Showing posts with label bladder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bladder. Show all posts

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Fibromyalgia - The Past, Present, and Future. Part II — The Present and Future by Celeste Cooper


           
If you missed "Fibromyalgia — The Past, Present, and Future:
Part I —The Past"
 
You can read it HERE!

 
*If you wish to read more on specific topics, there are links to Celeste's website
and blogs that will help give you more in-depth information
and other citations and links to follow.
Just click on the highlighted links.



The Present
                       
According to the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association (NFMCPA),  approximately ten million Americans have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. There is no doubt that awareness has increased over the past few years. Could it be that the FDA approving medications for fibromyalgia and the constant media attention for these medications has done this? Read fellow advocate Cort Johnson's thoughts here, and the results of a survey done by the National Pain Report here.

Even though these medications may not be what we were hoping would work, there is no denying that media attention has raised awareness, despite advertisement for boosting pharmaceutical companies bottom line. Think about the credibility fibromyalgia would have if our families, friends, peers, and even doctors knew there is scientific proof that fibromyalgia is biological syndrome and that it's not all in our heads?

It's coming. Never give up hope!



 
biomarker – a test done on the body that indicates a specific physical trait used to assess the effects or evolution of a disease or disorder.
   
Widely accepted primary symptoms are:

  • Body-wide pain — no longer confined to 18 tender points
  • Non-restorative sleep — not feeling rested even when eight hours are achieved
  • Malaise—lack of zest or energy, fatigue
  • Cognitive deficit —difficulty finding words, adult onset dyslexia, and short term memory problems.


According to the 2013 AltCr (Bennett et al., 2014) other things to consider for diagnosis include;  stiffness and tenderness to touch; balance problems; depression and anxiety; sensitivity to lights, odors, and cold; and symptoms lasting three months or more.

  

I feel very fortunate to have lived long enough to see the FM/a blood test developed, tested, and researched well. Thanks to the determination of the scientists, we now have a biomarker that shows "Unique Immunologic Patterns in Fibromyalgia." (Behm, et al.) This should come as no surprise because of the comorbid disorders.  
   
comorbid  –  pertaining to two or more conditions that occur together more frequently than others.
   
Let's talk a bit about comorbid disorders. Irritable bowel syndrome, widely recognized as comorbid to FM is thought by many to have an immune component and that it is an organic disorder, meaning there is a biological reason that the bowel function is disrupted. Irritable bladder, interstitial cystitis, and other pelvic disorders have been closely associated with fibromyalgia, some autoimmune. Leaky gut syndrome (LGS) has been associated with FM, and we now know LGS plays a role in many autoimmune diseases, even psoriasis.

According to both the National Institute of Health  and the Center for Disease Control  fibromyalgia occurs as a comorbid disorder in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus,  and ankylosing spondylosis. These are autoimmune diseases. In addition, did you know that osteoarthritis (thought by some to have a connection to FM) could have an immune component? Research also continues to suggest that thyroid disease  is prevalent in a subset of fibromyalgia patients.

Included in the Wolfe, et al criteria (2010) was a list of  "polysymptomatic and fibromyalgianess" complaints. Though it may not have been intentional, consideration of symptoms without investigating other causes, could suggest that fibromyalgia is a psychosomatic mental illness (now defined in the DSM-5 as somatic symptom disorder). Because of this, it is possible we will not get the tests, diagnosis, and treatments we need. So if you have unusual symptoms that don't respond to treatments or medications, be persistent. If you doctor is not receptive, get a second opinion.
 
Also not a surprise is that the sympathetic (SNS) and the autonomic nervous (ANS) systems may be in on the action. This could explain the involvement of Raynaud's,  IBS,  and irritable bladder.  Raynaud's is thought to occur due to SNS disruption, and both IBS and irritable bladder are thought to have an immune AND sympathetic system involvement.  For all the migraineurs with fibromyalgia, you will be interested to know that migraine may be due a sympathetic nervous system that has gone haywire.

Fibromyalgia has an effect on the autonomic nervous system as evidenced by research on post exertional malaise, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (thought by some to also have an immune component, Li, et al.), and neurally mediated hypotension,  also seen in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome  (ME/CFS). 
 
All these things might explain why the trigger points of myofascial pain syndrome, a peripheral pain generator in many chronic pain conditions, don't sustain treatment in fibromyalgia patients.
 
The following excerpt is from correspondence I had with Dr. Frederick Wolfe regarding the omission of linking comorbid conditions in the Preliminary Proposed Diagnostic Criteria. 
 
Dr Wolfe stated: I don't share that concern or agree with you. However, the physician can certainly chose to exclude symptoms of known diseases if she chooses. That's why we ask physicians to analyze the symptoms and make a judgment.  You misread the ACR criteria when you write the criteria “define symptoms of several autoimmune disorders to be considered.” The criteria refer to symptoms that are present in humans irrespective of disease. There is no clustering between FM and the diseases and syndromes you cite. FM occurs in all diseases and illnesses, but more often in diseases that cause pain or are worrisome. And it is common in osteoarthritis and back pain syndromes, which are not autoimmune at all.  
Full article here.
   
I take issue with Dr. Wolfe's remarks because fibromyalgia is being used interchangeably with the term centralization/amplification of pain. If this is true, then Dr. Wolfe's comment makes perfect sense. However, in my opinion, fibromyalgia is NOT synonymous with centralization when centralization is considered as amplification of pain. While there is a centralization/amplification component to FM, just like there is with all chronic pain conditions, not all persons who experience chronic pain have primary symptoms of fibromyalgia or the comorbid disorders that have been identified in other research, research that Dr. Wolfe and some others fail to recognize. Also frequently neglected is the presence of myofascial pain syndrome in most, if not all chronic pain disorders. We should not be confused regarding the differences between FM and MPS. (You can watch my interview with Anthony Castelli from my website here. And, you can take a look at the plethora of research to back up my thoughts here. This is purely my opinion, and it could change, but bring me the proof.

Both the NIH and the CDC agree that fibromyalgia is prevalent in certain autoimmune disorders. You can read more on my thoughts on why Dr. Wolfe and his peers are missing important pieces to the puzzle in my blog "A Comprehensive Review on the Proposed and Modified Diagnostics for Fibromyalgia."   
 
The proof is in the pudding


Dr. Wolfe once rebuffed the research of Dr. Albrecht, et al in his blog, Junk Science, Junk Ethics. It will be interesting to see the response to the follow up study on the Behm study, which has been done and is to be published. This follow up study shows the FM/a test is 93% effective in distinguishing fibromyalgia independent of other comparative autoimmune disorders. More importantly, the NFMCPA tells us the NIH will be using the FM/a test  in fibromyalgia studies to verify diagnosis. This means that our future holds the distinction of having a biomarker, just like the other immune disorders that frequently occur with it.
 
Doctors Alan Light and Kathleen Light have been leading studies that show there is a specific "Gene Expression Involving Stress and Distress Pathways in Fibromyalgia with and without Comorbid Chronic Fatigue Syndrome." They believe they are close to also having a biomarker for fibromyalgia, and I understand that Dr. Robert Bennett is doing research along these same lines. 

Therefore, it is with great delight that I say:

"2014 is the year that has proved without a doubt  FIBROMYALGIA IS REAL!"
 
 
What does this mean for the future?
 
In the past, there was no biomarker, nor was there advancing research on genetic expression. 

We can expect:

  • Fibromyalgia will no longer be used as a wastebasket diagnosis (yes, it still happens).
  • We won't have to endure publicized terms such as "Fibromyalgianess."  
  • Improvement of meeting the guidelines for disability benefits.
  • Better tracking by the World Health Organization.
  • Better funding for research into the biology of fibromyalgia.
  • Target rich treatments.

 


While  having a biomarker is important until we find a cure, we will still need to use approaches for coping with chronic illness and pain. Many disorders have biomarkers, such as MS, SLE, RA, diabetes, etc., but these patients still struggle to maintain, and many of them are also fibromyalgia patients. In every case, patient outcome is based on learning to live life the best we can despite illness.
 
My suspicion is that once we understand the pathophysiology behind autoimmune disorders, we will be able to make great strides for prevention. It's not just about us, it's about future generations.

That's what gives us courage, determination, and hope.
 
 

Resources
 
Ahmad J1, Tagoe CE.  Fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain in autoimmune thyroid disease. Clin Rheumatol. 2014 Jan 18. [Epub ahead of print]
 
Alonso-Blanco C, Fernández-de-las-Peñas C, Morales-Cabezas M, Zarco-Moreno P, Ge HY, Florez-García M. Multiple active myofascial trigger point reproduce the overall spontaneous pain pattern in women with fibromyalgia and are related to widespread mechanical hypersensitivity. Clin J Pain. 2011 Jun;27(5):405-13.
 
American Psychiatric Association (APA) - DSM-5. Characteristics of Somatic Symptom Disorder.
 http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/Somatic%20Symptom%20Disorder%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf (Accessed 5-30-2014).

Behm FG, Gavin IM, Karpenko O, Lindgren V, Gaitonde S, Gashkoff PA, Gillis BS. Unique immunologic patterns in fibromyalgia. BMC Clin Pathol. 2012 Dec 17;12(1):25. doi: 10.1186/1472-6890-12-25.
 
Bennett RM, Goldenberg DL. 2011. Fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, tender points and trigger points: splitting or lumping? Arthritis Res Ther. 2011 Jun 30;13(3):117.
 
Bennett R, Friend R, Marcus D, Bernstein C, Han BK, Yachoui R, Deodar A, Kaell A, Bonafede P, Chino A, Jones K. Criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia: Validation of the modified 2010 preliminary ACR criteria and the development of alternative criteria. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2014 Feb 4. doi: 10.1002/acr.22301. [Epub ahead of print]
 
H C Chandola and Arunangshu Chakraborty. Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome-A Dilemma. Indian J Anaesth. Oct 2009; 53(5): 575–581.PMCID: PMC2900090
 
Cho KI1, Lee JH. The impact of thyroid autoimmunity on arterial stiffness in postmenopausal patients with fibromyalgia. Int J Rheum Dis. 2014 Jan 11. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.12257. [Epub ahead of print]
 
Cooper C and Miller J. (2010). Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection. Vermont: Healing Arts Press.
 
da Cunha Ribeiro RP, Roschel H, Artioli GG, Dassouki T, Perandini LA, Calich AL, de Sá Pinto AL, Lima FR, Bonfá E, Gualano B. Cardiac autonomic impairment and chronotropic incompetence in fibromyalgia.  Arthritis Res Ther. 2011 Nov 18;13(6):R190.
 
Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Penacoba-Puente C, Cigaran-Mendez M et al. Has catechol-O-methyltransferase genotype (Val158Met) an influence on endocrine, sympathetic nervous and humoral immune systems in women with fibromyalgia syndrome? Clin J Pain. 2014.30(3):199-204.
 
Giovanni Barbara,corresponding author Cesare Cremon, Giovanni Carini, Lara Bellacosa, Lisa Zecchi, Roberto De Giorgio, Roberto Corinaldesi, and Vincenzo Stanghellini. The Immune System in Irritable Bowel Syndrome J Neurogastroenterol Motil. Oct 2011; 17(4): 349–359. Published online Oct 31, 2011. doi:  10.5056/jnm.2011.17.4.349 PMCID: PMC3228974
 
Kitagawa Y, Kimura K, Yoshida S. Spectral analysis of heart rate variability during trigger point acupuncture. Acupunct Med. 2014. [Mar 7 Epub ahead of print.]
 
Küçükşen S, Genç E, Yılmaz H, Sallı A, Gezer IA, Karahan AY, Salbaş E, Cingöz HT, Nas O, Uğurlu H. The prevalence of fibromyalgia and its relation with headache characteristics in episodic migraine. Clin Rheumatol. 2013 Feb 27.
 
Lepus CM1, Song JJ, Wang Q, Wagner CA, Lindstrom TM, Chu CR, Sokolove J, Leung LL, Robinson WH. Brief report: carboxypeptidase B serves as a protective mediator in osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2014 Jan;66(1):101-6. doi: 10.1002/art.38213.
 
Li H1, Yu X, Liles C, Khan M, Vanderlinde-Wood M, Galloway A, Zillner C, Benbrook A, Reim S, Collier D, Hill MA, Raj SR, Okamoto LE, Cunningham MW, Aston CE, Kem DC.
Autoimmune basis for postural tachycardia syndrome. J Am Heart Assoc. 2014 Feb 26;3(1):e000755. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.113.000755.
 
Light KC, White AT, Tadler S, Iacob E, Light AR. Genetics and Gene Expression Involving Stress and Distress Pathways in Fibromyalgia with and without Comorbid Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  Pain Res Treat. 2012;2012:427869. Epub 2011 Sep 29.
 
Light AR, Bateman L, Jo D, Hughen RW, Vanhaitsma TA, White AT, Light KC. Gene expression alterations at baseline and following moderate exercise in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Syndrome. J Intern Med. 2011 May 26. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02405.x. [Epub ahead of print]
 
Doctors Alan Light and Kathleen Light from the Anesthesiology Department at the University of Utah. Sufferers of chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia have hope in new diagnostic tool.
 
Magdy El-Salhy, Doris Gundersen, Odd Helge Gilja, Jan Gunnar Hatlebakk, and Trygve Hausken Is irritable bowel syndrome an organic disorder? World J Gastroenterol. Jan 14, 2014; 20(2): 384–400. Published online Jan 14, 2014. doi:  10.3748/wjg.v20.i2.384
PMCID: PMC3923014
 
Martínez-Martínez LA1, Mora T, Vargas A, Fuentes-Iniestra M, Martínez-Lavín M. Sympathetic nervous system dysfunction in fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and interstitial cystitis: a review of case-control studies. J Clin Rheumatol. 2014 Apr;20(3):146-50. doi: 10.1097/RHU.0000000000000089.
Peroutka SJ. Migraine: a chronic sympathetic nervous system disorder.Headache. 2004 Jan;44(1):53-64.
 
Wolfe F, Walitt BT, Katz RS et al. Symptoms, the nature of fibromyalgia, and diagnostic and statistical Manual 5 (DSM-5) defined mental illness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. PLoS One. 2014. 9(2):e88740.
 
Wolfe F, Brähler E, Hinz A, Häuser W.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken).Fibromyalgia prevalence, somatic symptom reporting, and the dimensionality of polysymptomatic distress: Results from a survey of the general population. 2013 Feb 19. doi: 10.1002/acr.21931. [Epub ahead of print]
 
Wolfe F1, Michaud K, Busch RE, Katz RS, Rasker JJ, Shahouri SH, Shaver TS, Wang S, Walitt BT, Häuser W. Polysymptomatic Distress in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Understanding disproportionate response and its spectrum. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2014 Feb 4. doi: 10.1002/acr.22300. [Epub ahead of print]

Wolfe F, Clauw DJ, Fitzcharles MA, Goldenberg DL, Katz RS, Mease P, Russell AS, Russell IJ, Winfield JB, Yunus MB. The American College of Rheumatology preliminary diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and measurement of symptom severity. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2010 May;62(5):600-10.
 
Wolfe F, Clauw DJ, Fitzcharles MA, Goldenberg DL, Häuser W, Katz RS, Mease P, Russell AS, Russell IJ, Winfield JB: Fibromyalgia Criteria and Severity Scales for Clinical and Epidemiological Studies: A Modification of the ACR Preliminary Diagnostic Criteria for Fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol 38;1113-1122, 2011.

Frederick Wolfe. Fibromyalgianess. Arthritis Care and Research. DOI: 10.1002/art.24553 Article first published online: 28 MAY 2009
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/art.24553/full
  
Yun DJ, Choi HN, Oh GS. 2013. A case of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome associated with migraine and fibromyalgia. Korean J Pain. 26(3):303-306.


"Adversity is only an obstacle if we fail to see opportunity."  Celeste Cooper, RN
Books:
Read about Celeste and access to her books at Author Central here
Broken Body, Wounded Spirit: Balancing the See Saw of Chronic Pain [Four book series]
Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain 

Website: http://www.TheseThree.com

~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~

All answers and blogs are based on the author's opinions and writing and are not meant to replace medical advice.  


Tuesday, March 12, 2013

What the heck is a syndrome?


A syndrome is a collection of symptoms that remains the same throughout a particular patient group, but the cause is unknown. These might include fibromyalgia syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, AIDS, Asperser’s syndrome, Barrett’s syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, leaky gut syndrome,  paradoxical orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, Sjögren’s syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, urethral syndrome,  restless leg syndrome, Raynaud's syndrome, CREST Syndrome (a form of Scleroderma), complex regional pain syndrome, and many more. You may not realize it, but even rheumatoid arthritis is considered a syndrome. 

Some disorders are confusingly called diseases, when they are actually syndromes.  Diseases generally have a known cause. And syndromes, even when we know something about them are still syndromes. For instance, research shows there is an excessive release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular (nerve to muscle) junction of a myofascial trigger point, but myofascial pain syndrome is still considered a syndrome. This is because we don’t know what causes the excessive release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, the chemical messenger between the body and the brain.

When invisible disorders have no biological marker, a test that says you specifically have the disorder/syndrome, and sometimes when they do, there is always the doubting Thomas.  We think these folks mission in life is to prey on our psyche.  Why is this? Pretty much the answer is simple; they don’t experience our pain, lack of restorative sleep, life altering fatigue, severe chronic headache, a bladder that is constantly on fire, constantly cold extremities, or feel like everything they touch is barb wire, just to mention a few symptoms of invisible illnesses. Syndromes are not seen as real because some people operate on the assumption that if you can’t see it, it isn't so, even some healthcare providers migraines were once attributed to a woman’s frenzied inability to cope with stress.

Newer research into genetic markers will plow under the misconceptions of those who do not share our syndrome. In the mean time, it is up to us to support those who support the research.  Orphan disorders of all sorts face the same challenges.

In healing and hope, Celeste Cooper, RN author, patient, activist

All blogs, posts and answers are not meant to replace medical advice.  www.thesethree.com

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Pelvic Pain, Bladder Disorders, Prostate Problems, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Other Female and Male Related troubles: Is it more than co-incidence?



The muscles in the pelvic girdle are what keep our organs from falling to the floor. These muscles make up the perineum, the urogenital triangle, and the anal triangle. They support the rectum, the vagina/penis, and the urethra, but they may not be the only muscles involved in your pain and dysfunction.


Causes

Pelvic pain can be from many causes such as, vulvodynia, irritable bladder or interstitial cystitis, infection, vaginal atrophy, prostate problems/pain, testicular and or pain in the penis, pain in the urethra (where your urine comes out), rectal pain, ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, neuralgia, endometriosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, and myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), but for this blog we are looking specifically at the bladder and the perineum (area of the urethra, penis, vagina, and rectum).

Myofascial trigger points have been identified as the greatest aggravator of chronic pelvic pain, and pain is not the only symptom. Pelvic floor problems can also cause a decrease in urine flow in men and women, erectile dysfunction, urinary retention (setting the stage for infection), urgency (always feeling like you have to urinate), and constipation.

For more on myofascial trigger points and myofascial pain see “Myofascial Pain” at my website and
 my blog: Points That Need More Than Pondering: Defining Myofascial Trigger Points


Offending trigger points

Myofascial trigger points in adductor magnus (thigh), or internal oblique (abdomen), are capable of causing bladder pain and frequency, and MTrPs in the adductor magnus can cause a host of referred pain to groin and inner thigh, pelvic and pubic bones, rectum and vagina and can cause menstrual cramping (as can MTrPs in the rectus abdominus, abdomen), and trigger points in the internal oblique can also cause bladder difficulties. The muscles of the pelvis, and the multi-layered muscles of the pelvic floor can become tight, unforgiving and short due to MTrPs. Myofascial trigger points in pelvic related muscles can refer pain to the urethra, rectum, coccyx, or the crease of the buttocks.

This is speaking in generalities, but it’s important to understand that the source of your pain can be close by or well away from pelvis itself.  Treating MTrPs, whether active (painful without touching) or latent (only painful with touched) that refer pain to a specific region is just as important as treating those directly relatable. Often times, those who claim to know myofascial trigger points do not understand the complexity, this includes physicians, physical therapists, and body workers.


Chronic myofascial pain in fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and pelvic dysfunction

Myofascial pain syndrome often co-exists in fibromyalgia, and has been identified in some chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients, chronic pelvic and bowel disorders.  Myofascial trigger points are a peripheral nerve to muscle problem that lends to centralized (amplified) pain in fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, bladder difficulties, ME/CFS, IBS, and other overlapping conditions.  This hypersensitive state is also present in these disorders. Ignoring the obvious bloodies the diagnostic waters and most importantly delays appropriate treatments and leads to flawed research.


Therapies

It is important to identify perpetuating factors, such as, co-existing hip problems, piriformis syndrome, pudendal neuralgia, low back or sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and other overlapping conditions, bringing them under control when possible. Pay close attention to aggravating factors such as, sitting too long or on hard surfaces and chairs that can’t be adjusted to your body type, over activity, infection, poor posture, wearing pants that are too tight, consuming offending foods, etc.

There are a variety of therapies to help you, including intravaginal and pelvic floor trigger point injections, external and internal massage of the perineum and in women the vagina, biofeedback, bladder retraining, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), tennis ball therapy (as discussed in our book),
acupuncture, dietary changes, over-the-counter probiotics for the bladder, stretching movements, topical analgesics (such as oragel), oral analgesics, and of course specific myofascial therapy by a trained specialist. Sometimes, all are necessary.

Seldom are doctors well informed about myofascial pain s and trigger points, so I am a firm believer that women should see a urogynecologist, that men should see a urologist and in both cases, the physician should understand the role of the myofascial in chronic pelvic pain.  The same is true for the physical therapist. Why? Those who do not understand the role of trigger points chronic pelvic pain and dysfunction may suggest traditional therapies, such as, Kegel exercise, which can worsen your symptoms, and when co-existing conditions such as piriformis syndrome, spinal disease, IBS, etc. are involved; a host of referral patterns are involved.  This is why identifying ALL your pain patterns (whether you feel a trigger point there or not) is important information for your specially trained healthcare provider.

Always discuss your symptoms with your doctor to make sure other causes are ruled out. If your pain and dysfunction is not found to be from another source, please look for those myofascial trigger points and a specialized therapist, they are treatable.

Resources for you:

IC and Irritable bladder
Blatman Pain Clinic
What Your OB/GYN Should Know About FMS and CMP by Devin J. Starlanyl
Pelvic Floor Myofascial Trigger Points: Manual Therapy for Interstitial Cystitis and the Urgency-Frequency Syndrome by Jerome Weiss
Fibro Care Center
National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists
ICA – Physical Therapy
ICA – Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
International Myopain Society
IC Network


(Signature line appended, March 2018)

In healing,
Celeste Cooper, RN / Author, Freelancer, Advocate

Think adversity?-See opportunity!

~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~

Learn more about Celeste’s books here. Subscribe to posts by using the information in the upper right hand corner or use the share buttons to share with others.

All blogs and comments are based on the author's opinions and are not meant to replace medical advice.  

Celeste's Website

Celeste's Website
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