1.
Virios Therapeutics: Virios Therapeutics completes enrollment of 425 patients in phase 2b “FORTRESS” clinical trial for fibromyalgia
From the press release: “Greg Duncan, chairman and CEO of Virios, stated, ‘At Virios we believe that activated herpes virus may serve as a potential catalyst for triggering or maintaining diseases like [fibromyalgia]. Targeting suppression of herpes virus with combination therapy represents the potential for an exciting new treatment paradigm for [fibromyalgia].'”
2.
HealthRising.org: Immune cells may be killing the small nerve fibers in fibromyalgia
From the article: “The immune system, with its multiple layers of defense, could potentially make up for some of the NK [natural killer] cell problems seen. This [fibromyalgia] study, though, could link NK cells to the pain and sensory problems found in these diseases, and if Novak and Systrom find that the small nerve problems extend deeper to the autonomic nervous system nerves, to blood flows, gut problems, and more, that would be groundbreaking.”
3.
Practical Pain Management: New review highlights autoimmune roots of unexplained chronic pain
From the article: “Once injected into rodents, the antibodies produced pain phenotypes similar that of the patient donors, strongly suggesting an autoimmune mechanism in the development of chronic pain. This body of research represents, the authors of the review paper write, ‘a paradigm shift for our understanding of chronic pain aetiologies.'”
4.
Hokkaido University: Neuronal plasticity in chronic pain-induced anxiety revealed
From the article: “Researchers at Hokkaido University have identified the neuronal circuit involved in chronic pain-induced anxiety in mice. Their research, which was recently published in Science Advances, could lead to the development of new treatments for chronic pain and psychiatric disorders such as anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder.”
5.
From the study: “In this context, the preliminary identification of TGFB [transforming growth factor beta] as a cytokine biomarker has implications for the circadian rhythm hypothesis of ME/CFS. TGFB is not only elevated in ME/CFS but plays an important role in the synchronization of peripheral rhythms. With modern chronobiological methods, new avenues of ME/CFS research in TGFB and chronobiology is now approachable.”
What does fibromyalgia feel like to you?
International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is coming up on Thursday, May 12, and I need your help!
Each year, I post an article on this special day to bring awareness to our community and what it’s like to live with fibromyalgia. I plan to follow the same format this year that I’ve used in previous years where I ask a question, you guys send me your answers and then I compile them into an Awareness Day article.
I also create graphics featuring some of the responses, which can then be shared on social media.
Below are links to past Awareness Day articles, so that you can see the format and how the responses are presented:
What I wish others knew about fibromyalgia
What living with fibromyalgia has taught me
This year’s question is: What does fibromyalgia feel like to you?
I know you guys are going to have A LOT to say on that question!
If you’d like to participate in this project, email your answer to donna@fedupwithfatigue.com by the end of the day Monday, May 9. If you do not have email, you are welcome to share your response in the comments section at the end of this post.
Please limit your response to 100 words or less, and include your first name, the initial of your last name and your state if you live in the U.S. or your country if you’re international.
I will compile a sampling of responses into this year’s Awareness Day article, which will publish on May 12 here on FedUpWithFatigue.com and on Fed Up With Fatigue’s Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest accounts.
I look forward to reading and sharing your responses! Feel free to get crazy with the adjectives. 🙂
Awareness Day event….
The Gupta Program is hosting a special Facebook live event this Thursday, May 12, at 1 p.m. EDT, in celebration of International Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Awareness Day. The event will feature several of the Gupta Program’s coaches who specialize in supporting people with fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue.
Click here to register for the event.
For those who aren’t familiar, the Gupta Program is a brain retraining program that focuses on calming the overreactive nervous systems of those with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, mold sensitivity, long COVID and similar conditions.
Click here to learn more about the Gupta Program and how it works.
Warrior of the week…
The Fibromyalgia Warrior of the Week is Claire Nielsen whose fibromyalgia is now in remission after she overhauled her diet and lifestyle.
***The sections below contain affiliate links.***
Product of the week…
The Product of the Week is Majestic Pure’s Arnica Sore Muscle Massage Oil! I started using this oil last month, and it’s now a regular part of my bedtime routine. I still reach for my beloved Neuro-Soothe and Painless X lotions from Resonant Botanicals on my high pain days, but I’ve found Majestic Pure’s Arnica Sore Muscle Oil to perform well on that milder, bodywide, achy kind of pain that’s so common with fibromyalgia.
You’ll notice the ingredients list lavender, grapefruit and chamomile oils, but the only thing I smell when I apply it is the menthol. It basically smells like BenGay to me, so I would steer clear of this oil if that fragrance bothers you or those around you.
I like that Majestic Pure’s massage oils are affordable, and a little goes a long way. Aside from the pain relief, it also does double duty as a skin moisturizer!
Click here to see all of my favorite Amazon products for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue!
Fibro Summit…
HealthMeans.com and Dr. Rodger Murphree are partnering again this year to bring us the Fibro Summit! The summit will be free and online on May 16-22 with an encore weekend (where you have a second chance to watch any presentations you missed) scheduled for May 28-29.
As in previous years, HealthMeans is offering several registration gifts. I’ve listed all of them below. Just click on the link for the gift that you’d like to receive, and that will take you to a registration page.
Treating and Beating Adrenal Fatigue Special eReport
Good Gut Health Remedies eBook
Let’s “Talk” About FIBROMYALGIA eBook
Fibromyalgia and Deep Restorative Sleep Special eReport
During the summit, you’ll have 24 hours to view each day’s presentations for free, but if you’d like to watch at your leisure, you can purchase the summit starting at $69.
FYI: This discounted price usually increases a day or so after the summit begins.
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.
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 1989 as well as (serum negative) RA. Any new information on Fibromyalgia is very helpful.
Thank you.