July 28, 2008
Font Options Appreciated
Thank you for giving your readers the option of larger size fonts! I wish every e-mail I received was so thoughtful and considerate. It certainly makes it easier for me to read your newsletters. – June
____________________________ Almonds in Prebiotic Smoothie
Interesting about prebiotic value of almonds. [See “Prebiotic potential of almonds – Unique lipid helps prebiotics multiply and prosper.”] I have found best compatibility of my prebiotic smoothie when using raw almonds with the greens, fruit and cultured raw milk. – Hans
____________________________ Vitamin D Helps Pain
Re: "Vitamin D – A Neglected ‘Analgesic’ for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain."
I am amazed at the amount of news I hear now about the vitamin D importance. I used to never hear about that vitamin. I have had fibromyalgia for years and also arthritis and just all over pain and fatigue. I am 57 but have felt this way for several years and couldn't understand it.
Finally, I found a doctor who tested me for vitamin D and it was [low] so he put me on 100,000 mcg 2x a week. It has made my legs not hurt as bad at night. I don't know that it will be a cure, but I can tell a difference…
He also told me to try to get at least 15 minutes of sunshine once or twice a day if possible. I would like to see lots more about this vitamin deficiency reported on here. Thank you for this site. I really enjoy it. – kittytom
Note: We think you will enjoy the eye-opening and entertaining free online presentation on vitamin D featured in this issue [see “Vitamin D Deficiency – 'A Disease of Neglect' and Its Unrecognized Toll”]. It is presented by Michael Holick, MD, PhD, clinical research director at Boston University. If you’re like us you’ll want to watch this fascinating presentation more than once to absorb as much as possible – and then pass the link to your friends.
____________________________ Singing Helps Me Cope
I sing when things are too much. I am a Dave Matthews Band lover and I just sit and sing at my desk or with my mp3 player on. If you can download or buy some CD's from songs when you were younger…and play or sing music that reminds you of when you were younger and livelier, [it] can sometimes lift you up.
If you can't live like you lived back then, maybe you could still feel it in your heart. Like I was younger in the 80’s and I love 80’s music so much. But, yep, I sing my heart out and it helps me cope with sadness and pain of my body. – Amy
____________________________ Trigger Point Therapy Info
…Trigger point therapy works sometimes. Here is a link to trigger points and referred pain, along with some other tips and resources: (http://www.triggerpoints.net)
This is a great resource. When you can't figure out why something hurts “here” you can find the source “there.” In other words, the source of the pain may be a trigger point, which is in a different place than the place the pain is. Check it out! It has helped me. – Holly
____________________________ Book Recommendation
I want to recommend a book. It was written by a woman, Devin J. Starlanyl, and is entitled The Fibromyalgia Advocate: Getting the Support You Need to Cope with Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome.
The ISBN is 1-57224-121-7 so you can order it through your local library or interlibrary loan system.
This is, by far, the most comprehensive book that I have read since my quest for information began in Nov 2005! And I have read many! What I really love about this book is that she has actually written some wonderful guidelines on how to tell your husband, your children, and your other family members what you are having to deal with and how your daily life is being affected. You will find that in Chapter 14.
This book will give you so much helpful information. It covers everything you should know and I refer to it often… Once I read the library’s copy, I knew I needed to keep it on hand, so I bought one online. – Hope
Note: Based in West Chesterfield, NH, Devin J. Starlanyl is an authority on research & coping with chronic myofascial pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, and related conditions. She herself is diagnosed with these conditions and has written “from the empathetic perspective of one who understands the disorder from the inside.”
____________________________ Distinguish between HHV-6A and B
Re: Dr. David Bell Reports “Snippets of Wonderful Science that Caught My Attention” from the 2008 International HHV-6 Conference.
It's my understanding that there is some debate re: whether or not HHV-6A and HHV6-B are variants of the same virus or 2 different viruses. I think that it's important to at least make the distinction between the 2 since they vary by mode of transmission, population infected, potential for CNS damage, etc. – outofstep
Note: One source of information and research news is the HHV-6 Foundation website.
____________________________ Doctor Communication Suggestions Work
Re: "Improving Patient-Doctor Communication."
Thanks for the concise review of my responsibility when seeing any healthcare worker. I have used very similar techniques when seeing Dentists, Physical Therapists, Psychiatrists, and OB/GYN's.
I've noticed that my health insurance provider also publishes these same points to nurture a medical relationship. Bottom line: these preparatory plans WILL make for a better appointment and better long term outcome.
I recalled the times I had been a less than civil patient. Those times I was unable or unwilling to prepare as you suggested, my appointment and care were unsatisfactory. It's not always the caregiver’s fault. And to be completely honest, it's not the much maligned (in my case) insurance carrier's fault when our encounters with medical providers are negative.
We, as Fibro's, can be a surly lot. My own PCP has told me there are patients with Fibro that he “dreads” (yes he used that very word) to see. He says neither he nor the patients are satisfied with the level of care and character of the appointment. I don't know about you, but I want a happy, learning, considerate and respectful caregiver.
I had to come to a place of admittance that I have a responsibility to do all I can as a patient to foster a positive relationship with him/her. I think this advice would be especially helpful to the newly diagnosed and overwhelmed Fibro sufferer.
Please, let's not make our hardworking doctors and other healthcare workers have to suffer with us. – wrytstuff
____________________________ Rate-Your-Doctor Survey Results
The results are in from last month’s Question of the Week - “On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your physician overall, considering knowledge, skill, and attitude?” Twenty percent rated their doctor a 10, 14 percent said they were a nine, 12 percent gave them an eight, and 16 percent gave them a five, while the rest of the rating levels ranged from 4 to 9 percent. Here are some representative answers to the follow-up question, “What qualities or skills, if any, might improve your rating?”
- None. He is curious about new research, is knowledgeable and listens carefully.
- Needs to keep up with drug side effects and also lesser-known illnesses.
- Listening more and asking questions.
- Take more time with me at visits to find out what’s currently going on.
- More knowledge about FM and ME/CFS.
- Learn and prescribe alternative therapies, including nutritional treatments.
- Open mindedness and willingness to check on other areas, read up on new studies.
Overall, the top three qualities most people say they want in their doctor is someone who listens well, spends enough time with them, and is knowledgeable about their illness.
____________________________ Info on Drug Interactions?
Q: I would like to have information on drug interactions. Could I get a list of interactions, for instance, for a person who is diabetic and is taking the following medicines: Atacand 32, Lozal 1.25, Inderal, Digoxin, Zocor 40 mg., Cardura 1 mg., and proscar? – J
A: We recommend you begin by using one or more of the excellent online drug & supplement interaction databases. As a starting point, read our recent article (“Online Resources for Checking Drug & Supplement Interactions”), which offers links to six databases, starting with the most extensive ones.
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p>The article steps you through the process for finding info on the biggest site – DrugDigest.org.
Importantly, and especially because you take multiple medications, it seems a good plan to make an appointment to discuss your drugs and concerns about interactions with a pharmacist in your local medical center/hospital, or pharmacy. The pharmacist should be able to help you sort through all the information on these medications/interactions, and discuss possible issues that you might bring up with your physician.
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Note: This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is generic and is not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure any illness, condition or disease. It is very important that you make no change in your healthcare plan or health support regimen without researching and discussing it in collaboration with your professional healthcare team.
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