DOM'S FMS/CFIDS NEWSLETTER
www.fms-help.com
MAY 1, 2013
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1. FIBROMYALGIA AWARENESS DAY - MAY 12, 2013
http://www.fmcpaware.org/awareness-day-2013 - FREE May 12 Fibromyalgia Awareness Day Event Kit!
FROM DOM: For my readers who have been around a long time, do you remember our Million Letter Campaign in 2005? You can read about it at www.fms-help.com/letter.htm.
2. FREE CFS TREATMENT GUIDE: MAY 10-12, 2013
http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=18021 - Snippet: "In honor of May 12th, International FM and CFS/ME Awareness Day, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Treatment Guide, 2nd Edition will once again be free. On May 10-12 this eBook can be downloaded on Amazon.com free of charge. Over 13,000 people have downloaded this book for free."
3. TELECOMMUTING JOB LISTINGS
http://cwahm.com/wordpress/work-at-home/telecommuting-jobs-listings/
4. HPA AXIS & FIBROMYALGIA
http://www.fibromyalgia-treatment.com/hpa-axis-fibromyalgia/ - Snippet: "Recent research has begun to narrow down the historically long list of possible causes of fibromyalgia. While many researchers believe that fibromyalgia is likely caused by the malfunction of the body’s internal pain processing system, other potential factors continue to generate interest as possible culprits. One such factor is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, or HPA axis, which refers to the complex interactions that transpire between the body’s central nervous system and stress hormones. Essentially, the HPA axis is a feedback loop through which signals that are sent by the brain stimulate the release of hormones that are necessary in order for the body to respond to stress. In its most basic form, the HPA axis works like this: The hypothalamus in the brain releases a hormone known as CRH, which then causes the pituitary gland to release the hormone ACTH into the bloodstream. From there, ACTH sends a signal to the adrenal glands to release a number of other hormonal compounds, including epinephrine (i.e., adrenaline), norepinephrine, and cortisol. Together, these three hormones allow the body to respond to a threat, by increasing blood pressure and heart rate, increasing blood flow to the muscles, and improving reaction time. Blood sugar levels also rise to provide extra fuel to the body. Once the body no longer senses that a threat is present, cortisol sends a feedback signal to the hypothalamus to stop producing CRH, which essentially shuts downs the stress response. Although the underlying way in which the HPA axis operates is identical among all individuals, the magnitude of the stress response can vary considerably from one person to another."
5. BAN ON INCANDESCENT BULBS BY 2014
From a reader--
http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/75548.html - Snippet: "Once Again, a Government 'Improvement' Makes Things Exponentially Worse - Here's an excellent summation by a Congressman from Texas of all the wonderful things we have to look forward to once we are forced by the Federal government to use only the new environmentally-friendly CFL light bulbs by 2014." Dangers of mercury contamination when these bulbs break. EPA requirements for disposal of CFL bulbs.
6. RUTAVALA FOR SLEEP - UPDATE
FROM DOM: I still use RutaVala as needed, along with my usual sleep meds (www.fms-help.com/what.htm). Valerian is what gives it an off-putting scent, but there are other oils in it as well, which make it okay, and for me the results are worth it. Put 2-3 drops in your left hand. Use your right hand fingers to apply the oil to the base of skull (brain stem) and then drag your fingers under your jawline on both sides toward your chin. Dab some on your ear lobes (both sides). Put a molecule or two on your your temples and one on forehead. Then rub your hands together and inhale the scent for a minute or two. This is what I do. Essential oils use the olfactory system to contact the limbic portion of the brain, where our sleep problems are from. Everyone is different in how they respond to essential oils. RutaVala is the only oil I've found that helps my sleep. Other people have reported that these oils help their insomnia: lavender, peace and calming, vetiver, valor, etc. You can read a LOT of testimonials about essential oils for insomnia at http://www.oil-testimonials.com/basic/insomnia. A list of the ones I use is at www.fms-help.com/oilsstore.htm.
7. HOW TO HAVE JOY
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ServantsofChristCrucified/message/5008 - Snippet: "Did you ever stop to add up the time and the money you spend just trying to cheer up your life? Think of the hours spent before the television screen or listening to the radio. Add the afternoons spent on the beach or at the ball gam, or the evenings at the movies or the bowling alleys. Americans spend billions of dollars and millions of hours every year just trying to be joyful. I wonder how many would consider holiness as a source of joy?......The saint is the most joyful of God's creatures. What is joy but the echo of God's life in us? And who echoes that life more perfectly than the saints? They experienced the meaning of our Lord's words: 'Your hearts shall rejoice and your joy no man shall take from you.' Not even martyrdom could steal away their joy!....Let us never accuse the saints of sadness. Sadness is the daughter of this world and the companion of the sinner. Sadness is never at home with the saints because joy is the keynote of their lives. No one lives so fully, loves so tenderly, and laughs so heartily as a saint."
8. FIBROMYALGIA & HYPOTHYROID
From a reader--
"I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia more than 25 years ago. A few years later I started seeking treatment for hypothyroidism. I had many of the symptoms, but my blood work repeatedly came back 'within normal limits'. It took me about 15 years to find an endocrinologist who diagnosed me with hypothyroidism based on my symptoms, despite my "normal" bloodwork. I was placed on a synthetic thyroid medication. This helped me a bit. After a couple years, another practitioner switched me to a natural thyroid medication, Armor Thyroid. I experienced great improvement in my hypothyroid symptoms, but also great improvement in my fibro symptoms. One symptom that completely cleared up, that I had never seen listed for either syndrome,was nausea, which I had great problems with. I still have some issues with both fibro and hypothyroidism, as I can only handle a limited dose of my thyroid meds. So I would encourage fibromites with symptoms of hypothyroidism to actively pursue treatment."
FROM DOM: I have had hypothyroid symptoms all of my life but was only diagnosed a few years ago by bloodwork. I take Levothyroxin and it's made a great difference in how I feel.
9. SCHOOL BANS GIRL FOR NOT GETTING VACCINE
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/04/23/chickenpox-vaccine.aspx - Snippet: "A Staten Island kindergartner has been barred from attending school because she hasn’t been vaccinated against chickenpox—even though her pediatrician refuses to vaccinate her on grounds that it may endanger the health of her baby sister. While highly contagious, chickenpox typically produces mild disease characterized by small round lesions on your skin that cause intense itching that lasts for two to three weeks. Recovery leaves a child with long-lasting immunity
Research shows a clear link between UV levels and the prevalence of chickenpox. The authors speculate that UV radiation can inactivate the virus, either within the lesions, or after the lesions rupture. Vitamin D produced in your skin in response to sunlight also provides anti-viral and immune-boosting benefits. Recent research concluded that the chickenpox vaccine has failed to provide long-term protection from chicken pox (vaccine efficacy had declined below 80 percent by 2002). Widespread use of chickenpox vaccine in the U.S. has increased the incidence of shingles in children and adults and is less effective than naturally acquired immunity that existed in the general population before the vaccine was licensed in 1995 and the CDC recommended that all children get the vaccine."
10. NEUROPATHY IN BODY & BRAIN AFFECTED SLEEP
http://www.oil-testimonials.com/essential-oils/8466/neuropathy-in-my-body-and-brain-affected-my-sleep - This lady's problem is due to inability to absorb B12 naturally. Here are specific essential oils that help her sleep.
11. WORK AT HOME JOBS DIRECTORY
From a reader--
http://workathomemoms.about.com/od/workathomecareers/ss/wahjobdirectory.htm
12. FIBROMYALGIA IS RUINING MY MARRIAGE
Comment from the fibromyalgia message board at http://www.healthboards.com/boards/fibromyalgia/606651-ruining-my-marriage.html--
"What ever happened to "in sickness and in health?" I guess some spouses never expected the sickness part to happen. That must be where the "worse" in "for better, for worse" comes in for the sick spouse; they get the worst from their non-supportive partner. Sometimes taking the non-supportive spouse to the doctor is helpful, but if they're in denial, it seems as though nothing will get through to them. Communication from any source is just more "talk" to them. I wish the best to any FM sufferer experiencing this emotional trauma in addition to their physical suffering. Make sure you seek out and find someone to vent to....even if it's here on the boards."
13. HERBS FOR HERPES & COLD SORES
http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/herbs_for_herpes.htm
FROM DOM: See my cold sore page at www.fms-help.com/coldsores.htm.
14. 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER SAY AT WORK
15. STRESS AWAY
http://www.oil-testimonials.com/essential-oils/8468/stressed-out-from-dealing-with-two-teenage-boys
FROM DOM: Different essential oils help different people. My list is at www.fms-help.com/oilsstore.htm. There are thousands of testimonials at www.oil-testimonials.com/905788. You would be surprised what people are using essential oils for!
16. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE MAY ADD TO ALZHEIMER'S RISK
17. SMALL FIBER NEUROPATHY MAY CAUSE FIBROMYALGIA PAIN
http://chronicfatigue.about.com/b/2013/03/27/small-fiber-neuropathy-may-cause-fibromyalgia-pain.htm - Snippet: "Neuropathy in us makes sense. It explains why medications known to improve neuropathy, such as Lyrica (pregabalin), work for some of us. It also explains the nature of our pain and the way it moves around. It also raises a new question - what is damaging our small fibers? Is it our immune systems, which would mean fibromyalgia is autoimmune? Do we lack an enzyme that aides in axon growth and repair? Is it a problem with cellular metabolism (mitochondrial dysfunction)?"
18. HELICRYSUM FOR TOOTH PAIN
http://www.oil-testimonials.com/essential-oils/8443/an-abscessed-tooth-never-showed-with-x-rays
19. DOMINIE'S BIBLE COLORING METHOD
http://www.fms-help.com/biblecoloring.htm - this is a fun and useful page on my site!
20. THE 8 MOST COMMON FOOD ALLERGIES
21. MODEL HUSBAND FOR WIFE WITH FIBROMYALGIA
Comment to the article about fibromyalgia and marriage at http://www.sharonostalecki.com/2012/fibromyalgia-and-marriage-a-difficult-companion/--
"I have had FMS since I was about age 40-45. I am 71 now. My husband and I have been married for 54 years. I think I have the best husband because he takes an interest in trying to help me deal with my handicaps. He reads up on FMS or watches TV shows about it and tells me things he learns. He doesn’t complain and goes with the flow. If I am extremely tired, he will encourage me to rest until I feel better. He jumps in to help me with projects at home like dinner, washing clothes, cleaning. I start things and have a hard time finishing them and he takes over when he sees me struggling. He is always thinking of me. Now that we are both old and having old age problems we are closer together in what we do. Many other people I know with FMS have ended up divorced as husbands couldn’t cope. When my husband got shingles, he said he finally knew what I meant when I said my clothes hurt. I thank God every day for giving me such a wonderful husband."
22. HOW TO NUMB A TOOTH WHEN A DENTIST ISN'T AVAILABLE
FROM DOM: There are SO many uses for essential oils. Here's a list of the ones I use and why: www.fms-help.com/oilsstore.htm.
23. "NO ONE REALLY BELIEVES I AM ILL"
FROM DOM: I saw this comment at http://chronicfatigue.about.com/u/ua/whatisfibromyalgia/explainfibroUA.htm - "Readers Respond: Making Sense of Fibromyalgia." Read this page when you think no one understands FMS/CFIDS. Ouch! These stories remind me of my life from 1982-1996 when my fibro pain was out of control. A list of things that I found (by trial and error) that helped is at www.fms-help.com/what.htm. I also have 100 Tips for Coping with Fibromyalgia at www.fms-help.com/tips.htm. Too bad there isn't just one single thing that helps each and every fibromite. We are guinea pigs, and this is an expensive illness ("Millionaire's Disease"). I have lots of helpful and supportive articles on my homepage at www.fms-help.com. I hope this year's Fibromyalgia Awareness Day on May 12 will bring more attention to our chronic invisible illness. In recent years I have sent out an email explaining fibromyalgia to my contacts. Of all the people I send to, only one non-fibro even responds. It gets discouraging.....and embarrassing. But I keep this newsletter going (since 1996) because we all need the support and encouragement....myself included.
24. CRUISE LEAVES MAN IMPAIRED WITH BALANCE DISORDER
http://globalgenes.org/rare-disease-mal-de-debarquement-syndrome-often-affects-quality-of-life/ - his wife has severe FMS/CFIDS.
25. OPEN CALL FOR DOCUMENTARY ON ME/CFS
A letter from filmmaker / PWC Jennifer Brea:
I am making a documentary about ME/CFS, and am reaching out to people living with this and related illnesses in search of subjects for the film. This project is inspired by my own experiences with ME/CFS.
We are looking for people living in all regions of the U.S. and internationally. In the short-term, we are especially interested in patients based in the northeast, from D.C. to Boston. We hope to represent the diversity of people with this illness in terms of race, region, gender, ethnicity, social class, severity of illness, approach to treatment, age, and length of time sick.
As we aim to make a film about interesting people who happen to have ME/CFS, rather than a film where ME/CFS is the main character, we care just as much about you as we care about your illness. What did you do, love, or care about before you got sick? What has your illness stolen? What has it given? How have you come (or not) to accept your new body? What challenges (health or otherwise) are you currently grappling with? How have you found a way to continue doing, loving, caring? How has ME/CFS been a teacher?
We are also interested in how ME/CFS affects the people around us: our parents, partners, children, friends, caregivers. If you are in that category, or if you have lost a loved one to ME/CFS, we’d like to hear from you.
The theme of the canary in the coal mine alludes to what I believe is the broader significance of ME/CFS. In the film, I will explore how the history of medicine's treatment of ME/CFS reflects problems with healthcare in general; what ME/CFS has in common (or not) with other more recognized diseases with neurological, autoimmune, infectious, and environmental components; and what ME/CFS has to do with the way we have changed our diets, lifestyles, and environment.
Our goals are to tell a good story, with images that are beautifully and professionally shot; increase empathy; and, especially for those of us who are home and bed-bound, make us visible again.
If you think you might be interested in sharing your story, please email info@canaryinacoalminefilm.com with the subject “Submission” and tell us a bit about yourself.
Thank you in advance for your support,
Jennifer Brea
Website: canaryinacoalminefilm.com
Twitter: @canaryfilm
26. i26 SAMPLER NOW INCLUDES i26 COMPLETE SUPPORT
CLOSING THOUGHTS FROM DOM:
I have been extremely busy these last few months with music students, recordings, church music responsibilities, proofreading and family gatherings. In May there will be two graduations of young relatives, playing for a funeral, hosting out of town company and preparing my students for our annual June recital.
I thank God for the functional life I now have due to helpful things I've found for dealing with FMS/CFIDS. I was diagnosed in 1982. I must manage my sleep, energy output, meds and supplements carefully every single day to avoiding crashing. I am still not able to travel more than an hour by car. This unfortunate neurological situation has been going on ever since I worked in a "sick building" with toxic mold and bacterial spores in 2005.
By God's grace and help, I have kept this FMS/CFIDS newsletter going since 1996. It is my heart's desire to keep fellow fibromites encouraged, uplifted and informed....until a CURE is found that works for ALL of us!
Dominie Bush
100 Tips for Coping with Fibromyalgia & Insomnia
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DOMINIE'S FIBROMYALGIA & CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME HOMEPAGE
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.
