2018 Musings From The Pained Ink Slayer

Celeste on Amazon

I am blessed to have wonderful people who collaborate. So many give of themselves in an effort to offer support to those suffering with chronic pain, FM, ME/CFS, myofascial pain, CRPS/RSD, Lupus, Migraine, Lyme's Disease, Ankylosing Spondylitis, interstitial cystitis, arthritis and other painful conditions. It is because of the fortitude of others, I am inspired to keep on keeping on. Following is a compilation of what I have written in 2018.

PROHEALTH

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Similarities and Contrasts with Fibromyalgia

THE PAINED INK SLAYER

Could Biofeedback Be On Your Chronic Pain Gift List?

THE PAINED INK SLAYER  

The GERD-Fibro Connection

PROHEALTH

Five Things You Should Know About Dysautonomia If You Have Fibromyalgia 

THE PAINED INK SLAYER  

A Fall Lesson on Mindfulness

10 Fast Facts Fibromyalgia is Real (Blog Reprint of original 2016 ProHealth article)

PROHEALTH

Brain Under Siege: Centralization, Chronic Pain, and Fibromyalgia

THE PAINED INK SLAYER  

Chronic Pain: Does Sex Matter?

FMa Test - BCG Fibromyalgia Vaccine Trials Receive FDA Approval

PAINS Project Moves to Academy of Integrative Pain Management (AIPM)

PROHEALTH

Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants: Managing Chronic Pain And Invisible Illness With Words From the Wise

THE PAINED INK SLAYER  

A Day in the Rockies Poem about Rockies for mom

THE PAINED INK SLAYER  

4 Ways to Power Up Your Positivism

PROHEALTH

The Physicality Of Fibrofog, The Brain, And Pain

Diagnosing And Living With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

THE PAINED INK SLAYER  

FDA responds on behalf of chronic pain patients who require opioids to treat their pain

The FM/a® Blood Test and Participation in Fibromyalgia Vaccine Study

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You can follow my ProHealth profile page where I write about fibromyalgia and its frequent partners, and Health Central has archived the articles I have written for them, here.

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PROHEALTH

Fibro Playmate of the Month – The Migraine Connection

THE PAINED INK SLAYER  

Opportunity Knocks Again: Public Comments on Patient-Focused Drug Development for Chronic Pain

Migraine and Me: If you could see me now #MHAM2018 challenge

Comment Now to NIH Pain Management Best Practices or Forever Hold Our Peace

12 Months and 14 Fibro Musings

PROHEALTH  

7 Tips for Reclaiming Control over Fibromyalgia

THE PAINED INK SLAYER  

Science, Fibromyalgia, and Exercise

PROHEALTH

3Tips for Reducing Stress in Fibromyalgia

THE PAINED INK SLAYER  

9 Reasons Tai Chi Reduces Pain and Promotes Health

Balancing Pain and Illness through Poetry

PROHEALTH

Myofascial Pelvic Pain in Men and Women with Fibromyalgia

THE PAINED INK SLAYER  

Mindfulness and Chronic Pain

Never Again Will I Travel Without My Oska® PEMF Device. #sponsor discount code CCRN60

PROHEALTH

Does Rare Disease—EDS—Plague Fibromyalgia?

THE PAINED INK SLAYER  

Fibromyalgia FM/a Blood Test and EpicGenetics Landmark Clinical Research Efforts

Making the Best of AFFIRMATIONS

THE PAINED INK SLAYER  

A PATIENT's VOICE – Life in Chronic Pain with Frank Elliot

PROHEALTH

Fibromyalgia and Thyroid Resistance

THE PAINED INK SLAYER  

The Thyroid and Fibromyalgia: Is there more than a butterfly connection?

Avoiding Lockdown

HEALTH CENTRAL

How Kinesiology Can Help Manage Chronic Pain

THE PAINED INK SLAYER  

New Year’s Wish for Fellow Pain Warriors (January, 2018) 

  

As I look back at 2018, I am filled with gratitude, love, and admiration for each of you, and look ahead to the New Year with hope and promise.

THANK YOU for your comments and for sharing any and all information, not only from me, but from the many other advocates, bloggers, and writers who share this space with all of us.

In healing,

Celeste Cooper, RN / Author, Freelancer, Advocate

Think adversity?-See opportunity!

http://www.CelesteCooper.com

~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~

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. 

When a Peek at Chronic Pelvic Pain Isn't Enough

Chronic pelvic pain comes in many forms and there are different symptoms and diagnoses to consider. Following are links to my three part series as contributing chronic pain pro at Health Central.




1 - Essential Elements of Pelvic Pain in Men and Women 

Pelvic pain can originate from different sources and it can be acute or chronic. Regardless, there are contributing factors to consider. Some are very treatable and others can be more difficult to manage. Acute pelvic pain is a warning sign that comes on suddenly lasting a few minutes to a few days depending on the cause. Chronic pelvic pain can be constant or come flares and symptoms can vary in character and intensity. Knowing what and when to report any unusual symptoms to your doctor is important, because some causes of pelvic pain when left untreated can cause permanent damage that could be avoided when we know what to do…

2 - The Secret to Pelvic Pain and the Myofascia 

If you have chronic pelvic pain (CPP), you know the symptoms. What you may not know is that myofascial trigger points, shortened pieces of muscle fiber that form a knot and shorten the muscle involved, play a role of their own in this painful disorder... 

3 - Why knowing the cause of pelvic pain is essential to treatment

Chronic pelvic pain can be constant or come and go with a flare up of symptoms. Symptoms can be mild to severe and can vary in intensity during the day or with a flare. The character of pelvic pain can be different too. For instance, someone with painful bladder syndrome or prostatitis has a symptom in common, burning with urination (dysuria), but pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome is described as cramping or churning. Symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause of their pain. That’s why it is important to know how to report your symptoms... 

 (Signature line appended, March 2018)

In healing,

Celeste Cooper, RN / Author, Freelancer, Advocate

Think adversity?-See opportunity!

http://www.CelesteCooper.com

~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~

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.  

KaleidoPain NEWS: Ever Changing Colors of Chronicity 11-5-2012

KaleidoPain NEWS: Ever Changing Colors of Chronicity, containing news for all pain and neuro-endocrine-immune patients, healthcare providers, and caregivers. 

                                   

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

~Mahatma Gandhi, Unsurpassed leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India,

and led non-violence movements for civil rights. 1869 - 1948 

CELESTE’s BLOGSPEAK  Click here for direct links to each blog  

• Are Your Power Lines Down: Sensitivity of Neuro-Endocrine-Immune Disorders.
• Fighting for the right of choice. RE: PROPS.
• KaleidoPain News: Changing Colors of Chronicity 10-17-12.
• Human Touch: Soft Tissue and Massage Therapy in Chronic Pain Conditions.
• Book Launch for Those Living with Chronic Pain.
• Monthly feature for October is CRPS/RSD.
• A Thief in the Night: Is pain robbing you of love?

FEATURED BLOG or Website

MY MIGRAINE STROBING EFFECT SOURCES BY TONYAMORK

HEALTHY HABITS

What food canhelp my immune system?

INSPIRATION

Mindful awareness expands my being, encouraging me to live consciously without judgment. 

From “Broken Body Wounded Spirit: Balancing the See Saw of Chronic Pain, Fall Devotions"

FEATURING Q&A by Celeste at Sharecare

(I hope you chose to join Sharecare and follow the links directly, however you can also go to www.sharecare.com and copy and paste the question into the ASK search box to go directly to my answers for the question.) 

• Who should I tell about my fibromyalgia?
• Can my diet affect my fibromyalgia?

*See over 280 questions answered by Celeste 

THE ADVOCATE

Be an advocate, vote in the CITGO Fueling Good. In the running: 

• CFS Knowledge Center 
• Vote 
• CFSSolutions (The new home of P-A-N-D-O-R-A)
• Vote 

National Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profit organization providing the patient voice in improving access to, and reimbursement for, high-quality healthcare through regulatory and legislative reform at the state and federal levels. NPAF translates the experience of millions of patients who have been helped by our companion, Patient Advocate Foundation, which provides professional case management services to individuals facing barriers to healthcare access for chronic and disabling disease, medical debt crisis and employment-related issues at no cost.

If you are in need of direct patient services, please contact Patient Advocate Foundation at 1-800-532-5274 or on the web.

PAIN STRATEGIES 

• The Power of Words
• Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee - October 22, 2012 Podcast

ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you have or know someone who has CFS, please view and share this video testimony by Jeri McClure Kurre at the CFSAC Committee Meeting.

IN THE NEWS

• The New Panic Over Prescription Painkillers . Huffington Post
• Possible New Medications in Development for FM
• Neuropathic Pain Relieved By Immunoglobulin
• Regulation of Prescription Drugs Could Spell Trouble for Patients
• Another Blow to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Sufferers
• See the American Family Physician on CFS

Not on Twitter?  Follow my tweets from Celeste Speaks 

NEWS FOR YOU! 

KaleidoPain News Sept 30, 2012

"To lose patience is to lose the battle."

 - Mahatma Gandhi

*Tips for writing your own affirmations www.thesethree.com/Key_to_Affirmations.html

*Tips on journaling www.thesethree.com/Journaling.html

CELESTE’s BLOGSPEAK

Raising the roof on the article, “Fibromyalgia Patients Self-Medicating With Cannabis May Have Poor Mental Health Outcomes.” 
http://fmcfstriggerpoints.blogspot.com/2012/09/raising-roof-on-article-fibromyalgia.html#.UFtI1I1lTVI

Intimacy and Fibro: The nuts and bolts of the pelvic floor
http://fmcfstriggerpoints.blogspot.com/2012/09/intimacy-and-fibro-nuts-and-bolts-of.html
at Sharecare http://www.sharecare.com/user/celeste-cooper/blog/post/fc4f4e68-6b98-4e55-95ac-37357b130980

KaleidoPain News 9-11-12
http://fmcfstriggerpoints.blogspot.com/2012/09/kaleidopain-news-9-11-2012_11.html

Demanding body, cellular strength, LGS:  Are we what we eat?
http://fmcfstriggerpoints.blogspot.com/2012/09/demanding-body-cellular-strength-lgs.html

*Who Should Be Prescribing Our Pills?
http://fmcfstriggerpoints.blogspot.com/2012/09/who-should-be-prescribing-your-meds.html
On Sharecare http://www.sharecare.com/user/celeste-cooper/blog/post/006dd176-a756-40e1-8983-e8f9c2369f0f

*See past blog links at httpss://thesethree.com/Featured_Blog_Links.html
FEATURED BLOGS

Relieving Pain in America: How you can help to improve care. by nfmcpa
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/nfmcpa/2011/12/09/relieving-pain-in-america-how-you-can-help-to-improve-care?utm_source=BTRemail&utm_medium=ShowReminder

Occupy CFS, Will FDA Step Up?
 http://www.occupycfs.com/2012/09/13/will-fda-step-up/


HEALTHY HABITS

Six ways to use your mind for healing
http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/08/six-ways-to-use-your-mind-for-healing/?utm_source=All&utm_campaign=Daily+Moment+of+Awake+in+the+Inbox+of+Your+Mind&utm_medium=email

Tight Jean Syndrome
Wearing tight clothes can compress a sensory nerve called the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve that runs from the abdomen through the thigh. The compression can cause numbness, tingling, and a burning pain in the legs above the knees, a condition called "meralgia paresthetica," also known as "tingling thigh syndrome" and now sometimes termed "tight jean syndrome." http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP04494/Tight-Jean-Syndrome.html


FEATURING Q&A by Celeste at Sharecare
*Follow all answers by Celeste at  www.sharecare.com/user/celeste-cooper/answers

Who should I tell about my fibromyalgia?
http://www.sharecare.com/question/who-should-tell-about-fibromyalgia

Can my diet affect my fibromyalgia?
http://www.sharecare.com/question/can-diet-affect-fibromyalgia

How is dizziness in fibromyalgia treated?
http://www.sharecare.com/question/how-dizziness-fibromyalgia-treated

What qualifies a psychologist to treat my fibromyalgia?
http://www.sharecare.com/question/what-qualifies-neurologist-treat-fibromyalgia

ANNOUNCEMENTS
A note for everyone dealing with chronic pain.  Please know that many are working hard to realize, collaborate, and facilitate the Institute of Medicine (IOM) “Perspectives on Pain.”  The Patient Action Alliance to Implement a National Strategy (*PAINS) has established the mission, “To help Americans who struggle with pain have access to integrative pain care consistent with their goals and values."  I am happy to be affiliated with this group and make contributions as requested. See my note, https://www.facebook.com/notes/integrative-therapies-for-fibromyalgia/the-pains-action-alliance-to-implement-a-national-strategy-pains/525869224095152
For Grace’s Women in Pain,  ***An archive of the complete 2012 Women In Pain webcast will be available October 1st!  Please join us then to re-live the magic of our 5th Annual Women In Pain Conference!*** http://www.forgrace.org/women/in/pain/C265/
Women in Pain.

IN THE NEWS
Not on Twitter?  Follow my tweets on the bottom of the welcome page at http://TheseThree.com

Major changes needed to end inadequate pain management for millions, say Stanford authors of IOM study by Krista Conger.  Phillips Pizzo, Chair-IOM, Advancing Pain Research, Care, and Education; Dean Stanford University School of Medicine.
http://med.stanford.edu/ism/2011/june/pain.html

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Not Linked to Suspect Viruses; Study Puts to Rest Notion That XMRV or pMLV Cause the Mysterious Ailment
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120918083907.htm
CII Press Conference: Multicenter Study on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.  W. Ian Lipkin, MD (Moderator)
http://cii.yewda.com/Blog.aspx?LOfRcb

NEWS FOR YOU from Celeste

Don’t miss the Sept/Oct edition of the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Life, a journal for all patients in pain.  Featured, “Relieving Pain in America.”  An organization dedicated to doing just that. The online journal is at no cost, just click on the magazine icon at the bottom of the page.
http://fmcpaware.org/

What is a “Pain Activist?”
https://www.thesethree.com/Pain_Activist.html

How to Cope With Unsolicited Advice When You Have an Invisible Chronic Illnesshttp://invisibleillnessweek.com/2010/08/24/how-to-cope-with-unsolicited-advice-when-you-have-an-invisible-chronic-illness/

*Follow other “NEWS FOR YOU”  at www.TheseThree.com

ROLFING THE RESEARCH
September’s Research Updates with comments https://thesethree.com/Research_Sept__2012.html


BOOK REVIEW

How to Be Sick by Toni Bernhard
I earmarked too many pages to share all of them in this review, so I will share two that will forever be affirmations to me, finding joy in the joy of others, and implementing loving-kindness that I often give others, but seldom reserve for myself.  This book offers a personal journey and provides true enlightenment for those of us who cope with chronic illness.
--Celeste Cooper, RN, author, Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection, and FM expert at Sharecare.com  www.thesethree.com


ABOUT THE BOOKS 
www.thesethree.com/About_the_Books_WPCN.html


COMMENT CORNER
5.0 out of 5 stars Very information and helpful!, July 8, 2012
By TruthSeeker - See all my reviews
This review is from: Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection (Paperback)
Book is presented as a textbook and is easy to read with helpful explanations, definitions and exercises. Very informative on a variety of related syndromes/illnesses. My problem, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is seriously misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Those of us who have it need verification and support, not to be dismissed as just crazy/lazy. Will share this book with many others.

POINT TO PONDER    (Sneak Peek from our soon to be released, Broken Body, Wounded Spirit: Balancing the See Saw of Chronic Pain, a series beginning with “Fall Devotions”)

How can I balance my teeter totter?

*This virtual newsletter is for informational purpose only and is not meant as medical advice.
Have the KaleidoPain News delivered right to your Inbox by subscribing to the RSS feed.
The KaleidoPain newsletter is for you, join in and submit one of your inspiring moments or book review's. Make a contribution and share with others. To submit contributions put "inspiring moment" or "book review" in the subject line and email to Celeste@TheseThree.com

Intimacy and Fibro: The nuts and bolts of the pelvic floor

A hug a day keeps the psychiatrist away, right?

There are different forms of intimacy, and as human beings we all need and crave affection.  However, for the fibromyalgia patient sexual intimacy may be altered, particularly if you have pelvic floor dysfunction, impotence, endometriosis, vulvodynia, irritable bladder or interstitial cystitis known to co-occur more frequently in FM.

Be sure to discuss any problems with your doctor.  If you have a uro-gynecologist, a gynecologist that specializes in female urology, all the better.  They can help you get treatments that will improve pelvic floor pain and enhance your feelings for intimacy.  And if you are a man with fibro, discuss your problems with intimacy with a urologist.

Myofascial trigger points, part of myofascial pain syndrome, are great peripheral pain generators to FM, can cause a great deal of pelvic pain too.  In men it can cause impotence as well as pain, and for both men and women they can cause urgency and urinary retention and the pain can also include the rectum and bowel. 

Here is a great handout from UCSF/SFSU GRADUATE PROGRAM IN

PHYSICAL THERAPY on understanding trigger points and the pelvic floor.  Please note trigger points from other locations can cause referred pain, numbness and dysfunction. http://ptrehab.medschool.ucsf.edu/conted/spring_symposium2010/Goodrich.pdf

Make sure your vaginal area is moist because dry membranes, also prevalent in FM, can cause irritation and increase the risk of infection. 

If the pain is too severe, explore other ways of being intimate with your partner.

This blog also posted at Sharecare http://www.sharecare.com/user/celeste-cooper/blog/post/fc4f4e68-6b98-4e55-95ac-37357b130980

(Signature line appended, March 2018)

In healing,

Celeste Cooper, RN / Author, Freelancer, Advocate

Think adversity?-See opportunity!

http://www.CelesteCooper.com

~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~

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.  

Getting the Most from Yoga when

Follow my blog at Sharecare

http://www.sharecare.com/user/celeste-cooper/blogs/show/should-your-arsenal-for-fighting-chronic-pain-include-ultrasound-and

Healing, harmony and hope, Celeste

Arresting the tidal flow: Pelvic dysfunction in fibromyalgia.

Pelvic dysfunction is prevalent in woman, but can also affect men. Sexual dysfunction and pain, impotence, bladder and uterine dysfunction, rectal pain and other disruptions involving the pelvis and surrounding structures and organs can be caused by the presence of chronic active myofascial trigger points. Since we now know these neurologic imitators exist in as many as nine out of ten fibromyalgia patients, and are body wide, we can better understand why what is, is. It warms my heart to know that all we talk about in the book is being validated providing hope.

Sneak Peek from page 111, Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myofascial Pain: The Mind Body Connection, Chapter Two “Communicating Your Healthcare Needs ©:

“Vulvodynia is pain in the external female genitalia. It can be caused by untreated pelvic floor trigger points. Oragel may help numb the pain of vulvodynia. As discussed under irritable bladder, there are pelvic floor treatments available. If you find TrPs in the pelvic floor (between the vagina and rectum, or the vulva, sitting on a therapeutic ball can be used to treat them.

I would suggest that you use a soft chair to avoid applying too much pressure to the area.”

If you have internal myofascial trigger points causing pain and dysfunction, chronic urinary tract infection, interstitial cystitis or any of the aforementioned problems, you won’t want to miss this report by pelvic messenger, Elisabeth Oas.


All blogs, posts and answers are based on the work in Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by Celeste Cooper, RN, and Jeff Miller, PhD. 2010, Vermont: Healing Arts press and are not meant to replace medical advice. www.thesethree.com