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Helpful Solutions
(as of 08/12/05)
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Hypnotherapy
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One FMS patient reports significant relief from pain through Hypnotherapy. With hypnotherapy and EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), she feels better than she has in ten years. Her hypnotherapist, Edward Joseph, can be reached at 827-589-7407. |
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Herbalist
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Like many of us, Toja's pain and other symptoms led her from doctor to doctor without any significant relief. She was finally diagnosed and experienced some benefit some benefit from "strain counter-strain therapy." However, it has been herbs that have helped her recover. She went on a complete program designed by her herbalist. One year later she was free of pain. It has been five years now, and she considers herself free of FMS. Tonja has since become a Certified Natural Health Professional. You can reach her at 817-485-7239 or at toniawells@aol.com. |
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Switching Pillows
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Susan, who has CFIDS/FMS, reports that she has felt remarkably better since switching pillows! She discovered this while staying with relatives. They had big, fat pillows on the guest bed. She slept on her back with her head tipped forward slightly, chin toward chest. Since she never sleeps on her back, she was sure she wouldn't be able to sleep well.
To her surprise, she "awoke the next morning feeling quite good. The mind fog was gone. I felt energetic. Every morning since then, I have had the same result. I continue to feel much more alive. That's the best way to explain it. I can THINK, I feel like DOING THINGS, COOKING, GOING PLACES, LAUGHING, like my personality has come back. Like I am no longer half dead."
You may not get the same results, but unlike many treatments, this one costs very little! And it acutally makes sense, given the occurence of Cervical Stenosis and the Chiari Malformation in FMS/CFIDS, in which the brain stem or upper portion of the spinal cord is compressed. Susan believes she may have the Chiari malformatio, since tipping her head back has always caused discomfort. |
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Pine Cone Extract
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Pine Cone Extract. (recommended by Dr. Cheney in our newsletter) Mary reports that Judy Griffin, PhD, makes pine cone extract here in the Metroplex. It is $35 an ounce plus $6.00 shipping. (It's $60 an ounce elsewhere.) Dr. Griffin makes her own products and has an excellent reputation for her knowledge and products. She has over 20 years of clinical and hospital experience, and has taught at local colleges. She can be reached at 817-293-5410, fax: 817-293-3213 or email: petitefl@flash.net. |
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Pest Control Without Chemicals
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Mary reports that you can get rid of termites, fleas, fire ants, etc. with beneficial nematodes instead of chemicals. They are available locally or from Gulf Coast Biotic Technology in Huntsville, TX. 1-800-524-1958, ask for Ginger. |
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FMS Pain Relief
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Dinah has found significant FMS pain relief from "Maritime Prime", made by Health Kaire. It contains Pycnogenol in an enzyme delivery system, other antioxidants, and spirulina. (1-800-524-7348 or kaireint.com). Dinah has found walking, reducing stress, and quality sleep essential to her improvement. The Fibromyalgia Relief Handbook has been very helpful to her. |
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Butter/Margarine Replacement
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Mary found "Spectrum Spread", a healthy substitute for butter and margarine that's non-hydrogenated, trans fat, dairy, and cholesterol free. One is made with canola oil, another with olive oil. Whole Foods and Healthy Approach carry these products. Spectrum also makes a similar organic, all-vegetable shortening that can be used for baking or cooking. |
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Hepatitis C and CFIDS
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Susan, who was infected with Hepatitis C by a blood transfusion years ago, knows that it's possible to have both Hepatitis C and CFIDS. Some patients are misdiagnosed with CFIDS and later learn they have Hepatitis C. Others find that Hepatitis C seems to be the trigger for their CFIDS. Hepatitis C can go undetected for years. Early symptoms may be very mild and flu-like. They can include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, weakness, headaches, and abdominal pain. Most people do not have jaundice - yellowing of the skin and eyes in the early stages. For more information contact the Hepatitis Foundation International, 1-800-891-0707. |
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Pain Relief with Embrel
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Kay wrote that a dear friend in his 50's could hardly walk due to severe Arthritis. His doctor gave him a new drug called Embrel. Her friend now has no symptoms and feels 18 years old again. He and his wife are even taking Texas Swing Dance lessons! |
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Antibiotics: Dangerous Side-Effect
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Judy wants others to know about a rare but serious side effect of long term antibiotic use: progressive tendonitis leading to torn tendons/ligaments, particularly with antibiotics in the Cipro group such as Doxycycline. Judy took Doxycycline and had three weeks of progressive tendonitis before a ligament in her hip tore during sleep. She has been in a wheelchair for a month and is in the worst pain of her life, worse than her migraines or FMS. She and her doctor never knew this could occur. Those who are aware of it can stop the drug or switch drugs at the first sign of pain. (Thanks to co-cure.org.) |
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Therapist Select Professional Percussion Massager
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Barbara reports that the "Therapist Select Professional Percussion Massager" by HoMEDICS is "the best thing for pain since Morphine." It has two rubber knobs that pound rapidly on the muscles, which is far more effective than the usual vibrating motion. Her chiropractor recommended it. Many other group members have found it very helpful. It's available at WalMart.com. for $39.95. It's on their "Small Appliances" aisle. |
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Community Based Alternatives
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Becca has discovered a tremendous resource that provides help for the homebound facing financial difficulties. "Community Based Alternatives" is the name of a state program designed to avoid the cost of state nursing home care by providing assistance that enables homebound patients with limited incomes to remain at home. Even those who have no desire or intention of seeking nursing home care may qualify if they meet the criteria. Becca, who lives with her parents and is largely homebound, now has a non-medical caregiver 12 hours a week who cleans and cooks, monthly visits by a nurse, unlimited prescription coverage, asistance with hospital bills, up to $7500 of home renovations to accommodate her disability (ramps, additional hardware in the shower, etc.), and medical equipment, including a new bed. This is at no cost to her and it's all paid for by the state. Her benefits amount to $33,0000 a year, and this does not even include the cost of prescriptions or the renovations to her parents' home. Similar programs exist in most states. Call social services in your county for information |
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Comfort Keepers
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Joy reports that "Comfort Keepers" provides transportation to appointments and non-medical in-home care (cleaning, cooking, laundry, errands, shopping, etc.) Comfort Keepers provides caregivers for approximately $15.00 an hour, with a two hour minimum. Call 817 281-6789 to arrange for their services. |
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Magnets
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Steven, a member of our group with CFS/FM, reports that he used to have a lot of FMS pain. A friend introduced him to a Nikken sleep system (magnetic technology) and in less than two weeks most of the pain was gone. He can now raise his left arm above his head without any discomfort and spend hours on the keyboard. Being a skeptic, he got off of the system for about a week and the pain returned. But it again went away after getting back on the system. The only discomfort he experienced was a detoxing effect produced by the magnets (feeling like a cold is coming on). Steve reports that this particular technology is patented and is different from other magnetic items in many stores. Nikken makes many different products, including elbow and knee wraps. For more information contact Steven at smboyd1213@cs.com. |
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ADD and FM
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After years of FM, Patsy S. is now pain free. She and others in her support group discovered that those who have ADD in addition to FM often respond remarkably to certain drugs. Her story or by contacting Carol Sieverling. |
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IMUPlus
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Carol, our group leader, is experiencing significant improvement on IMUPlus, a supplement recommended by Dr. Cheney. This product works to restore the detox pathway and antiviral/antimicrobial mechanisms. Available from NEEDS (1-800-643-1380) it is $82.50 plus shipping and handling for 60 packets. Although two packets daily are the recommended dose, Carol initially crashed on this amount. She dropped to half a pack, then very slowly upped the dose to two packs daily. She believes it has made more difference than any other treatment. |
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Stephen's Protocol
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Stephen reports that before beginning his protocol, he could only work less than ten hours weekly. Now he can work an average of 30 hours a week. Over time, his protocol has built to include a multitude of both drugs and nutritional supplements. Since viewing the tape of Dr. Cheney's seminar he has begun Immunocal, Ultra Clear Sustain, and hydroxcyobalamin B-12 injections and seen noticeable improvement. |
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Hydrotherapy
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Jane, a former leader of an FM group in Dallas, reports that the Hot Springs Spa they had installed in their home is a tremendous benefit. With a prescription from her doctor, they paid no sales tax and wrote it off as a medical expense on their income tax.
She has also found significant relief from Aqua Med, a specialized form of hydrotherapy. The patient lies on a vinyl "bed" while hot water swirls underneath. Different speeds are a feature of the machine. She compared it to a non-invasive massage, only better! Twenty minutes two or three times a month is recommended. It costs about $20 for twenty minutes and is available at clinics in Ft. Worth, Plano, and Dallas. |
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