1.  READERS WRITE

"I love your newsletters."

"Your words are filled with grace and inspiration, and I thank you for putting them out there."

"Your articles and info updates are really great. And most of all, thanks for not hiding your faith in Christ."

2.  HOW TO MAKE "NON-FIBROS" UNDERSTAND

From a reader--

"Your words make me feel better as a person who suffers from fibro which has many elements and believe me I go through them all.  Please tell me how you relate this to other people who matter in your life like adult children and a parent.  Keep up this great work."

FROM DOM:  Look for the "Explaining FMS/CFIDS" section on my homepage at www.fms-help.com.  Many great helps and articles in that section!  We all have this problem with trying to get people to understand what we are going through, since it is "invisible."

3.  IS SV40 THE CAUSE OF FIBROMYALGIA?

From a reader--

"I got a homeopathic 22-44 Simian 40 and this has helped the tension on my neck, between shoulder blades. They have another that you have to mix yourself, so I tried this first.  She says that this is where the virus gets into the nerves.  However, when I took it before bed I could not sleep that night. Sleep is a problem already. I take some ambien but have some side effects."

FROM DOM:  The initial batch of the Jonas Salk polio vaccine was contaminated with Simian (monkey) Virus 40 (called SV40 for short).  In the 1960's, I took this on a sugar cube at my elementary school.  So did my brother, but he did not develop any of the health problems I have.  About 20 years ago, a well-respected man in the holistic health field called me and spoke to me about SV40.  He said it caused cancer, and even caused cancer in the offspring of people who were infected with it.  I was intrigued by what this reader said about the SV40 virus being the neck and between the shoulder blades.  Most fibromites suffer from pain in these areas.  I know that when my fibro began overnight in June 1982, I woke up that morning with pain in the base of my neck and a sensation of electrical shocks shooting from there into my hands.  This was the beginning of my "fibromyalgia career."  Interestingly, the reader who wrote this comment sent me more info via snail mail about other effects of SV40 on the brain and nervous system.  It stated that the "hippie movement" of the 60's was caused by young people basically going wacko from the effects of SV40 on the brain.  I will be doing more research on this subject, and you may want to google SV40 and the Salk polio vaccine.  If you find anything that may pertain to FMS/CFIDS, please write dombush@bellsouth.net. 

4.  ADRENAL FAILURE

From a reader--

http://www.adrenal-failure.com/fight-or-flight.html - Snippet: "Chronic stress being in a state of flight or fight mode, which means that adrenaline is constantly being released into our bodies. This has led to adrenaline overload. We are using adrenaline as our main source of fuel and it is for many of us an addiction. This is a vicious cycle, where we are passing this chronic stress lifestyle onto our children, which is creating childhood stress. 
When our bodies have too much adrenaline in our systems, it leads to adrenal failure or overload. So how does one manage staying out of this hyper vigilant state? Learning how to protect your adrenals and reducing your reliance on adrenaline, caffeine,and sugar is one of the first steps."

FROM DOM:  Adrenal fatigue is possibly a part of "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome."  See my page about adrenal insufficiency at http://www.fms-help.com/adrenal.htm.

5.  NEED A FIBRO DOCTOR?

FROM DOM:  I hear friom readers who are looking for doctors who know how to treat fibromyalgia.  The National Fibromyalgia Association keeps list of doctors based on  patient referrals.  See http://www.fmaware.org/PageServere7aa.html?pagename=resources_hcProviderDirectory.  They don't recommend or endorse any of the providers, but it's a place to start.  You can also recommend a doctor to be placed on the list.

6.  BABY MOOSE IN SPRINKLER

From a reader--

http://www.wimp.com/babymoose - adorable!

7.  WHAT CAUSES FIBROMYALGIA?

http://www.fmaware.org/PageServer06af.html?pagename=fibromyalgia_causes - Snippet:  "While the underlying cause or causes of FM still remain a mystery, new research findings continue to bring us closer to understanding the basic mechanisms of fibromyalgia. Most researchers agree that FM is a disorder of central processing with neuroendocrine/neurotransmitter dysregulation. The FM patient experiences pain amplification due to abnormal sensory processing in the central nervous system. An increasing number of scientific studies now show multiple physiological abnormalities in the FM patient, including: increased levels of substance P in the spinal cord, low levels of blood flow to the thalamus region of the brain, HPA axis hypofunction, low levels of serotonin and tryptophan and abnormalities in cytokine function.  Recent studies show that genetic factors may predispose individuals to a genetic susceptibility to FM. For some, the onset of FM is slow; however, in a large percentage of patients the onset is triggered by an illness or injury that causes trauma to the body. These events may act to incite an undetected physiological problem already present.  Exciting new research has also begun in the areas of brain imaging and neurosurgery. Ongoing research will test the hypothesis that FM is caused by an interpretative defect in the central nervous system that brings about abnormal pain perception. Medical researchers have just begun to untangle the truths about this life-altering disease."

FROM DOM:  Also see my page about the causes of fibromyalgia at www.fms-help.com/causes.htm.

8.  NOT SLEEPING CAUSES YOU TO GAIN WEIGHT

http://articles.healthrealizations.com/FoodsForFibromyalgia/2012/09/17/How-to-Sleep-Away-the-Pounds-1.aspx

FROM DOM:  Hmmm.  With so many fibromites having insomnia problems (see my sleep story at www.fms-help.com/insomnia.htm ) and also being on meds that have weight gain as a side effect - not to mention those fibromites who have low thyroid, is it any wonder that it is common for fibromites to struggle with weight issues?

9.  JUICES & SODAS ARE A MAJOR PROBLEM

http://articles.healthrealizations.com/FoodsForFibromyalgia/2012/09/17/How-Juices-and-Soda-Create-Major-Health-Problems.aspx

FROM DOM:  Besides for the reasons listed, fibromites should limit or omit these beverages from their diet.  Orthophosphoric acid in sodas eat away at your bones, and sugar creates yeast overgrowth (candida) problems with symptoms very similar to fibromyalgia.

10.  SPOUSES OF FIBROMITES HAVE LOSSES TOO

From a reader--

"I am suffering from FMS. I haven't received an official diagnosis; however, my dr's treatment protocol is similar to someone with RSD or FMS.  I have suffered from chronic debilitating pain for 11 years.  I had one of your letters flagged as a favorite on my computer.  It was the letter sent to you from a husband whose wife has FMS.  I love that letter because it has helped me to be empathetic towards my husband.  Sometimes it's easy to forget that all of us (not just myself) are grieving the loss of another life we had planned for ourselves.  We are trying to work towards a place of acceptance.  I too am a firm believer in Jesus Christ.  To be honest, my spirituality has been tested by this illness.  Many days and hours of asking "why me?"...then trying to flip it into "why not me?"  I know this is the path that my God has chosen for me.  I also know that answers will be revealed when I leave this earth.  I re-found your website www.fms-help.com today, while in the midst of a medication-transition and flare.  I recently quit my job in an effort to regain my health."

FROM DOM:  I hear from so many people facing these battles - with their FMS/CFIDS and also the effect it has on their families.  Life is certainly not "normal" for us - it's hard to plan anything in advance because we never know if we will sleep or feel okay.  Here's a list of occupations of my readers: www.fms-help.com/occupations.htm.  A list of things I use to stay "functional" is at www.fms-help.com/what.htm.

11.  LOWERING CHOLESTEROL

From a reader--

"To lower your cholesterol - Lower dairy fat and animal fat consumption.   Eat more fish and chicken.  Also oatmeal every morning with flax seed added after cooking!  Remember, fiber is your friend!!  (This advice coming from my daughter who took nutrition and dietetics in college.)"

FROM DOM:  I received many wonderful suggestions from readers for lowering cholesterol.  Thank you for all of them.  I also researched my doc's suggestions of Zetia or Questran, and have decided to try a natural supplement that has been fairly successful in reducing cholesterol.  I'll try it for 2-3 months and then get a blood test to see if it's helping.

12.  HEALING & DETOXING BATHS FOR PEOPLE IN CHRONIC PAIN

From a reader--

http://fibrotv.com/2011/12/10-healing-and-detoxing-baths-for-those-with-chronic-illness-and-chronic-pain/

13.  FOAM MATTRESS PROBLEM

From a reader--

"I bought this foam mattress for $1500.00 about 3 years ago. It was heaven for about 6 months. It worked best (fibro mattress on top of regular mattress - on just the box springs it felt too hard).  I have fibromyalgia and for the first time in 20 years, sleeping didn't hurt. This bed actually took the pain away BUT then it started breaking down or something. I called the company and after measuring where the mattress felt like it was drooping,  it fit their requirements but then they said I'd have to pay $200 to send it back in order to get a replacement!! Yeah!  It was guarenteed for like 15 years. So don't believe that - there's more to it.  Or they said they'd send me a 'topper' to fix it for $175.00. I've yet to send it back - I feel like that's throwing good money after bad. Temperpedic was too expensive but may be well worth the cost.  If you've got fibromyalgia, the foam mattress is one of the greatest inventions since Down coats...and moonboots for cold weather!"

FROM DOM:  I love my mattress - it has a lot of soft foam on the top.  Most people would say that this mattress is way too SOFT for them, but it feels great to me!

14.  WOMEN - YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

FROM DOM:  A few years ago, my stepson and daughter-in-law gave me a book for Mother's Day called "365 Daily Devotions for Women" by Jewell Johnson. At first it looked like the "usual" kind of devotional book, but I was intrigued to discover that for every day there is a true story about a woman of faith. At the top of the page is her name and the years of her birth and death. By doing some quick calculations, I found that some of these women lived as few as 19 years and others as long as 100. Regardless of the length of their "dash," each one is remembered for their love for God and others and for doing something special. 

The page I read last night was about Mary Reed (1854-1943) who went as a missionary to India when she was 29, but her health failed almost immediately. She went to the Himalayas to rest, and there visited a leper colony and was deeply moved by the poor living conditions. Her health went downhill further, and she returned to America where she was diagnosed with leprosy. Rather than give up, she returned to India and became superintendent of the Leper Homes where she had visited. Without any help from other missionaries, Mary built a church, chapel and homes. Under her leadership the leper colony became self-supporting, and through her preaching and witnessing many lepers received Christ. She accomplished all this while living with an incurable disease! Amazingly, Mary lived to be 89!

Mary's story was really special to me, because of having fibromyalgia/CFS since 1982 and spending many years with pain, suffering and debilitation, wondering how I could ever accomplish anything with my life - but somehow God has worked despite these hindrances and brought about much good. At the end of Mary's story, the author says that the Bible indicates that some believers won't be delivered from their trials because God has something else in mind for them and others. She says, "If you remain in a valley of sickness, trial or trouble, take heart. Remember, for you, God has a better plan; with His strength, you will go through."

This book is a treasure.  It's located at http://www.amazon.com/365-DAILY-DEVOTIONS-FOR-WOMEN/dp/1597894125/.

15.  RELATIONSHIP SUGGESTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH FIBROMYALGIA

www.fms-help.com/relationships.htm

FROM DOM:  If you are wearing out the people around you with your (justifiable) fibro complaints (like I do with my husband at times), then this article is for you!

16.  CLOSING THOUGHTS FROM DOM

This week, the "site visitor counter" for www.FMS-help.com went over the 1 million mark.  It probably was there a long time ago, but I didn't keep track for many years.  FMS-help.com was one of the first sites about fibromyalgia on the internet in 1996, when there were only about six!   Now FMS-help.com is buried under thousands of other fibro sites, so I am always happy to hear from fibromites who find me.  Many times I think it is by "divine providence."

Dominie Bush
www.fms-help.com
dombush@bellsouth.net

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