Saturday January 5, 2008, 8:16 am
thanks Sunshine, noted,

Saturday January 5, 2008, 8:16 am
Noted,thank you.

Saturday January 5, 2008, 8:32 am
member here on my friends list that is part of this site, althou he doesn't say much and I was member years before there before ever found c2. thx to u 2

Saturday January 5, 2008, 8:48 am
those that can forward any of my submissons on M.E. CFIDS, FM to ur freinds please do espcially those that have any of these, they aren't getting enough exposure and not in media, forwards difficult for me and not often, thx
also new thread started on fm/cfs original group here, for related news items, people track it or did tht eold one
http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.html?gpp=225&pst=1166807&archival=&posts=3

Saturday January 5, 2008, 3:11 pm
thanks Sunshine...

Saturday January 5, 2008, 3:18 pm
ditto, allways LD

Saturday January 5, 2008, 3:20 pm
Other Related Illnesses That We Discuss Consist Of The Following: Myofascial Pain
Chronic Fatigue
IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Depression
Lupus
Multiple Sclerosis
Fatigue
Epstein Barr
Thyroid Disease
Sjogren's Syndrome
Hair Loss
Anxiety / Panic Attacks
TMJ Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
Migraine Headaches
Esophogeal Dysmotility or Reflux
Raynaud's Numbness and Tingling
Restless Leg Syndrome
Muscle spasms and Severe Muscle Weakness
Sleep Disturbance / Non Restorative Sleep
Muscle Intolerance To Cold
Body Temperature Fluctuations
Disequilibrium - Impaired Co-ordination
"Fibrofog" Cognitive function problems
Neurogenic Inflammation Like Rashes And Hives
Sensitivity Amplification
Allergies and/or Environmental Sensitivities

Sunday January 6, 2008, 12:33 pm
FIBROMYALGIA
WHAT IS FIBROMYALGIA? Fibromyalgia (fibrositis, myofibrocytis) is a chronic, painful
muscle condition characterized by pain in the skeletal muscles, tendons (which attatch muscles to bones),
ligaments (which attach bones to bones) and other and bursa (sac-like structures which are filled with
synovial fluid and provide lubrication and nutrition to joints). Recently, much has been written about this
disorder in health magazines and newspapers. Although Hippocrates first described fibromyalgia, it has
been only in the last few years that much attention (and credence) has been given to this syndrome. Controversy
and disbelief by the medical profession has been associated with fibromyalgia simply because objective
evidence in the form of x-rays or biopsies can't be found. However, with the use of thermography, or
the measuring of heat produced by areas of the body, this syndrome is now more widely accepted by many,
but not all, doctors.
SYMPTOMS. Fibromyalgia is characterized by generalized muscle soreness and stiffness lasting
more than three months, poor sleep with morning fatigue and stiffness, tenderness at 11 of 18 specific sites,
and normal blood test results. The more common painful areas are the low cervical spine, the shoulder, the
second rib, the arm, the buttocks and the knee. These symptoms are often worsened by stress or a change
in the weather. Depression, which may be due to a chemical imbalance in the brain or the development of
chronic pain, is common with fibromyalgia. Virtually all physical activity not only increases the patient's
pain complaints, but also makes the next few days miserable, producing intense muscle pain.
Note the location of specific tender points, 11 of 18 of which are required for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia
to be made. From: Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Survival Manual, by Starlanyl,
DJ and Copeland, ME. New Harbinger Publications: Oakland (CA), 1996.
CAUSES. Fibromyalgia may be caused by physical trauma (such as a motor vehicle accident, a sudden
fall, or even the trauma of surgery with a general anesthetic). This terrible disorder may also begin after
an illness like the flu. Often, women experience the effects of fibromyalgia due to hormonal changes
after a hysterectomy or around the time of the beginning of menopause. Also, the sudden emotional trauma
of the loss of a loved one may trigger fibromyalgia.
Many "experts" feel that fibromyalgia effects only those people with "Type A" personalities, but this notion
has not been demonstrated either by statistics or by scientific experimentation. It may plague people
with all types of personalities and life styles, all age ranges, and those in all states of health. However,
many of those suffering with fibromyalgia also suffer with TMJ.
CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH FIBROMYALGIA.* Many other physcial
conditions are found frequently along with fibromyalgia. Each of these can and do occur separately;
however, they are also quite commonly associated with fibromyalgia.
TMJ. Many patients suffering with TMJ problems also sufferer with fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, many
doctors (1) don't recognize either TMJ or fibromyalgia or (2) fail to see the connection of these two pain
syndromes. Fibromyalgia almost always intensifies the painful symptoms of TMJ and when one or both
temporomandibular joints are dislocated, the pain of fibromyalgia in the neck and upper back is greatly
magnified. Both TMJ and fibromyalgia produce similar painful symptoms in the muscles of the neck,
shoulders, back, face and head as well as often causing dizziness.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This debilitating disorder, just like fibromyalgia and TMJ, is often misdiagnosed
and at best, misunderstood by many medical professionals. In addition to chronic fatigue, CFS, just
like
fibromyalgia, produces muscle pain and weakness.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Nearly half of all patients with fibromyalgia have frequent bowel cramping,
severe diarrhea, and severe abdominal pain.
Depression. As with most conditions which produce chronic pain, depression is a common problem with
fibromyalgia. Common depression symptoms include a feeling of low self esteem, helplessness, hopelessness,
poor appetite, loss of sexual drive, sleeplessness, frequent crying, and basic lack of
interest in life.
Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks. Often, those afflicted with fibromyalgia also experience
extreme anxiety and panic attacks, especially at nighttime. They may awaken in terror
with their heart beating rapidly, their chest feeling tight with a feeling as if breating is impossible.
The patient will be convinced that they are going to die. There are many causes of
such
attacks, and perhaps alterations in certain body chemicals produced in excess with fibromyalgia
may be one cause.
Concentration and Memory Problems. Like those suffering with severe TMJ, patient with
fibromyalgia often report difficulty in thinking and even remembering.
They often forget where they've parked the car at the mall, for example. Simple facts and
numbers are often forgotten. Understandably, great frustration often accompanies these
memory problems.
Irritable Bladder. Those with fibromyalgia often complain of frequent, painful urination.
Although they feel as if their bladder is infected, urine and blood tests are negative.
Mitral Value Prolapse. There may be a statistical correlation with those suffering with mitral
value prolapse (a weakness in the mitral value of the heart) and fibromyalgia. Since the mitral
value is mostly fibrous connective tissue, perhaps the same process that effects other
connective tissue of the body (eg, musles, ligaments, tendons and bursae) also damages the
mitral value of the heart.*
Fibrocytic Breast Disease and Endometriosis. Although there is no known explaination
(yet!), both fibrocystic disease of the breast and endometriosis are often seen in women with
fibromyalgia.*
*Pellegrino, MJ. Fibromyalgia: Managing the Pain. Columbus: Anadem Publishing, 1993.
TREATMENT. Treatment of fibromyalgia is physical therapy, trigger point anesthetic
injections, stress management, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, dietary changes
and antidepressant drugs, especially at bedtime. Recently, there has been a lot of research
concerning the use of herbs and homeopathic remedies (eg, Vitamin C, Rhux Tox 6x, melatonin,
magnesium, and many others) in the treatment of fibromyalgia. An excellent article
addressing this and other issues about fibromyalgia appeared in the January 1996 newsletter
of the USA Fibromyalgia Association (details are given below about the Association).
Physical exercise, preceeded by stretching and followed by application of ice, is very beneficial.
One of the worse things a sufferer of fibromyalgia can do is to become sedentary and
inactive. You'll only gain weight, become depressed, and lose all desire to participate in life.
TMJ And FIBROMYALGIA. Many sufferers of fibromyalgia also suffer with
TMJ problems. In fact, each of these disorders make the other far worse than they'd be
alone. When one or both TMJs are injured, the muscles in the head and neck automatically
tense-up, develop trigger points, and, among other symptoms, intensify the symptoms of
fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, many doctors who effectively treat fibromyalgia do not understand
or recognize TMJ and visa versa. Also, many patients suffering with TMJ have been
misdiagnosed as having fibromyalgia.
For more information about fibromyalgia, contact:
USA FIBROMYALGIA ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 20408
Columbus, OH 43220
Phone: (614) 764-8010

Image of Autoimmune - Fibromyalgia Thermal pattern
athermalimage.com

Monday January 7, 2008, 1:24 am
Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorders (TMJDs)
http://www.tmj.org/
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K. that may explain why you and I have them elsewhere as well, I get them on my skull and elswhereon my body. Also the stiff neck I get that usually comes with M..E., i'Ve had a very bad flare for the past week on top of everything else, back to bed.
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Carla thanks for the info and post, sent u star priror so can't sent another for a week, 'green star"

Monday January 7, 2008, 3:19 pm
great postings; always appreciated! I've been a member of Fibrohugs for some time but do find Care2 more friendly and informative. Any information is valuable - and worth the time spent reading and sharing; I totally agree. Valerie

Thursday January 10, 2008, 9:39 am
A secret in the brain
--------------------------------------------

The typical symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) involve inflammation or pain in joints and muscles, often accompanied by fatigue. But such symptoms are impossible to measure, so FMS is often misdiagnosed as a form of arthritis, or the patient is told the pain is imagined.

In the e-Alert "Get Real" (3/2/05), I told you about rheumatologist Daniel Clauw, M.D., of the University of Michigan, who used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine the area of the brain that registers pain. The images revealed an increase of blood flow when FMS patients were given low-pressure stimulus. The identical stimulus showed no change in the brains of control group subjects.

The next step in Dr. Clauw's research was reported in the December 2006 issue of Current Pain and Headache Reports. In a review of neurobiological studies that examined pain, brain activity, and genetics in FMS patients, Dr. Clauw and his University of Michigan colleague, Richard E. Harris, Ph.D., confirmed the presence of abnormalities within central brain structures in subjects with FMS. Genetic research supports the theory that inherited gene mutations are the most probable cause of FMS brain abnormalities