June 18, 2021 fibromyalgia and Lyme news

1.

Axsome Therapeutics: Axsome Therapeutics announces planned NDA submission for AXS-14 for the management of fibromyalgia

From the press release: “In the phase 3 trial, 1,122 patients with fibromyalgia were treated with AXS-14 (esreboxetine) or placebo for 14 weeks. The study met the co-primary endpoints demonstrating statistically significant improvements compared to placebo in the weekly mean pain score (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p=0.025, for the 4 mg, 8 mg and 10 mg daily doses, respectively), and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) total score (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p=0.023, for the 4 mg, 8 mg and 10 mg doses, respectively).”

2.

WSHU.org: Gillibrand wants $50 million for researching Lyme disease, other tick-borne illnesses

From the article: “These federal funds will support the CDC’s research into prevention strategies, diagnostic tools and tailored treatments. Full funding would also help states build a public health infrastructure for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases to support early detection and diagnosis, and improve treatment.”

3.

CNET.com: Ticks are on the rise this year | How to protect yourself from Lyme disease

From the article: “…studies, however, show that Lyme disease is becoming a regional issue in the Midwest and in many other states, such as California, where disease-carrying ticks were found near beaches.”

4.

Dr. Martin Rutherford: Are fibromyalgia patients immunocompromised? (YouTube video, 10 minutes)

Shortly after I was diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease in 2016, my then-Lyme doctor ordered immune system-related blood tests, and several came back abnormal. As soon as I saw the results, I thought, “Of course! Why didn’t any of my other doctors test the function of my immune system?” When you think about the mix of symptoms caused by conditions like fibromyalgia, many of those hint at a malfunctioning immune system.

5.

NORML.org: Fibromyalgia patients frequently substituting CBD for prescription medications

From the article: “Seventy-two percent of respondents reported deliberately substituting CBD products in place of other medications, specifically opioids, NSAIDS, benzodiazepines, and gabapentanoids. Among those who engaged in CBD substitution, most either reduced or ceased their use of other medications – a finding that is consistent with prior studies. Authors further reported, ‘Those who substituted reported larger improvements in health and pain than those [respondents] who did not.'”

And an extra…

Pain News Network: Why do opioids stop working?

From the article: “Patients are at risk for opioid receptor failure if they use a long-acting opioid such as a fentanyl patch, or oxycodone, morphine, hydromorphone or methadone. Intrathecal pump administration of any opioid also raises the risk for opioid receptor failure.”

This week on FedUpWithFatigue.com…

“Who Will Take Care of Me When I’m Old?” book review

My GoFundMe…

I added an update to my GoFundMe page this week! I’ve purchased a used modular home and am now working through the process of having it moved to land that I’m buying in Charlotte County, Virginia.

I’ve run into a couple of issues that are costing more than I anticipated, but I am working through those and am trying to keep expenses as low as possible since I’m having to bankroll everything with cash. There are some things I will likely do without until my financial situation has improved like a dishwasher (my modular is from the 1980s when most people didn’t have dishwashers) and a washer/dryer (the modular owner is keeping his set, so I will try to find an inexpensive used set at some point).

You can read my complete update here!

I am forever grateful to those of you who have donated. If all goes ok, I should be able to move from Delaware to my new-to-me home in Virginia sometime in August. I’m very excited to start my new life!

Amazon Prime Day(s)…

Just a heads up: Amazon Prime Day is actually two days this year – this Monday and Tuesday, June 21-22 – so I will likely send out emails to my subscribers on both days with the best deals I can find on fibromyalgia- and Lyme-related products.

Use the form at the bottom of this post to subscribe to my email list if you’re not already subscribed!

Congressional Lyme Series…

The Center for Lyme Action will host “Lyme Disease: The First Epidemic in an Era of Climate Change” as part of its Congressional Lyme Virtual Series on Tuesday, June 22, from 3-4:15 p.m. Speakers will include several U.S. senators and representatives and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officials as well as physicians from Stanford University and Massachusetts General Hospital and Lyme/climate change author Mary Beth Pfeiffer. This online event is free!

Find out more and register here.

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