Good Fibro Info

Some good fibro links and info here, check it out:

http://www.healthline.com/channel/fibromyalgia.html

Coping with Chronic Pain

This is great, similar to the spoon story. This helps put perspective into how much you take on each day, making sure it is the right balance.

Enjoy spending your $1.00 everyday!

http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/13/use-100-to-help-you-measure-how-much-to-do/

A Good Resource

If you haven't already, check out http://www.patientslikeme.com/. It's is an EXCELLENT place to track your symptoms and treatments, and then be able to print it all out to share with your doctors! (Yay fibrofog won't thwart us there!) AND there are some good fibro forums too! There is a good ongoing post detailing the Foods FIbros should avoid. Super interesting. I would link to it, but you have to login to access it.

Meridian Tapping for Fibro?

This is very interesting to me. I have tried accupuncture before, I found that very relaxing. But at $45 a session also quite pricey to go too often! This tapping is based on the same principles, but is FREE for you to learn, and you can do it anywhere at anytime :) They say it can help with all kind of things, fibromyalgia, migraines, chronic pain, depression and more. I found some blurbs below and some links for additional info, including a link illustrating 9 basic tapping points. Enjoy!

www.MeridianTappingTechniques.com

Dr. Joseph Mercola, DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) runs the most popular alternative health web site on the planet, and is an avid proponent of MTT, he has stated on Twitter that "An option for excellent pain relief without any of the health hazards that typical pain reliever's carry is Meridian Tapping Technique or MTT."


MTT is not a cure-all, it is not magic and it is not too good to be true, but it has produced amazing results for many people and it is FREE to learn and easy to do. It's a no-brainer.

MTT is based on the assumption that negative emoitions disrupt the flow in the body's energy system. When energy patterns are disrupted due to physical, mental or emotional trauma, it is believed that the path of energy between neurons can be disrupted. Professionals that utilize Meridian Tapping Techniques ( MTT Professionals have found that when people release negative emotions, it may help the energy and photons (a type of energy) flow again and as a result people can experience some amazing improvements in what ever might be ailing or upsetting them.

By simply "tapping" on specific areas of your body that may include your face, hands and other parts of your body, it stimulates your meridian energy system in the same way that the ancient Chinese method of acupuncture has done for thousands of years. In fact, some former acupuncturists have found that they don't need their needles anymore - simply tapping on the right points, without needles, works just as well if not better. 

http://www.whatismtt.com/ 


Tapping Points Illustrated:


http://www.mercola.com/forms/eftcourse3.htm

Fibro Docs on Facebook

 This looks like a good resource if you are on facebook check it out:

http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=15401

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/

Good Books About FIbromyalgia

I have bought so many books about fibro really trying to get a grip on all this. I read this one, but it seemed kind of vague, but it was a good introduction to AutoImmune Disease and a good overview on everything. I can def see how this is a genetic thing, seeing my Mother and Aunts and Grandmothers symptoms in a lot of these diseases talked about:

Women and Autoimmune Disease: The Mysterious Ways Your Body Betrays Itself


When looking for books specifically addressing fibromyalgia I really wanted ones written by someone who has FM. It seems to me that unless you have it, you don't really get it! And I am impressed that even with fibro they were able to write their books. That's awesome. I have really taken my time to read through these, take notes, highlight, dog ear pages, go back to again and again etc. The two best references I have found for fibro have been:



The Complete Idiot's Guide to Fibromyalgia, 2nd Edition



The First Year: Fibromyalgia: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed

Next I need to tackle books on chronic fatigue. But I am too tired to do that today. (ha ha funny joke!) :) Happy Friday!

The NEW Criteria for Fibromyalgia Diagnosis - preliminary

WOW. Check this out, and take the survey to provide feedback on the NEW fibromyalgia standards for diagnosis:

http://www.fmnetnews.com/basics-news-criteria410.php

It's been 20 years since the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) published the criteria for the classification of fibromyalgia.

Supplements and Fibro - I'm Trying

So I invested in a pill box. Not just any pill box, but a 7 day with AM and PM. Its scary. But I manage to fill it quite well. Over the past 6 months I had read and read and researched and read and tested and tried many many vitamins and supplements. There are several drugs out on the market know to treat or help with fibromyalgia. I can address those later, when I have that energy. But I don't want to go the drugged up route if I can avoid it. So what I have found is my own personal "cocktail" listed below. And I have noticed that it does help, as one week I was too lazy to "organize" my pill box and thus skipped my supplements for 3 days, and boy did I feel the difference! I know that my body is healthier after being on these vitamins/supplements because I had a huge bruise that showed up 10 days ago, and already it is all gone! Usually a bruise like that would stick around so long that I'd have no choice but to be friends with it. And my hair and fingernails are super healthy too from all this, as they are growing at a phenomenal rate! And I have avoided recent rounds of the cold and some terrible flu that went around the office. Must be the Zinc! :)

*I am not a doctor nor am I claiming to be. Please check with your own doctor before taking any vitamin, supplement or prescription medicine to verify what is best for you. Many supplements, though they are natural products, can have harmful side effects when mixed, mixed with certain prescription drugs and/or your body's particular conditions. Please work with your doctor on what will work best for you.



A.M.

Ginko Biloba -- to help with fatigue and memory

Ginseng -- for energy

Malic Acid -- for FM specifically it has been shown to help with improving overall muscle performance, reverse muscle fatigue following exercise, increase energy level and improve mental clarity; it also helps boosts immunity, maintain good oral health, boosts metabolism and promotes smoother and firmer skin

Rhodiola Root - is supposed to help with energy, but after taking for 1 month I have not noticed a difference, so I have stopped taking

Milk Thistle -- good for liver cleansing

CoQ10 -- I took 200mg/day for 3 months, and have recently stopped taking (is a bit pricey!) and have not noticed any difference. So unless I start feeling more crappy will probably stop the CoQ10

Calcium/Magnesium/Zinc -- Was taking this combo until I read a great article on calcium and magnesium on how they can work together AND against each other -- http://www.absolutelythepurest.com/other%20parts/mysteryandmagicmagnes.html

Magnesium -- So now I am taking 1600mg/day of magnesium (UltragMag from Vitacoast)

Vitamin D3 -- I had a deficiency, as do most FM sufferers apparently, after 2000IU for 3 moths I am back within good range and will start taking 1000IU to maintain.

Vitamin B-12 -- for energy, not sure I have noticed a difference though

Prilosec -- OTC -- helps with acid reflux

Limbrel - script -- started taking at the same time as Mobic, and within 48 hours my pain went from a 10 to a 3!! Was not sure which or if both were helping the pain. And since this Limbrel is $50/month and the Mobic is $4/month I have stopped taking this Limbrel, and still have little pain....

Mobic - script (and on the $4 prescription list at WalMart!) -- seems to work well for the pain control.



P.M.

Magnesium -- 800 mg/nite

Fish Oil -- is just good for me all around

Flax Seed Oil -- is just good for me all around

Ginger -- I read somewhere this is good for joints, and I know it is good for nausea (sometimes the magnesium makes my stomach queasy)

Melatonin -- 5 or 10mg/nite to help me fall asleep (I tried Ambien, but while it did help me fall asleep, I just could NOT wake up the next morning when I took it! Kept oversleeping for work!!)

Nortriptyline - script -- for daily pain & migraine prevention, 25mg ($4 at WalMart!)

LoSeasonique - script -- birth control, continuous, so I only get 4 periods a year (helps tremendously with my migraine prevention)


Anyhoo, these above are what I've read about/researched and am trying, pinning down what does work and what does nto seem to for me. Again PLEASE consult YOUR DOCTOR before you try and of these. I am not a doctor, I am just writing about what I personally am trying an my results.

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!

The Invisible Disabilities Advocate

http://www.invisibledisabilities.org/pubs.htm

This book looks interesting, "But You LOOK Good" -- I've ordered it and will let you know.

Magnesium Deficiency?

Interesting article on how much magnesium affects our bodies:


http://www.absolutelythepurest.com/other%20parts/mysteryandmagicmagnes.html


I am really tempted to try the "Natural Calm"

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!

Second Chance with Saving Grace

Very Inspirational!

www.DianeDike.org - Second Chance with Saving Grace, Founder
Author, Speaker, Singer, Counselor, Rare Blood Disease Survivor

Stay Strong & Courageous!! 

Fav Fibro Links

Some good resources I have found:

• http://www.mdjunction.com/fibromyalgia -- a GREAT resource for reaching out to other FMers nationwide
• http://www.patientslikeme.com/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/community -- compare your symptoms, treatments etc. with others, AND create a diary of your treatments and symptoms, AND when time for doctors appointment it will generate all the info in summary for your doctor!
• http://www.fmaware.org -- good resource for FM magazine
• http://www.everydayhealth.com/ -- I receive their daily health tips, some are FM related, but all are very good overall health tips and articles, brief enough for everyday
• http://web.mit.edu/london/www/guai.html - its long and detailed but I found some interesting info in it, if anyone has a response to the info on this site please feel free to post, I am interested!
•  

 
 
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!