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FMS eNews 12/09/15

I have had a battle getting today's blog up and running!  I had difficulty in uploading the pictures and I kept being told there was an error.  However, determination and perseverance overcame the few tears I shed in the process and here it is, despite everything.  My husband told me I should give up doing it if it caused so many problems but I want to continue, for a while longer.

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WORDz for the WEEK

 237. For every chance you take spare a thought for those who didn't.

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Should You Eat More Protein & Vitamin E?  

We know that what we eat can have a big impact on how we feel, and new research puts forth a couple of nutrients that perhaps we should get more of. See what it says about protein and vitamin E's impact on our symptoms, below.
Also this week, a look at eating in general as well as food sensitivities, which we're prone to, plus a couple of new entries from the glossary.
Take care of yourself! 
Adrienne Dellwo - Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Expert

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Are "Natural" Sugars Any Better Than Refined White Sugar?

Although the harmful health effects of sugar are now indisputable, we are still eating an incredible amount of it.
In fact, the average American consumes three pounds of the sweet white poison per week! And it’s easy to understand why. As we’ve written about before, sugar is addictive, with some brain scans suggesting that it’s just as addictive as drugs like cocaine.
In light of this knowledge, many people are attempting to choose a “healthier” sugar, opting for the more natural sugar options at the grocery stores. You’ve probably seen many of these yourself. So what are these natural options—and are they any better for you than refined white sugar?  Read more.
The advantages of HONEY.

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20 Unusual Ways to Use Cinnamon

Nothing reminds us of the holidays quite like cinnamon does. But why restrict the aroma to Christmas cookies and wreath decorations? Cinnamon is one of the world’s oldest-known spices and is regarded to have healing properties by many cultures. Many of its benefits derive from the spice’s anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant prowess.
Cinnamon is no joke – it’s quite potent and can take your health to the next level. Whether you smell it, ingest it, or apply it, the health benefits of cinnamon are very real and more than skin deep. Try to incorporate it into your everyday routine to reap the most benefits. Not sure where to start? Follow one of the following 20 tips to get you going.
Brain Power Booster, Potpourri, Cholesterol Reducer, Pain Reliever - and 16 more benefits.

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This week’s fibromyalgia and ME/CFS news (week of September 7, 2015)

Top stories …
Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare says drug-maker Pfizer failed to report hundreds of serious adverse reactions caused by Lyrica and other drugs.
Griffith University (Australia) researchers find that critical cell receptors are damaged in ME/CFS patients.
A 40mg generic version of Cymbalta is now available to patients in the United States.
Thousands of patients left scrambling: Fear of prosecution prompts Montana (U.S.) doctor to stop prescribing opiates to fibromyalgia and other chronic pain patients.
This heartbreaking tattoo reminds us that we aren’t always telling the truth when we say “I’m fine.”
Also, Research news … Books … Helpful Links … Odds & Ends … Personal stories … Off topic …

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Monday Mindfulness – Week 7

Continuing to be mindful with Ian Peric of Priceless Vitality.



See you next week.

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Fibromyalgia 101: Where to Find Reliable Information Online

Take two steps in the shoes of someone suffering from fibromyalgia and you’ll quickly realize it can be a painful, lonely road filled with more questions than answers. Fibromyalgia is often referred to as an invisible illness because the symptoms usually aren’t readily apparent to an outside observer. These symptoms include widespread pain, chronic fatigue, sleep problems, cognitive problems (i.e. memory loss or difficulty focusing), mood issues and much, much more.

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The Post Infectious Syndromes Pt I

They came down with infection and never got over it. They’re experiencing fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, muscle and joint aches, headaches, sleep problems, weight loss and vision problems.  They’re not ME/CFS or fibromyalgia patients – they’re Ebolavirus survivors – but the resemblance is uncanny.
The Ebolavirus outbreaks are prompting examinations of the viruses after- effects in survivors. Given the high incidence of infectious onset in both chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and fibromyalgia any examination of a post-infectious illness is interesting.
This blog  the first of two – focuses on three of these: post-infection Ebolavirus syndrome, post-infectious mononucleosis and Giardia syndrome.  It asks if the symptoms, course and possible causes of  these post-infectious disorders are similar or different?
Does one central post-infectious illness exist or are there many separate ones?
Read more

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The High Cost of Fibromyalgia

"The aim of this review is to find and highlight the hidden but alarming data about the difficulty of the diagnosis and management of FM"Ghavidel-Parsa et. al?
[Cort]  The widespread pain and the many other symptoms (fatigue, post-exertional malaise, poor sleep, fibro-fog, gut problem, etc.) found in FM make it by any assessment a difficult disease to deal with. But how much of a burden does fibromyalgia actually place on patients and society at large? With an increasing focus being placed on using "burden of illness" to assess funding levels it's a good time to take a look at the costs FM imposes.

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Herbs for Memory

Many people associate memory loss with ageing. But whether it's occasional forgetfulness or loss of short-term memory, one must be aware that there are specific factors that can cause it even at a young age instead of simply attributing memory loss to a natural decline in cognitive functioning. These causes include alcohol, drug or tobacco abuse, certain medications, sleeplessness, stress and depression, nutritional deficiency, head injury, stroke and dementia. [1] Whether to prevent or
treat memory loss, these natural herbs have served as timeless aids:
Top 10 Herbs For Memory
  1.  Gingko Biloba
  2.  Ginseng
  3.  Rosemary
  4.  Sage
  5.  Green Tea
  6.  Rhodiola Rosea
  7.  Bacopa
  8.  Gotu Kola
  9.  Periwinkle
  10.  Blueberries
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Home Remedies For Back Pain

The most common cause of back pain is tight, strained muscles. Whether it’s from sleeping in an awkward position, a pulled muscle or from overwork, the following home remedies for back pain might help alleviate some discomfort. Please note – if the back pain is severe, lasts more than a week, comes with a fever, lower body numbness, incontinence or other symptoms, seek medical assistance immediately. Note also, this article is not medical advice nor a substitute for professional medical evaluation.
Chamomile Tea, Get Some Sleep, Sort Your Bed Out, Massage, Stretch and Press, Practice Better Breathing, Apply a compress, Pain reducing foods, Painkillers In Your Kitchen, Use Topical Analgesics

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Would a TENS unit help improve fibromyalgia pain?
Answers from Jeffrey M. Thompson, M.D.

Possibly. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a therapy sometimes used to treat localized or regional pain. During TENS therapy, electrodes deliver electrical impulses to nearby nerve pathways — which can help control or relieve some types of pain. TENS is often used to treat osteoarthritis and chronic and postoperative pain.

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Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia, otherwise known as fibromyalgia syndrome, is pronounced 'fybro-my-aljya'. It is a collection of symptoms including feelings of fatigue and the sensation of pain across the whole body.
On this page
  1. Fibromyalgia overview
  2. Symptoms of fibromyalgia
  3. What causes fibromyalgia?
  4. Diagnosing fibromyalgia
  5. Treatment for fibromyalgia
  6. Fibromyalgia and lifestyle
  7. Fibromyalgia diet
  8. How can a nutritionist help with fibromyalgia?
  9. Further help
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Despite frustration


With every good wish to everyone

Stella
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or leave your comments below under Post a Comment

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 N.B. The links on this my FMS eNews blog are in the BROWN text, usually in the title of each article but occasionally elsewhere too. Some titles have no links in which case the title is in PURPLE like the dividers.  This blog gives just a taster of each article which can be viewed in full through its link.  If you have any navigation problems, let me know.
I would like to point out to you that the information in my FMS eNews blog is passed on to you mainly from other sources. Links are given to the original articles. I take no responsibility for their accuracy but freely give them publicity if I think they might be of interest to my readership. Sites I refer you to are for information only. They might conflict in their opinions, they might not even be medically sound, but I merely offer them for you to peruse and make your own judgements, accept or reject as you will. Only by reading widely can we get an overall picture of fibromyalgia syndrome and how we can deal with its symptoms, learn to cope with them and still have a life. Any advice or recommendation of a medical or legal nature should always be discussed with a qualified professional.
I also include various awareness items, benefits issues, as well as general health considerations. Anyone wishing to reproduce any of the included items in printed form should seek permission from the originators.
Wordz for the Week are from ‘Wordz for the Day’ by Donnie Kuhn, Sr. who died in May 2011.
This eNews is my personal offering to fibromyalgia sufferers and their carers and is not related to any other organisation or charity.
If you don’t already get reminders when each new FMS eNews is posted, please send an email to fmsstella@gmail.com and you will be added to the emailing list.

Posted by No comments:

FMS eNews 05/09/15

This week I have downloaded and am attempting to use Windows 10.  It is quite a bit different from Windows 8 and 8.1.  Another learning curve!
 

Today is the beginning of FM Awareness Week.  There hasn't been as much preparatory activity as there was for May 12th but I hope you are doing your bit to raise awareness, wherever you are.

It looks like someone has already done the research I suggested last week. See "23andMe" below.  As you will also see LDN is the most popular treatment for fibro. Read Melissa's story too.

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WORDz for the WEEK

236.  Life consists not in holding good cards, but playing those you hold well.

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What Patients Say Works for Fibromyalgia
In a surprising finding, patients who live with the painful disorder fibromyalgia have reported that commonly prescribed drugs for this condition actually make their symptoms worse. This is according to a new study by CureTogether, a free resource owned by 23andMe that allows people to share information about their health and treatments.
People in the study said they found that lifestyle changes like rest, heat, and various ways of reducing stress offered the most effective relief. In addition many of those surveyed said that the drug Naltrexone at a low dose worked well. Conversely, well-known fibromyalgia drugs such as Lyrica, Savella, Cymbalta, and Effexor, were reported to worsen rather than improve patients’ symptoms, according to the study.
Read more

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Taking Better Care of Yourself

When you've got these illnesses, good self-care is essential. It can be hard, especially on our worst days, but if we slack too much, we only give ourselves more baddays, right? Below, you can get a look at a few things it's important to keep up on, even when you spend the whole day in bed.
Also this week, we'll look at self-efficacy as a coping skill as well as some other ways you can do the things your body needs ... or just wants.
Take care of yourself!
Adrienne Dellwo - Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Expert

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Link Between Muscle Spasms and Fibromyalgia - Top 4 Effective Treatments

 Most of us have problems with muscle spasms and pain every now and then, but people with fibromyalgia syndrome often make a complaint of this frustrating happening as an on-going trouble. The muscle spasms can surprisingly appear and vanish whenever they want and take place in any muscle tissue, but most often they appear in the legs and back.
Continue Reading

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15 Mental Tricks That Fight Pain
People who suffer from temporary or chronic pain can utilize mental techniques to mollify some of their agonizing symptoms. In scientific studies, patients who suffered from severe injuries mentally envisioned increased blood flow to the site of injury, and ended up expediting the healing process. This is a prime example of what the human body is truly capable of.
Continue Reading

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6 Foods That Fight Pain

There are a number of reasons to avoid taking aspirin or ibuprofen often. You may be seeking alternatives because you experience pain but like to stay away from conventional medicines. Alternatively, you could be someone who just learned about the potential dangers that come with taking Aspirin and ibuprofen regularly and are ready for something different. Ibuprofen and Aspirin have been linked to anemia, DNA damage, heart disease, hearing loss, hypertension, miscarriage and even influenza mortality (these are just 7 of the over 24 adverse health effects its been connected with.) . . . . .
. . . . Since nature already provides us with what we need to deal with ailments we might have, why not try them? They may work better for you versus the synthetic
options!
     1. White willow bark:
     2. Capsaicin:
     3. Boswellia:
     4. Cat’s claw:
     5. Omega-3 fatty acids:
     6. Curcumin:
Read all about them.

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This week’s fibromyalgia and ME/CFS news (week of August 31, 2015)

 More bad news for patients who are suing drug-maker Eli Lilly and Co. over Cymbalta’s withdrawal symptoms: “A Virginia federal judge on Friday, [August 28], found that two women suing Eli Lilly and Co. for allegedly misrepresenting the withdrawal risks of its antidepressant drug Cymbalta had failed to present enough jury evidence to support their fraud claims…,” according to Law360. Unfortunately, Law360 requires a paid subscription to read the rest of the article. (Sorry, I wasn’t able to find a comparable story on free media.)
Canadian man arrested after stealing 6-year-old’s birthday card and money. His excuse? He was suffering from Cymbalta’s withdrawal symptoms. (No, I’m not joking.)
Also#;-  Research news … Interviews … Personal stories … Recovery … From the blogosphere … Advocacy … In case you missed it… Off topic … Top stories …

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PDF Version of the mag

 Beth asks specifically that you read her editorial on page 5.

September brings us Invisible Awareness Week. 
As promised last month, we are focusing in on Awareness throughout this issue.  Not only what is being planned but also what has already been achieved by so many individuals and groups since our May events. 
We all started our journey thinking we were alone but from joining online support groups have discovered there are so many more people who also face this debilitating and life changing condition.
Read more

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Monday Mindfulness – Week 6

Continuing to be mindful with Ian Peric of Priceless Vitality.


See you next week.

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Cellular Havoc: Zeroing In On The Sleep Problems in Fibromyalgia?

You know you’re in for a different type of study when the lead author hails from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at his University. This isn’t your usual kind of biology. No human subjects immediately needed – just studies and studies and computations and computational. It’s called computational biology and if, Gordon Brokerick and Travis Craddock at at Dr. Klimas’s Institute of Neuroimmune Medicine are correct, it’s going to revolutionize our understanding of the human body.
This is the first time, that I am aware of these techniques have been used in fibromyalgia.  They picked a good symptom to try them out in – sleep. Numerous studies have shown that depriving a person of good, deep sleep doesn’t just make them tired – it ramps up their sensitivity to pain as well.

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How To Get A Drug Trial Funded for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome


We in the U.S. looked on in dismay as Norway ponied up some major krone (Norwegian dollars) for a large Rituximab ME/CFS trial while the mighty U.S. medical establishment sat on its hands. It wasn’t just weird – it was embarrassing.  Here was a potential breakthrough in a disease that everyone in the federal establishment said is a priority for them – yet not a finger was moved. When even Simon Wessely asserted that Rituximab should get a trial – and the U.S. still stayed mute –  something seemed very wrong.
In retrospect the reason seemed clear: the federal government doesn’t do drug trials – they are the purview of the pharmaceutical companies. In the U.S. the marketplace rules. If you can get a drug company to pay for a drug trial you have a shot. If you can’t get a drug company to do that you’re out of luck…
That sounded right ( it made me feel a bit better  but in fact it was completely wrong. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) does fund drug trials and it’s doesn’t just fund a few of them – it funds lots of them.
In retrospect that only makes sense. Why would the biggest medical research funder in the world leave the fruits of its labors – treatments – entirely in the hands of drug companies? Why would it leave the marketplace entirely in charge of such a vital factor? It wouldn’t and it doesn’t. The National Institutes of Health spends a nice chunk of change on drug trials every year.

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The Ron Davis/OMF Severely Ill ME/CFS Project Is On!


A bright, bright light is about to shine on the most severely ill among us. The first part of the ME/CFS Severely Ill Big Data Study has been fully funded. It didn’t take long. The Davis’s kicked off a funding drive for the Severely Ill project about a month ago at their home. A couple of days later they received a $500,000 donation in the mail. (Imagine opening THAT letter….How does a $500,000 donation come? In the form of $500,000 check.). The Open Medicine Foundation just announced that that plus other donations plus a check for $350,000 dollars gave a green light to the ambitious, million dollar project.
The project will undertake an exhaustive search for molecular biomarkers in home and/or bedbound patients with ME/CFS.  Each patient will receive approximately $25,000 worth of tests. By the time this study is done it’s likely that no patients in any other disease will have received the amount of study these patients will have.
I asked Stanford’s top immunologist, Mark Davis, about  this big search  effort for biomarkers. He said that the NIH – a hypothesis driven institution – doesn’t get the idea of a big open-ended search effort like this, but that he thought this was the way to go in an under-researched field like ME/CFS.

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Diet & nutrition for optimal health
If you are looking for dietary advice for supporting general health and how you can use foods to help prevent chronic inflammation and long-term illness, then you’ve come to the right place. If you have an existing health condition and would like to know more about nutritional support for this, more specific advice can be found on our health pages.
A diet that promotes health and prevents inflammation is one that contains an abundance of natural, unprocessed, seasonal, organic, whole plant foods; a broad range of wild, grassfed or pastured organic animal proteins; plus an array of ‘good’ fats.

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Tattoo with a hidden message highlights the invisible battle faced by people with depression


A young woman has brought attention to the invisibility of depression - by getting a tattoo which sends out two opposing messages depending on how you look at it.
The tattoo on her leg appears to say "I'm fine" when read by someone looking at her, but reveals its true secret to its wearer when she looks down at it, reading "Save me" instead.
Bekah Miles, a 21-year-old US student who has struggled with depression for some years, got the inking on her leg to start a conversation about mental health and give voice to her experience.
She said in a Facebook post which has been shared more than 200,000 times that the topic was very difficult to talk about.
"So today, I got this tattoo. I feel that my leg was the best place for the meaning behind it. When everyone else sees it, they see 'I’m fine', but from my viewpoint, it reads 'save me’.

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An LDN User Story: Mellisa Miller Shares Her Experience Using LDN for Fibromyalgia


Mellisa Miller, who lives in Kentucky, USA, offered to share her story about her experience using LDN as a treatment for her fibromyalgia:
I became a nurse (LPN) in 1991 and I loved every minute of it. In 2002, while working as a dialysis nurse, I began having bilateral elbow pain and stiffness. I thought it was from the work I was doing at the time: lifting and transferring our patients, lifting and carrying supplies. I thought that I had just over-extended my arms/elbows. Then, before I knew it, I had pain and stiffness in just about every joint, also fatigue that was worsening each day. This had a major effect on me, my family, and my career. My husband was an active duty army helicopter pilot at the time, we were raising two daughters and I was working as a dialysis nurse. I cut my hours back at work, but that didn't help, so I tried working at another nursing job. Things seemed to get worse with that-- more pain and more fatigue. I was diagnosed with severe fibromyalgia in 2004 by the third rheumatologist I had seen within two years. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . I would love for every fibromyalgia sufferer and chronic pain sufferer out there to know the facts about low dose naltrexone and the possibilities it has for chronic pain relief. I cannot tell you how much this one medication has made a difference in my pain relief and my LIFE. I want to spread the word about LDN so that those who don’t know about it will learn from my experience. Believe me, it is so worth taking a chance! Read more.

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Protect Yourself from Acetaminophen Liver Damage - by Suzy Cohen on August 29, 2015

Known generically as “acetaminophen” or “paracetamol,” this is one of the leading pain relievers in the entire world. It’s probably in every medicine cabinet (including mine), right next to my ibuprofen.
Most people know ibuprofen can hurt the gut, whereas acetaminophen impacts the liver. Today I want to focus on protecting you if you like to take acetaminophen. There are ways to prevent liver damage. Many years ago, probably in 2001, I warned you all to take a certain supplement called “NAC” if you needed to take acetaminophen routinely, in order to protect your liver and restore glutathione levels. Glutathione is an antioxidant that has anti-cancer activity.  I was right about NAC, and today, 14 years later, conventional physicians are starting to recommend NAC too. . . . .

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I must leave you now - until next week -

My fondest wishes to you all

Stella

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Contact: fmsstella@gmail.com
or leave your comments below under Post a Comment

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N.B. The links on this my FMS eNews blog are in the BROWN text, usually in the title of each article but occasionally elsewhere too. Some titles have no links in which case the title is in PURPLE like the dividers.  This blog gives just a taster of each article which can be viewed in full through its link.  If you have any navigation problems, let me know.
I would like to point out to you that the information in my FMS eNews blog is passed on to you mainly from other sources. Links are given to the original articles. I take no responsibility for their accuracy but freely give them publicity if I think they might be of interest to my readership. Sites I refer you to are for information only. They might conflict in their opinions, they might not even be medically sound, but I merely offer them for you to peruse and make your own judgements, accept or reject as you will. Only by reading widely can we get an overall picture of fibromyalgia syndrome and how we can deal with its symptoms, learn to cope with them and still have a life. Any advice or recommendation of a medical or legal nature should always be discussed with a qualified professional.
I also include various awareness items, benefits issues, as well as general health considerations. Anyone wishing to reproduce any of the included items in printed form should seek permission from the originators.
Wordz for the Week are from ‘Wordz for the Day’ by Donnie Kuhn, Sr. who died in May 2011.
This eNews is my personal offering to fibromyalgia sufferers and their carers and is not related to any other organisation or charity.
If you don’t already get reminders when each new FMS eNews is posted, please send an email to fmsstella@gmail.com and you will be added to the emailing list.
Posted by No comments:

FMS eNews 29/08/15


Last week I asked if anyone had used LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone).  I had no response!  If you have used LDN please send me an email now and tell me of your experiences, good or bad.
Listen to Dr Jill Cottel talking about the use of LDN.  See under Vimeo below.
Also Facebook has a page for LDN Research.
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This week I have had another request from a lady who is a hypnotherapist.  She would like to know of anyone who has tried this to treat FM or ME.  She says "I saw that you were prepared to request info.  I hope you will consider doing this for me, as I am so committed to finding methods that will help.  
If  there are useful responses, I will collate these and will report back.  I would like to know:
1.  Have you tried hypnotherapy?
2.  If you did, was it for a specific symptom such as sleep problems, or maybe it was more general, or for something else entirely (not about your Fibro or ME/CFS).  Please do not give me personal details or in depth information.  It would be helpful to know, eg Managing pain, General relaxation, panic attacks, Getting off to sleep, and so on.  
3.  Did it help you?
4.  If it did not help, why do you think that was?
5.  If you have not tried hypnotherapy, why is this – you might think it does not work, perhaps you are concerned about some aspect of it, do not know how to go about it – or similar.  Again, please do not give personal details, stay general!
It is not necessary to give your name or details, just contact via Stella.
If enough people are able to make contact, I would be more likely to collate valuable info.  If this happens, I’ll be happy to let you know what I find."

 We could be instigating some useful research here.  Please help if you can.  It would be advantageous if results of ANY treatments, medicinal or alternative, were to be submitted, to see if we can establish what is actually helping people with FM or ME (please say which), or is having any adverse effects.
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WORDz for the WEEK

 235.  The journey in between what you once were and who you are now becoming is where the dance of life really takes place.
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 Take Control of Your Joint Pain & Most Feared Life Threatening Chronic Diseases

 While Boosting Your Vitality, Energy Levels & Mental Clarity so that You Can…
“Live & Move Freely in as Little as 14-Days”
The Best Part:  You’ll Eliminate Dangerous Pills, Painful Shots, Waiting Rooms & Going Under the Knife

Read the article to find a solution.  Green Tea, Pistachios and Kiwi are highly recommended.

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5 Delicious Ways to Get More Lycopene Into Your Diet

 Lycopene is a phytochemical that has plenty of potential health benefits. Today I give you a list of five foods that are great sources of lycopene. I've also got a list of lutein sources and 5 ways to improve a bad diet right away.
Shereen Lehman, MS - Nutrition Expert
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 7 Tips for Restless Legs Syndrome

 Dancing in the dark?  Muscle movements are regulated by dopamine (a neurotransmitter) in the brain and spinal cord.  Dopamine tells leg muscles to relax at night, so without enough dopamine, muscles can remain hyperactive.  In order to make dopamine, you need amino acids (either phenylalanine or tyrosine) from protein, and you need iron.

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 Figuring out Fibromyalgia
Maggie says she has suffered from fibromyalgia for more than 10 years. She explains how difficult it was to get an accurate diagnosis, because X-rays and blood tests revealed no answers. Maggie describes how the chronic pain she experiences in her legs, hips, arms, wrists and head make it difficult for her to enjoy her life like she used to. She adds that a lack of information regarding fibromyalgia makes her situation even harder for her.
“It’s awful, because people just don’t understand,” she says. “It’s been going on for so long that people think I’m just making up my symptoms.”
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain and tenderness, which can be accompanied by fatigue, impaired memory and other physical issues. Additionally, fibromyalgia may occur with other chronic pain conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but researchers believe it could be the result of several factors, including genetics, illness and physical or emotional trauma, which lead to an abnormal processing of pain.
Watch the video.
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 LDN Research Trust - Low Dose Naltrexone

 TO RAISE AWARENESS OF LDN
To help people with all autoimmune conditions. 
To raise funds to enable LDN to be clinically trialled. 
To ensure that LDN can be made readily available on the NHS.
LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) has been used successfully in the treatment of autoimmune conditions since 1985. This safe, inexpensive, generic drug could potentially treat 100,000's of those who suffer from life limiting conditions such as MS, Cancer, HIV/AIDS, Fibromyalgia, Autism, Crohn's, Parkinsons, Bipolar Disorder, Alzheimers and many more medical conditions.
The LDN Research Trust is a non-profit making UK registered charity, run solely by volunteers who are all working towards making LDN available to everyone who could benefit from its use.
LDN is a "Prescription Only" medication.
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 Monday Mindfulness – Week 5

 Continuing to be mindful with Ian Peric of Priceless Vitality.

See you next week.
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 Conditions Associated with Fibromyalgia
In many cases, fibromyalgia is accompanied by other illnesses. In fact, there are specific medical conditions that do increase the likelihood that you will, at some point, develop FMS. 
Continue reading

 Other articles:-
Fibromyalgia Itching

 Fibromyalgia and Dizziness

 Fibromyalgia Food Diet

 Fibromyalgia Diagnosis 
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 Catch Some Zzzzzs
If you're having problems falling or staying asleep, your evening habits might be to blame. 

 But you CAN stop those sneaky sleep saboteurs in their tracks. Here are 20 things you shouldn't do before bed.
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 Fibromyalgia – The Savella Story 
Milnacipran (brand names: Savella, Ixel) is the third and last drug the FDA approved for the treatment of fibromyalgia in the United States. The fourth serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), to be introduced in the U.S.,  Savella stops the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the nerves synapses – making more of those neurotransmitters available to the 
central nervous system. Savella is the most “balanced” SNRI in that it increases serotonin and norepinephrine equally. Unlike other SNRI’s it does not affect dopamine levels. Antidepressants are now commonly used to treat chronic pain… SNRI’s are usually considered antidepressants (although they are also often used to treat anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and ADHD) but two SNRI’s, Savella and Cymbalta (Duloexetine) have also been shown to be effective in treating chronic pain in some patients without mood disorders.
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 Four ME/CFS Recovery Stories

 "My message to all CFS/ME/Fibro sufferers is don’t lose hope—recovery is possible, even if not easy." Dan​
All were successful contributing members to society. Alexandra was a nurse, Dan was married, had kids, a good job and was in excellent physical shape. Mathew was a successful entrepreneur running a business with twenty employees. Only Maureen had had some health problems: she had suffered a series of colds and other problems in in the past year or so. All became so ill they had to quit their jobs. Several became home bound, two were bed bound at times. All eventually recovered completely from ME/CFS. 
They all recovered in different ways but some commonalities are present.
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 Top 10 Essential Oils for Sleep And Insomnia
Check out this great list of essential oils that are known for their calming qualities. Valerian has been used as a sedative since old times, lavender is a classic sleep remedy, as is chamomile.
There are lots of interesting ways to apply essential oils. For example, did you know that you can add a few drops to a tablespoon of base oil (try organic coconut or almond oil) and then massage the soles of your feet? Try this with lavender 20 minutes before sleep time… You can also try adding a few drops of your fav oils to a bath (heavenly!), using a diffuser or adding them to a massage oil. You can even drop a few drops on clothing or bedding and let the terpenes and other molecules work their magic… 
Learn (tons!) more about the essential oils listed with our super in-depth guides. We go beyond…

  • 1. Lavender
  • 2. Valerian
  • 3. (personal fav!) Neroli
  • 4. Clary Sage
  • 5. Vetiver
  • 6. Roman Chamomile
  • 7. Patchouli
  • 8. Sandalwood
  • 9. Cedarwood
  • 10. Marjoram

We also have full pages on 20+ other popular oils here: 
We also have a list of 10 Herbs For Insomnia.
All links on the webpage.
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 10 Healthiest Drink Recipes In The World
Today we bring you an amazing free collection of recipes for healthy drinks courtesy of our friends over at Natural Living Ideas! We’ve also added a few more of our own faves to boost the collection even more!  You’ve probably seen a few of these if you have been following our blog for a while, but it’s good to have them all in the same place so that you can bookmark the page or even create a folder full of them. Why not create a Pinterest page and pin them all? 
(We did this – check out our pinterest page Healthiest Drinks In The World)
In an age of artificial ingredients and diminishing trust in mass-produced food, people are turning to these options because they give confidence – you know what you are eating and you know that it is good for you. Knowing that you are meeting a high standard of self-care will help put a smile on your face as you meet the world.
These drinks will also be fantastic options to serve to guests at your next party, because in addition to being healthy, refreshing and delicious, they also have amazing visual appeal.
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 Recruitment of patient and public voice representatives for NHS England Patient Safety Groups

 The NHS England Patient Safety Domain is recruiting a number of patient and public voice (PPV) representatives to the Patient Safety Expert Groups and Patient Safety Steering Group. The groups have been established to work with partner organisations on national patient safety issues.
There are currently vacancies for PPV representatives on the:

  • Patent Safety Steering Group
  • Children and Young People Patient Safety Expert Group
  • Medical Specialties Patient Safety Expert Group
  • Mental Health Patient Safety Expert Group
  • Women’s Health Patient Safety Expert Group

If you are interested in applying for one of these posts, more detailed information and application forms are available in the links on the webpage. The closing date for applications is Friday 11 September 2015.
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 Do you really have diabetes? 

 People are always stunned when I tell them that their STATIN medicine can actually cause them to wind up with a DIABETES diagnosis. I've been warning my fans for 7 years now, telling them that these drugs have the capability to increase your blood sugar. . . . . . .

 Do you have diabetes or statin-induced hyperglycemia?
You need to know. There's a difference between hyperglycemia and diabetes, a BIG difference, one that could save you years of suffering, and tons of money you would otherwise spend on diabetic medication, appointments, monitoring devices and treatments. All you have to do is recognize the signs of these 'new diseases' brought on by your medicine. Then make informed choices about dietary supplements, and vital nutrients that restore balance. It's not just about diabetes, you need to hear what I share about ALS, ED, chronic fatigue, fibro and much more.    

 Now here's my GIFT to you... A FREE ebook I wrote! 
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 How to Make a Lotion for Leg Cramps & Growing Pains

 This lotion recipe came about as a solution to the growing pains my kids develop from time to time.
I infused oil with arnica, which is helpful for inflammation and joint pain, and comfrey leaf, which can be used to treat sprains, strains and other sore muscle woes.
The magnesium oil part came into play after a talk with our naturopath. My son had been experiencing some back pain during a growth spurt (he’s 13 and already 5’10”) so she suggested I try magnesium oil. It worked wonders on him after only two applications! (He routinely takes supplemental magnesium too.)
However, magnesium oil can be a skin irritant over time, so I wanted to cushion it in a skin soothing lotion or cream containing aloe. I rounded it out with a little bit of lavender essential oil, for relaxation, and peppermint essential oil, which is also good for muscle pain. (Plus it makes it smell good!)
So, that’s the story behind the recipe, now let’s get into how you can make your own!
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 Dr Jill Cottel from the US shares her experience as an LDN prescriber - Low Dose Naltrexone
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 Can yoga really heal and restore one’s mind, body and spirit?

 Yoga to overcome physical challenges such as obesity, pain, aging, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, cancer surgery recovery and chronic disorders such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and many, many others?
Yoga to overcome emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, codependency, issues of self-worth and grieving?
Yoga to overcome behavioral challenges such as addictions, overeating, alcoholism, shyness and reclusiveness?
Listen to these people tell their personal stories about overcoming physical, emotional and behavioral challenges with a proper yoga practice, undertaken with full intent and determination.
Watch and listen to these personal stories of healing and then think about what challenges you would like to overcome.
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New September Term Starts Soon
 September is always a time to start something new, with renewed vigour and vitality after the summer break.  Join one of our classes now to help boost your immune system, strengthen the body, calm the mind and have fun throughout.
Welcome to the new term, at the start of every school year we start a number of new beginner Tai Chi and Qigong courses over an 8 week duration.  Our class schedule starts back from Monday 7 September.  You can view the school calendar here.
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 I know about loads of things that are bad for me!  Bread, sugar, aspartame etc, and I have cut down on a lot.  However, I am a bit naughty sometimes!!!  Nevertheless I have managed to lose 10kgs.  Even my optician noticed I had lost weight.  That was a bonus - my intention was merely to eat more healthy food - and I feel better too!  I think probiotics and green tea helped.

 Wishing you good health
Look after yourselves
Stella
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or leave your comments below under Post a Comment

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 N.B. The links on this my FMS eNews blog are in the BROWN text, usually in the title of each article but occasionally elsewhere too. Some titles have no links in which case the title is in PURPLE like the dividers.  This blog gives just a taster of each article which can be viewed in full through its link.  If you have any navigation problems, let me know. 
I would like to point out to you that the information in my FMS eNews blog is passed on to you mainly from other sources. Links are given to the original articles. I take no responsibility for their accuracy but freely give them publicity if I think they might be of interest to my readership. Websites I refer you to are for information only. They might conflict in their opinions, they might not even be medically sound, but I merely offer them for you to peruse and make your own judgements, accept or reject as you will. Only by reading widely can we get an overall picture of fibromyalgia syndrome and how we can deal with its symptoms, learn to cope with them and still have a life. Any advice or recommendation of a medical or legal nature should always be discussed with a qualified professional.
I also include various awareness items, benefits issues, as well as general health considerations. Anyone wishing to reproduce any of the included items in printed form should seek permission from the originators.
Wordz for the Week are from ‘Wordz for the Day’ by Donnie Kuhn, Sr. who died in May 2011.
This eNews is my personal offering to fibromyalgia patients and their carers and is not related to any other organisation or charity.
If you don’t already get reminders when each new FMS eNews is posted, please send an email to fmsstella@gmail.com and you will be added to the emailing list.

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