Is anyone familiar with Kathy Dickson from Conneitcutt on Lymes Disease and her discoveries many are suffering with Lymes Disease as well as her. You can see her on you tube type in lymes disease…she has four videos…very troubling what is happening so many people suffering and there is an answer… please take a look as Lymes Disease it is horrid and can damage even the brain… please get involved and listen to what she has to say… I know Lymes can look like plain old arthritis etc…. has many faces….. thank you for your time and your compassion to look at what this young lady is researching with documentation to back her up… very disturbing. Could be our children we need to learn all we can.
thanks again angel
Since the symptoms of fibromyalgia are diverse and vary among patients, treatment programs must be individualized for each patient. Treatment programs are most effective when they combine patient education, stress reduction, regular exercise, and medications. Recent studies have verified that the best outcome for each patient results from a combination of approaches that involves the patient in customization of the treatment plan.
There is no effective treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. Even though there is no specific treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome itself, you may find it quite helpful to treat your symptoms. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, may help get rid of any body aches or fever, and nonsedating antihistamines may help relieve any prominent allergic symptoms, such as runny nose.
Learning how to manage your fatigue may help you improve the level at which you can function and your quality of life despite your symptoms. A rehabilitation medicine specialist can evaluate and teach you how to plan activities to take advantage of times when you usually feel better.
The lack of any proven effective treatment can be frustrating to both you and your doctors. If you have chronic fatigue syndrome, health experts recommend that you try to maintain good health by:
* Eating a balanced diet and getting adequate rest
* Exercising regularly but without causing more fatigue
* Pacing yourself — physically, emotionally, and intellectually — because too much stress can aggravate your symptoms. The course of chronic fatigue syndrome varies from patient to patient
For most people, chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms plateau early in the course of illness and thereafter wax and wane. Some people get better completely, but it is not clear how frequently this happens. Emotional support and counseling can help you and your loved ones cope with the uncertain outlook and the ups and downs of this illness.
New studies seem to show that cognitive behavioral therapy and graduated exercise programs can greatly help many. Others are helped by antidepressants.
Because well-designed clinical studies have found that patients with fibromyalgia (an illness similar to chronic fatigue syndrome) benefit from low-dose tricyclic antidepressants, doctors often prescribe these drugs for people with chronic fatigue syndrome with generally positive results. Some researchers believe that these drugs improve the quality of sleep. Patients also have benefited from other kinds of antidepressants, including the newer serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Therapeutic doses of antidepressants often increase fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome, so doctors may have to increase the dosage very slowly, or prescribe more active antidepressants. In addition, some people with chronic fatigue syndrome benefit from the benzodiazepines, a class of drugs used to treat acute anxiety and sleep problems. Patients often try more than one drug before finding one that works and can be tolerated.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Center of Pittsburgh
Foster Plaza #8
730 Holiday Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
Toll-free: 1-866-443-4276
Phone: 412-922-1155
Fax: 412-922-1127
Considered the best in the USA by many.
References :
December 6th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
oww just watched i'd not really heard that much about it. so scary!!
my heart goes out to her and her family and hope that she can be cured
References :
December 6th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Since there is currently no cure for fibromyalgia, the focus of fibromyalgia treatment must be in managing the symptoms of fibromyalgia and relieving the pain.
The most effective medications in the treatment of fibromyalgia are the tricyclic antidepressants, medications traditionally used in treating depression. In treating fibromyalgia, tricyclic antidepressants are taken at bedtime in doses that are a fraction of those used for treating depression. Tricyclic antidepressants appear to reduce fatigue, relieve muscle pain and spasm, and promote deep restorative sleep in patients with fibromyalgia. Scientists believe that tricyclics work by interfering with a nerve transmitter chemical in the brain called "serotonin." Examples of tricyclic antidepressants commonly used in treating fibromyalgia include amitriptyline (Elavil) and doxepin (Sinequan).
A recent study suggests that adding fluoxetine (Prozac) to low dose amitriptyline (Elavil) further reduces muscle pain, anxiety, and depression in patients with fibromyalgia. The combination is also more effective in promoting restful sleep and improving an overall sense of well-being. These two medications also tend to cancel out certain side effects each can have. Tricyclic medications can cause tiredness and fatigue, while fluoxetine can make patients more cheerful and awake. Even more recently, study of patients with resistant fibromyalgia found that lorazepam (Ativan) was helpful in relieving symptoms. Fluoxetine has also been shown to be effective when used alone for some patients with fibromyalgia. Newer antidepressants including Effexor and Cymbalta and drugs such as Lyrica may reduce pain and improve functioning.
Other Treatments
Local injections of analgesics and/or cortisone medication into the trigger point areas can also be helpful in relieving painful soft tissues, while breaking cycles of pain and muscle spasm. Some studies indicate that the pain-reliever tramadol (Ultram) and tramadol/acetaminophen (Ultracet) may be helpful for the treatment of fibromyalgia pains. The muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) has been helpful for reducing pain symptoms and improving sleep.
The nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), while very helpful in treating other rheumatic conditions, have only a limited value in treating fibromyalgia pain. Narcotic pain relievers and cortisone medications have not been shown to be beneficial in this condition. Narcotics and cortisone medications are avoided because they have not been shown to be beneficial and they have potential adverse side effects, including dependency, when used long-term.
Both biofeedback and electroacupuncture have been used for relief of symptoms with some success. Standard acupuncture was recently reported to be effective in treating some patients with fibromyalgia.
Chronic pain can occur anywhere in the body. Treating chronic pain can be challenging. Alternative therapy has become an option for pain management.
The term alternative therapy, in general, is used to describe any medical treatment or intervention that has not been sufficiently scientifically documented or identified as safe and effective for a specific condition. Alternative therapy encompasses a variety of disciplines including acupuncture, guided imagery, chiropractic treatment, yoga, hypnosis, biofeedback, aromatherapy, relaxation, herbal remedies, massage and many others.
In the past decade, strong evidence has been accumulated regarding the benefits of mind-body therapies, acupuncture, and some nutritional supplements for treating pain. Other alternative therapies such as massage, chiropractic therapies, therapeutic touch, certain herbal therapies, and dietary approaches have the potential to alleviate pain in some cases. However, the evidence supporting these therapies is less concrete.
Mind-Body Therapies
Mind-body therapies are treatments that are meant to help the mind’s ability to affect the functions and symptoms of the body. Mind-body therapies use various approaches including relaxation techniques, meditation, guided imagery, biofeedback, and hypnosis. Relaxation techniques can help alleviate discomfort related to chronic pain.
Acupuncture
Although the World Health Organization currently recognizes more than 30 diseases or conditions that can be helped by acupuncture treatment, one of the main uses of acupuncture is for pain relief.
Sixteenth century Chinese doctors believed that illness was due to an imbalance of energy in the body. In acupuncture, disposable, stainless steel needles are used to stimulate the body's 14 major meridians, or energy-carrying channels, to resist or overcome illnesses and conditions by correcting these imbalances.
Acupuncture is also thought to decrease pain by increasing the release of chemicals that block pain, called endorphins. Many acu-points are near nerves. When stimulated, these nerves cause a dull ache or feeling of fullness in the muscle. The stimulated muscle sends a message to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), causing the release of endorphins (morphine-like chemicals produced in our own bodies during times of pain or stress). Endorphins, along with other neurotransmitters (body chemicals that modify nerve impulses), block the message of pain from being delivered up to the brain
Acupuncture may be useful as an accompanying treatment for many pain-related conditions, including: headache, low back pain, menstrual cramps, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and myofascial pain. Acupuncture also may be an acceptable alternative to or may be included as part of a comprehensive pain management program.
Chiropractic Treatment and Massage
Chiropractic treatment is the most common non-surgical treatment for back pain. Improvements of people undergoing chiropractic manipulations were noted in some trials. However, the treatments effectiveness in treating back and neck pain has not been supported by compelling evidence from the majority of clinical trials. Further studies are currently assessing the effectiveness of chiropractic care for pain management.
Massage is being increasingly used by people suffering from pain, mostly to manage chronic back and neck problems. Massage can reduce stress and relieve tension by enhancing blood flow. This treatment also can reduce the presence of substances that may generate and sustain pain. Available data suggest that massage therapy, like chiropractic manipulations, holds considerable promise for managing back pain.
Therapeutic Touch and Reiki Healing
Therapeutic touch and reiki healing are thought to help activate the self-healing processes of an individual and therefore reduce pain. Although these so called "energy-based" techniques do not require actual physical contact, they do involve close physical proximity between practitioner and patient.
In the past few years, several reviews evaluated published studies on the efficacy of these healing approaches to ease pain and anxiety and improve health. Although beneficial effects with no significant adverse side effects were reported in several studies, the limitations of some of these studies make it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Further studies are needed before the evidence-based recommendation for using these approaches for pain treatment can be made.
References :
December 7th, 2008 at 12:18 am
There is no cure for fibromyalgia. There are patients who have been misdiagnosed with fibromyalgia when in actuality they had lymes Disease. That does not mean that every case of fibromyalgia is caused by Lymes Disease.
Fibromyalgia is one of the disorders known as "dysautonomia" , which is a central nervous system problem. To try and say all fibromyalgia cases are the same is silly. We each arrive at the problem through a life time of insults to our bodies. Lyme Disease may be responsible for some of the problems in some of the cases but it isn't the CURE for fibromyalgia. If it were we would all be well and the doctors would treat every patient for Lyme Disease.
References :
http://360.yahoo.com/profile-u92l7DQ6crVz0iK_V6UhmESvJZsU
December 7th, 2008 at 1:02 am
There is no cure but they are doing research on it everyday. Everyone is different with pain their pain levels. There are medications out there that can help but then again like I said everyone is different. the best advice is get a good Dr. and ask about different kinds of treatments available.
References :
http://www.ncf-net.org/NCFresearch.htm#Other
December 7th, 2008 at 1:45 am
Since the symptoms of fibromyalgia are diverse and vary among patients, treatment programs must be individualized for each patient. Treatment programs are most effective when they combine patient education, stress reduction, regular exercise, and medications. Recent studies have verified that the best outcome for each patient results from a combination of approaches that involves the patient in customization of the treatment plan.
There is no effective treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. Even though there is no specific treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome itself, you may find it quite helpful to treat your symptoms. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, may help get rid of any body aches or fever, and nonsedating antihistamines may help relieve any prominent allergic symptoms, such as runny nose.
Learning how to manage your fatigue may help you improve the level at which you can function and your quality of life despite your symptoms. A rehabilitation medicine specialist can evaluate and teach you how to plan activities to take advantage of times when you usually feel better.
The lack of any proven effective treatment can be frustrating to both you and your doctors. If you have chronic fatigue syndrome, health experts recommend that you try to maintain good health by:
* Eating a balanced diet and getting adequate rest
* Exercising regularly but without causing more fatigue
* Pacing yourself — physically, emotionally, and intellectually — because too much stress can aggravate your symptoms. The course of chronic fatigue syndrome varies from patient to patient
For most people, chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms plateau early in the course of illness and thereafter wax and wane. Some people get better completely, but it is not clear how frequently this happens. Emotional support and counseling can help you and your loved ones cope with the uncertain outlook and the ups and downs of this illness.
New studies seem to show that cognitive behavioral therapy and graduated exercise programs can greatly help many. Others are helped by antidepressants.
Because well-designed clinical studies have found that patients with fibromyalgia (an illness similar to chronic fatigue syndrome) benefit from low-dose tricyclic antidepressants, doctors often prescribe these drugs for people with chronic fatigue syndrome with generally positive results. Some researchers believe that these drugs improve the quality of sleep. Patients also have benefited from other kinds of antidepressants, including the newer serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Therapeutic doses of antidepressants often increase fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome, so doctors may have to increase the dosage very slowly, or prescribe more active antidepressants. In addition, some people with chronic fatigue syndrome benefit from the benzodiazepines, a class of drugs used to treat acute anxiety and sleep problems. Patients often try more than one drug before finding one that works and can be tolerated.
References :
http://www.medicinenet.com/chronic_fatigue_syndrome/page4.htm