Dom's FMS/CFIDS Newsletter
www.fms-help.com
July 10, 2011
A Christian-based newsletter about Fibromyalgia (FMS), Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - sharing thoughts, research and experiences.
FIBRO STORY CFIDS STORY INSOMNIA STORY HELPFUL THINGS I USE PREVIOUS NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
Topics in this issue: 1. READERS WRITE
2. UNDERSTANDING HUSBAND
3.
SPIRULINA
4. CHRONIC PAIN A PSYCHIATRIC
DISORDER?
5. READING
STAND
6. PET'S IMMUNE
SYSTEM
7. CHARITIES & ORGANIZATIONS
LINKED TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD
8. SUNSCREEN CAUSES
CANCER
9. 100 TIPS FOR COPING WITH FIBROMYALGIA
10. BALANCE YOUR IMMUNE
SYSTEM
11. WHEAT CAN CAUSE MENTAL &
PHYSICAL PROBLEMS
12. NEGATIVE THOUGHT PATTERNS &
FIBROMYALGIA
13. NEUROFEEDBACK FOR INSOMNIA, PTSD,
ETC.
14. IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
(IBS)
15. HEALKICK.COM
16. 30 DAY DIABETES CURE
17. BRAIN WAVES & INSOMNIA
STUDY
18. DISCONNECT BETWEEN BRAIN &
MUSCLES
19. THE HEALING POWER OF
HUMOR
20. 5 FOODS THAT CAUSE PROBLEMS SIMILAR
TO WHEAT
21. RAW MILK VS. DEAD WHITE LIQUID
22. IS IT ALWAYS GOD'S WILL TO HEAL THE
SICK?
23. WORRYING
24. CAUSES OF FIBROMYALGIA
25. WHEN BOTH HUSBAND AND WIFE HAVE
CFIDS/ME
26. 9 THINGS THAT WILL DISAPPEAR IN OUR
LIFETIME
27. WORSE THAN CIGARETTES
28. LIVER & CHRONIC FATIGUE
29. WHITE HOUSE VIRTUAL TOWN MEETING ON
DISABILITY - JULY 14
30. UPDATE FROM
DOM
============================================
1. READERS WRITE
"I just found your site www.fms-help.com and love it! So much great information. I don't feel so alone and feel once again, validated."
"I keep learning more and more from your newsletters!"
"I have enjoyed and loved recieving the newsletters on Fibro. It has helped me understand it. You are a GREAT help to a lot of people."
"I have followed your site for many, many years. I so appreciate your site and the time and effort you put into it. I suffer from Fibromyalgia and struggle with fatigue, like many others. Your site has helped me emotionally. I am going through menopause and it just complicates the situation."
2. UNDERSTANDING HUSBAND
From a reader--
"You are so blessed to have such a wonderful, understanding husband www.fms-help.com. I know that means so much to you. Like you have said so many times before, when people do not understand your situation, it is hard for them to connect with you and understand what you are going through. I am so glad you are doing so well www.fms-help.com/what.htm. My goal is to get to that point some day."
FROM DOM: Yes. Without Donnie's understanding and support, I would not be able to write this newsletter for my fellow fibromites. Here's a link to one husband's comments about living with his wife who has fibro so we can see what it is like for the other person: http://www.fms-help.com/072006.htm. And here are some tips on relationships from a reader with fibro: http://www.fms-help.com/relationships.htm
3. SPIRULINA
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/07/01/spirulina-the-amazing-super-food-youve-never-heard-of.aspx - Snippet: "Ignored since the 1950s - now a 'miracle' high-protein super food? An amazing plant with higher protein than red meat - and an excellent way to detoxify your body from mercury... Plus, it helps regulate your blood pressure, and protects you from cancer...discover your best dosing, potential adverse reactions, and important contraindications."
FROM DOM: Anyone using spirulina and wish to comment? Write dombush@bellsouth.net
4. CHRONIC PAIN A PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER?
Reader 1--
"Prevent Chronic Pain Conditions From Being Classified as Psychiatric Disorders: Action Alert - Chronic Pain - Please visit this link to see the letters sent by others to try to stop this new classification of medical coding to change to a Psychiatric condition for CFS, FM and Gulf war syndrome to name a few. http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/5949/139919/psychiatric/."
Reader 2--
"I have recently been diagnosed with costochondritis, inflammation of the chest wall, to add to my list of other CFS/ME diagnosis and symptoms. Re: http://http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/5949/139919/psychiatric/, it would be a travesty if this were to happen. I am only now, after a lifelong battle with CFS, been able to get any respect or validity from the medical community and it is too little and they are not able to help but there is progress in the research. Going back to the 'its all in your head' days is incomprehensible and cruel. I wanted to alert anyone who may be interested. There are some fine letters on the coding website the author listed that give me hope that this will not go through."
FROM DOM: I have reported on this important subject in recent newsletters. (Search for "psychiatric" using the Google box at the end of this page.) If by "psychiatric" it is meant that chronic pain involves the ORGANIC brain, nervous system and brain chemicals, then that much is true. If "psychiartric" means it is "imagined" or "all in your head," then this is a merciless and heartless classification and makes you wonder if any of those folks ever suffered from intractable pain!
5. READING STAND
Response from a reader--
"Re: www.fms-help.com/070111, I wonder if the person looking for a book stand could find something in a music catalog? There are tabletop handbell music stands, some of them adjustable. One company that sells handbell stuff is Jeffers Handbell Supply, http://www.jhsbell.com in South Carolina. They could also google tabletop handbell stands."
6. PET'S IMMUNE SYSTEM
Keep your pet's immune system strong - http://www.petimmunehealth.com/index.php - Dominie Bush (#203843) - My two little doggies, Buster and Cheeto, take these every day. They think it's a treat (beef or cheese flavor)!
7. CHARITIES & ORGANIZATIONS LINKED TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD
From a reader--
8. SUNSCREEN CAUSES CANCER
Scientific Research Shows Use of Sunscreen Actually Causes Cancer!
DATELINE—WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 24) -- Almost half of the 500 most popular sunscreen products may actually increase the speed at which malignant cancer cells develop and spread skin cancer, according to an evaluation of those products. AOL News learned through published documents and interviews that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has known of the potential danger for as long as a decade without alerting the public (a claim the FDA denies). (AOL News)
There are two primary reasons why sunscreen is the likely cause of skin cancer.The use of sunscreen blocks the skin from absorbing Vitamin D3, a nutrient the human body desperately needs to prevent as many as 25 chronic diseases—including Cancer and Osteoporosis. Commercial sunscreen products contain toxic chemicals in the form artificial fragrances, chemical colors and petroleum products used as fillers and stabilizers. These chemicals are absorbed through the skin, then enter the bloodstream and wreak havoc on the immune system. The FDA does not mandate a warning label on these products, though they carry carcinogens. (Natural News, 6-2011) Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/001264.html#ixzz1QUhMYOIC
The truth about Sunscreen products is now being revealed as the “Problem” behind skin cancer–NOT the “Solution.” Dr. Elizabeth Plourde published her research on sunscreen products citing numerous studies that prove most are bio-hazardous and should be treated as hazardous waste! She reports that “Sunscreens do not prevent skin cancers, they promote them. They are absorbed through the skin and disrupt our body’s balanced hormone ecosystem.” (Sunscreens – Biohazards, Elizabeth Plourde, Ph.D.)
9. 100 TIPS FOR COPING WITH FIBROMYALGIA
www.fms-help.com/contents.htm
10. BALANCE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
FROM DOM: i26 Complete Support is a delicious immune-balancing shake www.i26forhealth.com/dominie. I've heard from people whose IBS was greatly helped by this www.fms-help.com/IBS.htm. I used i26 Complete Support daily for over 8 years with many benefits to my health. Write dombush@bellsouth.net for details.
11. WHEAT CAN CAUSE MENTAL & PHYSICAL PROBLEMS
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/07/04/can-eating-this-common-rain-cause-psychiatric-problems.aspx - Snippet: "Eating wheat may not be beneficial to your health. Among many other reasons, each grain contains about one microgram of Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA). Even in small quantities, WGA can have profoundly adverse effects. It may be pro-inflammatory, immunotoxic, cardiotoxic ... and neurotoxic."
12. NEGATIVE THOUGHT PATTERNS & FIBROMYALGIAFrom a reader--
"Have you heard of neuro-therapy for fibromyalgia? [See brain retraining at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPrPL6WJ4ls&feature=youtube.] It has been principally used for ADHD, but is said to help - if not cure - fibro! There is a chiropractor here who is starting to use it. Neurological model--the basis of NeuroTherapy Training: This model is based in the most current knowledge emerging from the neurological sciences. Though people are certainly shaped by many factors, the belief system behind the neurological model is that we are as we are because of the inner working of the mind and body. Going further, it is based in the realization that mental activities such as thought and emotion have at their basis, physical and chemical reactions. Scientists have shown that negative emotion, for example, is a set of physical and chemical reactions that, if felt for long periods, can damage the body. NeuroTherapy Training, which is based on the neurological model, teaches people to use a mental training method to improve the working of the mind and body. This method of mental training, more specifically, teaches people to better manage the physical and chemical reactions that cause negative emotions. Their responses to memories, their behaviors and how they perceive things change because the processes in the body underlying them change. This makes sense to me, because I feel that the fibro I experience began because of long term stress and hurt/unforgiveness. I really struggle with negative thought patterns."
FROM DOM: I can sure relate to this! I'm almost positive my fibromyalgia was partly caused by decades of unresolved negative emotions, probably flooding my body with acidity and poisonous chemicals. Of course, I was also genetically predisposed - was born with some kind of immune deficiency, for which I took gamma globulin shots, was asthmatic until I was 12, etc., so I wasn't the world's healthiest camper to begin with. My fibro story: www.fms-help.com/fibro.htm. My CFIDS story www.fms-help.com/fatigue.htm. And at the bottom of it all: my insomnia story www.fms-help.com/insomnia.htm. Sometimes you have to get away from toxic people, when at all possible! Here's a good verse for positive thinking: Philippians 4:8 (KJV) "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on THESE things."
13. NEUROFEEDBACK FOR INSOMNIA, PTSD, ETC.
www.HBNeuro.com
14. IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)
http://www.fms-help.com/IBS.htm
15. HEALKICK.COM
For people in their 20's and 30's:
www.healkick.com - Snippet: "A social network for young adult patients 40-&-under with neuro-immune illnesses such as: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic Lyme Disease, Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Sarcoidosis, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Mold-Related Illness"
FROM DOM: Wow! Sounds like my kind of place, except I'm too OLD!!!! (59) My FMS began in 1982 when I was 30 www.fms-help.com/fibro.htm. To read what it's like to live with a neuro-endocrine-immune disorder, see www.fms-help.com/neuro.htm.)
16. 30 DAY DIABETES CURE
http://30daydiabetescure.com/
17. BRAIN WAVES & INSOMNIA STUDY
http://www.brainstatetech.com/blog/brain-state-technologies-launches-insomnia-study-wake-forest-baptist
18. DISCONNECT BETWEEN BRAIN & MUSCLES
From a reader--
"Thank you for sharing your story www.fms-help.com/fibro.htm! You are the first person I have heard describe that disconnect between my brain and muscles that makes them feel weak and clumsy at times, where I feel like I am about to drop something, but I don't. No one seems to be able to explain why. I am only 36 with two small children and I feel 76."
19. THE HEALING POWER OF HUMOR
From a reader--
http://www.pioneerthinking.com/sc_humor.html
20. 5 FOODS THAT CAUSE PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO WHEAT
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/07/05/other-nonwheat-grains-can-also-hurt-your-health.aspx
FROM DOM: Sigh! Seems like we can't eat anything without some kind of potential bad reaction. Interestingly, my parents ate a wide variety of foods, never worried about it, cooked in pitted aluminum pans, etc. My father lived to be almost 92 and my mother is a vigorous almost-90 year old!!! I think longevity is (for the most part) genetically determined. My parents were also very positive and faith-filled, despite severe hardships in life! I am a wimp!
21. RAW MILK VS. DEAD WHITE LIQUID
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/11/12/Choosing-Between-Raw-Milk-and-a-Dead-White-Liquid.aspx
FROM DOM: I found this interesting because my grandfather, who emigrated from the Ukraine in the early 1900's had 3 cows that supplied milk for his family and neighbors. One day in Michigan, some government officials arrived and took his cows away, whipping them to drive the cows up a ramp into a trailer. It is one of my mother's sorrowful childhood memories. The cows looked back at my grandfather and the family with hurt and confusion, because they had always been treated kindly as family pets. It turned out that because my grandfather did not pasteurize the milk, he was in violation of a law and his cows were confiscated....and that was back in the 1920's or 30's.
22. IS IT ALWAYS GOD'S WILL TO HEAL THE SICK?
FROM DOM: Years ago an elderly pastor taught me something about the sovereignty of God. His adult son (in his late 20's) came down with leukemia. The son was married with two young daughters. Everyone prayed fervently, but the pastor's son died. Then the pastor's wife developed cancer. One doctor said to operate immediately or she will die. The other doctor said that opening her up would cause the cancer to spread like wildfire. No one knew which path to take. Everyone prayed fervently. His wife decided to have the surgery and recovered. This pastor told me that these experiences in his own family taught him about the sovereignty of God. He said they had prayed equally hard for both his son and his wife, but God made the final decision. I have never forgotten this. But how I rejoice with those who have received healing from illness and can go on with life for a bit longer until they are finally called Home at what we consider a better age for dying! Personally, I was healed from a painful, debilitating, inoperable condition that had gone on from the time I was 17 until I was miraculously healed one day at age 43 - so I know that God can and DOES heal, but not every single time. There are reasons for suffering that only God knows about. Since we can't see behind the scenes, we must trust Him with our lives and outcomes. This is true faith.
23. WORRYING
From a reader--
"WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES; it takes away today’s PEACE."
24. CAUSES OF FIBROMYALGIA
From a reader--
"I read your 'Causes of Fibromyalgia' article online today at www.fms-help.com/causes.htm. I just wanted to express my gratitude because I found it so useful and interesting. So much information gathered and summarised in one place like that is hard to find. It was great."
25. WHEN BOTH HUSBAND AND WIFE HAVE CFIDS/ME
From a reader--
"In response to www.fms-help.com/070111.htm (Topic 3): WHEN BOTH HUSBAND AND WIFE HAVE CFIDS/M.E., someone one asked how we cope?
and i dont think we really do, we have two pre-schoolers aswell,we both got ill when i was pregnant with my our last child. (following severe glandular fever) .we are both arnd 30-40% on the m.e scale ,when i first got ill i was bedridden & had m.e/glandular fever severly.
our house is a pigsty everyday,im always grumpy because im so exhausted but we try to make best with what we do have: each other and 2 beautiful kids.
my husband is a qualified chef so he can wip up a nutritious meal in 10mins and my big task for the day is the dishes, which i can normally do ,though on somedays like yesterday i will colapse before finishing. most days are spent resting on the couch so i have enough energy to do the dishes and get the kids meals etc & reading/playing with the kids (if i can)
We are only 28 and have been married 8years so we work well together, whoever is the most well at the time,will help the other person out.our familys on the whole are pretty useless (to be honest) & dont help(nor have they ever)
yes we are on a losing battle most days but i know it wld be awhole lot harder with out each other. little things help like using a ride on for the lawns, a shower stool and having my youngest in childcare 2days a week .
At the moment i just worry that my kids may get this. with both parents with m.e & the kids already have allergies and asthma,i feel guilty i cant do more with them like take them to the beach.
26. 9 THINGS THAT WILL DISAPPEAR IN OUR LIFETIME
http://xenohistorian.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/9-things-that-will-disappear-in-our-lifetime/
27. WORSE THAN CIGARETTES
http://emf.mercola.com/sites/emf/archive/2011/07/09/vickie-warren-on-effects-of-electromagnetic-fields.aspx - electromagnetic fields
FROM DOM: Use the Google box at the end of this page to find many references to electromagnetic fields (EMF's) in my past newsletters.
28. LIVER & CHRONIC FATIGUE
http://www.sensiblehealth.com/Journey-01.xhtml#livercleansing - Snippet: "When blood is loaded with toxins due to a weak and inefficient liver, there is limited capacity for the blood to carry oxygen and nutrients which are necessary for energy production. The result is constant fatigue. A clean and efficient liver which produces cleaner blood would help energy production because clean blood can carry more oxygen and nutrients. Clean blood is also lighter; it flows better and results in better blood circulation."
FROM DOM: One of my Chinese relatives told me that fibromyalgia/CFS is considered a liver problem. I am wondering if using herbs, etc. to cleanse the liver will interfere with medications I am taking? Has anyone done a liver cleanse and would like to report on it? Please write dombush@bellsouth.net.
29. WHITE HOUSE VIRTUAL TOWN MEETING ON DISABILITY - JULY 14
From a reader--
"White House Virtual Town Hall Meeting On Thursday, July 14th from 1:00 - 2:00 PM Eastern, Disability.gov will air a live "Virtual" Town Hall meeting to introduce top White House advisors on disability policy. If you have questions about disability-related subjects or issue areas, please submit them online by 6:00 PM on July 13th. To watch this live event, go to Disability.gov's home page on July 14th at 1:00 PM, and click the button that says "Watch the White House Virtual Town Hall Live!"
30. UPDATE FROM DOM
Whew! It's been a busy summer. Most of my students continue music lessons throughout the summer months. I love teaching, but it is difficult much of the time because of FMS/CFIDS always running in the background. A list of things I use to stay functional is at www.fms-help.com/what.htm. I think I have felt better since my doc put me on Synthroid 2 months ago for low thyroid.
I'm now busy planning my mother's 90th birthday celebration, which is coming up in a few weeks, out of town company, etc. Funny... I feel like I'm 90 and she is 60! (My mother runs circles around me!)
Just got back from the funeral of a 23 year old young lady from our church who died in a car accident Sunday night. Our hearts go out in sympathy to her family! The church was packed. Life is short. As our pastor said, eternity knocked on this family's door. Our pastor and his wife lost their only child, a son, age 40, two months ago. He said that God already knows the day our death and there are no surprises or "accidents" with Him. Be sure you are saved from sin and from the wrath to come - this is my story: www.fms-help.com/salvation.htm. Our pastor gave an altar call at the end of the service and 10 or 12 people gave their lives to Jesus today. Thank God! As the pastor said, funerals are for the living!
Well, the doctors are still doing tests on our darling little CJ (8 months old). It was determined that he does not have PFIC, which is good news, but he could have another genetically based blood disorder that affects the bile. I made a special page for CJ at www.fms-help.com/CJ.htm for those who wish to stay updated.
If I can whine a little (yes, I'd like a little cheese with that....), I have an complaint not related to FMS/CFIDS: the osteoarthritis in my right hand, especially the pinky, is getting worse. I could live with this if I didn't play the piano. But the osteo is affecting my playing abilities, particularly at church for choir specials, which involves a lot of octaves. I am trying to work around it, and I keep the worst joint tightly taped when playing in order to keep the bones from grating on eachother. I had a cortisone shot in that joint 2 months ago, but it didn't help. Neither did pain patches or any other remedies. The joints are going bone on bone - no cartilage left. The doc wants to inject Kenalog next month. I had to stop Synthovial Seven, because I believe it was making my tinnitus (ringing in the ears) worse - the screech I hear 24/7 went up in pitch at least an octave - aargh!!! Needless to say, I am eagerly looking forward to my NEW BODY!!!!!!!
Meanwhile, I am going back on the immune balancing shake and inflammation reducing capsules that I used in the past for 8-1/2 years. Write dombush@bellsouth.net if you want info on that. I just remembered today that it helps with arthritis, so I reordered! I sure hope I don't need a joint fusion. That's quite a bit more complicated than I envisioned, requiring bone shaping, a pin to hold the bones together, an a cast to the elbow for 6 weeks followed by physical therapy! Yipes! I couldn't work during that time and we need my income to survive. I also don't know what I'd do with all my students?! Would they wait for me to come back or go on to other teachers? Plus, my husband is very opposed to me having surgery because he knows how my immune system is. We have had many friends who have gotten MRSA, staph, etc. from having surgeries in the past few years. I am a slow healer on top of it, so I am not going to attempt surgery unless I am in agonizing, constant pain. It is just too risky!
Stay encouraged! Life is short, but Jesus' love is real, and we will be with Him soon! "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10) That is so beautiful! God loves us! We will be in heaven with Him if we accept Christ's gift of atonement for our sins. He already paid the price. It is a free gift to us. "But God, who is RICH IN MERCY, for his GREAT LOVE wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:4-10).
When I think about eternity, my current problems and issues pale in comparison!
Here is my mother's favorite hymn--
“
Great is Thy Faithfulness”Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Chorus:
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Thomas O. Chisholm
Have a blessed week, wrapped in the Savior's love!
Dominie
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100 Tips for Coping with Fibromyalgia &
Insomnia
My Fibromyalgia
Story
My Chronic
Fatigue Story
My Insomnia
Story
What I Use
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that we may be able to comfort them which are in
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