July 2009

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), the illness, is often preceded by an infection of Mononucleosis. That’s not always the case, but CFS can begin this way.

Recently this topic became newsworthy again because of a published article in Pediatrics. Then it came to the attention of Yahoo News, which is where I discovered it.

In the article, statistics indicate that large numbers of young people come down with full-blown cases of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome after having suffered with Mononucleosis (from EBV, the Epstein Barr virus). The figures of how often this is happening are significant.

The researchers monitored 301 adolescents with the infection. Six months after the mononucleosis diagnosis, 70 patients (24 percent) had not made a full recovery.

Thirty-nine of these subjects were diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, reflecting 13 percent of the original group of 301.

If you know of a child or young person who has had Mononucleosis, find out now what you need to know about the possibility of them getting even sicker long-term with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. You don’t want that to happen if there is any way it can be avoided. CFS is a worse illness!

Before you leave today, be sure to sign up for the teleseminar series starting Monday. I will talk and teach about “How to Heal from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia” over a 5-week period (all 5 Monday evenings in August). You’ll find the sign up box toward the top right corner of the Health Matters Show blog website. The title of this series is called Get Well Healing Teleseminars.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s broadcast with lots more information!

Thanks, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show

{ 0 comments }

If you’ve often wondered about getting Acupuncture treatments, but haven’t explored them enough to actually get one or study or ask a friend about them, this post may really help.

I’ve enjoyed quite a few acupuncture treatments over the years from people who either specialized in it or took some very special training to become quite skilled. There can be a difference.

The first person was an acupuncture specialist and her knowledge, prowess and techniques were wonderful. Having such a medical background probably gave her great advantage in doing the work so well.

The second person was a man who worked as a chiropractor, but he studied extensively in a particular oriental acupuncture technique and he was marvelous, too.

I benefited from acupuncture work for these conditions: [click to continue…]

{ 1 comment }

Most people have mixed feelings about vaccines. They don’t want to be sick from a preventable illness, yet they also do not want to put foreign substances in their bodies or in the bodies of their children. (Negative consequences of such actions are becoming more well known and horrify most people.)

You may want to re-think maintaining a middle-of-the road attitude about vaccines:

1. If you’ve been hurt by the administration of a vaccine, you probably slant your view in the direction that more caution and information are needed. You can get exactly that at a new upcoming vaccine conference outside of Washington, D.C. I urge you to empower yourself and get the answers you need.
2. If you’ve been injured by a so-called preventable illness, you may lean more in the direction of prevention first, ask questions later type of super caution. “Keep me safe no matter what! Give me that vaccine!”

However, I ask you, “What really is the safest position?” What is the most sensible response to the question of whether or not to take vaccines? In these months before the new fall flu vaccine comes out and you hear more and continued warnings about the Swine Flu epidemic, this is very topical.
[click to continue…]

{ 1 comment }

I get animated when I read or hear people casting doubt about the validity of Fibromyalgia Syndrome being a “real” illness. I have the same kind of reaction for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

That’s what happens when an issue is very close to you… just beneath the surface. Even more so when it merits that of a ‘major issue’ in your life.

Having prefaced my remarks, I now confess. This week’s Daily Herald article got under my skin.

(The Health Matters Show Audio file is 8 min 30 seconds. Click on the right-facing arrow to listen to it play or feel free to download the MP3 file for later.)
[click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }

(This article excerpt about cardiac antibodies was reported this week by Co-Cure)

Anticardiolipin antibodies in the sera of patients with diagnosed Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

Journal: J Clin Lab Anal. 2009 Jul 21;23(4):210-212. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Hokama Y, Campora CE, Hara C, Kuribayashi T, Le Huynh D, Yabusaki K.
Affiliation: Department of Pathology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Mânoa, Honolulu, Hawaii.
NLM Citation: PMID: 19623655

Examination of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACAs) in the sera of patients clinically diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) using an enzyme-linked immunoassay procedure demonstrated the presence of immunoglobulin M isotypes in 95% of CFS serum samples tested.

The presence of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin A isotypes were also detected in a subset of the samples.

Future studies will focus on elucidating whether alterations to mitochondrial inner membranes and/or metabolic functions play a possible role in the expression of ACAs.

J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 23:210-212, 2009. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
==========

We’ll see if this new information about these new cardiac antibodies turns out to be significant for those folks with heart / cardiac abnormalities who have CFS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I would not be surprised if it is. I know of people who suffer greatly with cardiomyopathy and such conditions after becoming severely ill with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Stay tuned here for updates or you can sign up at the Co-Cure website for their weekly digest of articles. Co-Cure is certainly one of the best websites for this type of information.

Thanks,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

A person who’s not afraid to talk about CFS: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

{ 0 comments }

“As folks with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ ME) know, it’s important to keep a healthy Immune System. We need to be as strong and healthy as possible to fight everyday germs (bacteria, viruses, etc.) all of the time. When something special like the danger of Swine Flu rears it’s ugly head, we must be very careful and wise.”

Swine Flu, as a health issue, will continue to get more and more press in the next few weeks and months. Why? Because the regular flu season will be upon us soon and medical experts expect a rise in the number of people who contract this particular strain of the flu. The news media is already gearing up with more “fear-based” warning messages. You can and should get more prepared, but in a more powerful, take-charge kind of way.

Listed below are two suggested links to check out concerning Swine Flu. The first source is the ME Association with general information in a question and answer format. The second source is a previous post from the Health Matters Show, where I encourage you not to fear this illness. What we fear we attract.

Just be prudent and study up on this issue. Being smart and vigilant is always best.

The ME Association link

Swine Flu: How Dangerous is it for Anyone with an impaired Immune System?

Thanks, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show

{ 0 comments }

Probably.

At times we all sabotage our health. We’re human. We’re flawed. We sacrifice one thing for something else that seems more important at the moment. Then our body is effectively abused and, wa-la! Instant symptoms and we’re in need of pain relief.

But if you already have symptoms of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), you cannot afford to add to your load of life-altering, hard-to-handle symptoms.

Now, I’ve told you before that I’m better… a lot better. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t provoke Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue (CFS) symptoms if I’m not aware of what I’m doing and abuse my body.

So what’s my lapse in judgment this time? Doing a bit of physical work and then sitting too long, which allowed my muscles to stiffen. It didn’t help that the air conditioning blew on my shoulders, which encouraged my muscles to tighten. I didn’t take time to stretch. I didn’t get in the hot tub to help loosen or soothe anything. To be honest, there definitely were little pain warning signals that tried to get my attention. I remember… the little danger bells going off. I didn’t listen. I was too busy!

And then I slept in that condition last night, which really allowed everything to knot up further and get settled into a real pain mode. Now I use that term “sleep” loosely. I really didn’t sleep well and I have only myself to blame. So today (after I do a lot of paperwork. Sabotage! Sabotage!), I will take my own advice.

I’ve already started by:

1) Using a roll-on pain relief product I love (Deep Relief Roll On) and the muscles already have eased a bit and are not hurting as much; and

2) Getting in the hot tub for some early morning relaxation and easy stretching. (I keep my hot tub like a warm bath most of the time at 97 to 98 degrees farenheit. You don’t want to get in water that’s too hot because it can over-activate your Immune Sytem. That can produce a re-activation of symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Yikes!)

I will drink a lot of water today to flush out inflammation and toxins from my system. I’ll watch what I eat, being sure to stay away from caffeine, sugar and Aspartame. And maybe I’ll use more Deep Relief Roll On in a few hours and hop in bed for a short nap. After all… I deserve it.

What will you do today to help with your symptoms and to not sabotage yourself?

Let me know, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show

{ 2 comments }

Oftentimes, we folks with a long, drawn out case of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) don’t think about how our beliefs and attitudes about the illness got started. They just become an accepted part of us because we know certain things.

If you’re pretty new to CFS, you’re still developing your ideas.

Now you ask, “How can I say that?”

Well, I do say it and I can back it up. I encourage you to sit back and listen to the audio and then read through this entire post until you find the reference link below for the full article. If you want to get well, this is worth your time.

(Audio 17 min 40 seconds)
[click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }

When Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is the main item on your list of personal medical problems, you need help. Today here are tips 3, 4, and 5 of the CFS series that ends tomorrow. Be sure to stay tuned for the whole package and discover some really good information.

Tip #3: If you have CFS, you already have multiple problems and symptoms to deal with. Don’t make things worse by allowing drug side effects or dangerous drug interactions to create more health problems for you.

Tip #4: Don’t give up hope. Don’t even think about it. A doctor will never tell you that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a terminal illness!

{ 0 comments }

If and when you begin healing from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), you’ll have great cause to celebrate.

My experience is that more people than you probably think are able to recover from CFS to some degree. Now that might be a 25% improvement, 50% or 95%. I’m sure if you have that kind of success, you’ll take it. You’ll welcome the healing and never look back to say, “I wish I hadn’t done that.” No, of course not.

So I’m starting a short series of tidbits about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that has to do with attitude and the danger of making false assumptions. You don’t want to make any false assumptions that hinder your chances of getting well.

Here are the first two points, more will follow Thursday, then Friday I’ll wrap it up with the Health Matters Show full podcast and a published article.
[click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }

If you have Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, you probably know by now that I give you lots of information and resources about healing and getting well. That’s a critical aim in everything here at the Health Matters Show.

The next events coming up are “free” teleseminar calls. Now teleseminars are pre-arranged conference line phone calls meant for teaching and communication. These next events cost you absolutely nothing except for whatever price you pay for a single phone call (and I know many of you have inexpensive or “free” long distance rates so that means you pay very little or no cost at all).

If you know that you want this information about healing, but you can’t be on the live calls, sign up anyway and I’ll send you a link to listen to the audio after-the-fact. (Note: None of the audio files will be downloadable to your computer or I-Pod. Go ahead and sign up for the teleseminars now before you miss an event.)

TODAY:
Please view the new “Welcome Video” and tell me what you think. All comments are welcomed.

I’d also love it if you would share this blog post with your Fibro and CFS friends. I had a fun time making this little video in the garden this morning and I know it’s message will be welcomed news to so many people.

Suggested places to feature it: On your own blogs, newsletters, e-zines, forums, chat rooms, networks designed around Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and among your online friends who hang out at MySpace, Facebook and Twitter.

You and I can help each other by spreading the word that getting well and healing are possible. Know that I am here to help you in the best ways that I can with your health needs.

Thank you, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show, “the” place for people who want to get well from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

{ 0 comments }

Prescription drugs can be a godsend when you really need them. They can save your life, relieve your suffering and so much more. But… are drugs really magic pills? Do any such remedies exist?

When you’re talking about Fibromyalgia, those are loaded questions because when drugs fail, you end up becoming the victim.

I recently published an article with almost this same exact title. Fibromyalgia and the issue of drug failure are truly very timely health topics. Let me explain.

The reason that this topic holds such merit is multi-faceted. Let’s look at this with “you” as the case in point. If you have a milder case of Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), your body may accept one of the newer drugs to manage it (e.g. Lyrica, Cymbalta or Savella) and wa-la… you get some relief from symptoms.

Unless you dig deeper, you may not think too much about the fact that:

1) You’re actually putting something into your body that it perceives as a toxic substance;

(Speaking here of the bio-electrical, bio-chemical and homeostatic functions, the body reacts to drugs that instigate big change in a big way. Some of results can be negative and unhealthy. Essentially, drugs are an insult to your body.)

2) You may be causing long term damage to your body;

This is true because you’re physically adding un-natural, man-made chemical compounds to your system. There can be mighty consequences. For examples of this, check out the book Prozac Backlash in the Amazon section of the Health Matters Store.

Ask yourself… at what point can my body react to the insults that I’m constantly heaving it? What day, what hour is the turning point in my life that ill-health really gets a longterm foothold?

-or that-

3) Your living with Fibromyalgia as an illness may not resolve itself at all. Period.

Hint: Realize that your Fibromyalgia symptoms are only being masked by drugs. None of the three mentioned claim to cure Fibromyalgia.

You also may not have thought about the fact that you’re only one side effect or dangerous drug interaction away from a serious problem. Now I ask… When do you know that your cells, tissues and organs have had enough un-natural intrusion and they begin to cross-react with a drug that’s “been working” for awhile? What do you do about new symptoms that suddenly appear after you begin taking a new prescription drug? How do you know what to do when a symptom you’re taking a specific drug for comes back and you’re still on the drug? What if a worse symptom or a complication develops? Why should you stop and start drug after drug if you’re only going to end up worn out, exhausted and sicker than ever?

I encourage you to listen to today’s podcast because it offers you more info on this vital topic of whether or not to take prescription drugs for Fibromyalgia. Also, consider this a special invitation to get a copy of the article I wrote for your files. Print it out. Make notes on it. Then take it with you to your next doctor visit. Get your personal physician’s reaction and, by all means, talk freely about any potential drug problems.

(Audio is 8 min 50 secs)

You need all of the good information and ammunition that you can get in your personal battle with Fibromyalgia. There are natural, easier, simpler ways of dealing with an illness like Fibromyalgia than simply taking prescription drugs. It’s time that we all discussed many of them in detail.

Thank you for joining me today,
Cinda Crawford, your host of the Health Matters Show

*Please leave your comments below if you:

1) take one or more drugs for Fibromyalgia,
2) if you’re having trouble or success with them and
3) if you’re having success using any alternative health approaches.

Your bit of wisdom here may help others who could benefit from your experience.

{ 0 comments }

We folks who believe in natural health choices are usually a feisty bunch. We know what we believe and we don’t like to be bullied around by know-it-all people or especially big business or government types. That’s why it’s important for you as an individual to speak up if you think having good health choices is a major issue that should be kept at the forefront.

Think about it… your health is very much dependent on the choices you make. Those choices are definitely impacted by the information, services and products at your disposal. If a service or product never comes to your attention, you won’t know about it. If you don’t know about it, you won’t research it. And if you don’t research it, you may miss the best darned health-related opportunity that’s out there!

That’s why you should read and consider signing the following petition. It deserves your attention; it is that important. I consider this such a vital issue because I know that people just like you don’t always have all the choices that they need or want. If they never get a chance to take advantage of exactly the right health choice for them, their health and life may continue to suffer… indefinitely.

Sign the Health Revolution Petition now!

Thanks so much, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show, a place where you’ll discover lots of health choices!

{ 0 comments }

Health Care and healthcare are two of the biggest issues of our time, especially if you suffer with a chronic illness like Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or numerous other potentially expensive illnesses that may cost you big time in medical bills.

I believe that Dr. Joseph Mercola may see the issue of healthcare reform as a real challenge and probably a dangerous landmine, too.

“Health care as a cash cow may simply be too deeply entrenched in the consciousness of the industry (my words added, medical/ pharmaceutical) and their paid lackeys to be able to provide what people want: healthier and more inexpensive options, and the freedom to choose; to have alternatives to dangerous prescription drugs and unnecessary surgeries.”

If you want the best healthcare possible, this is not the time to turn a deaf ear to this issue. This is truly the time in history to learn all you can and make good decisions and wise personal choices about:

a) the type of healthcare you’ll depend upon and are able to pay for,
b) the people you’ll go to for help to feel better and get you well when illness strikes, and
c) the resources that you will use day in and day out to maintain your health and keep your outgoing expenses as low as possible.

And, very importantly, you need to pay close attention to the proposed new laws and the voting choices of your congressional representatives. If their opinions don’t reflect yours, disagree and tell them why.

Neither Fibromyalgia nor Chronic Fatigue Syndrome makes anyone feel ambitious, energetic or ready to dive into a thorny political problem like this, but how can you avoid it? You should not. Your “health care” is at stake.

I welcome your comments and thoughts on this very important topic.

Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show

{ 0 comments }