Tuesday-Newsday #98

I'm sorry I wasn't able to put up a new blog post last Saturday. I'm still recovering from a bout with the flu which really knocked me over; I was so ill I lost 15 lbs in one week! I've worked hard to get this post ready and I'm managing to keep up with searching for the latest pain articles. I promise I'll do my best and try to write this weekend if I can. 

Time for Tuesday-Newsday! The Featured Blog Post this week is, “Talking to Your Doctor About Fibromyalgia,” by Dawn A. Marcus, MD for Prohealth.com. Despite the fact it's written specifically for those with FM, the information it presents is helpful for people with other chronic pain conditions - so don’t miss it. 

Let Me Know: If you’d like me to watch for articles on your pain condition, just drop me a note in the comments section below. 

WARNING:  My goal is to provide the most up-to-date news I can, which you can then take to your personal doctor and debate the merits of before you try it. I do not endorse any of the docs, treatments, info, and meds in anything I post nor can I guarantee they are all effective, especially not for everyone. As is the case with any health info, ALWAYS get your doctor's opinion first!

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* ALERT: Rx WARNING *

~* Acetaminophen Overdose a Danger during Flu Season *~

*MENINGITIS OUTBREAK NEWS 

CDC Case Update

There will be no update from the CDC on the number of outbreak cases and deaths until January 28, but click the heading to find out all the currently known information.

North Carolina waited five days before disclosing meningitis outbreak to the public

Suffering prolonged for meningitis outbreak survivors and their families

*MEDICATION NEWS

Suicide Risks of Antiepileptic Drugs for Pain

Australian patients with chronic non-cancer pain may lose their prescriptions - partly due to the cost to public health care

(Could that happen to us here in America? Even if the doctor says we need it, could we be told that it will cost too much, so we must suffer?)

New York to Use GPS-Fitted Bottles to Track Stolen Pain Pills

HERE is an Opinion piece on the article above and the story I posted last week about the mayor mandating limits on painkillers at NY emergency rooms

*CHRONIC PAIN NEWS

Federal Panel gives Meditation thumbs-up for pain, more muted support for stress

Yoga breathing and relaxation techniques can ease chronic pain, expert says: Free online sessions will lead participants through latest research and practical lessons

Opiate-like Painkiller Released with Brain Electric Stimulation

A Soaring Burden of Musculoskeletal Pain

*PATIENT NEWS

High Medical Bills Driving Some Americans to Extreme Measures: In study, stories of credit card debt and cutting back on food and heating were common, even for the insured

Your Genetic Secrets May Not Be as Safe as You Think: Scientists able to identify men who had donated DNA to science through the internet

*MILITARY VETERANS' PAIN ISSUES

Finding Solace and Relief: Acupuncture For Veterans

Study seeking Vets of 1st Gulf War to help solve mystery illness

Painful Gulf War Illness Linked to Cholinergic Abnormalities

PTSD and Chronic Pain

Military Battle PTSD With Yoga

Def Leppard Drummer Rick Allen, Marine Help Injured Vets with PTSD

Army urged to do more with alternative medicine techniques

*FIBROMYALGIA

Clinical Trials Seeking Fibro Patients

     ~Multiple studies listed here

     ~Study seeking Fibro patients with depression

     ~Patients sought for study on mindfulness & FM

Fibromyalgia Rates May Be Higher Than Thought, Especially in Men

Study Finds Gait Disorder in Men with Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia's Impact on Personal Relationships

Fibromyalgia showed greater association with Lupus than Sjögren’s syndrome

FibroTrack gets the seal of approval from The National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association

FibroTrack is an interactive web application designed specifically to assist and empower those suffering from fibromyalgia in researching, building, testing and validating an effective individual treatment program. See a video about it HERE

Warm Water Pool-Based Exercises Quickly Reduce Fibromyalgia Pain

Aquatic Biodance Improves Multiple Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Analysis of Amitriptyline's Effectiveness for Fibromyalgia and Neuropathic Pain

The Fibromyalgia family study: A genome-scan linkage study

Therapy Dogs in Waiting Room Help Reduce FM Symptoms

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) likely worsened Fibromyalgia symptoms

Evidence Fibromyalgia Is an Immune Problem

Low DHEA-S Linked to Increased Pain Sensitivity in Post-Menopausal Women with Fibromyalgia

Abnormal Muscle Membrane Function in Fibromyalgia Patients Correlates with the Number of Tender Points

Fibromyalgia and the Brain: New Clues Reveal How Pain and Therapies are Processed

Belly Dancing Can Reduce Fibromyalgia Pain

*FEATURED BLOG POST

Even if you don’t have Fibromyalgia, this featured post contains information which could be helpful for you no matter what chronic pain condition you are living with:

Talking to Your Doctor About Fibromyalgia

by Dawn A. Marcus, MD