July 16, 2021 fibromyalgia and Lyme news

1.

Pain News Network: Revised CDC opioid guideline not expected until late 2022

From the article: “CDC anticipates that the draft updated guideline will be posted for public comment by the end of 2021. This will provide another critical opportunity for diverse input from the public,” Lenard explained. “In 2022, after the public comment period has closed, CDC will revise the draft updated guideline. CDC takes public comment seriously and will carefully consider this input while finalizing the update to the guideline. Release of a final, updated guideline is anticipated to occur in late 2022.”

2.

National Institutes of Health: The effects of COVID-19 fear and anxiety on symptom severity, sleep quality, and mood in patients with fibromyalgia: a pilot study

From the study: “Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic centralized pain sensitivity disorder. Psychological, physical and/or autoimmune stressors were found to increase FM symptoms. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the COVID-19 fear and anxiety level, and to examine their effect on disease severity, sleep quality and mood in FM patients compared to control group.”

3.

Dermatology Advisor: Lyme Disease may be associated with genital lesions and Morgellons disease

From the article: “If skin lesions contain fibers, the diagnosis of Morgellons disease should be considered and testing for tickborne disease should be undertaken,” the study authors advised. “Relapsing Fever Borrelia and tickborne co-infections are being recognized more frequently in association with dermatologic manifestations, and it is important to consider these emerging infections to ensure optimal treatment and patient improvement.”

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4.

TreatLyme.net: Is It Lyme, fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome?

In this four-minute video, Lyme specialist Dr. Marty Ross discusses how chronic Lyme is frequently misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome because the symptoms are the same. He estimates 30-50% of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue patients actually have undiagnosed chronic Lyme disease as the underlying cause of their symptoms. He also discusses the problems with mainstream Lyme testing and how patients can still have chronic Lyme even if they’ve tested negative for Lyme in the past.

This information is so important! If you’re familiar with my story, then you know I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2014. Two years later, I found out I have chronic Lyme. Treating Lyme has improved my fibromyalgia symptoms.

Since my Lyme diagnosis, I’ve tried to educate fibromyalgia patients on the link between fibro and Lyme because many of you reading this actually have undiagnosed Lyme and could get your lives back if you were properly diagnosed and treated.

Click here for an article on how to get properly evaluated and tested for Lyme disease.

5.

Business Wire: With Lyme disease on the rise nationwide, Quidel Corporation urges early testing with its rapid point-of-care test

From the article: “For accurate and fast testing, more and more clinicians are turning to the Sofia® 2 Lyme FIA by Quidel. This revolutionary test provides the patient and physician with indicative results within 15 minutes, as opposed to days, which has historically been the norm (and during which time organisms can spread and become systemic). It can be performed in the privacy of a doctor’s office, local clinic or even by a nurse at a children’s summer camp; and it is the only test that can get results from a simple finger prick of blood.”

And an extra…

Through the Fibro Fog: Cottagecore and chronic illness | The benefits of slow living

From the article: “I first stumbled across cottagecore on Instagram (where else!) and was instantly intrigued as to how this aesthetic and its practice of slow living could be helpful as someone living with chronic illness. The first noticeable aspect of cottagecore is whimsical, perhaps slightly magical, images of a calm and quiet rustic lifestyle. Yet it also struck me that many of its principles, of slower and more mindful living, overlap with the more restful practices that many of us are advised to follow, or find beneficial, to soothe over-sensitised bodies.”

This week on FedUpWithFatigue.com…

The trouble with pain treatment guidelines

Pain treatment guidelines released by the European Pain Federation and the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will likely lead to the suffering of millions of chronic pain patients.