Why Do ME/CFS & FM Share the Same Awareness Day?

Have you noticed that May 12 is International Awareness Day for both ME/CFS and FMS? The reason for the shared date lies in a bit of history.

In 1992 ME/CFS patient and advocate Tom Hennessy proposed that May 12 be designated as "International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND)" - a day to speak out and demand that governments respond to these devastating illnesses. It was an idea that galvanized the patient and advocate communities and has gained momentum ever since.

CIND is an umbrella term that includes Gulf War Syndrome and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome as well as ME/CFS and FMS. These, Hennessy reasoned, are all "characterized by cognitive problems, chronic muscle and joint pain, extremely poor stamina," and more; are potentially very debilitating; "afflict people around the world in alarming numbers"; and above all are often "dismissed by the medical profession as...psychosomatic illness."

And why this date - May 12? It marks the birthday of Florence Nightingale - a British healthcare reformer (1820-1910) who broke the trail for modern hygienic, compassionate medical care and public health, served the wounded gallantly during the Crimean war, and became known as the founder of modern nursing. But in addition to being one of the greatest change-makers in all of medical history, Florence Nightingale suffered the latter half of her life often bedridden with an unidentified CINDs-like syndrome. Various groups diagnose her illness in hindsight as either FMS or ME/CFS. But for all, she is a worthy hero.

Hoping you'll find a way to lend your voice to this Awareness Day,

Rich Carson,
CFS Patient and ProHealth Founder

*(Note: This Founder's Corner also ran in our March 7th CFS newsletter.

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Sale of the popular new sleep and energy-support supplements Fibronol® and FibroBoost® is temporarily being suspended. The manufacturer is in the process of addressing FDA requests for additional documentation regarding the administrative requirements for its "New Dietary Ingredient" review and approval process.

As the interruption appears to be an administrative matter between the FDA and the manufacturer - not an issue of product safety - consumers who regularly use these products should feel free to use any remaining supply. For those concerned about bridging the gap in supply, our expert Customer Service staff can recommend products known to support the various quality-of-life benefits they look to in Fibronol® and FibroBoost®.

Transfer Factor and the Importance of a Healthy Immune System

Dr. Aaron White, PhD, became fascinated with the immune-support potential of Transfer Factor supplements when he began doing research to "understand what was happening to a friend with CFIDS." Now he offers a whole website on the supporting science.*   more

Continued Study of New FM Exercise Therapy Mode Now Recruiting

A tailored "lifestyle physical activity" program may allow FM patients to overcome the exercise "Catch 22" and achieve improvements in pain and fatigue.   more

Trial of Investigational Drug for Treatment of IBS

This study will investigate the efficacy and safety of a pharmaceutical drug for symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - "in particular abdominal pain."   more

Attend Chicago Patient Event May 18-20 to Mark FM Awareness Month

The Fibromyalgia Association for Education and Self-Help (FACES) is sponsoring a national FM & CFS patient education/public awareness conference in Chicago May 18-20. "Crossing the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Bridge to Move from Victim to Victor" is the theme, and more than 25 experts will speak.   more

Jury Awards $15.4 Million to FM/CFS Patient

A California jury instructed a major insurance company to pay disability benefits and penalties to a patient diagnosed with FM, CFS, and Lupus.   more

Quercetin Gets High Grade in Defense Department-Funded Trial

A "groundbreaking" clinical trial funded by the DOD indicates the plant-based antioxidant supplement quercetin can support reduced viral infections and maintain mental function in individuals subjected to extreme physical stress.*   more

• O24® essential oils associated with clinically important effect on FM pain
  
  
• "Lifestyle physical activity" (vs. traditional exercise) benefits FM patients
  
  
• Another trial finding FM not a function of "depressotypic" personality
  
  
• FM depression risk linked more to helplessness/loss feelings than symptoms
  
  
• Survey provides FM patient 'snapshot' - from symptoms to medications
  
  
• Sleep disruption in RA patient study relates strongly to perceived stress level
  
  
• Multidimensional rehab effective intervention for FM & myofascial pain patients
  
  
• Consensus on diagnostic criteria for myofascial pain syndrome lacking
  
  
• Benefits/adverse events with buprenorphine (pain drug) patches in practice
  
  
• "Central sensitivity syndromes" concept as umbrella for FM, CFS, IBS, etc.?
  
  
• Strictly biomedical model inadequate for treating chronic musculoskeletal pain
  
  

• Research "provides clear rationale for the use of probiotics" in IBS*
  
  
• How alpha-lipoic acid supports reduced risk of pre-diabetes syndrome
  
  

One small cat changes coming home to an
empty house to coming home.
- Pam Brown

Waiting for Others to Call

When we're feeling depressed and in emotional turmoil or we're having a hard day, it is our responsibility to pick up the phone and ask for support. Waiting for others to call can be an infinite wait in times of need. At times it's easy to look at the phone and think to ourselves, "No one cares or they would call." We ask, "Where are they? Don't they know I'm feeling like this?" Chances are they don't...

For some of us, the hardest thing to do is ask for help in time of need. We feel they are our troubles, and no one else's. Yet we want the phone to ring. We must cast our fears and pride aside, take the first step in receiving support, and pick up the phone - or we will continue to wait for others to call.

From Living With Chronic Pain One Day At A Time, by Mark Allan Zabawa

Published by ProHealth, Inc., ImmuneSupport.com is the Web's largest resource for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Since 1988, ProHealth has raised and donated over 2.61 million dollars to CFS and FM research and advocacy groups seeking a cure. We believe in "commerce with compassion."

Every purchase made at ImmuneSupport.com funds research - as does every purchase made from ProHealth's Health Resource catalog.

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