As a fibromyalgia patient, what are your expectations when you arrive for your doctor appointments? Do you arrive prepared to work with your doctor on how best to manage the troubling symptoms of fibromyalgia, or do you arrive hopeful that he/she will have some treatment, some answer that will once and for all end your suffering? One of the first things I tell new members of FibroHaven support group - above everything - we need to learn to be our own best health advocates. Fibromyalgia is a condition with no known cure. There is not, and likely never will be, a single approach to treat and … [Read more...]
Brain Connectivity in Fibromyalgia Associated With Chronic Pain Intensity
A new study published in the August issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism finds that Fibromyalgia patients have greater connectivity in regions of the brain known to process evoked pain. Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on 36 female subjects - 18 fibromyalgia patients and 18 healthy subjects - to obtain their newly published results: Our results clearly show that individuals with FM have greater connectivity between multiple brain networks and the insular cortex, which is a brain region previously linked with evoked pain processing and hyperexcitability in FM," … [Read more...]
Follow up on Dr. Whitcomb & NRCT
So that happened! I intended to write this follow-up post on my experience with Dr. Whitcomb and his Neurologic Relief Centers Technique last Monday, but have been sidelined by a bad flare-up. Yes, I do attribute my flare to the workshop and testing technique, but even so, I intend to give you a fair account of the workshop, although as with everything on my blog, it will be full of my opinions. It may be a lot to follow, so I hope I have managed to present a readable review. The logistics of the day went like this: I was initially invited to the workshop by a local acupuncturist who I will … [Read more...]
Information is Power, So I am Going to Get Me Some!
Fibromyalgia is a Puzzle! Do you remember the press release I shared with you about Dr. Sarkozi and his new book The Missing Pieces of the Fibromyalgia Puzzle? Well he is the guest speaker at my support group meeting tonight. I am very pleased to have been able to schedule him. Dr. Sarkozi is a rheumatologist specializing in the treatment of Fibromyalgia. His technique is a blend of traditional and complimentary treatment, which intends to promote effective self-managed wellness. I am looking forward to his presentation. I personally believe very strongly that our best health will not come … [Read more...]
Sharing My Struggles
I am distraught today over an email I received from a member of my support group. Here is where my writing about this gets sticky. How much can I share and still honor her privacy? I guess I can just say that she is someone I reached out to individually because she was interested in getting involved in something I am doing and reaping great health benefits from, and now the whole thing has blown up in my face. I am just stunned at how my support and good intentions are now being twisted into such ugliness. It goes back to The Law of Detatchment and the lesson I learned there - "Today I … [Read more...]