1. Griffith University: Drug hoped to treat CFS causes impaired immune function, Griffith study says From the article: "....the study by Griffith’s National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED) concluded that the use of rituximab in CFS patients could incur problems with their immune cells and is not beneficial as a potential treatment." 2. MedicalXpress.com: Researchers uncover [Lyme disease] protein used to outsmart the human immune system From the article: "A University of Maryland (UMD) researcher has uncovered a mechanism by which the bacteria that causes Lyme … [Read more...]

1. Prohealth: 101 ways to tackle energy-limiting chronic illness From the article: "There are many, many ways we can help ourselves when we have illnesses like ME/CFS Fibromyalgia and Lyme disease. Many of them are small simple steps that may not have a huge impact in themselves, but put together they can make a big difference to well-being." 2. Medscape: Much can be done to ease 'chronic fatigue syndrome' symptoms During a two-day meeting in Salt Lake City, specialists met to discuss best practices for treating ME/CFS. This article details some of their recommendations. 3. Pain … [Read more...]

1. PNAS.org: Cytokine signature associated with disease severity in chronic fatigue syndrome patients From the article: "Although only two cytokines were found to be different (TGF-β higher and resistin lower) in ME/CFS patients compared with controls, 17 cytokines correlated with ME/CFS severity. Thirteen of these cytokines are pro-inflammatory and may contribute to many of the symptoms these patients experience for several years." 2. Global Lyme Alliance: Are mold and mycotoxins compromising your recovery?  This article was written for those with chronic Lyme disease but is relevant … [Read more...]

1. Medscape: Mast cell activation may underlie 'chronic fatigue syndrome' From the article: "New York City ME/CFS specialist Susan M. Levine, MD, also said she sees MCAS frequently. 'I suspect 50% to 60% of ME/CFS patients have it. It's a very new concept.'" (Mast cell activation also has been implicated in Lyme disease and fibromyalgia.) 2. Newsweek: No strong evidence marijuana relieves chronic nerve pain, study finds In last week's news post, I featured an Israeli study that found cannabis was effective for fibromyalgia. This week, there's a study with an opposite finding. (In some … [Read more...]

1. Norml.org: Cannabis effective at treating symptoms of fibromyalgia From the article: "Cannabis therapy mitigates symptoms of the chronic pain condition fibromyalgia and is associated with a reduction in the use of other prescription drugs, according to clinical data published online ahead of print in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology." 2. Practical Pain Management: Is there evidence to prescribe cyclobenzaprine for long-term pain management? A summary of the research on the effectiveness of cyclobenzaprine (brand name: Flexeril) for pain relief.  3. SolveCFS.org: Ramsay … [Read more...]

1. Pain News Network: Sessions creates new task force to target Rx opioids From the article: "U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has announced the creation of a new task force targeting manufacturers and distributors of opioid pain medication, as well as physicians and pharmacies engaged in the 'unlawful' prescribing of opioids." 2. Health Rising: Is fibromyalgia caused by high pressure in the brain (intracranial hypertension)? From the article: "A group from Belgium – a country not particularly known for its biological interpretations of diseases like chronic fatigue syndrome – … [Read more...]

1. Gupta Programme: The real cause of ME/CFS, fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivity (YouTube video, 14 minutes) Ashok Gupta, creator of the Gupta Programme, gives one of the best explanations I've ever heard on the underlying mechanisms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. This one is definitely worth the watch! You can learn more about the Gupta Programme here.  2. Stanford Medicine: Exercise elevates blood signature difference between people with, without chronic fatigue syndrome From the article: "...a new study suggests that a blood test following exercise may be a very … [Read more...]

1. Pain News Network: Study finds little evidence shock therapy works [for fibromyalgia] Wow, that's a relief, right?  2. MD magazine: Why chronic fibromyalgia pain can be treated with physics From the article: "A new study posits that hyperactivity in the brain networks of patients with fibromyalgia is to blame for those patients’ chronic pain. According to the research, that hyperactivity causes brain networks to react in major ways to minor changes, a phenomenon known as 'explosive synchronization.'" 3. Prohealth: Five supplements that support the immune system Columnist Jenny … [Read more...]

1. Health Rising: The Cortene way | New drug to be trialed in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) soon – pt. I From the article: "A small drug development group will soon be trialing an experimental drug not being used in other diseases in ME/CFS. Time will tell if it will work or not." 2. CFS Unravelled: Leah McCullough tells of her CFS fibromyalgia (Gulf War syndrome?) recovery (YouTube video, 28 minutes) A recovery story! Yes, it's possible!  3. Johns Hopkins: Severe, lingering symptoms seen in some patients after Lyme disease treatment Those of us with chronic Lyme already knew … [Read more...]

1. Pain News Network: Feds target doctors and pharmacies in new crackdown From the article: "'Over the next 45 days, DEA will surge Special Agents, Diversion Investigators, and Intelligence Research Specialists to focus on pharmacies and prescribers who are dispensing unusual or disproportionate amounts of drugs,' Sessions said during a Tuesday speech to law enforcement officials in Louisville, KY." 2. Jaime Heidel: Why you should go to the doctor looking like a zombie (YouTube video, 7 minutes) Jaime discusses how our appearance affects the way our doctors perceive … [Read more...]