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I read “Disability Application Issues: How to Be Your Own Expert Medical Witness” by Dr. Richard Podell, and would like to add some advice…

I was approved for Social Security Disability for Fibromyalgia in 1999. I acted as my own representative and medical expert before the Administrative Law Judge at my appeal hearing. I provided two types of evidence that I believe helped prove my condition.

• I had the results of a sleep study that provided measurements of poor sleep quality.
• I had noticed that my blood pressure would increase sharply during episodes of intense pain. I recorded my blood pressure over time and presented a graph of blood pressure and pain.
• I also believe the written statements I submitted were helpful. My bishop, employer, and Boy Scout District Executive described my previous performance in specific activities and how it had changed. These people had no vested interest in my receiving benefits. The activities described were specific. Many of the activities I discontinued were ones I had apparently enjoyed.

I believe that preparation and documentation were key factors in winning my appeal. – Lois

Thanks for Info Supporting FM "Reality"

I just want to give so many thanks to the FM newsletter team. All the information that I receive means so much to my life. FM is a very difficult issue to deal with because it is invisible to someone else’s eyes and so real in my life. But at least I have big support from some of my family members, plus I receive support from the FM newsletter team – great people with such beautiful hearts that really care about all of us that are struggling with this chronic FM pain each day of our lives. Thanks to all of you guys, from the bottom of my heart. – Soffy

Lyrica^R Precaution Appreciated

Re: “Lyrica Warning – especially for bipolar patients” letter

I really appreciate learning about Lyrica. My usual response to pain-management drugs has been to experience side effects long before benefits. So far the only pain killer that has ever been helpful & productive is Celebrex. After a number of years, even those benefits diminished until side effects equaled, then dominated, the benefits.

One of the common side effects I experience from drugs is like mania. It's as if certain substances send my body into the kind of scrambling panic that keeps me moving. It feels exactly like when I'm in a dangerous situation I need to get away from – constantly trying to find some way to get away or, when I can't get away, to divert my mind from the panic.

I'm grateful for the information that Lyrica is problematic for people with bipolar tendencies. I had thought about trying Lyrica. Now I'm relieved that caution kept me moving slowly and constantly checking before talking to my doctor. – Sandi

Reiki and Energy Medicine Helped

I have had Fibromyalgia, Chronic Myofascial Pain, Chemical Sensitivities, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and gynecological issues along with tons of allergies and sensitivities for many years now. I was diagnosed with Fibro in 1992 and my condition has gradually worsened over time. I have also had incredible stress in my life. Eventually it got to a point where I had to stop taking all drugs due to toxicity issues. I was left with severe chronic pain and desperation about my situation. My family doctor at the time told me I was “hooped” and I left him for his lack of compassion and understanding.

Needless to say, I had to find a way to reprogram my body and to get my nervous system under control - and inadvertently stumbled upon energy medicine. Formally trained in psychology, I understood its value and delved deeply into its methods and applications. I became a Reiki practitioner and eventually a Reiki Master and was able to use my exquisite sensitivity not only to heal myself, but also to heal others. Reiki enables persons to treat themselves, and when my pain gets to the point of being intolerable I am able to self treat and often knock myself out into a deep, healing sleep.

I had been on the waitlist for the local pain clinic here and by the time I got to see the physicians I did not require any more help and they were hugely impressed by what I have achieved. I learned how to harness my brain and utilize it to control my body and not the other way around. We don’t need to be victims of our run-away anatomy and nervous system, and there is a lot that can be done to help one’s self. I encourage everyone to never give up and to look within our selves for healing. For many of us fibromytes the answers are not in the drugs, but in our ability to rise to the occasion and to honor our sensitivities. I had to make many lifestyle changes, but in the end they were all worth it.

I am presently in the process of moving half-way across the country to a less polluted environment, and once re-located I will open up my own practice to teach others what I have learned. If you can learn about Healing Touch or Reiki I highly recommend this as a strategy to learn to help yourself. I even had minor surgery without anesthetics or drugs and the doctors were flabbergasted. It can be done. Your own will and brain can help you cope and heal from this. Just give it a try. – Elke

Note: The NIH’s Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine offers “An Introduction to Reiki” - and Healing Touch, now the subject of studies at several academic medical centers, has been adopted by scores of leading hospitals and rehab facilities (See “Healing touch: A new patient outreach program.”)

FM & ME/CFS Different in My Experience

Re: “FM and ME/CFS – The Same, Related, or Different?” by Karen Lee Richards.

I have strong opinions on this subject and think this article is great. My personal experience is positive proof to me that these are two distinct illnesses, albeit with overlapping symptoms and often found together.

I was diagnosed with FM 20 years ago. Amazingly (miraculously) I found a doctor back then who actually knew about FM and how to properly diagnose it – via trigger point evaluation and history. She told me I could not continue my very physically strenuous job, and that there was nothing more to help me with…

Then 2 years after being diagnosed with FM, while working long hours as a florist at Valentine's Day, I came down with what I thought was a flu bug. Entirely NEW set of symptoms - nausea, vomiting, fever, sore throat, debilitating fatigue – worse than usual FM, and cognitive impairment greatly exacerbated. Pain also greatly increased. My "flu" never went away.

It was clear to me that I had had two very distinct separate onsets.

• With FM I had chronic widespread pain, sleep disturbance, and some cognitive dysfunction; tiredness but still working full time, but NO OTHER flu like symptoms.
• The ME/CFS "flu" hit me suddenly and severely 3 years later.

No doubt in my mind about distinct illnesses. – skennedy

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Note: This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is generic and is not meant to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure any illness, condition, or disease. It is very important that you make no change in your healthcare plan or health support regimen without researching and discussing it in collaboration with your professional healthcare team.