.

The easiest way to find the article is to go to your SparkPoints page and click on Read a Health New Article.

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8/26/09 1:39 P

Article in O about Dr Teitelbaum's fibromyalgia protocol.

www.oprah.com/article/omagazine/200909-oma
g-dr-oz-fibromyalgia

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8/25/09 1:25 P

Kathy suggested I move this subject here so...

I came across this About.com article on healthy eating and fibromyalgia. It is pretty basic but am passing in on.

tinyurl.com/nkyebe

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Posts: 34
6/4/09 4:36 P

Costco is selling Big 40oz tubs of flax seed. It is in powder form but was cold pressed not ground. It doesn't even need to be refrigerated.

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5/12/09 10:32 A

10 people is a pretty small pool, but the results are incouraging!!

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5/12/09 4:02 A

Drug May Relieve Fibromyalgia Pain
Ivanhoe Broadcast News


(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- An inexpensive drug that's been used for years to treat opioid addiction may be the key to relieving pain for millions of fibromyalgia sufferers.

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that affects an estimated 4 percent of the population, yet there is no well-established and objective blood test to confirm its diagnosis. Sufferers report experiencing chronic widespread pain, debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance and joint disorders.

A small pilot study at Stanford University tested the effect of a low dose of the drug naltrexone on 10 women with fibromyalgia. Over a 14-week period, the women used a handheld electronic device to report their symptoms on a daily basis. They took a placebo for two weeks and the drug for eight weeks, but they were not told when they were taking the drug or the placebo.

The drug reduced symptoms of pain and fatigue an average of 30 percent over the placebo, researchers said.

"Patients' reactions were really quite profound," senior author Sean Mackey, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor of anesthesia and chief of the pain management division at Stanford University Medical Center was quoted as saying. "Some people decided to come off other medications. Some people went back to work really improving their quality of life."

Researchers said the drug is so promising because currently there are few treatment options available for fibromyalgia patients, its lost cost of about $40 a month and its limited side effects.  A larger, longer-term trial is planned to confirm the results of this preliminary study.
Source: Pain Medicine, April 2009
www.healthscout.com/news/1/8021300/main.ht
ml

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5/11/09 7:46 P

for the information. It came right on time because I was about to buy this product.

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Posts: 489
5/11/09 2:38 A

!

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

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5/10/09 7:09 P

Happy Mother's Day All!

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5/9/09 10:58 P

Good article. I am one that can't take the alfalfa,
I take Omega 3 supplements.

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Posts: 660
5/6/09 11:36 A

sanctuaria, thank you sooo much for you warning about alfalfa sprouts.

Posts: 183
5/6/09 12:15 A

Thank you so much for sharing that newsletter. For the folks that have overlapping auto-immune conditions, please be cautious ingesting alfalfa sprouts. It is known to cause flares - I can attest to that personally - but as in all of our bodies being individual, some folks are ok with it, some are not.
I hope that is ok to say?

Posts: 43
5/1/09 12:26 A

Your all very welcome. That is what we are all here for... to help eachother out. I am so greatful for SP. Such a great network of wonderful people.

Posts: 7,935
5/1/09 12:15 A

Thank you for sharing MJRDELP

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4/30/09 5:54 P

Appreciate the information MJRDELP.

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4/30/09 5:32 P

Thanks a bunch for all the info.

Posts: 43
4/30/09 4:51 P

It was suggested to me in the General Discussion to have this posted in the "Reading Room"

I just recieved an email newsletter for the Fibromyalgia Relief Center, one of the articles fits right in to what many of you have been saying. Here it is:

Nutrition and Diet Therapy
Dietary Guidelines

Here are some of the nutritional guidelines we use here at the Fibromyalgia Relief Center. The daily diet should include milled flax seed, 3 or more tbsp., or cold-pressed, unrefined flax seed oil. Flax seed and its oil contain the essential fatty acid omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid, which the body converts into hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins help relieve the inflammation of fibromyalgia. The oils of fatty fish such as trout, cod, halibut, mackerel and salmon also contain omega-3 fatty acids and therefore work as anti-inflammatory agents.

Alfalfa can be used for pain control. It contains saponins, sterols, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, vitamins, amino acids, minerals and trace elements.

Eat a high-fiber diet that includes plentiful servings of raw and steamed vegetables. Maximize your intake of greens. Include ample servings of clean, lean protein, such as that found in fish, poultry, and fresh raw nuts and seeds in your diet. Eat four to five small meals daily rather than three larger ones. This will ensure that you have a steady supply of nutrients available for proper muscle function.

Avoid processed foods and foods that are high in saturated or hydrogenated fats, such as dairy products, meat, and margarine. Saturated fats interfere with circulation, increasing inflammation and pain.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugar. These substances enhance fatigue, increase muscle pain, and can interfere with normal sleep patterns.

Drink eight glasses of pure water daily. Fresh juices and herbal teas are also good choices. A plentiful intake of liquids is important for flushing out toxins.

Investigate the possibility that food allergies and/ or sensitivities may be contributing to the problem.

Posts: 1,789
4/27/09 6:25 P

Thanks.

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Posts: 2,539
4/20/09 11:58 P

Good stuff, thanks!

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4/14/09 5:42 P

BETTERME54 Your in it here!!
Scroll to the bottom or last page there are lots of articles here.

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Posts: 1,789
4/14/09 4:02 P

OK I know this question is a little strange so don't laugh too much

How Do I get into the Reading Room?

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Posts: 7,935
4/14/09 12:30 P

Paige Hemmis from DIY has designed a website for people that includes openly speaking about her depression and plans to get help overcoming the depression etc. I saw a blurb with Paige on the Indy news at noon today.


blueprintforhope.com/index.html

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4/14/09 10:36 A

www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal.
asp?id=SPARKLINGHOPE

Today's Journal and Courier jconline.com April 13, 2009 posted information on patient drug/drug assistance programs www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID
=2009904130321 .


Links sited in news article:

# National Association on Mental Illness:
www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helplin
e1/Prescription_Drug_Patient_Assistanc
e_Programs.htm

# Partnership for Prescription Assistance:
www.pparx.org

# RxAssist: Accessing Pharmaceutical Patient Assistance Programs:
www.rxassist.org

# RxHope: The Heart of the Pharmaceutical Industry:
www.rxhope.com

My blog today includes sources, sites, and article links pertaining to available help for those who may benefit. Among things addressed in the J & C newspaper article are some people are forced to balancing food for their families verses their medications during the Recession. Therefore I became motivated to do some research to help my Indiana team and my DWD team as well as all other Spark Members...


**********
Includes several Drug Company or other resource links:

www.thelivingweb.net/lowcost_prescription_
drugs.html

www.insure.com/articles/healthinsurance/fr
ee-drugs.html

www.myrxadvocate.com/howItWorks.php


**********
Drug discounts. Many drug and retail chains have membership plans that make some drugs available for as little as $4. You also can find help buying prescription drugs at www.togetherrxaccess.com ; www.rxassist.org ; www.needymeds.org . Together Rx Access recently expanded eligibility for its programs. A family of two earning $60,000 qualifies for the program.

Used medical equipment. World Medical Relief, a Detroit nonprofit agency, has a large warehouse with canes, walkers, hospital beds, over-the-bed tables, commodes, tub benches and similar items for low-income people with a doctor's prescription for the equipment. A small handling fee is charged. For details, go towww.worldmedicalrelief.com or call 313-866-5333. The agency also provides basic home health care supplies such as adult diapers and bed pads to low-income people of all ages. No referral is necessary for this service.

source: www.freep.com/article/20090404/BUSINESS06/
904040390/
**********
Another helpful article was written in the May 2009 issue of Prevention discusing the dangerous possibility of your Pharmacist changing your prescribed drug from your Doctor. "The Great Drug Witcheroo" with a backward "r" in the title that I can't duplicate. This article is on pages 117 thru 121. I have not been successful finding the link for this article but supplied some others.

www.prevention.com/cda/article/are-generic
-drugs-safe/ca929d93636d6110VgnVCM1000
0013281eac____/health/healthy.lifestyl
e/smart.medical.decisions

www.prevention.com/cda/article/prescriptio
n-for-danger-grill-your-doctor/1fe750d
1fa803110VgnVCM10000013281eac____/heal
th/healthy.lifestyle/smart.medical.decisions/

www.prevention.com/cda/article/get-the-mos
t-out-of-your-meds/2bda66263d803110Vgn
VCM20000012281eac____/health/drug.ency
clopedia/general.information/

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Posts: 87
4/10/09 10:17 A

Great article. I think there is definitely something in the fact that Fibro is caused by some kind of chemical imbalance in the brain. I myself notice that if I sit in front of the PC too much (as I do 8 hours a day at work) or concentrate very hard on some task on the PC, I almost instantly start feeling much worse. And the longer I continue on the PC, the worse the pain get until after a week or so, I wake up every morning feeling like I've been on a rack all night. Scientists have found out already that computers interfere with our brain waves and chemistry, so I really do think there is a connection between fibro and moder life.

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4/4/09 1:37 P

Great Article! Thanks for sharing.
But Sleep . . . I think I get it but . . . .
Yep . . . Awake often & NEVER feel rested.


Anyone have information of "flare-ups?" How long they typically last & so on. I think I may have one that has lasted years, no kidding.

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4/4/09 12:39 P

Some great information in these posts -- Thanks!! I've had several weeks of pain and fatigue until I'm almost at wit's end. Still get up and get to work, but am totally wiped out once I get back home. There's got to be a way to feel better. I have an appointment with my rheumatologist next week.

Posts: 1,789
4/3/09 5:20 P

Thanks you CINDERRELIC for the information site on every day health and fibromyalgia and how fibromyalgia effects sleep.
This is very true some days I can barely get around due to the pain of fibromyalgia and the lack of sleep effective by the different area of pain.

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4/3/09 3:02 P

Here is a good article on how FMS effects sleep and causes fatigue and fibro-fog.

www.everydayhealth.com/fibromyalgia/101/fi
bromyalgia-and-sleep.aspx?xid=nl_Every
dayHealthWomensHealth_20090403

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4/1/09 7:34 P

Your welcome. I wish I had kept a list of all the medicines I have tried over the last 10 years and what kind of problems I had with them. It also gets very confusing because there are usually two names for the same medication plus the generic name. I have a list of the meds themselves, but only a general idea of how I reacted. I never expected it to turn into something like this. Take care.

Posts: 1,789
4/1/09 6:27 P

Thanks TIGGY6209
For the information on Savella. I will be asking my pain management doctor about this drug. To see if this would be a good pain med for me , I have tried so many medications. I keep a list of all the pain Med's I have taken and their side effect on me.

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4/1/09 11:03 A

From Fibromyalgia Network - Savella approved

Savella (milnacipran) FDA-Approved for Fibro
Posted: January 29, 2009

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Jan. 14, approved Savella as the first drug specifically for the treatment of fibromyalgia ... and not just the pain. During clinical trials, the Fibromyalgia Network has been referring to Savella as its study name "milnacipran" in Fibromyalgia Network Journal articles. While two other medications have been given FDA approval for treating fibromyalgia pain, they were already available on the U.S. market for other medical uses.

Given the FDA's track record of okaying less than 20 new drugs per year, the approval of Savella represents a major milestone for people with invisible body-wide pain and the multiple symptoms of fibromyalgia. It's a sign that the pharmaceutical industry is finally waking up to the fact that their shareholders and patients with fibromyalgia can both benefit from new drug developments.

Savella was originally expected to be available this spring, but the release date has been delayed until mid 2009. Patients living in several countries throughout Europe and Asia already have access to the drug under the brand name Ixel. Although Ixel is marketed as an antidepressant in these countries (not as a treatment for fibromyalgia), this drug has a good safety record that dates back to 1997.

Savella is believed to work in the central nervous system to increase norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin.1 These two transmitting substances are part of the pain inhibitory system that helps filter out pain signals in the spinal cord so that fewer travel all the way up to the brain. One study showed that serotonin and NE are both low in the spinal fluid of people with fibromyalgia, which could explain why Savella is particularly useful for treating this condition.2 The drug is in the class of dual reuptake inhibitors, the same as Cymbalta (duloxetine), but it exerts a much stronger effect on NE than serotonin. When NE and serotonin are released at the nerve endings, Savella latches on to these molecules and carries them back across the nerve junction so that they can be reused again to fight pain. In a way, the drug acts to recycle both NE and serotonin.

The FDA's approval of Savella for the treatment of fibromyalgia was based on a combined response to three different measures: (1) at least a 30 percent reduction in pain, (2) a patient overall rating of either "very much improved" or "much improved," and (3) significant progress in physical functioning. Although patients taking 100 mg or 200 mg of Savella per day showed greater improvement on these three measures than the patients in the placebo group (i.e., they took a sugar pill), individual responses are impossible to predict.3

Relief of fibromyalgia symptoms were noticeable after one week in the group of patient responders. In addition, Savella exerted a favorable effect on reducing daytime fatigue and memory/concentration difficulties. One of the desirable side effects of the drug is weight loss of about one to two pounds per month. However, the same reason that the drug helps people lose weight (e.g., its more potent effect on NE) also tends to cause a slight increase in both blood pressure and heart rate.

Other common side effects are nausea, headache, constipation, profuse sweating, dizziness, hot flush, insomnia, dry mouth, and palpations. The nausea typically goes away after one to two weeks of continued therapy and may be minimized by taking the medication with food. Savella has little chance of interfering with the action of other medications, it takes about two hours to be fully absorbed by the digestive system, and half of it will end up in the urine after six-to-eight hours (e.g., its half-life). Due to this short half-life, it's recommended that the drug be taken twice a day.

Many fibromyalgia patients are chemically sensitive, so trying a new drug can be both frightening and exciting. There is no way to predict if you will respond favorably to Savella or if you will experience intolerable side effects. Then again, the drug may not do much of anything. Based on the drug's research studies and what is known about Savella, here are a few useful tips:

If Effexor (venlafaxine) or Cymbalta provided you with pain relief but they caused you to gain weight, Savella could be the drug for you.

Savella is also similar in action to many tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, but unlike the tricyclics, it does not affect other transmitter substances that cause severe dry "cotton ball" mouth, next-day hangover sedation, and weight gain. If a tricyclic medication worked for you but the side effects turned you off, then you may find Savella to be just as effective but with minimal side effects.

People with restless legs syndrome may discover that Savella makes their sleep worse. However, a smaller dose taken only in the morning may offer pain relief as long as you have appropriate treatment for your sleep disorder in the evening. Beware, however, if your daytime fatigue starts to get worse, it could be that your sleep disorder is being adversely affected (sometimes it is hard to know if sleep is being altered when one becomes overwhelmingly exhausted day and night).

If you have difficult-to-control hypertension, the cardiovascular side effects of Savella could pose a problem. Then again, it is essential that your pain be treated too, so perhaps your doctor can re-evaluate your hypertension medications.

If you require other medications that raise the level of serotonin in your body (e.g., tramadol for pain, sumatriptan for migraines, cyclobenzaprine for relaxing muscles, trazodone for aiding sleep, Lexapro or MAO inhibitors for depression, 5-HTP as an over-the-counter supplement, etc.), then you may not be a candidate for Savella. The combination of Savella with other serotonin boosting drugs could cause serotonin syndrome, a serious toxic consequence of too much serotonin in the body.

If for any reason you feel that you need to go off of Savella, it is recommended that you taper your dose slowly to minimize the side effects of the drug’s withdrawal from your body.
If you and your doctor think that you might be a candidate for Savella, it is best to begin at the lowest possible dose of 12.5 mg per day (taken in the morning with breakfast). If the drug is well-tolerated, the prescribing instructions say to take Savella twice a day, slowly working up to the recommended dose of 100 mg per day after a week. Some patients may prefer dosing up slower while charting their progress as well as possible side effects. If it becomes harder to fall asleep at night, talk to your doctor about reducing the evening dose or taking it earlier in the day. Depending upon your response, you may go up as high as 200 mg per day. If you are prescribed this medication, please review all precautions with your doctor and pharmacist. You may also visit www.savella.com for more details.

Obata H, et al. Anesth Analg 100:1406-10, 2005.

Russell IJ, et al. Arthritis Rheum 35:550-6, 1992.

Mease PJ, et al. J Rheumatol 36:2 8-12, 2009.
[Back to Top]


----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
For 21 years, Fibromyalgia Network has been providing support for fibromyalgia patients, their families, and treating physicians. This Member-supported organization delivers the news you can use through our quarterly Journal and other Member benefits. Our goal is to enrich the lives of fibromyalgia patients. Join the Fibromyalgia Network family today or call us toll-free at
(800) 853-2929.

Posts: 510
4/1/09 10:56 A

This is an article from Fibromyalgia Network on muscle weakness & CoQ10


No Power to Your Punch?
Posted: March 31, 2009

Why do your muscles feel weak yet they appear normal when examined? Could it be that you just don't get enough quality sleep to revitalize your body each night? Or, is there something going on within the muscles and other cells of people with fibromyalgia that leaves you in a constant state of exhaustion? Although sleep is likely to be an important factor, Placido Navas, Ph.D., a biochemist in Spain, has identified an enzyme abnormality that might shed light on your energy drain.1

Coenzyme Q10 is produced by the mitochondria inside your cells and is a key enzyme for producing the energy required by each cell. In other words, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is essential for powering up your muscles and giving you that "get-up-and-go" feeling. CoQ10 also neutralizes toxic substances or nasty waste products that may damage your cells, potentially producing pain. In addition, CoQ10 can be transported outside the cells into your plasma (the nutrient-rich liquid portion of your blood) to neutralize toxic substances. These nasty chemicals can be measured and their total quantity is often referred to as the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content.

Given that fatigue and muscle pain are primary symptoms of fibromyalgia, Navas reasoned that patients might have some abnormality with their CoQ10. Blood was drawn from 40 fibromyalgia patients for measuring CoQ10 and ROS, and the results were compared to 30 healthy control subjects (matched for age and gender). Keep in mind that the blood cell findings tend to mimic what is happening in the muscles.

Looking at the level of CoQ10 inside the cells and outside the cells in the plasma fraction of the blood, Navas made two interesting observations:

the cell content of CoQ10 in the fibromyalgia group was 40 percent less than that of the control group
the amount of CoQ10 in the plasma of fibromyalgia patients was double that of the healthy controls
Despite the high enzyme content in the plasma, the concentration of ROS was substantially higher in the patient group.

At first it may seem odd that patients have an abundance of CoQ10 in their plasma (the liquid portion of their blood) and an inadequate amount in their blood cells. However, Navas confirmed this imbalance by another method. The blood cells were isolated in a dish and the ROS content within them was measured. The ROS of the fibromyalgia group was significantly higher compared to the controls. Then CoQ10 was added to the dishes of isolated blood cells. Those from the fibromyalgia group sucked up the enzyme and the ROS content dropped to the level of the control group. This experiment demonstrated that the cells are deficient in CoQ10 and offers at least one explanation for why your muscles have no power to their punch.

"There is a contradictory situation in these patients," says Navas, referring to people with fibromyalgia. "Clearly the cells need more CoQ10, but the high content in the plasma is not working." What could this possibly mean? CoQ10 should be able to travel back and forth across the cell membrane so that it can be where it is most needed. Yet, there is an imbalanced distribution with too much CoQ10 in the plasma and a serious deficiency within the cells. As a result, your cells, (particularly those in your muscles) cannot produce the energy that they need to power up your body's activities.

Referring to the accumulation of CoQ10 in the plasma, Navas offers an analogy. "The picture is similar to that observed in patients with CoQ10 deficiency syndrome treated with CoQ10. If the enzyme is dissolved in oil before administering, the levels in the plasma are normal, the cells properly incorporate it, and the muscle pain/fatigue symptoms decrease significantly. However, if CoQ10 is provided as a powder, the plasma content becomes very high and no benefits are observed." The ability of CoQ10 to travel across the cell membrane depends upon the presence of fat-containing carrier molecules in the plasma.

It's possible that the carrier molecules in the plasma are defective or that CoQ10 is somehow tied up with another molecule that renders it useless. There are also multiple reports in the literature of genetic glitches that can alter the way CoQ10 functions in the body, producing a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal problems, etc.2 Navas plans to study the chemical condition of CoQ10 in the plasma and skin cells of fibromyalgia patients to gain a better understanding of why the enzyme imbalance exists and how it can be corrected.

In the meantime, you should know that the more a person exercises, the more mitochondria their cells make. An increase in the number of mitochondria per cell could possibly raise the CoQ10 level within your cells and this might be one of many ways in which gentle, aerobic exercise improves physical function in people with fibromyalgia.3 Studies have also shown that the best way to ease into a fitness program is to begin with a warm water exercise routine because you are less likely to strain your muscles.4 Take advantage of the warmer climate ahead so that you do not shiver and cramp your muscles the instant you get out of a heated pool.

Navas' research may also help explain why beginning or restarting an exercise program is so difficult. The initial activity may further drain your cells of CoQ10 and energy, but once you make more mitochondria, you may slowly start to feel better. Of course, the moment you stop exercising for any reason (such as a bad cold), your muscles may decondition rapidly, so you may not be able to pick up where you left off.

As an aside, medications that lower cholesterol, called statins, also reduce the availability of CoQ10. Based on Navas’ findings, fibromyalgia patients may be more susceptible to the muscle-pain enhancing side effects of statins and will need to discuss alternative therapies with their doctor.

Cordero MD, et al. Clin Biochem Dec 25 [Epub ahead of print] 2008.

Quinzii CM, et al. FASEB J 22:1874-1885, 2008.

de Andrade SC, et al. Rheumatol Int 29:147-52, 2008.

Evcik D, et al. Rheumatol Int 29:885-90, 2008

Posts: 6,211
3/28/09 11:12 A

Wow.

I have a friend who used me as a 'guinea pig' for her massage therapy classes (she is now licensed) and the fascia work she learned is something ALL massage therapists know about... but it doesn't seem like a lot of them USE the techniques, especially if you're dealing with someone who works in a physical therapy clinic or with sports medicine. Don't know why... but from the standpoint of what I've read here, it might be helpful for those of us who can to mention this article to any massage practioner we might be working with.

After all, my rheumatologist told me fibromyalgia patients have an abnormal autoimmune response associated with 'connective tissue diseases'. Fascia is the muscles' connective tissue~ So this makes TOTAL sense to me!

Kathy

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3/27/09 1:54 P

Chronic Pain Connection

Myofascial Release Therapy
By Karen Lee Richards


Myofascial Release Therapy is a treatment option that many people are not aware of. It is a hands-on type of therapy that is particularly effective for fibromyalgia and can be quite helpful for many other types of chronic pain as well.


What It Is


To understand what Myofascial Release Therapy is, it's important to know what fascia is. Fascia is the connective tissue that surrounds, supports and stabilizes every muscle, bone, organ, nerve, blood vessel and cell in the body. It forms a continuous web from head to toe. Think of a piece of raw chicken. Between the skin and the meat you'll find a layer of thin white tissue – that is the fascia.


The fascia is normally fluid and moves easily, but when there is an injury, the fascia constricts to protect the injured area. Usually when the injury heals, the fascia relaxes and goes back to its normal state. However, sometimes it can get bound up and create a three-dimensional pull or drag throughout the whole body. Therefore, a fascial strain in one area of the body can cause pain in multiple other areas. This often happens with a chronic pain disorder like fibromyalgia. Although the original restriction may have begun in one part of the body, the pull from that one restriction can cause connected tissues to become constricted, eventually spreading throughout the body.


How It Works


Myofascial Release Therapy applies very gentle sustained pressure to various parts of the body in order to release the fascia so it can once again move fluidly. A Myofascial Release Therapy session will often begin with what is called tractioning. The therapist may lift your legs slightly by your heels, holding them with a sustained gentle pull for several minutes. This is generally felt into the low back, and when held long enough, will cause the fascia to begin to release all the way into the shoulders and neck. A similar type of traction may then be applied to your neck and shoulders as well. Because fascia is three-dimensional, the effects of Myofascial Release Therapy techniques will usually be felt wherever the fascia is most constricted.

Following the tractioning, the therapist will begin gently moving the skin back and forth on various parts of the body (i.e., back, shoulders, hips) to identify the fascial restrictions. When a restriction is located, a cross-hand technique of gentle manipulation is applied to release it. Since fascia is layered and must be released in layers, this cross-hand release technique is used to release restrictions in progressive layers.


When the fascia has been restricted for a long time, as is usually the case with fibromyalgia patients, it may take several weekly therapy sessions before the fascia holds the release long term.


My Experience


I first learned about Myofascial Release Therapy ten years ago when a lady I worked with told me about her massage therapist who had been helping some fibromyalgia patients. When she told him about me, he offered to give me a free treatment if I'd like to try it. I was extremely skeptical. My body was so sensitive that my clothes hurt. The idea of someone massaging me did not sound pleasant. But since it was free, I figured it couldn't hurt to at least give him a call. When we talked, I was so impressed with his knowledge of fibromyalgia that I decided to give his treatment a shot.


Much to my surprise, not only was the therapy tolerable, it actually felt good! When he finished the first session, I felt more relaxed than I had in years. I couldn't wait until the next treatment. Even if it didn't help my fibromyalgia, I thought the relaxation I felt was worth it. But thankfully, it did help my fibromyalgia – a lot. When I began Myofascial Release Therapy, I had been using a cane for over a year and getting steadily worse. I was afraid it might not be long before I would be in a wheelchair. After two months of weekly Myofascial Release Therapy sessions, I put the cane away and haven't used it since.


Who Does It?


Myofascial Release Therapy may be offered by massage therapists, physical therapists, physiatrists, osteopaths, or chiropractors. However, when it comes to body-wide fascial restriction such as those experienced by fibromyalgia patients, I tend to lean toward massage therapists because they are usually the only ones who are willing and able to spend the extended time needed (usually an hour per session) to treat the whole body. Make sure the therapist you choose has special certification in Myofascial Release Therapy.


It's also important to know that there is another technique that is sometimes also referred to as Myofascial Release Therapy. It is a deep tissue therapy, called rolfing, which can be very painful. Be sure when you ask about Myofascial Release Therapy that you specify you want the very gentle method.


––––––––––––––––––

Source: Personal interview with Myofascial Release Therapist, Richard Morgan, LAC, LMT, CNT. 3/17/09.


© Karen Lee Richards 2009


Last Updated 03/17/09

Posts: 6,211
3/19/09 5:06 P

www.webmd.com/pain-management/features/chr
onic-pain-relief-new-treatments?ecd=wn
l_cbp_020509
This is a link to an article on WebMD that came to my email today~ really interesting reading, something I think all DOCTORS should read!

I'm saving it to go over again when I have more time~ still trying to find a house! LOL

Check it out!
Kathy

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3/16/09 11:01 A

An article called Doctor's House Call by Al Sears, MD
Advanced Glycation End products, or AGEs.1

Before you cook that chicken breast to a perfect golden brown or caramelize those onions to add to your favorite dish, you may want to heed the latest research.
Browning your food – the cooking term is “caramelizing” – occurs when sugar molecules attach to protein.

Though your taste buds are enjoying the party, the rest of your body is paying the price.

When the sugar attaches to the protein, a series of other reactions occur called glycation that causes proteins to stick together. When proteins stick together, it is called “cross linking”. The official term for these cross-linked proteins is Advanced Glycation End products, or AGEs.1

When these “sticky proteins,” or AGEs, build up, that’s when the real trouble begins. These AGEs can gather in any number of tissues in the body, and the basic result is that the tissue gets “stiffer”. When tissues get stiffer, they don’t work as they should.

AGEs have been associated with a number of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer.2

Preventing the build up of AGEs may be an important factor in preventing many age-related diseases. Here are a few things you can do:

Avoid a diet heavy in foods that have been heated for prolonged periods of time, particularly meats, fats, and broiled foods.3 That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat quality meat, just don’t overcook and prevent browning if possible. Cooking with water prevents caramelizing – like steaming or boiling.
AGEs can be inhaled through cigarette smoke.4 As if you needed another reason to quit!
Here are some supplements that have been shown to slow down AGE formation:
Carnosine – An excellent overall antioxidant, carnosine has been shown to prevent cross linking.5 Carnosine levels drop dramatically when we age, so supplementation is a good idea, 100 – 200mg a day.
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) – Has been shown to reduce AGE formation. Vitamin B6 is also a good antioxidant and helps with metabolism of carbohydrates. 300-500 mg a day.
Thiamine (vitamin B1) – Another good substance to slow down AGE formation. An important part of carbohydrate metabolism, vitamin B1 is also known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. 1.5 mg a day.
An important note, high blood sugar levels can greatly increase cross linking and AGEs. So avoid a high sugar diet, or your sweet tooth may cost you more than an extra trip to the dentist.

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3/13/09 1:24 P

There seems to be a fairly new article about Rx options at WebMD. Here is the link. I found it interesting, but not sure I learned anything. Thought I'd share anyway!

www.webmd.com/living-with-fibro/treatment-
options

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3/8/09 6:32 P

My question is why and how do FDA gets away with approving all these unhealthy food that causes more harms than good. When I read the article on splenda I was really upset because I have been using this product for a long time and I noticed that are a lot of side effects it named that I have. For example My body has been swollen up and the doctor don't know what is causing it.
I will stop using splenda and keep a small journal to find out if this is what's been causing a lot of my problems.
Thanks JADE. for the information on splenda.

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2/26/09 9:45 P

The link on the Water Article works now.

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2/26/09 8:25 P

Someone sent me this and I just needed to share it with everyone..........

February 24, 2009
Inner Child Meditation
Treasures From Our Past
Deep within each of us lives the child we once were. For most of us, our inner child lies hidden beneath the layers that we’ve put on in order to become adults. In our rush to put on grown-up clothing and live adult lives, we may have forgotten the wisdom and innocence that we possessed when we were children. In meditation, we can connect with our inner child and reclaim what we have forgotten.

You can start by finding a photo of yourself as a child that you can look at for a few moments. School photos often work well to help you connect with this part of you. Sit in a relaxed position, close your eyes, and start taking deep breaths. Set the intention that you are going to connect with your inner child. Wait for an image of yourself as a child to appear in your mind’s eye. See your grown-up self hugging your inner child. Listen to what your inner child has to say. Perhaps your inner child wants to give you the answer to a question that you’ve been mulling over. After all, you never needed to look outside yourself when you were a child to know how you felt or what was true for you. You always knew the answers. There also may be an ache from a childhood wound that you can now heal by talking to your inner child and offering them the wisdom and perspective that comes with maturity. Or maybe you’ve merely forgotten how to see the world with childlike wonder and hope! , and your inner child would like you to remember how. Tell your inner child that you love them and will keep them safe. Embrace your inner child and tell them that you are always there for them. Allow your inner child to always be there for you.

Connecting to your inner child in with meditation is a very useful tool, but you can also connect with your inner child even when you aren’t in meditation. Treat yourself to a play date, ice cream, or a walk in the park. Let yourself laugh and play more. Give yourself permission to be as wise as your inner child so you can stop focusing on what isn’t important and start living as if every moment is precious. Your life will be filled with more laughter and fun.

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2/24/09 7:28 A

I couldn't get link to work:(



Edited by: PEBBLESGMC at: 2/24/2009 (07:32)

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2/24/09 1:07 A

www.fitnessgear101.com/fitness-calculato
rs
/water-requirement-calculator.aspx


Every day the human body sheds between 10 and 12 cups of water. Your body is a pretty demanding machine. Just like a car needs gas to operate; your body needs water to be active and to live. So when your body loses water, it expects that it be replaced.

Drinking water is a part of the give and take understanding we have with our body. For example, if I drink plenty of water my body rewards me with excess energy and oxygen, my body temperature remains at a relatively comfortable level, and my muscles and joints are protected from injury. See, drinking enough water really is a win-win situation.

On the other hand, if I'm stingy with my water and ignore this give and take contract with my body, it will punish me with dehydration, dizzy spells, headaches and fatigue.

Find out how much water your body needs each day. I was shocked at how much more water I needed. I wondered why my scales always showed me low on body water content...now I know!

www.fitnessgear101.com/fitness-calculato
rs/water-requirement-calculators.aspx

To use the Water Requirement Calculator simply enter your weight in pounds to discover how much water your body requires on a daily basis.

Happy hydrating!

Also, when your body is well hydrated, it flushes fat faster, so you lose weight better. I was on a site with a man who exercised faithfully and carefully watched and weighed his food. He could not drop anymore weight after the initial 10, we kept telling him that he needed to drink water, finally after 4 months he got so desperate, that he started drinking all the water he was suppose to, 2 days later he dropped 4 pounds, a few days after that he dropped 5 pounds. He soon found that his body liked cold water, so he would refrigerate it and take out 24 ounces at a time and drink it over a couple hours...by the time 3 weeks were up, he had lost 16 pounds, one week he dropped 9 pounds. He thanked us over and over for insisting that he had to drink his water. He said, if he had only known, he would have drank it from the beginning. After a year, he was down 90 pounds! So, Drink up my weightloss Spark Friends!

Go to the page then on the right click on Water Calculator.

fitnessgear101.com/fitness-calculators/wat
er-requirement-calculator.aspx

Edited by: JADZEAMAY at: 2/26/2009 (21:43)

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2/21/09 11:37 P

This is an article from Dr. Mercola's website. I found it interesting as there have been many questions about the safety of Splenda, many wonder if it is a healthy alternative to aspartame or sugar. Thought you might be interested in reading this: (It's kinda long, but interesting.)

New Study of Splenda Reveals Shocking Information About Potential Harmful Effects


James Turner, the chairman of the national consumer education group Citizens for Health, has expressed shock and outrage after reading a new report from scientists outlining the dangers of the artificial sweetener Splenda (sucralose).

In animals examined for the study, Splenda reduced the amount of good bacteria in the intestines by 50 percent, increased the pH level in the intestines, contributed to increases in body weight and affected P-glycoprotein (P-gp) levels in such a way that crucial health-related drugs could be rejected.

The P-gp effect could result in medications used in chemotherapy, AIDS treatment and treatments for heart conditions being shunted back into the intestines, rather than being absorbed by the body.

According to Turner, "The report makes it clear that the artificial sweetener Splenda and its key component sucralose pose a threat to the people who consume the product. Hundreds of consumers have complained to us about side effects from using Splenda and this study ... confirms that the chemicals in the little yellow package should carry a big red warning label."

Sources:
Globe Newswire September 28, 2008
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part A 2008;71(21):1415-29

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

It’s very important to realize that Splenda (sucralose) is actually NOT sugar, despite its marketing slogan “Made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar”. Rather it’s a chlorinated artificial sweetener in line with aspartame and saccharin, and with detrimental health effects to match.

Splenda was approved by the FDA in 1998 as a tabletop sweetener and for use in products such as baked goods, nonalcoholic beverages, chewing gum, frozen dairy desserts, fruit juices, and gelatins. Sucralose is also permitted as a general-purpose sweetener for all processed foods.

The approval was given after the FDA supposedly reviewed more than 110 animal and human safety studies, but as you’ll soon find out, out of these 110 studies, only two were human studies, and the longest one was conducted for four days!

There’s overwhelming evidence that consuming artificial sweeteners will likely wreak havoc on your body. Previous news has centered mainly around artificial sweeteners’ ability to impair your appetite regulation and leading to weight gain.

For example, it’s been discovered that diet soda increases your risk of metabolic syndrome and, ultimately, heart disease.

However, the study mentioned above, published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, found even further disturbing news besides weight gain. Splenda:

* reduces the amount of good bacteria in your intestines by 50 percent
* increases the pH level in your intestines, and
* affects a glycoprotein in your body that can have crucial health effects, particularly if you’re on certain medications

They also found unmistakable evidence that Splenda is absorbed by fat, contrary to previous claims.

It’s truly disturbing that Splenda can destroy up to 50 percent of your healthy intestinal bacteria, as these bacteria help maintain your body's overall balance of friendly versus unfriendly micro-organisms, and support your general health. Many people are already deficient in healthy bacteria due to choosing highly processed foods. This is why a high quality probiotic is one of the very few supplements I highly recommend for nearly everyone.

The Diet Fallacy

The belief that consuming artificially sweetened foods and drinks will help you to lose or maintain weight is a carefully orchestrated deception. So if you are still opting for diet choices for this reason, please understand that you have been sorely misled.

In reality, these diet foods and drinks can cause serious distortions in your biochemistry and ruin your body's ability to control calories. As a matter of fact, it’s been shown that diet soft drinks can double your risk of obesity!

Nearly a decade ago, studies were already revealing that artificial sweeteners can:

* Stimulate your appetite
* Increase carbohydrate cravings
* Stimulate fat storage and weight gain

Unfortunately, most public health agencies and nutritionists in the United States still recommend these toxic artificial sweeteners as an acceptable alternative to sugar.

Now, I am definitely not a fan of sugar, but if I had to choose between sugar and any artificial sweetener, I would choose sugar, hands down, without question. I strongly believe artificial sweeteners are even more dangerous to your health than an excess of sugar.

The Health Dangers of Splenda

According to James Turner, the chairman of the national consumer education group Citizens for Health:

"This report followed accepted policies and procedures and the results make clear the potential for disturbing side effects from the ingestion of Splenda.

It is like putting a pesticide in your body. And this is at levels of intake erroneously approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

A person eating two slices of cake and drinking two cups of coffee containing Splenda would ingest enough sucralose to affect the P-glycoprotein, while consuming just seven little Splenda packages reduces good bacteria."

The web site www.truthaboutsplenda.com lists a variety of consumer complaints from Splenda consumption, such as:

* Gastrointestinal problems
* Migraines
* Seizures
* Dizziness
* Blurred vision
* Allergic reactions
* Blood sugar increases
* Weight gain

My site also contains a long list of personal testimonials from readers who have suffered side effects from Splenda. In fact, we have more people on our site that have reported adverse reactions to Splenda than were formally studied in the research submitted for FDA approval!

The symptoms are so numerous I can’t include them all here, but the following are common symptoms, usually noticed within a 24-hour period following consumption of Splenda products:

* Skin -- Redness, itching, swelling, blistering, weeping, crusting, rash, eruptions, or hives (itchy bumps or welts). These are the most common allergic symptoms that people have.
* Lungs -- Wheezing, tightness, cough, or shortness of breath.
* Head -- Swelling of the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, or throat; headaches and migraines (severe headaches).
* Nose -- Stuffy nose, runny nose (clear, thin discharge), sneezing.
* Eyes -- Red (bloodshot), itchy, swollen, or watery.
* Stomach -- Bloating, gas, pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or bloody diarrhea.
* Heart -- Palpitations or fluttering.
* Joints -- Joint pains or aches.
* Neurological -- Anxiety, dizziness, spaced-out sensation, depression.


Splenda Has NEVER Been Proven Safe for Human Consumption

As of 2006, only six human trials have been published on Splenda. Of these six trials, only two of the trials were completed and published before the FDA approved sucralose for human consumption, and the two published trials had a grand total of 36 total human subjects.

36 people sure doesn't sound like many, but wait, it gets worse: only 23 total were actually given sucralose for testing, and here is the real kicker -- The longest trial at this time had lasted only four days, and looked at sucralose in relation to tooth decay, not human tolerance.

Even more shocking, the absorption of Splenda into the human body was studied on a grand total of six men! Based on that one human study, the FDA allowed the findings to be generalized as being representative of the entire human population. Including women, children, the elderly, and those with any chronic illness -- none of whom were ever examined.

The FDA claims they reviewed over 100 studies conducted on Splenda. What they don't tell you is that most of the studies were on animals. And, those animal studies reveal plenty of problems, such as:

* Decreased red blood cells -- sign of anemia -- at levels above 1,500 mg/kg/day
* Increased male infertility by interfering with sperm production and vitality, as well as brain lesions at higher doses
* Enlarged and calcified kidneys (McNeil stated this is often seen with poorly absorbed substances and was of no toxicological significance. The FDA Final Rule agreed that these are findings that are common in aged female rats and are not significant.)
* Spontaneous abortions in nearly half the rabbit population given sucralose, compared to zero aborted pregnancies in the control group
* A 23 percent death rate in rabbits, compared to a 6 percent death rate in the control group

Chemically, Splenda is More Similar to DDT Than Sugar

Yes. Splenda bears more chemical similarity to DDT than it does to sugar.

Sucralose is in fact a synthetic chemical that was originally cooked up in a laboratory. It does start off as a sugar molecule. Then, in a five-step patented process of making sucralose, three chlorine molecules are added to a sucrose (sugar) molecule. The chemical process to make sucralose alters the chemical composition of the sugar so much that it is somehow converted to a fructo-galactose molecule.

This type of sugar molecule does not occur in nature, and therefore your body does not possess the ability to properly metabolize it. As a result of this "unique" biochemical make-up, McNeil Nutritionals makes its claim that Splenda is not digested or metabolized by the body, hence it has zero calories.

But, if you look at the research (which is primarily extrapolated form animal studies) you will see that in fact an average of 15 percent of sucralose IS absorbed into your digestive system, and according to this latest study, it is also absorbed into your fat cells.

Unfortunately, if you are healthy and your digestive system works well, you may be at HIGHER risk for breaking down this product in your stomach and intestines!

Your Healthiest Alternatives

If you have a craving for sweets, rather than trying to find "healthier" ways to continue indulging in them, it is in your best interest to learn ways to relieve your cravings.

The obvious one would be to stop eating any of the products to begin with. But sweets are powerfully addictive – sugar has even been shown to be more addictive than cocaine. Stevia is a preferable natural substitute, which can be used in making most dishes and drinks.

However, complete avoidance of sweets is often necessary to break your addictive cycle, as your hormones insulin and leptin likely play an important role in your cravings.

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2/21/09 11:21 P

52 Proven Stress Reducers

National Headache Foundation
5252 N. Western Avenue , Chicago, Illinois 60625
(312) 878-7715 , In Illinois 1-800-523-8858, Outside Illinois 1-800-843-2256

1.Get up fifteen minutes earlier in the morning. The inevitable morning mishaps will be less stressful.

2.Prepare for the morning the evening before. Set the breakfast table, make lunches, put out the clothes you plan to wear, etc.

3.Don't rely on your memory. Write down appointment times, when to pick up the laundry, when library books are due, etc. ("The palest ink is better than the most retentive memory." - Old Chinese Proverb)

4.Do nothing which, after being done, leads you to tell a lie.

5.Make duplicates of all keys. Bury a house key in a secret spot in the garden and carry a duplicate car key in your wallet, apart from your key ring.
6.Practice preventive maintenance. Your car, appliances, home, and relationships will be less likely to break down/fall apart "at the worst possible moment."

7.Be prepared to wait. A paperback can make a wait in a post office line almost pleasant.

8.Procrastination is stressful. Whatever you want to do tomorrow, do today; whatever you want to do today, do it now.

9.Plan ahead. Don?t let the gas tank get below one-quarter full; keep a well-stocked "emergency shelf" of home staples; don?t wait until you're down to your last bus token or postage stamp to buy more; etc.

10.Don't put up with something that doesn't work right. If your alarm clock, wallet, shoe laces, windshield wipers ? whatever ? are a constant aggravation, get them fixed or get new ones.

11.Allow 15 minutes of extra time to get to appointments. Plan to arrive at an airport one hour before domestic departures.

12.Eliminate (or restrict) the amount of caffeine in your diet.

13.Always set up contingency plans, "just in case." ("If for some reason either of us is delayed, here's what we'll do!" kind of thing. Or, "If we get split up in the shopping center, here's where we'll meet.")

14.Relax your standards. The world will not end if the grass doesn't get mowed this weekend.

15.Pollyanna-Power! For every one thing that goes wrong, there are probably 10 or 50 or 100 blessings. Count 'em!

16.Ask questions. Taking a few moments to repeat back directions, what someone expects of you, etc., can save hours. (The old "the hurrieder I go, the behinder I get, " idea.)

17.Say "No!" Saying "no" to extra projects, social activities, and invitations you know you don't have the time or energy for takes practice, self-respect, and a belief that everyone, everyday, needs quiet time to relax and be alone.

18.Unplug your phone. Want to take a long bath, meditate, sleep, or read without interruption! Drum up the courage to temporarily disconnect. (The possibility of there being a terrible emergency in the next hour or so is almost nil.) Or use an answering machine.

19.Turn "needs" into preferences. Our basic physical needs translate into food, water, and keeping warm. Everything else is a preference. Don?t get attached to preferences.

20.Simplify, simplify, simplify!

21.Make friends with non worriers. Nothing can get you into the habit of worrying faster than associating with chronic worrywarts.

22.Get up and stretch periodically if your job requires that you sit for extended periods.

23.Wear earplugs. If you need to find quiet at home, pop in some earplugs.

24.Get enough sleep. If necessary, use an alarm clock to remind you to go to bed.

25.Create order out of chaos. Organize your home and workspace so that you always know exactly where things are. Put things away where they belong and you won't have to go through the stress of losing things.

26.When feeling stressed, most people tend to breathe in short, shallow breaths. When you breathe like this, stale air is not expelled, oxidation of the tissues is incomplete, and muscle tension frequently results. Check your breathing throughout the day, and before, during, and after high-pressure situations. If you find your stomach muscles are knotted and your breathing is shallow, relax all your muscles and take several deep, slow breaths. Note how, when you?re relaxed, both your abdomen and chest expand when you breathe.

27.Writing your thoughts and feelings down (in a journal, or on paper to be thrown away) can help you clarify things and can give you a renewed perspective.

28.Try the following yoga technique whenever you feel the need to relax. Inhale deeply through you nose to the count of eight. Then, with lips puckered, exhale very slowly through your mouth to the count of 16, or for as long as you can. Concentrate on the long sighing sound and feel the tension dissolve. Repeat 10 times.

29.Inoculate yourself against a feared event. Example: before speaking in public, take time to go over every part of the experience in your mind. Imagine what you'll wear, what the audience will look like, how you will present your talk, what the questions will be and how you will answer them, etc. Visualize the experience the way you would have it be. You'll likely find that when the time comes to make the actual presentation, it will be "old hat" and much of your anxiety will have fled.

30.When the stress of having to get a job done gets in the way of getting the job done, diversion , a voluntary change in activity and/or environment , may be just what you need.

31.Talk it out. Discussing your problems with a trusted friend can help clear your mind of confusion so you can concentrate on problem solving.

32.One of the most obvious ways to avoid unnecessary stress is to select an environment (work, home, leisure) which is in line with your personal needs and desires. If you hate desk jobs, don't accept a job which requires that you sit at a desk all day. If you hate to talk politics, don?t associate with people who love to talk politics, etc.

33.Learn to live one day at a time.

34.Every day, do something you really enjoy.

35.Add an ounce of love to everything you do.

36.Take a hot bath or shower (or a cool one in summertime) to relieve tension.

37.Do something for somebody else.

38.Focus on understanding rather than on being understood; on loving rather than on being loved.

39.Do something that will improve your appearance. Looking better can help you feel better.

40.Schedule a realistic day. Avoid the tendency to schedule back-to-back appointments; allow time between appointments for a breathing spell.

41.Become more flexible. Some things are worth not doing perfectly and some issues are well to compromise upon.

42.Eliminate destructive self-talk: "I'm too old to?," "I'm too fat to?," etc.

43.Use your weekend time for a change of pace. If you work week is slow and patterned, make sure there is action and time for spontaneity built into your weekends. If your work week is fast-paced and full of people and deadlines, seek peace and solitude during your days off. Feel as if you aren't accomplishing anything at work? Tackle a job on the weekend which you can finish to your satisfaction.

44."Worry about the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves." That's another way of saying: take care of the today's as best you can and the yesterdays and the tomorrows will take care of themselves.

45.Do one thing at a time. When you are with someone, be with that person and with no one or nothing else. When you are busy with a project, concentrate on doing that project and forget about everything else you have to do.

46.Allow yourself time , everyday , for privacy, quiet, and introspection.

47.If an especially unpleasant task faces you, do it early in the day and get it over with; then the rest of your day will be free of anxiety.

48.Learn to delegate responsibility to capable others.

49.Don't forget to take a lunch break. Try to get away from your desk or work area in body and mind, even if it?s just for 15 or 20 minutes.

50.Forget about counting to 10. Count to 1,000 before doing something or saying anything that could make matters worse.

51.Have a forgiving view of events and people. Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world.

52.Have an optimistic view of the world. Believe that most people are doing the best they can.

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2/21/09 11:21 P

A lot of times we as family members, friends, and loved ones are supposed to understand, accept and be sympathetic to someone who has an illness.....



A Letter To "Fibromites"



I am a spouse of someone with fibro......... by the (late) Donna Euteneier from Fibrohugs.org

A lot of times we as family members, friends, and loved ones are supposed to understand, accept and be sympathetic to someone who has an illness..... and I agree with this statement, but only when we are given information, understanding and support ourselves.

Fibro does not just affect the person who has it.... fibro affects the whole family..... it steals away all of our lives. I have watched, broken hearted, as Ken has packed away his dreams and hopes for the future.... but along with those dreams and hopes were mine also. Just as you have come to realize that your life has changed forever so must we....... and we have to be allowed to morn that loss also.

We become angry and depressed just as you do...... we struggle with KNOWING that you are sick, to being angry that you are sick....... not at you but at the illness. Then we become angry at ourselves for feeling selfish and thinking of ourselves.... thinking of the added stress on our lives... the added responsibility.... the added guilt.

We have gone from a 50% partnership in this marriage, this family, this life, to sometimes feeling like I'm carrying the whole weight of it alone. I have to remember that my spouse is sick..... that the illness has taken that away and sometimes I'm lonely, scared, and extremely sad at the loss of what was....... but I also know in my heart that I love my husband more than life itself and TOGETHER we will find our way.

You have to talk to us.... you have to let us know how you're feeling, what you're feeling, and how it's affecting your day........ your life. If you don't talk to us we will never understand how you are feeling and we will assume that everything is as it should be.... thus expect from you what we have always expected.

I need to be able to say it's "okay" when your angry and hurting........ but it has to be "okay" when I am also. We both have to stop and look at what's going on in our lives at the time....... just as you get angry and lash out sometimes...... so do we.

So will we really ever understand what you're going through? ......No! Will you ever really understand what we are going through? ......No! But if each of us gives each other the time, love, and patience to find our own way in dealing with and accepting what fibro has taken from us, I think our relationships may be a lot better.

I hope with your challenge that you wanted to hear the truth...... and that is what I offer in this.... how we feel as Spouses.

Donna Euteneier
Copyright 2003 http://www.fibrohugs.org

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2/21/09 11:20 P

Importance of Walking by SP Staff

Walking can add minutes to your life.
This enables you at 85 years old
to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing
home at $7000 per month.

My grandpa started walking
five miles a day when he was 60..
Now he's 97 years old
and we don't know where he is.

I like long walks,
especially when they are taken
by people who annoy me.


I have to walk early in the morning,
before my brain figures out what I'm doing..

I joined a health club last year,
spent about 400 bucks.
Haven't lost a pound.
Apparently you have to go there.

Every time I hear the dirty word 'exercise',
I wash my mouth out with chocolate.

I do have flabby thighs,
but fortunately my stomach covers them.

The advantage of exercising every day
is so when you die, they'll say,
'Well, she looks good doesn't she.'

If you are going to try cross-country skiing,
start with a small country.

I know I got a lot of exercise
the last few years,.......
just getting over the hill.

We all get heavier as we get older,
because there's a lot more information in our heads.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

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2/21/09 11:19 P

The information below is a portion of an article called "Expert Solutions: Metabolism Mistakes." This is Coach Dean's response.

DEAN
It would be nice if metabolism was as simple as balancing a checkbook—you put in so many calories, spend so many, and you can predict exactly what your balance will be. But it isn’t that simple. By eating too few calories, you actually change your body’s rule and priorities, making it harder to lose weight—especially fat. When your food intake goes down too low, your body slows its metabolism in an effort to reduce calorie expenditure to match intake, and protect your energy reserves (fat). You might still lose weight, but it will come from the wrong places (like muscle and organs) while it holds onto fat to preserve your energy reserves until the “famine” ends. That’s not what most people have in mind when they set out to lose weight. (Coach Dean's comment from the above listed article).

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2/21/09 11:18 P

RealAge Tip

Our Most Popular Tips »
Got an achy back? A bum knee? Consider soothing yourself with this poolside treat: a mai tai.

Okay, you can probably skip the rum. The real joint-soothing power in this pick-me-up comes from the pineapple.

Any Way You Slice It
That’s right. Pineapple --
be it part of an icy drink, a fruit salad, or a barbecue kabob -- contains an anti-inflammatory enzyme called bromelain. New research shows that bromelain soothes your cells by reducing the migration of white blood cells to sites of inflammation -- like sunburned skin, injured muscles, and arthritic joints. Know how to pick a ripe pineapple? Watch this video for tips on picking
-- and preparing -- a fresh one.

Getting It Straight
If you’re not a pineapple fan, you can get bromelain straight from a supplement. It might even be the preferred method, since you don’t get tons of bromelain from fresh pineapple. YOU Docs Mehmet Oz, MD, and Michael Roizen, MD, recommend about 100 milligrams of bromelain a day for sore joints. Ask your doctor if this dose is safe for you. Here are six other nutrients that joints dig.

Recipe Corner
Moist, chewy, and oh so good. Here’s an upside-down pineapple breakfast treat you’ll flip for.
RealAge Benefit: Eating a diverse diet that is low in calories and high in nutrients can make your RealAge as much as 4 years younger.

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2/21/09 11:17 P

There are many things you can do to make things easier and better for yourself. I have had FMS for probably 40 years at least and I learned to do things by schedule and to NOT schedule more than 1 heavy type chore a day. For example: Laundry & cooking, Vacumming & Cooking, Dr's & Shopping & Cooking. Shopping and Dr's because you are having to go out anyway so make yourself a route where home is 1, stores in order that you come to them, not going back and forth crossing your path. Schedule it so if you have an appointment of some type, it's in the list where you will be getting there when you need to and then you next stop is closer to home and home finishes the circle. Delegate any chore to the family that they can handle. Young ones feel good if they can help Mommy no matter how small the core is. For example: put silverware on the table, help load the dishwasher, they love to vacumm and dust. No, they may not do as good a job as we can, who cares! Make them proud of themselves. Fix up a check off sheet for them with the things they can do and make a jar or what ever to drop a colored star or whatever in. when they get so many in their private jar or container, it's treat time. Whether it's rent a movie, buy a book a toy whatever. They get the joy of helping you and can see a reward in the future. It doesn't have to cost alot. Pop Corn and a movie or game night at home.
If you are having trouble sleeping, don't lay there. My Dr' at the Pain Management Course at the Hospital said get up after 15 min andgo do something for awhile then go back and try again. On those nights if my head is spinning with uncontrolled thoughts, I take and Equate PM and am out in minutes. I also do Bio-Feedback and I will put the directions here. I was taught it there too. Learn to say no without an excuse. You need to think of yourself and what your cody can handle in any given day. Some days will be great others not so. With Bio-Feedback and putting the pain to the back of your mind and blocking it out, your tolerance to pain will get higher all the time so you won't notice it as much.

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2/21/09 11:15 P

This is 1 that was sent to me to post. There are a number of Articles on the Internet like this one. I know that we can't even have it in the house. It makes my DH sick. Women 40 and above are told NOT to use it because it can cause a seizure problem. They said this when it first came out many years ago. Stevia is supposed to be the only natural sweetner besides sugar that doesn't do damage to your body.
When the Soldiers came back from Desert Storm and started having all those horrendous health problems, they discovered that they had all been drinking Diet Soda that had been donated by the manufacturers. The soda of course couldn't be refrigerated so it got extremely hot which in turn created a type of dangerous gas. It came out that, that may have been the cause of all their strange medical issues. Of course they are trying to deny it's possibility because of the ramifications and possible lawsuits. Aspertaine and things like it are dangerous. Many are made from Petroleum or have it in it.



SWEET POISON - A MUST READ

In October of 2001, my sister started getting very sick. She had stomach spasms and she was having a hard time getting around. Walking was a major chore. It took everything she had just to get out of bed; she was in so much pain.

By March 2002, she had undergone several tissue and muscle biopsies and was on 24 various prescription medications. The doctors could not determine what was wrong with her.. She was in so much pain, and so sick. she just knew she was dying. She put her house, bank accounts, life insurance, etc., in her oldest daughter's name, and made sure that her younger children were to be taken care of.

She also wanted her last hooray, so she planned a trip to Florida (basically in a wheelchair) for March 22 nod.

On March 19 I called her to ask how her most recent tests went, and she said they didn't find anything on the test, but they believe she had MS.
I recalled an article a friend of mine e-mailed to me and I asked my sister if she drank diet soda? She told me that she did. As a matter of fact, she was getting ready to crack one open that moment.
I told her not to open it, and to stop drinking the diet soda!
I e-mailed her the article my friend, a lawyer, had sent.
My sister called me within 32 hours after our phone conversation and told me she had stopped drinking the diet soda AND she could walk! The muscle spasms went away. She said she didn't feel 100% but she sure felt a lot better. She told me she was going to her doctor with this article and would call me when she got home.

Well, she called me, and said her doctor was amazed! He is going to call all of his MS patients to find out if they consumed artificial sweeteners of any kind.
In a nutshell, she was being poisoned by the Aspartame in the diet soda...and literally dying a slow and miserable death.

When she got to Florida March 22, all she had to take was one pill, and that was a pill for the Aspartame poisoning! She is well on her way to a complete recovery.
And she is walking! No wheelchair! This article saved her life.
If it says 'SUGAR FREE' on the label; DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!
I have spent several days lecturing at the WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE on 'ASPARTAME,' marketed as 'NutraSweet,' 'Equal,' and 'Spoonful.'

In the keynote address by the EPA, it was announced that in the United States in 2001 there is an epidemic of multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus. It was difficult to determine exactly what toxin was causing this to be rampant.
I stood up and said that I was there to lecture on exactly that subject.
I will explain why Aspartame is so dangerous: When the temperature of this sweetener exceeds 86 degrees F, the wood alcohol in ASPARTAME converts to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, which in turn causes metabolic acidosis. Formic acid is the poison found in the sting of fire ants. The methanol toxicity mimics, among other conditions, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus. Many people were being diagnosed in error. Although multiple sclerosis is not a death sentence, Methanol toxicity is!

Systemic lupus has become almost as rampant as multiple sclerosis, especially with Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi drinkers. The victim usually does not know that the Aspartame is the culprit. He or she continues its use; irritating the lupus to such a degree that it may become a life-threatening condition.
We have seen patients with systemic lupus become asymptotic, once taken off diet sodas.

In cases of those diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, most of the symptoms disappear. We've seen many cases where vision loss returned and hearing loss improved markedly.

This also applies to cases of tinnitus and fibromyalgia.
During a lecture, I said, 'If you are using ASPARTAME (NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc) and you suffer from fibromyalgia symptoms, spasms, shooting, pains, numbness in your legs, cramps, vertigo, dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, joint pain, unexplainable depression, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, blurred vision, or memory loss you probably have ASPARTAME poisoning!'
People were jumping up during the lecture saying, 'I have some of these symptoms. Is it reversible?'

Yes! Yes! Yes! STOP drinking diet sodas and be alert for Aspartame on food labels! Many products are fortified with it! This is a serious problem.
Dr. Esparto (one of my speakers) remarked that so many people seem to be symptomatic for MS and during his recent visit to a hospice, a nurse stated that six of her friends, who were heavy Diet Coke addicts, had all been diagnosed with MS. This is beyond coincidence!

Diet soda is NOT a diet product! It is a chemically altered, multiple SODIUM (salt) and ASPARTAME containing product that actually makes you crave carbohydrates. It is far more likely to make you GAIN weight!



These products also contain formaldehyde, which stores in the fat cells, particularly in the hips and thighs. Formaldehyde is an absolute toxin andis used primarily to preserve 'tissue specimens.' Many products we use every day contain this chemical but we SHOULD NOT store it IN our body!

Dr. H. J.. Roberts stated in his lectures that once free of the 'diet products' and with no significant increase in exercise; his patients lost an average of 19 pounds over a trial period.

Aspartame is especially dangerous for diabetics.
We found that some physicians, who believed that they had a patient with retinopathy, in fact, had symptoms caused by Aspartame.
The Aspartame drives the bloodsugar out of control. Thus diabetics may suffer acute memory loss due to the fact that aspartic acid and phenylalanine are NEUROTOXIC when taken without the other amino acids necessary for a good balance..

Treating diabetes is all about BALANCE. Especially with diabetics, the Aspartame passes the blood/brain barrier and it then deteriorates the neurons of the brain; causing various levels of brain damage, seizures, depression, manic depression, panic attacks, uncontrollable anger and rage.

Consumption of Aspartame causes these same symptoms in non-diabetics as well.
Documentation and observation also reveal that thousands of children diagnosed with ADD and ADHD have had complete turnarounds in their behavior when these chemicals have been removed from their diet. So called 'behavior modification prescription drugs' (Ritalin and others) are no longer needed. Truth be told, they were never NEEDED in the first place! Most of these children were being 'poisoned' on a daily basis with the very foods that were 'better for them than sugar.'

It is also suspected that the Aspartame in thousands of pallets of diet Coke and diet Pepsi consumed by men and women fighting in the Gulf War, may be partially to blame for the well-known Gulf War Syndrome.

Dr. Roberts warns that it can cause birth defects, i.e . mental retardation, if taken at the time of conception and during early pregnancy.
Children are especially at risk for neurological disorders and should NEVER be given artificial sweeteners. There are many different case histories to relate of children suffering grand mal seizures and other neurological disturbances talking about a plague of neurological diseases directly caused by the use of this deadly poison.'

Herein lies the problem:
There were Congressional Hearings when Aspartame was included 100 different products and strong objection was made concerning its use. Since this initial hearing, there have been two subsequent hearings, and still nothing has been done. The drug and chemical lobbies have very deep pockets.

Sadly, MONSANTO'S patent on Aspartame has EXPIRED!
There are now over 5,000 products on the market that contain this deadly chemical and there will be thousands more introduced. Everybody wants a 'piece of the Aspartame pie.' I assure you that MONSANTO, the creator of Aspartame, knows how deadly it is.

And isn't it ironic that MONSANTO funds, among others, the American Diabetes Association, the American Dietetic Association and the Conference of the American College of Physicians?

This has been recently exposed in the New York Times.
These [organizations] cannot criticize any additives or convey their link to MONSANTO because they take money from the food industry and are required to endorse their products.

Senator Howard Metzenbaum wrote and presented a bill that would require label warnings on products containing Aspartame, especially regarding pregnant women, children and infants. The bill would also institute independent studies on the known dangers and the problems existing in the general population regarding seizures, changes in brain chemistry, neurological changes and behavioral symptoms.
The bill was killed.

It is known that the powerful drug and chemical lobbies are responsible for this, letting loose the hounds of disease and death on an unsuspecting and uninformed public. Well, you're Informed now! YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW!

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2/20/09 12:25 P

hi everyone, this is my first time here and I have read a lot of good ideas already. Thanks

Posts: 6,211
2/20/09 9:59 A

Here's a little article from WebMD that is a nice reminder of good sleep habits...


www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia-pa
in-8/pain-at-night?ecd=wnl_cbp_021909

Kathy

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2/17/09 6:35 P

Beating the fog

1. Use Lists as Reminders
Lists act as reminders of your daily tasks and items you want to accomplish for the day. Place Post-it® notes in places that will help jog your memory, or near common areas that you visit.

2. Avoid Multi-Tasking
Often even people without Fibromyalgia experience forgetfulness when they are trying to do more than one thing at a time. Take the time to do one thing to its completion before starting something else. Multi-tasking only causes more confusion and will keep you from finishing your original tasks.

3. Avoid Over-Stimulation
If you are sensitive to noise, light or to sensory input coming from more than one source at the same time, limit the noise or light by moving to a quiet place and avoiding distractions.

4. Organize and De-Clutter
If you feel overwhelmed in your environment or your house is cluttered and is causing you even more confusion, ask a friend or family member to come help you get organized. This will help you put some stability and organization back in your life.

5. Use Routines
Everyone says routines can be boring; however, for people who suffer from brain fog routines can be an excellent source for remembering the basic things of life. If you are always forgetting where your car keys or purse are, start a routine of putting them in one location near the door, so you know each day where they will be when you are ready to leave the house.

6. Pick Your Best Time of Day
Most of us have better and worse times of the day. Do the tasks that require concentration and mental clarity during the hours you are sharpest. The best time of day varies from person to person.

7. Postpone or Cancel Activities
If you’re not thinking clearly, postpone jobs that are mentally challenging, switch to a simpler task, or take a break and pick up the other tasks at a later time when you’re mentally more alert.

8. Improve Your Sleep
Many problems associated with brain fog can be ascribed to sleep deprivation. Getting restorative sleep can help limit cognitive problems. Eight to nine hours per night is optimal, so if you struggle with sleep there are many alternative and natural products that can help you.

9. Limit Stress
Stress can trigger or intensify brain fog. You can reduce fog by avoiding stressful situations, by learning how to relax in response to stress, and by training yourself to control the production of adrenaline. Exercise, yoga and breathing exercises are just some of the many options available that will help eliminate and control stress.

10. Plan Your Response
Brain fog is confusing, and can leave sufferers feeling scared and uncertain of their own mental capabilities. To be mentally sound, plan your response ahead of time by developing rules to guide you when you are feeling lost.
This plan will provide a standard and habitual response that is safe, and something you can rely on when you’re feeling confused. For example, you might decide that you will respond to severe fog by lying down or by changing to a simpler task.

For more helpful tips on overcoming brain fog, visit cfidsselfhelp.org.

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2/17/09 3:08 P

Great Reads!! Thanks for Sharing.

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2/17/09 1:31 P

Awesome article SAVANNA263

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2/17/09 11:29 A

Here' a link to an article about exercise for FM and CFS:

chronicfatigue.about.com/od/treatingfmscfs
/a/exercise.htm

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2/16/09 11:01 P

Great info thank you!!

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2/16/09 6:00 P

butyoudontlooksick.com/the_spoon_theory

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2/16/09 12:45 P

Thanks for the articles

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2/16/09 3:49 A

RealAge

Managing Fibromyalgia

.

This is your final issue in a 6-part e-mail series on fibromyalgia.
This message was independently written by RealAge and contains
third-party advertisements. Content in the e-mail or on Web pages
linked from the e-mail is not endorsed by the third-party advertiser
except those links clearly labeled so. Read more about the high
editorial standards of RealAge.

Everyday Life: How to Thrive
When you live with fibromyalgia symptoms, you have a lot on your mind.
At times, you may wonder how you'll get through the day. Even when
your symptoms are mild, you may be preoccupied with concerns about
them getting worse. And all that worry can get to you, both physically
and emotionally.

But learning to manage the stress that is part of your day and part of
your condition can help you feel better and more in control. (Do you
know what stress looks like? Here are some physical signs and
symptoms.)

Finding Ways to Relax
What do you do to feel calm quickly? Everyone should have one or two
fast stress-busting techniques they can do on the fly -- but it's even
more important for people with fibromyalgia. Studies suggest that
relaxation techniques may help lessen both the psychological and
physical impact of stress, helping your body work more effectively and
decreasing pain and sleep symptoms. Here are a few options to try;
they all involve focusing your thoughts on the repetition of a phrase,
breath, or action:

Diaphragmatic breathing: Also called deep breathing or abdominal
breathing, this technique focuses on relaxing your diaphragm so your
lungs can fill more completely when you inhale, allowing you to take
in more oxygen. Here are step-by-step instructions to get you started.

Progressive muscle relaxation: With this activity, you focus on
alternately tensing and relaxing specific groups of muscles, one group
at a time. Here's how to do it.

Guided imagery: Also called mental imaging, guided imagery focuses
your imagination on places or things that are pleasant to you -- not
only by picturing them but also by imagining the feel, smell, sights,
and sounds associated with them. Here's a walk-through of this
relaxation method.

Meditation: With this method, you focus on a soothing thought, word,
or image while remaining still and breathing deeply. Whenever your
mind strays, you note the thought or sound that distracted you, but
then you gently bring your mind back to your original focus. Use this
two-step meditation tool to get you started.

Finding What Works for You
What works well for reducing stress in one person may not work for
another. In particular, imagery techniques seem to be very helpful to
some but not others. So be aware that you may need to try several
techniques before finding ones that do the trick for you. Keep in mind
that less formal tactics -- taking a dip in a hot tub, getting a
massage, spending time with the people you love -- are good options,
too.

And no matter how many reliable relaxation strategies you have, you
may still need more ways to nurture your emotional well-being. So
consider joining a local support group or online community or
exploring one-on-one counseling where you can talk with someone who
truly understands how fibromyalgia can affect a person's life. (Could
depression counseling be right for you? Answer these questions to find
out .)

Look up more information on managing fibromyalgia with RealAge Smart Search .


SERIES ARCHIVE

01. More to Know
02. Savvy Healthcare Tips
03. The Latest News
04. Sleep and Energy
05. Pain and Discomfort
06. Daily Life Tips

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2/16/09 3:48 A

RealAge

Managing Fibromyalgia

.

This is your 5th issue in a 6-part e-mail series on fibromyalgia. This
message was independently written by RealAge and contains third-party
advertisements. Content in the e-mail or on Web pages linked from the
e-mail is not endorsed by the third-party advertiser except those
links clearly labeled so. Read more about the high editorial standards
of RealAge.

Tips for Easing Pain and Discomfort
You can't change the fact that you have fibromyalgia, but you can make
lifestyle changes to help control your pain and other symptoms. And
one of the most important lifestyle changes you can make is to
exercise regularly, if you aren't already doing so.

This may sound like an intimidating task when you're faced with
fatigue and pain, but if you make the effort and persevere, you'll
boost your odds of symptom relief and have the best chance at getting
on with the activities of normal, everyday life.

Make Life Easier with Exercise
It's not just wishful thinking: Regular exercise has been shown in
studies to improve pain control in people with fibromyalgia.

Choose Carefully
Walking, water aerobics, biking, and swimming may be good activities
to try because they have a less jarring impact on muscles and joints.
If you're having intense pain or fatigue, start slowly with some light
walking and gentle stretches. (Read up on all the amazing health
benefits of walking.) Once your body acclimates to the demand, you can
gradually increase your activity. Here's a gentle 12-step chi-gong
workout you can try.

Ultimately, you want an exercise routine that builds stamina and
muscle and also boosts your flexibility. Ask your doctor to recommend
a fitness program if you don't know where to start. See what your
doctor thinks of this RealAge 20-Minute Workout.

Pace Yourself
On days when you feel better, it's tempting to push yourself to do
more than you normally would. But you may end up making your pain and
fatigue worse, so pace yourself -- whether you're going for a walk or
riding a bike. Doing things in moderation is the best way to ensure
that you'll be up for more on another day. (Taking a break during your
workout may actually be good for your health. Here's why.)

The same rule of moderation applies to daily life. Plan a reasonable
schedule for all of your tasks and activities so you won't conk out
before you hit the finish line of your day.

Refuel Wisely
To help your body meet the increased demands of regular physical
activity, you'll want to refuel with healthy, hearty, and nutritious
food. A diverse diet that's high in nutrition and low in calories and
fat will make you healthier overall and help prevent other health
problems, too. (Take this quiz to find out which essential nutrients
your diet may be short on .)

Hope Is Here
Living with fibromyalgia can be challenging. But it should feel
empowering to know that you are not helpless in the face of its
symptoms. With the proper steps, you can look forward to improving the
way you feel.

Revisit last week's issue of this newsletter series for tips on easing
symptoms of sleeplessness .

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2/16/09 3:47 A

Managing Fibromyalgia

.

This is your 4th issue in a 6-part e-mail series on fibromyalgia. This
message was independently written by RealAge and contains third-party
advertisements. Content in the e-mail or on Web pages linked from the
e-mail is not endorsed by the third-party advertiser except those
links clearly labeled so. Read more about the high editorial standards
of RealAge.

Improve Your Sleep and Restore Your Energy
You know the routine. You're exhausted when you hit the sack but in
the morning you feel even more tired than when you went to bed. Why?
Because your sleep was interrupted by painful joints, stiff muscles,
or a mind that simply wouldn't relax. And that sets off a vicious
cycle: the lack of restful sleep lowers your physical and mental
stamina, making you more sensitive to pain and fatigue, which disrupts
your sleep even more. How do you break the chain?

Medications can offer short-term relief. (Check out some common
over-the-counter choices .) But making some changes to your daily
routine can have a positive impact on your sleep and energy, too.

5 Ways to Improve Sleep
When it comes to sleep habits, we often overlook some really basic
principles that can greatly improve the quality of our slumber. Here
are some examples:

1. Getting comfy: When did you last replace your mattress and pillows?
Invest in good head-to-toe support to help minimize discomfort and
pain. ( Get more self-care sleep aids like this.)
2. Turning down the thermostat: Opt for a cooler temperature and some
extra blankets over turning up the thermostat. And put on some comfy
socks.
Here's why.
3. Nixing long naps: Sleeping during the day can interfere with your
nighttime slumber. If you must snooze, make it brief -- less than an
hour -- and do it before 3 p.m. Here's something else that can
interfere with sleep . . .
4. Loving the routine: Get up and go to bed at the same time every
day, even on your day off. This establishes a rhythm that lets your
body naturally know when it's time to sleep. Also, allow yourself
plenty of time to get ready for bed (pick out clothes for the next
day, take a leisurely bath, etc.) Here's something else that can help
set the mood for sleep . . .
5. Boring yourself: Keep a pile of product warranties, owner's
manuals, or whatever you find dull, on your nightstand. Reading these
can help you wind down and clear your head. Try these other
sleep-inducers, too.

Keep in mind that habits are just as difficult to form as to break, so
be persistent when making changes to your bedtime routines. And wait
at least ten days before assessing how useful the changes are.

Do you do these night-time no-nos?

Look for an upcoming issue of this newsletter series to provide tips
for helping you unwind.

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2/16/09 3:46 A

RealAge

Managing Fibromyalgia

.

This is your 3rd issue in a 6-part e-mail series on fibromyalgia. This
message was independently written by RealAge and contains third-party
advertisements. Content in the e-mail or on Web pages linked from the
e-mail is not endorsed by the third-party advertiser except those
links clearly labeled so. Read more about the high editorial standards
of RealAge.

The Latest News on Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a complex condition and the medical community has much
more to learn about it. Fortunately, new studies continue to shed
light both on how and why it occurs and on the most effective ways to
manage the symptoms. Make it a point to stay up-to-date on the latest
findings -- from diagnosis to treatment and long-term management -- so
that you can discuss them with your doctor.


From our advertiser: Here are four tips for establishing a strong
partnership with your doctor .
Here are some highlights in recent fibromyalgia research:

Diagnosis: Easier Tests
Currently, diagnosing fibromyalgia can be difficult, because no single
test can detect it. However, a new study may help identify genetic and
biochemical markers for fibromyalgia, potentially clearing the way for
a faster and more accurate diagnosis. Right now, your doctor may use
an innovative diagnostic tool called the Fibromyalgia Impact
Questionnaire. If not, ask about it. It can be helpful both at initial
diagnosis as well as before, during, and after a new medication or
treatment program is started.

Developments in Symptom Treatment
Here are some medications and therapies that have shown promise in
treating fibromyalgia symptoms:
• For chronic pain: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently
approved the first medicine specifically for the treatment of
fibromyalgia pain. (Look up more information about this new
medication.) Pain medicines, such as tramadol and drugs that control
muscle spasms (cyclobenzaprine or low-dose benzodiazepines) may also
offer symptom relief. (Read this article on how tramadol plus
acetaminophen helps reduce pain .) Alternative treatments, such as
biofeedback, massage, and acupuncture, may help control pain, too.
(Here's a primer on how acupuncture works.)
• For depression and fatigue: Antidepressants such as milnacipran may
help reduce depression and fatigue symptoms. (Here's a recent news
article on how these meds work.) Cognitive-behavorial therapy can help
with these feelings, too. ( Get more info on how it helps.)
• For sleep troubles: Your doctor may prescribe medicines such as
tricyclic antidepressants to improve the quality of your sleep. (Get
more info on sleep treatments by taking the RealAge Sleep Assessment
.)
Check out these other recent news headlines on fibromyalgia treatments .

Long-Term Management: Trial and Error
Managing your condition is an ongoing process that will likely involve
some trial and error. It may be frustrating at times, but if you
communicate with your doctor and stay informed, you will feel more
empowered. So don't hesitate to ask your healthcare team about
cutting-edge therapies that might be right for you.

In an upcoming issue of this newsletter series, look for information
on self-care steps you can take to help manage your symptoms.

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2/16/09 3:45 A

Managing Fibromyalgia

.

This is your 2nd issue in a 6-part e-mail series on fibromyalgia. This
message was independently written by RealAge and contains third-party
advertisements. Content in the e-mail or on Web pages linked from the
e-mail is not endorsed by the third-party advertiser except those
links clearly labeled so. Read more about the high editorial standards
of RealAge.

Be Savvy About Your Care
With an accurate diagnosis and a full understanding of your condition,
you can start to effectively manage your fibromyalgia. To get there,
you need a steady, two-way dialogue with your healthcare team. You
each have details about your condition that the other needs in order
to provide you with the best possible treatment, so focus on really
making the most of checkup time. How? Arrive with two things in hand:
your health journal and a list of questions.


From our advertiser: How bad is your pain? Answer these quick
pain-scale questions and share them with your doctor .
Your Journal: What to Include
The more your healthcare team knows about you and what you're feeling,
the easier it will be for them to effectively manage your symptoms
with the fewest side effects. Write down the specifics in a personal
health journal that you can take to your checkup. (Learn more about
fibromyalgia symptoms.)

Record details like the following in your health journal:
• Your pain: Identify activities and tasks that trigger pain and note
if you're experiencing headaches or migraines. (Learn which type of
headache yours are .)
• Your sleep/energy levels: Include the days and times when you're
having trouble sleeping or feeling fatigued. (Identify the different
causes of your sleep loss with this quiz .)
• Your emotions: Mark the days you feel anxious or depressed.
• Your focus: Note when mental fog or memory problems set in.
• Your treatments: List the medications (and dosages) you're taking,
how they're working, and if you're having any side effects. (Ask your
doctor these six important questions about your medicines .)
Your Appointment: What to Ask
Your doctor can help you better understand your condition and clear up
any confusion you may have about your treatment plan, so keep a
running list of questions and ask them at your next appointment. If
you don't get through all of them during one visit, make a note to ask
any unanswered questions the next time, or arrange for a follow-up
phone call. Here are some good questions to get you started:
• What are the latest treatment options? ( Keep up on what's new in
fibromyalgia with RealAge Smart Search.)
• Are there alternative/complementary pain treatments I should try? (
Learn about some options here.)
• Which exercises can I do without causing more pain? (Start with
walking and gentle stretches.)
• Is there a support group in my area or online that I can join?
• Would counseling be helpful? ( Your options include behavioral,
cognitive, interpersonal, and group therapy.)
• What can you recommend to help me sleep? ( Look into sleep medications.)
• How can I manage stress? ( Try these stress-management techniques.)
Ask for further explanation whenever you're unclear about any of the
doctor's answers, and take notes as needed. Then, follow your doctor's
advice and be faithful about keeping regular appointments. If your
symptoms get worse, or you're having problems with medications, let
your doctor know right away. By keeping the communication going, your
healthcare team will be better able to refine your treatments, and
you'll be more satisfied with your care.

Here's a journal you can use to track your entire medical history .

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2/16/09 3:44 A

RealAge

Managing Fibromyalgia

.

This is your 1st issue in a 6-part e-mail series on fibromyalgia. This
message was independently written by RealAge and contains third-party
advertisements. Content in the e-mail or on Web pages linked from the
e-mail is not endorsed by the third-party advertiser except those
links clearly labeled so. Read more about the high editorial standards
of RealAge.

Knowledge Is Power
It may have taken many months, or even years, but you finally have a diagnosis

Use RealAge Smart Search to look up more information on how
fibromyalgia may affect you. for the muscular aches and pains. No, it
wasn't in your head. And as you thought, you don't have arthritis. And
yes, the pain is real. All too real!

Being diagnosed with fibromyalgia may have come as a blow, but you now
have a pretty good picture of what you're dealing with. And that's
good news, because you can start learning everything you need to know
to better manage your symptoms. The more you know about your
condition, the better positioned you'll be to make good decisions
about your care. (Learn more about fibromyalgia diagnosis and
treatment.)


From our advertiser: Learn how nerve pain can affect your body.
How Did This Happen?
While you may not have even heard of fibromyalgia before you were
diagnosed, the condition is more widespread than you might think,
affecting as much as 2% to 4% of the population -- mostly women.

No one knows what causes fibromyalgia. It may have a genetic
component. And people with rheumatic diseases, such as lupus or
rheumatoid arthritis, are more prone to this painful condition. It's
possible that the symptoms of fibromyalgia are caused by faulty pain
processing in the central nervous system, such that pain is magnified
and spread throughout the body. Chemical imbalances in the brain and
spinal cord, along with immune and endocrine system abnormalities, may
contribute as well.

What You're Feeling
Along with widespread muscle pain, stiffness, and tenderness, you may
have a variety of symptoms that get better, then worse, and then
better again. These symptoms may include the following:
• Headaches and migraines ( Find out which type of headache you get.)
• Disturbed sleep ( Try these tips for sleeping better.)
• Fatigue ( Here's one way to fight it.)
• Irritable bowel syndrome ( Use this online questionnaire to see if
your symptoms fit the bill.)
• Memory problems ( Here is one trick to remembering things better.)
• Restless legs syndrome ( Here's what it feels like.)
• Anxiety or depression ( Check out the RealAge Emotional Health and
Wellness Center for feel-good advice.)
Getting Treated
With the right combination of treatments and self-care, fibromyalgia
can be managed and can get better over time. You'll have good days and
bad days, and you may feel frustrated at times. But don't give up
hope. Continue to educate yourself about your condition so you can be
proactive about your care. (Learn more about treatment options.)

Use this messaging series as a tool in finding out more about
fibromyalgia, your treatment options, and tips for managing the
day-to-day challenges that come with the condition.


From our advertiser: How many people have fibromyalgia? Find out here.
SERIES ARCHIVE

01. More to Know
02. Savvy Healthcare Tips
03. The Latest News
04. Sleep and Energy
05. Pain and Discomfort
06. Daily Life Tips

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2/16/09 3:41 A

JFBRAD56 did this for us.


I am posting the symptoms of fibro that I compiled from the books. I would never have connected some of these things!!

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM SYMPTOMS
• dragging fatigue that worsens as the day goes by
• exhaustion at the end of the day
• irritability, nervousness, and anxiety
• depression, apathy
• impaired memory and concentration (fibro fog)
• headaches, migraines
• insomnia (difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or falling back asleep)
• non-restorative sleep (waking up unrefreshed)
• sensitivity to light, smell,. and sounds
• chemical sensitivities

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOMS
• pain most often in the back (upper and lower including neck, shoulders, and buttocks), in the arms (wrists, elbows, shoulders), hips, legs, thighs, knees, ankles, feet, and chest wall
• pain described as throbbing, burning, stabbing, stinging, grabbing, with intensity that varies from hour to hour and can increase with cold or damp weather, anxiety, stress, and activity
• being able to predict a change on weather by an increase in certain symptoms
• muscle spasms and cramps
• widespread stiffness in muscles, tendons, and ligaments
• pain typically worse in the morning and may improve somewhat during the day, but will return in the evening
• numbness of the extremities or face
• diffuse pelvic pain
• chest wall pain (chostocondritis)
• Temporomandibular joint pain, facial and head pain originating in the neck area
• feelings like electrical impulses in the muscles
• restless legs
• feeling of general weakness often described as “poor stamina”
• joint hypermobility
• plantar arch or heel pain

GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• gas pain, bloating, and constipation
• diarrhea
• nausea
• hyperactivity
• crampy abdominal pain that can be intense and unpredictable
• heartburn

GENITOURINARY SYMPTOMS
• vulvodynia
• vulvar vestibulitis
• vaginal spasms or cramps
• burning discharge
• increased menstrual and uterine cramps
• dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
• bladder pain
• recurrent bladder infections
• interstitial cystitis
• dark, pungent urine that burns

DERMAL SYMPTOMS
• crawling feelings
• itching, scaly patches
• rashes (many varieties) in strange patches
• small areas of pimples occur
• perspiration that is pungent and irritates the skin
• sensitive allergic skin
• dermatographia is fairly common
• Raynaud’s syndrome

MISCELLANEOUS SYMPTOMS
• excessive nasal congestion and mucus or post nasal drip
• brittle nails, inferior hair quality
• scalded or metallic mouth sensations
• bitter (sometimes even salty) taste in mouth
• eye irritation, or blurring, burning eyes
• ringing in the ears or popping sounds
• vertigo, dizziness
• low frequency hearing loss
• heart palpitations
• non-cardiac chest pain

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2/16/09 3:40 A

Fibromyalgia Pain May Cause Memory Blips
December 19th, 2008 By Quinn Phillips in Medicine & Health / Research
(PhysOrg.com) -- The chronic pain from Fibromyalgia is devastating, but the suffering doesn't end there. According to a new study by the University of Alberta's Bruce Dick, people with the disease may have disruption in their memory because of the pain.
Dick, a professor in anesthesiology and pain medicine, compared 30 women with Fibromyalgia with 30 healthy women. In the first test, Dick and his colleagues had his subjects perform simple tasks such as reading a map or using a phone book. They got the bulk of their results in the second test when researchers looked at how much information the subjects could handle and whether multi-tasking was particularly difficult.
"We found that the Fibromyalgia sufferers had difficulty focusing on specific bits of information," said Dick. "The working memory was impaired and [as tasks] became more difficult mentally, people's performance dropped off quite dramatically if they had pain related to Fibromyalgia."
There are other factors that can cause cognitive disruption, including sleep problems and depression. Even with taking those factors into consideration, Dick found in his study that the subjects still had a slip in their working memory.
Dick believes his findings contribute to what Fibromyalgia sufferers call "fibro fog." They describe it as having trouble concentrating, suffering short-term memory lossand having general cognitive slowing.
The U of A researcher says he made another interesting and surprising discovery. Those
patients that were on narcotics or opiates had much better memories.
"The drugs that are really controversial actually seemed to help them be much more
functional," said Dick, who adds he wants medical professionals to consider his findings when they are prescribing something for pain.
"I think it is safe to say in the context of what we know in the research literature that when properly screened and supervised the benefits do outweigh the risks overall in using these medications."
Dick wants to further study the controversial treatments in order to address the best ways chronic pain sufferers can improve their memory skills.
"We need to more systematically study the drugs themselves and what they seem to do in
different groups of people and even in different classes of drugs."
Provided by University of Alberta

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2/16/09 3:39 A

This evening I was watching a satellite discussion on Fibromyalgia study by Doctors at Stanford University. The Doctor who spoke on this study was Dr. Sean Mackey, Ph.D, Dr. He spoke on determining Fibromyalgia, pain management and the other symptomatic illness that often accompany FBS. I am attaching the info I found on the web afer viewing the show, I think it will help those who are still dealing with confused doctors or with Social security. Remember, the doctors and you must use very specific terms in order for you to qualify for disability of this ailment.
Good reading and good luck. Try to print out this post as it has websites and phone numbers if you want additional information.


Although fibromyalgia is often considered an arthritis-related condition, it is not truly a form of arthritis (a disease of the joints) because it does not cause inflammation or damage to the joints, muscles, or other tissues. Like arthritis, however, fibromyalgia can cause significant pain and fatigue, and it can interfere with a person’s ability to carry on daily activities. Also like arthritis, fibromyalgia is considered a rheumatic condition.

You may wonder what exactly rheumatic means. Even physicians do not always agree on whether a disease is considered rheumatic. If you look up the word in the dictionary, you’ll find it comes from the Greek word rheum, which means flux – not an explanation that gives you a better understanding. In medicine, however, the term rheumatic means a medical condition that impairs the joints and/or soft tissues and causes chronic pain.

In addition to pain and fatigue, people who have fibromyalgia may experience:

sleep disturbances
morning stiffness
headaches
irritable bowel syndrome
painful menstrual periods
numbness or tingling of the extremities
restless legs syndrome
temperature sensitivity
cognitive and memory problems (sometimes referred to as “fibro fog”)
a variety of other symptoms.
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome rather than a disease. Unlike a disease, which is a medical condition with a specific cause or causes and recognizable signs and symptoms, a syndrome is a collection of signs, symptoms, and medical problems that tend to occur together but are not related to a specific, identifiable cause.

Who Gets Fibromyalgia?
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
How Is Fibromyalgia Treated?
Will Fibromyalgia Get Better With Time
What Can I Do To Try To Feel Better?
What Are Researchers Learning About Fibromyalgia?
Where Can I Get More Information About Fibromyalgia?
Key Words
Who Gets Fibromyalgia?
Scientists estimate that fibromyalgia affects 5 million Americans age 18 or older. For unknown reasons, between 80 and 90 percent of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women; however, men and children also can be affected. Most people are diagnosed during middle age, although the symptoms often become present earlier in life.

People with certain rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (commonly called lupus), or ankylosing spondylitis (spinal arthritis) may be more likely to have fibromyalgia, too.

Several studies indicate that women who have a family member with fibromyalgia are more likely to have fibromyalgia themselves, but the exact reason for this – whether it be hereditary or caused by environmental factors or both – is unknown. One study supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is trying to identify whether certain genes predispose some people to fibromyalgia. (See “What Are Researchers Learning About Fibromyalgia?”)

What Causes Fibromyalgia?
The causes of fibromyalgia are unknown, but there are probably a number of factors involved. Many people associate the development of fibromyalgia with a physically or emotionally stressful or traumatic event, such as an automobile accident. Some connect it to repetitive injuries. Others link it to an illness. People with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, are particularly likely to develop fibromyalgia. For others, fibromyalgia seems to occur spontaneously.

Many researchers are examining other causes, including problems with how the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) processes pain.

Some scientists speculate that a person’s genes may regulate the way his or her body processes painful stimuli. According to this theory, people with fibromyalgia may have a gene or genes that cause them to react strongly to stimuli that most people would not perceive as painful. However, those genes – if they, in fact, exist – have not been identified.

How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Research shows that people with fibromyalgia typically see many doctors before receiving the diagnosis. One reason for this may be that pain and fatigue, the main symptoms of fibromyalgia, overlap with many other conditions. Therefore, doctors often have to rule out other potential causes of these symptoms before making a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Another reason is that there are currently no diagnostic laboratory tests for fibromyalgia; standard laboratory tests fail to reveal a physiologic reason for pain. Because there is no generally accepted, objective test for fibromyalgia, some doctors unfortunately may conclude a patient’s pain is not real, or they may tell the patient there is little they can do.

A doctor familiar with fibromyalgia, however, can make a diagnosis based on two criteria established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR): a history of widespread pain lasting more than 3 months and the presence of tender points. Pain is considered to be widespread when it affects all four quadrants of the body; that is, you must have pain in both your right and left sides as well as above and below the waist to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia. ACR also has designated 18 sites on the body as possible tender points. For a fibromyalgia diagnosis, a person must have 11 or more tender points. (See illustration below.) One of these predesignated sites is considered a true tender point only if the person feels pain upon the application of 4 kilograms of pressure to the site. People who have fibromyalgia certainly may feel pain at other sites, too, but those 18 standard possible sites on the body are the criteria used for classification.




The location of the nine paired tender points that comprise the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia.

This illustration is copyrighted by the Arthritis Foundation and may not be reproduced without permission.


How Is Fibromyalgia Treated?
Fibromyalgia can be difficult to treat. Not all doctors are familiar with fibromyalgia and its treatment, so it is important to find a doctor who is. Many family physicians, general internists, or rheumatologists (doctors who specialize in arthritis and other conditions that affect the joints or soft tissues) can treat fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia treatment often requires a team approach, with your doctor, a physical therapist, possibly other health professionals, and most importantly, yourself, all playing an active role. It can be hard to assemble this team, and you may struggle to find the right professionals to treat you. When you do, however, the combined expertise of these various professionals can help you improve your quality of life.

You may find several members of the treatment team you need at a clinic. There are pain clinics that specialize in pain and rheumatology clinics that specialize in arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, including fibromyalgia.

In June 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lyrica* (pregabalin) as the first drug to treat fibromyalgia. Doctors also treat fibromyalgia with a variety of medications developed and approved for other purposes.

* Brand names included in this booklet are provided as examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that these products are endorsed by the National Institutes of Health or any other Government agency. Also, if a particular brand name is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that the product is unsatisfactory.

Following are some of the most commonly used categories of drugs for fibromyalgia.

Analgesics
Analgesics are painkillers. They range from over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) to prescription medicines, such as tramadol (Ultram), and even stronger narcotic preparations. For a subset of people with fibromyalgia, narcotic medications are prescribed for severe muscle pain. However, there is no solid evidence showing that narcotics actually work to treat the chronic pain of fibromyalgia, and most doctors hesitate to prescribe them for long-term use because of the potential that the person taking them will become physically or psychologically dependent on them.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
As their name implies, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen sodium (Anaprox, Aleve), are used to treat inflammation. Although inflammation is not a symptom of fibromyalgia, NSAIDs also relieve pain. The drugs work by inhibiting substances in the body called prostaglandins, which play a role in pain and inflammation. These medications, some of which are available without a prescription, may help ease the muscle aches of fibromyalgia. They may also relieve menstrual cramps and the headaches often associated with fibromyalgia.

Antidepressants
Perhaps the most useful medications for fibromyalgia are several in the antidepressant class. Antidepressants elevate the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine (which was formerly called adrenaline). Low levels of these chemicals are associated not only with depression, but also with pain and fatigue. Increasing the levels of these chemicals can reduce pain in people who have fibromyalgia. Doctors prescribe several types of antidepressants for people with fibromyalgia, described below.

Tricyclic antidepressants – When taken at bedtime in dosages lower than those used to treat depression, tricyclic antidepressants can help promote restorative sleep in people with fibromyalgia. They also can relax painful muscles and heighten the effects of the body’s natural pain-killing substances called endorphins. Tricyclic antidepressants have been around for almost half a century. Some examples of tricyclic medications used to treat fibromyalgia include amitriptyline hydrochloride (Elavil, Endep), cyclobenzaprine (Cycloflex, Flexeril, Flexiban), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor). Both amitriptyline and cyclobenzaprine have been proven useful for the treatment of fibromyalgia.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors – If a tricyclic antidepressant fails to bring relief, doctors sometimes prescribe a newer type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). As with tricyclics, doctors usually prescribe these for people with fibromyalgia in lower dosages than are used to treat depression. By promoting the release of serotonin, these drugs may reduce fatigue and some other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. The group of SSRIs includes fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft).

SSRIs may be prescribed along with a tricyclic antidepressant. Doctors rarely prescribe SSRIs alone. Because they make people feel more energetic, SSRIs also interfere with sleep, which often is already a problem for people with fibromyalgia. Studies have shown that a combination therapy of the tricyclic amitriptyline and the SSRI fluoxetine resulted in greater improvements in the study participants’ fibromyalgia symptoms than either drug alone.

Mixed reuptake inhibitors – Some newer antidepressants raise levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine and are therefore called mixed reuptake inhibitors. Examples of these medications include venlafaxine (Effexor) and nefazodone (Serzone). Researchers are actively studying the efficacy of these newer medications in treating fibromyalgia.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines help some people with fibromyalgia by relaxing tense, painful muscles and stabilizing the erratic brain waves that can interfere with deep sleep. Benzodiazepines also can relieve the symptoms of restless legs syndrome, which is common among people with fibromyalgia. Restless legs syndrome is characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs as well as twitching, particularly at night. Because of the potential for addiction, doctors usually prescribe benzodiazepines only for people who have not responded to other therapies. Benzodiazepines include clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepam (Valium).

Other Medications
In addition to the previously described general categories of drugs, doctors may prescribe others, depending on a person’s specific symptoms or fibromyalgia-related conditions. For example, in recent years, FDA has approved two medications – tegaserod (Zelnorm) and alosetron (Lotronex) – for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Gabapentin (Neurontin) currently is being studied as a treatment for fibromyalgia. (See “What Are Researchers Learning About Fibromyalgia?”) Other symptom-specific medications include sleep medications, muscle relaxants, and headache remedies.

People with fibromyalgia also may benefit from a combination of physical and occupational therapy, from learning pain management and coping techniques, and from properly balancing rest and activity.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Many people with fibromyalgia also report varying degrees of success with complementary and alternative therapies, including massage, movement therapies (such as Pilates and the Feldenkrais method), chiropractic treatments, acupuncture, and various herbs and dietary supplements for different fibromyalgia symptoms. (For more information on complementary and alternative therapies, contact the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. See “Where Can I Get More Information About Fibromyalgia?”)

Although some of these supplements are being studied for fibromyalgia, there is little, if any, scientific proof yet that they help. FDA does not regulate the sale of dietary supplements, so information about side effects, proper dosage, and the amount of a preparation’s active ingredient may not be well known. If you are using or would like to try a complementary or alternative therapy, you should first speak with your doctor, who may know more about the therapy’s effectiveness, as well as whether it is safe to try in combination with your medications.

Will Fibromyalgia Get Better With Time?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, meaning it lasts a long time – possibly a lifetime. However, it may comfort you to know that fibromyalgia is not a progressive disease. It is never fatal, and it won’t cause damage to your joints, muscles, or internal organs. In many people, the condition does improve over time.

What Can I Do To Try To Feel Better?
Besides taking medicine prescribed by your doctor, there are many things you can do to minimize the impact of fibromyalgia on your life. These include:

Getting enough sleep – Getting enough sleep and the right kind of sleep can help ease the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia. (See “Tips for Good Sleep”.) Even so, many people with fibromyalgia have problems such as pain, restless legs syndrome, or brainwave irregularities that interfere with restful sleep.
Exercising – Although pain and fatigue may make exercise and daily activities difficult, it’s crucial to be as physically active as possible. Research has repeatedly shown that regular exercise is one of the most effective treatments for fibromyalgia. People who have too much pain or fatigue to do vigorous exercise should begin with walking or other gentle exercise and build their endurance and intensity slowly. Although research has focused largely on the benefits of aerobic and flexibility exercises, a new NIAMS-supported study is examining the effects of adding strength training to the traditionally prescribed aerobic and flexibility exercises.
Making changes at work – Most people with fibromyalgia continue to work, but they may have to make big changes to do so. For example, some people cut down the number of hours they work, switch to a less demanding job, or adapt a current job. If you face obstacles at work, such as an uncomfortable desk chair that leaves your back aching or difficulty lifting heavy boxes or files, your employer may make adaptations that will enable you to keep your job. An occupational therapist can help you design a more comfortable workstation or find more efficient and less painful ways to lift.

If you are unable to work at all due to a medical condition, you may qualify for disability benefits through your employer or the Federal Government. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) are the largest Federal programs providing financial assistance to people with disabilities. Although the medical requirements for eligibility are the same under the two programs, the way they are funded is different. SSDI is paid by Social Security taxes, and those who qualify for assistance receive benefits based on how much they have paid into the system; SSI is funded by general tax revenues, and those who qualify receive payments based on financial need. For information about the SSDI and SSI programs, contact the Social Security Administration. (See “Where Can I Get More Information About Fibromyalgia?”)

Eating well – Although some people with fibromyalgia report feeling better when they eat or avoid certain foods, no specific diet has been proven to influence fibromyalgia. Of course, it is important to have a healthy, balanced diet. Not only will proper nutrition give you more energy and make you generally feel better, it will also help you avoid other health problems.
Tips for Good Sleep
Keep regular sleep habits. Try to get to bed at the same time and get up at the same time every day – even on weekends and vacations.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol in the late afternoon and evening. If consumed too close to bedtime, the caffeine in coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and some medications can keep you from sleeping or sleeping soundly. Even though it can make you feel sleepy, drinking alcohol around bedtime also can disturb sleep.
Time your exercise. Regular daytime exercise can improve nighttime sleep. But avoid exercising within 3 hours of bedtime, which actually can be stimulating, keeping you awake.
Avoid daytime naps. Sleeping in the afternoon can interfere with nighttime sleep. If you feel you can’t get by without a nap, set an alarm for 1 hour. When it goes off, get up and start moving.
Reserve your bed for sleeping. Watching the late news, reading a suspense novel, or working on your laptop in bed can stimulate you, making it hard to sleep.
Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool.
Avoid liquids and spicy meals before bed. Heartburn and late-night trips to the bathroom are not conducive to good sleep.
Wind down before bed. Avoid working right up to bedtime. Do relaxing activities, such as listening to soft music or taking a warm bath, that get you ready to sleep. (A warm bath also may soothe aching muscles.)

What Are Researchers Learning About Fibromyalgia?
NIAMS sponsors research that will improve scientists’ understanding of the specific problems that cause or accompany fibromyalgia, in turn helping them develop better ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent this syndrome.

The research on fibromyalgia supported by NIAMS covers a broad spectrum, ranging from basic laboratory research to studies of medications and interventions designed to encourage behaviors that reduce pain and change behaviors that worsen or perpetuate pain.

Following are descriptions of some of the promising research now being conducted:

Understanding pain – Research suggests that fibromyalgia is caused by a problem in how the body processes pain – or more precisely, a hypersensitivity to stimuli that normally are not painful. Therefore, several NIAMS-supported researchers are focusing on ways the body processes pain to better understand why people with fibromyalgia have increased pain sensitivity.
Previous research has shown that people with fibromyalgia have reduced blood flow to parts of the brain that normally help the body deal with pain. In one new NIAMS-funded study, researchers will be using imaging technology called positron emission tomography (PET) to compare blood flow in the brains of women who have fibromyalgia with those who do not. In both groups, researchers will study changes in blood flow that occur in response to painful stimuli.

Researchers speculate that female reproductive hormones may be involved in the increased sensitivity to pain characteristic of fibromyalgia. New research will examine the role of sex hormones in pain sensitivity, in reaction to stress, and in symptom perception at various points in the menstrual cycles of women with fibromyalgia and of women without it. The results from studying these groups of women will be compared with results from studies of the same factors in men without fibromyalgia over an equivalent period of time.

Another line of NIAMS-funded research involves developing a rodent model of fibromyalgia pain. Rodent models, which use mice or rats that researchers cause to develop symptoms similar to fibromyalgia in humans, could provide the basis for future research into this complex condition.

Understanding stress – Medical evidence suggests that a problem or problems in the way the body responds to physical or emotional stress may trigger or worsen the symptoms of any illness, including fibromyalgia. Researchers funded by NIAMS are trying to uncover and understand these problems by examining chemical interactions between the nervous system and the endocrine (hormonal) system. Scientists know that people whose bodies make inadequate amounts of the hormone cortisol experience many of the same symptoms as people with fibromyalgia, so they also are exploring whether there is a link between the regulation of the adrenal glands, which produce cortisol, and fibromyalgia.

Another NIAMS-funded study suggests that exercise improves the body’s response to stress by enhancing the function of the pituitary and adrenal glands. The hormones produced by these two endocrine glands are essential to regulating sleep and emotions as well as processing pain.

Improving sleep – Researchers supported by NIAMS are investigating ways to improve sleep for people with fibromyalgia whose sleep problems persist despite treatment with medications. One team has observed that fibromyalgia patients with persistent sleep problems share characteristics with people who have insomnia, such as having erratic sleep and wake schedules and spending too much time in bed. This team is testing whether strategies developed to help insomnia patients will also help people with fibromyalgia achieve deep sleep, which eases pain and fatigue. Preliminary results show that sleep education, which teaches good sleep habits, and cognitive behavioral therapy, which includes sleep education and a regimen to correct poor habits and improper sleep schedules, both reduce insomnia.

Looking for the family connection – Because fibromyalgia appears to run in families, one group of NIAMS-supported researchers is working to identify whether a gene or genes predispose people to the condition.

Another team is trying to determine whether fibromyalgia is more common in people with other conditions, such as serious mood disorders, that tend to run in families. Specifically, the group is studying the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and arthritis and related disorders in people with fibromyalgia and their first-degree relatives (parents, children, sisters, and brothers) as compared to people with rheumatoid arthritis and their relatives. The group is exploring whether clusters of conditions exist in families, which might shed light on shared risk factors or disease processes.

Studying and targeting treatments – NIAMS recently funded its first study of a drug treatment for fibromyalgia. The study will measure the effectiveness of gabapentin, an anticonvulsant medication, in reducing symptoms of fibromyalgia. Gabapentin has been found to relieve chronic pain caused by nervous system disorders, and it was recently approved by FDA for the treatment of persistent, severe pain that can follow an episode of shingles.

Scientists recognize that people with fibromyalgia often fall into distinct subgroups that adapt to and cope with their symptoms differently. They also realize that these subgroups may respond to treatments differently. One NIAMS-funded team of researchers has divided people with fibromyalgia into three groups based on how they cope with the condition. Relative to other chronic pain patients, those in the first group have higher levels of pain and report more interference in their life due to pain. They also have higher levels of emotional distress, feel less control over their lives, and are less active. The second group reports receiving less support from others, higher levels of negative responses from significant others, and lower levels of supportive responses from significant others. Those in the third group are considered adaptive copers; they have less pain, report less interference in their lives due to pain, and have less emotional distress. Members of this last group feel more control over their lives and are more active. On the premise that the better you understand the subgroups, the better you can tailor treatments to fit them, the researchers now are trying to design and test different programs for each group, combining physical therapy, interpersonal skills training, and supportive counseling.

Where Can I Get More Information About Fibromyalgia?
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
National Institutes of Health
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892–3675
Phone: 877–22–NIAMS (226–4267) (free of charge)
TTY: 301–565–2966
Fax: 301–718–6366
E-mail: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
www.niams.nih.gov
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine National Institutes of Health
P.O. Box 7923
Gaithersburg, MD 20898–7923
Phone: 888–644–6226 (free of charge)
TTY: 866–464–3615 (free of charge)
Fax: 866–464–3616 (free of charge)
E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov
www.nccam.nih.gov
Social Security Administration
Office of Public Inquiries
Windsor Park Building
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
Phone: 800–772–1213 (free of charge)
TTY: 800–325–0778 (free of charge)
www.ssa.gov/disability
American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals
1800 Century Place, Suite 250
Atlanta, GA 30345–4300
Phone: 404–633–3777
Fax: 404–633–1870
www.rheumatology.org
Advocates for Fibromyalgia Funding, Treatment, Education, and Research
P.O. Box 768
Libertyville, IL 60048–0768
Phone: 847–362–7807
Fax: 847–680–3922
E-mail: info@affter.org
www.affter.org
Fibromyalgia Network
P.O. Box 31750
Tucson, AZ 85751–1750
Phone: 800–853–2929 (free of charge)
Fax: 520–290–5550
E-mail: inquiry@fmnetnews.com
www.fmnetnews.com
National Fibromyalgia Association
2121 S. Towne Centre Place, Suite 300
Anaheim, CA 92806
Phone: 714–921–0150
Fax: 714–921–6920
www.fmaware.org
Tenemos disponible información en español y personal bilingüe.
National Fibromyalgia Partnership, Inc.
P.O. Box 160
Linden, VA 22642–0160
Phone: 866–725–4404 (free of charge)
Fax: 866–666–2727 (free of charge) or 540–622–2998
E-mail: mail@fmpartnership.org
www.fmpartnership.org
Arthritis Foundation
P.O. Box 7669
Atlanta, GA 30357–0669
Phone: 800–283–7800 (free of charge) or call your local chapter (To find your local chapter, check your phone directory or visit the foundation’s Web site.)
www.arthritis.org
Key Words
Adrenal glands – A pair of endocrine glands located on the surface of the kidneys. The adrenal glands produce orticosteroid hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone, and the reproductive hormones.

Analgesic – A medication or treatment that relieves pain.

Arthritis – Literally means joint inflammation, but is often used to indicate a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases. These diseases affect not only the joints but also other connective tissues of the body, including important supporting structures, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as well as the protective covering of internal organs.

Chronic disease – An illness that lasts for a long time, often a lifetime.

Connective tissue – The supporting framework of the body and its internal organs.

Cortisol – A hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, important for normal carbohydrate metabolism and for a healthy response to stress.

Fibromyalgia – A chronic syndrome that causes pain and stiffness throughout the connective tissues that support and move the bones and joints. Pain and localized tender points occur in the muscles, particularly those that support the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. The disorder includes widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.

Fibrous capsule – A tough wrapping of tendons and ligaments that surrounds the joint.

Inflammation – A characteristic reaction of tissues to injury or disease. It is marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat, and pain. Inflammation is not a symptom of fibromyalgia.

Joint – A junction where two bones meet. Most joints are composed of cartilage, joint space, fibrous capsule, synovium, and ligaments.

Ligaments – Bands of cordlike tissue that connect bone to bone.

Muscle – A structure composed of bundles of specialized cells that, when stimulated by nerve impulses, contract and produce movement.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – A group of drugs, such as aspirin and aspirin-like drugs, used to reduce inflammation that causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.

Pituitary gland – A pea-sized gland attached beneath the hypothalamus at the base of the skull that secretes many hormones essential to bodily functioning. The secretion of pituitary hormones is regulated by chemicals produced in the hypothalamus.

Sleep disorder – A disorder in which a person has difficulty achieving restful, restorative sleep. In addition to other symptoms, people with fibromyalgia usually have a sleep disorder.

Tender points – Specific places on the body where a person with fibromyalgia feels pain in response to slight pressure.

Tendons – Fibrous cords that connect muscle to bone.

Acknowledgments
NIAMS gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Deborah Ader, Ph.D., NIAMS, NIH; Karen Amour and Lynne Matallana, National Fibromyalgia Association, Orange, CA; Michele L. Boutaugh, M.P.H., Arthritis Foundation, Atlanta, GA; Daniel Clauw, M.D., and Leslie Crofford, M.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; and Tamara Liller, National Fibromyalgia Partnership, Linden, VA, in the preparation of this booklet.

The mission of the National Institute of Arthritis and ­Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health (NIH), is to support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases; the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research; and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. The NIAMS Infor­mation Clearinghouse is a publi

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2/16/09 3:38 A

A number of years ago, I found a Chiropractor that uses a Drop Table and the Activator methods. I hadn't slept through the night for a good 25 years. He started treating me and of course it began with 3 times a week for the first 2 weeks then gradually cut down to once a month. Anyway, he used the drop table each time to put everything in the was being pulled out. Then he worked on all the pressure points. At first just lightly touching me brought the tears but I knew I had to go through with it to get relief. After a few weeks, I could tell the pain wasn't near as bad. He was pushing the pain away from the surface of my body. After about 4 weeks, I also began sleeping through the night! If any of you can afford it or have Ins. and can go to one like him I highly reccomend it. He also reccomended massage therapy but said no Deep Tissue massage as it would create more damage. I couldn't afford to go so never got to find out. To find a Chiropractor like him, start calling the different offices in the phone book or go on line. He also had a movable table that he moved in different directions and it loosened up my low back where I had, had surgery and was all jammed up. The Chiropractor Office here that has the drop table is I believe a chain and its called Simpson Chiropractic and Sports Medicine if that is any help. My old one is Dr's. Marty & Sharon Thornton in Independance, Oregon.

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2/16/09 3:38 A

Scans Reveal Brain Abnormalities in Fibromyalgia Patients
Finding offers more evidence that the condition is 'real,' researchers say
By Kathleen Doheny
HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, Nov. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers have detected abnormalities in the brains of people with fibromyalgia, a complex, chronic condition characterized by muscle pain and fatigue.

"We showed in our study that the functional abnormalities observed were mainly related to disability," and not to anxiety and depression status, said Dr. Eric Guedj, the study's lead author and a researcher at Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire de la Timone in France.

While some researchers have suggested that the pain reported by fibromyalgia patients was the result of depression, the new study suggests otherwise. The abnormalities found on brain scans done by the study authors were independent of the women's anxiety and depression levels, Guedj said.

The French researchers evaluated 20 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia and 10 healthy women without the condition who served as a control group. They asked all the women to respond to questionnaires to determine levels of pain, disability, anxiety and depression.

Then, the researchers performed brain imaging called single photon emission computed tomography, or SPECT.

The imaging showed that women with the syndrome had "brain perfusion" -- or blood flow abnormalities -- compared to the healthy women. The researchers then found that these abnormalities were directly correlated with the severity of disease symptoms.

An increase in blood flow was found in the brain region known to discriminate pain intensity, the researchers found.

The findings were published in the November issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

An estimated 10 million Americans are thought to have fibromyalgia, the majority of them women, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association. They report a history of widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for at least three months, and pain in at least 11 of 18 "tender points."

Besides pain, fibromyalgia symptoms include fatigue; problems with cognitive functioning, memory and concentration; difficulty sleeping; and stiffness.

The cause of fibromyalgia remains a mystery, according to the association, but it may occur following physical trauma such as an injury, experts say. Treatments focus on relieving symptoms and helping patients function.

In previous research, Guedj and his team had found functional abnormalities in areas of the brain of fibromyalgia patients. The latest study goes a step further, demonstrating that the brain abnormalities are correlated with disease severity, he said.

Dr. Patrick Wood, senior medical adviser for the National Fibromyalgia Association, said the new study provides "further evidence of an objective difference between patients with fibromyalgia and those who don't have the disorder." Wood reviewed the study results but was not involved with the research.

Other studies have found a correlation between brain abnormalities and fibromyalgia symptoms, Wood said, adding that the new study adds more evidence and information on how the abnormalities affect patients.

More information

To learn more about fibromyalgia, visit the National Fibromyalgia Association.



Content by:


SOURCES: SOURCES: Eric Guedj, M.D., researcher, Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire de la Timone, Marseille, France; Patrick Wood, M.D., senior medical adviser, National Fibromyalgia Association, chief medical officer, Angler Biomedical, Rockville, Md.; November 2008, The Journal of Nuclear Medicine

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2/16/09 3:37 A

Health News
Savella Approved for Fibromyalgia
Expected in pharmacies by March
THURSDAY, Jan. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Savella (milnacipran hydrochloride) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat fibromyalgia, a chronic condition characterized by restricted movement and widespread pain, makers Forest Labs and Cypress Bioscience announced.

The safety and effectiveness of the drug, a selective serotonin and norepinephrine dual reuptake inhibitor, were established in clinical trials involving 2,084 patients. In a news release, the drug's makers said it's not known exactly how Savella improves symptoms of fibromyalgia, which some scientists believe is related to abnormalities in certain brain neurotransmitters.

As many as 6 million Americans have fibromyalgia, making it the second-most common condition diagnosed in rheumatology clinics behind osteoarthritis, the companies said. There is no cure.

Savella is expected in pharmacies by March. Common side effects reported during clinical testing included constipation, hot flushes, vomiting, heart palpitations, dry mouth, and a rise in blood pressure.

More information

The FDA has more information about this drug.



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2/16/09 3:37 A

Fibromyalgia Pain Linked to Memory Problems
by Karen Lee Richards
Sunday, February 08, 2009

Many people with fibromyalgia report having problems with cognitive functioning. We often refer to this difficulty concentrating and short-term memory loss as fibro-fog or brain-fog because it feels as if our minds are in a fog – we know the information is there; we just can't find it at the moment.

Pain and Memory

A new study has found that the cognitive functioning problems of fibromyalgia may exacerbated by the pain. The University of Alberta study compared 30 women with fibromyaglia with 30 healthy women. Two tests were conducted. In the first, subjects performed simple tasks such as reading a map or using a phone book. In the second test, researchers looked at the quantity of information subjects could handle and their ability to multi-task.

Lead researcher Bruce Dick, a professor in anesthesiology and pain medicine, reported that the working memory was impaired in those who had FM and they had difficulty focusing on specific bits of information. What was significant, though, was the fact that as the tasks became more difficult, their performance dropped off dramatically if they had pain.

Opioids and Memory

Dick also made another unexpected and surprising discovery. The patients who were taking opioid medications had better memories. Since opioids are not usually recommended for fibromyalgia, this opens up a whole new area for consideration. He wants to do further studies on the use of these medications for FM, stating that when properly screened and supervised, he feels the benefits may outweigh the risks.

Fibro-fog Tips

If fibro-fog is a problem for you, there are things you can do to help clear away some of the fog. Read Dealing with Fibro-Fog for tips on how to improve your cognitive functioning.

Many people with fibromyalgia report having problems with cognitive functioning. We often refer to this difficulty concentrating and short-term memory loss as fibro-fog or brain-fog because it feels as if our minds are in a fog – we know the information is there; we just can't find it at the moment.

Pain and Memory

A new study has found that the cognitive functioning problems of fibromyalgia may exacerbated by the pain. The University of Alberta study compared 30 women with fibromyaglia with 30 healthy women. Two tests were conducted. In the first, subjects performed simple tasks such as reading a map or using a phone book. In the second test, researchers looked at the quantity of information subjects could handle and their ability to multi-task.

Lead researcher Bruce Dick, a professor in anesthesiology and pain medicine, reported that the working memory was impaired in those who had FM and they had difficulty focusing on specific bits of information. What was significant, though, was the fact that as the tasks became more difficult, their performance dropped off dramatically if they had pain.

Opioids and Memory



------------

Here is another article from the same website:

Dealing with Fibro-Fog
By Karen Lee Richards

My best friend from Florida came to visit me here in Tennessee so she could take fall leaves back for the children in her Montessori pre-school. In our quest to find the most beautiful leaves, we headed for the Blue Ridge Parkway, well known for its stunning scenery. No sooner had we gotten on the parkway than we found ourselves in the midst of one of the worst fogs I ever experienced. We could literally only see about three feet in front of the car. I was struck by was how similar it felt to being in the midst of a severe bout of fibro-fog!
The cognitive dysfunction so many of us with fibromyalgia deal with daily is aptly described by the term “brain fog,” or by my favorite pet name “fibro-fog.” Our minds feel clouded by a thick fog. We are unable to see (or think) more than a few feet (or minutes) ahead.
See if any of these fibro-fog experiences sound familiar. Do you ever…
…get ready to walk out the door and realize you have no idea where the car keys are?
…put the milk in the cabinet and the cereal in the refrigerator?
…run into an old friend and forget her name?
…find yourself driving down a road unable to remember where you are going?
…buy something, not remembering that you bought the exact same think a week ago?
…try to describe or explain something but you cannot think of the word you want to use?
…stop in the middle of a conversation because you cannot remember what you are talking about?
…forget when you last took your meds?
…bounce a check because you added instead of subtracted?
…show up for your doctor appointment on the wrong day?

The forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating and confusion characteristic of fibro-fog is occasionally amusing and often frustrating. But sometimes it can be downright dangerous –– like forgetting that you have chicken frying on the stove or not noticing that a traffic light has turned red. While it is good to be able to laugh at yourself over the little incidents of forgetfulness, it is important to take steps to improve your cognitive functioning so that you do not jeopardize the safety and well-being of yourself or your loved ones.

Increase Blood Flow
Although a clear-cut cause for fibro-fog has yet to be identified, various brain-imaging techniques have clearly shown that the majority of people with fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome have decreased blood flow, and thereby decreased oxygen, to specific areas of the brain. Therefore, the first step in dealing with fibro-fog is to try to increase blood flow and oxygen to the brains. Here are a few tips to get your blood flowing northward:
Exercise –– Exercise increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Exercising with music doubles the effectiveness. Charles Emery, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at Ohio State University in Columbus, conducted a research project in which participants were tested for mental performance after exercising both with and without music. Participants performed more than twice as well on a verbal fluency test when they exercised with music.
Sleep – Getting enough sleep is critical for good brain function. Not coincidently, getting good restorative sleep is one of the major problems for people with FM. The foods you eat can have a significant effect on how well you sleep. Some foods, like milk and turkey, can help you fall asleep. Others, like caffeine-laden drinks, chocolate, excessive sugar, and MSG, can cause agitation and keep you awake. For additional information about improving sleep, go to the National Fibromyalgia Associations website, www.FMaware.org. If you do a search for “sleep,” you will find several helpful articles.
Breathe –– While breathing seems like a normal, involuntary action, the fact is that most people with FM actually hold their breath much of the time. Although holding your breath is a natural reaction to pain, it deprives your body of necessary oxygen. Try to make yourself aware of times you are unconsciously holding your breath and make a conscious effort to take two or three deep breaths several times a day.
Check medications –– Certain drugs can increase brain fog. Some of the medications that may make your memory worse are: calcium channel blockers (for hypertension), analgesics (for pain), hypnotics (for sleep), and antihistamines (for allergy or sinus problems). If you suspect that one or more of your prescriptions are increasing your fibro-fog, talk with your doctor to see if a lower dosage or a different medication might help.
Improve nutrition –– Recent research suggests that getting enough of certain nutrients –– particularly iron, zinc and B vitamins (especially folic acid, B6 and B12) –– may help cognitive functioning…or at least prevent it from getting worse. Iron and zinc are found in meat, poultry, seafood, whole grains and dried beans. The B vitamins are found in whole grains, meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy products, leafy green vegetables, beans, peas and citrus fruits. Additionally, it is important to fight the free radicals seeking to damage our brain cells by eating a diet rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are found in fruits and vegetables, especially those with the darkest and brightest colors, like spinach, carrots, tomatoes and red bell peppers.
Consider supplements –– If you feel your diet is not supplying adequate amounts of the nutrients mentioned above, you might consider adding one or more vitamin and mineral supplements. Other supplements that some have found helpful in lessening fibro-fog are Coenzyme Q10, Gingko Biloba and NADH (a coenzyme made from vitamin B2). Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement to make sure there are no dangerous interactions with medications you may be taking.
Mental Exercise
In addition to physical exercise, emerging evidence is showing that mental exercise can also help improve memory, concentration and problem-solving abilities. Mental exercise can be any activity that causes your mind to think logically, focus, strategize, sort, calculate, or create. Choose at least one mental exercise that you enjoy and spend some time each day “working out” your brain. Following are examples of a few brain-exercising activities:
Work a challenging crossword puzzle.
Solve a word search puzzle.
Put together a difficult jigsaw puzzle.
Play a game that forces you to think or strategize, like Scrabble, chess or bridge.
Make up a fairy tale.
Choose a Norman Rockwell painting and create a story about it.
Memorize a poem, proverb or Bible verse.
Read a book.
Play a musical instrument.
Learn a new language.
If you find yourself in the midst of a thick mental fog, do not allow yourself to get lost there. You can work your way through it and find some clarity again. It is ironic that for about a month prior to writing this article, I went through one of the worst bouts with fibro-fog I have ever experienced. I felt like I was living in la-la land. But, using many of these tips, I found my way through the fog…and so can you.

___________________
Reprinted with permission of the National Fibromyalgia Association from Fibromyalgia AWARE, December 2004 – March 2005.

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2/16/09 3:36 A

Here's the soap trick I'll put it here for any and all that want to try it themselves. No one knows why it works, it just does. I was one of those yeah right! ones.

Take a bar of Soap still in it's wrapper, and put it under your bottom sheet. Down by your feet. For some reason, just doing that, decreases or even stops the muscle spasms and charlie horses in the feet, toes and legs.

I started using it months ago. I had them 24/7 several times a day. Since then, I have only had only a few try to start while in bed. I quickly felt around for the bar and put it back closer to my feet. The bar tends to move from the movement of your feet when you are turning over. I have only had 1 get started that just getting the soap back didn't stop and with that 1, all I had to do was lay on my back and bend my knee putting my foot flat on the bed.

Hope this little trick will help others as it has me. By the way, if you have those little bars of soap you get from Motels? I tuck 1 in the upper part of each of my socks in the morning if I am going to be doing a lot of walking on cement floors or if my feet start to spasm during the day.

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2/16/09 3:36 A

Bio-Feedback is a method I was taught when I went to the Hospital for a Pain Management Course. At the time, I had FMS, a bad back that was going to end up with Surgery on anyway. To do it, you first need a soothing music tape that doesn't have words or a regular rhythm or beat to it. I like an Ocean waves one with the birds to it as it is soothing and I can picture myself in a cove where I have a little Grass Shack. I picture myself walking along the shore playing in the waves. You need to do this sitting up in a chair with your feet up and get comfortable. Do not lie on the couch or bed as you aren't to go to sleep. I was hooked up to a machine that buzzed every time any of my muscles tensed up. I didn't even have to feel them doing it for it to buzz. No distractions for anyone or anything for at least 30 min. Set a timer if you need too. Eyes closed, music on. Now, begining at the top of your head, you are going to slowly work your way down your body. Your head, does it hurt? Y?N. Y then relax after acknowledging it, taking deep breaths, next go to your neck. Same question, Y/N? if no relax more and go down to shoulders, arma, hands, fingers. Ask question - Y/N? always relax and breath deep. If the answer is yes, spend a minute or so relaxing that part of your body. You will feel the tenseness easing away and you won't hurt as much as you did. Continue this method. Do arms etc. separately of course. It will take practice. The Dr worked with me 2 a week for 3 or 4 weeks till I got it down pat. No, you won't wipe the pain completely away. but it will ease it off alot and you wil get a much higher tollerance to pain. Remember, no distractions. Turn off the phone. I always did it for 15 min in the dark right before bed and boy, did it work wonders for being able to go to sleep!

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2/16/09 3:32 A

We need a thread to post all the helps and FMS info we have so others can read it and find help and much needed knowledge. So PLEASE, no gabbing here, just put your great tips and info.

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