DOM'S
NEWSLETTER
January 7, 2010
A Christian-based newsletter for people with Fibromyalgia (FMS),
Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), or Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) and their families.
23 TOPICS below - don't miss the RED ones! Readers comments in BLACK. My comments in
TEAL.
1. READERS
WRITE
"Thank you for all you do to help the rest of us.. Some of
us are so tired and in pain, confused by what is going on with
all that is happening to us that we can even think straight - so thank you
for helping us."
"It is so nice to be on your mailing list and receive
your inspiring words."
"I made a folder
for your emails back in 2006. I refer back to this folder often.
Thanks so much for all the info you send!"
"No, not too many
emails! Keep them coming. I like your
emails/newsletters! In 2009 I finally got my disability benefit
for my CFS."
"Thank you so much for your amazing website! You
inspire me to rise above the crippling consequences of chronic illness. What
better way than to listen to a person who KNOWS! One that
‘has been there, done that.'"
"I SAVE your emails and pore over them again and again.
I know God led me straight to 'happening' upon you one night
several months ago, and boy am I glad. Somehow your emails make me feel like
there's a safety net under me. Thanks forevermore."
"Of all 8 years of suffering from CFS, I have received
more help from your email and site than any other Dr. I've gone
to all these years!"
"Thanks so much for your newsletter and what it means
to all of us suffering from the 'horrible nightmare' of
fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and any other chronic
illness."
2. CLEANING FOR A
REASON
From Donnie's doctor's wife--
"If you know any woman currently undergoing Chemo
for Breast cancer, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning
service that provides FREE housecleaning - 1 time per month for
4 months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her
doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a
participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service.
http://www.cleaningforareason.org.
Please pass this information on to bless a woman going through
Breast Cancer treatment. This organization serves the entire USA and currently
has 547 partners to help these women. It’s our job to pass the word and let them
know that there are people out there that care. Be a blessing to someone and
pass this information along."
FROM DOM: Wouldn't it be great
if a service like this could be started for severe FMS/CFS/ME patients?
Most are relying on family members to do the heavy housework, but I'm sure there
are some isolated patients who live alone who cannot take care of things on
their own. Wish we had a marker for this illness so that people wouldn't
think we are lazy or malingering! With the recent discovery of the XMRV
retrovirus, maybe this will happen soon. However, if they find that this
thing is transmissible, we will become social pariahs, much like HIV-AIDS
patients were www.fms-help.com/aids.htm.
3. METAL EARRINGS,
GLASSES CAUSING PAIN
From a reader--
"I have the strangest thing happening to me.
I can't seem to wear earrings, or metal sunglasses. Minutes after putting
either on, I start getting strange pain in my face, teeth and a
headache! I noticed this slightly with sunglasses earlier in my life, but
it seems to be getting worse. Just wondering if you or anyone else has
this problem?"
4. MS (MULTIPLE
SCLEROSIS) & FMS (FIBROMYALGIA)
From a reader--
"Regarding #9 (MS) www.fms-help.com/010410.htm, my wife
has had FM for about 7.5 of our 8.5 year marriage. I have MS and was
diagnosed about 3 months after we were married. Unfortunately, as you are
probably aware there are many symptoms similiar between many diseases. These do
include MS and FM. My Neurologist is top notch and will answer all
questions we have about my condition. What I wanted to point out is that
the ONLY way to confirm MS is with a brain biopsy.
Obviously that doesn't happen to often. My Neurologist says that when there are
lesions in the brain or stem and symptoms occur then the diagnosis is made.
There are different progressions of the disease and a lot of unanswered
questions just like other diseases. In my opinion, people need to learn about it
and then make their own informed decisions as to the best course of
action. For example, when I have had exascerbations, I do not always get
steroids. Steroids might make the symptoms go away faster but it is just a
temporary fix."
5. CHOLESTEROL MEDS
CAUSING TROUBLE?
From a reader--
"I sit here at midnight in PA a cold blustery night
and wonder now why my TMJ is cracking and starting to bother me, as in many
years past (at one point I couldn't hardly move my jaws for 18 months, when in
my 20s - I am now 59). I did want to add, I am on cholesterol
medication, my first one made me hurt too much, now Crestor, and since
then I have neuropathy, bottom of feet burn and even my feminine private
parts.....I've stopped the med for 5 days two separate times thinking is this
causing it, but it was still there, some days bad, some almost gone...
now my jaws are cracking again like long ago when TMJ was
horrific. Your mention of cholesterol meds
www.fms-help.com/010410.htm makes me
wonder, maybe I'll try to go off them for a longer time. Also, before I could
nap, but not lately, and I don't seem to be able to go to bed at a decent
time.......hmmmm. My 2 year older brother had major heart surgery 5-7
years ago, but since he had several stents put in and they have gone up his leg
8 times now to fix stents or find out what's bothering him, LAST time nothing;
all was well, they thought the cholesterol med made him feel
bad, though he'd been on it 6 mos. (Crestor), now trying another one
(gives him diarrhea, which I get too.) My hubby and mother in law get no
bad side effects from their cholesterol meds (she is a sickly faith-filled
woman; 22 operations in 12 yrs, age 79; walks with walker, she is on tons
of medicines...eats little).
FROM
DOM: Weigh carefully the "need" for cholesterol meds (statins).
Personally, I won't take them, despite having high cholesterol. Lots of
info online.
6. AUTISM &
FMS/CFS
Reader 1--
"I found this absolutely amazing to read www.fms-help.com/010410.htm - the fact that autism 'may' be somehow
connected with ME/CFS. Our daughter (27yrs) was diagnosed with
a very mild form of autism when she was around 5 yrs of age. We had
suspected it for some time but found it hard to get anybody to sit up and take
note of our concerns. Our girl occasionally shows signs of her autism, but on
the whole leads a fairly normal life. Whether that has anything to do with the
fact we all make a point of only eating fresh and healthy, i don't know. But our
girl is doing well, and expects to marry sometime in the not to distant future
and hopefully have kids of her own. We praise God that she is not, and has never
been severely affected like others we know of. Interesting point
though."
Reader 2--
"If your reader with the autistic child wants more info,
she might read Jenny McCarthy's book, "Louder than Words,"
about the actress's fight to help her autistic child. She gives resources
online too."
Reader 3--
"I have ME/CFS and my 18 year old son has
been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. He has had
absolutely no vaccinations of any kind. Before he was born I was told
by my homeopath to research vaccines before giving any to my children (he was my
first child). After that research and much prayer I was
specifcally led by the Lord not to vaccinate my children. (That is a
whole story in and of itself.) I had to fight tooth and nail to keep them
from jabbing him. My husband didn't like it, my parents didn't like it,
and of course the pediatrition hated it. Both my husband and my parents
have since changed their minds, and now my mother is encouraging my brother not
to have his children vaccinated. I was told by a professional in the field
that had my son been vaccinated, he would be much further down the
spectrum, possibly non-verbal. As it stands now, he is graduating from
high school this year (home schooled) and has already passed CLEP exams
equalling 12 hours of college credit. He is noticably different, but
he is a caring individual, and I believe that given a chance, he will be able to
hold down a job and live independently. I am hoping that he will be able
to obtain his master's degree and teach college, but the Lord knows what He is
preparing him for. Another interesing fact, one of my
brothers, who was born with partial tri-somy 9, was also
autistic. I would like to know how many others write to
say they have autism in their family."
Reader 4--
"In response to your reader’s question about fibromites
with children with autism, yes, I have a son with high functioning
autism, or more specifically, Asperger’s Syndrome. In my family,
we always joke that my son and I are just alike. We are both bothered by
things that are “too loud, too bright, too tight, too scratchy, etc.”. We
both hate unpredictability and change. I am very blessed to be able to
homeschool my son, as going to a “typical” school would be torture for him.
Also, it has allowed us to refuse any further vaccinations for my son,
which I believe have contributed to his condition. There are also family
members on both my husband’s and my side of the family who would fit the profile
for Asperger’s/autism, but of course, it was not as readily diagnosed 30 or 40
years ago. Also, after attending a conference last summer about Asperger’s
Syndrome, to learn more about how to help my son, as well as get continuing
education credits for my professional license (I was a speech-language
pathologist in my past life), I am almost sure that I would fit the
criteria myself, if I were to pursue a diagnosis. I am very
interested to read if more mothers of autistic children read your
newsletter."
FROM
DOM: With the mapping and sequencing of the human genome, we will be
learning a lot more about our DNA and what our unique genetic code says about
us. I read an article in a science magazine at my doctor's office last
year written by a young female author who had genetic mapping done. The
scientists were able to tell her what illnesses and conditions she would face as
she grew older. She concluded that it was good to know (so one could plan
and be tested), but also bad to know because it made her worry! My mother
(88) always said that God didn't want us to see the future because we couldn't
cope with it. The advances in medical science are astounding. I am
really curious to know what they will find out about XMRV causing FMS/CFS/ME - I
will keep everyone updated on my XMRV page www.fms-help.com/XMRV.htm.
7. PREGNANCY &
INSOMNIA
From a reader--
"With the fact that the reader mentioned developing the
insomnia after her pregnancy www.fms-help.com/010410.htm leads me to believe that it might be hormonally
based. I would suggest she go to an ALTERNATIVE MD and have her
hormone levels checked. She can search online for the bodylogic
doctors, but there are usually others locally. Try to find someone who does
bioidentical hormone replacement. Sometimes it is just a deficiency of a hormone
that can cause it. In addition, I have found supplementing with Kefir
(beneficial herbs and beneficial bacteria)helps my daughter to sleep. (in
addition to the cal/mag)."
8. TOPROL &
FIBROMYALGIA
From a reader--
"I have been on Toprol xl for high blood
pressure. I felt extreme fatigue, could not retain a thought, my
vocabulary was few choice of words,(invent my own). Well I was started
with 100 mg, the my heart was so slow, they cut me down to 50mg, still,
I felt I was dying. Then after several years, they cut it down to 25
mg. (I was so weak and dizzy.) I now feel so much better, more energy, the
neck stiffness is a little better. I did some research and found out that
hundreds of people are being diagnosed with fibro, when it is side
effects from toprol. I am not saying that all fibro is side effects
from meds, but some are. I hope to wean off from it...hopefully the fibro
will get better and better. It just made the fibro so much worse. You should ask
your fibromites if they take this drug."
March 26th, 2008, 3:51 PM: "I was put on Toprol XL 6.5 yrs ago. My heart rate
had soared to 130+ and b.p. was elevated. So my family doctor put me on Toprol
XL 100 mgs. From day one I felt exhausted. He told me that would soon clear up
and not to worry, we needed to be more concerned with my heart rate and b.p. I
listened and was a good patient. After a year of total exhaustion and having to
quit my job I asked to be taken off Toprol. He said it was the only medication
that would control my heart rate and b.p. together. He agreed to reduce it to 75
mgs. After a few months I went back and said it was still too much! My b.p. was
better as was my heart rate so he lowered it to 50 mgs. Things got a little
better at least I could get out of bed by 10:00! Fed up I lowered it to 25 mgs.
and tracked my b.p. Finally I told my doctor and he said as long as my b.p.was
better 25 mgs.was ok. By this time though I was having other symptoms,
body aches, joint pain, mind fog. He attributed it to arthritis
and put me on Vioxx. 2 pills later I stopped due to chest
pains. The symptoms I had experienced over the past 2 yrs continued so
I sought a new physician. Once again he said Toprol XL was the only medication I
could take for tachycardia and high b.p. My b.p. was again elevated so my meds
were increased to 50 mgs. he wanted to go 100mgs., I said NO! In
2004 I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, the pain had become so bad now it was
debilitating. I had all the full blown symptoms of Fibro, extreme exhaustion,
body aches, joint pain, mind fog, depression etc etc. So I sought treatment for
Fibromyalgia for 3 yrs. Not so successfully I might add. I should note that I
had none of these symptoms before Toprol XL. During a recent
Gynecology visit my b.p. was extremely high. I told her my story about Toprol.
She said point blank, They are NOT listening to you. I think all the side
effects you have been having are due to the Toprol XL.She sent me to a
Cardiologist. God bless her!! After many tests he immediately took me off
Toprol. He put me on another medication instead. I am having withdrawal side
effects from Toprol, shakiness, shortness of breath, heart rate acceleration and
mind fogginess. But, anything is better than another day on Toprol. He told me
what I was experiencing was normal withdrawing from Toprol. He also assured me
there were many other alternatives to Toprol and if the new medication doesn't
work there are other options. I think Toprol XL is the next drug that
should be banned!! I pray everyday my life will return to what it was before
Toprol XL and that I will not have any lasting side effects from this horrible
drug."
9. GLUTEN INTOLERANCE CAUSED FIBRO
SYMPTOMS
From a reader--
"I have really appreciated your
newsletters. Actually, it was through them that I followed up on the
possibility of a personal gluten intolerance (based on a subscriber’s comments
and something that I believe you researched). It truly was a “God
thing” because I read it at my worst and felt the Lord nudging me to try
eliminating gluten from my diet to see if it would help. A year later – I
am a new woman. My anemia is totally turned around. My
joint and muscle pain is gone. I have energy. I sleep well. My
irritable bowel syndrome is history. My rashes are gone. I thank you
so much for all the research you do and the sharing you have done to help
others. It certainly helped me!"
10. WILL DOCTORS TAKE
XMRV SERIOUSLY?
From a reader--
"I agree with you, that the doctors
are denying the reality that XMRV could cause CFS. This is frightening...because
doctors always seem to treat a women's symptoms with apathy and blame it
on depression..."
FROM DOM: Wow.
This is true. If millions of men had been complaining of FMS/CFIDS/ME,
research would probably be much farther along. There are many men with
FMS/CFIDS. I don't know of any with ME, do you? I have a page
for MEN WITH FIBRO at www.fms-help.com/men.htm.
11. BLOOD
TRANSFUSION
From a reader--
"I had a blood
transfusion back when I was 21 after having major surgery. It took me a
long time to heal from the surgery also. Then in 1991, I was finally
diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I wonder how many of us with these
problems have had a blood transfusion anytime in our lives."
FROM DOM: Many
times the physical and emotional trauma of surgery will cause fibromyalgia, even
without a blood transfusion. Of course, with all the work that still needs
to be done about the XMRV retrovirus - such as, can it be transmitted by blood
transfusions - we will one day know for sure.
12. XMRV RESEARCHER DR.
JUDY MIKOVITS
From a reader--
Q&A with XMRV Researcher Dr. Judy
Mikovits to Be Streamed Live Friday Jan 22: Submit Questions Now
ProHealth and the HHV-6
Foundation are honored to announce that we will host a presentation &
Q&A session by XMRV researcher Judy Mikovits, PhD - to be streamed live on
ProHealth.com Friday, January 22.
(NOTE: See the Dec 16 update with time and other
details for those wishing to attend the event in Santa Barbara or watch it live
online - click here.)
Dr.
Mikovits
As director of research at the Whittemore-Peterson
Institute in Reno, Nevada, Judy Mikovits gained worldwide attention in October
with publication of a paper in the journal Science, reporting
“Detection of an Infectious Retrovirus, XMRV, in Blood Cells of Patients with
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.” To review the article and subsequent media coverage,
see “In The News” at WPInstitute.org.
XMRV Research Continues, Worldwide
Dr. Mikovits'
team at Whittemore-Peterson, and collaborating researchers around the globe, are
working intensively on next steps in the research – which relates to ME/CFS,
fibromyalgia and other neuroimmune disorders, certain cancers, and much
more.
Submit Questions to Dr. Mikovits for Advance
Consideration
Attendees at the January 22 event in Santa Barbara
will be able to question Dr. Mikovits directly about XMRV research progress,
findings, testing, and plans. But to address the questions of those
participating online, Dr. Mikovits invites you to submit questions now for her
consideration in advance.
To submit your question to Dr.
Mikovits, click
here.
FROM DOM: Interesting
that a WOMAN found the XMRV-CFS connection.
13. READERS' PRAYER REQUESTS
FROM DOM:
"Bear ye one
another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians
6:2 Prayer lifts burdens that are too hard
for us to bear alone. Even the feeblest amongst us can call out the name
of someone to God in prayer, and He does the rest.
Brenda - "Will you pray for me?
I've had laryngitis since before Christmas. It must be viral I've had it
many times. I stay in, warm and under a vaporizer--and SILENT. I'm
putting Grapefruit essential oil in my vaporizer, rubbing on Valor, Bergamot and
I'm about to start gargling with honey, lemon and Melrose. I only have a
quick reference guide. Do you know of anything else that might help?
I've almost finished antibiotics which don't affect viruses anyway. I also have
Sjogrens so antihistimines aggravate dry throat, nose, etc."
Ruth - "Would everyone please pray
for my son Larry Buscher. I believe God wants to hear names. He
wants us to be specific. Larry is 49 and was diagnosed with Leukemia (AML)
last month. The doctors said if he hadn't gotten in when he did he would
have been dead in two weeks. It is so hard to get men to go to the
doctor. He has gone through his first stage of chemo and back in the
hospital for his second. The kind of leukemia he has he has to be in the
hospital for 3 weeks for the chemo each time. It took me some time to turn
this over to God but I think I finally have. While we're making a prayer
list lets not forget to add the senators and representatives to it. It
seems only God will be able to get them to come to any sense. I know with
God all things are possible. Let's not forget to pray for the person we
have in the White House. For me he is a lost cause, but for God nothing is
a lost cause."
Pam - "My mother is dying, she has
MANY severe illnesses that cannot be cured. It's only a matter of time for her.
I am so glad we had her with us for the holidays! Of course, I have fibromyalgia
and the stress of worry and physically taking care of her is quite a challenge
for me and other dedicated family members. But we work through it together with
God's help. I did let the stress get to me last April 21st,2009 (My Moms
Birthday), I had two heart attacks at the age of 41. I feel, mainly due to the
lack of care in nursing homes, which she sure was getting a lack of! She is home
now and will NEVER go to a nursing home again. My niece is a LPN, My Son is a
CNA and well, I'm her daughter, we are who takes care of her, so she's getting
very good care at home. But, like I said, it is a lot of stress physically and
mentally. I would truly appreciate prayers for her and us as well. I know life
& death is a huge challenge for all of us to work through, but the love and
comfort of prayer helps ease some of its pain. Without my faith I would never
make it through all of these tests."
From a reader's husband (names
anonymous): "This is X's husband. X has asked me to email
you and ask you for prayer. After over a week of absolutely no sleep X has gone
into major flare and major depression - to the extent she actually tried to take
her life. She is ok, but now has 10 stitches in her arm where she cut herself
with a blade. I need to thank you for the tireless work you do
putting out the newsletters and any research information that comes to your
attention. I know X loves receiving you
newsletters and spends days reading them. Please
keep X's name anonymous as she doesn't want others to know what she has done.
She is so depressed. I am truly worried for her
safety."
Diane: "I am asking for prayer as I am
also in a huge flare. I was in huge emotional distress because my son left
yesterday for the Job Corp and we are very close and I don't know when I will
see him again. The stress from him leaving has thrown me in a huge flare and I
am sooooo painful. I think, from a broken heart. I have to get past
this, and I have been spending today praying and listening to my Father. Thank
you for your website I believe as believers we all need to lift each other up,
there are times when we can't even pray for ourselves."
Helen: "Could I ask for prayers for a
friend’s dad who is battling prostate cancer? His name is Darrell."
Charlotte: "My 3 year old nephew is battling
neuroblastoma (for the 2nd time). He is currently receiving chemo
treatments and the tumors have shrank. His name is Samuel Anderson.
I appreciate all prayers sent up on his behalf."
Cheryl -
"Please pray for Sherri's father who is dying with liver cancer and does not
know the Lord as Saviour. Sherri has multiple pain and muscle spasm
problems that affect her ablity to eat and swallow and myriad of other things,
yet, she has no diagnosis (sound familiar?) If you do decide to pray, if
possible, could you send a note to me (Cheryl) at twinsmom528@yahoo.com? Sherri is in desparate need of knowing that there are people
praying for her father. I will pass these notes along to her, either cut
and paste, or forwarding - your preference."
Lynn: "Please remember my family in prayer. My
oldest brother was found dead at his home on Dec. 21st. He died of a massive
heart attack. The funeral services were held Sunday, Dec. 27th. The death of a
loved one is always hard but this time of year makes it
worse."
Lyn: "Can i please ask you and your readers to
keep a very dear friend of mine in prayer as she undergoes brain surgery
tomorrow. Her name is Gwen, and she has a large tumour as well as a smaller one.
She already had surgery some time back, but unfortunately the tumour has
returned with a vengeance. They are concerned that the
surgery may affect her sight or other faculties. Please keep her in prayer as
from now, as she is already in hospital for pre-op treatment. Then of course we
must remember to keep the surgeons and staff in prayer that God will guide there
hands in this very delicate procedure. Then Gwen will need prayer in post-op,
that she doesn't experience too much pain or swelling of the brain.
Have known Gwen for about 35 yrs, so am finding this
news quite upsetting."
Update on Sairah from Dominie - Many
have asked about my former music student that I requested prayer for a few
months ago. Sairah had rods put in her spine (neck to waist) to
correct scoliosis, but in the weeks while she was recovering and in severe pain,
she bent over, the screws broke off, and she had to be rushed 7 hours by
ambulance overnight from FL to NC to have a second back surgery. Her pain
levels were off the charts for months. She is finally recovering and even
doing some singing for special events. She had a tutor coming to the house
several times a week. She also has had 2 open heart surgeries -
one last year. The family also caught MRSA from her mother's surgery
last year, which complicated everything they went through tremendously. I
didn't know if Sairah would make it. So glad she pulled through!
Thanks for all the prayers that went up for her! Sairah still can't bend
and wears a back brace, but she is alive and
kicking!
From Roseanne: "I cannot thank you enough
for what you did. You reached out using the power of the internet on
behalf of those of us who asked you for prayer, using modern technology for
something to continue what the apostles started all those years ago;
getting word out to the Brethren of fellow sufferers."
14. EASY WAY TO CLEAN
EMAILS
FROM DOM: I use EMAIL
STRIPPER almost daily to get rid of those annoying <<<< when you
forward emails. You can download Email Stripper FREE at http://emailstripper.en.softonic.com.
15. "WHERE'S THE LINE
TO SEE JESUS?"
From a reader--
"I wanted to share with you a Christmas song,
"Where's the Line to See Jesus?" A high school friend of
Lauren's records songs with his cousins for family and friends at Christmas and
gives them as gifts. This year one of the children in the family asked while
standing in line to see Santa why there wasn't a line to see Jesus. The
dad was inspired by his grandson to write this song and record with his
daughter. The cousins recorded and produced this video. The singer is Becky
Haupt Kelly from Lindbergh HS 98'. I believe the clip is filmed in Crestwood
Mall in Crestwood, Mo. West St. Louis. I hope you enjoy the song. It
is beautiful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPViKJRHyZo."
FROM DOM: Wow! What a great
song! This past Christmas season, I got to thinking about the extreme hype
Santa gets and how greedy kids become - including myself growing up - I
thought Christmas was "all about me" and was disappointed if I didn't get what I
wanted! Yikes! Our Savior suffered and died for us - this is
the baby whose life we are supposed to be celebrating at Christmas,
who brought love, light and purity into a dark world. Anything good we
experience comes from God, who is love. Saint Nicholas (upon whom Santa
Claus is based) was a good man who gave unselfishly to others. If
anything, we should be teaching our kids and grandkids that it is more blessed
to give than to receive - and to reduce the focus on "me, me, me." There's
an old saying that says we expreience J-O-Y when we
put Jesus first, Others
next, and Yourself last. In my own life,
I have discovered that this is pretty much the truth. People will always
let you down, so put Jesus first. Take care of yourself, but don't become
selfish. The Bible teaches that we should love our neighbors as
ourselves, so obviously we need to love ourselves in order to love our
neighbors (Matthew 22:39). It always cheers my soul to read in the paper
about young people who are mindful of others and doing things to help the less
fortunate. What a great way to
live!
16. VOLATEN GEL -
DANGER!
From a reader--
New Warnings for a Popular Rub-on Pain
Reliever - by Jennifer Davis
12/15/09 A federal agency has announced new warnings for
all products containing diclofenac sodium, including Voltaren Gel,
because the medications have been linked to reports of serious liver
damage resulting in transplants and deaths. Voltaren is
a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, which is typically prescribed for osteoarthritis pain. Many favor
Voltaren Gel over pills because it is thought to be less likely to
cause stomach irritation and bleeding, and it has been lauded as a safer pain
reliever, particularly for elderly patients. But after reports of liver toxicity
were linked to Voltaren, officials with the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), are urging doctors to closely monitor levels of liver
enzymes called transaminases in patients who use the gel.
17. RUSSIAN DOCTORS FEAR HYBRID
FLU VIRUS
From a reader--
Russian doctors fear that a new flu virus might appear as a
result of
reassortment between the swine flu and bird flu
viruses, Russia’s chief
sanitary official said on
Monday.
“We have been monitoring it very closely,” Gennady Onishchenko
told
journalists.
The H1N1 swine flu virus, which has sickened about
half a million people
worldwide with about 7,800 fatalities, is believed to
have originated as
a result of reassortment between the viruses of human
flu, swine flu and
bird flu.
The combination of H5N1 bird flu
and H1N1 viruses could become a
monstrous hybrid - a virus that combines
high mortality rate of the
former and ability to transmit efficiently among
people of the latter.
The announcement followed media reports
that doctors have registered a
swine flu mutation, resistant to Tamiflu, a
drug commonly used to treat
the disease. AFP reported that in some cases the
mutated virus also had
an increased ability to attack lung
tissue.
MOSCOW, November 30 (RIA Novosti)
18. FLU VACCINE CAUSED
FIBRO?
From a reader--
"I agree with his findings on vaccines, had one in
2001 it made me very ill for several days, seemed to recover then became ill
with the flu two weeks later. Often wonder if the vaccine was a trigger OR
caused my Fibro problem? Personally I am against vaccines I believe it is better
for ones body to fight viruses itself. Hope you find the article
interesting."
19. BURNED
OUT
From a reader--
"This whole thing that has made me exhausted has
changed me in an instant. It's almost as if I can't get stressed
now..."burnt out" I look back a few months and see a person that was
on high alert 24/7 trying to do everything perfectly. I
seriously overbooked my life in just a few months. Too much at
once. I believe I have CFS now which is causing sleep
deprivation and many other disabling symptoms. (I believe I
have had it for a few years but not as intense as now). I had extreme
stress for a few months just recently and had an infection and the
Epstein Bar virus that I believe contributed to all of
this. So hard to get a diagnosis for this condition. I need to learn
how to manage stress better. Especially now that my body has crashed like
this."
FROM DOM:
Wow. That
sounds like me. I burned out in college at age 16 (UCLA) - it could even
have been high school, because I was a straight A student, class
co-valedictorian, etc. Had just moved cross country, etc. so a lot of
emotional stress losing friends at that age. I am now 58. I hope
that this reader is able to recoup her energy and regain coping
mechanisms. There's an old saying that hard work can't kill you, but they
are wrong. We aren't machines - we are human beings - living organisms
that need much care. Some people are physically equipped to take more
stress than others.
20. NEW STUDY DOES NOT
CONFIRM XMRV IN CFS PATIENTS
From a reader--
New XMRV Study Published: Analysis
Posted to the Association's Website
A study testing for
evidence of XMRV infection in CFS patients in the United Kingdom has reported
negative results. This is the first publication following the article
in the top-ranked journal Science from researchers at the Whittemore Peterson
Institute, the National Cancer Institute and Cleveland Clinic that garnered
worldwide attention from the media and scientific community. The new report,
published Jan. 6, 2010, in the open access online journal PLoS
ONE, failed to detect XMRV in CFS, but should not be considered a valid attempt
to replicate the findings described by Lombardi et al., in the Oct. 8, 2009
Science article.
21. NEED A
CHUCKLE?
Joke sent in by a reader--
"Larry was in trouble. He forgot his wedding anniversary. His
wife was really angry. She told him, "Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift
in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in less then 6 seconds...AND IT BETTER
BE THERE!!!"
The next morning Larry got up early and left for work. When
his wife woke up, she looked out the window and sure enough there was a gift-box
for her wrapped in the middle of the driveway. Confused, the wife put on her
robe, ran out to the driveway and brought the box back in the house. She opened
it and found a brand new bathroom scale.
Larry has been missing since
Friday!!"
heehee
22. SLEEP
DEPRIVATION
From a reader--
"Anyone who has not slept in a week needs to go to
an ER! That kind of sleep deprivation literally changes the brain
chemicals and your whole biochemistry. It needs to be taken
seriously. In fact, even in seemingly innocuous situations like
any new mom who is sleep deprived with newborn twins should be
monitored closely by family members. Sometimes they can do very, very
IRRATIONAL things because their brain chemistry is so goofed up from lack of
sleep. It drives me nuts when I hear someone “Brag” about how they can get
by on 6 hours a sleep at night. They simply don’t realize what it does to
their body and their decision making capability. 20/20 did a great program
on that a year ago."
23. DOM'S
UPDATE
I'm feeling great! The oxygen
drops (stabilized liquid oxygen)
that I've been using in my drinking water since August have done wonders!
I feel normal most days - still can't have a lot of stress, but handling
everything pretty well and was not sick at all during the Christmas
season. The drops oxygenate and alkalize the body. I still haven't tried to travel much. Last trip was 51 miles to my mother's house (before Christmas) and stayed overnight. Did okay with that, but haven't really "pushed the envelope."
The immune balancing powder I used
daily for 8-1/2 years is still an awesome product! Many of you have
found that to be true too! My recent decision to experiment
with a relatively new DNA product (immune booster / DNA protector) is only 2 weeks
old. So far, so good - but too soon to tell. Will keep you
posted.
Each of us has different needs and
different things that help us - and at certain stages of our FMS/CFIDS
experience (no wonder docs and NON-fibros don't understand
us at all!!!!) I have tried hundreds of things to "get well" all my
life. I was a puny kid who grew up to be a puny adult www.fms-help.com/fatigue.htm.
Since the recent "discovery" of the
XMRV entering our DNA and the graphic animation by Dr. Oz on TV recently of this
process, I decided to try the DNA protecting product. (I figured I
shouldn't try to "balance" and "boost" at the same time.
Correct??)
1) What I'm currently
using
2) What I've
used in the past that was extremely helpful
3) What I used
to get rid of the severe FMS pain I had from
1982-1996.
We are each sooooo
uniquely individual that it is impossible to make a blanket statement as
to what people should try. All I know is that with research
online and God's help, I have heard about things that have helped me
greatly with various aspects of my illness - sometimes in a very timely
way!
The most amazing thing since August
has been the oxygen drops - no more cold sores, fatigue, brain fog, etc. I
took the drops concurrently with the immune balancer for many months -
so I don't know if someone ONLY using the oxygen drops will get the same results
as I did without the immune balancer too. (See what I mean
about complicated?!)
The first several days being off the
immune balancer, my sleep became disordered, which I sort of expected. I
am doing better now. Of course I still have to take sleep meds (for the
past 12 years) www.fms-help.com/insomnia.htm.
Another baffling example.....
for years I took melatonin for sleep (it's in my 100 tips www.fms-help.com/tips.htm) - but
suddenly at age 47 it stopped working! Aaaargh. So I was back to
square one and desperate because no sleep meds were working. Without sleep, your
immune system can't help heal your body. After about 18 months of this
wretched suffering, a young father with FMS/CFIDS told me about the
immune balancer. That was in 2001. I was so surprised when my sleep
function got better - my body began responding to sleep meds and I was able
to sleep again.
I hate
that we have to try so many things to get relief and that our symptoms are so
changeable, but until they come up with a "cure" for whatever this virus is that
we are afflicted with, we have to do the best we can.
Please pray for my husband Donnie. He caught a
"cold" a few days before Christmas and is still sick 2 weeks later with
fever and muscle aches, as well as coughing, etc. He does pest control
(outside and inside) an hour away from our home. We are presently in
a cold snap here in North Florida - 20's in the morning and 40's in
the day. My husband gets up at 4:30 a.m. to pick up his work truck an
hour away, then begins his route. It has been almost impossible for him to
get over his illness under these circumstances. He rarely gets sick, but I
am concerned that he is not showing any signs of recovery. One night
this week he didn't sleep at all - coughed all night, then got up at 4:30 to go
to work. Ugh! We are expecting another week of very cold
weather. He says it doesn't help him to stay at home and rest, plus we
can't afford for him to be off work. He rested the last 2 weekends,
but didn't get any better. (I grew up in New Jersey and Pennsylvania with
tons of snow, but never experienced the damp bone-chilling cold we have here in
North Florida at times.)
One
more interesting factoid.......I was contacted
yesterday by a lady named Domini - spelled just like my name but without the "e"
at the end. We were amazed that we had the same name! She
told me that her mother had seen a movie many years ago and the main character
was named Domini. It means "of the Lord." My mother told me years
ago that she had read my name in a book and that's where she got it
from. The other Domini gave me a weblink to look up - it told about the
book and that it had been made into a movie in 1936! I spoke with my
mother tonight, and although she still did not recall the title (she is 88
and read this book at age 15 - borrowed from her high school library), but she
confirmed the plot, so I'm pretty sure this is it! I went on ebay and
found an ancient used copy for just $1! Wow! I am really looking
forward to reading it and sharing it with my mother. After all these
years, a mystery
solved!!
Well, that's all for now!
May the Lord bless and
keep you and those you hold dear to your heart!
Dominie
DOMINIE'S FIBROMYALGIA & CHRONIC
FATIGUE SYNDROME HOMEPAGE