"You who bring good tidings... lift your voice with a shout... do not be afraid... 'Here is your God!'" (Isa. 40:9)

Posted on April 16th, 2010 in Chronic Pain, Health News by Jonnie Wright

Portable Device May Relieve Migraine Pain

Study Shows sTMS Eases Pain in People Who Have Migraine With Aura

By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

 

March 3, 2010 — A handheld device that magnetically zaps pain may be a promising new treatment for patients with a common type of migraine.

Compared to patients who got sham treatments, more patients treated with the experimental device, known as single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS), were pain-free two hours later.

About 35 million Americans have migraines, according to the American Headache Society, and about 20% to 30% of these patients have headaches that are preceded by visual or other sensory warning signs.

Known medically as migraine with aura, aura-associated warning symptoms may include seeing flashing lights or zigzag patterns, blind spots or blindness in one or both eyes, a prickling feeling on the skin, and even visual and auditory hallucinations.

read more…

Posted on October 3rd, 2009 in Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Health News by Jonnie Wright

Fibromyalgia Network Journal has been most informative, especially on the newest research being done re: FM. Members can give feedback and take surveys which allow us to be part of the information gathering of various studies.

I have included information below that will allow you to access issues at an extremely low cost. If your interested in what research is being done re: FM, this Newsletter is for you!

We also want to let some of you know that many of the topics suggested have been addressed in back issues of the Journal. To fill the holes in your collection, we are offering the entire library of the Fibromyalgia Network Journal to Members Only at the bare-bones price of $21.50. For a limited time you can purchase the complete in-stock library of 20 back issues at a 45% savings.

If you think about it, that’s almost 200 articles covering ONLY FM-related issues. A sampling of topics include some unusual problematic symptoms, medications, sleep, myofascial trigger points, stress, cognitive dysfunction, genetics, food and nutrition, brain imaging, and alternative therapies such as acupuncture, tai chi, and massage. Also covered are associated conditions such as irritable bowel, vulvar pain, headaches, back pain, acid reflux, muscle cramps, burning sensations, muscle strength issues, and much more.

As you already know, our articles don’t just tell you what the researchers are saying, they include treatment strategies, self-help options, and additional resources that can improve how you feel. More articles also help you cope with everyday problems such as working with your doctor, alleviating guilty feelings, losing weight, handling flares, communicating with family and friends, employment issues, and your rights as patients.

If you have been a Member for years, or just recently joined us, consider the benefits of owning the entire library:

  • You will have a clean collection of back issues devoid of earmarks and tears that you can store in one place for handy reference.
  • Fill in the gaps for the issues you have loaned out, misplaced, or intended to order.
  • It makes a great gift for a family member or friend who has FM or chronic fatigue.
  • Use it to educate your health care team so that you receive better care in return.

Don’t pass up this rare opportunity. Use Purchase Number B21 when you order by one of the following methods:

  • Order online (use Purchase Number B21 when you check out)
  • Call us toll-free at (800) 853-2929 weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PST)
  • By mail with a check or money order. Please print an order form and note Purchase Number B21 on your check.

Additional Member Benefits

Whether you have been with us a few months or a several years, we want to remind you to take advantage of all the benefits you are entitled as they compliment your Journal and the monthly eNews Alerts.

  • Continue sending us your suggested topics for future issues. We value your ideas.
  • Got a question? Please send them to us so we can have them addressed by experts in the field for our Q&A section.
  • Do you have a therapy that helps you? We’re not talking about a miracle cure, but something that has improved the quality of your life. Please e-mail editor@fmnetnews.com with your “Therapies that Work” idea to share with others.
  • In the back of each Journal is a web address where you can find “Abstracts on the Web.” Please feel free to look over the summaries of the scientific research we use in each issue.
  • Our phone number is toll-free throughout the United States and Canada at (800) 853-2929.
  • Looking for a new doctor? Our doctor referral lists are available to all Members. These lists of doctors who have been recommended to us by our members, organized by state are updated regularly. To receive one, all you need to do is send us a self-addressed envelope with first-class postage. (A business size, number 10 envelope is preferred). Include a note that you are requesting the list for your state.
  • Connect to support groups. The referral list also contains support group leaders in your state. These leaders are often valuable sources for information in your region. Don’t hesitate to contact them. Please mail your request to:

    Fibromyalgia Network
    PO Box 31750
    Tucson, AZ 85751-1750

We do not post state referral lists online to avoid solicitation by e-mail, phone, or mail to our doctors and support group leaders by marketing companies, advertisers, pharmaceutical companies, etc.

Tests to reveal FMS?

Posted on August 29th, 2009 in Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Health News by Jonnie Wright

I was encouraged when I read the following article. Researchers are beginning to “get” that the reason FMS sufferers test normal in their blood work is because the wrong tests are being run! The “someday” we FMS/CFS have heard about may be closer than we think!

Researchers Use Exercise to Illuminate How You Feel

Posted: August 27, 2009 by Fibromyalgia Network, P.O. Box 31750, Tucson, AZ 85751 (800) 853-2929.

What if a blood test could reveal the muscle fatigue, pain and exhaustion that you feel? This may seem like a pipe dream, but a husband and wife team at the University of Utah (Alan Light, Ph.D., and Kathleen Light, Ph.D.) just published very encouraging preliminary findings and are now working to refine their biomarker techniques.*

One of the key elements of the Lights’ studies involves looking at what happens when people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia exercise. During and after exertion is when CFS and fibromyalgia patients say they feel the worst, which is why the Lights are capturing blood samples up to 48 hours after a standard exercise routine. Healthy people, however, usually find a bout of exercise to be invigorating, and it pours out substances that reduce painful sensations.

read more…

For 21 years, Fibromyalgia Network has been providing support for fibromyalgia patients, their families, and treating physicians. This Member-supported organization delivers the news you can use through our quarterly Journal and other Member benefits. Our goal is to enrich the lives of fibromyalgia patients. Join the Fibromyalgia Network family today or call us toll-free at
(800) 853-2929.

Do you have CFS?

Posted on June 24th, 2009 in Chronic Pain, Health News by Jonnie Wright

Almost everyone experiences fatigue from time to time. But for as many as 4 million U.S. adults, teens and children, the fatigue is crushing, unrelieved by rest and accompanied by a constellation of other punishing symptoms. They suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS, also known as chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (or CFIDS). Its symptoms are debilitating enough to destroy good health and active lifestyles, end fulfilling careers and devastate families.

More people suffer from CFS than MS, lung cancer or AIDS. Yet 80% have not been diagnosed by a medical provider. Preliminary studies indicate that for CFS, as with other chronic conditions, early detection, diagnosis and treatment ultimately yield better health outcomes.

If you think you may have CFS, use the “Do I Have CFS” questionnaire for an assessment that will familiarize you with the symptom patterns and exclusionary conditions that lead a health care provider to make a CFS diagnosis.

Disclaimer:
The CFIDS Association of America, Inc. does not dispense medical advice on the diagnosis or treatment of chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS) or similar conditions. This questionnaire is provided only as a source of information to site visitors about the symptom patterns and exclusions that can lead a health care provider to make a diagnosis of CFIDS/CFS. The CFIDS Association of America assumes no liability for any medical treatment or other activity undertaken by readers. For medical advice, please consult your personal health care provider. http://www.cfids.org/default.asp

Dec. 5th a must…

Posted on December 1st, 2008 in Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Health News by Jonnie Wright

Join a Live Chat with ME/CFS Research Expert Dr. Suzanne Vernon
ProHealth invites you to join a Live Q&A with Suzanne Vernon, PhD - Scientific Director of the CFIDS Association of America, “Working to Translate Science to a Cure
for CFS.”
The Time and Place:

Friday, December 5th, at 3 PM Pacific Time in the ProHealth.com Community Chat Rooms.

The Subjects:

Breaking news about the exciting & unprecedented ME/CFS research program Dr. Vernon has selected for CFIDS Association funding in 2009. Plus almost anything you’d like to ask about the “state of the science” current & future, in terms of CFS causes, diagnosis, and treatment. read more

ProHealth, Inc.
2040 Alameda Padre Serra, Suite #101
Santa Barbara, CA 93103 USA
Customer Service: 1 (800) 366-6056
International: 001.805.564.3064
Fax: 1 (805) 965-0042

What do I do with my Pain?

Posted on September 7th, 2007 in Chronic Pain by Jonnie Wright

I sit here in a Vicodin fog, trying to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness. This goal is not easy. “I hurt! I hurt! I hurt!” my body screams. The noise drowns out my focus, so I must constantly go back to the Scripture, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matt. 6:33) God’s Kingdom recedes with pain’s schreaching distractions.

Now is the time to step forward and be counted. This battle is not mine! “Stand firm!” is the command (2 Chron. 20:17). All I want to do is go back to bed, yet what an opportunity to practice what I preach in The Silver Bullet: God’s Rx for Chronic Pain.

  • Today’s Challenge: is to literally stretch beyond my physical limitations.
  • How do I choose to cope? I will pray for the saints of God in their struggles. I will read my Bible study for today. I will take a nap and feel better when I awake. I will meet one other person’s need today. I will do no “shoulds.”
  • My attitude will be “can do!” I want to stand firm and see the deliverance that the Lord will give me.

I have my Jesus, God’s answer to my pain. I have my plan. It’s the Lord’s day and I will rejoice in it. How can I not?

What do you do when pain screams at you?

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