We are the 300,000+ -- Lyme Disease Campaign

There are more than 300,000 new Lyme Disease infections annually, and the CDC and medical community is just now acknowledging this astonishing number, MUCH higher than their previous rates of "30,000 annual cases."

If you are one of the annual 300,000 diagnosed with Lyme Disease stand up and represent. The Lyme community is launching a photo campaign to get more media attention for Lyme Disease. They are asking for your photos.

It's simple and powerful, be a part of it here:

http://lyme300000.wordpress.com/

Dr. Oz and Fibromylagia

Has anyone else seen these Dr. Oz videos about fibromyalgia? I don't think they are new, maybe from 2012, but they seem to be making their rounds on the net lately:

Here are links to the clips:

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/fibromyalgia-real-illness-pt-1
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/fibromyalgia-real-illness-pt-2

Is it me or did he really explain nothing? He really just touches just too briefly on treatments, especially holistic treatments. And he calls it a disease, its not. Its an illness, a disorder, but not a disease. I felt the brain image thing was very confusing. Did that make sense to anyone else? I think an ENTIRE EPISODE should be focused on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, not just a few minutes, he really addressed nothing, and explained nothing.

I think this, from an article he wrote in 2009 for Opraph's O Magazinge, is a little more informative, but still he could devote a lot more to fibro:

http://www.oprah.com/health/Dr-Oz-Treatments-for-Fibromyalgia

What does everyone else think of Dr. Oz's coverage of fibromylagia?

Lifestyle Changes for Fibromylagia

I often talk about lifestyle changes and adjustments for helping manage fibro symptoms. I found this great link on about.com detailing the top 10 lifestyle changes. I've highlighted the list below, but it really is worthwhile to read though the article with details and more links for each.

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/copingwithfmscfs/ss/lifestylechanges.htm

1. Pace Yourself
I have learned to do this, I am/was a type A personality pre-fibro, so was always on the go go go, but have learned now to balance activity (work, errands, dinner out with friends etc.) with periods of rest. This keeps me from fibro flares. Sometimes going out to dinner on a Friday night means not scheduling plans on the following Saturday for anything. Or dinner out on a Tuesday means not going out on Wednesday as well.

2. Holding a Job / Disability
This has been a struggle, but I have noticed having a job to go to helps keep my mind off the fibro for a few hours, and helps give me more purpose for the day.

3. Change Your Diet
Big proponent of this, less chemicals and processed foods, more fresh fruits and vegetables!

4. Exercise
I have settled on yoga for this, it really, really helps! It gently stretches my muscles and keeps them active, but its not too strenuous, and I can pace myself. I think the meditative part of yoga helps too, calm my mind, and even helps me sleep easier.

5. Focus on Better Sleep
I think my natural inclination has always been to be a night owl, but I've learned that maintaining proper sleep habits is an ESSENTIAL part of managing fibro. I try to start settling down by 9:00pm and start heading to bed @ 10pm, aiming to fall asleep no later than 11pm.

6. Learn Coping Skills
I've learned to accept my fibro, learn what I can do, and can't do, how to balance my social life with the fibro.

7. Little Things/Changes Can Have  a Big Impact
Foods, clothes, drinking lots of water. I've learned changing my diet helps, paying attention to how my clothes feel on and changing those if it makes me feel better, and drinking lots of water daily, all help me manage my fibro. IT really is amazing how different I feel on days that I drink a lot of water vs days I do not.

8. Surviving the Holidays
I order online for gifts (the amazon wish list is an AMAZING tool that everyone in my family now uses!) I always bring a dish/foods to get togethers that I know I can eat, and I usually try to eat a bit before I go to a get together just in case there are a lot of foods and dishes there that are on my no-no list.

9. Manage Stress
I've learned to realize what in life is worth worry about and getting upset over (not much is worth the effort and accompanying stress I've found!) and the meditation and deep breathing exercises from yoga helps calm my mind and eases stresses a lot too. I'll even listen to some calming music during times of stress, which helps refocus my energies.I'm a sucker for the Tibetan Bells music from yoga :)

10. Find Support
I have found a local support group as well as a few online that are amazing. To speak with others with the same struggles, and share stories and successes makes me feel less alone with my struggles. I highly recommend http://www.chronicbabe.com

Meditation for Fibro Pains

The yoga classes that I enjoy the most are heavy in meditation, no wonder I am addicted to them, read this article about how meditation can help ease pain:

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/meditation/a/meditation_pain.htm?nl=1

Eat to Fight Inflammation

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/antiinflammatorydiet/a/Anti-Inflammatory-Diet.htm?nl=1

Therapeutic Teas

I LOVE the Traditional Medicinal teas! My favs are EveryDay Detox, Peppermint, and the Nighty Night. (For a limited time they have free shipping on orders over $65 at their website.) But you should be able to find these at your local supermarkets, a wide variety available at Whole Foods.

Here is their online store:

http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/

Anyone else have any favorites they enjoy?!

Yoga

Yoga is a stress-reducing, muscle-toning and spirit-strengthening exercise. It also opens your arteries and improves bloodflow.

I have a really difficult time with downward dog, really hurts my hands and I have a difficult time breathing (is supposed to be a restorative and relaxing pose!)

I was wondering if any fibro-mites have every tried anythiing like these wrist savers?

http://www.yogastickysocks.com/WristSaver.html

I love my yoga, I just have to sit out or do alternative moves sometimes :)

Massage Therapist for Fibro in South Florida

Yolanda Vargas, LMT
ORIGINS THERAPEUTICS MASSAGE THERAPY
(954) 661-6169
Coral Springs, FL

I Highly Recommend her if you have fibro and live in South Florida!

Learn more about her and her practice here:
http://www.mindovermatterhealthandfitness.com/massage_therapy.htm
Tel: (954) 661-6169  Tel: (954) 661-6(954)169

BOOK: Alternative Cures That Really Work

Compare therapies at a glance

I just finished this book. I only read through the chapters that pertained to my ailments, but I found it VERY worthwhile! I got it from the library, but went out and bought my own copy to have :) It takes 110 common alternative therapies and looks at scientific research on them for 21 different ailments. It rates them on a scale of 1-5 stars on how successful they were in scientific studies. It then will tell you also about possible side effects, where to find/what kind/guidances in locating.

The book was written as a collaboration between two doctors, Ronald Hoffman, MD - who is medical director of the Hoffman Center, one of New York City's preeminent complementary care facilities. And Barry Fox, PhD - author of "The Arthritis Cure" and editor-in-chief of the Nutraceutical Report.

What I found very interesting on a personal level was that for most of my ailments (fibromyalgia, insomnia, migraines) acupuncture rated very high on the list of successful therapies. I now have this on my radar to look into for 2011 :) Anyone else tried acupuncture for fibro?!?