Advertisement

* A Novel Holistic Explanation for the Fibromyalgia Enigma: Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction

* Microarrays Offer New Approach to Studies of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

* Research Kills Theory That Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME is Psychosomatic

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

* Magnetic Mattress Pads

SUPPORT and COPING

* Support and Inspiration in the Coping Corner

* Got Questions? Here are Answers...Find them in our Chat Room

EVENTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS

* AACFS 6th International Research and Clinical Conference

* Your CFS & FM Stories Are Needed!

* ImmuneSupport.com Webmaster Tools & Link Exchange Programs

ENDNOTES

* About Us

* Refer a Friend

* Words of Wisdom

FEATURE ARTICLES

A Novel Holistic Explanation for the Fibromyalgia Enigma: Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction

This article discusses scientific evidence supporting the notion that all fibromyalgia (FM) features can be explained on the basis of autonomic (sympathetic) nervous system dysfunction. On this basis, a holistic approach for FM treatment is proposed.

http://www.immunesupport.com/track.cfm?id=1034

Microarrays Offer New Approach to Studies of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Scientists in the Viral Exanthems and Herpesvirus Branch (VEHB), Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, are fine-tuning an exciting new research strategy - gene expression profiling with DNA microarrays - for application in studies of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer.

http://www.immunesupport.com/track.cfm?id=1035

Research Kills Theory That Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME is Psychosomatic

"A light flashed at the end of a tunnel of ignorance and enigma for thousands of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME sufferers at a conference in Belfast on Saturday, November 2, 2002. World-renowned clinician Kenny De Meirleir, M.D., Ph.D., discussed the findings of his research which demolishes the long-held theory that ME is psychosomatic."

http://www.immunesupport.com/track.cfm?id=1036

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT: Magnetic Mattress Pads

Magnet therapy reduced fibromyalgia pain according to a recent University of Virginia study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Although the overall results of the study were inconclusive, magnet therapy reduced fibromyalgia pain intensity enough in one group of study participants to be "clinically meaningful," the researchers said. To read about this exciting research, click on the link below:

http://www.immunesupport.com/track.cfm?id=1037

SUPPORT AND INSPIRATION IN THE COPING CORNER!

Dealing with the day-to-day struggles of living with a chronic illness can be trying. Coping Corner is the spot where you can find the online support you need to get through your day. Featuring personal stories, advice columnist Eunice Beck, RN, book reviews, and more.

http://www.immunesupport.com/track.cfm?id=1039

GOT QUESTIONS? HERE ARE ANSWERS...

Need a specialist in your location? Not sure what sleep meds are the best? Don't know how to deal with the spouse, kids, and dog? Who better to help you than your fellow readers at ImmuneSupport.com? When you post a question to the message board, you can be assured of speedy and helpful replies. Other people have been through the same struggles and are happy to share their wisdom. It's easy, too!

If you're feeling chattier, go to the chat room and 'talk' to others in real time. You can let people know when you'll be there by posting a note to the message boards.

Just click on the link below to find friends and support in the message boards and chat room:

http://www.immunesupport.com/track.cfm?id=1038

AACFS 6TH INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND CLINICAL CONFERENCE

The AACFS 6th International Research and Clinical Conference will take place at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, Virginia, on January 30 - February 2, 2003.

Conference Objectives: Upon completion of this conference, the participant will be able to:

• Discuss basic, applied, and clinical research findings in the evaluation and management of CFS
• Describe the role of the brain in the pathogenesis of medically unexplained symptoms of CFS
• Identify technological advances to researching medically unexplained illness
• Discuss genes and biochemical factors in medically unexplained illness
• Debate the question of psychobiological factors and depression in CFS
• Describe methodologies to diagnose CFS and other medically unexplained syndromes
• Identify pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for CFS
• Discuss the epidemiology and current status of infectious and immunological causes of unexplained illnesses
• Identify the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy and whom to refer for these services

For more information, please visit: http://www.immunesupport.com/track.cfm?id=1041

YOUR CFS AND FM STORIES ARE NEEDED!

Attention CFS and Fibro Patients!

A best-selling author really needs your help with a new book on chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. The book, "Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia," is the third in Mary Shomon's best-selling series, and will be published by Harper Collins in 2003. Her first book, "Living Well With Hypothyroidism," is currently in its 16th printing.

The book will feature lots of stories and quotes from CFS/FM patients, and that's where you come in. We need your personal stories and experiences on topics such as:

-how you were diagnosed
-frustrations with physicians, the diagnostic or treatment process
-what treatments have and haven't worked for you (both prescription/traditional and alternative approaches)
-Chiari surgery
-frustrations with the diagnostic process
-frustrations with the treatment process
-success stories of all sorts
-how you live with your illness, "secrets of success," etc.
-humorous stories
-your opinions on the name change issue

You don't have to be a "writer" and you don't have to write a lot - a couple of paragraphs would be welcome, but if you want to write more, you can. You might even want to share a few words of wisdom (e.g., "My secret to success is I laugh every day.") Stories of inspiration and success are great, but if you want to rant and rave, we want to hear that too. All submissions will remain strictly confidential. If you volunteer to send a submission and it (or an excerpt) is included in the book, you will remain completely anonymous unless you specifically request otherwise.

We need your stories and quotes right away. All selections will be chosen within the next three weeks. So if you'd like to contribute, you can do so in an email to cfsfibrobook@yahoo.com. Please send all contributions ASAP, but no later than Dec. 3, 2002.

Please help make this book a real and accurate portrayal of CFS/FM by making your voices heard!

IMMUNESUPPORT.COM WEBMASTER TOOLS AND LINK EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Pro Health is happy to announce our new CFS & FM Webmaster Tools & Link Exchange Programs at ImmuneSupport.com! We have designed these features to enable CFS & FM sites all over the world to get connected so we can work together to share important information and resources with our readers.

We invite webmasters to post headlines for the latest CFS & FM treatments and breaking news on your websites (linking to the complete content), in addition to linking to CFS & FM events, chat forums and message boards. We also invite CFS and FM related websites to link with us. To learn more about these programs, click on the link below:

http://www.immunesupport.com/track.cfm?id=1042

ABOUT IMMUNESUPPORT.COM

Published by Pro Health, Inc., ImmuneSupport.com is the Web's largest resource for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia. Since 1988, Pro Health has raised and donated over 2.3 million dollars to CFS and FM research and advocacy groups seeking a cure. Every purchase made at ImmuneSupport.com funds research - as does every purchase made from Pro Health's Health Resource catalog. Click on this link to visit ImmuneSupport.com's home page:

http://www.immunesupport.com/track.cfm?id=1043

REFER A FRIEND!

Do you have a friend or relative who would find the information in this bulletin useful? All you need to do is click on the link below, or forward this email to them, and they can begin reading all the latest CFS and FM research and support news.

http://www.immunesupport.com/track.cfm?id=1040

WORDS OF WISDOM

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.

~ Edmund Burke