Sunday, February 27, 2005

Disability and sex: You Have an Rx for That Vibrator?

Wired News

Covers the Alabama laws making vibrators illegal as intro to the problems peopel with various disabilities have re sex....anyone else with fibromyalgia find low libido a problem? The story about tendonitis brought back memories of painful frigs before the injection in my shoulder...

: "Dr. Mitch Tepper, founder of SexualHealth.com, has long been an advocate of sexual rights for people with disabilities. Now he's spearheading a project to develop an interactive sexual health resource for people with mobility impairments like spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy."

gone to pot English Sayings

Ye Olde English Sayings

Just something I have been pndering....: "gone to pot - Time eventually wears everything down. For example, once great downtown department stores declined, went to pot and were replaced by suburban malls. If you've ever gone to a high school reunion, you know how just a few years, a few pounds, and a few gray hairs can make old classmates look like they've gone to pot, too. But why the pot? Is something cooking? Whatever counter-culture references the phrase may bring to mind, it actually is about the kitchen. In the Middle Ages, table scraps ended up in a big pot for stew. Once the centerpiece of a big meal, main courses were demoted to leftovers. Eventually 'going to pot', meaning going downhill, would be applied to anything, even the guy who sat behind you in homeroom years ago. Source: BREWER'S DICTIONARY OF PHRASE AND FABLE"

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

National Fibromyalgia Partnership

National Fibromyalgia Partnership

"NFP is the largest non-profit, membership organization for fibromyalgia (FM) in the United States. Based in the Washington, DC, area, it provides medically accurate information on FM to individuals with fibromyalgia and their families, health care professionals, and the general public "

My Fibromyalgia Experiences - About Fibromyalgia and Treatments

Sounds sooo familiar although my personal, preferred diagnosis would be Lupus (SLE) mainly due to the rashes I get...: My Fibromyalgia Experiences - About Fibromyalgia and Treatments: " was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a sleep disorder, and chronic headaches (the latter of which I, of course, already knew I had, and I suspected the rest, also) in May 1998"

Managing fibromyalgia

Discovery Health :: fibromyalgia

The entry concludes that: "Self-monitoring of fibromyalgia symptoms is important. People can document the severity of pain, fatigue, stiffness, and mood in a daily log. This information can help in treatment plans. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider."

Apologies to Discovery - they list Lupus under SLE: Discovery Health :: systemic lupus erythematosus

Treating fibromyalgia

Discovery Health :: fibromyalgia

Treatments listed include:

· acupuncture
· aerobic exercises
· antidepressants
· biofeedback
· chiropractic treatments
· heat or cold treatments
· hypnosis
· injections of local anesthesia medications or corticosteroids into tender points
· massage therapy
· occupational therapy
· stretching and range of motion exercises

Of the above I have been on antidepressants since 1991, have had injections, OT, pain killers, hot and cold, massage plus antispasmodics ( mebeverine) for irritable bowel plus a range of other medications to try to control symptoms.

Today I have an appointment with my GP to discuss a recent abdomen scan to try to identify the cause of the episodes acute pain in mid torso - mainly bottom right of rib cage. Dr thought this may have been gall stones but the technician said she could see non, nor could she identify any obvious cause of the pain. Must say that a scan has never hurt as much as that one!

Will update later today but we are both very concerned that it could be problems from my years of drimking too much alcohol - the one thing that could numb my pain - both physical and mental for at least a short while especially if almost comatose.

Diseases and Conditions :: A to B

Discovery Health

Has no entry for Lupus, on fibro it states "Fibromyalgia is a poorly understood condition that causes multiple tender points, called trigger points, in the muscles and soft tissues of the body. People who have fibromyalgia have chronic, widespread pain and stiffness in the muscles. Fatigue is a key factor in fibromyalgia....

People with fibromyalgia experience muscle pain and stiffness, especially in the morning. The pain is worse in the morning and worsens again at night. Other symptoms are as follows: · abdominal distress with constipation or diarrhea · depression · difficulty concentrating · fatigue, which is probably caused by disrupted sleep · headaches · tingling of the skin that involves numbness or burning...


No one knows for sure what causes fibromyalgia, but there are several theories:

· autoimmune disorders, or a condition in which the body creates antibodies against its own tissues
· endocrine abnormalities, which are problems with various glands in the body
· biochemical abnormalities in the central nervous system
· impaired blood flow to the brain
· stress
· mechanical stresses to the cervical and lumbar spine
· history of abuse as a child


Also of especial interest to me "autoimmune disorders may be triggered by a transfer of cells between the fetus and the mother during pregnancy" - maybe mothers toxaemia theory has something to it...

Monday, February 21, 2005

Monday wisdom from Barefoot

Now his Observer column is no more I have to make do with snippets like these....

Barefoot Dr: What's the Best Way to Erase Painful Memories?

Barefoot Doctor: "Short of a lobotomy, there is no way to erase memories. Some people claim to be able to do it with hypnosis but if that's true it would be dangerous.

Painful memories need sitting with, accepting and forgiving until they no longer make you feel hurt. Erasing or suppressing them only makes the pain go underground and work its way to the surface again in a more insidious and harmful fashion until you agree to open your heart and forgive yourself, or whoever or whatever caused you the pain initially. That's what you call healing yourself."

I certainly have issues in this area!

Saturday, February 19, 2005

Food Standards Agency - Sudan I product list 18 February 2005

food.gov.uk/

The account managers for the Co-Op's no colourings, additives campaign must be celebrating like never before over this huge gaffe..