1.
Pain News Network: American Medical Association says CDC opioid prescribing guideline has harmed many patients
From the article: “The American Medical Association is urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to make significant changes to its 2016 opioid prescribing guideline to protect pain patients from arbitrary limits and other restrictions on opioid medication.”
2.
MedicalXpress.com: Use of pain drug Lyrica common among injecting drug users, study finds
Over the past couple of years, I’ve started to see more and more news stories related to the abuse of Lyrica (and its cousin drug, gabapentin). I wouldn’t be surprised if we eventually end up with prescribing guidelines similar to what they’ve enacted for opioids.
3.
RawlsMD.com: Lyme & neuropathy | How to ease nerve pain, tingling and weakness
Dr. Bill Rawls discusses the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy (numbness/tingling/pain, usually in the hands and feet), how it’s diagnosed and the best treatments. This article is aimed at those with Lyme, but the content also can be applied to fibromyalgia.
4.
European Pharmaceutical Manufacturer: Global research team aims to find cause of chronic fatigue syndrome
From the article: “The new project involving Zegami will be the largest of its kind in Europe, including three research centres in Oxford Bydgoszcz (Poland) and Valencia, over a four- to five-year period. The team has secured $750,000 in funding from SoftCell Biologicals and is looking to raise an additional £1.6 million.”
5.
LymeTap.com: Lyme test access program
From the website: “The Lyme Test Access Program (Lyme-TAP) is a nationwide patient assistance program offered by Rotary Club of Southwest Eureka Foundation to provide assistance for initial Lyme-related lab tests to patients who demonstrate true financial need.”
Some of you are probably wondering, “Why would anyone need to pay for a Lyme test? Insurance covers Lyme testing.” Yes, that is true. However, the standard testing used by almost all physicians only detects around 50% of active Lyme infections. There are many reasons why this happens.
Fortunately, there are more accurate tests on the market, but they often are not covered by insurance. Hence, why there’s a program to help those with low incomes pay for better Lyme testing.
And an extra…
PinkFortitude.com: 75 free or minimal cost self care activities
Given everything going on in the world these days, we definitely need to keep up our self-care practices. Hopefully this list can provide some inspiration!
What Works for Me: Beverley Butterfly…
Fellow chronic illness blogger Beverley from Blooming Mindfulness shares how she’s using ring splints to stabilize the joints in her fingers. (YouTube video, 12 minutes)
I’m Donna, a longtime newspaper reporter, health writer and chronic illness thriver! Fed Up with Fatigue provides weekly news, research, treatments and more to help you live better with fibromyalgia and/or Lyme.
Thanks Donna for thinking of us. I love to read all you put together for us
Thank you so much! You just made my day!
That list of “Self Care” free ideas was about as helpful as a distressed wooden sign from Pottery Barn declaring “Live-Love-Laugh”. So vapid. I guffawed at the usual pandering: Do yoga, pray, essential oils, take a bath, breathe deeply, dance to music.
Do you honestly think we haven’t effing heard this one bazillion times?
Try harder “Holly” from “Pink Fortitude”. This crap made me want to day drink.
You know your comment reminds me of something my mom used to say: If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
I’m guessing you were just having a bad day. Hope you’re feeling better!
What’s this crap about opioid harming chronic pain patients? With a reliable, responsible and knowledgeable doctor and a good doctor/patient relationship, pain medications can help those of us with intractable pain and give us some ability to function!