DOM'S FMS/CFIDS NEWSLETTER
www.fms-help.com

MARCH 23, 2013

1.  READERS WRITE

"God bless you and everyone that reads your very helpful and godly newsletters."

2. FIBRO/CFS: A BARRIER TO FRIENDSHIP?

FROM DOM: Been thinking. Can we be truly close friends with those who don't understand what it's like to have fibro/CFS - this debilitating invisible illness that is still a mystery to medical science? We all have people in our lives who think we are hypochondriacs, or who make snide remarks, or who offer frequent advice such as: if you would lose weight, think positive, be more spiritual, eat more healthy, or take a certain supplement or med, you would feel better. In my experience, those are barriers to friendship, and these people remain as "acquaintances" to me because true friendship can't have ridicule and misunderstanding at its core. I do have many friends who are "normals" (non-fibros) but they also show a certain respect and understanding that makes friendship possible....just as I have friends with cancer (and other maladies that I have not yet experienced), yet I show respect and empathy for them. I guess what gets really old to fibromites is the lack of respect. See my page at www.fms-help.com/misunderstanding.htm called "FIBRO-MISUNDERSTOOD."

3.  BOTOX & MIGRAINES

From a reader--

"I was wondering if any of your readers have had severe adverse reactions from using botox for migraines?"

FROM DOM:  The only references I have in past newsletters to migraines and botox are at http://fms-help.com/110909.htm and http://fms-help.com/122710.htm.

4.  ASPARTAME IN DAIRY PRODUCTS?

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/03/13/unlabeled-aspartame-use.aspx - Snippet: "Two prominent dairy associations have filed a petition with the FDA requesting the agency “amend the standard of identity” for milk and 17 other dairy products to provide for the use of any safe and suitable sweetener as an optional ingredient—including non-nutritive sweeteners such as aspartame to deceive you by not having to indicate its use on the label.  The FDA already allows the dairy industry to use the unmodified “milk” label for products that contain added sugar or high fructose corn syrup. Because of this, the petitioners maintain that “consumers can more easily identify the overall nutritional value of milk products that are flavored with non-nutritive sweeteners if the labels do not include such claims." Aspartame is the most dangerous food additive on the market today, accounting for over 75 percent of adverse reactions reported to the FDA, including seizures and death. Methyl alcohol is metabolized differently in the human body compared to other animals, and is FAR more toxic in humans which is why studies have trouble nailing down the hazards related to aspartame. Methyl alcohol, after it is taken up by the body as a “Trojan Horse” into susceptible tissues like the brain, converts rapidly into formaldehyde. This causes severe damage to proteins and DNA that can contribute to many serious and chronic diseases, such as cancer, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis."

5.  FORGIVING THOSE WHO HURT US

From a reader--

"The attachment to this email contains a teaching by a woman, given to women prisoners here in the State Prison, on forgiving others.  It is a Biblical teaching, and just today I received it after having struggled lately  also with so many wrongs done to me by others, even Christians.  I knew the truth of these words of this teaching,  but I had so much of it  forgotten simply because life is so busy  When we get hurt, the enemy likes to tell us over and over: see what they did to you?????  Then another hurt comes along, and pretty soon we are buried in hurts and that is where bitterness can creep in.  A separation from the Lord then follows with all sad consequences that comes with it.  Constantly forgiving others will  also keep the enemy at a distance, and we must put the armor of God on each day, and cover ourselves with the blood of Jesus.   Almost every month there is another drama [with rude doctors or family problems] making me so angry!!!! In short: I MUST FORGIVE others IMMEDIATELY and not let things pile up as I have done...I knew all that is in that teaching, but because of my exhaustions and health problems, I let it go.   We fibro people are TOO SENSITIVE  but we MUST, by all means, NOT HANG ON TO THESE hurts and wounds, but FORGIVE IMMEDIATELY  and be cleansed by the Lord.   I also know that when we HANG ON TO THESE INSULTS and HURTS the enemy, the devil, will be relentless and throw  EVEN MORE INSULTS and WOUNDS our way.  When we hang on to old wounds, the Lord can not move in  our life.  Everything is stagnant.  Let's STOP the enemy in his tracks, and NO LONGER cooperate  with him by giving in to our emotional hurts done to us by loved ones, friends or strangers, but we must immediately turn to the Lord, and say Lord I forgive that person RIGHT NOW.  OUR LORD MUST BE HIGH AND LIFTED UP, ABOVE THE HURTS THAT OTHERS INFLICT ON US."

FROM DOM:  Oh, how I needed to hear this!!!! I was battling an offense that was particularly hard to forgive and let go of.  What this reader says is so true about how the enemy keeps bringing the offense to our minds. If you want, I can send you the handout this reader sent me, write dombush@bellsouth.net.  The problem I was going through has now been settled, but what a torment it was until I was able to resolve it with that friend.

6.  MODERATE DRINKING MAY EASE FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS

From a reader--

"What a riot! http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/780928?src=emailthis."

FROM DOM:  Now if we can only keep the drinking "moderate"!  This is dangerous topic, since we all know what alcohol addiction does to one's health and family relationships.  So many of my friends grew up in alcoholic homes.....it is UGLY, EVIL and has caused permanent psychological damage to everyone involved - so be careful with this advice to use alcohol to ease fibro symptoms.  Many decades ago when I had severe monthly pain from endometriosis that was unrelieved by any medications, my doc told me that the old-fashioned remedy was brandy.  Well, I had never liked alcohol in any form (to me it tasted gross) but decided to try brandy out of desperation. To my surprise, I liked it....all flavors...and soon I was drinking brandy for pain...for sleep...when I was happy...or sad...or just felt like it.  Maybe I was even on my way to becoming an alcoholic (a person who can't function without alcohol).  Unbeknownst to me, my ex-husband had been taking note of the level in the brandy bottle I always kept in the medicine cabinet, and finally told me in no uncertain terms to stop.  So I did.  Now, many decades later, I am glad for this intervention, because I have seen alcohol destroy children, marriages and families--not to mention drunk driving which physically kills and maims people every day!  I'm glad for supplements and meds I found over the years that keep me functional (and sane) www.fms-help.com/what.htm.  I think many people may become alcoholics in an effort to (unknowingly) medicate themselves for pain or depression...and it spirals out of control. When I was growing up in Pennsylvania, a man came to our church and told the teens about the dangers of alcohol.  We were urged to write in the cover of our Bibles something like: "With God's help, I won't ever drink alcohol."  He explained that some people can't control their drinking, and you don't know if you are that kind of person, so don't start.  Good advice that may have saved lives.  Heaven only knows.

7.  CELLS FROM ABORTED FETUS USED TO CREATE FLAVOR ENHANCERS

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/03/17/senomyx-flavor-enhancers.aspx - Snippet: "The biotech company Senomyx creates novel flavor enhancing compounds for the processed food industry in order to make foods and beverages that taste good while reducing sugar and salt content. Customers include Pepsi Co., Ajinomoto Co. (the maker of aspartame and meat glue), Nestlé and others. The genetically engineered flavor enhancers work by triggering taste receptors on your tongue, effectively tricking your taste buds into sensing sweetness, saltiness, or “coolness." Senomyx has created a taste testing system that provides scientists with biochemical responses and electronic readouts when a flavor ingredient interacts with their patented receptor, letting them know whether or not they’ve “hit the mark” in terms of flavor. This process uses human kidney cells originating from an electively aborted human fetus. These fetal kidney cells (HEK293) have been cloned for decades, as they offer a reliable way to produce new proteins using genetic engineering. Senomyx has engineered HEK293 cells to function like human taste receptor cells. Flavor enhancers do not need to be listed on food labels, falling instead under the generic category of artificial and/or natural flavors."

FROM DOM:  What a "brave new world" we live in. ("Brave New World" is a novel written in 1931 by Aldous Huxley and set in London of AD 2540.  The novel anticipates developments in reproductive technology, sleep-learning, psychological manipulation and operant conditioning that combine to profoundly change society.  Are we there yet??)

8. ESSENTIAL OILS FOR IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)

From a reader--

"What essential oils can be used for IBS?"

FROM DOM:  I found a lot of testimonials at http://www.oil-testimonials.com/basic/bowel+ibs.

9. BECOMING MORE EMOTIONALLY RESILIENT

FROM DOM: We fibromites are often HSPs (highly sensitive persons). This is not always a bad thing, but doesn't serve us well when we are bombarded by emotional attacks from nasty people. Stress is our worse enemy www.fms-help.com/tips.htm, and emotional stress is just as debilitating to us fibromites as physical stress. Here's some advice from the Bible: "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Romans 12:17-19 So....try to resolve things with difficult people, but if it's not possible, then turn them over to God and learn to protect yourself and avoid toxic relationships. Oftentimes there is evil or some kind of sin at the core of these torturous relationships.

10.  CRE: THE NEW NIGHTMARE HOSPITAL BACTERIA

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/03/20/cre-nightmare-bacteria.aspx - Snippet: "Nightmare bacteria called CRE are nearly impossible to kill because they are resistant to virtually every antibiotic in existence; CRE bacteria are on the rise in medical facilities across America, now detected in hospitals in 42 states. The most common form of CRE is a superbug form of Klebsiella, normally a harmless bacteria found in your intestinal tract; children, elderly, sick and immunocompromised individuals have the highest risk of infection; if it makes it into blood your odds of surviving an infection are a dismal 50 percent. Not only is Klebsiella resistant to nearly all antibiotic drugs, but it can transfer its antibiotic resistance gene to other bacteria, which is why experts are so concerned. Today’s alarming rates of antibiotic-resistant “super germs” result from overuse of antibiotics in both medicine and agriculture; you can reduce your risk by avoiding antibiotic drugs and avoiding consumption of meat and poultry products from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Suggestions are given for optimizing your immune system, decreasing your risk of exposure to dangerous pathogens, and being proactive about your medical care."

12.  DANGERS OF PERFUMES & COSMETICS

http://articles.healthrealizations.com/FoodsForFibromyalgia/2013/03/18/What-Dangers-Can-Perfumes-Other-Fragrances.aspx

13. DON'T BE ASHAMED OF BEING SHATTERED

Used with permission from Joni and Friends International Disability Ministry www.joniandfriends.org--

Broken Cups

"But this precious treasure - this light and power that now shine within us - is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own."    2 Corinthians 4:7, TLB
 
I was Spring-cleaning with a friend the other day. While reaching into the recesses of the cupboard, she accidentally dropped a cup. It didn't shatter, but the fall to the counter was enough to cause a crack. I wondered whether to save it, but in the end decided to trash it.
 
God, on the other hand, saves broken cups. In fact, broken vessels are often His most useful tools. The verse for today reads like His fix-it manual. It tells us God pours His treasure into fragile vessels that are prone to shatter. That way everyone will know God is doing the "living" in us.
 
A broken neck has taught me this. But so has a broken heart. At times, whether in my paralysis pain or emotional pain, I have gone to God and sighed, "I give up. I can't do anything right. I have no idea how to pull myself out of this mess." The world would say, "Yep, you're useless." The devil would say, "Told you so." But God says, "I've been waiting for you to come to Me in your brokenness. Here, let Me heal you. You need My help; for without Me, you can do nothing."
 
What's more, Psalm 51:17 tells us God will only use a life that is broken: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
 
Don't be ashamed of being shattered. God is looking for broken vessels like you through whom He can showcase His splendor. Remember, when it comes to God's grace, even broken cups can be filled to overflowing.
 
Thank you, God, for not throwing away my broken life but treasuring it and redeeming it. Use my brokenness to help others.

Blessings,
 
Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org

14.  TOP 3 FIBROMYALGIA MYTHS

http://www.realage.com/manage-fibromyalgia-pain/fibromyalgia-myths

15.  GOOGLE'S GLASSES TURN EVERYONE INTO SPIES

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2295004/Google-Glass-Googles-sinister-glasses-turn-world-search-giants-spies.html

16. THE ABSURD COSTS OF AMERICAN HEALTH CARE

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/03/16/high-health-care-costs.aspx - Snippet: "The US spends more on health care than the next 10 biggest spenders combined: Japan, Germany, France, China, the U.K., Italy, Canada, Brazil, Spain and Australia. Hospital costs are a leading cause of the $750 billion Americans overspend each year on health care. By dissecting the medical bills people have received, journalist, Time Magazine writer and author, Steven Brill, says we can see exactly how and why we are overspending and where the money is going. Americans are being grossly overcharged; even nonprofit hospitals are making greater profits than some prosperous for-profit businesses, and hospital presidents and department heads can make upwards of $2-4 million in annual salary. The entire system unfairly affect the poor and uninsured as they are charged the FULL inflated price while those with insurance have their costs radically reduced through pre-negotiated lowered rates. Hospitals get away with this nonsense while physicians would go to jail if they had charged separately like this. A so-called medical-billing advocate can help you not only read and understand the content of your bills, but also negotiate with the hospital to reduce the charges. If the U.S. health care system was a country, it would be the 6th largest economy on the entire planet. The losers are the patients; approximately 60 percent of all personal bankruptcies in the United States are related to exorbitant medical bills."

17. KIDS ALLERGIES - ARE WE BEING TOO CLEAN?

http://articles.healthrealizations.com/FoodsForFibromyalgia/2013/03/18/Why-are-Kids-Allergies-on-The-Rise-1.aspx - are we being too clean?

18.  EARTHQUAKE & TSUNAMI TO STRIKE OREGON?

http://rt.com/usa/earthquake-oregon-report-tsunami-330/ - Snippet: "Researchers say a massive earthquake and tsunami could soon strike the Northwest US coast, killing more than 10,000 people, flooding entire towns, and causing economic damages totaling $32 billion.  An alarming report published by the Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission warns about the dire effects of the quake and claims that it is imminent and could strike anytime. The report, which was compiled by a group of more than 150 volunteer experts, was requested by the Oregon legislature in order to adequately prepare for the looming disaster."

19.  REALLY CUTE DOG VIDEO!

From a friend--

http://www.youtube.com/embed/PztO-OvzRyg?rel=0 - this will make you smile!

20.  15-YEAR-OLD DEVELOPS TEST FOR PANCREATIC CANCER

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pmVzs3-GNBc#! - Fifteen-year-old Jack Andraka wins the top award at Intel ISEF 2012 for his creation of a new, non-invasive method to detect early-stage pancreatic cancer!  Watch his reaction when he finds out he won!  This video is priceless!

21.  HISTORY OF CFIDS

From a reader--

http://cfsuntied.com/history.html - CFS Untied - Unraveling an illness

22.  KINDNESS

A good quote: "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” - Mother Teresa

23.  CHOLESTEROL LEVELS MAY VARY BY SEASON

http://www.lifelonghealth.com/healthy-aging-articles/386-cholesterol-levels-may-vary-by-season

24.  TRY BEFORE YOU BUY?

http://www.salvomag.com/new/articles/salvo17/17koukl.php - Try Before You Buy?  Not If You Are Looking for a Marriage That Will Endure Inevitable Trials

FROM DOM:  "Marital Harmony: An Emergency Marriage Manual" www.fms-help.com/marriage.htm is one of the most-visited pages on my site.

25.  HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LYME DISEASE, MOLD & DEPRESSION

From Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker's newsetter www.survivingmold.com--

"What role do genomics (measurement of mRNA and MicroRNA) have in management of CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome)?

1. Enables us to profile what genes are activated in CIRS

2. Enables us to profile what genes are suppressed in CIRS

3. Enables us to distinguish with one blood test Lyme versus mold versus depression and more

4. Enables us to follow the effect of inflammation on genetic parameters of illness

5.  Enables us to follow the genomic effects of treatment

6.  Enables us to take treatment to never-before heard of levels."

FROM DOM:  See my MOLD story at www.fms-help.com/mold.htm.

26.  ACTRESS WITH BRAIN CANCER

FROM DOM:  Please pray for Valerie Harper http://www.christianpost.com/news/im-not-dying-until-i-do-valerie-harper-on-terminal-illness-91703/.  She may have only a few months to live due to a rare form of brain cancer.  This actress has given me many laughs portraying "Rhoda Morgenstern" on the Mary Tyler Moore Show.  This week I watched some clips of Valerie on "The Doctors" where she was discussing her diagnosis.  I did not detect any evidence of salvation, and that concerned me! There's a trend now to be "spiritual" - but that's not the same as being "saved" or "born again."  Many people don't fear death or make plans to meet God. I saw a similar attitude in Katharine Hepburn in a TV interview before her death when she said she had had a good life and wasn't afraid to die.  (She believed that when you're dead you're just gone.  See http://www.celebatheists.com/wiki/Katharine_Hepburn.)  So...why did Jesus come to earth?  Why did He allow Himself to be crucified?  Why is His resurrection so significant?  Next Sunday is Easter, and that's when we celebrate Jesus' resurrection.  Jesus came to earth to pay the price for sin in order to save sinners (such as me) from eternal hell, so that I can live in heaven with a holy God.  My own story of spiritual birth ("Religious But Lost") is at www.fms-help.com/salvation.htm.  "For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH in him should NOT perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16  (This is what I am praying for Valerie.)

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FROM DOM: I thought I would close this (dreadfully) serious newsletter with a funny thing that happened when my cousin (a retired high school teacher) was visiting last week.  He had just returned from Tarpon Springs, Florida, and while passing the local high school, he took a picture of their sign which said: "Tarpon Springs High School - Home of the Spongers."  Well, that got me laughing! (I was thinking of "spongers" as in "moochers.")  We then got to reminiscing about our "fierce" high school mascots.  My school had the wildcats, and my husband's school had the yellow jackets, so we wondered what theTarpon Springs High School mascot was....a great big sponge?....or maybe even SpongeBob (haha!)  I went online and learned that Tarpon Springs has a sponge diving industry http://tampa.about.com/od/pinellascounty/ss/ts-walkingtour_2.htm - in the picture you can see a helmet the diver is carrying.  On their school T-shirt ordering page, I saw the logo for the Spongers - it's a diving helmet!  (My apologies to all Spongers fans for having a big chuckle about this!)

'Til next time,

Dominie Bush

www.fms-help.com

dombush@bellsouth.net

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DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical doctor. I am a fibromyalgia / chronic fatigue syndrome survivor. The purpose of this website is not to diagnose or cure any disease or malady, but is presented as food for thought.  This information cannot take the place of professional medical advice. Any attempt to diagnose and treat an illness should come under the direction of a physician. No guarantees are made regarding any of the information in this website.