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Radiating the Shadow of Light
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As suggested in my article for ProHealth, there is a problem with research on fibromyalgia. It is all over the
place. The reason for this is partly due to how research is funded—sad, but true.
Drug Research
Several drugs have been suggested
for treating fibromyalgia but are they
helping?
“According to the polling, nearly all in-person and web
participants reported taking or having taken a prescription medication to treat
their fibromyalgia symptoms. Prescription drug therapies were described as
having widely varying degrees of effectiveness, and many participants noted
limited benefits or decreased benefit over time. Additionally, even if
effective, many participants described that they could not sustain treatment
because they were unable to tolerate their side effects.”
*A polling of FDA approved Lyrica®, Cymbalta®, Savella® and
other commonly prescribed medications.
Also in 2014, The Cochran Library database said while it seems helpful in those who tolerate it, the number who benefit from Pregabalin (Lyrica) is very small. Only one person in ten will have any benefits. (Pregabalin for pain in fibromyalgia in adults, accessed April 29, 2017) That is underwhelming evidence compared to the reported clinical trials on which the FDA based their approval.
Getting Unstuck
In our books I write about the
importance of critical thinking and problem solving, i.e. determining what we
think we want or need then go about finding ways to achieve it. But, when we
change the goal, or even our interpretation of the goal, so changes the way we
get there. Simply masking our symptoms so we can learn to live with it isn’t a
lofty goal to me. Instead, we should be looking at the cause, the necessary
step to finding a cure. That said, I support any medication, treatment, or
therapy you and your doctor work together to find, but we can’t get stuck in
thinking that’s all there is. We need to know how to treat fibromyalgia as a
disease and manage it as we do diabetes, thyroid disease, etc.
The Biology of Body Matter
I began reviewing research,
commentaries, and reports on fibromyalgia in 2001 when I first started writing
our book, Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and
Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection, 2010. And, I have seen evidence in small studies
and large that fibromyalgia is biological.
As years pass by, we see a
recurring theme regarding the
hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis involvement in fibromyalgia. And
as we advance, we learn more about how this might work. You see, the HPA axis is
constantly recalculating based on stress signals from the mind or body. For
instance, if it receives feedback that there is an imbalance in the immune
system this intricate system activates to restore order.
Immune Cells
Behm FG, et al. found specific immune
cells in FM using a specific method. That is what led to the FM/a® blood test.
This finding doesn't necessarily negate previous studies on the HPA response in
fibromyalgia. Instead, this and other “Peer-reviewed Medical Publications” (below), support immune system involvement in fibromyalgia, which could be upsetting the body's ability to achieve balance. When we treat the root cause in any disease, it makes the job of the HPA much easier.
Newsworthy Hope for the Future
Dynamic, well-respected scientists
and medical research institutions will be collecting data from those of us who
have tested positive with the FM/a® blood test.
It’s important that you know this will “Take Time”. This is the first step to help scientists find treatment that is specific to the cause of fibromyalgia.
“We seek a potential set of explanations for why FM patients have their immunological abnormalities and that is why we have contracted with the genomic facilities at two major university medical centers(University of Illinois and UCLA) so we utilize their immense expertise and databases.” (Dr. Bruce Gillis, personal correspondence)
It’s important that you know this will “Take Time”. This is the first step to help scientists find treatment that is specific to the cause of fibromyalgia.
“Things Take Time (TTT).
Get this engraved on your watch
crystal or the back of your cell phone.
The Grand Canyon started as a
run-off problem.”
You can read about the BREAKING
NEWS shared in my blog, EpicGenetics Announces Major
Clinical Study to Locate Genetic Markers Unique to People with Fibromyalgia and
Explore New Treatment Approaches.
Participation
The FM/a® test “Campaign 250” is
devoted to answering the basic three questions: Do I have it? What caused it?
How do I treat it? If you would like to be one of the 250,0000 participates in
this important research, you first need to have the FM/a® test. Start the
process at http://fmtest.com/ and contact them
if you can’t find answers to any of your questions. They are a wonderful bunch
of folks. And, you can read my blog, FM/a® Blood Test – “How To” and My
Results, which clearly explains my experience.
In hope
and healing,,Celeste
Related reading:
Following are downloadable peer-reviewed
medical publications: (accessed,
2017)
Rheumatology International-Cytokine and chemokine
profiles in fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus
erythematosus: a potentially useful tool in differential diagnosis
Journal of Innate Immunity-Long-Lasting Effects of BCG
Vaccination on Both Heterologous Th1/Th17 Responses and Innate Trained Immunity
Molecular Immunology-Induction of transcription
factors, miRNAs and cytokines involved in T lymphocyte differentiation in
BCG-vaccinated subjects
The Journal of Immunology-Bacillus Calmette-Guérien
(BCG) Revaccination of Adults with Latent Mycobacterium
tuberculosis Infection Induces Long-Lived BCG-Reactive NK Cell
Responses
"Adversity is
only an obstacle if we fail to see opportunity."
~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~
Celeste Cooper, RN
Learn
more about Celeste’s books at her website or find
links here on Celeste's
blog.
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