As you know, we like to share with you good resources we come across. Lately on facebook, people have really been looking for connecting with support groups in their area, and I thought I'd give you a link to the fibromyalgia area on about.com. There also are a lot of people looking for information and guidance about medications, so I was trying to find something related to that, in addition to the one I've discussed in a previous blog about Dr. Teitelbaum (From Fatigued to Fantastic) which you might ant to refer to. The majority of the information is really very good, however I'm not seeing much information on the older medications (which typically are cheaper) -- it's pretty much the new ones that are approved by the FDA for fibromyalgia (which are very few and they are new). I've emailed them to ask for a response about this and have not yet heard back from them -- I'll update this if and when I do.
Many of the people I see who are looking for information about medications are on these newer FDA approved drugs and are having side effects or their insurances are declining paying for them so they are looking for other solutions. Since about.com has a lot of information about these medications, read up on how they work in the body and then look into finding alternatives. Put in plain terms: Is it a pain killer or a muscle relaxant or a central nervous system 'calmer'? An example is the newer Lyrica and the older Neurontin -- they are comparable in how they work. So if one type of medication is not working or is too expensive, is there a different one in the same 'group' that might work. One of the symptoms of FMS is being sensitive to medications, which results in a lot of 'try and try again' for people and there are a lot of options: I believe Dr. Tietelbaum has 30 medications listed on his website. Remember that pharmacists are key people on the 'team' of providers you build around you for your health care (see the home page of our website) and they are a valuable resource for questions, as are websites that are about medications. For people who are looking for what is the 'state of the art' treatment with pharmaceuticals, this about.com website will give you that! Progressive things, like low dose naltrexone are mentioned.
My previous blog about Dr. Rollins' fibromyalgia seminar gives quite a summary for people who are looking where to start as well.
Here's the link to About.com's fibromyalgia area. They have links for support groups by location and links to other good resources, so this really is a wonderful resource we want you to know about.
chronicfatigue.about.com/od/whatisfibromyalgia/u/Fibromyalgia.htm [1]
Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as: Twitter: http://twitter.com/lumigrate [2] and Facebook. (There is my personal page and several Lumigrate pages. For those interested in "groovy" local education and networking for those uniquely talented LumiGRATE experts located in my own back yard, "LumiGRATE Groove of the Grand Valley" is a Facebook page to join. (Many who have joined are beyond our area but like to see the Groovy information! We not only have FUN, we are learning about other providers we can be referring patients to and 'wearing a groove' to each other's doors -- or websites/home offices!) By covering some of the things we do, including case examples, it reinforces the concepts at Lumigrate.com as well as making YOU feel that you're part of a community. Which you ARE at Lumigrate!
Links:
[1] http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/whatisfibromyalgia/u/Fibromyalgia.htm
[2] http://twitter.com/lumigrate