DOM'S
NEWSLETTER
March 1,
2008
A compassionate
informative newsletter for people with FMS (Fibromyalgia
Syndrome), CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction
Syndrome) and M.E. (Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis)
SCROLL DOWN TO CHECK OUT 25 INTERESTING TOPICS IN PURPLE
1. READERS
WRITE
"Thank you for all the articles you find and
share. It’s so good to be in the same
boat, even if my life jacket is a bit more damaged."
"I just got done reading you 100 tips
to coping with fibromyalgia at www.fms-help.com/tips.htm.
It's a frustrating, draining, and painful thing to deal with. Thank you
for taking the time to spread the knowledge you've
learned."
"You know how it is when people who are
otherwise healthy DO NOT have a CLUE as to what's going on in
your body. Please continue to send me your E newsletter. It just
helps to know someone else is out there who cares."
"Thank you so much for
being there continually in this storm of so many peoples
lives."
"I am really
learning a lot from your website www.fms-help.com. I am a registered nurse and
have worked in nursing leadership for years."
"Thanks for your devotion. It is very appreciated! The
topics are always what we need."
"Your story www.fms-help.com/fibro.htm is
just like mine. As I was reading what you have to
say, I felt as if it were me who had written it myself."
"Just read through most of your website. Very
informative."
"Your newsletter is such
blessing! I know I say it almost every time I receive a
newsletter, but it really is!!"
"You have sent me some awesome info. I love it.
You inspire me to keep looking, studying, and hang on for
hope. At the little local FMS monthly meet, I spread you around
like honey and all were impressed even the hardheaded
ones."
"I came across your brilliant website today and have
bookmarked it for later
reading."
"You are definitely a light in the world of fibro
people and I am truly grateful I found you out
there."
"I am just really happy to have found
your information regarding fibro! I have been suffering now for two
years. Most every thing I search for on the internet is not free. I
am grateful that you have shared your experiences www.fms-help.com/fibro.htm and
helpful tips www.fms-help.com/tips.htm."
"I stumbled across your site this morning. Thank you for
sharing your story and experiences with those of us who cope daily and hourly
with fibro. I especially LOVE the sleep discussion and
info on it."
"I was very impressed with your
website."
2. MERCURY
REMOVAL DID NOT HELP FIBRO OR TINNITUS
Reader
1--
"I bought into the mercury and
pain/tinnitus theory. After having all my amalgams removed
and cavitations cleaned out and many chelation
treatments to remove metals, guess what? My savings were gone; I
still had the symptoms and the tinnitus was still
there. I was one of several persons who
went through these steps to get better and none of us would do it again if
we were advised to. It didn’t help. We still have
fibro and tinnitus.
Mercury can aggravate the ringing
and the primary offensive source is seafood. There may be a correlation between
the increase of symptoms when eating foods high in mercury. I have found
it true in my case. I find it best to stay away from seafood that is not wild
caught in deep waters well away from shore; also fatty seafood of any
kind. I tried experimenting to see the effects of high fatty fish and sure
enough the ringing in my ears got worse, especially in the right ear. I do take
EPA/DHA capsules and they are pharmaceutical grade. These have been purified to
remove metals and other contaminants in fish. So that way I get the omega 3’s so
important to our health.
The American Academy of
Physicians put out a good report on Tinnitus about 4 years ago that listed among
its causes neurological and metabolic disorders (thyroid, high lipids, and
vitamin B12 deficiency). Many of us with fibro have been diagnosed with some or
all of these.
This is just my two
cents worth from my own expensive efforts to alleviate my many fibro, loud ear
symptoms. I found other things worked to help me improve very much but it has
not helped the wretched ringing, hissing, and siren sounds especially in my
right ear. Keep us posted please on tinnitus. Perhaps someone has or will learn
of some things that REALLY work. For me, avoiding foods that contain mercury are
the best I can find for the ringing."
Reader 2--
"I, too, suffer from tinnitis....it
can be as gentle as a ringing in the back of my head to the sound of a car horn
so deafening I cannot describe it. Being a product of the 50's and free
dental care at a local dental school, I had a mouthful of mercury
fillings, and due to a sudden dental flare in 2003, I spent over an entire
month in a dentist's chair; she had to remove all my fillings and
after having completed the work to correct my problems, she
gave me nice, new 'white' fillings. Having the mercury removed was
something I was very excited about, but I am sorry to say that I have yet to
have any positive results from it. As a matter of fact (and
coincidentally as well, for I know it Is NOT the cause), I have become worse due
to a complete body covering of myofascial pain - it is a LAYER of pain,
especially in both legs entirely."
Reader
3--
"I spent about $1500 6 years ago to
have all my silver fillings
removed. Then had to take special supplements for
a year because it
is impossible to remove them without toxic release. Did not
have many
but was told to get them out because they were linked to Fibro
and
auto immune problems. Here I am today with the symptoms I had back
then plus many more.
Waste of money and was not a pleasant
experience."
3. MORE ON
TINNITUS (RINGING IN THE EARS)
"Tinnitus just started this year
and is driving the musician part of me crazy. Loud noise seem 10X loud
some days. The specialist had me on Cipro to help my ears, but they’re
still about the same, just with less pain. I have to go back for a hearing
check and I’m going to cross both my fingers and toes on this. I need my
hearing, especially as a mother. I hate the fact that Fibro has stolen so
much of my life and time
already."
4. CELL
PHONES & INSOMNIA
From a
reader--
"The cell phone article www.fms-help.com/021708.htm was particularly
interesting.. we had on our NY news a report that you should ot let your cell
phone charge up at night in the room in which you sleep. There is a low
frequency sound that disrupts the sleep cycles..I moved mine to the dining room
and I think it does make a difference."
5.
RIBOSE
From a
reader--
"I have been taking Ribose powder twice
daily, and cant believe the difference it has made. I feel mentally alert most
of the time, even though I still forget to do things!!!!!! I might not
always have the energy to do what I want to do, but at least I have reached the
stage of wanting to do something. I think only a fibromite would really
appreciate that statement. But one thing I have noticed on it - I laugh more
than I use to. It makes me feel like me."
6.
ANTIBIOTICS & YEAST
From a
reader--
"I saw in your newsletter www.fms-help.com/021708.htm that
you avoid antibiotics until you are too sick to do without them because they
destroy the good bacteria in the gut. My GI doc has me take Culturelle
(found in the digestive health section of Wal-Mart and drugstores) if I need an
antibiotic. It puts back the good bacteria. You can do the same with
yogurt that has live cultures. Much better than suffering."
This is a great
tip! I take acidophilus when I am forced to use antibiotics, but sometimes
still get a problem with yeast....ugh.....maybe I should take
more.
7.
GLUTEN-FREE HELPS
Reader
1--
"In the few months that I've been gluten free
(or maybe not so long as it takes awhile to find out all of the stuff that
gluten is in - had to buy a new toaster for example), my IBD and stomach
bloating have completely disappeared. My pain level has really diminished
(except for a week long flare following a dental extraction) and my
smell/chemical sensitivity is much, much better. Before, I had to hold my
nose whenever I walked down the detergent or bug spray aisle in the
grocery.
The best book to read is "Dangerous Grains" -
but I'd spent 8 hours a day for several months investigating all of the reasons
for even having fibro. Bought every fibro book and bookmarked dozens of
articles regarding food intolerances and their symptoms. Found a
great new doctor and was tested for a variety of things.
Neurotransmitters, insulin, thyroid, growth hormone, vitamin d, etc - all
normal. My ANA was elevated and my iGg antibody test was sky high.
My doctor (who believes that 40% of the population has a gluten sensitivity)
suspected that I have it.
I just had new blood work done and will get
the results back next week. I will let you know if there are any changes with my
new blood work. I am currently taking Soma only but take about 20 various
supplements, as well as eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies. I try and walk
at least a mile or so every other day."
Reader
2--
"I am an RD and have celiac. The best website
I have found for gluten free diet is www.celiac.com - it is excellent and has been
very helpful for my patients. The basic thing is no wheat, barley,
rye. This does not mean you cannot have corn or rice gluten. Oats
are controversial but you need to choose a plant that doesn't produce anything
else. The simplest way to do it is to eat only plain meat and veggies and
fruit (I can't eat fruit because fructose is a problem with me and my IBS
as well as others - this has been published as well). I also recommend the
specific carbohydrate diet and the body ecology diet. I truly believe you
have to have the probiotics and fermented foods to get better. They also
host at www.glutenfreeforum.com but
you can access it from the celiac site."
8. POST
TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)
From a
reader--
"I finally found out my fatigue is due to
PTSD and have found some relief through Glenn Schiraldi's
book, "The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Sourcebook." Basically the trauma keeps the stress locked
in my body; so I have been using the beginning of "Saving Private Ryan" and/or
"Shawshank Redemption" to assist me in changing my perspective so that I can
grieve. It works! It is life or death. The grief has to come out, so
I induce it to change my feelings and so far it works."
I do believe many
of us with FMS/CFIDS have PTSD as a precipitating factor. You can do a
Google search of Ashok Gupta's theory that CFS begins in the amygdala as a
result of stress - also see my previous newsletters with this topic at www.fms-help.com/newsletters.htm.
9. SPELT
IS NOT GLUTEN FREE & GREAT PLAINS LAB
From a
reader--
Reader number 3 under the gluten free
topic
refers to spelt as gluten free. She is correct that spelt is
recommended
on the Type O blood type diet, but spelt DOES contain
gluten. So readers
who want to try a gluten free diet should
be wary of spelt, barley, and
rye. I've
read conflicting information on oats. To be gluten free you
must avoid
all grains except for rice, millet, quinoa, amaranth. Those
are
the only gluten free grains I'm aware of so far. It is easy to go
gluten
free.. you can still have potatoes, squash, and the grains I
mention. I was
on the blood type diet for many years and found
it very helpful , but then
my condition worsened ( I was still wheat free,
but using spelt flour
liberally). I recently was tested by
Great Plains Labs and tested positive
for
yeast/fungus. I'm now on a diet to not feed the yeast ( no grains,
no
sugar of any kind including honey, maple syrup, etc, no alcohol, no
aged
cheese, no vinegar, no dairy, no fruit, no fruit juice,
nothing
processed) and Nystatin a drug to kill the
yeast. I've been on the diet
for 2 weeks and the drug and I am thinking
much more clearly. I urge your
readers to go to the Great Plains Lab
website and take a look. Their full
acid test (urine) that tests for
fungus/yeast and other things, is now
covered by Blue Cross Blue
Shield. As are many of the other detailed
tests. They also do food
allergy testing (this was not covered by blue
cross blue shield). It
will be interesting to see where the candida/yeast
treatment leads. I
am on the fence regarding Lyme Disease versus
Autoimmune versus Candida
versus FMS. After 10 years of an FMS diagnosis,
I suffered a bout of
optic neuritis with some loss of vision in one eye and
increasing
neurological symptoms. I did not test positive for autoimmune.
I did test
positive for Lyme on IGENX lab's western blot , but no according
to CDC
critieria. Lyme Disease, FMS, and Candida (which some
Dr.'s
believe to be the root cause of autoimmune) all overlap in
symptoms. I
wish I had gone down the Candida testing path 10 years ago,
before my
condition worsened. I encourage your readers to get food
allergy and
candida testing by Great Plains Labs. They specialize in
Autism and
killing the yeast is a key treatement today for
Autism. It is interesting
how much overlap there is between
FMS, CFS, and Autism when you look at
some of the testing that is done by
Great Plains Labs. There is a Dr. out
of Maine - Dr. Amy Yasko, who
believes this is not coincidence, but there
is a similar root cause with
the body's inability to detoxify.
10. CELIAC
DISEASE - ROOT OF FIBRO SYMPTOMS?
From a
reader--
"I am reader #4 in the newsletter at www.fms-help.com/021708.htm.
Like reader #3, I am a type O blood type who had read the book "Eat Right For
Your Type", and had switched from whole wheat bread to spelt, ultimately
settling on Berlin Bakery's bread. In 2003, my peristalsis stopped and I
got very ill. I sought professional help from an RN who is a colon
hypdrotherapist and nutritionist. I was advised to eliminate
grains, fruit, and certain other foods to combat a candida
overgrowth. Last year, I started eating the spelt bread again,
along with rye bread in restaurants. For the last few years, my pain
and stiffness was much worse. I could tell though, that the pain and
stiffness were a lot worse the day after eating spelt bread. From my new
holistic doctor, I know that glands in our bodies, like our adrenals, excrete
hormones that help us deal with poisons (that is a very general idea). So,
by eliminating the poisons, it just makes the messages our bodies are trying to
tell us so much clearer when we are exposed to the poisons.
Celiac disease is a very insidious disease, and a very
serious and deadly disease. One needs a very good doctor
who is experienced with the disease, and its hundreds of other diseases and
symptoms it can cause.
A good place to start learning about the
disease and the gluten-free diet is www.celiaccentral.org.
A good support group, like the yahoo group
SillyYaks, is also
necessary for diagnosed celiacs.
Regarding the diet, wheat, rye, barley and all of wheat's
derivatives and relatives, including spelt, must be eliminated. One has to
read about the history of the cultivation of wheat to understand that today's
wheat is a grass that has been reengineered by man, and has 55 times the gluten
of the wheat of biblical times. My doctor told me that the Bible instructs
us to sprout grains before eating them, which eliminates most of the
gluten. However, that won't work for me now. Dr. Kenneth Fine, a
leading researcher, has identified some gluten-intolerance genes besides the two
celiac genes. His research found that 81% of Americans have some sort of
gluten-intolerant gene(s). I have both the most common celiac gene and
another gluten intolerant (non-celiac) gene. That makes me more sensitive
to gluten and makes my symptoms worse. People can have 2 celiac
genes, and their sensitivity is the worst.
You do not become ultra-sensitized to gluten by avoiding
it. You become ultra-sensitized to it by having a celiac gene, consuming
gluten, and having the gene be turned on by some sort of physical or mental
stress or trauma. And, you are more likely to become sensitized to it if
your mother does not nurse you long enough when you are a baby, or, as in my
case, not at all."
11. GLUTEN FREE DIET
NOT ALL IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE
From a
reader--
"I am a Gulf War veteran from the first Gulf War (1990-91),
and I have tried every diet on the books plus a few diets I made up on my
own with my doctors' approvals. I cannot work at my profession any longer, too
young to be retired. But my "sense of purpose" is to do what I do best --
investigate and report on Gulf War Illness and all of its ugly
stepsisters like Fibro and Fatigue. I have 17 years of experience in
investigating both law and medicine as it pertains to Gulf War Illness, et al
(my legal term for those ugly step-sisters).
I
have found abundant peer-reviewed medical literature and numerous specialized
physicians backing up my educated theory on drug and food
sensitivities that accompany these chronic, debilitating illnesses. EVERYBODY's
food and drug sensitivities (they are NOT allergies) change as the disease waxes
and wanes. Food avoidance for a time can be a healthy thing -- cutting
out FOREVER entire segments of the food pyramid and/or whatever bothers you is a
terrible thing and can actually change your pH balance, causing even more damage
to the fibro and fatigue system overall.
The
very best way to address food sensitivities is to detox either orally or though
IV infusion therapy. Avoiding gluten means avoiding many of the grains that are
essential for producing energy at the cellular level. And usually, it is not the
gluten at all that is bothering the fibro or fatigue "victim". It is either
fungal overgrowth in the intestine or sensitivity to molds that begin to grow
the instant breads and grains leave the oven, dropping toward room temperature.
Both fungus and mold cause depression. Mold causes incredible,
debilitating pain.
I have found that I am extremely sensitive to
raw nuts and raw whole oats if I have not "de-toxed" in a while.
Neither of those foods contains gluten. However, nuts always have mold
on them. I cannot explain sensitivity to raw oats, other than they are
a "sleep enhancer". (Can't sleep? Just try one or two oatmeal raisin cookies at
bedtime. Works for me every time.) I bake my own bread, so preservatives
and gluten are not the issue. I have tried gluten-free recipes. I have switched
from rye to organic whole wheat to potato based to multi-grain to whole
oats flours. I even bake my own white bread. And I have found that I can
tolerate all of them as long as the bread is toasted or still hot. I cannot eat
sandwiches or hamburgers or hotdogs because the bread is cold and chock full of
mold. I never use a microwave oven -- for health reasons related to Gulf War
Illness and radiation poisoning. And I do not believe that microwaved breads are
mold free, even while still hot if you use a microwave "roll
warmer".
Detoxing requires a multi-faceted approach. I use prescription-strength
Diflucan, an antifungal agent that targets both the gut and the adjacent female
organs. I have never suffered from female fungal infections, but I do
fully understand what they are. Fungal infections start in the intestine because
most people do not eat enough dairy cultures to keep the gut flora in balance. I
was raised on farm and ranch foods and products, so I have never had a short
supply of buttermilk, cheese, yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese, or kefir,
which I make myself with organic whole milk and kefir granules. Even organic
whole milk has been processed so that it is deficient in dairy cultures. I
cannot tolerate regular milk, yet I am not lactose intolerant, never have
been. I personally believe that fibro and fatigue victims should consume dairy
cultures with every meal. I take probiotics and digestive
enzymes prescribed by my doctor every day. They are available at
www.immunesupport.com and www.OrthoMolecularProducts.com.
Secondary to oral fungal detox, I use prescription-strength antifungal
shampoo on the days that I do not take the Diflucan (oral tablet). My
doctor prescribes 2% Ketaconazole shampoo. I leave the shampoo on my hair at
least 5 minutes during my warm shower so that it soaks into the scalp to the
subdermal "fatty" layer. Fat underneath the skin stores nasty stuff, such as
toxins, fungus, parasites, bacteria that can cause acne, probably herpes viruses
such as cold sores and genital herpes or genital warts, heavy metals, and the
"stuff" that Type II diabetes is made of. Depleted Uranium, a heavy metal
nuclear waste used in all munitions and military ammunitions since at least
1985, causes my scalp problems. I suffer radiation poisoning apparent
mostly underneath my scalp in the fatty tissues.
I
also suffer systemic candidiasis, which means Candida
Albicans is thriving in my blood stream. For most fibro and fatigue
victims, systemic candidiasis is a result of not getting rid of fungal
overgrowth in the gut while the nasty stuff was still contained therein. For
women, it is also an indication that they did not take antifungals or use
antifungal vaginal creams while they were taking antibiotics or other
medications that feed fungus.
Third, I take oral blood-and-liver detox capsules just one day per week. They
are available at most whole foods stores. Major ingredients are Hawthorn
extract, Red Clover, Garlic, Burdock Root, Goldenseal Root, Ginger Root, olive
leaf extract, grape seed extract, oregano oil, capsicum (high-grade cayenne
pepper), CoQ10. Not all blood and liver detox capsules contain all of the
aforementioned. These detox capsules make me very, very sick the day of and
the next day. And stool has a strong, metallic, rather sickly smell the next
day. But I feel like a million bucks the very next day. As an alternative that
is milder than capsules, I take Healthy Heart, extract distributed by
Tahitian Nonie, available to distributors and members only. Anyone
endeavoring blood-and-liver detox should have plenty of prescription pain meds
available, and plan on sleeping through most of the 24-hour process. Drinking
filtered water, more than a gallon per 24 hours, is critical. You won't be
hungry at all, believe me. The two types of capsules that I take most
frequently are Heart Support by "NOW FOODS" www.nowfoods.com, and Detox Blood Purifier with Goldenseal by Crystal Star, by Linda
Page, PhD and Traditional Naturopath. She is author of the book "Healthy Healing
- A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone". Before taking ANY of
these over-the-counter detox capsules or extracts, all fibro and fatigue
victims should talk to their treating physicians. Detox CAN make you feel
as though you are suffering a heart-attack because of the flood of fungus,
parasites, heavy metals and toxins leaving the body through the stomach and gut
in such a short period of time. I experience incredible abdominal swelling with
intestinal pain.
Fourth, and not readily available to most fibro and fatigue victims, is IV
infusion therapy. I have been on weekly IV therapy since I could finally
tolerate it so frequently, November 2006. The detox includes extremely
diluted pharmaceutical grade hydrogen peroxide (7% H2O2 extremely
diluted in dextrose solution), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO or sulfur
compound), glutathione (another sulfur compound), and pharmaceutical-grade
garlic extract. You can find M.D.s who administer such IV infusions by visiting
Oxidative Medicine Division at American College for Advancement of Medicine
(www.acam.org) website. In the Oxidative Medicine menu option, type in your zip code
instead of a doctor's name or an area of practice of medicine, and then SCROLL
down manually to see the results of your search. These doctors do NOT accept
insurance, but you can file your own claims for reimbursement. Most states have
"health freedom" laws that force the health insurance companies to pay for at
least a portion of the cost of IV infusion therapy. Also, Medicare supplemental
insurance will cover at least part of IV infusion therapy.
For
everyone reading my comments, I wish you happy eating anything that you want,
after you successfully start your detox program with your physician's nod of
approval. And just for me - if for no other reason - stay away from
colonics, colon cleansing, and doctors who insist that you need radiation
scans of your gut. Those three habits will kill you quicker than a
single glass of hemlock."
12.
LYRICA
Reader
1--
"I
thought Lyrica was going to be my wonder cure till I wanted to kill
myself !! I have struggled with this horrible illness CFS/Fibro
for 8 yrs now . I have beed anxious and depressed off and on. I decided to
try the Lyrica bc I have tried "all things under the sun " that is legal anyway
....( there has been extreme pain moments ....if I wasnt the person I am...you
never know ) anyway , I started on 75 mg ...1 a day . I felt great ! Or so
I thought . My dose was increased gradually over weeks and as the pain
decreased my moodiness, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts
increased. I told my husband on 2 different nights to "just drop me off at the
mental hospital!" Well, needless to
say I am now off Lyrica and slowly as the doses decresed , I started to get
my self back , pain & all 25 -30 lbs of weight gain too. So to those it
helps - GREAT. But it's not for me. I just wish the government would
take notice and put a warning label bc more woman are
coming forward to tell their story regarding the severity of
complications from Lyrica."
Reader
2--
"I was put on
Lyrica last month. It did take away almost all of the
symptoms but unfortunately it upset my stomach something fierce. To the
point that I have stopped taking it for the moment anyway? I may try again
later? I had the same kinda problem with Celebrex, it did
help with the symptoms but after I took it for a couple of months I ended up in
the emergency room with bleeding from my stomach. Maybe
best just to stick to the pain meds?"
13. CANDIDA (YEAST
OVERGROWTH)
From a reader--
"I am not alergic to gluten but I do feel Sooo much
better when I limit my intake of yeast products (yeast
overgrowth causes inflammation), non organic meat ( bc of chemicals ),
processed foods, high acidity foods, fried and or very fatty foods, refined
sugers, sodas( No sodas at all ) etc . I dont drink alcohol, smoke, I try
to exercise when I can. I have talked to 100's of woman who say they
overall feel better when they eat foods in the God made natural state as much as
they can."
14. TYPE A
PERSONALITY
From a reader--
"I could
really relate to your section on Type A personality www.fms-help.com/tips.htm.
I am going through the withdrawal from who I have always been
right now. It is difficult."
I sooo understand this! I have to say NO
to a lot of things I would very much like to participate in and things I would
love to accomplish with my life. Stress is my worst enemy. I have to
avoid it like the plague!
15. SOCIAL SECURITY
DISABILITY
From a reader--
"I was told
yesterday by yet another lawyer that because I haven't worked in over 10 years,
I will never be able to collect ss disability. You might want to
spread the word. My neck and back are so bad that I can't even get a job
much less hold one down."
16. HOW DOES YOUR BODY KNOW WHEN TO
SLEEP?
http://www.womentowomen.com/fatigueandstress/insomnia.aspx - "So how does the body know when to
sleep? Deep in your brain lies a tiny but powerful cluster of nerve cells called
the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) that works 24/7 as
your internal clock. It is not just a sleep clock, but governs many biological
activities such as cell regeneration, detoxification, patterns of brain
activity, and production of important hormones that regulate the sleep/wake
cycle."
Too bad their sleep suggestions don't work for most fibromites -
only normal folks. My "sleep clock" broke when I was a teenager. I
am now 56. My insomnia story is at www.fms-help.com/sleep.htm.
17. SED RATE
People with FMS generally don't have an elevated SED RATE (blood
test). Here's info on what a "SED RATE" is (article is from
a reader)--
Sedimentation
rate (sed rate) measures the speed at which red blood
cells settle to the
bottom of a test tube. The presence of certain
abnormal proteins in the
blood can cause red blood cells to stick
together and sink to the bottom
more quickly.
Sed rate is a screening test for many different diseases. A
high sed
rate is not specific to any one disease. Possible causes
include:
* Infection
*
Inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and
lupus
* Blood cancers, such as leukemia and
lymphoma
* Cancers that have spread
(metastasized)
An elevated sed rate may indicate an underlying
problem. But further
testing is needed to identify the cause of the
problem.
18. TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR
INTERACTING WITH THE CHRONICALLY ILL
(Boy are these
good!)
19. THE LOSS OF
SADNESS
From a reader--
This book
sounds trippy:
The Loss of Sadness: How Psychiatry Transformed Normal Sorrow
into Depressive Disorder
By Allan V.
Horwitz, Jerome C. Wakefield
Allan V. Horwitz and Jerome C. Wakefield argue
that, while depressive disorder certainly exists and can be a devastating
condition, the apparent epidemic in fact reflects the way the psychiatric
profession has understood and reclassified normal human sadness as largely an
abnormal experience. This system is fundamentally flawed, the authors maintain,
because it fails to take into account the context in which the symptoms
occur. "Relentless in its logic . . . It has caused me to rethink my
own position and how the authors' concerns might best be handled." ~ from the
Foreword by Robert L. Spitzer, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, New York State
Psychiatric Institute.
20. DOES PAIN WEAR OUT YOUR
BRAIN?
From a reader--
21. MIRAPEX
HELPED
From a reader--
"I have had fibro and migraine half my life. I have been disabled
with it since 2000. This past summer I saw a specialist in Shreveport that
put me on new meds and treatments. I think he saved my life. He has
since moved on to Washington, D.C. and all I have is his email address.
But I will tell you what I am taking because of him. I think the main
thing that has helped is Mirapex 3 mg. My mother had Parkinson's Disease
and was treated with Dopamine. Dr. Wood has done research and found that
the dopamine in Mirapex (used mostly for restless leg syndrome) helped his
patients with fibro. It has done wonders for me. I tell all my
friends who have chronic pain or fibro about it. One of my best friends
recently got on it and it made a distinct improvement in her pain and energy
level.
That is what it has done for me. I have a
great deal more energy than I have in 10 years. My pain is more tolerable
an not as debilitating. I even feel "happy", which is a word I haven't
felt since I was 16 years old, and I am 57. I contribute most of this to
the Mirapex. I began at 1 mg. and titrated up to 3 mg. daily. I
never had any side effects from it, although I was warned about nausea and
possibly falling asleep during the day, none of which happened.
I also take a small amount of cortisone daily to
"jumpstart my adrenal glands". This might be one of the reasons I have
more energy also. I take natural thyroid instead of the synthetic and
Ambien CR to sleep. If you are interested, I will give you the entire
regime he put me on, but I would like all of your readers to know about Mirapex
and that it could possibly be the answer they are looking for."
22. CHERRY
JUICE
From a
reader--
"I started taking 2 ounces of pure tart
cherry juice everyday , after 2 weeks the fibro pain is gone about
85%."
I'm for anything that helps
alleviate the miseries of fibro. I have been pain free for many years now
by taking a powerful antioxidant. Prior to that, I had debilitating fibro
pain for 14 years. A current list of things I use is at www.fms-help.com/what.htm.
23. DANGERS OF NEW COMPACT
FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS
Incandescent bulbs are being
banned in the next few years - but look what is replacing them! These new
bulbs leak mercury when broken! Besides this info online, our local
Jacksonville Florida Times Union newspaper had a story on this last week!
Disturbing!
What to do when compact fluorescents
crack
February 26, 2008
Compact fluorescent lamps contain small amounts of toxic mercury
that can vaporize when the bulbs break, creating a potential health risk for
infants, young children, and pregnant women. If a lamp does break, follow these
cleanup procedures:
Do not use a vacuum cleaner, even on a carpet. This will spread the mercury
vapor and dust and potentially contaminate the vacuum.
Carefully remove the larger pieces and place them in a secure
closed container, preferably a glass jar with a metal screw top lid and seal
like a canning jar.
Next, scoop up the smaller pieces and dust using two stiff
pieces of paper such as index cards or playing cards.
Pick up fine particles with duct tape, packing tape, or
masking tape, and then use a wet wipe or damp paper towel.
Put all waste into the glass container, including all material
used in the cleanup. Remove the container from your home and call your local
solid waste district or municipality for disposal instructions.
Continue ventilating the room for several hours.
Wash your hands and face.
As a precaution, consider discarding throw rugs or the area of
carpet where the breakage occurred, particularly if the rug is in an area
frequented by infants, small children or pregnant women. Otherwise, open windows
during the next several times you vacuum the carpet to provide good ventilation.
SOURCES: Maine Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management; Mercury Policy Project
Also, a reader sent this
in:
"Are incandescent bulbs being banned? I can't use many of
the fluorescent bulbs because of the way they oscillate in output of
light. It makes me have really bad migraines. I have some of the
fluorescents in my house but only the really expensive kind that don't
have light wave issues. Does anyone else have that
problem with fluorescents?"
24. SHAKE A VIRUS TO
DEATH?
25. DOM'S
UPDATE
I've been feeling well
lately.....this week I was almost delirious with happiness at being able to
teach without grueling fatigue. If every day could be like
that, life would be a cinch! A list of things I currently use
is at www.fms-help.com/what.htm. We are
all different, but this might be helpful to some of my readers.
I had been waiting for a "good day" to visit my dear friend Curtis (86) in a
nursing home. Curtis is the gentleman I mentioned in my last newsletter
who almost had to have his legs amputated a few weeks ago. He now has
congestive heart failure and is bedridden. In 2004 I helped Curtis make a
singing CD of some very old, beautiful hymns - he sang and I played
the piano. (I also sang two songs with him on the CD - we used to sing
duets at church.) Curtis has a wonderful voice - even at age 83 when he made the
CD. I asked Curtis how he would feel if I offered his CD to my
readers. He was all for it! I know it will be a blessing to
many, particularly the elderly! I wish I could send it for free, but I
have to ask a few dollars to cover costs, as I am broke.
Recently I gave
Curtis's CD to my mother's Sunday School class - these are ladies in their 80's
and 90's whom my mother refers to as "The Girls!"
(Ha!) They loved it!! If you want a copy, please email me at
dombush@bellsouth.net and I'll send you a list of the 18 hymns on the CD and how
to get one. If you have elderly parents or grandparents, they will love
hearing someone their own age sing the old hymns that you rarely hear anymore,
unfortunately. In his younger days, I think Curtis must have sounded like
Caruso!!) Most importantly, Curtis's life backs up his
songs! He has gone through many trials and tragedies, but
has made lemonade out of lemons. He is an amazingly kind and generous
soul who has lived his life to help and serve others.
Some of my readers enjoyed my Christmas CD
www.fms-help.com/CD.htm, and I am certain that Curtis's CD will find a niche in
your heart as well - particularly with elderly
listeners. Nothing would thrill Curtis more than to know that others are
enjoying his music! I would love to do this for him before he passes away,
so please write soon if you want the CD.
I'll close with a
poem sent in by a reader--
GOD KNOWS BEST
"Our Father knows what's best for us,
So
why should we complain...
We always want the sunshine,
But He knows there
must be rain.
We love the sound of
laughter
And the merriment of cheer;
But our hearts would lose their
tenderness
If we never shed a tear.
Our Father tests us
often
With suffering and with sorrow;
He tests us, not to punish
us,
But to help us meet "tomorrow."
For growing trees are
strengthened
When they withstand the storm;
And the sharp cut of the
chisel
Gives the marble grace and form.
God never hurts us
needlessly,
And He never wastes our pain;
For every loss He sends to us
Is followed by rich gain.
And when we
count the blessings
That God has so freely sent;
We will find no cause
for murmuring
And no time to lament.
For Our Father loves
His children,
And to Him all things are plain;
So He never sends us
"pleasure"
When the "soul's deep need is pain."
So whenever we are
troubled,
And when everything goes wrong,
It is just God working in us
To make "our spirits strong."
Thinking about this
poem, for me two good things came out of having FMS/CFIDS since June
1982. First, I know in my heart that I would most likely have become
a hard-hearted soul, lacking sympathy for others' weaknesses and looking
down on their struggles. So if my illness is what God uses to keep me
in tune with His loving heart and keeps me humble toward my fellow man, then it
has been a good thing. Secondly, I have met all of you! The joy of our
friendship - even though it is due to mutual suffering - has been a
blessing that I can never thank God for enough! Thank you for being there
for me for so many years - ever since www.fms-help.com began in
1996. And I will be continue to be there for you as long as God gives
me strength to continue my newsletters, or until a cure is found (that
works for ALL of us!)
Yours
truly,
Dominie
DOMINIE'S FIBROMYALGIA & CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME HOMEPAGE
DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical doctor. I
am a fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome survivor. The purpose of this website
is not to diagnose or cure any disease or malady, but is presented as food for
thought. This information cannot take the place of professional medical
advice. Any attempt to diagnose and treat an illness should come under the
direction of a physician. No guarantees are made regarding any of the
information in this website.
