DOMINIE'S NEWSLETTER
JULY
2003
Page 3 (Topics
21-32)
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.
21. SODIUM OXYBATE AND SLEEP
From immunesupport.com--
Research: The Effects of Sodium Oxybate on
Clinical Symptoms and Sleep Patterns in Patients with Fibromyalgia -
Fibromyalgia (FM) is associated with the sleep phenomenon of alpha intrusion,
and with low growth hormone secretion. Sodium oxybate has been shown to increase
both slow-wave sleep and growth hormone levels. This double blind, randomized,
placebo controlled crossover trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of
sodium oxybate on the subjective symptoms of pain, fatigue, and sleep quality in
patients with FM. http://go1.warp9ems.com/go.pl?tu=27889096-13639
From a newsletter reader--
"I have personally tried [pouches that you put
on your feet] and they do turn black. I also have sciatica, however the only
thing the pouches have done for me is to improve the quality of my sleep.
I usually do not have a problem sleeping, but when I have the pouches on I feel
extremely rested in the morning and my joints are not as achy."
This article from immunesupport.com is brought
to our attention by a newsletter reader--
Dr. Pellegrino’s latest book, "From Whiplash to Fibromyalgia" describes the
whiplash injury in detail and sets forth how fibromyalgia evolves from this type
of traumatic injury. All monies raised from the sale of this book are given back
to FM support groups, research, and advocacy efforts. The book is 130 pages (ORC
Publishing, 2002) for $15.00 plus $3.00 S&H (within the US). A copy can be
obtained by sending a check or money order payable to: ORC Publishing, 6651
Frank Ave. NW, N. Canton, Ohio 44720, or by calling 1-888-508-6604 to order and
pay by credit card.
[NOTE FROM DOMINIE: I got to
thinking about the onset of my FMS in 1982. Approximately 12-18 months
prior, I was involved in a car accident on a highway when I was coming home from
church at night. I was struck by a drunk driver coming from a side
road. After the impact, my car "flew" across the median and was struck by
an oncoming car going in the opposite direction. The drunk driver (lady) then
hit 5 other cars head-on by turning the wrong way onto the highway! The
police told me how lucky I was to be alive and was amazed that no one was
"hurt," although the highway was littered with cars. Although I was
declared "not injured" (there was no blood or guts!), my car was totalled.
I have sometimes wondered if this was at least partly the cause of my FMS
onset. I also had a sleep disorder since age 16. I am now 51.
Dr. Pellegrino refers in his books to an inherited predisposition to FMS, often
coupled with trauma as a precipitating factor. At the time of the
accident, I was in an emotionally abusive marriage and working for an
"impossible" boss at a law firm. I had no peace at home or at work.
I believe that all of these stressful factors brought about my FMS at age
30. My personal story is at http://www.fms-help.com/fibro.htm ]
24. POSSIBLE SUICIDE IN KIDS ON
PAXIL
25. SEASILVER TO BE AVAILABLE
SOON
Seasilver has been required by the
FTC to change their labeling and brochures, since they were not in compliance
with regulations. Seasilver should be available again by the time you read
this newsletter. A friend wrote the following to
me: "It's enlightening to see the comparison of how the FDA/FTC handles
a Life-Threatening Incident product by the Pharmaceutical Companies versus
the Life-Giving product of Seasilver. Please click on the
following link and ask yourself: 'If the FDA's role is to protect the
consumers from dangerous products, then why haven't they issued a
Restraining Order against this one?' Read on for just one
example....
Eating sugar and refined
carbohydrates can make your FMS pain worse!! Try an experiment
and aim for NO SUGAR in your diet. (If you do this, you will probably get
just a little sugar, since fructose, corn syrup and other sugars are in
most of our processed foods.) Sugars also abound
in fruits and fruit juices, so try reducing your intake of those
also. Many of us with FMS/CFIDS consume sugary products (candy bars,
donuts) to get quick energy, but that can be disastrous,
especially if hypoglycemia or yeast overgrowth (candidiasis) is an underlying
problem for us. Check out my 100 Tips for Coping with Fibromyalgia
and Insomnia at http://www.fms-help.com/tips.htm
From immunesupport.com's Tip of the
Day--
Here are some tips regarding medication use
from Rosalie Devonshire, M.S.W., and Julie Kelly, M.S., R.N., from their book
"Taking Charge of Fibromyalgia":
-Never take your medications without fluids. Take
a sip of water first and then the pill.
-One of the possible side effects of tricyclics
could be a dry mouth. A dry mouth for long periods can increase the risk of
tooth decay, particularly in people with Sjogren's Syndrome, so do not forget to
mention this to your doctor and dentist.
-Do not put your medis in a medicine cabinet that
will be exposed to hot, humid temperatures. It is not wise to leave them in your
car or purse where they might be exposed to heat build-up.
-Give up caffeine! It alters and interferes with
your sleep pattern. Do not forget that there is caffeine in tea, chocolate, and
cola drinks. Also, many over-the-counter pain and cold medications contain
caffeine (check labels carefully).
-Alcohol interferes with your sleep quality and
does not mix with medications.
-Nicotine can affect the effects of medications.
-If you are just trying a new medication, ask for
samples. Many FM patients complain that their drawers are filled with unused
medications.
From a newsletter reader--
"These past few weeks I’ve been suffering with
this urinary tract infection. He
said there was bacteria in my urine the first time and
the second time there were white blood cells that shouldn’t be there, I
guess. The first 2 antibiotics I
tried didn’t work. Then last
Wednesday (2 weeks ago) he put me on Levaquin, a
powerful antibiotic used to treat sinus infections, UTI’s, pneumonia, bronchitis. I had a terrible reaction to it…muscle
tightness, extreme fatigue, itching, headaches…and I was only on it for 3
days! After doing some research
online, I found a site called www.medications.com that has a site of
hundreds of complaints about Levaquin and the serious
side effects it’s caused in people.
Two days after stopping the
medication I went to the pool. In
the following days I started itching from head to toe. It was a reaction from the medication
because of being out in the sun.
Now anytime I’m in the sun for any length of time I start to itch. No one seems to know how long this stays
in your system but I’m assuming it’s quite awhile. I feel like I’ve been
poisoned. There have been numerous malpractice suits filed
against doctors for dispensing this medication when something else would have
worked. Physicians are dispensing it like candy and they’re not telling people
of the serious side affects. My doctor never once told me anything that might
happen while on it.It’s set my fibromyalgia back to the point where I’m sore all
over, especially underneath my breasts for some reason. It’s almost like I’m in
my pre-period state. This is just a heads-up for you or anyone you know that
might be given this medication in the future. People with fibromyalgia should
definitely not take it, as it affects the muscles and joints in the body and
give a person extreme fatigue. And we all know those with fibromyalgia don’t
need anymore pain or fatigue!"
[NOTE: Thanks to this newsletter
for a valuable warning! Just a thought, but you might want to try
a natural antibiotic--just a teaspoon in a glass of water. I was able
to get rid of a bladder infection by doing this. It can also be used
for yeast infections, etc. Write me at dom@fms-help.com for info.
I'm not a doctor, but this
natural antibiotic has helped me many times.]
29. GOT QUESTIONS? HERE ARE
ANSWERS!
From immunesupport.com--
Need a specialist in your location? Not
sure what sleep meds are the best? Don't know how to deal with the spouse, kids,
and dog? Who better to help you than your fellow readers at ImmuneSupport.com?
When you post a question to the message board, you can be assured of speedy and
helpful replies. Other people have been through the same struggles and are happy
to share their wisdom. It's easy, too! If you're feeling chattier, go to
the chat room and 'talk' to others in real time. You can let people know when
you'll be there by posting a note to the message boards. Just click on the
link below to find friends and support in the message boards and chat
room:
http://go1.warp9ems.com/go.pl?tu=30329017-14465
30. MARITAL HARMONY - AN EMERGENCY MARRIAGE
MANUAL
My marriage booklet for Christian wives is now
online at http://www.fms-help.com/marriage1.htm If you forget that web address, you can also access it from my
FMS/CFIDS HOMEPAGE at http://www.fms-help.com - look in the
YELLOW box on the left--it's the last link listed. Marital stress pulls
the immune system down. None of us with FMS/CFIDS needs unnecessary
stress in our lives. Hopefully this booklet will be helpful in keeping our homes
more peaceful. It is written from a Christian point of view and is
Biblically based. It is about what we WIVES can do to make our homes more
harmonious. (Remember, ladies, that only God can change our husbands, so I
am dealing just with what WE can do.) I need this advice as much as
anyone else, so I do re-read the booklet from time to time, and it always helps
me get my focus back on obeying the Lord in my marriage relationship and that
brings me peace and joy. Besides great advice I was given by people whom I
respect, this booklet also contains poems, inspirational articles, scriptures
and book recommendations on marriage. Enjoy!
31. SPIRITUAL UPLIFT CORNER
These Bible verses encourage me
greatly!--
"Though our outward man perish, yet the inward
man is renewed day by day. For our light afflication, which is but
for a moment, worketh FOR us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the
things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the
things which are not seen are eternal."
II Corinthians 4:16-18
"Blessed by God, even the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth
us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to COMFORT them which are
in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of
God."
II Corinthians 1: 3,4
32. DOMINIE'S PERSONAL UPDATE
I continue to do great using the immune
balancing powder and capsules for collagen support. I began 2 years ago and feel better now at 51 than I have
in my entire life. Some of the benefits I've experienced (beginning with
the 3rd week) have been: more energy and stamina, improved sleep, pain went
away, no more racing thoughts, no more gas and bloating, my complexion is
nicer and I caught only one brief virus/cold in past 2 years.
Prior to this, I had been sick very frequently
for long periods of time.
MY FIBROMYALGIA STORY
MY CHRONIC FATIGUE
STORY
100 TIPS FOR COPING
WITH FIBROMYALGIA AND INSOMNIA
I have also been using mineral sachets in my
drinking water for 4 years now. It helps keep my pH more alkaline which
helps my overactive bladder problem when I
become too acidic. I was getting tired of getting up 10+ times a night to
go to the bathroom! These sachets also provide you with ionic
calcium. I have even heard of people who couldn't lose weight because of a
calcium deficiency.
If you need a natural
antibiotic, please write me at dom@fms-help.com. I have been using a safe brand of colloidal silver, as
needed, for 7 years now when any infection tries to start up.
ESSENTIAL
OILS are helpful for sleep and lots of other uses. I
have used Young Living Lavender and Peace and Calming. I sometimes add
Lemon and Joy as well. I put these (non-oily feeling) drops on my
palms and rub some on my temples and under my nose. I am amazed at how
relaxed I become. For someone who has had "bed dread" for about 20 years
from chronic insomnia, these oils are a blessing! Write me at dom@fms-help.com for more information. I bought the "Essential 7" kit that has
7 of the most popular oils. Aromatherapy works on the limbic system of the
brain, which is tied to the olfactory system (sense of smell). Our
hypothalamus and other glands in the brain are part of the limbic system, which
is what doesn't work right in people with FMS. My THEORY is that the
hypothalamus has been affected by mycoplasmas (mutated viruses and bacteria)
which take over when the immune system is not functioning right. Then the
immune system goes into overdrive searching for the "invaders" but can't find
them since mycoplasmas hide behind normal cells. The body begins attacking
itself, which is the definition of AUTOIMMUNE
DISEASE. These include fibromyalgia, chronic fatigues
syndrome, lupus, MS, etc.
Regarding SLEEP
MEDS, I use 1/2 mg. of generic Ativan (lorazepam) and 1
generic Sominex (diphenhydramine HCL) about 1-2 hours before bedtime. On
rare occasions of extreme stress (like when my mother had emergency back surgery
last month and we were up all night in the ER), I also use a tiny bit of Ambien
for sleep. I generally don't like to take it in a regular dose because of
the rebound insomnia when you try to stop taking it, and also I don't like the
memory loss--but in an emergency it works.
I use HEAROS EAR PLUGS from Wal-Mart (best ear
plugs on the market, in my opinion, and very comfortable) and I wear a BLACK
SLEEP MASK if I am still sleeping after the sun comes up. (My husband says
he feels like he's sleeping with the Lone Ranger!)
I sleep on a MAGNETIC MATTRESS PAD that I like
very much. I also have a magnetic pillow. Be careful in shopping for
these kinds of items. They are expensive. Be sure you get a good and
reputable brand. You might try Magnetic Ideas. They are on the
net.
I also find it calming to put a cold pack on my
forehead or behind my neck when retiring for the night. I have a sort of
"cloth-covered" cold pack that I keep in the freezer for this
purpose.
Well, that's all for now! Contact me if you
have any questions!
Dominie
Bush
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