Fibromyalgia Resource

October 11, 2006
OUR MISSION "To empower patients to take control of their health by providing comprehensive health resources, current treatment information, quality health products and advocating for the rights of the patient." more THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL This Week's Highest Rated SLEEP SUPPORT Melatonin ZMA PAIN SUPPORT O24 Fibromyalgia ProEnzyme™ P ENERGY SUPPORT NADH Neuro B-12 Ultra ATP+ IMMUNE SUPPORT Transfer Factor Essentials Olive Leaf Extract ImmPower DIGESTION SUPPORT Jarro-Dophilus EPS Acidophilus Pearls DETOX SUPPORT Guaifenesin FA ImmunPlex™ Vanilla BRAIN SUPPORT Omega 3-6-9 Phosphatidyl Serine Ginkgo Biloba MOOD SUPPORT St. John's Wort 5-HTP SAM-e Most Popular for Detoxification Guaifenesin FA Most Popular for Energy Support Enada NADH	FOUNDER'S CORNER Wackiest Thing A Doctor Ever Told You? In my September 27 Founder's Corner, I invited our readers to write letters sharing their comments with the community - and the response was fabulous (see "Letters From Our Readers" below). It's clear that you're looking for the kinds of connections that can come when you start exchanging ideas and information with other Fibromyalgia sufferers. And in so many cases, it seems the best way you could do that is to go to ProHealth's ImmuneSupport.com community Message Boards. Just look for a topic you're interested in - or ask your own open-ended question - and you'll surely benefit from the collective wisdom of an amazing group of involved people. To give you an example, I've been following a poll on "Most ridiculous thing your doctor ever said?" We've had so much fun with it that I thought we should give everyone an opportunity to contribute their own howlers. Just to get the juices flowing, here are a few recent postings: n I was seeing a GI doc for problems with reflux and the chest pain that goes with it. I asked him how I would know if it was cardiac related. His exact words were "Oh, you will know!" n In the ER after a severe car accident: "Well at least you wore clean underwear." n "Hmm, your B-12 is extremely low, your potassium is abnormally high, and your magnesium is very low. We'll recheck these in a year." n One of the doctor's tests was for me to look up with my eyes. With myasthenia gravis, this causes immediate drooping eyelid (ptosis). He says, "Excuse me I have to hold up your eyelid to see your eye." On his report he wrote "no ptosis." n After I was diagnosed with CFS my doctor told me to run a 9-minute mile for 15 minutes every other day. I did, and got so sick I could hardly get out of bed. When I told him what happened he said "Boy, you must be out of shape." (Another participant commented, "Did you know that in the South He needed killin' is a valid defense?") My own ridiculous doctor story? It's the dermatologist who told me I was "the most sophisticated hypochondriac" he ever met. To share your anecdote, just go to Wackiest Thing Your Doctor Ever Told You. Wishing you the blessing of laughter, Sincerely, Rich Carson ProHealth Founder and CFS Patient Letters From Our Readers Following is a sampling of the many intriguing questions and suggestions we received from readers this week - such as one mother's call for a Fibromyalgia support group for kids. FM Wellness Insights & Suggestions           Comments and Questions Disability Information and News Applying for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income Based on his 28-year career as a representative of Social Security Disability claimants in the Pacific Northwest, a seasoned attorney provides a "primer" on what prospective claimants need to do and how they need to prepare.   more Pharmaceutical Drug News Just Say "Know" To Prescription Drugs - A Patient Empowerment Tool This global initiative offers a simple form you can print and submit to your healthcare providers - asking them to signify that they've reviewed the pertinent facts about your prescribed medications with you. The idea could save your life or health.   more Advice From the Experts How to Choose a Pain Management Physician or Clinic "If your current treatment is not working, or if your pain is getting worse, it's probably time to see a pain specialist," advises the American Pain Foundation. They offer links to help you locate a specialist, prescription assistance, disability resources, or a pain expert's advice.*   more Opinions and Perspectives The Placebo Effect One gadfly health researcher/educator's cautionary take on the placebo, a key element of many clinical trials; plus a look at the so-called active placebo and the nocebo - "placebo's evil twin."   more One Man's Meat... We should avoid being discouraged from considering X drug just because we hear that it didn't work for someone - "or even for a few people. It might turn out that this drug will be of tremendous benefit to a given patient," advises advocacy group leader Jean Harrison.*   more FM Research Abstracts This week's collection of new journal article abstracts addresses many issues, ranging from "Migraine, Fibromyalgia, and depression among people with IBS: A prevalence study" to "A comprehensive review of 46 exercise treatment studies in Fibromyalgia (1988-2005)."   more Clinical Trial Update 33 Locations Recruiting FM Patients for Sleep/Pain Drug Trial Will Xyrem® (sodium oxybate) become the first pharmaceutical drug approved by the FDA and similar agencies for treatment of Fibromyalgia symptoms? If so, its marketers are poised to offer it on a global scale. Currently, 33 U.S. phase III trial sites in 20 states are recruiting subjects for 21-week participation periods.   more Two Studies Recruiting in Central New Jersey Researchers at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School are recruiting for studies of two very different treatments that may be of interest to FM patients.*   more Weekly Inspiration Experimenting Learning to manage our pain will most likely be a lifelong process. We will be constantly experimenting. Trying this and trying that, while putting together different combinations to see what's effective and what's not. This is sure to require courage, willingness, and patience. Most of the time our answers will not be found on the first try but eventually we are sure to find what we are looking for. As time passes, we must realize that what has been so effective for us may fade away and no longer work. Our bodies are constantly changing and they may require us to change our methods as well. When we're willing to change and grow with our bodies, chances are we will be pleasantly surprised by the results. From Living With Chronic Pain One Day At A Time, by Mark Allen Zabawa My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to 99 cents a can. That's almost $7.00 in dog money. - Joe Weinstein Your Feedback Counts! At ProHealth we are committed to bringing you the most up-to-date information on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. We are always striving to improve our services, and your opinion counts. If you have any comments, suggestions or ideas, please let us know. Include your full name if you agree that we might share your letter with other readers. Send Us Your Feedback About ImmuneSupport.com Published by ProHealth, Inc., ImmuneSupport.com is the Web's largest resource for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Since 1988, ProHealth has raised and donated over 2.5 million dollars to CFS and FM research and advocacy groups seeking a cure. We believe in "commerce with compassion." Every purchase made at ImmuneSupport.com funds research - as does every purchase made from ProHealth's Health Resource catalog. Visit ImmuneSupport.com
* Note: This article first appeared in last week's CFS Edition of CFS & FM Treatment & Research News (Oct 4, 2006)