DOM'S FMS/CFIDS NEWSLETTER
www.fms-help.com
 
April 23, 2009
 
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 IN BLUE.  READERS' COMMENTS IN BLACK.  MY COMMENTS IN TEAL.  DON'T MISS RED TOPICS!
 
Dom's Quick Links:   Fibro Story  CFIDS Story    Insomnia Story    Newsletter Archives   Med List   Homepage  Previous Newsletter


1.  READERS WRITE

"I was diagnosed last year with CFS.  I love your site!"
 
"My story is so very similar to yours www.fms-help.com/insomnia.htm I haven’t slept for 15-20 years and have tried absolutely everything and spent thousands of dollars on numerous remedies.  My marriage is in pieces because of my CFS and lack of sleep."
 
"Reading over your site www.fms-help.com has been an insightful validation for most of what I seem to be going through."
 
"I was surfing the net the other day and came across your website.  It's taken me a couple of evenings to get through all of the pages, because of the fog, but I just want to say that you are AMAZING!!!  So many of the things that you have written I could have written myself."
 
"Thank you for all the wonderful work that you do."
 
"My husband is faithfully taking his [immune] drink daily and has found better rest/sleep in the evenings."
 
"I have been reading your site intently and am really getting some great information. I am going to print out your stuff and keep it with me for my doctor visits."
 
"I feel like if I could unzip my skin, pull out the muscles and 'ring' them out like a wet towel and reinstall, I would feel better.  The insomnia is another story.  That part is brutal."
 
"I just finished reading your online article “Marital Harmony" www.fms-help.com/marriage.htm.  It is really good.  I am going through a rough time in my marriage right now."
 
"I agree with what you say about this dreadful disease being viral and how it attacks us.  Nice to have someone like-minded.  This has been the result of my own studies and experiences over 10 years of suffering from FMS."
 
"Just venting to one who has fought a long fight well."
 
"I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate your website www.fms-help.com and your sharing all of your valuable information and experiences.  I have been glued to it since I found it."
 
"I ran into your website by accident.  What I am most happy about is that you are a Christian.  How awesome."
 
"Your story www.fms-help.com/fibro.htm really hit home.  I have IBS, TMJ, General Anxiety Disorder, and Insomnia.  I cannot sleep without taking medication.  I just wanted to thank you for your website.  It is filled with great information."
 
"Thanks, Dom, for your wonderful e-mails and the care and understanding that only a fellow fibromite can give."

 
2.  EMOTIONS AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
 
From an immunologist / microbiologist--
 
"Many people have some version of Fibro/CFS due to trauma.  So many people with whom I speak started feel badly after trauma.  If you had low-grade inflammation all these years, and now it is full blown inflammation, rebalancing immunological responses may give major comfort.  Also, pain is the result of immunological responses, etc.   You have nothing to lose in trying [the immune balancing powder].  In reference to having a "broken brain," as you know, there is a major involvement of immune function with emotions and the nervous system--it is only articificially separated by docs.  Balance immune function and make a difference in attitude  https://www.securedcontent.net/legacy/web/resources/MindBody.pdf." 
 
FROM DOM:  This is a fascinating document!
 
 
 
3.  ELECTROPOLLUTION
 
The BIOPRO chip reduces EMR fields on cell phones, computers and electronic equipment--
 
http://www.mybiopro.com/The_Solution.aspx?ID=keepsmiling
 
 
 
4.  MISUNDERSTANDINGS DUE TO FIBRO
 
Reader 1--
 
 "Some look down on me because I have SSI and medicaid which I got because of terrible depression, fibromyalgia and glaucoma. I did not ask for this.  On a very bad day I can't get out of bed because I am so tired, or because I can't sleep...the muscle tightness and stiffness.  Sometimes I cannot even hold a clear thought.   These people tell me that I have these benefits because of them paying taxes. What do they want..for me to shoot myself? You know, some day they could also need help on account of an illness, but they don't think! They think they will always have good health.  I took care of both of my parents, they are now gone.  My father made a living hell for me and mom. He was an alcoholic.  I don't know how, but I survived.  Now that they are gone, I should be happy and healthy, enjoying my life.  Well, this fibromyalgia is making my life a living hell. Life is not fair!  Thank you for having a wonderful newsletter and hopefully There will be a cure for this."
 
Reader 2--
 
"My boss says that 'there is no such thing' as fibro...... the doctors just tell you that's what you have because they are too lazy to figure out what is really wrong.  Or at least that's what HIS doctor told him.  I sent him a link to your site www.fms-help.com, and told him to read it slowly."
 
 
 
5.  RIFE TECHNOLOGY
 
From Donna Woodworth donnawoodworth@aol.com--
 
"I read with much excitement the article expressing your interest in Rife Technology.  I am in Southern California and have been using a safe, non-invasive energy technology called Quantum Biofeedback, which is used to map and balance the immune system in order to identify and influence stress, pain and relaxation related issues.  My SCIO Device has Rife Frequencies built in and I often refer to Dr.Nenah Sylver's manual:  The Rife Handbook of Frequency Therapy during a client session.  I had previously contacted you about my belief that electropollution is a factor that should be addressed.  Dr. Garvy [St. Augustine] also feels that noxious fields (electromagnetic and geomagnetic fields) and heavy metals, such as lead, mercury and aluminum need to be eliminated.  When I saw the impact that electropollution was having on some of my clients, I became involved with Biopro Technology to offer a solution www.mybiopro.com/keepsmiling.  I would be happy to offer my Quantum Biofeedback services to anyone in Southern California with the goal of conducting a study at a reduced fee.  Feel free to contact me anytime." - Donna Woodworth donnawoodworth@aol.com
 
 
 
7.  SLEEP PROBLEMS LINKED TO SUICIDAL BEHAVIORS
 
From a reader--
 
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090331201516.htm
 
FROM DOM:  I've had all 3 forms of insomnia mentioned in the above article since my teens www.fms-help.com/insomnia.htm. I am now 57.  See www.fms-help.com/suicide.htm, where I discuss suicidal thinking.
 
 
8.  CHANTIX
 
From a reader--
 
"I do NOT care what others may say about this particular drug - Chantix.  For ME, it has been my true life saver!  Serotonin: the ONE thing that is missing in all who suffer from Fibromyalgia and this is THE one thing that Chantix makes available.      I've been taking it for 8 months now with absolutely surprising results.  My dexterity is such now that I can once again use my computer for longer than 15 min at a time; I can go to the store once a month rather than once a week now...as I can put away ALL groceries before the pain begins...and when it does, it has never returned as it did BEFORE I began taking Chantix.   It is an anti-depressant but works in a new way.  It "unblocks" the path to the Serotonin allowing for it's release into the system.  People with Fibro have the amount of Serotonin they need but can't get to it because the Fibro sets up barriers.  Chantix breaks them down!  My pain level has decreased tremendously.  I've been able to cut back on the amount of narcotics that I'd had to take prior to beginning this medicine...meds I've needed and been on for SEVEN years!  CHANTIX isn't a cure...but it literally saved my life.  I was on the verge of just chucking it all in...so very tired of the constant pain and not being able to take care of myself and my pet properly.  This med is issued for those who want to quit smoking and while I do still smoke and cannot take but a small dosage of CHANTIX, it is enough to make my quality of life one that makes it worth living once again.  I truly believe that anyone with Fibro who is on narcotics or pain to try this medicine."
 
FROM DOM:  Chantix (varenicline) is a smoking cessation medicine.
 
 
9.  SLEEP
 
From a reader--
 
"I am using Valerian (Nature's Way) and Passionflower - one capsule each one hour before bed and have not slept this well in years.
Rx sleep aids always made me feel worse and drugged up. I got onto the consumber lab website to research brands and this Nature's Way brand was one of the ones they recommended. since I have been using the herbs for the last month almost, I have not woken up at
3 AM as usual and stared at the ceiling or clock, I am much calmer, and my pain has decreased significantly along with the insane
carb cravings.  I have also gotten a very interesting book c alled 'The Edge Effect' by Dr. Eric Braverman. Explains a lot about the neurotransmitters (GABE, Acetylcholine, serotonin and dopamine) and the symptoms deficiencies in any one of those causes. A very interesting quiz to take and I was surprised with my results. I think it explains some of my symptoms as well."
 
 
10.  LAURIE'S NEW SITE
 
Laurie is a newsletter reader who recently began her own FMS/CFS site with a lot of interesting links.  It has a friendly, upbeat tone. 
 
Not Just Living With Fibromyalgia, But Thriving!
 
http://www.helium.com/zone/2302-fibromyalgia
 
 
11.  HOT FLASHES
 
A reader wrote asking what she can do about hot flashes.  Here was my reply and I am open to other suggestions any readers may have. Write dombush@bellsouth.net.  Hot flashes are so miserable. I still have them at times, especially in Florida where the heat and humidity are so extreme.  I have a cloth bag filled with rice that I keep in the freezer.  Putting it on the back of my neck for a few minutes stops the flashes. Also, I found that my body wash was leaving a film on my skin and "sealing in" the heat.  I went back to using Shaklee Basic H - just a few drops on a wet washcloth, and my skin feels silky and not loaded down with gunk.  As you know, you can't sweat efficiently if your pores are clogged with residue.  I use vaginal estrogen, since I don't tolerate oral estrogens very well.  I had a hysterectomy 24 years ago due to endometriosis, but had to give up on premarin because my system was all messed up.  Some people say that herbal preparations help, such as estroven and remifemin, but I tried all those with no help.  I think some of my hot flashes are not just hormonal, but also have something to do with this FMS/CFIDS virus that I seem to be carrying and coping with, until one day it can be eradicated. Another think I like is the Chillow, that you can buy at the drug store. You fill it with water and can sleep on it, and it feels cool."
 
 
12.  EMPLOYMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH FMS/CFIDS
 
Please respond directly to Debra djbsack@verizon.net--
 
"What types of jobs / employment do your readers with CFS/fibro do?  I am forced to go back to work due to financial problems and I am looking for jobs that are flexible, possible work from home jobs.  Is there any list of “jobs that work” with our limitations. My background is in healthcare but many of those positions are high energy / rigid schedule jobs.   I would be grateful for anyone who could share some information…..please feel free to give my email address to anyone who could offer some help.- Debra djbsack@verizon.net"
 
FROM DOM:  I have had several newsletters on this important topic! Go to www.fms-help.com/newsletters.htm and type any of these words into the search box:
 
job
"work from home"
"work at home"
employment
 
My stepdaughter compiled a lot of good information in one of those newsletters.  Personally, if I weren't a piano teacher and able to make my own hours, I would be doing a search just like this!   I have a piano mom (non-fibro) who does medical transcription from home.  She shares the job with some other ladies, and they sign up for which hours they will be on their computers.  If you have any other job ideas that are do-able for people with FMS/CFIDS, please write dombush@bellsouth.net and I'll share the info in an upcoming newsletter.
 
 
 
13.  FIBRO360.COM
 
New site and support group for people with fibromyalgia at http://www.fibro360.com - run by the Fibro & Fatigue Center.  Lots of info!
 
 
14.  DO CELL PHONES CAUSE BRAIN TUMORS?
 
An Australian report-- http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=797215
 
 
 
15.  PROTOCOLS USED AT THE FIBROMYALGIA & FATIGUE CENTERS
 
http://www.endfatigue.com/treatment_options/Shine_protocol_document.html - 283 approaches and interventions used at the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers run by Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum.  If you have questions about the F&F Centers, one of our newsletter readers has recently been treated at an F&F Center and is happy to answer any questions other readers have.  Write dombush@bellsouth.net and I can send her your questions.
 
www.fms-help.com/what.htm - List of things I personally use, discovered through trial and error over the past 27 years.  My FMS story is at www.fms-help.com/fibro.htm.
 
www.fms-help.com/tips.htm - 100 Tips for Coping with Fibromyalgia and Insomnia - things I learned since 1982.  I am not a doctor, just an FMS/CFIDS survivor.  This is written from a patient's point of view.
 
 
 
16.  BEWARE OF RED YEAST RICE EXTRACT
 
From a reader--
 
"I wanted to warn you (and hopefully you'll include this in a newsletter to warn others) - people with CFS/Fibro should be careful about taking Red Yeast Rice Extract.
 
    My doctor put me on it last fall because my cholesterol levels weren't "happy."  I'd already made it clear that Dr. Teitlebaum warns against prescribing regular cholesterol meds for people with fibro, since they can induce fibro in normally healthy people (it's because they leach Co Q10 from the body and that's found in every cell as a necessary component for energy).  I had friend who'd taken the Red Yeast Rice Extract and I thought...yeah great.
 
    From the moment I started taking it, the problems began.  First, the great burst of energy and stamina I'd had last summer started to wane.  Then I had a fibro flare for 2 1/2 months.  I started developing Achilles tendonitis (that's still with me to a lesser degree).  I gained 10 pounds.  And it all culminated in February when growing gut problems got so bad, I spent most of our vacation on a cruise too sick to enjoy anything or sleep at night and nearly unable to find anything to eat that wouldn't cause stomach problems.  When my acupuncturist said my liver was stagnant, bells and whistles went off in my head.
 
    When I first purchased the Red Yeast Rice Extract, my buddy at the Vitamin World really encouraged me to get the version that was coupled with Co Q10.  As he put it, just because it was natural didn't mean anything since the natural cholesterol products work in the same manner as the pharmaceutical cholesterol drugs.  I also remembered that when my ex was on Zocor, his doctor did regular liver enzyme profiles to make sure it wasn't damaging his liver.
 
    So I did the thing I should have done BEFORE I ever put this supplement in my mouth.  I got online and researched it.  What I discovered shocked me.  First, Red Yeast Rice Extract is what the cholesterol drug Mevacor was derived from.  It can have the EXACT same side-effects as the pharmaceutical drug.  Every problem I'd noticed since beginning the supplement is one of the side-effects of MEVACOR.
 
    I stopped taking it and within 48 hours had nearly as much energy as I'd had last summer.  The fibro is but a memory.  My gut is just fine, thank you.  My head is the clearest it has been in over half a year.  The tendonitis is still with me, but I've begun losing weight (5 pounds) and I'm hoping that as I continue to lose, that will ease.
 
    Please warn others to be careful of even what supplements they take.  There is one out called Sytrinol that has 12 years of clinical research behind it.  It's derived from citrus fruits and in all the studies conducted, it has shown no side-effects in either animals or humans, yet it has proven to be very effective for cholesterol.  That or Niacin, if you can tolerate it (I can't).  Artichoke heart extract is another good alternative.  But be careful what you take, research it carefully, and note any side-effects you start feeling after you begin taking it.  Supplements are NOT side-effect free.  Remember, digitalis is derived from the Foxglove plant (a natural substance). Foxglove supplementation can kill you as quickly as digitalis in an incorrect dose."
 
 
17.  LYME OR FMS/CFS?
 
From a reader--
 
"Dr. Shor, from Virginia, was interviewed in a public health alert magazine as stating at least 50% of his CFS and FMS patients actually have Chronic Lyme and or Coinfections.  He will be interviewed on a public radio station with Diane Rehm.  He was at the recent CFS International Conference.
 
 INTERVIEWS with Diane Rehm
 
For those with Sirius radio, she is about  Channel 134 or 135.
 
There is also a way to listen to Sirius - and the Diane Rehm show - on internet if you are up in the late hours - see http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/Page&c=Channel&cid=1186052421026&s=sched
 
ON THE MARC MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

On the Marc Media is pleased to announce that NPR'S, The Diane Rehm Show will be discussing the Lyme disease controversy and UNDER OUR SKIN, an eye-opening film investigates the untold story of Lyme disease, an emerging epidemico larger than AIDS.  Diane Rehm will also be discussing Pamela Weintraub’s book, Cure Unknown, Inside the Lyme Epidemic.
This is a huge opportunity to educate the masses about the seriousness of Lyme disease.   The Diane Rehm show, which has been on the air for 25 years, has more than 1.7 million listeners each week and has become one of public broadcasting’s most-listened-to programs.
The Lyme Show will air Monday, April 20, 2009 at 10 a.m. ET.  To find out where you can listen to th e show, click here: http://wamu.org/programs/dr/about/affiliate_stations/ 
If you would like to listen on-line and call in, click here: http://wamu.org/listen/
Special Guests Monday, April 20
Pamela Weintraub, author of Cure Unknown, Inside the Lyme Epidemic
Dr. Samuel Shor, Associate Clinical Professor at George Washington University and Internal
Medicine of Northern Virginia
 
Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Attorney General
Dr. Philip Baker, Executive Director of American Lyme Disease Foundation
 
 
 
18.  MRSA
 
I have a friend who has been struggling with MRSA ever since she had lapband surgery last November for weight loss.  She has an incision 6"deep and 18" long that won't heal.  She wears a wound vac and a nurse comes to clean out the incision every night - an extremely painful process.  She is married with 2 children, both with health challenges.  I mention all this to say that if any of my readers are struggling with MRSA and did not receive my emails on this last year, please write dombush@bellsouth.net and I would be glad to send them to you.  I sure wish that my friend would consider something other than what the doctors are doing, which isn't helping so far, and it's been 6 months now!  She also had to be re-operated on to remove more infected tissue and the story isn't over yet.  She was formerly an active and involved member of our local community, but this horrible situation is driving her bananas and keeping her home and away from people.  I know that FMS/CFIDS is majoy challenge in life, but as I consider my friend's plight, my heart goes out to her!!!
 
 
 
19.  FIBROMYALGIA AWARENESS DAY - MAY 12, 2009
 
This is the best thing I've found to help people understand FMS/CFIDS.  It would be great to email this to friends and family on May 12 to increase awareness of our complex and often misunderstood illness.
 
Understanding Fibromyalgia - an open letter
http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/fibromyalgia-287033-5.html
 
 
20.  ONIONS CAN CAUSE FOOD POISONING
 
From a reader--
 
"Written by Zola Gorgon - author of several cookbooks.. Watch out for those spoiled onions...
 
THE too too long  STORY HAS TOO MUCH PERSONAL DETAIL ABOUT WHO SHE KNOWS AND WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN MAYO WITH ALL EXTRA INFO....UNNEEDED INFO.  SO I AM DELETING THE 'NEWSY' STUFF...WHICH MIGHT MAKE THIS A BIT "?????"  BUT THE FACTS ABOUT ONIONS IS LEFT UNTOUCHED...WHICH IS THE IMPORTANT PART, ANYHOW. 
 
BEGIN:
 
I had the l privilege of touring Mullins Food Products, makers of mayonnaise. 
 
Questions about food poisoning came up, and I wanted to share what I learned from a chemist.
 
 Ed is a chemistry expert .....
 
 During the tour, someone Asked if we really needed to worry about mayonnaise. 
 
Ed said that all commercially-made Mayo is completely safe.
 
"It doesn't even have to be refrigerated.
 
" He explained that the pH in mayonnaise is set At a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment. 
 
Ed says that when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the Officials look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those onions came from (in the potato salad?).
 
Ed says it's not the mayonnaise (as long as it's not homemade Mayo) that spoils in the outdoors. It's probably the onions, and if not the onions, it's the POTATOES..
 
 Onions are a huge magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked onions. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion. He says it's not even safe if you put It in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator. It's already contaminated enough by being cut open and out for a bit, ...... (,,,,, watch out for those onions you put in your hotdogs at the baseball park!)
 
Ed says if you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you'll Probably be okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put On your sandwich, you're asking for trouble.
 
Both the onions and the moist Potato in a potato salad, will attract and grow bacteria faster than any Commercial mayonnaise will even begin to break down.
 
Also, dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions."
 
FROM DOM:  WOW!  This explains something that happened to me 8 years ago!  While traveling in GA, I went through a Checkers drive-through and took a hamburger back to my motel room.  Very shortly thereafter, I began having symptoms of food poisoning, only it was worse because I also got violent vertigo - the room was spinning for hours and I had to lie on the bed, holding on for dear life.  My husband was visiting relatives and I could not reach him by phone.  What an ordeal!  I always knew that it was the onions on the burger that made me so violently sick, but you never hear about it, until today when a newsletter reader sent this info.  Also, about mayo not needing refrigeration (commented on above), Donnie knows a lady who doesn't refrigerate her mayo - it makes me shudder to think about that, but evidently it is true.  Here at home we are so careful about eating fresh food - when in doubt, throw it out.  I can think of few experiences in life worse than food poisoning.
 
 
21.  AN OBESE NATION
 
Reader 1--
 
http://www.care2.com/c2c/share/detail/621352 - interesting article!  MSG is in EVERYTHING!!  It is a slow poison.  MSG triples the amount of insulin the  pancreas creates, causing rats (and perhaps humans) to become  obese.  They  even  have a name for the fat  rodents they create: "MSG-Treated  Rats."
 
Reader 2--
 
http://www.hopemd.com/blog/ - Dr. Don's blog
 
"One of the best overviews of the very real dangers of MSG comes from Dr. Russell Blaylock, a board-certified neurosurgeon and author of “Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills.” In it he explains that MSG is an excitotoxin, which means it overexcites your cells to the point of damage or death, causing brain damage to varying degrees — and potentially even triggering or worsening learning disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease and more.
Part of the problem also is that free glutamic acid is the same neurotransmitter that your brain, nervous system, eyes, pancreas and other organs use to initiate certain processes in your body.[4] Even the FDA states:
“Studies have shown that the body uses glutamate, an amino acid, as a nerve impulse transmitter in the brain and that there are glutamate-responsive tissues in other parts of the body, as well.
Abnormal function of glutamate receptors has been linked with certain neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington’s chorea. Injections of glutamate in laboratory animals have resulted in damage to nerve cells in the brain.”[5]
Although the FDA continues to claim that consuming MSG in food does not cause these ill effects, many other experts say otherwise.
According to Dr. Blaylock, numerous glutamate receptors have been found both within your heart’s electrical conduction system and the heart muscle itself. This can be damaging to your heart, and may even explain the sudden deaths sometimes seen among young athletes.
He says:
“When an excess of food-borne excitotoxins, such as MSG, hydrolyzed protein soy protein isolate and concentrate, natural flavoring, sodium caseinate and aspartate from aspartame, are consumed, these glutamate receptors are over-stimulated, producing cardiac arrhythmias.
When magnesium stores are low, as we see in athletes, the glutamate receptors are so sensitive that even low levels of these excitotoxins can result in cardiac arrhythmias and death.”[6]
Many other adverse effects have also been linked to regular consumption of MSG, including:
•    Obesity
•    Eye damage
•    Headaches
•    Fatigue and disorientation
•    Depression
Further, even the FDA admits that “short-term reactions” known as MSG Symptom Complex can occur in certain groups of people, namely those who have eaten “large doses” of MSG or those who have asthma.[7]
According to the FDA, MSG Symptom Complex can involve symptoms such as:
•    Numbness
•    Burning sensation
•    Tingling
•    Facial pressure or tightness
•    Chest pain or difficulty breathing
•    Headache
•    Nausea
•    Rapid heartbeat
•    Drowsiness
•    Weakness
No one knows for sure just how many people may be “sensitive” to MSG, but studies from the 1970s suggested that 25 percent to 30 percent of the U.S. population was intolerant of MSG — at levels then found in food. Since the use of MSG has expanded dramatically since that time, it’s been estimated that up to 40 percent of the population may be impacted.[8]"

 
 
22.  MERCURY FLUORESCENT BULBS
 
From a reader--
 
Since we may be getting this light bulbs whether we want them or not, we should all be aware of what to do if we break on.  Never let a child handle one of these bulbs.
 
http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cfl.asp
 
 
 
23.  DOM'S UPDATE
 
I've been doing very well lately.  Donnie and I had a great time at the Clay County Fair.  It was only 10 minutes from our house, so I had no travel problems.  I had a wonderful day and felt like a NORMAL PERSON!   What a joy that was!   I've had a good run with my health for several weeks, for which I am most grateful.   Here's a picture Donnie took of me in the "Old Florida" section.  We enjoyed collard greens, corn bread and ice cream - Southern favorites!  The weather was sunny and in the low 80's.  Earlier that week we got 5" of rain in 24 hours!
 

Now here's a neat little tip that has nothing to do with FMS/CFIDS except to make our live a bit tidier in this day and age of non-stop email communication:  You can clean up your email forwards of all those annoying >>>> marks by downloading a free program called "Email Stripper" www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm.  I've been using it for years.   If you are like me, you get tons of email - some of it is really good stuff, but it's been forwarded a zillion times.  It's easy to make it readable again when you want to send it on.  With Email Stripper, you just paste, clean, and copy (3 easy clicks). 
 
We had a wonderful Easter presentation (drama, choir, orchestra) at church last weekend - it was well worth all the extra rrehearsals and effort that went into it.  I hope the audience was blessed as much as we were in preparing it.
 
I continue to have to be very careful of my stress levels and also take meds and supplements that help me.  A list of things I use is at www.fms-help.com/what.htm.   If I didn't have a sleep disorder www.fms-help.com/insomnia.htm, I would need virtually no meds at age 57, just supplements - but I've had a sleep disorder since I was 16.  Without sleep, I would die.  Before I was adequately medicated, I went so many years living on just 1-3 hours of sleep per night.  That wrecked my health and brought about the FMS/CFIDS, I believe.  There is much fascinating information, research and encouragement on my FMS/CFIDS homepage at www.fms-help.com. I began the site in 1996, writing it from the point of view of a patient looking for answers.
 
Dominie 
 
 


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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.