Charlotte CFS/ME/FM Support Group Newsletter

for September 1, 2008

 

Hi Everyone,
 
Here I am again sharing information with you about ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome) and Fibromyalgia on behalf of the Charlotte Area ME/CFS/FM Support Group.  I'll be merging advocacy information with this newsletter as well. I expect I'll generate a newsletter about twice a month. One will be timed to be a meeting reminder for the next support group meeting.
 
DISCLAIMER:  My apologies to anyone who has asked to be removed from any e-newsletters....but you have received one.  Please just email me and request that you be removed.  We are in transition so there may be some oversights so please excuse them.  And anytime you reach the point where you no longer wish to be on distribution, please do not hesitate to send me a quick email just requesting that you be removed. No problem!!
 
Our next support group meeting will be Thursday, September 18th, at the Sharon Presbyterian Church. I'll be sending out a reminder with more details about the topic. The schedule is being revamped but we'll have this information for you soon.
 
Note:  Because of scheduling conflicts, the start of the Bruce Campbell CFS/FM Self Help Study Course will not begin in September but be postponed until January of 2009. We'll keep you apprised of that as the time approaches.
 
 
 
Nancy Henson
 
National Chronic Invisible Illness Awareness Week
September 8 - 15, 2008
www.invisibleillness.com
  
============== List of Topics Covered in This Newsletter ================
 
- Treating M.E. 'The Basics" Section of The Hummingbird's Guide Updated and Extended
- Research - Fibromyalgia Skin Sensitivities
- Dr. Teitelbaum's Latest E-Newsletter (CFS & FM)
- Downloadable files from Fibromyalgia Network
- Adrienne, About.com CFS/FM Forum Guide E-Newsletter/Articles
- August 2008 Fibromyalgia Network E-News
 
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Jodi Bassett  - A Hummingbird's Guide - (www.ahummingbirdsguide.com) recently distributed her
most recent e-newsletter from the Hummingbird Guide newsletter.  I will tell you that it is quite lengthy. If you have not been to this web site before, you may find it overwhelming as she does includes an enormous amount of information:
 
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'Treating M.E. - The Basics' has been fully updated and extended!

This paper was updated in July and now includes a new 'top 10 treatments' section, a short section on cancer and M.E. and how to reduce your risk, information about how to avoid EMF radiation, a lot more information on diet and the importance of whole foods and balancing protein, carbs and fat, more information on treatments to avoid (that can cause serious relapses/deterioration), information on tests you can have done privately that can help with determining the best treatments, ways to save money on supplements without sacrificing quality, and lots more.

I received so much useful feedback after the July update however, that I decided to act on some of it right away and so the paper was also updated again, and further extended, in August.

The section on diet was extended, and new sections were added about weight loss and M.E., how to shop and prepare food more easily when you are ill, which protein shakes are safest, and how to make meals that are liquid or easier to swallow.

A big thank you to everyone who offered suggestions and positive feedback. See:
http://www.ahummingbirdsguide.com/treatingmethebasics.htm

 
The following link is referred to in the last paragraph pertaining to Dr. Cheney. However, the first link doesn't not work but all references to Dr. Cheney are all very worth reading if you are not familiar with his work.
http://www.dfwcfids.org/medical/cavalry.html
 
The following link is regarding Th1 and Th2 - Cancer and M.E.: 
 http://www.ahummingbirdsguide.com/treatingmeantioxidants.htm#223067448
 
You may wish to subscribe to updates of this newsletter and you can do that by writing to Jodi Bassett, the editor, at newsletter@ahummingbirdsguide.com .
 
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Research on Fibromyalgia Skin Sensitivities

This article is from Fibromyalgia Network http://www.fmnetnews.com/articles-eNews-skin.php 
 
 
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From Dr. Teitelbaum's Latest Newsletter
 
Treating Brain Fog in CFS/FMS
Dear Readers,

Brain fog is very common in CFS/FMS, and presents as:

1. Horrible short term memory,

2. Difficulty with word finding and word substitution (e.g., substituting the word "fork" for "knife," or your neighbor's name for your husband's namenot a Freudian slip in CFS), and

3. Approximately 30% of those with CFS/FMS have episodic disorientation lasting ~ 30-60 seconds. This often occurs when driving or even turning down a supermarket aisle. It can feel scary, but is not dangerous. Though you may not know where you are (or are going) people seem able to drive or walk safely till it passes. This can also manifest as briefly not recognizing common objects or names (even of children).

Brain fog can sometimes be the scariest part of the illness for someespecially professionals that had been functioning at a very high level. Though standard testing will often not pick up the problem (nor is it designed to), in some cases the brain fog makes it hard or even impossible to continue one's job. In other cases, brain fog can be mild.

The good news is that brain fog tends to resolve with treatment along with the pain and fatigue. In this week's feature article, we will discuss the key treatments that can help you to get your brain back!

Read more » http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_c/CFS_FM-treating_brain_fog.html

To read more articles in Dr. Teitelbaum's newsletter, click below:
 
http://www.endfatigue.com/web-newsletters/nl_39_08-27-2008.html 
 
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Downloadable PDF Files of Fibromyalgia Information from Fibromyalgia Network
http://www2.fmnetnews.com/eresource/ebrochure.htm
 
The topics include:
 - sleep
- pain
- facts behind the reality of FM
- coping
- membership, educational, and awareness information
 
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For Those of You Who Do Not Subscribe to Adrienne's E-Newsletter (About.com CFS/FMS Forum guide):
 
Things to Avoid When You Have Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
http://chronicfatigue.about.com/b/2008/08/24/things-to-avoid-when-you-have-fibromyalgia-or-chronic-fatigue-syndrome.htm
 
 
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Fibromyalgia Network August 2008 E-News 
http://www.fmnetnews.com/pages/enews/0808.html#edu
 
 
Remember September 18th Charlotte ME/CFSME Support Group Meeting - Topic to be Announced Soon