LIVING WITH ME

In the quest to use our diet to help alleviate symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, we shouldn’t overlook the cucumber.

The cucumber contains silica, which is important for connective-tissue health. We could certainly use some help there!

http://chronicfatigue.about.com

Investigators

Prof. David Jones and colleagues
Institutions

Institute of Cellular Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Background and aims

In the historical literature, the hallmark of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) was marked muscle fatigability often in response to minor degrees of exercise. Muscle cramps, fasciculations (twitching) and extreme muscle tenderness were also common findings. As Dr Ramsay said in the Postgraduate Medical Journal in 1978, “”This was sometimes obvious as the patients winced even on light palpitation of the affected muscle; but much more frequently it took the form of minute foci of muscle tenderness which had to be carefully sought and for no ostensible reason were generally found in the trapezii and gastrocnemii.””

http://www.meresearch.org.uk

A project looking into a chronic childhood condition has been given a £164,000 boost.

A team at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases has been given the money by the Linbury and Ashden Charitable Trusts for its research into chronic fatigue syndrome in children.

Led by consultant paediatrician Dr Esther Crawley, the project looks at the treatment of children with the condition, and how to help them.

http://www.southwestbusiness.co.uk

So one in three of us visits a GP complaining of constant tiredness. Rob Sharp finds out what’s wearing us out – and how we can regain our get-up-and-go.

http://www.independent.co.uk

DAVID Webb could only watch as his wife’s life changed forever. He couldn’t stop the crippling illness that has turned a bubbly mum-of-one into someone who can now be bedridden.

As reported in the Midweek Herald two weeks ago, Emma Webb, 35, suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as ME.

http://www.devon24.co.uk/

This is an expanded version of a talk given by Dr Neil Abbot (Operations Director of ME Research UK) at the Royal Society of Medicine conference “Medicine and me: ME and CFS — Hearing the patient’s voice” on Saturday 11th July 2009.

http://www.meresearch.org.uk

I’m a 38-year-old man and for the past 10 months I have felt completely exhausted. I sleep for eight hours a night but can hardly lift my head off the pillow in the morning. It’s affecting my performance at work and I barely have the energy to raise a smile, let alone socialise or go jogging like I used to. I’m otherwise healthy, don’t take any medication and don’t feel depressed. What could be wrong with me?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk

A new research paper, published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, provides further evidence of an abnormality in the way in which skeletal muscle produces and handles lactic acid during exercise along with how this abnormality may be linked to the autonomic nervous system.

http://www.meassociation.org.uk

We are pleased to be supporting an online petition launched by Amanda Skinner, from Edenbridge in Kent, which is calling for more chairs to be provided in shops.

http://www.meassociation.org.uk

The role of the new British Association for CFS/ME (BACME) in the training of the next generation of doctors and healthcare professionals in ME should be examined by the All Party Parliamentary Group on ME (APPG) when the group reforms after the General Election.

http://www.meassociation.org.uk/

When you have an illness like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, you can never be too prepared — I know this, yet I keep finding new situations for which I’m not prepared.

Here’s the latest one: I was driving down a residential road a few days ago, when 2 large dogs ran into the street right in front of me. I slammed on the brakes hard enough to send my purse flying onto the floor, and stopped just a few feet short of hitting the dogs. Crisis averted? Not entirely.

http://chronicfatigue.about.com

Is your head spinning when it comes to the new health-care reform legislation? I know mine is! It’s all I can manage to stay on top of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome issues, so I’m at a complete loss on this one.

Fortunately, I have some brilliant colleagues here at About.com who are on top of health-care reform.

http://chronicfatigue.about.com

Both chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia are poorly understood in the medical community. Current evidence points to chronic infection and its damage to immune system function as likely causes. Reference 1 describes evidence for the XMRV virus as the cause for many cases of chronic fatigue syndrome.

http://www.empowher.com

A recent study out of Norway supports the theory of central nervous system dysregulation in chronic fatigue syndrome with some interesting findings in adolescents.

Researchers found abnormalities in 2 hormonal systems — one that controls fluid balance in the body, and one that regulates blood volume. Some chronic fatigue syndrome researchers have said for years that low blood volume is a feature of the condition, but the idea has remained controversial.

http://chronicfatigue.about.com

Information provided to the ME Association by Dr Charles Lapp – Hunter Hopkins Centre, Charlotte, USA.

You have probably already heard that Dr. Dan Peterson and the Whittemore-Peterson Institute reported in Science ( Oct 2009 ) that 97% of blood specimens stored since the CFS outbreaks of 1984-1986 were positive for a new retrovirus called XMRV. This finding raised several questions: (1) Is this for real? (2) Does XMRV just like people with CFS or does it cause the illness? (3) And if it causes CFS, what drugs can treat it?

http://www.meassociation.org.uk

My naturopath Dr. Kelly Upcott and I share the view that as we tackle my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome together, I need to reduce the toxic load on my liver and enhance my immune system. Reducing chemical exposure has been a step in the right direction.

Not all products calling themselves natural or boast about containing green tea or lavender are benign. Look past the emphasis on their ethereal special ingredients. What we want to know is, what else is in there?

http://www.empowher.com

A change in the weather can mean changes in symptoms when you have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, and it pays to be prepared for the changes ahead.

http://chronicfatigue.about.com

New information is coming out about the retrovirus tentatively linked to chronic fatigue syndrome and prostate cancer.

According to research presented at the 2010 Genitourinary Cancer Symposium, XMRV appears to be transmitted similarly to HIV — through contact with blood and semen. Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic say that semen appears to make XMRV more able to slip into human cells.

http://chronicfatigue.about.com

While there’s no perfect diet for everyone with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, certain nutrients can help with our symptoms. We talk a lot here about supplements, which are a great way to make sure you’re getting consistent daily amounts, but it’s also important to make sure you’re eating the right foods. I’m starting a Food of the Week series to look at the nutritional value of different foods and see how beneficial they might be.

http://chronicfatigue.about.com

The grass is turning green, my forsythia’s about to bloom, spring is in the air — along with ever increasing amounts of pollen. A big percentage of us with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome have allergies, which can make this time of year especially hard. As you’ve probably learned, even mild hay fever can make your other symptoms worse.

http://chronicfatigue.about.com

How often do you find yourself searching your brain for a simple word that you just can’t remember? Do you have problems writing, or understanding things you read or hear? If so, you’re certainly not alone! This kind of language impairment is a symptom of both fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS).

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/

Coral Gables, FL, March 18, 2010 –(PR.com)– A resolution encouraging the establishment of the NeuroEndocrineImmune (NEI) Center™ , the first research center in the state of New Jersey dedicated to understanding and treating chronic neuroendocrineimmune (NEI) illnesses which includes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, is currently awaiting passage in the New Jersey State Senate.

http://www.pr.com/

http://www.investinme.org/IIME%20newsletter.htm#February%202010

Wayne Jervis is on a crusade. The 41-year-old Cos Cob resident is afraid that a proposed T-Mobile cell tower (at 205 Bible Street) and the radio frequencies (RFs) that come with it pose a health risk to his and other children who go to schools near the site — and he’s determined to do something about it.

http://www.greenwichcitizen.com/

TRAFFORD’S health service is failing hundreds of the borough’s residents who suffer from the devastating condition ME, or chronic fatigue syndrome, a support group claims.

The Stockport ME Group says it been trying unsuccessfully for five years to get Trafford health chiefs to open a specialist clinic for the borough’s estimated 900-plus sufferers of the condition .

http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk

The extent to which ME (myalgic encephalopathy), or chronic fatigue syndrome, can wreck lives was highlighted by a court case in January.

http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/

Sinus problems are almost as common pain and exhaustion in those of us with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, and this is a bad time of year for them. We’re in the last dregs of the cold and flu season, allergy season is getting underway, and lots of triggers are in the air for non-allergy rhinitis.

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/b/2010/03/18/sinus-problems-in-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-syndrome.htm