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FM Treatment & Research News
Fibromyalgiasupport.com
10-25-2006
For an easier to read, larger type version, click here
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October 25, 2006 | |
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 FOUNDER'S CORNER What Has Worked for You? First, let me say that I am happy with the brand new ProHealth CFS and FM health and information catalog that was just printed. It is filled with news and resources that pertain to FM and CFS patients, and it is also filled with supplements and healthcare products that patients will find especially useful. If you are already on our catalog mailing list, your copy will arrive any day. If not, and if you would like to receive this important resource free of charge, please take just a minute to request your "copy here" .It will only take a few minutes and I think you will be impressed, especially with our lead articles, "The Key to Diagnosing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" and "FM and CFS Stress Management." It is good stuff. As you may know, I wrote about my own experiences as a patient since 1981 "On the Road to Recovery" in the October 4 CFS newsletter. I described a few things that I believe have been working for me in the past few years - including a diet that features fresh vegetable juices I prepare every day. And I'll tell you more about this. But the truth is, you readers are the real mother lode of useful health tips and discoveries. Over the years, I have seen thousands of you - not just patients, but involved family members, caregivers, therapists, and medical professionals too - all generously sharing your findings and ideas in support group meetings and in the ImmuneSupport.com chat rooms and message boards. Whether we are struggling with a disability today, or seeing some hopeful improvement, as one reader said this week, "I need to hear more... I need the inspiration to keep me going." Now I'd like to issue an open invitation: Please write to tell the community about what has worked for you, big or small. It might be a coping strategy, a drug, a nutritional supplement, an inspirational quote or meditation, a support group, a good doctor, a way of exercising. Maybe something you learned to avoid. You name it, the list goes on. To share your personal experience or helpful tip and to read others' contributions, just go to "What Worked For Me". As a formality, you will have to register with a personal password - a step that takes less than a minute. I'm convinced that we will win better health only by working together. So let's get busy and see what results we can create. Wishing you health and hope, Rich Carson
ProHealth Founder and CFS Patient |
|  In the October 11 FM newsletter we invited readers to contribute to our "Wackiest Things Your Doctor Ever Told You" Message Board topic. You can go there to enjoy many ridiculous stories, but we couldn't resist sharing a few gems here.
Wacky Doc Sayings
Suggestions and Questions |
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What You Should Know About Probiotics and Prebiotics The Washington, DC-based International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation explains the digestive and health benefits of foods and supplements that provide: "Probiotics" - friendly bacteria such as Acidophilus
Their helpers - the "prebiotics," such as Lactobacilli - which essentially provide the "food" for friendly bacteria in the digestive tract.
Plus the phenomenon dubbed "synbiotics."
more
| | | | Leading Researcher/Author Declares War on Unhealthy Trans Fats; Promotes Fish Oil/Evening Primrose Oil Supplementation for FM Patients Professor Basant Puri - a world renowned researcher and consultant at Hammersmith Hospital in London - pioneered the use of natural fatty acids such as cold water fish oil and evening primrose oil as "A natural way to treat ME, depression, and Fibromyalgia." He has been lecturing on this subject across the British Isles, with an emphasis on the need to ban the health-destroying "trans fats" found in many processed foods.* more
Trans Fats Survey Reveals Consumer Confusion New York City proposes to give its 24,000-some restaurants six months to ensure foods on their menus contain no more than half a gram per serving of the oils and shortenings known as trans fats. "New Yorkers are consuming a hazardous, artificial substance without their knowledge or consent," says Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden. But a new study indicates most U.S. shoppers in grocery stores and restaurants don't know what a trans fat is. Do you? more
Faster, Cheaper, More Comprehensive Test for Differential Diagnosis of Respiratory Illness/Flu Pathogens Developed at Columbia University Based on research to identify the "mysterious viruses" that caused respiratory illnesses in New York in 2004, researchers at Columbia's Infectious Disease Laboratory in New York report they have developed a revolutionary diagnostic tool for pinpointing respiratory/flu symptom-related pathogens.* more
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| Disability Information and News | |
| Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) Will Act as Liaison Did you know? This national non-profit organization will provide active mediation services to anyone with a chronic illness - working as a liaison with insurers, employers, creditors and healthcare providers. more
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Multinational Phase III Trial of Dopamine Drug Reports Highly Significant Reduction of Restless Legs Syndrome Symptoms Rotigotine is designed to mimic the action of dopamine - which the body naturally produces to support transmission of messages in the central nervous system and thus proper motor functioning. The drug, delivered at a constant level via transdermal patch, has produced very encouraging results so far and is now entering a decisive round in testing as a therapy for symptoms of RLS.* more
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 This week's collection of new scientific reports on FM research is truly diverse, with a focus on studies of various therapies. Topics include, for example: Balneotherapy (usually hot springs treatment, which is widely prescribed and employed for many ills in Europe and Japan) as an effective treatment of choice for FM symptoms - based on symptomatic and biochemical measures.
A study of ziprasidone - one of the newer "atypical" antipsychotic or calming drugs - as a therapeutic option for FM "patients who are markedly anxious and/or depressed."
The treatment of Fibromyalgia with cranial electrotherapy stimulation. (CES involves focusing of an electric current on the hypothalmic region of the brain, and is known to promote an increase in endorphins, which are associated with a sense of well-being and have been termed "natural pain killers.")
Evidence of an anti-inflammatory gene deficiency in a subset of FM patients.
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| Phase III Trial of Cold Water Fish Oil and Antioxidants for Control/Prevention of Age-Related Macular Degeneration The National Eye Institute is seeking to enroll 4,000 individuals with age-related macular degeneration for a second-phase, 100-location national study to verify and measure the ability of supplements including omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoid antioxidants such as lutein, and zinc to control/prevent progression of a condition known to affect from 10 to 30 percent of individuals over age 65. more
International Phase II Trial of Novel Non-opioid FM Pain Drug to Recruit Female Patients The Tokyo-based Sosei Group biopharmaceutical company announced on October 17 that AD 337, "a novel enantiomer of an approved centrally acting non-opioid analgesic," has entered a Phase II "proof of principle" trial for the treatment of Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). more
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 The Ice Age Some of us have a harder time than others managing our pain during the winter months. It seems the cold comes howling through our bodies leaving behind an echoing pain that can last for months. We may feel as if the progress we have made has failed us once again, and that we are slowly slipping backwards. Don't panic. You have hit the ice age. For those whose pain rises during the winter months, it is time we change our routines. It is time we prepare ourselves for the winter ahead. We may consider taking in extra support meetings, moving more of our activities indoors, and yes, even exercising more than we normally do. By preparing ourselves and experimenting with different techniques, we will be one step ahead of the ice age. From Living With Chronic Pain One Day At A Time, by Mark Allen Zabawa "I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul."
- Jean Cocteau |
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| 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 |
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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
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| * Note: This article first appeared in last week's CFS Edition of CFS & FM Treatment & Research News (Oct 18, 2006)
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