Great website for Fibromyalgia~ THANKS ALI!

Add a Comment

Comment by Vee Marie on July 2, 2009 at 5:24pm

Hello everyone! I'm new to this site; I just wanted to introduce myself.

Comment by Angela D Ramsey on April 16, 2009 at 6:33pm

I was recently diagnosed with FMS. I've had all kinds of tests done and finally came upon a doctor that knew what I had the minute I started describing my symptoms.

I'm a Correctional Officer, Volunteer Firefighter and EMT... I'm just wondering when I'm going to have to stop all of that. I'm struggling now. My legs gave out on me back in December when I was at the Prison. I fell going up a set of metal stairs and broke my right arm.

I just wonder, what's next?

Comment by Lora on January 23, 2009 at 5:50pm

Donate | Join | Shop | eAlert | Contact Us

Fibromyalgia Community Fibromyalgia AWARE Magazine Resources Research About National Fibromyalgia Association Members


Skip Interest Selector

Show All
Interests:

A New Opportunity...Designed Especially For YOU

Enhanced NFA Membership Program Offers More Benefits and Lower Annual Fee




www.fmaware.orgANAHEIM, Calif. (January 23, 2009)—The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) is pleased to announce the launch of its new membership program. Created in response to requests and feedback from the fibromyalgia community—more than 4,000 individuals participated in our August Community Survey—the enhanced program offers additional benefits and a lower annual fee. Among the exciting new features are a series of online educational presentations and Q&A interviews with fibromyalgia experts, available in the members-only section of the NFA’s website.



“Members will receive exciting new benefits—but in addition to that, they can take pride in knowing that their membership fee directly supports the NFA’s efforts to improve the quality of life for people affected by fibromyalgia and ensure that the fibromyalgia community’s voice is heard on issues affecting their health,” says Lynne Matallana, president and founder of the NFA. “Members will personally be contributing to the NFA programs that countless fibromyalgia patients from around the world rely on for education and support.”



Under the new program, the FMOnline e-newsletter will be available only to those who join the NFA as online members; Fibromyalgia AWARE will be available as a subscription. Individuals who became members of the NFA prior to January 23, 2009 will continue to receive store discounts and Fibromyalgia AWARE until their term of membership ends. Those who wish to take advantage of the new membership program benefits must sign up for one of the new membership programs.



The new program offers two membership opportunities, both of which provide a variety of benefits.



Online Membership — $25 annually
FMOnline e-newsletter delivered to your e-mailbox every month
Q&As with fibromyalgia experts
Quarterly online educational presentations
Updates on recently published abstracts
Links to fibromyalgia-related videos
Members-only discounts
Support group leader assistance and discounts
Fibromyalgia information pamphlet
“10 Tips for Living Well with Fibromyalgia” brochure



(Click here for a preview of our online members-only section.)



Basic Membership — $20 annually
Fibromyalgia information pamphlet
“10 Tips for Living Well with Fibromyalgia” brochure
Members-only discounts
Membership card
Support group leader assistance and discounts



Help yourself and the millions of others living with fibromyalgia. Click here to become a member.



Click here to subscribe to Fibromyalgia AWARE magazine.



About the NFA
The National Fibromyalgia Association is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing and decreasing the burden of fibromyalgia through education, research and patient advocacy. The NFA leads a national and international effort to create a voice for FM providers, researchers and patients. Efforts include the development and support of educational activities, awareness events, fibromyalgia research, media coverage, and the facilitation of increased collaboration efforts between patients and providers. Visit its award-winning website at www.FMaware.org for more information.




This interest
All interests
Search:


QUICK FIND LIST
Advertisers - Sponsors

ABOUT NFA

Programs

Our History

Medical Advisory

Board



TOPICS A-Z

Article Directory



STORE

Jewelry

Education

Awareness Items

Goodies

Apparel


FIBROMYALGIA

What is Fibromyalgia?

Who is Affected?

What are the Symptoms?

How is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?

What Causes Fibromyalgia?

Science of Fibromyalgia

How is Fibromyalgia Treated?

What is the Prognosis?

An Overview for the Newly Diagnosed Patient



RESEARCH

Abstracts

Clinical Trials

Research Overview


COMMUNITY

Support Group Information

FM Community Events

Leaders Against Pain

Advocacy

Awareness Day

Membership

Member Spotlight

Patient Stories



MEDIA

Fact Sheets

Press Releases


RESOURCES

Resource Directory

Glossary of Terms and Definitions

Sponsors

Featured Advertisers

AWARE Magazine

FM Online Newsletter



PROFESSIONALS

FM Professional Resource Center





Home | Privacy Policy | Change Your Password/Update Your Profile | http://www.fmaware.org/



The information in this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Please always consult with your physician on matters concerning your medical care and treatment.

National Fibromyalgia Association. A non-profit 501 (C)(3) organization

2121 S. Towne Centre, Suite 300, Anaheim, CA 92806 714.921.0150

Copyright ©1997-2009 National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) All rights reserved. Powered by Convio©

Comment by Lora on November 20, 2008 at 12:00pm

Here is a new drug awaiting:
What is Milnacipran?

Q: Have you heard of the drug milnacipran?

A: Milnacipran is in line to hopefully be the third drug to receive FDA approval for the treatment of fibromyalgia. It is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that is being used in a number of other countries but has not yet received FDA approval for use in the U.S. The FDA advised Forest Laboratories and Cypress Biosciences, manufacturers of milnacipran, that it was not able to take final action by the scheduled action date of October 18, 2008. The FDA indicated that a clinical data question related to the new drug application submission required confirmation, and said that their assessment could be completed in a matter of weeks.

Comment by Lora on November 20, 2008 at 11:50am

A Letter to help someone to understand:
Different letter for normals (FMS)

If you were born with healthy genes, you may know me but you don't understand me. I was not as lucky as you. I inherited the predisposition to chronic pain, fatigue and forgetfulness. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FMS) after months, years or even decades of mysterious physical and emotional problems. Because you didn't know how sick I was, you called me lazy, a malingerer, or simply ridiculous. If you have the time to read on, I would like to help you understand how different I am from you.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FIBROMYALGIA

1. FMS is not the newest fad disease. In fact, it isn't a disease at all, and it isn't even new. In 1815, a surgeon at the University of Edenburgh, William Balfour, described fibromyalgia. Over the years, it has been known as chronic rheumatism, myalgia and fibrositis. Unlike diseases, syndromes do not have a known cause, but they do have a specific set of signs and symptoms which, unfortunately for the patient, take place together. Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are also syndromes.

2. The many physical and emotional problems associated with FMS are not psychological in origin. This is not an "all in your head" disorder. In 1987, the American Medical Association recognized FMS as a true physical illness and major cause of disability.

3. Syndromes strike life-long athletes as viciously as they do couch potatoes. They can be disabling and depressing, interfering with even the simplest activities of daily life.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ME

1. My pain - My pain is not your pain. It is not caused by inflammation. Taking your arthritis medication will not help me. I can not work my pain out or shake it off. It is not even a pain that stays put. Today it is in my shoulder, but tomorrow it may be in my foot or gone. My pain is believed to be caused by improper signals sent to the brain, possibly due to sleep disorders. It is not well understood, but it is real.

2. My fatigue - I am not merely tired. I am often in a severe state of exhaustion. I may want to participate in physical activities, but I can't. Please do not take this personally. If you saw me shopping in the mall yesterday, but I can't help you with yard work today, it isn't because I don't want to. I am, most likely, paying the price for stressing my muscles beyond their capability.

3. My forgetfulness - Those of us who suffer from it call it fibrofog. I may not remember your name, but I do remember you. I may not remember what I promised to do for you, even though you told me just seconds ago. My problem has nothing to do with my age but may be related to sleep deprivation. I do not have a selective memory. On some days, I just don't have any short-term memory at all.

4. My clumsiness - If I step on your toes or run into you five times in a crowd, I am not purposely targeting you. I do not have the muscle control for that. If you are behind me on the stairs, please be patient. These days, I take life and stairwells one step at a time.

5. My sensitivities - I just can't stand it! "It" could be any number of things: bright sunlight, loud or high-pitched noises, odors. FMS has been called the "aggravating everything disorder." So don't make me open the drapes or listen to your child scream. I really can't stand it.

6. My intolerance - I can't stand heat, either. Or humidity. If I am a man, I sweat...profusely. If I am a lady, I perspire. Both are equally embarrassing, so please don't feel compelled to point this shortcoming out to me. I know. And don't be surprised if I shake uncontrollably when it's cold. I don't tolerate cold, either. My internal thermostat is broken, and nobody knows how to fix it.

7. My depression - Yes, there are days when I would rather stay in bed or in the house or die. I have lost count of how many of Dr. Kevorkian's patients suffered from FMS as well as other related illnesses. Severe, unrelenting pain can cause depression. Your sincere concern and understanding can pull me back from the brink. Your snide remarks can tip me over the edge.

8. My stress - My body does not handle stress well. If I have to give up my job, work part time, or handle my responsibilities from home, I'm not lazy. Everyday stresses make my symptoms worse and can incapacitate me completely.

9. My weight - I may be fat or I may be skinny. Either way, it is not by choice. My body is not your body. My appestat is broken, and nobody can tell me how to fix it.

10. My need for therapy - If I get a massage every week, don't envy me. My massage is not your massage. Consider how a massage would feel if that charley horse you had in your leg last week was all over your body. Massaging it out was very painful, but it had to be done. My body is knot-filled. If I can stand the pain, regular massage can help, at least temporarily.

11. My good days - If you see me smiling and functioning normally, don't assume I am well. I suffer from a chronic pain and fatigue illness with no cure. I can have my good days or weeks or even months. In fact, the good days are what keep me going.

12. My uniqueness - Even those who suffer from FMS are not alike. That means I may not have all of the problems mentioned above. I do have pain above and below the waist and on both sides of my body which has lasted for a very long time. I may have migraines or hip pain or shoulder pain or knee pain, but I do not have exactly the same pain as anyone else.

I hope that this helps you understand me, but if you still doubt my pain, your local bookstore, library and the internet have many good books and articles on fibromyalgia.

Comment by Lora on November 20, 2008 at 11:18am

Here is a Checklist u can take to your dr. so they can better understand how u feel....hope this helps!!
GENERAL
____ Fatigue, made worse by physical exertion or stress
____ Activity level decreased to less than 50% of pre-illness activity level
____ Recurrent flu-like illness
____ Sore throat
____ Hoarseness
____ Tender or swollen lymph nodes (glands), especially in neck and underarms
____ Shortness of breath (air hunger) with little or no exertion
____ Frequent sighing
____ Tremor or trembling
____ Severe nasal allergies (new allergies or worsening of previous allergies)
____ Cough
____ Night sweats
____ Low-grade fevers
____ Feeling cold often
____ Feeling hot often
____ Cold extremities (hands and feet)
____ Low body temperature (below 97.6)
____ Low blood pressure (below 110/70)
____ Heart palpitations
____ Dryness of eyes and/or mouth
____ Increased thirst
____ Symptoms worsened by temperature changes
____ Symptoms worsened by air travel
____ Symptoms worsened by stress


PAIN
____ Headache
____ Tender points or trigger points
____ Muscle pain
____ Muscle twitching
____ Muscle weakness
____ Paralysis or severe weakness of an arm or leg
____ Joint pain
____ TMJ syndrome
____ Chest pain



GENERAL NEUROLOGICAL
____ Lightheadedness; feeling "spaced out"
____ Inability to think clearly ("brain fog")
____ Seizures
____ Seizure-like episodes
____ Syncope (fainting) or blackouts
____ Sensation that you might faint
____ Vertigo or dizziness
____ Numbness or tingling sensations
____ Tinnitus (ringing in one or both ears)
____ Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
____ Noise intolerance



EQUILIBRIUM/PERCEPTION
____ Feeling spatially disoriented
____ Dysequilibrium (balance difficulty)
____ Staggering gait (clumsy walking; bumping into things)
____ Dropping things frequently
____ Difficulty judging distances (e.g. when driving; placing objects on surfaces)
____ "Not quite seeing" what you are looking at



SLEEP
____ Hypersomnia (excessive sleeping)
____ Sleep disturbance: unrefreshing or non-restorative sleep
____ Sleep disturbance: difficulty falling asleep
____ Sleep disturbance: difficulty staying asleep (frequent awakenings)
____ Sleep disturbance: vivid or disturbing dreams or nightmares
____ Altered sleep/wake schedule (alertness/energy best late at night)



MOOD/EMOTIONS
____ Depressed mood
____ Suicidal thoughts
____ Suicide attempts
____ Feeling worthless
____ Frequent crying
____ Feeling helpless and/or hopeless
____ Inability to enjoy previously enjoyed activities
____ Increased appetite
____ Decreased appetite
____ Anxiety or fear when there is no obvious cause
____ Panic attacks
____ Irritability; overreaction
____ Rage attacks: anger outbursts with little or no cause
____ Abrupt, unpredictable mood swings
____ Phobias (irrational fears)
____ Personality changes


EYES AND VISION
____ Eye pain
____ Changes in visual acuity (frequent changes in ability to see well)
____ Difficulty with accommodation (switching focus from one thing to another)
____ Blind spots in vision


SENSITIVITIES
____ Sensitivities to medications (unable to tolerate "normal" dosage)
____ Sensitivities to odors (e.g., cleaning products, exhaust fumes, colognes, hair sprays)
____ Sensitivities to foods
____ Alcohol intolerance
____ Alteration of taste, smell, and/or hearing



UROGENITAL
____ Frequent urination
____ Painful urination or bladder pain
____ Prostate pain
____ Impotence
____ Endometriosis
____ Worsening of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
____ Decreased libido (sex drive)




GASTROINTESTINAL
____ Stomach ache; abdominal cramps
____ Nausea
____ Vomiting
____ Esophageal reflux (heartburn)
____ Frequent diarrhea
____ Frequent constipation
____ Bloating; intestinal gas
____ Decreased appetite
____ Increased appetite
____ Food cravings
____ Weight gain (____ lbs)
____ Weight loss (____ lbs)


SKIN
____ Rashes or sores
____ Eczema or psoriasis



OTHER
____ Hair loss
____ Mitral valve prolapse
____ Cancer
____ Dental problems
____ Periodontal (gum) disease
____ Aphthous ulcers (canker sores)



COGNITIVE
____ Difficulty with simple calculations (e.g., balancing checkbook)
____ Word-finding difficulty
____ Using the wrong word
____ Difficulty expressing ideas in words
____ Difficulty moving your mouth to speak
____ Slowed speech
____ Stuttering; stammering
____ Impaired ability to concentrate
____ Easily distracted during a task
____ Difficulty paying attention
____ Difficulty following a conversation when background noise is present
____ Losing your train of thought in the middle of a sentence
____ Difficulty putting tasks or things in proper sequence
____ Losing track in the middle of a task (remembering what to do next)
____ Difficulty with short-term memory
____ Difficulty with long-term memory
____ Forgetting how to do routine things
____ Difficulty understanding what you read
____ Switching left and right
____ Transposition (reversal) of numbers, words and/or letters when you speak
____ Transposition (reversal) of numbers, words and/or letters when you write
____ Difficulty remembering names of objects
____ Difficulty remembering names of people
____ Difficulty recognizing faces
____ Difficulty following simple written instructions
____ Difficulty following complicated written instructions
____ Difficulty following simple oral (spoken) instructions
____ Difficulty following complicated oral (spoken) instructions
____ Poor judgment
____ Difficulty making decisions
____ Difficulty integrating information (putting ideas together to form a complete picture or concept)
____ Difficulty following directions while driving
____ Becoming lost in familiar locations when driving
____ Feeling too disoriented to drive

Comment by Lora on November 20, 2008 at 11:13am

Here is a vitamin to take:
Product Showcase: DHEA 25mg.
Replenish Energy thru Hormone Balancing

Product Overview: DHEA is a human hormone naturally produced in the body by the adrenal glands. It circulates in the blood stream and is converted into other hormones like testosterone and estrogen. However, your body’s production of DHEA reaches its peak between the ages of 20 and 30, and then rapidly declines. By the age of 80, production of this hormone is at only 5% of peak. DHEA promotes improvement in immune system function, and some studies have shown it supports improvements in skin hydration and thickness, and improvements in energy. DHEA has also been reported to promote weight control by lowering fat mass.

Suggested Use: 1-3 capsules per day as directed by a physician.

Comment by sara on November 19, 2008 at 6:36pm

hi all ,if any brits on here u may find this useful there are 2 groups in the uk 1 is called the polkadotgals and the other is fibro support if any brits wish to join [free] www.fmauk.org ,they will also tell u if there is a support group in ur area and any advents linking them

Comment by Sandy Medine on October 19, 2008 at 10:49am

WITCHYS WIKKED GRAPHIX

Comment by Debbie Urrabazo on October 8, 2008 at 1:04am

Hi , Everyone, My name is Debbie and I am glad I found this website. I was dx: with fibro along with other conditions. I feel so embarassed that I take so many medications, I think i take way too many medications they prescribe to me its hard for me to swallow them sometimes. the pain medications they give me make me sick. and some of my meds make me so bloated. I don't feel right. its nice to have people to support you, and not be alone.

• First
• Previous
• Next
• Last