Fibromyalgia Resource

FM HealthWatch Treatment & Research News March 21, 2007
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS · Transfer factors: Immune 'sticky notes'   · New FM exercise, IBS studies recruiting   · Major Chicago FM Patient Conference   · O24® supports FM comfort
THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL NEW PRODUCTS CHROMIUM PICOLINATE - Promote a balanced appetite L-TRYPTOPHAN - For improved sleep, mood support and to reduce stress ALCIS - Pain relief cream HEART RATE MONITOR - Accurate tracking during exercise FIBRONOL - Supports sleep FIBROBOOST - Supports sleep - Extra energy boost FEELBRIGHTLIGHT - Full spectrum light for Seasonal Affective Disorder BOOKS - Research & information Informational DVD's The Joy of Nutrition An optimum nutrient food program I Remember Me An award-winning documentary film Fibromyalgia: Show Me Where It Hurts An invaluable educational tool HIGHEST RATED BRAIN Neuro B-12 DETOXIFICATION Guaifenesin FA DIGESTION ImmunPlex Vanilla ENERGY NADH IMMUNE Moducare MOOD 5-HTP PAIN Alcis SLEEP ZMA WEIGHT CONTROL L-Carnitine Most Popular for Energy Support Enada NADH	Founder's Corner Why Do ME/CFS & FM Share the Same Awareness Day? Have you noticed that May 12 is International Awareness Day for both ME/CFS and FMS? The reason for the shared date lies in a bit of history. In 1992 ME/CFS patient and advocate Tom Hennessy proposed that May 12 be designated as "International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND)" - a day to speak out and demand that governments respond to these devastating illnesses. It was an idea that galvanized the patient and advocate communities and has gained momentum ever since. CIND is an umbrella term that includes Gulf War Syndrome and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome as well as ME/CFS and FMS. These, Hennessy reasoned, are all "characterized by cognitive problems, chronic muscle and joint pain, extremely poor stamina," and more; are potentially very debilitating; "afflict people around the world in alarming numbers"; and above all are often "dismissed by the medical profession as...psychosomatic illness." And why this date - May 12? It marks the birthday of Florence Nightingale - a British healthcare reformer (1820-1910) who broke the trail for modern hygienic, compassionate medical care and public health, served the wounded gallantly during the Crimean war, and became known as the founder of modern nursing. But in addition to being one of the greatest change-makers in all of medical history, Florence Nightingale suffered the latter half of her life often bedridden with an unidentified CINDs-like syndrome. Various groups diagnose her illness in hindsight as either FMS or ME/CFS. But for all, she is a worthy hero. Hoping you'll find a way to lend your voice to this Awareness Day, Rich Carson, CFS Patient and ProHealth Founder *(Note: This Founder's Corner also ran in our March 7th CFS newsletter. Please rate this Founder's Corner Notice to ProHealth Customers Sale of the popular new sleep and energy-support supplements Fibronol® and FibroBoost® is temporarily being suspended. The manufacturer is in the process of addressing FDA requests for additional documentation regarding the administrative requirements for its "New Dietary Ingredient" review and approval process. As the interruption appears to be an administrative matter between the FDA and the manufacturer - not an issue of product safety - consumers who regularly use these products should feel free to use any remaining supply. For those concerned about bridging the gap in supply, our expert Customer Service staff can recommend products known to support the various quality-of-life benefits they look to in Fibronol® and FibroBoost®. Feature Transfer Factor and the Importance of a Healthy Immune System Dr. Aaron White, PhD, became fascinated with the immune-support potential of Transfer Factor supplements when he began doing research to "understand what was happening to a friend with CFIDS." Now he offers a whole website on the supporting science.*   more Book of the Month Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically ill Friend This little book for a little price is a jewel, filled with clever, practical ideas for cheering the chronically ill and laid-up. You and your support group or church group will find it hard to resist.   more Available for purchase at Amazon.com New Clinical Trials Continued Study of New FM Exercise Therapy Mode Now Recruiting A tailored "lifestyle physical activity" program may allow FM patients to overcome the exercise "Catch 22" and achieve improvements in pain and fatigue.   more Trial of Investigational Drug for Treatment of IBS This study will investigate the efficacy and safety of a pharmaceutical drug for symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - "in particular abdominal pain."   more FM in the News Attend Chicago Patient Event May 18-20 to Mark FM Awareness Month The Fibromyalgia Association for Education and Self-Help (FACES) is sponsoring a national FM & CFS patient education/public awareness conference in Chicago May 18-20. "Crossing the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Bridge to Move from Victim to Victor" is the theme, and more than 25 experts will speak.   more Jury Awards $15.4 Million to FM/CFS Patient A California jury instructed a major insurance company to pay disability benefits and penalties to a patient diagnosed with FM, CFS, and Lupus.   more Research Update Quercetin Gets High Grade in Defense Department-Funded Trial A "groundbreaking" clinical trial funded by the DOD indicates the plant-based antioxidant supplement quercetin can support reduced viral infections and maintain mental function in individuals subjected to extreme physical stress.*   more Letters From Our Readers The Letter of the Week Finding the right key This week's letter of the week was written by Victoria from Australia. Victoria wins a $25 gift certificate for ProHealth supplements. Comments & Suggestions Correlation between foods & pain Quotation attribution error A spouse's point of view Large print not large enough Duloxetine's adverse effects Personal experiences with duloxetine Q & A Session Looking for basic FM info Is anybody out there? Differentiating stroke, FM effects FM or Lyme disease? More Lyme talk needed Info on Guaifenesin Protocol? Emergency intervention resources? Pain's effect on depression? Low white counts & FM linked? Please share your thoughts with us! FM Research Abstracts FM-related Reports O24® essential oils associated with clinically important effect on FM pain "Lifestyle physical activity" (vs. traditional exercise) benefits FM patients Another trial finding FM not a function of "depressotypic" personality FM depression risk linked more to helplessness/loss feelings than symptoms Survey provides FM patient 'snapshot' - from symptoms to medications Sleep disruption in RA patient study relates strongly to perceived stress level Multidimensional rehab effective intervention for FM & myofascial pain patients Consensus on diagnostic criteria for myofascial pain syndrome lacking Benefits/adverse events with buprenorphine (pain drug) patches in practice "Central sensitivity syndromes" concept as umbrella for FM, CFS, IBS, etc.? Strictly biomedical model inadequate for treating chronic musculoskeletal pain Non-drug Health Studies Research "provides clear rationale for the use of probiotics" in IBS* How alpha-lipoic acid supports reduced risk of pre-diabetes syndrome Weekly Inspiration One small cat changes coming home to an empty house to coming home. - Pam Brown Waiting for Others to Call When we're feeling depressed and in emotional turmoil or we're having a hard day, it is our responsibility to pick up the phone and ask for support. Waiting for others to call can be an infinite wait in times of need. At times it's easy to look at the phone and think to ourselves, "No one cares or they would call." We ask, "Where are they? Don't they know I'm feeling like this?" Chances are they don't... For some of us, the hardest thing to do is ask for help in time of need. We feel they are our troubles, and no one else's. Yet we want the phone to ring. We must cast our fears and pride aside, take the first step in receiving support, and pick up the phone - or we will continue to wait for others to call. From Living With Chronic Pain One Day At A Time, by Mark Allan Zabawa 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 2.61 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 Our Mission: Empower patients to take control of their health by providing research & treatment information, advocacy & targeted health products. more If you have any comments, suggestions or ideas, please let us know. We will assume that we have your authorization to share your letter with other readers unless you instruct us not to do so. Send Us Your Feedback
* Note: This article first appeared in last week's CFS Edition of CFS & FM HealthWatch (March 14, 2007)