Monday, March 4, 2013

Believe and Receive

http://www.joycemeyer.org/Articles/Devotional.aspx

Believe and Receive

by Joyce Meyer - posted March 04, 2013

Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness I have drawn you.
—Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV
There is only one thing you can do with a free gift, and that is receive it and be grateful. I urge you to take a step of faith right now and say out loud, “God loves me unconditionally, and I receive His love!” It took me a long time to fully accept His love. When you feel unlovable, it is hard to get it through your head and down into your heart that God loves you perfectly—even though you are not perfect and never will be as long as you are on the earth. You may have to say it a hundred times a day, like I did for months, before it finally sinks in, but when it does it will be the happiest day of your life. To know that you are loved by someone you can trust is the best and most comforting feeling in the world. God will not only love you that way, but He will also provide other people who will truly love you. When He does provide, be sure to remain thankful for those people. Having people who genuinely love you is one of the most precious gifts in the world.
God loves you! God loves you! God loves you! Believe it and receive it!
Lord, I declare Your everlasting love for me. You have drawn me with loving-kindness, and I believe and receive it. Amen.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Joyce Meyer: You Have a Destiny

We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! This weekend at Trinity Church in Miami, Joyce shares the importance of persevering and overcoming the obstacles in our lives.

posted on facebook by Joyce Meyer....

Friday, March 1, 2013

New Diagnostic for Fibromyalgia

As I was perusing facebook looking at information on one of the fibromyalgia pages I came across a post about an article that was about a new diagnostic for fibro. I went to the article which was on a blog and read what was said. It left me with more questions, so I googled it and found the abstract and I used that to get to the actual article. I read the paper and went to the website of the company that is marketing the new diagnostic…so what is it? Drs. have come up with a blood test that will be able to tell if you have fibromyalgia. How is this possible with so many different and complicated symptoms and each individual being different?

The cause of fibromyalgia is still not completely understood. The way it has been diagnosed is by using the tender points and if you met the criteria set (11 out of 18 tender points and the patient’s symptoms) then you were diagnosed with a positive for fibromyalgia. It was seen as a rheumatologic disorder; in other words a fibro-connective disorder. Today, however, doctors are theorizing that fibromyalgia comes from the interactions that occur between the autonomic central nervous system, the immune system, and the hypothalamic -pituitary- adrenal axis (a region in your brain that is in control of your central nervous system.) Researchers found abnormalities in the protein molecules called cytokines in the white blood cells a key part of the immune system. People who have significant lower levels of the cytokines have fibromyalgia. The new diagnostic, a blood test called FM/a, that uses a 1-100 point system to determine a diagnosis. In order to have a positive fibromyalgia diagnosis a patient must score between 50-100. At this point we must remind ourselves that no test is 100 percent accurate. The blood test called FM/a is only available through your doctor or a licensed physician. The test is also a bit expensive ($744.99-US) and there is the chance that health insurance companies may not cover the cost. The doctor will take your blood sample and send it to a privately owned biomedical company called EpicGenetics, Inc. This company is the one who conducted the clinical trials and are the manufacturers of the FM/a test. They will send the results back to your doctor usually within 7 days, who then will discuss the findings with the patient. The test kit is available for purchase beginning March 4, 2013. If a person does not have a licensed physician the company, EpicGenetics Inc., has a licensed physician on staff. You will have to fill out a questionnaire and if the doctor feels it warrants taking the test then he will set it up and discuss the findings after the test results come in.

The trial research and findings were published December 2012 issue of BMC Clinical Pathology. Since the publication of the findings the FM Test has received support from leading experts in the fields of immunology and rheumatology.

After reading everything, I am excited to know that the researchers have found a common link that will make it easier to diagnosis fibromyalgia which will give us credibility that it is a real disease. I will be excitedly waiting to see how the scientific community reacts and whether it will be difficult to get health insurance companies to cover the cost. It is important for us, fibromyalgia survivors to stay informed about fibromyalgia. Thanks to new research, it will only be a matter of time before the triggers and causes of fibromyalgia are uncovered and new therapies will be developed.

What are your thoughts about the new blood test created to diagnose fibromyalgia?

Some facts found on EpicGenetics web page.

5 years, experts say, is how long, until now, it has taken to be finally,correctly and objectively diagnosed with FM.

· 6.4 percent of the general population suffers with fibromyalgia, according

to a recent Mayo Clinic study

· 26,218 dollars are spent annually (incl. direct and indirect costs) on

a patient suffering with "moderate" level FM

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia....nice breakdown of each area of the body....

March 1, 2013

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue

Fibromyalgia Symptoms

The Monster List of Fibromyalgia Symptoms!

By Adrienne Dellwo, About.com Guide

Updated June 07, 2012

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

You've probably read about fibromyalgia symptoms such as pain, fatigue and fibro fog, but the list of possible signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia are far-reaching and body-wide. Those tiny lists don't even begin to describe our experience! I put together this "monster list" of 60+ fibromyalgia symptoms to let you know that you're not alone! The list is adapted from one put together by fibromyalgia expert Devin Starlanyl along with recent research.

Many of these fibromyalgia symptoms also can be caused by other ailments and this list isn't intended as a diagnostic tool. Knowing the full range of symptoms, however, can help you track them either to help your doctor reach a diagnosis or to help you identify triggers.

Some of the following are noted as overlapping conditions, which means they commonly occur with fibromyalgia but actually are conditions that need to be diagnosed and treated separately.

People with fibromyalgia can have any combination of the following symptoms, and to varying degrees of severity.

FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS CHECKLIST

General Fibromyalgia Symptoms

· Delayed reactions to physical exertion or stressful events

· Other family members with fibromyalgia (genetic predisposition)

· SweatsYou've probably read about fibromyalgia symptoms such as pain, fatigue and fibro fog, but the list of possible signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia are far-reaching and body-wide. Those tiny lists don't even begin to describe our experience! I put together this "monster list" of 60+ fibromyalgia symptoms to let you know that you're not alone! The list is adapted from one put together by fibromyalgia expert Devin Starlanyl along with recent research.

Some of the following are noted as overlapping conditions, which means they commonly occur with fibromyalgia but actually are conditions that need to be diagnosed and treated separately.

· Unexplained weight gain or loss

· Cravings for carbohydrate and chocolate

· Headaches & migraines

· Vision changes, including rapidly worsening vision

Muscle & Tissue-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

· Pain that ranges from mild to severe, and may move around the body (See The 7 Types of Fibromyalgia Pain)

· Morning stiffness

· Muscle twitches

· Diffuse swelling

· Fibrocystic (lumpy, tender) breasts (as an overlapping condition)

Sinus & Allergy-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

· Allergies

· Post nasal drip

· Runny nose

· Mold & yeast sensitivity

· Shortness of breath

· Earaches & itchy ears

· Ringing ears (tinitis)

· Thick secretions

Sleep-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

· Light and/or broken sleep pattern with unrefreshing sleep

· Fatigue

· Sleep starts (falling sensations)

· Twitchy muscles at night

· Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Reproductive Fibromyalgia Symptoms

· Menstrual problems

· PMS (as an overlapping condition)

· Loss of libido

· Impotence

Abdominal & Digestive Fibromyalgia Symptoms

· Bloating & nausea

· Abdominal cramps

· Pelvic pain

· Irritable bowel syndrome (as an overlapping condition)

· Urinary frequency

Cognitive/Neurological Fibromyalgia Symptoms

· Difficulty speaking known words, other language impairments (dysphasia)

· Directional disorientation

· Poor balance and coordination

· Paresthesias in the upper limbs (tingling or burning sensations)

· Loss of ability to distinguish some shades of colors

· Short-term memory impairment

· Confusion

· Trouble concentrating

· Staring into space before brain "kicks in"

· Inability to recognize familiar surroundings

Sensory Fibromyalgia Symptoms

· Sensitivity to odors

· Sensitivity to pressure changes, temperature & humidity

· Sensitivity to light

· Sensitivity to noise

· Night driving difficul

· Sensory overload

Emotional Fibromyalgia Symptoms

· Panic attacks

· Depression (as an overlapping condition)

· Tendency to cry easily

· Free-floating anxiety (not associated with situation or object)

· Mood swings

· Unaccountable irritability

Heart-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

· Mitral valve prolapse (as an overlapping condition)

· Rapid, fluttery, irregular heartbeat

· Pain that mimics heart attack, frequently from costochondritis (as an overlapping condition)

Skin, Hair & Nail-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

· Pronounced nail ridges

· Nails that curve under

· Mottled skin

· Bruising or scarring easily

· Hair loss (temporary)

· Tissue overgrowth (non-cancerous tumors called lipomas, ingrown hairs, heavy and splitting cuticles, adhesions)

Miscellaneous Fibromyalgia Symptoms

· Hemorrhoids

· Nose bleeds

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Horrible Day....

today has been one of the worst since all the bs with work began. Actually I think it has been the worst one. I am in so much pain....I just want to cry. Besides my normal pain from the fibro, dizziness from fibro and neurocariogenic syncope I did something to my low back and right hip. I can barely walk. I have used two types of pain med, bendryl to counter the itcing caused from pain meds, my mu...scle relaxers, plus my reg. meds, oh and ice and I still can barely walk. I am hurting so much all I can so is sleep and only sitting up...I cannot sleep laying down. I cannot even tell how bad my headache is because of the pain in my back/hip. It feels as though the pain has been turned up 500 %. I woke up this morning deciding that laying in bed was not going to work, so I got up and sat on the couch with pillows tucked in behind my back. I must have fallen asleep because when I woke up at 2 min to five... had to ask Ken if I had really been asleep all day..and Yes was his response. And yet I am still feeling exhausted....So, all I can say is, Thank you God for providing for us and while you are providing please add to that what ever I need to get rid of this pain. Love to all...

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Important Evidence Supporting Fibromyalgia As A Spectrum

Read this article I found and tell us what you think....

Important Evidence Supporting Fibromyalgia As A Spectrum Disorder

20 Feb 2013

Researchers have determined that fibromyalgia prevalence is 2.1% of the general population in Germany. Results appearing in Arthritis Care & Research, a journal published by Wiley on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), suggest that fibromyalgia is a spectrum disorder rather than a categorical illness. Additionally, a number of fibromyalgia cases in the general population satisfy proposed criteria for physical symptom disorder - the presence of one or more physical symptoms that impair function, which cannot be explained by another clinical or psychiatric illness.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic, musculoskeletal syndrome characterized by chronic widespread pain together with fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive problems, and multiple somatic symptoms. In 2010 the ACR released modified diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia, eliminating the tender point count assessment that was part of the 1990 criteria. Shortly after the modified criteria was published it was decided that the widespread pain index and symptom severity score could be combined to form a new measurement of pain and symptom severity termed the polysymptomatic distress scale (PSD).

The lead author of the current study, Dr. Frederick Wolfe with the National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases and University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita, reported on 2,445 subjects who were randomly selected from the general German population in 2012. The team used the 2010 modified ACR preliminary diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia to identify patients with the disease.

Findings show fibromyalgia prevalence at 2.1% with occurrence in women and men at 2.4% and 1.8% - a difference that was not statistically significant according to researchers. Furthermore, the team found evidence supporting the hypothesis that fibromyalgia is a spectrum disorder and not a distinct disease. Nearly 40% of fibromyalgia patients met the proposed criteria for a physical symptom disorder.

The authors suggest that fibromyalgia should be considered a spectrum or dimensional disorder by giving the range of polysymptomatic distress experienced by patients. A patient with a widespread pain index of 7 or more out of 19 pain sites and symptom severity score of 5 or more out of 12 will have a PSD scale score of at least 12, a cut point below which fibromyalgia criteria will not be met.

"Given the continuum of symptoms in patients, our study provides important evidence supporting fibromyalgia as a spectrum disorder," concludes Dr. Wolfe. "Our findings have important implications for epidemiologic and neurobiologic studies, clinical diagnosis and disease management, along with determining disability in those with fibromyalgia."

References:
Full citation: "Fibromyalgia Prevalence, Somatic Symptom Reporting, and the Dimensionality of Polysymptomatic Distress: Results From a Survey of the General Population." Frederick Wolfe, Elmar Brahler, Andreas Hinz and Winfried Hauser. Arthritis Care and Research; Published Online: February 19, 2013 (DOI: 10.1002/acr.21931).
Wiley

Citations:
Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

MLA

Wiley. "Important Evidence Supporting Fibromyalgia As A Spectrum Disorder." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 20 Feb. 2013. Web.
21 Feb. 2013.

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http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/256538.php.

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