Monday, May 31, 2010

FibroWHYalgia - review

FibroWHYalgia
By Sue Ingebretson

I have just finished this book, I have highlighted and dogearred it the heck out of it :) This is the most honest, straightforward and uplifting book I have read on fibromylagia. This book should be required reading for anyone and everyone diagnosed with fibromylagia! I am tossing all my other fibro books, this is the guide to live by!

Avoiding Sugar and Carbs

I have read over and over that well yes excessive sugar is bad for anyone, but for some reason fibromites often crave sugar, and its a vicious cycle, as sugar make our fibro worse. I have been able to wean myself off a good deal of sugar (sodas was my biggest hurdle.) And I have noticed a big difference in how much better I feel when "off" sugar :) I do occasionally use Truvia (stevia) in coffee or tea.

I also think there is a big connection with the amount of sugar and carbs that I consume and the constant, re-occurring yeast infections that I battle. So I am now going to try and cutback on the carbs I consume (ok yes, french fries will be my biggest hurdle here!) I am going to try and only consume good carbs (high fiber).

I read this article below, and this seems like a good guide (ok, except for the chocolate part!):

Eliminate these 4 foods completely from your diet:
(Mary Moeller's Fibromyalgia Cookbook.)
  1. Chocolate
  2. Carbonated beverages
  3. Coffee
  4. Alcohol

Along with changes in nutrition she encourages stretching, exercising and drinking 8+ glasses of water a day. Also, in Mary Moeller and Joe Elrod's book, The Fibromyalgia Nutrition Guide, they advocate a more complete list in order to overcome fatigue and feel your best. The 12 items to avoid are:
  1. High fat dairy foods
  2. White sugar and white flour
  3. Fried foods
  4. Preservatives, junk food, and salt
  5. Red meat (especially salt cured, cured bacon, smoked, or nitrate cured)
  6. Coffee and caffeinated teas
  7. Colas, soda pop, and carbonated beverages
  8. Liquid with your meals
  9. Alcoholic beverages
  10. All forms of tobacco
  11. Prolonged periods of direct sun exposure
  12. Nutrasweet and saccharine

More interesting info:
http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=8287

Wish me luck!

:)

Fibromyalgia a blessing?

When I initially started this blog, I thought my blog posts would be about my day-to-day pains and fatigues waxing and waning. But as the months have progressed and I have delved into all the research and information on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, I have found my blog posts more in line with holistic healing and alternative therapies and medicines. What I have found is that a healthy diet, a light exercise program, supplements, stress management and an interest in achieving greater personal health is the true regimine to follow for controlling fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue symptoms. The exact combinations of each will of course vary from person to person, and you need to experiment until you find a good combination that works for you. And you will have to be very aware of what your body is saying to you, and try to adjust accordingly.

When I was initially diagnosed with fibro and cfs I sought out support groups, but I have found these to be very depressing, as most of the people in them rely heavily on strong drugs. I have found that attitude makes a BIG difference in taking on fibro and cfs. All I heard from the support groups was how sad their lives were and 'woe is me', well I am not going to let fibro and cfs define who I am, I am not going to allow it to ruin my life! While I have found certain prescription meds that do help me, they are very low-levels and not heavy-duty pain relievers that constantly knock me out beyond my ability to function. If I am on heavy, heavy drugs that knock me out all the time then what is the purpose? Yes I may have no pain, but I am still unable to function in society! And I have a whole slew of side effects of the meds to boot! Not for me, I have chosen to seek out holistic and alternatives methods of treatment and healing.

As a result, yes I still battle fibro and cfs everyday, but I am very in-tuned to my body and its quirks, and how I can help control the symptoms naturally. I feel my normal and good periods are lengthening. If I manage my stress and what I eat, and I get light exercise (usu yoga) and take my supplements, I really feel very good! I'm generally MUCH healthier overall. Having fibro and cfs has forced me to make lifestyle changes that are good for anyone, with or without fibro, and I am a much healthier person because of it! So is it a blessing in disguise? That is has forced me to live a healthier life? To force me to slow down and smell the roses? I like to think so :)

Guaifenesin and Fibromyalgia?

Basically, Dr. St. Amand believes that fibromylagia is caused by the body's inability to process and phosphates, which then build up on a cellular level, bind with calcium and stay in the blood. Excess phosphates in the blood causes fatigue, irritability, depression and forgetfulness. When the concentration of phosphates in the blood becomes too high, the body dumps the phosphates into muscle cells, where they bind with calcium and become calcium-phosphate. The prescence of calcium-phosphate signals the muscle to move causing constant activity dyaa dn ight, year after year. Without rest the muscle will eventually spasm and cause the pain. Dr. St. Amand has found that guaifenesin, an ingredient found commonly in cold meds (Mucinex) helps the kidneys expel phosphate and relieve the symptoms of fibro.

Not everyone in the medical profession agrees with this, there is great debate over it all. But Guaifenesin comes from tree bark called guaiacum, and has been used for centuries to treat arthritis and rheumatism. And it isn't as easy as just taking the Guaf, Dr. St. Amand has a whole regimine for how it should be taken. You'll get worse before you get better, as you body cycles and gets rid of the chemicals.

Anyhoo, for anyone interested here is a better resource for more info:


http://fibromyalgiatreatment.com/GuaiProtocol.htm


I have not tried the entire regimine, but I occasionally will throw in Guaf (as Mucinex) into my daily meds, and it does help with my nasal and sinus problems, clears them up.

Upper cervical adjustments for fibromyalgia and CFS?

I have read about this in several resources, so thought I'd share it here. It involves chiropractic care, for those interested. It sounds like a good theory and has worked for a wide number of people for various ailments in addition to fibromylagia (migraines, epilepsy, hypertension, TMJ, ADD, herniated disks, allergies etc.). Basically, this adjustment re-aligns the top two vertebrae of the spine, the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2). Simply put, it restores the body balance and brain-to-body communication so that organs, limbs, and tissues can resume normal functioning. It can take several sessions, depending on the person. It is first determined through x-rays. Some trauma to the body usually brings on this mis-alignment, whether its an accident, emotional trauma or toxicity in the body.

More info:

http://www.erinelster.com/articles.aspx?ArticleID=275

Find a doctor in your area:

http://uppercervical.org/

Please remember to consult your physician before trying anything new. I am not a doctor and no information should be considered medical advice. Any information provided should not be used to take the place of advice from your personal physician or other professional. Links to other sites are provided for ease of research. Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of FibroChick. I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else will do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Green Tea and Fibromyalgia

awesome benefits of green tea - go for it!

Good article:

http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=15342

Feeling Guilty?

This is an interesting article, can totally apply to fibro & chronic fatigue, and any chronic illness. It did make me feel better to read:


http://arthritis.about.com/od/emotion/a/feel_guilty.htm

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Thursday, May 20, 2010

sodium lauryl sulfate?

Along with the joint pains one of my first symptoms of FM was also severe gum pains and reoccuring mouth sores (canker sores.) I had them at bay for a while (I avoid anything too tart, pineapples, I water down cranberry juice etc.) But recently I have had such a severe bout with the mouth sores, which seem to then bring about this awful pain in my gums and teeth, I cannot get rid of. I even switched to Toms "all natural" toothpaste and gave up on mouthwash. [I have also visited dentist twice, and even when I am in severe pain he looks in my mouth and says all looks fine!! So is not periodontal disease.]

So recently I came across a lot of info on: sodium lauryl sulfate, an how it is know to causes canker sores and skin irritations, as is found in most toothpastes, shampoos, face washes etc. Apparently is a cheap foaming agent. I have also had sores on my scalp, so this would explain those too!

Please remember to consult your physician before trying anything new. I am not a doctor and no information should be considered medical advice. Any information provided should not be used to take the place of advice from your personal physician or other professional. Links to other sites are provided for ease of research. Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of FibroChick. I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else will do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same!

Has anyone else had experiences like this and worked to avoid sodium lauryl sulfate? I am wondering if this is a flare up, or if I will need to avoid this SLS on a more long term basis? :(

sodium lauryl sulfate -- inexpensive and irritating for senstive skin/bodies

Its cousin, sodium laureth sulfate, apparently is much preferred both in shampoos and cleansers. Sodium laureth sulfate is more expensive, so some companies stick with the cheaper sodium lauryl sulfate.

Please remember to consult your physician before trying anything new. I am not a doctor and no information should be considered medical advice. Any information provided should not be used to take the place of advice from your personal physician or other professional. Links to other sites are provided for ease of research. Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of FibroChick. I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else will do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same!

Berries are some good, yummy nutrition!

http://nutrition.about.com/b/2010/05/18/strawberries.htm

Also from about.com: Nutrition:

by Shereen Jegtvig

If you have ever had the pleasure of picking berries right from a garden or gathering wild berries in the woods, you already know how wonderful fresh berries are.

Most berries are naturally sweet and require little effort to prepare. Just rinse them under water and serve for a nutritious snack or dessert. 

One cup of strawberries contains over 100 mg of vitamin C, almost as much as a cup of orange juice. We need vitamin C for immune system function and for strong connective tissue. Strawberries also add a bit of calcium, magnesium, folate and potassium and only 53 calories. 

One cup of blueberries offers a smaller amount of vitamin C, minerals and phytochemicals for only 83 calories. The same amount of cranberries is similar, but with only 44 calories, 1 cup of raspberries offers vitamin C and potassium for 64 calories. 

You can choose other berries with similar nutrition, such as loganberries, currants, gooseberries, lingonberries and bilberries.

More Than Pretty Colors

The pigments that give berries their beautiful blue and red hues are also good for your health. Berries contain phytochemicals and flavonoids that may help to prevent some forms of cancer. Cranberries and blueberries contain a substance that may prevent bladder infections.lutein, which is important for healthy vision. Eating a diet rich in blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries and strawberries may help to reduce your risk of several types of cancers. Blueberries and raspberries also contain

Choosing Berries

Every grocery store carries a wide variety of fresh, canned and frozen berries. Look for ripe, colorful and firm berries with no sign of mold or mushy spots. Berries can also be found in the frozen section of the grocery store. Once they thaw, they will not be as firm as freshly picked berries, but they are still delicious and good for you. For the freshest berries, try farmers' markets that offer berries harvested that same day. Some berry farms allow you to pick your own berries.

Ideas for Serving Berries

Most berries like strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are sweet enough to be served just as they are; however, here are some more ideas:
  • Top a bowl of berries with a dollop of light-whipped topping and a sprinkling of chopped pecans or walnuts
  • Add strawberry slices to a bowl of whole grain cereal
  • Sprinkle blueberries on a salad
  • Stir fresh raspberries into vanilla yogurt
  • Combine frozen berries with bananas and low-fat milk to make a smoothie
Most berries are naturally sweet, but some are too tart for most people to enjoy. Dried cranberries sold as snacks have some sugar added. Cranberry juice can also be combined with apple or grape juice to add sweetness.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Autoimmune disease and leaky gut?

Chronic inflammation is the underlying cause of most autoimmune disorders. But for many who suffer from autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia, the big question is “What triggers the inflammatory reaction in the body?” “A growing body of evidence suggests that virtually the same trio of factors underpins most, and perhaps all, autoimmune diseases: an environmental substance that is presented to the body, a genetically based tendency of the immune system to overreact to the substance, and an unusually permeable gut," said Dr. Alessio Fasano, a leading researcher at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (1).

Intestinal permeability or leaky gut syndrome are terms used to describe an inability of the stomach lining to absorb protein molecules. Instead of being absorbed and digested, these protein molecules circulate throughout the blood stream. Here, they stimulate the immune system, and, in turn, immune system cells react to their presence as they would to any foreign protein by initiating an inflammatory reaction that leads to autoantibody production and autoimmune disease development. Evidence for this theory includes the presence of gastrointestinal tissue damage seen in patients with a number of different autoimmune diseases including irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, thyroiditis, and fibromyalgia. In many of these conditions, a reduction of digestive inflammation correlates with a reduction or remission of autoimmune symptoms. (2)

“There are many foods that trigger digestive inflammation. Among the most common are wheat, milk, and beef. In order to discover exactly what which are the culprits, the best approach is to eliminate the suspected foods for a period four days to three weeks until the symptoms are gone and then add back them one at a time” explains Dr. Claudia Pillow, coauthor of The Gluten-Free Good Health Cookbook.

Recent research has showed that the risk of rheumatoid arthritis is inversely associated with consumption of omega-3 fatty acids (3) and some trials have produced benefits when patients eliminate cereal grains altogether and emphasize proteins rich in polyunsaturated fat, such as fish and nuts. These low-carbohydrate diets may help because they suppress growth of harmful or immune-active intestinal bacteria (4).


Please remember to consult your physician before trying anything new. I am not a doctor and no information should be considered medical advice. Any information provided should not be used to take the place of advice from your personal physician or other professional. Links to other sites are provided for ease of research. Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of FibroChick. I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else will do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same!

Good Nutrition Helps FiIght Fibromyalgia

Whenever possible, nutritional intake is the first choice to correct or balance your body levels. I’m sure you’ve found that recommended diets for Fibromyalgia and Fatigue patients vary depending on the latest book you’ve read. Confusing? Of Course! Below is a good, general guide to start with.

Successful management of your condition requires that you understand your body, take a very serious approach to managing your condition and adhere to some very basic health and nutrition principles.

Manageable Dietary Suggestions

3 balanced meals per day will help to maintain an even flow of energy. While some may find multiple smaller meals throughout the day tend to give you bursts of energy, the result may be an increase workload on the digestive system. For some, the multiple small meals throughout the day provide a means to maintain a consistent and controlled metabolic rate. Only through trial and error with close monitoring of your body’s reactions, can you determine the most advantageous pattern.

Eat Healthy! Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains all contribute to boosting your immune system. Avoid “Diet” products. Artificial sweeteners and many weight loss products, through extensive research, have shown they may cause a variety of symptoms and conditions such as joint and muscle pain, cognitive disturbances and hormonal imbalances. 

Balance Carbohydrate and Protein. Balancing your carbohydrates and proteins assists you to keep your weight in check through consumption of a reasonable caloric intake while not compromising nutritional value. Consult with your physician to determine your specific needs.

Ginger for Fibromyalgia and Inflammation

I have been taking Ginger for my fibro pains, and I think I may up the dosage and take 2x a day. It is inexpensive enough, and think it will help to with any tummy aches from meds or what not too :)

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/healthconditionsdisease/a/inflammation.htm?nl=1

Please remember to consult your physician before trying anything new. I am not a doctor and no information should be considered medical advice. Any information provided should not be used to take the place of advice from your personal physician or other professional. Links to other sites are provided for ease of research. Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of FibroChick. I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else will do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same!

Yoga and Fibro - good website links

The about.com: Yoga is a good resource, esp for beginners:

Yoga for Dummies book review:
 http://yoga.about.com/od/yogabooks/fr/yogafordummies.htm?nl=1

Yoga for beginners:
http://yoga.about.com/c/ec/1.htm?nl=1

Get thje yoga pose of the day emailed:
http://yoga.about.com/c/ec/19.htm?nl=1

Please remember to consult your physician before trying anything new. I am not a doctor and no information should be considered medical advice. Any information provided should not be used to take the place of advice from your personal physician or other professional. Links to other sites are provided for ease of research. Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of FibroChick. I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else will do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

FibroWHYalgia - I'm reading it!

I am about halfway through this book and can say without doubt it is EXCELLENT!!!! It really helps to read and be able to relate to another fibro sufferers battles and trials and discoveries. I really like the fact that even though a lot of what she is saying is common sense, she has put it altogether in a light and upbeat fashion, and has helped me affirm that simple lifestyle changes can have major effects on helping to overcome fibro. I have been very adament about not being pushed into taking a lot of heavy doses of prescription drugs, so reading her holistic methods has been very refreshing to me, A lot of what this author has written I have also discovered - that changing what I eat, reading nutrition labels, and really being aware of what I am putting into my body, can make a HUGE difference. In fact, I feel like the dietary part of the book could be extracted and published to be read by EVERYONE, as anyone would feel better by making these simple dietary changes. I am also even more inspired to get back into my yoga in some fashion. I know that there is no "cure" and we don't even know the "whys" of fibro yet, but seeing that it is possible to live a fairly normal life is truly inspiring and refreshing. HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book!!!! Get it today, you won't be sorry!!

Also, here is here website: http://www.rebuildingwellness.com/

Friday, May 14, 2010

Good idea! A Shopping Buddy!

I love this idea and wanted to pass it along, even though it is from a migraine blog, it does indeed apply to anyone with a chronic illness. Text is copied from this link:
http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/1-thursday-your-shopping-buddy/


A shopping buddy is someone who lives close by.  The idea is this – when you’re going to the store (ie the grocery store), call the other person and see if there’s anything they need.  That simple.

When my fridge is getting low on milk, or bread, or juice, and I have a bad day and I’m stuck in bed – all of a sudden I have a lot to catch up on.  Still not feeling well, I have a choice – catch up on work, that other errand I need to do, or finally get the milk before it runs out.
You’d be surprised how much a help it can be if you just call up your shopping buddy and say,"Hey, I’m just heading to the Green Grocery Market – can I grab you anything?"
And, of course, they can return the favour.

That way, you can feel like you’re helping someone else, and they can feel like they’re helping you.  And some days, it can take off a big load.

Make some ground rules, of course.  Don’t obligate someone to call you every time they shop (sometimes they’ll be in an extra hurry).  It helps to take note of some essentials – for example, what bread does your shopping buddy always buy?  What kind of milk?  If you learn some of the basics at the very beginning, you won’t need a long explanation every time.  Just hang on to that note of what brands your friend likes, and a one-minute phone call or text message is all you need.

You might be surprised how big a help this can be to both of you.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Costochondritis and Fibromyalgia

Got Fibro and have chest pains and or shortness of breathing? Maybe its costochondritis.

http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/fibromyalgia_chest_symptoms.html

Just an interesting link I found. As with any symptom, seek a physician's advice for proper diagnosis.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Fibromyalgia Slideshow from WebMD

This is a good one, especially to share with friends and family:

http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/slideshow-fibromyalgia-overview

Monday, May 10, 2010

Sleep and Fibromyalgia - "Alpha Delta Sleep"

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fibromyalgia/2010/04/23/dr-victor-rosenfeld-on-sleep-and-fibromyalgia

(Is @ 30 minutes, WELL worth the listen!!)

Sleep plays a HUGE role in fibromyalgia.

The first studies on firbomyalgia involved looking at sleep patterns in fibro sufferers.

Fibromites' delta waves (deep sleep) has alpha wave (awakeness!) intrusion!

Deep sleep/delta waves is restorative, so without it you develop fatigue, chronic pain, cognitive problems and more (sound familiar?!)

Interestingly enough, most Fibromites actually list fatigue and non-restorative sleep as worse and more debilitating than the pain from FM!

So what came first, the pain or the sleep disturbance? Do we not sleep because of the pain, or do we have the pain because we don't sleep....

Clinical studies are currently been done on Xyrem (http://www.xyrem.com/) which is a med currently being used for treatment of narcolepsy, but can be beneficial for helping fribromites treat their sleep problems. It is looking promising, so lets cross our fingers!

Please remember to consult your physician before trying anything new. I am not a doctor and no information should be considered medical advice. Any information provided should not be used to take the place of advice from your personal physician or other professional. Links to other sites are provided for ease of research. Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of FibroChick. I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else will do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same!

New fibro book - FibroWHYalgia

Has anyone read this book?? Looks and sounds interesting. I am curious.

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day - Info

Link for info:
http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer?pagename=community_awarenessDay2010

In the evening, R&B singer and new NFA spokesperson, Tony Terry, whose wife has fibromyalgia, will perform a special concert during the closing “Lights of Hope” candle lighting ceremony. Terry will also debut a new song from the National Fibromyalgia Association dedicated especially to the over 10 million people affected by fibromyalgia in the U.S. and 3-5 percent worldwide.

“Vigil Song” was recently adopted by the National Fibromyalgia Association as their official theme song and was re-recorded by National R&B Recording Artist Tony Terry to be performed on a national level.

Terry and Pasquale Talarico will sing “Vigil Song” at the National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day Walk of FAME and Wellness Fair and Concert hosted by the NFA and Cal State Fullerton’s Research &Education Center.


“I wrote ‘Vigil Song’ for my mom,” explained Pasquale. “I’ve seen her struggles with fibromyalgia, and it can be very debilitating. But, my mom told me to write a song that’s about celebrating and embracing, well, life, just like she does! She is an amazing woman, and an even more amazing mother.”

Pasquale Talarico has been a singer-songwriter for over 15 years in both local music acts and national bands. He is currently the Director of Campus Ministry at Servite High School in Anaheim, and also the Coordinator of Worship at the school, as well as an active worship leader in the Catholic Church.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Lunesta Feedback

I have found Lunesta to be working quite well for me:

1. I have found half the dose works best for me, so I cut it inhalf
2. If i drink cranberry juice that staves off the metallic taste side effect
3. I am having/remembering so many more dreams these days!!!
4. While a little groggy in the a.m. I do have a noticeable increase in energy the following day!

So far so good~

Please remember to consult your physician before trying anything new. I am not a doctor and no information should be considered medical advice. Any information provided should not be used to take the place of advice from your personal physician or other professional. Links to other sites are provided for ease of research. Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of FibroChick. I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else will do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same!

FIbromyalgia Clinical Trial

http://www.myfibrostudy.com/

Please remember to consult your physician before trying anything new. I am not a doctor and no information should be considered medical advice. Any information provided should not be used to take the place of advice from your personal physician or other professional. Links to other sites are provided for ease of research. Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of FibroChick. I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else will do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Lunesta Savings Program - IT WORKS!

SO, yes, my doctor called in my script for Lunesta like what 2 or 3 weeks ago?! And my insurance company made him pretty much jump through hoops over it. So finally TODAY my insurance "approved" that I can take it, and I was actually able to pick up my prescription. And while I have not tried it yet (will tonight! crossing my fingers for a good nights sleep!) But I am very glad to say that the Lunesta Savings program that I wrote about previosuly (on April 22) WORKED! I was able to apply $50 towards my cost (which is perfect since that is my copay!) I can't believe it worked, even though I have insurance! I am trying it FREE!!!!

Monday, May 3, 2010

XMRV testing anyone?!

Has anyone been tested for XMRV? I been reading more and more about it lately in
articles, and I have known there is a hereditary influence with the
fibro/cfs/autoimmune because my Mom also has, BUT I read an article which has
also linked fm/cfs AND prostate cancer to the XMRV virus. My Dad had prostate cancer.

http://wpinstitute.org/xmrv/index.html

I am wondering if I should get tested for the XMRV. Not sure which doc would
test?

I swear, sometimes I start feeling like a doctor, all the medical stuff I read
and try to digest and interpret! Anyone else?!?

Please remember to consult your physician before trying anything new. I am not a doctor and no information should be considered medical advice. Any information provided should not be used to take the place of advice from your personal physician or other professional. Links to other sites are provided for ease of research. Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of FibroChick. I offer what I can as help. I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else will do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same!

Song About Fibro & CFS

GOOD song/video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00BZCjVK_6I&feature=player_embedded

This Phoenix Rising video shows people who are living with ME/CFS.

The song was written by the keyboardist and lead singer of Cinder Bridge for a friend of hers who has ME/CFS.

http://www.myspace.com/cinderbridge


Also resource:

http://wpinstitute.org/

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

May 12, 2010

I designed some t-shirts, mugs, mousepads etc here, click though the pages:

http://www.zazzle.com/metexanvt

pages 5, 6, 7, and 8 have fibro designs...