Their coverage of May 12th, which is for both CFS and FM (chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia) has been outstanding.  They have people’s stories, articles, items to bring awareness (a really cute tee-shirt), the public service announcement that you can view, and a lot more information that is easily accessed from their front page. 

Congratulations to FMAware – As usual, a job well done!!

FMAware – National Fibromyalgia Association

Other Links:

What is May 12th?

R.E.S.C.I.N.D.

International M.E./C.F.S. Awareness Day

Awareness from The Pediatric Network

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It’s May 12th !!

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CVS Participates in CFS/FM Awareness Day

The Mayo Clinic has a Web page up that explains chronic pain and what people can do to explore their options for relief. No one should live in constant, chronic pain and there are some answers if you are persistent.

Chronic Pain: When No Physical Cause Can Be Found

Technorati Tags: cfs, cfids, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome, chronic pain, pain relief

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This Is A Real Pain

Karen Richards, the Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Guide at About.com, Inc., has a wonderful article on her site about the problems that exist with medications claiming to treat CFS and FM.  Patients need to be careful – very careful – as some of these products are nothing short of a scam, and others can be dangerous.

Beware Fibromyalgia Targeted Advertising  (applies to CFS as well)

Technorati Tags: fm, fibromyalgia, cfs, cfids, chronic+fatigue+syndrome, chronic+fatigue+immune+dysfunction+syndrome, snake+oil, false+advertising, alternative+treatments+for+fibromyalgia, alternative+treatments+for+CFS

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Medication Claims for CFS/FM – Buyer Beware

The United States is home to millions of people without health insurance. In fact, one out of every six Americans pays for doctor visits and medical tests out of his or her own pocket. What may surprise you is that the majority of uninsured Americans are from families in which at least one person works. The good news is that there are programs for people who need help paying for medicines, says Andrea Bevacqua of Pfizer.
Pfizer Press Release

But there is help available. Pfizer is one company that has patient assistance programs.  Many other drug manufacturers also have assistance programs for uninsured people.  Talk to your physician; his or her office may have information.  Your pharmacist may also have contact information they can provide you with.

One of the best resources on the Internet for prescription help is found from Teri Robert, the Migraine Guide at About.com, Inc.  I have not found any other source as comprehensive as this one – it does not apply to headache medication exclusively.  Find out who manufacturers your medications and contact them if you are uninsured – there may be help available.

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The High Cost of Medication – Help For The Uninsured

Some chemicals found in commercial cigarettes:
• Benzene
• Formaldehyde
• Ammonia
• Acetone

That is by no means a complete list. But if you consider that chemicals trigger flares of CFS and/or FM, and that these chemicals are present in cigarettes, it might make you think twice about lighting up.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia patients often report that smoking helps alleviate their pain level. That is difficult to get past, because few things do ease the pain. But when weighed against the chemicals found in a commercial cigarette, the trade-off has a high price tag.

From The BBC: Cigarettes – A complex cocktail of cocktails

Harmful Chemicals in Cigarettes

Cigarettes Are Poisonous

Cigarettes’ Deleterious Ingredients

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia & Smoking

Doctor, let your fibromyalgia patients have one day of the year, where you will not be rude to them, where you will take some time for them and really listen to their complaints of pain, fatigue and sleep disturbance—only this time, like you really mean it.
Dr. David Saul

A Letter From A Doctor To A Doctor

Technorati Tags: cfs, cfids, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome

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A Doctor Speaks Out on Fibromyalgia

According to the National Consumers League (NCL) people are confused about the differences between eye care providers (ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians). Understanding the differences is especially important when there is an outbreak of rare eye infections, as we are experiencing now across the US, and with an aging population-according to health experts, approximately 140 million Americans will have vision problems over the next 20 years.

Background
1. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who deliver total eye care services, diagnose and treat eye diseases and injuries, and perform eye surgery.
2. Optometrists examine the eye to diagnose vision problems and abnormalities, and prescribe glasses, contact lenses and some medications.
3. Opticians dispense and fit contact lenses and glasses.

The NCL survey found that one-third of the people polled incorrectly thought optometrists have earned medical degrees. Similarly, nearly half thought an optometrist had to be board certified, when, in fact, only a license is required.

The survey can be found on the NCL website along with more information as to where people can go to learn about the various members of the eye care team, their training and the services they can provide.

Press Release
Produced for the AAO
FOR STORY INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Julia Heath, 212-812-7097

Technorati Tags: cfs, cfids, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome, eye problems, Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians

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CFS – Vision and Eye Problems

The conference will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Overland Park, KS and is featuring several powerful speakers including Dr. Nancy Russell, Stephanie McGillivray, Fatima Lowe, Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, Dr. Jack Ferguson, and Dr. Joseph Brewer.

For more information on the upcoming conference visit Fibrocoalition or call 913.384.4673.

Fibrocoalition

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Press Release: 6th Annual Fibromyalgia & CFS Awareness Conference

CFS Squared is part of the b5media blog network, which is a privately owned network of blogs focusing on “passions, personal growth and lifestyles.” I (mom) am a former nurse and am currently an author. I have had CFS for over a dozen years, and now my teenage daughter has it as well. This blog is to document our progress and feelings about having an illness few understand.

2. Who pays for the site?

Thus far, the Network survives from revenue generated by Google ads and other affiliate programs. None of the information here at CFS Squared is bought or sold.

3. What is the purpose of the site?

Going through chronic fatigue syndrome is hard. Very hard. Hard to get a diagnosis, hard to live with day after day, and sometimes hard to smile through. It is a special burden to adolescents – an unfair burden. We hope to bring you the latest news and give you hope where you may feel discouraged and life tips to make each day a little more bearable. We have found a life that CFS can’t touch – we hope you will find the same.

4. Where does the information come from?

I (mom) scan Google News every day to see what news is making the headlines that pertains to chronic fatigue syndrome and fibroymyalgia. I am in contact with the CFIDS Association and believe that through activism and demanding a medical community take responsibility for research and treatment, we will eventually find answers.

5. What is the basis of the information?

Most of our information is from personal experience. The rest comes from other victims and their families. The organizations involved with CFS are something we stay in touch with as well.

6. How is the information selected?

We both try to document and blog what is either relevant in the news, or is a useful life tip that we use. If we find a way to make a daily life event easier to handle, we will share it. If we hear about a new treatment, we will tell you where we found the information and suggest you bring it up with your doctor. We DO NOT recommend any particular treatment or approach – we aren’t your doctor – we are here to remind you that you aren’t alone.

7. How current is the information?

As discussed above, we keep current with the news and research – our dates are clearly posted. We hope most of our content will be relevant at any time because coping is a job that has no “time expiration” date.

8. How does the site choose links to other sites?

We link to sites that provide support and understanding. We also link to the major organizations advocating for CFS patients. We don’t link because someone asked and never if they offer to pay for a link. We want you to find support and coping mechanisms.

We have no influence over the Google ads which are generated automatically by Google based on the content of the blog. I will sometimes show an Amazon.com button for a book I mention in a post for your convenience. I never write anything with the thought of making money in mind.

9. What information about you does the site collect, and why?

CFS Squared never gives, sells or rents your private details to anyone.

10. How does the site manage interactions with visitors?

We love comments. Part of support is creating community and that is what we are all about.

I hope that these answers will increase your trust and confidence in CFS Squared. It would be a great public service if other websites and blogs would answer these questions in a straightforward and honest manner.

Thanks to Genetics and Health for this inspiring idea!

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We Want Your Trust