Would this Help Fibromyalgia Sufferers With Brain Fog??

I found this little study and thought it was interesting in that maybe this would help with brain fog. We talk about daily meditation in our fibromyalgia ebook. There are many fibromyalgia symptoms that meditation can help with. Let us know if you have tried meditation and your results at info@ridfibromyalgia.com.

Improve Your Concentration

Researchers have found that even short periods of daily meditation can improve both focus and performance.
Subjects in a study were split into two categories. The first, consisting of those new to meditation, underwent an eight-week course including 30 minutes of daily meditation.
The second group, which was composed of those already experienced with meditation, attended a full-time, one month retreat.
Even for those completely new to the practice, meditation improved performance and the ability to focus attention. Their scores on tests measuring cognitive function improved after only a few weeks.
Throughout, participants took computer tests that measured response speeds and accuracy. At the beginning of the study, those who were experienced in meditation demonstrated better voluntary focus, task management, and goal setting skills.
But after completing the eight-week course, those who were new to meditation showed greater improvement in focusing their attention.University of Pennsylvania May 9, 2007Science Daily June 26, 2007

Disability, Hope or No Hope

Found this comment about fibromyalgia and disability. Have you had any luck with getting disability? Let me know of your comments.

"At the moment, there is no entry in Social Security Disability 's Listing of Impairments manual for the condition known as Fibromyalgia, also known as fibromyositis and Myofacial Pain Syndrome (The disability listing's, of course, provide the approval criteria for a number of different impairments ranging from amputations to seizure disorder). Nevertheless, many claimants with fibromyalgia apply for disability, and many go on to win their cases. For this reason, the fibromyalgia disability claimant who's been denied should not give up on their case. Instead, they should pursue their disability claim through the appeals process, keeping in mind how the Social Security Administration views this particular impairment."

For more info on how to gain disability, visit www.ridfibromyalgia.com/how.html.

Findings offer new theraputic perspective in Fibromyalgia Sufferers

This data was posted on pub med as a study that may have implications for better treatment down the road for fibromyalgia patients. Yeah! Until then, check out http://www.ridfibromyalgia.com/.

All data obtained in experimental animal pain models support the role of nerve growth factor (NGF) as a putative candidate intervening in the pathogenesis of chronic pain, including chronic daily headache (CDH). Few studies have been carried out to establish its role in maintaining pain states in humans. The present study was aimed at investigating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of NGF and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), both measured by sensitive immunoassay, in 20 chronic migraine (CM) patients and 20 patients affected by primary fibromyalgia syndrome (PFMS), compared with those of 20 age-matched control subjects. Significantly higher levels of both neurotrophins and glutamate were found. A significantly positive correlation emerged between CSF values of BDNF and those of NGF (r = .61, P < .001; r = .53, P < .01) and glutamate (r = .44, P < .02; r = .51, P < .01) in CM and PFMS patients, respectively. These findings suggest the possibility of a NGF-mediated up-regulation of BDNF involved in the pathophysiological events underlying long-term neuroplastic changes in persistent chronic painful conditions, such as CM and fibromyalgia. NGF might indirectly exert its effect through enhancing glutamatergic transmission via BDNF. The above mechanisms could account for sustained central sensitization in both chronic pain states. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents findings of higher NGF and BDNF levels correlated to increased glutamate levels in the CSF of both chronic migraine and fibromyalgia patients. This opens new insights into the pathogenic mechanisms of chronic pain and offers clinicians new therapeutic perspectives targeting the above mechanisms in both painful disorders.

New Drug Approved for Fibromyalgia

On June 21, 2007 the FDA approved the first medication to specifically treat Fibromyalgia symptoms. Lyrica has been approved for use in adults only.The drug, marketed by Pfizer, was previously approved for the management of post-herpetic neuralgia, diabetic peripheral neuropathy,and as an additional therapy for adults with partial onset seizures. Lyrica has been found to reduce pain and improve function in Fibromyalgia sufferers, exactly how Lyrica works is unknown at this time.The effectiveness of the drug, for Fibromyalgia treatment, was established by two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials that involved 1,800 people. Participants given doses of 300 mg or 450 mg per day experienced a lessening of their symptoms, some as early as the first week of treatment. When patients stopped taking the drug their fibromyalgia symptoms worsened. There were some side effects reported during clinical trials for patients taking Lyrica compared to placebo, I do not have numbers at this time to tell us just how many patients, out of the 1,800 experienced side effects. According to Pfizer,some common side effects reported included: dizziness drowsiness dry mouth edema blurred vision weight gain swelling of hands and feet constipation exaggerated feeling of happiness or wellness balance disorder increased appetite difficulty with concentration/attention Some other things I have found out about this drug: Pfizer will began clinical trials on the use of Lyrica in children and young adults, under the age of 18. No studies have been conducted on the use of Lyrica if you are pregnant, breast feeding or plan to become pregnant. Men planning on having children should consider the benefits vs. the risk of taking Lyrica as there may be an increased risk of birth defects. As always, inform your doctors of ALL medications you may be taking as Lyrica may interact with other medications or substances. Some possible interactions are: ~ Diabetes medications ~ Codeine ~ MS Contin ~ Morphine ~ Tricyclic antidepressants ~ Alcohol ~ Antihistamines ~ Barbiturates ~ Parkinson's medications, ~ Ativan,Xanax and Valium. Sources: New Fibromyalgia Drug Approved. June 22, 2007 . FDA Approves First Drug for Treating Fibromyalgia. FDA. June 21, 2007. . Living with Fibromyalgia, First Drug Approved. FDA Consumer Update. June 21, 2007. . Lyrica Website. June 25,2007. .

More Hope on the way for Fibromyalgia Sufferers?

*Note by Hailey, this article was copyrighted by UPI, I looked for the copyright rules and don't know if I can publish this following the rules, so I may take this article off. I am continuing to research the rights of this one.

Gabapentin may treat fibromyalgia pain
CINCINNATI, June 11 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say the anticonvulsant medication gabapentin might be effective in treating pain and other symptoms arising from fibromyalgia.
The results stem from a randomized, double-blind study of 150 women and men with the condition, sponsored by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
Dr. Lesley Arnold, director of the Women's Health Research Program at the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine, and her colleagues found those taking gabapentin at dosages of 1,200 to 2,400 mg daily for 12 weeks displayed significantly less pain than those taking placebo.
Patients taking gabapentin also reported significantly better sleep and less fatigue.
"While gabapentin does not have Food and Drug Administration approval for fibromyalgia, I believe this study offers additional insight to physicians considering the drug for their fibromyalgia patients," said Dr. Stephen Katz, NIAMS director.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by chronic, widespread muscle pain and tenderness, and is frequently accompanied by fatigue, insomnia, depression, and anxiety. It affects 3 million to 6 million Americans, mostly women, and can be disabling.
The research appeared in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Copyright 2007 by United Press International. All Rights Reserved.

Interesting Article on Exercise and Fibromyalgia

Working past the pain For Kim Collett, the burn of exercise trumps the fire of fibromyalgia CHRISTINE HENNEBURY Special to The TelegramA lot of people head to the gym to get fit or to lose weight, but Kim Collett goes for a different reason: to help control the pain associated with fibromyalgia. “My goal is to reduce my medication and to do day-to-day tasks without much pain,” she said. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that causes chronic pain in a person’s muscles, ligaments and tendons and makes it difficult to do day-to-day tasks. Collett’s plan for managing her pain involves her family doctor, a chiropractor, a massage therapist and, now, a kinesiologist. “My doctor and my chiropractor and my massage therapist have been telling me that I need to exercise for years. I’ve tried but I couldn’t stick with it,” she said. “Now that I am seeing Mike (McIsaac), I have the motivation to keep going.” McIsaac is a certified kinesiologist at Nubody’s in Mount Pearl. When he designed Collett’s program, he contacted the other health professionals on her team to get a full picture of her limitations and then created a plan to help her deal with the challenges her syndrome presents. “Exercises/stretches are most often chosen based on restoring functional qualities that the individual lost — for example, training them so that they can restore their strength to lift objects off of the floor — among other things. Generally, exercises are chosen to replicate real-life movements.” McIsaac’s program uses equipment such as Bosu balls, stability balls, medicine balls and free weights, but he’s quick to modify the program if Collett is unable to do a particular exercise during a session. “If she experiences discomfort along particular body parts, we may modify movements or switch to machines because of their inherent isolating effect, so that we can continue training without further irritating problem areas,” McIsaac said. “The machines don’t have as great an effect, but they are a much better option than doing nothing at all.” Because of their constant pain, people with fibromyalgia sometimes restrict their movements or stop exercising altogether. Dr. Lydia Hatcher, Collett’s family physician, says this causes deconditioning due to the lack of exercise, and the patient’s symptoms will get worse. She recommends exercise with a trained kinesiologist and tells her patients they may need “a little pain for some gain, and a trained kinesiologist knows how to far to push them without injury.” Working with McIsaac has helped Collett stick with the program. “If it wasn’t for the motivation he offers, I would have given up,” she said. “For example, I had a problem with my sacroiliac joint, but I knew I had to keep exercising, so I kept going and Mike changed my exercises to not aggravate the area.” Collett has found the exercises have had a direct effect on her pain levels. “My arms and legs were always aching, and continuous exercise has helped with that. In order to stay at a level where I’m not in as much pain, I need to keep exercising.” Collett is hoping for long-term benefits as well. “If I try to nip this in the bud, I might be able to manage better later on, to keep up with my son,” she said. Collett developed fibromyalgia after a car accident in 1992. At first she had moderate whiplash, but the pain didn’t go away. Finally, in 1994, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Collett has pain all over her body, but the intensity varies from day to day. “It’s like having a really bad flu, and sometimes I feel like I’ve been hit by a tractor-trailer. It keeps me up at night.” Sleep — or a lack thereof — can be a huge issue for people with fibromyalgia. According to Collett’s research, fibromyalgia patients tend not to get enough deep sleep so their muscles can’t recover from the day’s efforts in the same way that other people’s do. As a result, Collett sometimes finds it a challenge to keep up with her two-year-old, and she is often ready to go to bed when he does. Living with fibromyalgia also means that Collett needs a lot of help with things other people find routine. “I had to get help with shovelling, painting the house and mowing. Household chores are a big hassle. I can’t do too much at once. I haven’t had to give anything up, but I had to cut back on a lot of things,” she said. People with fibromyalgia often have to deal with society’s lack of understanding, Collett said. “A lot of people think it is all in your head, they think you are making it up.” Hatcher agrees. “People with fibromyalgia don’t have a deformity,” she said. “It is hard to see, so some people don’t believe it exists. But it is real — we just don’t happen to have a test for it today.” Collett’s said treatment program, including regular exercise, has made a big difference in her life and she gets by on “positive thinking, motivation, and help from family and friends.”

For a complete program on exercise and fibromyalgia, visit www.ridfibromyalgia.com.

This Article From Wall Street Journal on Arthritis and Fibromyalgia Interesting

An aging population, expanding waistlines and low levels of physical activity are likely to push the number of people with arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia and other rheumatic conditions up 46 percent to about 67 million people by 2030, or about 25 percent of the projected population, according to the CDC.

'May 13, 2007'
By Betsy McKay
Wall Street Journal
May 13, 2007 6:00 AM

Federal public-health officials are predicting a surge in the prevalence of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions by the year 2030, and popular retirement states such as Florida, Arizona and California are likely to bear the brunt of the burden.
About 46 million U.S. adults currently have arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia and other rheumatic conditions, resulting in $128 billion in medical expenses as well as indirect costs such as lost productivity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That amount is equal to about 1.2 percent of the 2003 U.S. gross domestic product, the CDC says.
Now, an aging population, expanding waistlines and low levels of physical activity are likely to push the number of affected people up 46 percent to about 67 million people by 2030, or about 25 percent of the projected population, according to the CDC. Most of the increase will come from those who develop age-related degeneration of joints in the hip, knee, or elsewhere. An estimated 25 million will be in enough pain that they will have trouble moving around, the CDC says.
The CDC estimates raise concerns about the toll that arthritis could take on the nation's health-care systems. In Arizona, the CDC estimates that arthritis cases will rise 87 percent, or by a million people. Florida, which currently has 3.7 million arthritis sufferers, is expected to have 6.3 million. California, which now has 5.9 million people with arthritis, will see its total mushroom to an estimated 7.9 million.
Other states whose populations are expected to age considerably by 2030, such as Nevada, Texas and Utah, are also likely to see large percentage increases in the number of residents they have with arthritis, the CDC says. Arthritis cases are expected to jump more than 30 percent in 13 states.
The CDC says it hasn't projected the potential cost of the epidemic in 2030. "We're very reluctant to make projections because the health-care system is so dynamic and changing," says Chad Helmick, a medical epidemiologist with the agency's arthritis program.
Still, the consequences of a ballooning epidemic are huge, says Patience White, chief public-health officer for the Atlanta-based Arthritis Foundation. "The fact here is it's causing an increasing number of activity limitations," she says. "People cannot live on their own, and the whole push today is to keep people's independence."
While many arthritis patients take medication for their pain, public-health officials are pushing physical-activity programs as a longer-term solution both for those with arthritis and those at risk — particularly older, overweight adults. Only 11 percent of adults with arthritis have taken classes to learn to manage their arthritis, Dr. Helmick says. The CDC funds programs in 36 states that promote physical activity and weight reduction to help alleviate pain.
"If you lose 15 pounds or so, you can cut your pain in half," says Dr. White. The disease won't progress as quickly, either, she says.