Pain can be useful as a warning sign, such as the pain from a broken bone signaling the need to seek medical attention. Chronic pain though is pain that will not go away, like an alarm that keeps ringing long after the emergency is over. Here are some important Herbs to remember that could prove useful.....
Boswellia - take 150mg 3x daily relieves pain without stomach upset in same manner as celebrex
Cayenne Capsaicin cream - apply to affected areas daily or as directed on label, causes temporary skin pain that counteracts chronic pain.
Ginger 20 percent gingerol and shagaol tablets take 100-200 mg 3x daily. Reduces production of pain causing cytokines.
Meadowsweet tincture take 30-60 drops in 1/4 cup water up to 4x a day. Relieves stomach pain.
Pau d'arco Tea loose prepared with 1 t tea and 1 cup water. Take one cup up to eight times daily. Analgesic, stimulates immune system to destroy bacteria.
Turmeric Curcumin. Take 400 mg 3x daily. Relieves pain and inflammation.
Please consult your doctor before trying any of these remedies as they may intereact with prescriptions you are taking, or you may be allergic.
An Herbal Medicine Chest
It’s easy to make your own Herbal Medicine Chest. You can customize it to fit your family’s needs. You can use any type of container, plastic, cardboard, whatever.
To store your Herbal Medicine Chest, pick a cool, dry, dark place. Not your bathroom as there is too much moisture there. A pantry or linen closet would be nice, but make sure that you can access it easily.
There are a few basic items that all Herbal Medicine Chest’s need. They are as follows.
Standard ingredients for making your herbal remedies:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil for making herbal infusions and salves.
Beeswax (a good quality) for making salves
Honey to sweeten bitter herbs and syrups
Vodka or alcohol for tinctures
Wine for tonics
Petroleum jelly for making ointments
Essential oils
Gauze pads
Gauze bandages
Cotton balls
Adhesive tape
Tweezers
Scissors
Clean, unbleached, cotton material cut into washcloth-sized squares
Customize your chest with what your family needs. If you have small children, for example, you might want to keep on hand more of the gauze pads and bandages than other families. The above list is very basic and you can add or subtract to fit you.
To store your Herbal Medicine Chest, pick a cool, dry, dark place. Not your bathroom as there is too much moisture there. A pantry or linen closet would be nice, but make sure that you can access it easily.
There are a few basic items that all Herbal Medicine Chest’s need. They are as follows.
Standard ingredients for making your herbal remedies:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil for making herbal infusions and salves.
Beeswax (a good quality) for making salves
Honey to sweeten bitter herbs and syrups
Vodka or alcohol for tinctures
Wine for tonics
Petroleum jelly for making ointments
Essential oils
Gauze pads
Gauze bandages
Cotton balls
Adhesive tape
Tweezers
Scissors
Clean, unbleached, cotton material cut into washcloth-sized squares
Customize your chest with what your family needs. If you have small children, for example, you might want to keep on hand more of the gauze pads and bandages than other families. The above list is very basic and you can add or subtract to fit you.
Skin Rashes in Fibromyalgia and How You Can Find Relief
Is skin rashes a symptom of fibromyalgia? Read this article to learn more
about the skin changes that many fibromyalgia patients experience.
about the skin changes that many fibromyalgia patients experience.
FDA APPROVES FIBRO DRUG
FDA Approves First Drug for Fibromyalgia The FDA has approved pregabalin (Lyrica) for treating fibromyalgia.
The drug is the first treatment for the condition; it was approved in 2004 for use in diabetic peripheral neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia. The expanded approval was based on two double-blind controlled trials involving about 1800 patients. Lyrica "reduces pain and improves daily functions for some patients," according to the FDA. The agency says that the drug's mechanism is unknown.
The manufacturer, Pfizer, has agreed to study use of the drug in children and breast-feeding women, according to the FDA.
The most common side effects are mild-to-moderate dizziness and sleepiness.
FDA report (Free)
Manufacturer' s press release (Free)
The drug is the first treatment for the condition; it was approved in 2004 for use in diabetic peripheral neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia. The expanded approval was based on two double-blind controlled trials involving about 1800 patients. Lyrica "reduces pain and improves daily functions for some patients," according to the FDA. The agency says that the drug's mechanism is unknown.
The manufacturer, Pfizer, has agreed to study use of the drug in children and breast-feeding women, according to the FDA.
The most common side effects are mild-to-moderate dizziness and sleepiness.
FDA report (Free)
Manufacturer' s press release (Free)
Herbal Remedies for Chronic Pain
Capsium Creme
For temporary relief of pain capsium creme has proven effective in providing pain desensitivation.
Devil's Claw
Let About's Alternative Medicine editor, Cathy Wong, ND tell you about the interesting ecological history of this pain and inflammation reducing herb. Go to About.com and search for Alternative Medicine
Willow Bark
Twas the willow bark tree that paved the way to the development of aspirin. Willow bark may even be more effective than aspirin in reducing inflammation.
Tart Cherry
Tart cherry is known to reduce inflammation and help people suffering from arthritis.
For temporary relief of pain capsium creme has proven effective in providing pain desensitivation.
Devil's Claw
Let About's Alternative Medicine editor, Cathy Wong, ND tell you about the interesting ecological history of this pain and inflammation reducing herb. Go to About.com and search for Alternative Medicine
Willow Bark
Twas the willow bark tree that paved the way to the development of aspirin. Willow bark may even be more effective than aspirin in reducing inflammation.
Tart Cherry
Tart cherry is known to reduce inflammation and help people suffering from arthritis.
Avoiding High Blood Sugars
For those wishing to avoid high blood sugars the easiest way is to look for 5 things on food labels. If any of the 5 are there don't eat it or at least eat only small amounts of the item.
The 5 things are: 1) anything that ends in OSE such as fructose, glucose,etc. (2) syrups such as corn syrup and molasses; (3) enriched flour; (4)hydrogenated oil; (4) Trans fats.
The 5 things are: 1) anything that ends in OSE such as fructose, glucose,etc. (2) syrups such as corn syrup and molasses; (3) enriched flour; (4)hydrogenated oil; (4) Trans fats.
A thickener for anyone who has blood sugar problems
If you have blood sugar problems try this product if you need a thickener. Just click on the title.
Fibromyalgia Video
This is a neat Fibromyalgia Video. Good one to send to friends who just don't 'get it'. Interesting background music to go with it too. Click on the title to view.
Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is May 12
May 12 is CFS/Fibro Awareness Day and once again, we want to inundate our elected officials with letters calling their attention to these two under-funded, under-recognized diseases.
Tell your elected officials:
Who were you before CFS/fibro? How has it changed your life? If you can't work, what makes you unemployable? (e.g., fibro fog, excessive absenteeism, napping in excess of ADA allowable standards, etc.)
Here are a couple quotes to consider putting in your letter: (and I'm sure each of you has your own favorites to share)
Fibromyalgia is a systemic dysregulation of the neurotransmitters, with many biochemical causes.–– Devin Starlanyl, M.D.
Dr. Paul Cheney found that in dual chromatography analyses, many CFIDS patients actually had more derangement of the brain, on a biochemical level, than Parkinson's or Alzheimer's patients.
The incidence of CFIDS is now higher than that of lung cancer, breast cancer or HIV infection in women
Dr. Mark Loveless, an infectious disease specialist and head of the CFS and AIDS Clinic at Oregon Health Sciences University, proclaimed that a CFIDS patient "feels every day significantly the same as an AIDS patient feels two months before death."
Dr. Daniel Peterson's Medical Outcome Study revealed that no other set of patients had ever measured so poorly. CFIDS patients experienced greater "functional severity" than the studied patients with heart disease, virtually all types of cancer, and all other chronic illnesses.
This disease is actually more debilitating than just about any other kind of medical problem in the world. –– Dr. Leonard Jason
40% of CFS patients studied by a Chicago group were completely disabled by the disease. Nearly all of these said they had been denied Social Security benefits.
If you can't find just the right quote, search the archives at Co-Cure.org; there are plenty of good research papers on every area of CFS/fibro where you can swipe the perfect sentence to make your point, with the power of a researcher's name behind it.
For Awareness Day 2007 Fibromyalgia in focus Update go to the following website or click on the title http://www.fmaware.org/fmOnlineNewsletter/2007/no4/article_awareness.htm
Tell your elected officials:
Who were you before CFS/fibro? How has it changed your life? If you can't work, what makes you unemployable? (e.g., fibro fog, excessive absenteeism, napping in excess of ADA allowable standards, etc.)
Here are a couple quotes to consider putting in your letter: (and I'm sure each of you has your own favorites to share)
Fibromyalgia is a systemic dysregulation of the neurotransmitters, with many biochemical causes.–– Devin Starlanyl, M.D.
Dr. Paul Cheney found that in dual chromatography analyses, many CFIDS patients actually had more derangement of the brain, on a biochemical level, than Parkinson's or Alzheimer's patients.
The incidence of CFIDS is now higher than that of lung cancer, breast cancer or HIV infection in women
Dr. Mark Loveless, an infectious disease specialist and head of the CFS and AIDS Clinic at Oregon Health Sciences University, proclaimed that a CFIDS patient "feels every day significantly the same as an AIDS patient feels two months before death."
Dr. Daniel Peterson's Medical Outcome Study revealed that no other set of patients had ever measured so poorly. CFIDS patients experienced greater "functional severity" than the studied patients with heart disease, virtually all types of cancer, and all other chronic illnesses.
This disease is actually more debilitating than just about any other kind of medical problem in the world. –– Dr. Leonard Jason
40% of CFS patients studied by a Chicago group were completely disabled by the disease. Nearly all of these said they had been denied Social Security benefits.
If you can't find just the right quote, search the archives at Co-Cure.org; there are plenty of good research papers on every area of CFS/fibro where you can swipe the perfect sentence to make your point, with the power of a researcher's name behind it.
For Awareness Day 2007 Fibromyalgia in focus Update go to the following website or click on the title http://www.fmaware.org/fmOnlineNewsletter/2007/no4/article_awareness.htm
Create and print your own emergency medical card
Here is a site that allows you to type in your emergency info and then
creates a emergency card that you can print with that information. Click on the title above.
creates a emergency card that you can print with that information. Click on the title above.
Doctors Who Understand Fibromyalgia
Does your doctor have a great understanding of fibromyalgia? Do you have a health care team that takes great care of you? The National Fibromyalgia Association is compiling a database of “FM-Friendly” healthcare professionals worldwide who treat fibromyalgia. If you would like to recommend a healthcare professional for this list, please click on title to access their form.
Success by Ralph Waldo Emerson
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of
false friends;
To appreciate beauty,
To find the best in others,
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden
patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of
false friends;
To appreciate beauty,
To find the best in others,
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden
patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
DOCTOR'S VISIT TIP
If you despise having to constantly fill out all those doctor forms ... especially the area about current medications try this tip. Take the labels off your medicine bottles and then make labels for the bottles so you know what the medicine is. Tape the labels you removed and put them on a sheet of plain typing paper, one after the other. Now, when you see the doc, hand this paper to him/her for copying for their files. ALL info is there...which doc wrote for what, what the dose is, current date of med, how many were purchased, how many refills...EVERYTHING they need to know. On the back side (if you've not used it up), Place the labels from your supplements such as garlic, celery, calcium, etc. so they know what might interact with any other new med they may think of.
Finding Hope
I found hope in this eulogy for martyred children, written by Martin Luther King in 1963:
Now I say to you in conclusion,
life is hard,
at times as hard as crucible steel.
It has its bleak and difficult moments.
Like the ever-flowing waters of the river,
life has its moments of drought and its moments of flood.
Like the ever-changing cycle of the seasons,
life has the soothing warmth of its summers
and the piercing chill of its winters.
But if one will hold on,
he will discover that God walks with him,
and that God is able to lift you from the fatigue of despair
to the buoyancy of hope
and transform dark and desolate valleys
into sunlit paths of inner peace.
May God, our source of peace, be with all of you (Romans 15:33)
Now I say to you in conclusion,
life is hard,
at times as hard as crucible steel.
It has its bleak and difficult moments.
Like the ever-flowing waters of the river,
life has its moments of drought and its moments of flood.
Like the ever-changing cycle of the seasons,
life has the soothing warmth of its summers
and the piercing chill of its winters.
But if one will hold on,
he will discover that God walks with him,
and that God is able to lift you from the fatigue of despair
to the buoyancy of hope
and transform dark and desolate valleys
into sunlit paths of inner peace.
May God, our source of peace, be with all of you (Romans 15:33)
Mimic Mystery - Is it Fibromyalgia or Not?
An article showing symptoms of FM as they are related to other similar conditions.
HANDLE
H - Hang in there
A - Admit your anger
N - No judgement allowed
D - Deal with the facts
L - Listen
E - Evalute
A - Admit your anger
N - No judgement allowed
D - Deal with the facts
L - Listen
E - Evalute
ADJUST
In case you didn't know, the word fibromyalgia really means adjust. You must adjust your thinking, your lifestyle, and even your attitude. That's a lot of adjusting for one person to handle. That's when I realized uh oh, it wasn't just ME who had to adjust. There were also others, too, and that was the really hard part.
You now understand that fibromyalgia accounted for your constant pain, your irritable bowel and bladder, your allergy problems, and also for your lack of endurance and non-sleep routine. You know you have had memory blanks, word mix-ups, and the basic "irritable everything." At this point. you have a name for it, you have a personal, workable understanding of it, and you know you have to make a lot of adjustments. You also have to try to get others to catch up with you.
For those of us who are overachievers, it is important to find ways to function without creating more pain for ourselves. We are independent by nature, and it is hard to ask others for help. Realizing you can't do it all may take some time. It is not an abuse to ask another for assistance. It's just another adjustment.
Keep your head up and remember, a little adjustment goes a long way with FMS!
You now understand that fibromyalgia accounted for your constant pain, your irritable bowel and bladder, your allergy problems, and also for your lack of endurance and non-sleep routine. You know you have had memory blanks, word mix-ups, and the basic "irritable everything." At this point. you have a name for it, you have a personal, workable understanding of it, and you know you have to make a lot of adjustments. You also have to try to get others to catch up with you.
For those of us who are overachievers, it is important to find ways to function without creating more pain for ourselves. We are independent by nature, and it is hard to ask others for help. Realizing you can't do it all may take some time. It is not an abuse to ask another for assistance. It's just another adjustment.
Keep your head up and remember, a little adjustment goes a long way with FMS!
Most Common FMS Symptoms
*muscular pain, aching and/or stiffness, especially in the morning (100%)
*badly disturbed sleep (nearly 100%)
*symptoms worse in cold or humid weather (nearly 100%)
*a history of injury or trauma within the year before the symptoms started (nearly 100%)
*depression (70 - 100%)
*irritable bowel syndrome (34 - 73%)
*severe migraine or non-migraine headaches (25 - 60%)
*Raynaud¹s phenomenon (30 - 50%)
*anxiety (24%)
*Sicca syndrome (dry eyes and/or mouth - 18%)
*osteoarthritis (12%)
*rheumatoid arthritis (7%)
*substance abuse (3 - 6%)
Other Common Conditions Associated with FMS include Allergies, Bruxism, Chronic rhinitis, Digestive disturbances, Dizziness, Dyslexia, Easy bruising, Hair loss, Irritability, Lyme disease, Mood swings, Night cramps, Panic attacks, Phobias, Photophobia, Premenstrual syndrome, Recurrent bladder sensitivity or infections, Recurrent viral infections, Restless leg syndrome, Short term memory loss (³brain fog²), and Sleep apnea.
*badly disturbed sleep (nearly 100%)
*symptoms worse in cold or humid weather (nearly 100%)
*a history of injury or trauma within the year before the symptoms started (nearly 100%)
*depression (70 - 100%)
*irritable bowel syndrome (34 - 73%)
*severe migraine or non-migraine headaches (25 - 60%)
*Raynaud¹s phenomenon (30 - 50%)
*anxiety (24%)
*Sicca syndrome (dry eyes and/or mouth - 18%)
*osteoarthritis (12%)
*rheumatoid arthritis (7%)
*substance abuse (3 - 6%)
Other Common Conditions Associated with FMS include Allergies, Bruxism, Chronic rhinitis, Digestive disturbances, Dizziness, Dyslexia, Easy bruising, Hair loss, Irritability, Lyme disease, Mood swings, Night cramps, Panic attacks, Phobias, Photophobia, Premenstrual syndrome, Recurrent bladder sensitivity or infections, Recurrent viral infections, Restless leg syndrome, Short term memory loss (³brain fog²), and Sleep apnea.
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