M.E. can be fatal! it nearly killed me! my heart STOPS! my blood volume will cause my bp to go from low 50's to over 250 in a minute! then back down again! I have seizures that cause temporary amnesia! the symptoms go on and on. and we all share the same ones. there is no 'this illness varies as much as the patients number... we all share very specific and testable symptoms. NOT that they can be cured...but they CAN be tested.

It is worth looking into M.E. IF you have Fibro and you only get WORSE . If you find yourself more and more hosuebound as each day, week, month and year passes; IF YOU have NOT been able to come back more than 50% to your normal self and have THYROID disease along with a LOT of other symptoms (a lot of M.E. ites have fibro - )

It is worth looking into M.E. if you are not the "normal" fibro-mite. If you find yourself asking questions like I did such as "why am I so much worse than anybody else that has fibro?" and "why can my fibro friend go shopping and work - although it is difficult for her, I find it impossible".

I was wondering about myself; as bad as fibro is (I do have that, too) - I was lumping my symptoms together and referring to them ALL under the fibro category. All the time I kept getting worse and worse and worse...my heart and lungs becoming more labored to bring me a beat and a breath.

I became more and more bedbound. a LOT of M.E. ites are completely bed-bound. we also have a lot who have died and it is finally listed on the death certificate. One mother recently has been charged in the murder of her M.E. daughter....a long and sad story.

There are unbelievable things happening to M.E.-ites in the UK....

Fibro is HELL! M.E. is something I cannot describe because it does not stop......it keeps getting worse and worse and worse....touching the heart, the lungs, the organs; well i can go on and on.

I simply wanted the readers to know that CFS/ME is one very huge irritant to those of us suffering with ME.....because it has NOTHING to do with CFS - yet a lot of those diagnosed with CFS DO have M.E. - it is a confusing circle. We need to each research for ourselves. and I suggest starting with www.ahummingbirdsguide.com - on FACEBOOK you can join the ME group. I suggest we have a FIBRO group. it is a way of getting the news out about fibro - the way ME is just now beginning to do. we can ask relatives to join and read the blurb...and actually SEE that OTHERS suffer the same symptoms WE do. it is NOT in our heads. (well, it IS...because it is neurological). although i don't know WHO could do all the work for a FACEBOOK tag - none of us seems to have enough life left within ourselves to do so."

FROM DOM: For example, check out this youtube video: Doctors' disbelief kills one woman with ME/CFS - www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y_T5ylWUv4 - I have been like this lady in the past. It is a living death.

Also, you may have received this email from me in past years:

What is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis?

(Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome)

www.ahummingbirdsguide.com/themecheatsheet.htm

"M.E. is characterized primarily by damage to the central nervous system (the brain) which results in dysfunctions and damage to many of the body’s vital systems and a loss of normal internal homeostasis. Therefore, although Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is primarily neurological, symptoms may be manifested by: cognitive, cardiac, cardiovascular, immunological, endocrinological, respiratory, hormonal, gastrointestinal and musculo-skeletal dysfunctions and damage. More than 64 distinct symptoms have been authentically documented in M.E. Symptoms are also caused by a loss of normal internal homeostasis; the body becomes unable to make all the appropriate physiological adjustments that allow it to maintain homeostatic equilibrium in response to the changes to the internal and external environment that are part of everyday life. The body/brain no longer responds appropriately to homeostatic pressures, including (to varying extents): physical activity, cognitive exertion, sensory input, orthostatic stress, emotional stress and infectious stress."

Also see:

"Drained by the Brain" www.fms-help.com/yuppie.htm

"My Name is Fibromyalgia" www.fms-help.com/mnif.htm

Dominie's Letter to Congress www.fms-help.com/congress.htm

Here are some responses I received on this topic--

Reader 1--

"This hummingbird site www.ahummingbirdsguide.com is the best site (other than yours, of course), about FMS/CFIDS, that I have seen. Thanks for sharing."

Reader 2--

"I have told my ME group a few things only through YOUR sources. Knowing there is someone OUT there telling it straight is so encouraging to this group. the horror stories are too many to count...children taken from homes when dx'd with it...as a mental disorder!!! in today's age! This is happening in the UK AND Australia."

FROM DOM: See my page about children and teens with FMS/CFIDS at www.fms-help.com/teens.htm.

12. CHAINS OF UNFORGIVENESS

From a reader--

"I was set free of some chains of unforgivness this week that I never thought I could break through. Here is the link to the forgivness ministry info. I highly recommend reading the blog, the articles, and listening to the audio! http://www.forgivenessministries.wordpress.com."

FROM DOM: So many of us have issues from our past ... people who have hurt, disappointed or even abused us. This causes great emotional stress, which makes fibro worse. Stress is our worst enemy www.fms-help.com/tips.htm (Tip #1), so anything we can do to alleviate emotional stress is good for us. I have had to work through a ton of issues in my life. Journaling helps - and writing out your prayers to God. This inner work can take years. (Keep your journal in a safe place where no eyes other than yours can read it. I eventually disposed of mine discretely. ) A book I've read at least twice is "Healing for Damaged Emotions" by David Seamands http://books.google.com/books?id=pKfNtnWlFysC (click on "preview this book" to see inside.)

13. SEEKING SUSAN

From a reader--

"In your 2005 newsletter you had a woman from the North of Boston area write to you talking about having just purchased and having had great success with the advanced scenar device (bio-modulator) by Dr. Jerry Tennants which works on the Atlas vertebrae of the neck. The woman's name was Susan, her email was SNEW2001@cs.com and she offered to let people in who contacted her try this device for free. I believe that the source of my issue stems from my neck and so I just tried contacting her, but unfortunately that email is no longer in service. I really wanted to see if she continued to receive help from this device and if she would be willing to let me try it out as I am in the Boston area as well. Is there anyway you might run my request in one of your newsletters to see if she could give her updated contact info?"

FROM DOM: I have lost contact with Susan too. (Susan, if you are reading this, would you please write dombush@bellsouth.net. Hope you are doing well.)

14. OPC'S CARRY OXYGEN TO THE BRAIN

From a reader--

"One rather frightening symptom of CFS that no one - no DR. - has been able to make sense of. As I was starting to get ill with CFS, I found that my daily runs were becoming harder and harder to do. I was unable to catch my breath! I recall many times I simply had to stop in the middle of my run, sit down on the curb, and pant like a dog! And, I knew it wasn't just the out-of-shape panting. My head would get crazy dizzy. I felt like I was being strangled! The harder I tried to run - to "push through it" as we were trained - the worse it got! It was so scary! For a few years I tried race-walking - thinking that if I were in a moree anaerobic activity, the dizziness and strangled sensation would take care of itself. It didn't. I'll never forget the last race I was in. I qualified to be in the "elite" race-walkers devision of a very large all-women's race (about 12,000 participants - and I was in the top 10 in the race walkers!!!) That year, as I was pushing myself to the half-way point in that race, I came very close to passing out! I could not get air! I ended up pushing myself to the finish - but the terror of that sensation made me quit exersice pretty much for good. I've spent hte last 5-6 years dabbling in almost every kind of pharmaceutical medicine - including Valcyte as an antiviral - thinking CFS was caused by the HHPV-9 virus - or somehting like that. So, now, I am trying the OPC's. A presentation given at a support meeting made enough sense to me. If in fact my blood cells are clumping and mishapen - it would make sense as to why they aren't able to fit into tiny capillariies in the brain - causing the severe brain fog I struggle with daily?!??"

FROM DOM: I found an effective OPC in 1996 that I still use for this purpose. Write dombush@bellsouth.net. This OPC works well for my brain fog for reasons this reader stated so well. With FMS/CFS our red blood cells clump together, depriving our brains of oxygen. OPC's (power antioxidants) cross the blood / brain barrier. I have tried other brands, but this is the only one I noticed a positive difference with.

15. ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY FOR CFS

From a reader--

"When I did the antibiotic protocol 12 years ago for CFS (mycoplasma infection diagnosis with RA symptoms and sore muscles, etc. so bad I could hardly walk or get out of bed) the antibiotic was VERY effective. In 18 months I was well. three years later when some symptoms returned, I went back on the protocol, and low and behold, I was allergic to all of the tetras, including minocylcine and doxicycline. This does not happen to everyone. I was taking 100mgs Mon. Wed. Fri. But, my CFS has never returned, nor has the flu like symptoms. So, I did reap some benefit. Today I use LDN [low dose naltrexone www.lowdosenaltrexone.org] and have been doing very well. I still have some flare-ups, but I think it is wheat, sugar, and starch related--in a nutshell, my diet."

16. LIFE OF AN M.E. PATIENT

From a reader--

"[As an M.E. patient - myalgic encephalomyelitis] neurologically we have 'simple' seizures where we will experience something flying around...glimmers of bright lights and lightening; amnesia. temporary blindness and double vision; blurry vision a LOT and OFTEN. vertigo when our hearts are not pumping the blood (we are short in supply) - and ONLY lying down helps to get that settled...but i can spend days and even weeks doing that! and I cannot drive when that is going on. and clumsiness more than fibro ever caused. and the frontal part of the brain is affected big time. I use to TEACH math - and I thought something was going very wrong, but still blamed it on fibro....when I was trying to help my grand daughter with simple fractions one day, I was frightened. I then started doing all kinds of math problems going back and back - I could not even ADD or SUBTRACT! and it is like that mosts of the time now. There is a lot...a bit lot of things - that changed my life. BUT I DO HAVE good days...and ONLY because I was smart enough to LIE DOWN when I was fatigued and clumsy and having vertigo....and for those of us who somehow "knew" to rest completely in the beginning of this, well - they have actually been 'cured". what I mean is, they spent a few years in the beginning lying down most of the time, being called lazy, etc...but because they did so, they are now, completely back to normal. ONLY when it is taken care of in the EARLY stage can we hope to 'get back'. me? i am the type that has to prove the world wrong. I AM strong...I CAN do it...see? it is not in my head...I am not faking it. and i pay for it now. There is so much to it, but ONE thing you MUST have for it to be ME is thyroid disease ...and there is that simple test that you have heard of, i am sure...taking your temp each day for three days BEFORE getting up from bed. LIE there and reach for the GLASS therm. (no digital)....and if, after three days in a row, you have had a low temp....well, welcome t the club. we all have low body temps....all of us. and we all have thyroid disease of one sort or another. oh and that chronic sore throat...but there are so many of us "self-diagnosed" because doctors have been given the drivel taught in order to get laws passed for insurance companies. argh! But Jodi, at the Hummingbird site www.ahummingbirdsguide.com is amazing and willing to help. she has to lie down 95% of her time; she has her pc hanging from the ceiling and she types from that position. when she take the time to respond to an email, I see such LOVE! typing one paragraph can take her an entire day. yet she will find an answer for anyone who asks. what a trooper! her mother cooks and feeds her....and there is very little left that she is able to eat."

17. SYMPTOMS OF MERCURY POISONING FROM DENTAL FILLINGS

From a reader--

http://www.fourwinds10.com/siterun_data/health/harmful_products/news.php?q=1244664945

Here are just some of the things victims of dental mercury fillings suffer:

Extreme fatigue:

Many describe an inability to get up, stay up, function during the day, drive cars, hold pencils, or keep jobs. They describe a frailty so severe, they can’t walk well, can’t judge spatial relationships and have poor eye-hand coordination. Some experience tremors, muscle weakness and spasms, and aching muscles all from feelings of extreme exhaustion.

Memory problems:

Many describe an inability to remember things, memorize songs, carry on coherent conversations, read or watch TV due to lack of ability to concentrate. Many tend to get confused easily.

Eye problems:

Some describe erratic vision, temporary blindness (until fillings removed), light sensitivity and blurred vision.

Emotional problems:

Many describe erratic behavior, inability to have good judgment or make rational decisions, suffer hyperactivity, nervousness, crying jags, inability to cope with problems at work or at home, experience irritability, depression and sudden anger for no apparent reason. Many feel just plain overwhelmed by noise, too much going on around them and having demands made upon them to make decisions or function in the normal world.

Physical ailments:

Many describe allergies, sinus problems, sounds of roaring in their heads, chronic infections, injuries that are slow to heal, headaches and all manner of other maladies.

FROM DOM: Wow. This sounds like the story of my life. I am MUCH, MUCH better now thanks to a lot of things I use to hold my health together - see www.fms-help.com/what.htm. But I suffered these symptoms for decades! My mouth is paved with mercury, but I am a severe dental phobic, since my childhood dentist didn't use novocaine except for extractions. I don't plan to replace my fillings....also, my extensive mailbag from fibromites around the world runs only 50/50 with those who say they were helped by mercury filling removal. I discuss mercury poisoning in my 100 Tips for Coping with FMS at www.fms-help.com/tips.htm - Tip #72 Comments? Write dombush@bellsouth.net.

18. FOR THE IMMUNE-CHALLENGED

Link from a reader--

http://www.keephopealive.org - "A virtual library with thousands of pages of condensed self-help information for the immune challenged (Swine flu, colds, HIV, AIDS, HBV, HCV, HSV, HPV and other STD's, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, FM, Food Allergies, Candidiasis, Cancer and much more)"

19. ZICAM COLD REMEDIES RISKY

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20090616/fda-some-zicam-cold-remedies-are-risky

FDA: Some Zicam Cold Remedies Are Risky - Agency Warns That Zicam Intranasal Products Containing Zinc May Lead to Loss of Sense of Smell; Company Calls FDA's Action 'Unwarranted' - June 16, 2009 - The FDA today advised people not to use Zicam intranasal products that contain zinc, because of the risk of anosmia (loss of the sense of smell), which may be long-lasting or permanent.

FROM DOM: I've had good results with Zicam swabs and spray. Sorry to hear this.

Reader 1--

"Like you I've had great results with zicam and truthfully doubt the risk of losing smell is any more dangerous than the risk of liver damage from ibuprophen. For folks who like Ziacam, there is a simple solution - they also make lozenges and sublingual oral tabs which are just as effective as the swabs so people could just switch to that form!"

Reader 2--

"I believe the FDA is in the pocket of "Big Pharma" and this is simply their way of taking action against a VERY EFFECTIVE non-pharmaceutical drug. I too have had good results with Zicam and no ill effects. But of course the FDA continues to approve and allow millions of people to take extremely harmful prescription drugs, primarily antidepressants and statins and suffer greatly from the side effects of those. I consider myself fortunate and blessed to have survived my encounter with an antidepressant."

20. FMS CAUSED BY MYCOPLASMA INFECTIONS

From a reader--

"I am now totally convinced that FMS is caused by mycoplasma infections (in addition to viral infections). I have thoroughly researched and racked my brain on this. I have made an appt. with an alternative doc on July 1st, and will ask him to do the blood work & send it off. I emailed Dr. Garth Nicolson & he sent what tests to have done. There are only a few labs in the US that will test the blood. Dom, it makes so much sense! They have found these in just about every chronic illness out there! Check out these websites:

www.immed.org (read Nicolson's studies)

http://www.prohealth.com/library/print.cfm?libid=9027

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/6412/EvasiveBacteria.htm?200918"

FROM DOM: I have a lot about Garth Nicolson on my site www.fms-help.com/mycoplasma.htm and in past newsletters www.fms-help.com/newsletters.htm. You can pull up the articles by typing in GARTH or NICOLSON in the search box on either of these pages.

21. CHIARI & FIBRO

From a reader--

http://www.asap.org/ - also see:

http://www.asap.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7206&st=0&sk=t&sd=a - decompression surgery, sensitivity to light, sounds, etc.

22. WHAT TO DO ABOUT LYME DIAGNOSIS?

Please reply to Heather hcolmanmcgill@yahoo.com--

"I was just re-tested again, and a specialist said I do in fact have Lyme (whereas my primary care told me negative result, a few years ago). I've read how CFIDS/FM may be "chronic" Lyme.... Any thoughts, words of advice? I am hearing mixed things about treatment... This doctor, who I think i trust--what he says makes sense-- Wants to put me on 3 months of antibiotics. I hear some success stories, but also just read an NIH study of thus, that reviewed three studies of lyme treated with long term antibiotics and concluded it was ineffective, and the side effects of the long-term antibiotic treatment was dangers (significant number of patients had bad side effects, and not many were helped). I'd really apprecate if youv'e any thoughts. It's a tricky question. Part of me wants to continue to try everything (nothing much has helped the last 5-10 yrs), so this is a big step but if it's possible to help...I'm drawn to it. I also don't want to be duped though, or do something dangerous. I'd appreciate your knowledge/any recent studies you'd suggest.etc. - Heather hcolmanmcgill@yahoo.com"

23. SJOGREN'S SYNDROME

From a reader--

Sjogren's Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder where the white blood cells attack mucosal tissue causing dry eyes, mouth and vagina. Some of its other symptoms - depression, brain fog, muscle pain, sleep problems - resemble FMS. See http://www.sjogrens.org/home/about-sjogrens-syndrome/symptoms.

FROM DOM: I have a friend from church whose aunt has Sjogren's, and the immune powder helped her greatly. (Makes sense since Sjogren's is an autoimmune disorder.)

24. CYMBALTA

From a reader--

"To the reader who found that Cymbalta made her symptoms worse. You are not alone. My doctor put me on it, also claiming it would ease all my symptoms. Huh!!! I got worse and worse - and my doctor just kept increasing the dose!! I ended up on 120mg, worse than I had EVER been, and piling on weight - which was the total opposite to what the doctor said. He claimed it would actually help me lose weight. My hubby is now on Cymbalta for another problem, and in 8 weeks he has gained over 5 kgs!! I honestly believe this drug (might) help some people with their fibro symptoms, but I think doctors should be more aware of the fact that it doesn't help everyone, and to keep increasing the dose despite the fact the patient is getting worse is absolutely ridiculous. I am now off all prescription medications apart from pain relief. Like a lot of fibromites I have many sensitivities to many drugs, so for me less is best."

25. PRESCRIPTION DRUG HELP

From a reader--

Assistance Programs / Low Income Links / Links for Help
Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:17 pm (PDT)

Assistance Programs / Low Income Links / Links for Help

**PRESCRIPTIONS* *

BenefitsCheckUp
BenefitsCheckUp, a service of the National Council on the Aging, can help you
find public and private programs that may be able to help pay for your
prescription drugs.
http://www.benefits checkup.org/ before_you_ start.cfm? screen=BenefitsC heckUpRx

Bristol Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Program
http://www.bms. com/products/ Pages/programs. aspx

Free Pharmacy Card - save upwards of 75% at stores such as WWalmart, Walgreens and target. You also get coupons for those stores.
http://tinyurl. com/bdhjwm

CVS Prescription Discount Program
Our prescription drug discount program can help you save money on medications
not covered by your plan—or if your plan doesn't include prescription drug
benefits. The program allows you to purchase eligible prescriptions through our
participating pharmacy network at a discounted price.
http://www.pacifics ource.com/ member/prescript ion-discount- program.aspx

FreeMedicine. com
http://www.freemedi cine.com/

GlaxoSmithKline Patient Assistance Program
http://www.gsk- access.com/

Kroger $4/$10 Prescription Program
http://www.kroger. com/generic/ Pages/default. aspx

MedIDs.com-- free printable ID Wallet Card
http://www.medids. com/free- id.php

Meijer Prescription Program
$4 prescription program and Free antibiotics & pre natal vitamins
http://www.meijer. com/pharmacy/ antibiotics. asp

National Organization for Rare Disorders Patient Assistance Program
If you or a loved one have a rare disease, a National Organization for Rare
Disorders (NORD) Patient Assistance Program may be able to help you find free or
reduced-fee prescription drugs for your condition.
http://www.raredise ases.org/ programs/ medication

Needy Meds
Find help with the cost of medicine
http://www.needymed s.org/

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
an interactive Web site that can help you find government and private
prescription drug assistance programs if you are low-income and uninsured.
http://www.pparx. org/

Pfizer Uninsured Prescription Program
http://www.pfizer. com/products/

Pharmaceutical Programs
http://www.mhsanctu ary.com/add/ rx.htm

Prescription Medication Coupons, Rebates & Assistance
Look through our database of FREE available coupons, rebates and/or patient
assistance programs for your prescription medication
http://rxsaver. net/

Prescription Rebates & Coupons
Alphabetical List
Select drug and it will list coupons and or rebates available
http://www.internet drugcoupons. com/

Publix Pharmacy--Free Oral Antibiotics
New or current customers: bring in your prescription for one of the oral
antibiotics listed below to your neighborhood Publix Pharmacy and receive it
FREE, up to a 14-day supply. There are no limits on the number of prescriptions
you can have filled. And they're FREE to you regardless of your prescription
insurance provider.
Amoxicillin, Cephalexin, Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP) ,
Ciprofloxacin (excluding Ciprofloxacin XR) ,
Penicillin VK , Ampicillin , Erythromycin Stearate and Ethylsuccinate ,
Doxycycline Hyclate (capsules)
http://www.publix. com/wellness/ pharmacy/ Home.do

RX Assist
RxAssist offers a comprehensive database of these patient assistance programs,
as well as practical tools, news, and articles so that health care professionals
and patients can find the information they need. All in one place.
http://www.rxassist .org/

RX Outreach
Rx Outreach is a new Patient Assistance Program that provides discount
prescription medication to qualified low-income individuals and families
http://www.rxoutrea ch.com/

Sams Club $4 Prescription Program
http://www.samsclub .com/shopping/ navigate. do?catg=11820& atg=4709

Target $4 Prescription Program
http://sites. target.com/ site/en/health/ page.jsp? contentId= PRD03-004033

Walmart $4 Prescription Program
http://www.walmart. com/catalog/ catalog.gsp? cat=546834

**VISION**

New Eyes for the Needy--must qualify
http://www.neweyesf ortheneedy. com/us/apply. html

Sight for Students--must qualify
http://www.sightfor students. org/html/ qualify.html

**HEALTH**

HRSA--Health Resources & Services Administration
Federally funded health center. You pay what you can afford, based on your
income.
http://findahealthc enter.hrsa. gov/

**DENTAL**

Free Dentistry Directory
http://www.free- dentistry. com/

Local Dental Schools or Clinics
http://www.ada. org/prof/ ed/programs/ search_ddsdmd_ us.asp

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
http://www.nidcr. nih.gov/FindingD entalCare/

State Dental Organizations
http://www.ada. org/ada/organiza tions/searchcons 1.asp

**MEDICAL**

Free Medical Clinics/Camps All Over the USA
http://www.freemedi calcamps. com/

**HEALTH INSURANCE**

Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
http://www.ibx. com/health_ plans/low_ income/chip. html

Health Insurance for Low Income Families
http://www.health- insurance. org/low-income

**SCHOOL**

Free or Reduced Lunch
http://www.fns. usda.gov/ cnd/Lunch/

**ENERGY**

Home Energy Assistance
http://www.liheap. org:80/assistanc e.html

The LIHEAP Clearinghouse provides free telephone and e-mail referrals to people
who want to know where to apply for low- income energy assistance. Those seeking
help can call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project toll-free
at 1-866-674-6327 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) or email NEAR at
energyassistance@ .... Please include your city, county and state in your
email message.
http://www.liheap. org/assistance. html

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The mission of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is to
assist low income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes that
pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, primarily in meeting
their immediate home energy needs.
http://www.acf. hhs.gov/programs /ocs/liheap/

Oil Heat Program--17 States
This unique program helps protect needy families from volatile heating oil
prices, which often leave households having to choose between heating the home
and paying for other life essentials, such as food, health care, or clothing.
In partnership with CITGO, Citizens Energy works with thousands of oil heat
dealers and local fuel assistance agencies in 17 states to provide deliveries of
home heating oil to those in need. This year the Oil Heat Program provided
eligible families a one-time delivery of 100 gallons of home heating oil.
The 17 states participating in this program are: AK, CT, DC, DE, IN, MA, MD, ME,
MI, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI
http://www.citizens energy.com/ english/pages/ OilHeatProgram

26. CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM SENSITIZATION & FMS

From a reader--

Great article by Dr. Devin Starlanyl, who has FMS - http://www.sover.net/~devstar/define.htm. Here's a snippet: "FM is a state of central sensitization. This means that your central nervous system may be unusually sensitive to pain (hyperalgesia) and you also may find certain sounds, vibrations, light, and other sensations (even smells) to be translated by your body into discomfort or pain. Certain types of sound, such as staccato music or talk, or certain pitches, may be unendurable and promote increased sensitivity to other stimuli. The same may be true of the pattern of shadow and light by trees passing along in a car, or even being stuck in an elevator or car with a woman with heavy perfume."

FROM DOM: WOW! I can sure relate to all of that! Dr. Devin's article is great. Only those of us with FMS can understand what it's like.

27. ARE FMS & CFIDS THE SAME ILLNESS - OR DIFFERENT?

A reader asked this question recently. I personally believe FMS and CFIDS are two different illnesses. My experience of FMS is at www.fms-help.com/fibro.htm (began in 1982) and my CFIDS experience is at www.fms-help.com/fatigue.htm (began in 1987). However, FMS and CFIDS have many overlapping symptoms. Comments? Write dombush@bellsouth.net.

28. USE VINEGAR TO KILL WEEDS

Got this from a reader - it has nothing to do with FMS/CFIDS, but sounded like an interesting non-chemical way to get rid of weeds--

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2002/020515.htm

29. DOM'S UPDATE

I'm feeling well these days. Have been busy teaching a lot of new music students and also playing the piano and organ at my church. We have a big celebration this weekend - our pastor's 25th anniversary at the church www.fms-help.com/MBC.jpg. We have been very blessed to have such good preaching of the Word for so long. Then that evening, we are having a patriotic musical performance to honor our military.

At home we had a wonderful Father's Day in June with 3 of Donnie's 4 children here, 1 of his 5 grandchildren, a daughter-in-law, and also my mother (87) who is like a soul-mate to him. My husband told us that he would like to make a small speech, and he went around the table telling each of us what we had meant to him. He was in tears and so were all of us by the time he was finished! It was a very touching time for our family.

In medical news, the docs got my cold sores under control with Famciclovir ($375), and now a maintenance dose of the much cheaper Acyclovir ($20). I hope this will help end the scourge of cold sores that has plagued me for the past 10 years, and moreso as I have grown older.

Well, I am held together by meds and supplements. My personal list is at www.fms-help.com/what.htm. I wouldn't be able to function much, if at all, without these things. We are all different as to what helps. Be sure to visit my homepage www.fms-help.com to find a lot of interesting articles about FMS/CFIDS with research and helpful ideas.

Dominie