"I was thrilled to see your husband's photo of the sunrise www.fms-help.com/030913.htm!! I LOVE that you put pictures/photos at the top of your newsletters!! I am going to print that picture off, laminate it, and use it as a bookmark!!!"

"Thank you for confirming for me that I am not alone in this thing called FMS/CFS. I will continue to watch your site www.fms-help.com, and I appreciate your suggestions...and how could many of us even get up in the mornings without the Lord helping us and loving us."

"Cute comment on sunrise www.fms-help.com/030913.htm. Made me laugh this morning. Never thought of it that way."

"Costs enough at over $700! See http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/5949/159421/diagnostic-fibromyalgia/ - Snippet: According to the developers, FM/a® is a multiple biomarker-based test, which measures protein molecules called cytokines within white blood cells, a key part of your immune system. People with significantly lower cytokine levels have fibromyalgia. It uses a 1-100 point scoring system to determine diagnosis, and it calculates a positive fibromyalgia diagnosis as a score between 50 and 100 points. They say that FM/a is more than 93% sensitive, a sensitivity comparable to the HIV blood test. By comparison the rheumatoid arthritis blood test is only 65% sensitive. No medical test is 100% accurate."

FROM DOM: An HSP is a Highly Sensitive Person. Many fibromites are HSPs. Yesterday I got very upset by something that happened between me and two friends....I just couldn't stop crying. Wouldn't you know, the very next student who came in for a lesson was preparing for a talent show and practicing (over and over) one of the saddest songs I've ever heard about love wasted and lost. I was just weeping! I had to take a Lexapro to control myself. (It's the only way I can manage overwhelmingly sad emotions from past hurts, which appear to be forgotten until something triggers the emotion). So I guess I'm one of these HSPs. I know I should get a grip! I was just so broken by events in my past. Maybe this is why the apostle Paul says: "This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13,14. However, my "forgetter" doesn't work too well. I have remarkable "emotional memory" that goes back almost to toddlerhood. However, many men I know don't seem to have much "emotional memory" at all....they can barely remember their own childhoods! In some ways, this could be a blessing, except they are often clueless about why they have certain hangups and emotional difficulties, because they aren't given to analysis (......and apparently have no memories to analyze...ha!!!) BTW, a good word from God from a brother in Christ freed me today from the pain of yesterday's situation. Things still aren't resolved but the pain is gone, thank God. I just can't handle emotional stress anymore.

"Thanks for this www.fms-help.com/030913.htm! I believe I saw an ad for Cymbalta on the web--can cause serious liver damage? The drug prescription was a success but the patient died, etc., etc."

"re: www.fms-help.com/030913.htm - When a family member was hospitalized two years ago, the noise and sound pollution was *staggering* and this was at a decent hospital."

"Dom, hospital noise is most distressing. But it has been the case for many years. When I was in the hospital in 1979, after the birth of our baby, I did not sleep for the entire 4 days I was there. We had the baby in the room with us, also. The only employee who respected our request for quiet and low lights was the man who came every day to empty the trash! We wrote a letter commending that man and complaining that the nurses left out door open every time they came in and never lowered their voices knowing the baby was in the room. The worst was that when they wanted somebody on the floor, they would open all the intercoms and loudly announce several times which person they needed. We never knew when the intercom in our room would blare an announcement of some kind. Apparently, it is not the mission of hospitals to provide rest or quiet. My additional learning on this is that nursing homes and rehabs are also not quiet places. Alarms go off all the time, personnel speak loudly to everyone because they assume everyone is hard of hearing, and there is a general lack of privacy since doors are rarely closed. I had to put my dad in the best one in our area because we could no longer assure his safety in our home. He was NOT hard of hearing and heard everything. He had dementia, and that caused every loud sound to be a worry to him. I had an idea of the noise since my mother had also spent some time in a rehab center, but I hoped that the “residential wing” might be quieter. Sharing a room is the worst since one cannot choose roommates. In the last weeks of life, my dad had a roommate who was loud and uncooperative. I took my dad in his wheelchair out of his room as often as possible. Once I asked the charge nurse where we might go for a little peace and quiet. She said, “There is no place like that here.” But a kind aide helped by showing us an empty patient’s room (had not been readied for the new resident) and we sat in there while the hospice personnel got the information from us that they needed. I finally told the director of the home that if they could not find a room for my dad to die in peace, I was going to wheel him through the streets to my house! She responded quickly with a room that was quieter after I told her I did not care whether it had been “fixed up” or not. We were able to keep the door closed because at that point he was not participating in any of the activities, etc. He became much calmer and died three days later. We need hospice homes and healing places that make it possible to recover or die in peace!"

FROM DOM: Essential oils are awesome! A friend told me about them in 2001 and I've been a fan ever since. A list of the ones I use (and for what reasons) is at www.fms-help.com/oilsstore.htm. You can find thousands of testimonials by subject at www.oil-testimonials.com/905788. They have alleviated much suffering and misery in my life.

"I may cycle back to some of the meds I’ve tried in the past for depression, but it’s difficult. When I lost most of my sense of taste from a med (burned my taste buds when I opened the capsule and had it with yogurt – stupid doctor’s advice), I became very discouraged. Now, doctors push Abilify and it’s too scary. I get too “high” (not a nice high, an agitated depression and rage high) when I take most antidepressants, or, the insomnia is pretty bad. I normally try 1/8 pill dosages. I will keep trying."

FROM DOM: A list of everything that has been helpful to me is at www.fms-help.com/what.htm. Different things help different folks. I've been a guinea pig for over 30 years, and this is just my personal list.

http://www.raredr.com/advocacy/videos/myalgic-encephalomyelitis-disease-looking-respect - Snippet: "Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a condition with unknown origin and unclear treatment options. Widespread inflammation and multisystemic neuropathology seem to be at the core of its pathophysiology. ME is also commonly referred to as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome but advocates for the condition prefer the ME nomenclature. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has been often misused and/or over-diagnosed in the past so it is currently unclear if ME is a rare condition. A recent prevalence study (Vincent et al 2012) had the estimated number of patients in the U.S. at around the 200,000 mark but more studies are needed to ascertain its true prevalence. In this interview with Rare Disease Report, patient - and patient advocate - Charlotte von Salis describes ME and the need for more awareness and funding for this condition."

"Do you ever feel that you just can't let something go? Perhaps, someone has hurt you so bad that you don't think you could ever forgive them? A lesson I've learned is that holding the "hurt" inside and not forgiving them (even if they haven't asked for forgiveness) is like drinking poison and hoping they will drop dead. :) It doesn't work that way. We have to let go, forgive them and let Jesus heal us. Is it that simple? Yes. Is it easy, No! Can we do it? You bet! I"m living proof that someone can all but stick a knife in your forehead and you can forgive them without them ever asking ;-)
I'll be praying for all those who have encountered nasty people ;-) Remember what it says in Luke 6:45.... "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart." [PICTURE SAYS: "You will begin to heal when you let go of past hurts, forgive those who have wronged you and learn to forgive yourself for your mistakes."]

FROM DOM: This lady has 13 children (had a baby every 15 months). Wendy has 1 girl and 12 boys! She lost 80 pounds and has a home business - a Proverbs 31 woman! For decades my stomach was in knots over a very troubled relationship in my life. It took a miracle from God to get the pain out of my heart. As far as toxic people in your life go, forgive them, but be careful in the future. If a dog has bit you, you don't have to continue to stand there and let him gnaw your leg! The best thing that helps me with forgiveness is to recall the not-God-honoring things I have done in my life. That's very humbling and softens my heart to forgive those who have hurt me. Jesus said to his torturers during his crucifixion, "Father, FORGIVE THEM, for they know not what they do." He is our example.

"I watched this entire video by Dr Woeller. Very interesting. I have long thought that the pain in fibromyalgia was due to some unknown substance building up in the body. By belief is that Guaifenesin helps remove oxalate from the body. Dr. Paul St. Amand mentions oxalates in his book but for some reason decides to focus on his phosphate theory. I have been doing much better myself. I have been treating GI dysbiosis, candida overgrowth, and other infections. I have also been doing the Guaifenesin Protocol. It all seems to be working. Also taking sups to optimize my detox mechanisms. I was in really bad shape. I haven't worked in 4 years and now I am getting out and doing things again. All of my test results are consistent with the chronic inflammatory biotioxin illness described by Dr Ritchie Shoemaker. I have been treated by Dr Michael Biomonte and Dr Michael Powell. I will be continuing my treatment with Dr Kurt Woeller and Dr Chitra Bhakta. http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/recorded_webinars.asp
http://vimeo.com/57465421
http://restormedicine.com/oxalates-and-their-role-in-fibromyalgia-syndrome-fms/."

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/03/12/flu-vaccine-profits.aspx - Snippet: "Three recent studies severely challenge the claim that the flu vaccine will protect you against the flu. A multicenter study by researchers in eight European countries indicated that overall vaccine effectiveness against influenza A/H3N2 in the first months of the season was 38%, but after mid-February it dropped to -1%. According to the CDC, this year’s flu vaccine is only 9 percent effective against this season’s type A (H3N2) influenza strain in people 65 and older. Across all age groups reviewed by the CDC, the flu vaccine's effectiveness was found to be 56 percent. Many flu shot recipients are coming down with flu despite having been vaccinated—a strong indication that flu vaccines are ineffective despite the fact that the vaccines available this year are a good match to the actual flu strains in circulation! The 2009-2010 flu vaccine, licensed for distribution in Europe, caused some 800+ cases of narcolepsy in Sweden and other European countries. According to a retroactive analysis recently published in the British Medical Journal, the H1N1 swine flu vaccine, Pandemrix, induced narcolepsy and resulted in a 10-fold increased risk of the sleep disorder. You can prevent the flu and other flu-like diseases using dietary interventions, making sure your vitamin D and gut flora are optimized, being more meticulous about washing your hands, getting enough exercise and sleep, and taking natural immune boosters like oil of oregano and garlic."

"[fibrosplash] Article on pain: There has always been so much debate over whether fibro is a problem with neurotransmitters or with the immune system. I've always thought it was both. Well, it looks like it's both! What's even better? There is extensive research going on. More research= better treatment!"

FROM DOM: I've used the Z-pak several times in years past and it always works well for me, but for people with underlying heart issues, zithromax could be fatal. I get SEVERE depression when using other antibiotics, so I try to rely solely on Colloidal Silver and essential oils to combat infection. However, when all else fails, I ask the doc for a Z-pak (azithromycin).

"I just came back from seeing my Primary Care Physician and when I told him my trailer's odor has caused me to suffer from 'Sick Building Syndrome' which is what the inspector called it, my doctor said 'What's that?' He wasn't kidding. My question to you is what kind of doctor did you go to when you suffered from SBS? I don't know who to contact next for treatment. Since working to ventilate my trailer, I've been told that they don't smell anything anymore, but I continue to smell the smell in my "head" and my taste buds have not returned. The inspector said to see my family doctor, but he wasn't any help at all."

FROM DOM: When I was ill from SBS in 2005 (and some lingering neurological difficulties continue to this day in 2013), I was seeing a doctor of internal medicine at that time, who was very talented in figuring things out and open to my suggestions, like when I asked him for a prescription for CSM (cholestyramine), which I wanted to try. My mold story is at http://fms-help.com/mold.htm. My mobile home page is at http://www.fms-help.com/mobile.htm. Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker's site http://survivingmold.com may have suggestions for finding a doctor who understands these issues, or I would shop around for a new doc (call the office and ask if that doctor understands SBS).

FROM DOM: i26 works in the intestines to balance immune function. Here's a chart showing symptoms of overactive and underactive immune systems www.fms-help.com/immunechart.pdf. See my hyperimmune egg (i26) page at www.i26forhealth.com/dominie. You can get a Sampler with 20 packets of i26 for just $9.99, plus a hand mixer, and no shipping charges anywhere. This is an unprecedented value.

Used by permission of Joni and Friends International Disability Center www.joniandfriends.org--

"Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying 'I gave birth to him in pain.'" 1 Chronicles 4:9

Can you imagine someone whose name is "Pain"? He's mentioned in today's Scripture. Why would a mother give her son the name "Jabez," which in Hebrew means "pain"? Just think of the razzing little Jabez got from his playmates.

Yet, Jabez didn't let his name get him down. In fact, Scripture says he was more honorable than his brothers. It even says that when he cried out to God, the Lord blessed him, and granted his request to be kept from harm. As a wheelchair user, I can understand a little of the stigma that Jabez must have faced. It's not fun to be looked on as different, even to the point of having your name become synonymous with your handicap, like someone saying, "Hey, crip." (That happened a lot in the hospital when older teenagers who were paraplegics teased us, younger quadriplegics.)

But I believe that being different - even having a stigma - can drive us closer to God.

Have you felt the sting of social stigma? Of negative stereotype? You may never have felt the pain of being called names like "Metal Mouth" (that's what Rocky, my classmate, called me when I wore braces in 9th grade), but there may be something about your abilities or appearance that you wish you hadn't been landed with.

Can you, like Jabez, turn it around for good and not let it get you down? Can you let it push you into the arms of Christ? God has a special love for you; so look to Him in your pain. Whether it be physical or emotional, you may find that you'll be as blessed as Jabez.

God, when life is a real pain, teach me to come to You with my hurts. And help me to be like Jabez and concentrate not on the negatives but on how to live honorably.

Blessings,

Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org

FROM DOM: Well, that's all for now! We've had three sets of relatives visit from out of state this week, and it's been so good to see each of them! Since I can't travel more than an hour from home (due to neurological problems I developed in 2005 from working in a sick building), my family comes to see me, and I greatly appreciate their efforts! I have been on a 30-50 mile geographical leash for 8 years. But I'm not complaining....God has given me much to do in my small corner of the world, and I am not housebound anymore, so praise God!!

II Corinthians 1: 4 - "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." Visit Dominie's FMS/CFIDS Homepage at www.fms-help.com for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers and their families.