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| St. Patrick's Day |
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Who Was St. Patrick? It is known that St. Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D. Although his father was a Christian deacon, it has been suggested that he probably took on the role because of tax incentives and there is no evidence that Patrick came from a particularly religious family. At the age of sixteen, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family's estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. (There is some dispute over where this captivity took place. Although many believe he was taken to live in Mount Slemish in County Antrim, it is more likely that he was held in County Mayo near Killala.) During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Lonely and afraid, he turned to his religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian. (It is also believed that Patrick first began to dream of converting the Irish people to Christianity during his captivity.) Guided By Visions After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped. According to his writing, a voice, which he believed to be God's, spoke to him in a dream, telling him it was time to leave Ireland. Patrick walked nearly 200 miles from County Mayo, where it is believed he was held, to the Irish coast. After escaping to Britain, Patrick reported that he experienced a second revelation, an angel in a dream tells him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Soon after, Patrick began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than fifteen years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission, to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish. (Interestingly, this mission contradicts the widely held notion that Patrick introduced Christianity to Ireland.) Bonfires and Crosses Familiar with the Irish language and culture, Patrick chose to incorporate traditional ritual into his lessons of Christianity instead of attempting to eradicate native Irish beliefs. For instance, he used bonfires to celebrate Easter since the Irish were used to honoring their gods with fire. He also superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross, so that veneration of the symbol would seem more natural to the Irish. I would like to wish all of our readers a very happy St. Patrick's Day!
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| Fibromyalgia A Whole Life Illness |
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In my experience, fibromyalgia responds best when it is treated as an infectious disease. Dr. Garth Nicholsen, M.D., head of the Institute for Molecular Medicine, has done a lot of research on this issue. There is a lot of evidence pointing to the likelihood that fibromyalgia is caused by an infectious pathogen called a mycoplasma. Others with fibromyalgia may also have undiagnosed Lyme disease, which is caused by the spiral shaped bacteria, borrelia burgdorferi. These conditions are difficult to test for and diagnose properly because these pathogens have forms that do not have a cell wall (and therefore don't have the typical markers most tests look for that sit on a cell wall) and they can hide inside the body's cells. They frequently do not travel in the bloodstream. When fibromyalgia is treated as a condition caused by a stubborn, difficult to treat infection, people tend to improve much more rapidly than when they are treated through other approaches. The pathogens involved can attack your nerves, your brain, and your muscle tissue. They can cause heart irregularities. They can affect your hormones and throw them entirely out of whack, mess with your metabolism, and cause symptoms in the brain that are similar to Alzheimers. No wonder you feel so lousy. And people have been minimizing your problem and treating you like you are exaggerating. That is truly tragic and unfair. In my experience, recovering from symptoms of fibromyalgia myself and treating people with this condition, there are a number of effective therapies that can help you get your life back. Recovery is a slow process, and people have temporary symptom aggravations as they get better called Jarrisch-Herxheimer reactions, or herxing for short. Many people can feel a significant improvement in quality of life within three months, and continue on to have a steady improvement that leads to a much more normal life within a year. Different people respond differently because they have different constitutions and immune systems. One of the cornerstones of the protocol I used to help myself was the use of essential oils. Essential oils are very potent natural substances, that have a wide variety of properties. They can be anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and hormone-balancing. These substances can also cross the blood-brain barrier, where they can potentially address the brain problems that people with fibromyalgia have. They can also improve oxygenation and blood circulation in the body and especially, to the brain, which can really benefit energy levels. Improving the condition of the brain, can also relieve the crushing insomnia that many people with fibromyalgia experience. The area of the brain that controls sleep-wake cycles often gets really disrupted by fibromyalgia. Applying the essential oils to the area of the head where that sleep center is located (the back of the head just above the neck) can improve sleep. The oils can also address pain issues that are not easily improved by other methods. My theory is that it kills the pathogens that reside in the area of the pain. If this is true, it removes the root cause of the pain, instead of simply masking it. Essential oils can also potentially benefit symptoms of chemical sensitivity that many people with fibromyalgia experience. My theory about these chemical sensitivities is that certain aspects of liver functioning and the body's natural detoxification process get disrupted. Again, I believe this is because there is a pathogen that has not been properly detected that triggers this disruption. This is based on my experiences treating myself with essential oils, and on what I have read about the possible causes of this condition. When I applied the oils to the area over my liver (the lower right rib cage area) regularly, my chemical sensitivities disappeared. This seems counter-intuitive, because essential oils are aromatic substances that those with these sensitivities try to avoid. But that has been my personal observation of how essential oils may benefit this condition. Other aspects of a holistic protocol for fibromyalgia include herbs that are antibacterial, and herbs and nutritional supplements that have traditionally been used to treat gout. It is also important to take supplements and engage in activities that improve blood circulation. People with fibromyalgia often have a tendency to form scar tissue too easily, because of a condition of the blood called hypercoagulation. This means that your blood may be too thick because there is too much fibrin( the substance that creates scar tissue) in your blood. There are natural supplements that may help to correct this condition. Certain digestive enzymes, in particular, can be beneficial for this aspect. People can often feel a significant reduction in pain and an increase in energy and improved cognitive function simply from correcting this one issue. Certain types of exercise (when you are up to it), massage, and bodywork can also be very helpful. Combining the use of massage and essential oils together may significantly improve the potency of both modalities. Deep massage improves the penetration of the essential oils into the tissues of the body and it can help break scar tissue down in areas where it is causing pain and disruption of your body's natural functioning. Heat therapies can also be helpful for people with fibromyalgia, even if it initially causes a temporary aggravation in symptoms. Hot baths, saunas, and the use of an infrared heat lamp, can all help, especially combined with the use of essential oils. Certain homeopathic remedies can also be very helpful for those with fibromyalgia, if they are given at high enough potencies. The remedy has to match a person's symptoms and constitution closely enough to work. Some of the remedies I have found to work are glonoinum, causticum, aurum metallicum, and rhododendron. These remedies are taken one at a time for a few weeks at a time in order to see full benefits. All of the therapies above are based on my personal experience treating myself for these symptoms, and on treating others people who had the same symptoms, once I figured out what worked for me. They are not meant as a substitute for conventional medical advice or treatment. Nevertheless, if you look outside of the box, I have no doubt that you will find that you can start getting your health and your life back.
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| In-Depth Look at FM Medications - Pamelor |
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Generic Name: nortriptyline (nor-TRIP-ti-leen) Pamelor is in a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. Pamelor affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced. Pamelor is used to treat symptoms of depression. It is also used in treating Fibromyalgia. Before Using This Medicine Do not use Pamelor if you have recently had a heart attack, or if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as:
within the past 14 days. You may have suicidal thoughts or behavior when you start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are under 18 years old. You will need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts. Your doctor should check you at regular visits during the first 12 weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed. Contact your doctor PROMPTLY if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse:
How To Use This Medicine Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication. Follow the directions on your prescription label. If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking Pamelor. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Do not stop using Pamelor without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Stopping this medication suddenly could cause you to have unpleasant side effects. It may take a few weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve during treatment with Pamelor. Precautions While on this Medicine Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Pamelor, or if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as:
within the past 14 days. Before taking Pamelor, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Pamelor, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment. You may have suicidal thoughts or behavior when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are under 18 years old. Watch for worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts. Your doctor should check you at regular visits during the first 12 weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed. In addition to you watching for changes in your own symptoms, your family or caregivers should be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Contact your doctor promptly if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse:
This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Pamelor passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication. Do not give this medication to anyone under 18 years old without the advice of a doctor. Overdosage Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of Pamelor can be FATAL. Symptoms of a Pamelor overdose include:
Side Effects Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these SERIOUS side effects:
Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. Drug Interactions Before taking Pamelor, tell your doctor if you have used an "SSRI" antidepressant in the past 5 weeks, such as:
Before taking Pamelor, tell your doctor if you are currently using any of the following drugs:
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Pamelor, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment. There are many other medicines that can interact with Pamelor. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you. I hope this article has been helpful. Next month our focus will be on Effexor.
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| Further Doubt Cast on Virus Link to CFS |
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Kate Bishop from the MRC National Institute for Medical Research worked with a team of researchers to test blood and serum samples from 170 CFS patients and 395 healthy controls, using quantitative PCR and a virus neutralization assay. She said, "No association between XMRV infection and CFS was observed in the samples tested, either by PCR or serological methodologies. Our findings therefore appear inconsistent with the previous report that isolated XMRV from the blood cells of CFS patients. We are confident that, although we were unable to replicate the detection, our PCR assay is more sensitive than the earlier method and possessed the necessary sensitivity to detect XMRV had it been present." Bishop and her colleagues point out that CFS likely encompasses a range of diseases, and it is still possible that some of them might be associated with XMRV infection. They say, "There has been much discussion and controversy amongst CFS researchers and patients alike, which highlights the need for additional investigations in this area. Following our findings, it would seem a prudent next step for subsequent studies to compare samples and protocols between different laboratories around the world." The findings of this Retrovirology study are supported by results from a recently published work from Imperial College London that also found no proof that XMRV infection is associated with CFS. Comments from Whittemore Peterson Institute WPI is aware of the recent UK study that was unable to detect the presence of XMRV in any CFS patient samples. Although researchers at the WPI were not involved in this project, our work in XMRV continues with researchers around the world. We look forward to the results of studies which replicate the methods used in the original research described in the journal Science in October, 2009. Information Regarding XMRV Studies 1. The authors of the Science paper established the existence of XMRV as an infectious human blood borne retrovirus for the first time in blood of patients diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Previous studies had established the presence of XMRV sequences and protein in human prostate tissue. 2. In the Science paper, the presence of XMRV in well-characterized patients with CFS was established using multiple technologies:
b) XMRV protein expression from stimulated white blood cells; c) Virus isolation on the LNCaP cell line; and d) A specific antibody response to XMRV. 3. The authors of the two UK studies did not attempt to "replicate" the WPI study. Replication requires that the same technologies be employed. The WPI sent reagents and information to several groups of researchers in an effort to support their replication studies. Neither UK study requested positive control blood, plasma or nucleic acids from the WPI. 4. The collection, preparation and storage of DNA were completely different between the Science and UK papers. The latter studies do not show data on blood harvesting or storage. Nor do the studies disclose the quantity of isolated cells. Insufficient number of cells analyzed may result in failure to detect a low copy virus like XMRV, regardless of the sensitivity of the assay. Neither UK study provides detail to allow interpretation of how many white blood cells were analyzed. 5. Patient population selection may differ between studies. 6. The UK authors were unable to detect XMRV, even though 4% of healthy individuals were found to be infected in the US. Japanese scientists detected XMRV in 1.7% in healthy blood donors in Japan. The two previously identified human retroviruses have distinct geographical distributions. 7. Perhaps the most important issue to focus on is the low level of XMRV in the blood. XMRV is present in such a small percentage of white blood cells that it is highly unlikely that either UK study's PCR method could detect it using the methods described. Careful reading of the Science paper shows that increasing the amount of the virus by growing the white blood cells is usually required rather than using white blood cells directly purified from the body. When using PCR alone, the Science authors found that four samples needed to be taken at different times from the same patient in order for XMRV to be detected by PCR in freshly isolated white blood cells. More importantly, detection methods other than PCR showed that patients whose blood lacks sufficient amount of XMRV detectable by PCR are actually infected. This was proven by the isolation of viral proteins and the finding of infectious XMRV isolated from the indicator cell line LNCaP. The authors of the Retrovirology paper admit that their neutralization assay did not detect bacterially expressed XMRV gag and that positive control sera was needed to validate their assay. The WPI's monoclonal antibodies specifically and sensitively completed the immune response demonstrating the assays sensitivity and specificity for XMRV envelope. Simply stated the only validated reliable methods for detecting XMRV in CFS patients, to date, are the methods described in Science. Failure to use these methods and validated reagents has resulted in the failure to detect XMRV. A failure to detect XMRV is not the same as absence of this virus in patients with CFS.
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| Vitamin B12 Shots For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome |
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A study featured there involves 12 females who were diagnosed with both Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Each female showed an increased amount of Homocysteine in their Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF). This information helped researchers find a link between SCF, Homocysteine, and B12 with the information being tracked on a Comprehensive Psycholpathological Rating Scale. The study provides information that having a higher level of Homocysteine in the Central Nervous System can lead to both Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. A deficiency of B12 can also lead to Remthylation of Homocysteine. Increasing the amount of Vitamin B12 absorbed in the body will lower the effects according to the results that were found with these 12 females in this study. You will find information on how to administer Vitamin B12 shots for effectively treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. In fact, Vitamin B12 is a benefit to many patients who don't have a higher CFS. Studies conducted by Professor Martin Pall show that a person with high levels of Nitric Oxide in their body also tend to have the same symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Vitamin B12 helps reduce the amount of Nitric Oxide. Other studies show that those with CFS/FM are missing essential Vitamin B so their symptoms are more severe including their ability to be alert mentally. This eventually leads to their immune system becoming very weak. Taking Vitamin B12 shots every two weeks will help with CFS symptoms. While more research needs to continue in this area, there is significant evidence to show Vitamin B12 can assist those with high levels of Homocysteine and help them feel better.
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| Palm Sunday |
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In many Christian churches, Palm Sunday is marked by the distribution of palm leaves (often tied into crosses) to the assembled worshipers. The difficulty of procuring palms for that day's ceremonies in unfavorable climates for palms led to the substitution of boughs of box, yew, willow or other native trees. The Sunday was often designated by the names of these trees, as Yew Sunday or by the general term Branch Sunday. According to the Gospels, before entering Jerusalem, Jesus was staying at Bethany and Bethphage, and the Gospel of John adds that he had dinner with Lazarus, and his sisters Mary and Martha. While there, Jesus sent two disciples to the village over against them, in order to retrieve a donkey that had been tied up but never been ridden, and to say, if questioned, that the donkey was needed by the Lord but would be returned. Jesus then rode the donkey into Jerusalem, with the Synoptics adding that the disciples had first put their cloaks on it, so as to make it more comfortable. The Gospels go on to recount how Jesus rode into Jerusalem, and how the people there lay down their cloaks in front of him, and also lay down small branches of trees. The people sang part of Psalm 118 - ...Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father, David. ... (Psalms 118:25-26). Where this entry is supposed to have taken place is unspecified; some scholars argue that the Golden Gate is the likely location, since that was where it was believed the Jewish messiah would enter Jerusalem; other scholars think that an entrance to the south, which had stairs leading directly to the Temple, would be more likely.
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| How to Avoid Medication Errors |
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At one time or another, we all handle prescription medicines for ourselves, our children, our older relatives. Here's what to what to look for - and what to do if you don't see what you should. DOCTOR'S OFFICE - FIRST CHECKPOINT When a clinician writes out a prescription, the office visit should include counseling about the new drug - with the doctor or nurse telling you:
Plus, you should know:
If you don't get this vital information, ask the physician for it. Whether a prescription is e-mailed, phoned in, or hand-carried, you need written information that you can keep and refer to as needed. An aware patient is a crucial leg in the system, says John Gadea, director of the Connecticut Department of Drug Control. "You're part of the checks and balances." Michelle LaRowe of Hyannis, Mass., is a savvy patient. Years of experience as a nanny paid off for LaRowe when a local pharmacy dispensed an antibiotic for her 10-month-old daughter. Her husband had picked up the prescription and along with it, was given an oral syringe. But when he repeated the instructions to his wife, red flags flew. Long story short: "The pharmacy label was incorrect. The pharmacy label said three teaspoons three times a day," LaRowe recalls. When she backtracked to her pediatrician, she confirmed that the correct dose was three ccs - not teaspoons - three times a day: a much smaller dose. Ask the doctor or pharmacist to give a dosage that matches the measuring tool you will use to take the medicine. If the syringe or medicine cup that comes with the bottle is marked in milliliters, or mls, ask them to describe the dose in milliliters, too. When you get a prescription from the doctor, it's fine to jot down instructions and it's also a good idea to repeat them back to the doctor. By all means ask for patient information sheets or pamphlets. Do whatever you need to leave a doctor's office with a clear understanding of how a new drug should be taken. AT THE PHARMACY COUNTER - SECOND CHECKPOINT Pharmacy counseling provides a second chance at understanding. This is also the perfect moment to ask about drug interactions. Pharmacists can be a goldmine of information, whether your question is about a prescription drug or an over-the-counter drug. Rebecca Snead is executive vice president of the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. She tells of a person with diabetes "who couldn't get his blood sugar under control and came to the pharmacy to see why his insulin was not working. They had gotten their insulin through the mail. No one had told him that the particular type of insulin they had given him lost its effectiveness 28 days after opening and should have been discarded." If you have questions when you pick up a prescription, say, "I would like to ask the pharmacist some questions in private." Counseling for new prescription drugs is a legal requirement in many states, but you might have to speak up to get it. Some pharmacies routinely start off prescription transactions by having customers sign standard forms - on paper or electronically - saying they've been offered and declined counseling. So, "no counseling" becomes the default. You're waiving your right when you sign that paper. "One reason that counseling isn't happening is people aren't demanding it," Snead says. "If your pharmacy isn't providing it [when you ask], find another pharmacy." Would you walk away from the bank teller's window without counting your money first? Don't be any less cautious at the pharmacy counter. "You should open the bottle there at the pharmacy, but most people don't," Gadea says. "A lot of the information is there on the insert" - what the pill looks like, how and when you take it. Even with refills, you might still have something to learn, he adds: New information might come out, for instance on side effects or safe usage. Ask your pharmacist for updated patient information sheets. Counseling should be offered in a place that affords privacy, not over the cash register in earshot of the line behind you. And a pharmacist should be doing the counseling, not the cashier or pharmacy assistant. If you're one of the millions of Americans who gets their prescription drugs by mail order, "safety precautions are the same as with any pharmacy setting," Snead says. "Patients should leave the prescriber with something in writing about what they are supposed to be on." If you choose to save money by using mail-order drugs from other countries, remember that you are on your own without the benefit of consumer protections. ENGAGED PATIENT - THIRD CHANCE AT SAFETY As a nanny, Michelle LaRowe says that "a lot of parents tell me they feel rushed. They don't take time to read through materials. They leave antibiotics on the counter and they don't refrigerate them." Yet, she says, "You have to be aware of:
Most important single fix: "To educate patients and parents," she says. "Your doctor has to educate – and you have to do your own education. Yes, I read inserts, I read labels." Even young children can become part of the safety solution, says Dr. Ramon Resa, a pediatrician in central California. "When I give my patients medication, even if they're five years old or eight years old, I give them instructions, not just their parents: 'This is for your ears. You take it once in the morning and once at night.' Kids will abide better than their parents - they'll tell their parents it's time for their medicine." KNOW THE FIVE RIGHTS OF DRUG TAKING The "“five rights" of medication administration are drummed into every student in the health professions. Even as a health care consumer, you can use these to keep yourself and your family safe. The five rights:
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| Fibromyalgia, Stress and the Brain-body Connection |
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Stress and pain are irreversibly linked in fibromyalgia. For many people, some kind of stressful event is what initially triggers the illness. It often shows up after a serious illness, some kind of emotional or mental shock or with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Many believe that stress unmasks the disorder. Today fibromyalgia is thought to be a central nervous system disorder in which either pain-sensing nerves are excessively sensitive, or the brain is extremely sensitive to pain impulses. People with fibromyalgia are out of balance in the HPA axis – hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal – which is our body's system for responding to stress with neurochemicals like adrenalin and serotonin. Pain sensation and abnormal stress response are related and people with fibromyalgia experience more pain when they are stressed. Simply having fibromyalgia is stressful. Though fibromyalgia feels different to each person, the common denominators are painful and uncomfortable sensations throughout the body, fatigue and mental cloudiness. Not being able to accomplish things is stressful, especially when it affects your employment situation, leading to financial stress. Dealing with a chronic illness and lifestyle changes is stressful. Adding insult to injury is the fact that you may still appear healthy to everyone else, no matter how badly you feel, so that few people understand how compounding these conditions can be on a daily basis. Anything in addition to the everyday stress load tends to tip the scales and cause the fibromyalgia symptoms to be worse. Stress reduction is an important part of managing fibromyalgia. Here are a few ways that may help you alleviate some of the stress:
When you decrease your stress, you will probably experience less pain and fatigue from fibromyalgia. Changing your lifestyle so that you are taking care of your self can help prevent flare-ups and give you a better quality of life. Eat well, think well, and move well!
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| Is Your Medication Raising Your Cholesterol? |
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When Medication Is the Culprit Why certain drugs raise cholesterol levels as a side effect isn't exactly understood. Most of the time, cholesterol level elevation is pretty minimal. But any increase in cholesterol is still a concern, especially for people with risk factors for heart disease, or for those who already have high cholesterol or are taking cholesterol lowering medication. The following types of drugs, used to treat a variety of health conditions, may raise cholesterol levels:
Other Medication Choices Especially for people taking diuretics or beta blockers to control high blood pressure and reduce heart disease risk, alternative treatments that don't raise cholesterol levels should be found. "It's something we've known for a long time about beta blockers and diuretics," says Stephen J. Nicholls, MBBS, PhD, clinical director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Cardiovascular Diagnostics and Prevention. Patients with high cholesterol and high blood pressure levels would not typically be started on beta blockers or diuretics as the first treatment of choice, says Dr. Nicholls. Instead, a physician might prescribe an ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor or calcium-channel blocker to treat high blood pressure without raising cholesterol. If you already have high cholesterol, make sure that all of your doctors know about it, and let them know about any other medications you are already taking before they prescribe a new medication. If you're concerned about developing high cholesterol and your doctor wants to prescribe one of these medications, talk to him about other alternatives to treat your condition.
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| Fibromyalgia & Autoimmunity |
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What We Know While we've only uncovered the tip of the iceberg with fibromyalgia, and not much more with autoimmunity in general, we know certain things about both of them:
What We Don't Know Does all this mean it's impossible for fibromyalgia to be autoimmune? No - they just mean we have no evidence of it and shouldn't classify it that way. Just speculating here, but maybe there's an undiscovered autoimmune antibody that doesn't cause inflammation and is responsible for our accelerated loss of brain matter (which is currently considered premature aging of the brain.) However, because rheumatologists were the first ones to treat and research fibromyalgia, it's unlikely - they specialize in autoimmune pain conditions. It was a natural place for them to look, and they repeatedly found nothing. This myth probably became so pervasive because fibromyalgia was long described as "an arthritis-like condition," and most forms of arthritis are autoimmune. We have good evidence now that fibromyalgia isn't much like arthritis at all - it involves the nervous system, the hormones, and the immune system to varying degrees, but the immune dysfunction is different from autoimmunity.
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| 6 Nutritional Keys in Treating Fibromyalgia Symptoms |
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Today with the aid and resources of the internet, along with a network of educated and supportive friends, patients can now be proactive in their diagnostic approach and treatment methods. Changing one's diet and reducing the chemical stressors on the body that come from eating inappropriate food have been found to be tremendously helpful in relieving the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Get Started! To most effectively benefit, each person needs to experiment to see what works best for their body. The results will vary for each individual. The following tips are a great starting point for easing symptoms and taking control of fibromyalgia:
Positive Results The reduction of chemical stress on the body can have an overwhelming positive result in managing and reducing the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Altering your diet will not only reduce symptoms, it will allow you to have a better quality of life and be on your way to a healthier and happier tomorrow!
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| On The Lighter Side |
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On the second day, she had the movers come and collect her things. On the third day, she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining room table by candle-light, put on some soft background music, and feasted on a pound of shrimp, a jar of caviar, and a bottle of spring-water. When she had finished, she went into each and every room and deposited a few half-eaten shrimp shells dipped in caviar into the hollow of the curtain rods. She then cleaned up the kitchen and left. When the husband returned with his new girlfriend, all was bliss for the first few days. Then slowly, the house began to smell. They tried everything; cleaning, mopping and airing the place out. Vents were checked for dead rodents and carpets were steam cleaned. Air fresheners were hung everywhere. Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters, during which they had to move out for a few days and in the end they even paid to replace the expensive wool carpeting. Nothing worked!!! People stopped coming over to visit. Repairmen refused to work in the house. The maid quit. Finally, they could not take the stench any longer and decided to move. A month later, even though they had cut their price in half, they could not find a buyer for their stinky house. Word got out and eventually even the local realtors refused to return their calls. Finally, they had to borrow a huge sum of money from the bank to purchase a new place. The ex-wife called the man and asked how things were going. He told her the saga of the rotting house. She listened politely and said that she missed her old home terribly and would be willing to reduce her divorce settlement in exchange for getting the house Knowing his ex-wife had no idea how bad the smell was, he agreed on a price that was about 1/10 th of what the house had been worth, but only if she were to sign the papers that very day. She agreed and within the hour his lawyers delivered the paperwork. A week later the man and his girlfriend stood smiling as they watched the moving company pack everything to take to their new home. And to spite the ex-wife, they even took the curtain rods. I LOVE A HAPPY ENDING, DON'T YOU?
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| 'Secret Weapon' of Retroviruses That Cause Cancer |
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These scientists have also shown that once mutated to lose its immunosuppressive capability, this envelope protein could serve as a basis for the development of vaccines. These findings have been published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. Retroviruses are viruses whose genome is made up of RNA. These viruses are unique in possessing an enzyme that enables synthesis from this RNA of a DNA molecule capable of integrating into the DNA of a host cell. The retrovirus then utilizes the cell machinery to replicate. HIV is one of the best-known retroviruses. Oncogenic retroviruses (or oncoretroviruses) are cancer-causing viruses. Numerous oncoretroviruses are associated with animal diseases. In humans, two retroviruses, called HTLV and XMRV, have been associated with a type of leukemia and with prostate cancer. Researchers in the Rétrovirus Endogènes et Eléments Rétroïdes des Eucaryotes Supérieurs Laboratory (1), headed by Thierry Heidmann, CNRS Senior Researcher at Institut Gustave Roussy, have been working on the ability of retroviruses to propagate and persist in their hosts by escaping the immune system. They have studied the molecular basis of this process, and have shown that it is driven by the envelope protein of these viruses. First of all, this protein has an essential "mechanical" role, as it induces the fusion of viral particles with the target cell membrane, thus allowing them to penetrate into the cell. Using a mouse model of infection with a murine leukemia virus, the researchers showed that this envelope protein also has a second role that is equally essential to viral propagation in the body: it is immunosuppressive, or in other words it inhibits the host immune response in a radical manner, affecting both the "innate" and "adaptive" immune responses. The researchers succeeded in locating the domain responsible for this property within the amino acid sequence of the envelope protein. This domain, an authentic virulence factor, is a crucial element in the arsenal that enables retroviruses to invade their host and produce their pathogenic effect. It thus becomes a target of choice for the design of novel antiretroviral therapeutic strategies, including vaccines. The results obtained by these scientists mean it will be possible to follow this path. They were able to introduce targeted point mutations into the envelope protein that could suppress its ability to inhibit the immune system which, as expected, reacted much more effectively than with the non-mutated protein, producing a high level of antibodies and inducing antiviral cellular immunity. By working on this mutated protein, it should be possible to develop vaccines for the future. Indeed, after the mouse model, the researchers were able to show that the HTLV and XMRV retroviruses associated with human diseases were both endowed with an immunosuppressive domain in their envelope protein.
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| Events! |
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MARCH 2010 Sutton Coldfield ME Support Group meeting
Date: March 3, 2010
Location: 12 Four Oaks Road, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B74 2TH Time: Begins at 11 am Description: This is an independent group which is run in a very informal, positive and friendly manner. All are welcome. Information: Contact Linda Jones, tel: 07894 205 155.
Date: March 6, 2010
Location: Penticton Convention Centre, Penticton, BC Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Email: sofa_fm_meok@hotmail.com Description: South Okanagan & Similkameen Health Fair A Crystal Froese Events Yearly Health Fair. SOFA: South Okanagan FM-ME Association will an informational table about our Programs & Services at this Health Fair, along with a Special Speaker: Dr. McIntyre. His particular Fibromyalgia Study Explanation and looking for more participants. Information on OK In Health Website/Magazine at our table as well.
Date: March 9, 2010
Location: Penticton Health Centre, Penticton, BC Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Email: sofa_fm_meok@hotmail.com Description: Annual General Meeting. Obtain 2010 Membership $10 with Benefits List, Vote in 2010 Board of Directors
Date: March 12-14, 2010 Location: Hilton, Vancouver, WA Cost: $795.00 Phone: 1-360-993-4500
Date: March 16, 2010 Location: Wolverton Community Centre, Stratford Road, Wolverton, Milton Keynes MK12 5RL Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Speaker: Caroline Khambatta, on Reverse Therapy
Date: March 17, 2010 Information: Contact Marilyn to say whether you will be there and address. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ APRIL 2010 Sutton Coldfield ME Support Group meeting
Date: April 7, 2010
Location: 12 Four Oaks Road, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B74 2TH Time: Begins at 11 am Description: This is an independent group which is run in a very informal, positive and friendly manner. All are welcome. Information: contact Linda Jones, tel: 07894 205 155. Frequency Specific Microcurrent Seminar
Date: April 30 - May 2, 2010
Location: Crowne Plaza Orlando Airport, Orlando, FL Cost: $795.00 Phone: 1-407-856-0100 |
| Passover |
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Passover begins on the 14th day of the month of Nisan (equivalent to March and April in Gregorian calendar), the first month of the Hebrew calendar's festival year according to the Hebrew Bible. In the narrative of the Exodus, the Bible tells that YHWH inflicted ten plagues upon the Egyptians before Pharaoh would release his Hebrew slaves, with the tenth plague being the killing of all of the firstborn, from the Pharaoh's son to the firstborn of the dungeon captive, to the firstborn of cattle. The Hebrews were instructed to mark the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a spring lamb and, upon seeing this, the spirit of the Lord passed over these homes, hence the term "passover". When Pharaoh freed the Hebrews, it is said that they left in such a hurry that they could not wait for bread to rise. In commemoration, for the duration of Passover, no leavened bread is eaten, for which reason it is called "The Festival of the Unleavened Bread". Matza (unleavened bread) is the primary symbol of the holiday. This bread that is flat and unrisen is called Matzo. Together with Shavuot ("Pentecost") and Sukkot ("Tabernacles"), Passover is one of the three pilgrim festivals (Shalosh Regalim) during which the entire Jewish populace historically made a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. Samaritans still make this pilgrimage to Mount Gerizim, but only men participate in public worship.
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| Parting Thoughts |
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St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity's most widely known
figures. But for all his celebrity, his life remains somewhat of a mystery. Many of
the stories traditionally associated with St. Patrick, including the famous account of
his banishing all the snakes from Ireland, are false, the products of hundreds of years
of exaggerated storytelling.
Fibromyalgia is a whole life illness, and it requires a whole life solution. There is no
magic bullet to "fix" fibromyalgia, but for those that are willing to target their
condition from a number of different angles, there really is hope. For those of you who
have tried to go the route of conventional medical treatment, you have probably hit a lot
of brick walls in your search for help, and it is hard to believe anyone who is outside
of that realm who tells you that there are solutions to your condition. This is a
debilitating, life destroying illness, and you deserve help with your condition that you
are not receiving. Doctors have told you that you have an auto-immune condition, and that
there is no real help for fibromyalgia, except for symptom management and the use of
anti-inflammatory steroids. For pain management, the only thing that conventional
medicine has to offer are painkillers that often barely touch the extreme pain of
fibromyalgia. These painkillers can also leave a person with the additional major problem
of addiction, because most of these substances are highly addictive opiates.
In April 2009 we did an article on 
Researchers investigating UK samples have found no association between the controversial
xenotropic murine leukaemia virus-related virus (XMRV) and chronic fatigue syndrome
(CFS). Their study, published in BioMed Central's open access journal
Retrovirology, calls into question a potential link described late last year by
an American research team.
Those who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may find taking Vitamin B12 shots helps
improve their mood and boosts the immune system as it creates S-Adenosylmethionine. These
injections contain water soluble vitamins that also help improve the nervous system,
skin, hair, eyes, mouth, and liver.
Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast which always falls on the Sunday before Easter
Sunday. The feast commemorates an event mentioned by all four Canonical Gospels Mark
11:1-11, Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19: the triumphant entry of Jesus
into Jerusalem in the days before his Passion. It is also called Passion Sunday or Palm
Sunday of the Lord's Passion.
Had Michelle LaRowe not caught the error on the prescription label in time, her infant
daughter would have received nearly triple the dose of the antibiotic the doctor ordered.
The May 2009 incident spurred LaRowe to demand that pharmacies educate parents on how to
protect their children from dangerous drug errors.
Fibromyalgia was recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as an illness and
cause of disability in 1987, yet it has been a struggle for many since Hippocrates first
described a similar set of symptoms in 400 BC. In the early 1900's, fibromyalgia was
considered "arthritis of the muscles" and classified with other rheumatological
conditions involving pain in the muscles or joints.
Side effects of medications are quite common. Often they're minor, but sometimes they can
be serious. Some medications given to control one health condition can actually cause
side effects that lead to another, like high cholesterol. To counter medication-related
high cholesterol, your doctor can prescribe an alternative medication to treat the
original condition, or add a cholesterol-lowering medication to your treatment regimen.
I hear it all the time - from health-care workers, supposed experts, and people with
fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune disease. It seems logical because our
symptoms are so similar to many autoimmune diseases, and because we tend to be prone to
autoimmunity. Based on current evidence, however, it's a myth that fibromyalgia is
autoimmune.
Fibromyalgia was recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as an illness and
cause of disability in 1987, yet fibromyalgia continues to be difficult to diagnose and
treat.
She spent the first day packing her belongings into boxes, crates and suitcases.
Oncogenic retroviruses are a particular family of viruses that can cause some types of
cancer. Thierry Heidmann and his colleagues in the CNRS-Institut Gustave
Roussy-Université Paris Sud 11 "Rétrovirus endogènes
et éléments rétroïdes des eucaryotes supérieurs"
Laboratory have studied these viruses. They have identified a "virulence factor" that
inhibits the host immune response and allows the virus to spread throughout the body.
This factor is a sequence of amino acids that is located in the envelope protein of the
virus.
Passover (Peysekh) is a Jewish and Samaritan holy day and festival commemorating the
Hebrews' escape from enslavement in Egypt.
