1.
AJMC.com: Machine learning algorithm finds links between adverse childhood experiences, rheumatic diseases
From the article: “Overall, adverse childhood experiences seem relatively more important than personality traits, psychopathological or demographic variables,” the authors said. “The results of this study suggest that traumatic childhood experiences may lead to psychopathological disorders in adulthood, which in turn might underlie, at least in part, the development of [fibromyalgia].”
Read more: Adverse childhood experiences and chronic illness
2.
News-Medical.net: Researchers unravel pathomechanisms involved in chronic fatigue syndrome
From the article: “A common trait of the ME patients’ blood samples was changes in energy metabolites (molecules associated with cellular energy metabolism) which would typically occur when the body is subjected to exertion or a limited energy supply. Furthermore, the levels of certain metabolites varied between subgroups of ME patients.”
3.
From the article: “GPs in Northern Ireland have been told they should no longer initiate prescriptions of pregabalin (brand name: Lyrica) for neuropathic pain following a ‘significant increase’ in deaths related to the drug. In a letter to GPs this month, Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) said that pregabalin has been removed from the country’s formulary for neuropathic pain. Patients currently on pregabalin should ‘continue to be reviewed and stepped down slowly as appropriate,’ with amitriptyline to be considered as the ‘first-line pharmacological option’ and gabapentin the second, it added.”

4.
A Chronic Voice: How to use the 7 dimensions of wellness to thrive with chronic pain
From the article: “All seven dimensions of wellness require discipline, attention and self-compassion. The aim is to form healthy habits that become part of our everyday lives. The more you practise them, the better you get at accessing these resources when chronic pain strikes. This is because self-regulation is hard as compared to habits. About 40% of our everyday behaviour is habitual and therefore, has a huge impact on our present and future.”
5.
Pain News Network: A third of long haulers have ‘FibroCOVID’
My heart breaks for the millions of people who are joining our club. 🙁
From the article: “Nearly a third of patients with long-haul covid have symptoms strikingly similar to fibromyalgia, according to a new study by Italian researchers who say being male and obese are strong risk factors for developing ‘FibroCOVID.’”
And an extra…
Andrew David Shiller, MD: Why Does Chronic Pain Happen? These Scientific Principles Can Empower Your Healing: Part 1 (YouTube video, 10 minutes)
From the video summary: “Chronic pain and illness don’t just happen. They are processes that develop over time. The body-mind learns chronic pain. And it learns the things that go along with chronic pain, like anxiety, depression, insomnia, irritable bowel, high blood pressure, and so on. Just like your body-mind learns to be sick and suffering, you can unlearn sickness and suffering. You can learn to heal. If you want to feel better, then tune in to these videos and share them with others.”
GoFundMe update…
Delays, delays and more delays … that’s the theme of my latest GoFundMe update! The struggle continues!
This week on FedUpWithFatigue.com…
New fibromyalgia research studies (September 2021 update)
Resiliency forum…
The free Resiliency 2021 forum on Thursday, Sept. 9, from 12-4 p.m. EDT, will feature more than 35 speakers focusing on personal empowerment and promoting strategies to improve resiliency. This year’s lineup includes Arianna Huffington, Jack Kornfield, Erin Brockovich, Pete Buttigieg, Alanis Morissette, Tito Jackson, Kristin Neff and many more! Learn more and register here!
People will see the fibro/ACES link and will immediately thinks it’s a mental illness.
Yes, some people will think that if they don’t read beyond the headlines, but that isn’t what the research is actually saying. The nervous systems of children who grow up in abusive situations don’t develop normally, and that predisposes those children to developing fibromyalgia later in life. When I was first introduced to this idea, I immediately knew I was in that category.