IC Disease

Another week has gone by already and it’s time to post the latest happenings from Fighting Fatigue.  Here are this week’s posts.

Resources: Arthritis Message Boards/Online Support Groups

As part of my Resources section on Fighting Fatigue, I have added message boards and online support info for those who suffer from arthritis.

Resources: Arthritis Websites & Blogs

This post includes a list of numerous websites and blogs that can be found on arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Resources: Arthritis Books & DVDs

Finishing out my resources section for arthritis are books and DVDs that are available on the subject.

ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia: How the Medications Can Become Overwhelming

Because CFS & FM are such complex illnesses, it takes many drugs and supplements to treat that can be emotionally and financially overwhelming.

How Adolescents With ME/CFS Perceive Their Social Environment

This post details research on pediatric ME/CFS.

FDA Offers Guidance for the Safe Use of Pain Medicine

The FDA has created and distributed a safe use document for prescription and non-prescription pain medications. The post includes the information and the link to the PDF document.

Listen to the New Face of Fibromyalgia Webinar

In this post you can click the link and download the software needed to listen to the New Face of Fibromyalgia Webinar sponsored by the American Pain Foundation.

Lidocaine Research Proves Favorable for Fibromyalgia Patients

Research on Lidocaine as a pain management use for Fibromyalgia and how IV infusions of Lidocaine proved most beneficial.

CFS + Fibromyalgia + PMDD = One Grouchy Mama!

Another one of my whining sessions on how bad I feel!

It was yet another busy week at Fighting Fatigue as I spread the word on ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and related illnesses.  I have been running the Fighting Fatigue website for three years now and I never grow tired of sharing news on chronic illness.  I hope you enjoy reading these weekly posts!

Fibromyalgia - 10 Tips to Defeat Morning Stiffness

Great tips from the National Fibromyalgia Association on defeating morning stiffness in FM patients.

Resources: Celiac Disease Books & DVDs

I have added resource information for Celiac Disease on Fighting Fatigue.

Monthly Updates From National Fibromyalgia Association

March’s news from the National Fibromyalgia Association.

Sign Petition to Raise Awareness During National Endometriosis Awareness Month

It’s National Endometriosis Awareness Month and you will want to read this post so that you can sign the petition.

My Vascular Surgery Has Been Postponed Thanks to Insurance Company

My leg surgery was cancelled due to the insurance company not having enough “documentation” of the problems I’m having with my leg.  I have to wear stockings for three months before I can be considered for the surgery.

Wikio’s Top 100 Health Blog Rankings for March 2009

Fighting Fatigue is listed in the top 100 health blogs on Wikio.  I have included links for all 100 sites on this post.

Lipomas In Fibromyalgia Patients

This post explains what Lipomas are and how they can be painful for Fibromyalgia sufferers. 

ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia & IBS News Around the Web

The latest Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and IBS news found on the Internet. 

Adrenal Fatigue & Problems It Causes

This post explains what adrenal fatigue is and the different symptoms and conditions that can occur due to the adrenal glands not functioning properly.  Adrenal fatigue is common in both ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia.

Enjoy this past week’s post from Fighting Fatigue.  If you or someone you know suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia or related conditions, please send them to the website. 

Risk of MS Associated With Vitamin D Deficiency Plus Common Genetic Variant

Researchers have discovered that there is a risk of multiple sclerosis associated with Vitamin D deficiency when the person has a genetic predisposed factor.

Resources: Headache & Migraine Websites & Blogs

I’ve added more resources to the Resources page on Fighting Fatigue and this time it is websites adn blogs for migraines and headaches.

Symptoms of Perimenopause vs. CFS

This post describes the similar symptoms that occur with perimenopause and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

England Receives Funding To Study ME/CFS In Children

Funding is received by British researchers to study a much needed area of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - pediatric ME/CFS. Hopefully these researchers will be able to find the answers to much-needed questions that will help child CFS sufferers worldwide.

The New Face Of Fibromyalgia: Webinar Announcement

The American Pain Foundation is hosting a webinar on Fibromyalgia Tuesday, March 10th. Click the link above to find out how to sign up and for further information.

Resources: Headache & Migraine Message Boards & Online Support

Links to message boards and online support for headaches and migraine sufferers.

Resources: Headache & Migraine Books & DVDs

More resources for headache and migraine sufferers - books and DVDs on the subject.

ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia & IBS News Around the Web

Latest ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and IBS news around the Internet.

Resources: Pain Message Boards & Online Support Groups

More information I added to my Resources page - message boards and online support for those suffering from chronic pain.

NFA Fibromyalgia Medication Survey

The National Fibromyalgia Association is asking Fibromyalgia patients to complete a medication survey. Click the link above to take a few minutes to fill it out.

9th International IACFS/ME Research and Clinical Conference

This post offers details on the conference and how you can register as either a patient or as a healthcare professional if you would like to attend.

Enjoy this past week’s post from Fighting Fatigue.  Again it has been another busy week and there has been a lot of news to post surrounding chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. 

Fighting Fatigue CFS & Fibromyalgia Blog Carnival #7

Monday I published the seventh edition of the Fighting Fatigue CFS & Fibromyalgia Blog Carnival. I received some great submissions once again and the carnival is a great read.

Resources: Menopause Message Boards & Online Support

My Resources page is growing on Fighting Fatigue as I add more links to message boards and online support for menopause.

Vitamin D Testing Kits Available Online

Vitamin D deficiency has become a popular topic recently in health news and you can now purchase Vitamin D testing kits online to test yourself at home.

I’m Scheduled For Vein Surgery In Two Weeks

In this post I discuss my upcoming vein surgery for phlebitis in my right leg and explain the procedure and what’s going on.

ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia & IBS News Around the Web

The latest Internet news on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Link Between Fibromyalgia in Women and Sexual Dysfunction

A recent study shows that there is an association between female Fibromyalgia patients and sexual dysfunction. Read the post to learn more.

Mr. Sandman Would Be My Best Friend If He Would Visit More

With this post I discuss how my illnesses have basically taken over my life and my need for sleep is so great it’s all I think about.

ME/CFS & Sleep Medications

This post discusses the different types of sleep medications that are used to treat the sleeping disorders common in ME/CFS.

It has been another busy week on Fighting Fatigue trying to keep up with all of the latest news that is available on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.  Please enjoy these posts and leave me a comment if you regularly check out the website!

Study Reveals Probiotics Can Help Cognitive Functioning ME/CFS Patients

Probiotics are supplemental options that can be taken by people who want to replace the good bacteria in their bodies that antibiotics kill or that become depleted for other reasons. Read this article on how a recent study shows that probiotics can help with the cognitive problems in CFS patients.

Associated Press Article Disses Fibromyalgia

Another article dissing Fibromyalgia has been published and the Fibromyalgia community is in an uproar. Read this post to find out what the National Fibromyalgia Association had to say in response.

ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia & IBS News Around the Web

The latest CFS, Fibromyalgia and IBS information from around the Internet.

Amazon.com: New Books In Alternative Medicine

Amazon.com has announced some new books in alternative medicine that have been published. Some of these look really good so take a look!

FDA Advisory Panel Votes to Ban Darvocet & Darvon Painkillers

Are these popular painkillers going to be banned? Read the post to find out!

National CFIDS Foundation Funds Leukemia Research Investigations

The National CFIDS Foundation has provided grants totaling $225,000 to see if there is a link between leukemia and CFS.

Vascular Surgery A Possibility For Me

The fun just never ends for me! I go to the doctor today to find out if I have to have vein stripping done for my varicose veins.

Fibromyalgia Patient Awarded $75,000 From Georgia-Pacific

A Fibromyalgia sufferer receives a settlement from her employer for forcing her to work beyond her doctor’s recommendations.

Enjoy last week’s posts from Fighting Fatigue.  I had a busy week with this website and there were more posts than usual. 

Part 5: Mitochondrial Failure - Two Stage of Fatigue In ME/CFS

This post finished up my series on mitochondrial failure that I discussed all last week. Dr. Myhill describes the two different kinds of fatigue that are common in ME/CFS & mitochondrial failure.

Sinus Infection: Round 4 of Treatment

My problems with sinus infections have not been going away and I have had to get yet another round of antibiotics and this time they are a lot stronger.

Poor Balance and Falls Associated With Fibromyalgia

A study showed that Fibromyalgia patients have impaired balance and fall a lot easier than healthy control subjects.

ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and IBS News Around the Web

The latest Internet findings on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Write to President Obama About ME/CFS

This post includes a link where you can write to President Obama and inform him of the devestation of chronic illnesses like CFS and Fibromyalgia and IC Disease.

Resources: Menopause Websites & Blogs

I have a Resources page on Fighting Fatigue where I list websites, blogs, & books on different chronic illnesses. This week I worked on websites and blogs related to menopause.

Guest Blogger Post: Fighting Fatigue When Dealing With Crohn’s Disease

Fridays are guest blogger post days and this week’s guest blogger wrote about how you can fight fatigue when you have Crohn’s Disease.

If You’ve Been Denied Social Security Benefits for FM, Read This!

Edward Swierczek, senior claimant representative at Allsup, answers the most common questions asked on getting Social Security Disability when you suffer from Fibromyalgia. Click the link in the post to read his answers!

Of all places to find research and study information on chronic illnesses, I never expected to find anything on Craigslist!  The website, PROCLAIM, is seeking IC Disease, Fibromyalgia, chronic pain and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients to take part in a year long survey that will take place via the Internet.   This survey will study the effectiveness of alternative medicine and the interactions among stress and coping, pain, and treatment outcomes.

The PROCLAIM survey, which stands for Patient-Reported Outcomes from Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine, was developed under a grant to UCLA researchers from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

If you would like to enroll in this year-long study, follow these directions:

• Go to the PROCLAIM website at http://www.proclaim.org
• Register as a new user
• Select the clinic name (Craiglist)
• Read and sign the consent form
• After you sign the form with your email address, you can begin to answer the first in a series of questionnaires. The system will send you email reminders at the time of each scheduled follow-up for one year.

For further information about PROCAIM, please contact:

Deborah Ackerman, Ph.D.
Department of Epidemiology
UCLA School of Public Health
Email: Deborah.Ackerman@ucla.edu

This week on Fighting Fatigue I worked on a series that dealt with mitochondrial failure in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the effects it has on the body.  The last part of the series will be this coming week.

Part 1: CFS - The Central Cause: Mitochondrial Failure

This post talks about how researchers and CFS specialists believe that the main cause of ME/CFS is mitochondrial dysfunction or failure.  Depending on how severe the mitochondrial dysfunction depends on the severity of each person’s chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms.

Part 2: Mitochondrial Failure - Testing For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The second post in this series covers the testing that researchers and CFS specialists believe will finally be able to be used to diagnose the illness.  This is something that us CFS patients have been waiting on for years. 

Wellsphere Scams Over 1,700 Health Bloggers

This post was my rant on the recent developments at Wellsphere and how many medical bloggers feel ripped off by them.

ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia News Around the Web

The latest Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS news from across the Internet.

Part 3: Mitochondrial Failure - Effects On Body

Part 3 of my mitochondrial failure series discusses the effects that it has on the body and organs.

Guest Blogger Post: Should you File Your Disability Claim Online or at a Local SSA Office?

This week’s guest blogger post was written by Tim Moore, a former disability caseworker with some informative disability claim filing information.

Part 4: Mitochondrial Failure - Effects On Body

Part 4 of the mitochondrial series talks about the remaining areas of the body that this dysfunction affects.

Enjoy my posts from this week on Fighting Fatigue.  I’ve had a busy week adding more books, websites and blogs to my Resources page. 

Fighting Fatigue CFS & Fibromyalgia Blog Carnival #6

This month marked the sixth blog carnival for Fighting Fatigue. This blog carnival includes some wonderful submissions that you won’t want to miss! Check out the blog carnival today!

The Passing Of A Fellow Blogging Buddy

I found out this week that one of my fellow blogging buddies passed away suddenly. Please visit the blog Disabled 2 Abled in memory of Diane Young.

Resources: Cancer Books & DVDs

I added tons of great books on cancer diet, cancer treatment and coping with cancer to my Fighting Fatigue Resources section. Check these out!

National Fibromyalgia Association: Reaching For Goals

The latest news from the National Fibromyalgia Association. This month the NFA features goal setting and reaching for goals.

Are You Faithful With Taking Your Medications?

Are you faithful in taking the overwhelming amounts of medications and supplementes prescribed for chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia or has the expense and the job itself too exhausting?

Guest Blogger Post: Mind-Body Healing for IC and other Chronic Pain Issues

Welcome to the world of mind-body healing in this guest blogger post from Abigail Steidley, owner of The Healthy Life, LLC Life Coaching Services and blogger of The Vagina Dialogues.

Part 1: ME/CFS In Men

This post discusses how ME/CFS is not just a “woman’s disease” and how men suffer from it as well. In some ways, it is probably harder for men knowing they are in the minority with this illness. There are quotes included from male Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients.

Part 2: ME/CFS & Men

Part 2 of the men’s series covering Chronic Fatigue Syndrome discusses how difficult it is for men to find help and support because most avenues surrounding the illness are geared towards women.

Savella: New Fibromyalgia Drug Approved

A new drug has been approved for the treatment of Fibromyalgia and it is called Savella. This post discusses what Savella is, how it works and what the safety warnings are.

ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia & IBS News Around the Web

The latest internet articles and news surrounding chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Stomach Flu Got Me

My week of battling the stomach flu and how it takes chronic fatigue patients a lot longer to recover than it does others from minor illnesses.