Family & Friends of People With FM, CFS & Related Syndromes
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It is important to offer support and understanding for those with fm and cfs. Researchers are doing much research on these conditions but they have not yet found out what causes these conditions plus many physicians do not know much about either conditions. In addition many believe these conditions do mot exist and sufferers of these conditions are hypochondriac and their problems are "all in their heads".

Actually people suffering from stomach ulcers were once thought to be from too much stress, now medical scientists have discovered that a bacteria causes the ulcers. Before treatment involved decreasing stress now it involves an antibiotic. Researchers are beginning to look at the central nervous system as a possible problem area. Some suspect an abnormality of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system abnormality. (I believe it's an overactivation of the fight or flight response. The nervous system is always on high alert until it starts to develop the abnormalities seen in fm and cfs.

Therefore people with fm and cfs have a physical condition and just like any medical condition it effects the whole person. Medical conditions effect the person physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and socially. Think about the last time you had a really bad case of the flu or any other medical condition which caused you to take medication which between the medication and sickness you just slept the entire day away. This is how people with fm and cfs often feel. However as with any chronic condition people learn to cope, compensate and live with it. Some people learn to live a full life to their fullest potential and some give into depression and basically give up living.

Those who give up actually need more intensive help and support to learn to live and cope with their condition. They may need professional psychological help as well as pain management training. However with any great loss (they lost their health) there is a natural grief process they may experience. This includes denial, anger, depression and acceptance.


Rosie O'Donnell's website artical on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "written and created by ROSIE health columnist Tracy Chutorian Semler which is reviewed by a special panel of medical experts at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center."

FIBROMYALGIA "Fibromyalgia is an illness characterized by severe muscle pain, that is associated with poor sleep and often depression."

Effects of stress on women's health Research has shown stress effects women's health more than what was previously thought. This link includes an extensive list of abstracts of research articals on effects of stress.

What is really important in life If you do not know how to deal with the person with CFIDS in your life then you should read this.

The 'Other' Pain of Fibromyalgia What it is like living with FM. Can you imagine if people responded this way to heart disease or cancer? FM and CFS is as much as a medical condition as AIDS and arthritis. A person may not die from FM & CFS (unless they commit suicide) but they do suffer physically, emotionally and spiritually.

No Other Illness Like This One Is CFS "all in the head?" Dr. Bell Finds Dramatic Abnormalities in CFIDS.

Viral Isolation from Brain in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (A Case Report) Lengthy artical reveals the abnormalities of ME but also reveals the consequences that can happen when lack of support & understanding occurs from the medical profession. It is important for family & friends to be supportive.

A fibromyalgia suffer tells her story about FM After she discovered many other FM sufferer's do not have family or friends who are supportive and some FM sufferers have even committed suicide. This site is geared towards family & friends.
Her husband Don She shares her feelings of her love and thankfulness for his support.

ABC NEWS.com Physical Proof of Chronic Pain Fibromyalgia Patients Have Lower Blood Flow in Brain. Read the artical about what one patient did. How you treat your spouse, sibling or other family member suffering from FM or CFS is critical. How will you give account to God for your actions and words to your family member?
I know I may sound harsh but imagine if you felt pain and no one believed you. Now this doesn't mean I believe they should whine all day. They need help and encouragement to live life to the fullest but they do need love and support from family and friends.

Fibromyalgia Network Current, Reliable Fibromyalgia Info for 13 Years!

Knowledge Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain Pages Site also has a lot of good information on FM & CFS.

The complexity of chronic fatigue Artical from the Boston Globe on CFS which includes a personal story. Artical sent by Co-Cure. You may join the email newsletter at the bottom of the artical if you'ld like to receive emailings with more information on CFS.

"Invisible Illnesses, Visible Stereotypes" A message from a CFIDS sufferer expressing her feelings and frustrations in living with FM & CFS (and neurally mediated hypotension) in a world that knows little about these conditions.

A life story by a women with CFIDS This is what can happen when you (the family member or friend) does not give the love and emotional support often needed by people suffering from FM & CFS. It's a sad story.

Why can't people with CFIDS "get on with their life" and stop complaining? It seems they always have a lot of physical complaints and dwell on their problems.

Effects of our angry words How our words spoken in anger effects people they are spoken to or emailed to.

Attitude What kind of attitude would be benefical in dealing with FM & CFS or dealing with family with these conditions? This may not be what you might expect but gets the message across clearly and in an inspirational manner.

OVERCOME FAILURE How we should overcome failures and learn to forgive. This can easily be applied to how you should handle the loved one with CFIDS.

Desired life prespectiveLife seems to be becoming increasingly more stressful and our bodies begin to decline in stanima as we age. This link gives us a reminder to refocus on what's important and to slow our pace. Regardless of our health status stress does aggravate many health problems and can trigger undesirable genes or latent viruses (unfortunately we all have some of those) to cause health problems. Decreasing stress and taking care of ourselves promotes healing and health.

Prayer Feeling discouraged from suffering from FM, CFS or other symptoms? Sometimes all we can do is pray.
Internet prayer chain Want to add your family member to the prayer chain. These people will pray for you & your family member suffering from CFIDS.

Why do some people with FM seem depressed or moody? Click here to read my observations.

What outlook can I have in helping someone with FM or CFS? A little story that will help answer this question.

The Dash What is important to accomplish in life.

Grandma's Advice A cute site but true.

What is important in life This poem was sent to me by a friend. He shares what is actually important in life.

Liberian Acappelo They are a ministry group my friend, Charlie, works with. He loves the Lord but also sells TV Guardians which blocks out bad language from the TV set. It connects through the VRC but is complicated, at least to me & my husband & our TV set. I think it doesn't work well with the local TV cable boxes given by the cable company to pick up all the channels.

MSN Health Artical "Don't Worry, Be Happy -- Yeah, How? Key Is in Making Your Own Choices, Feeling Connected" what brings happiness. This artical is important for you in improving better coping skills as well as being happier.

5 great lessions An inspirational yet important message from flowgo.com. You need to use your browser back button to get back here.

Ripples Does what we say to people really matter?

A football mom An inspirational story about a son's mom who truely gave her son her support. This is the type of support we all can use & need.

What difference can I make in a person's life? Read this story. You never know what a small act of friendship can do. We are social creatures and need each other.

Friends The meaning of friendship to people with FM and CFS.

What is really important?

The clock of life is wound but once,
And no man has the power
To tell just where the hands will stop
At late or early hour.

To lose one's wealth is sad indeed:
To lose one's health is more:
To lose one's soul is such a loss
As no man can restore.
The present only is our own,
Live, Love, toil with a will --
Place no faith in 'tomorrow' --
For the clock may then be still.
~
Taken from an old ceramic piece

How you may feel at times.

Struggling with FM & CFS as well as depressive symptoms? A short note of encouragement.

Are you feeling a little down or need to read some inspirational letters? I decided to add a link for encouragement to visitors of this page.


Our pets love & accept us unconditionally. We should learn to love & understand each other like our pets. Then FMS, CFS & other related syndrome sufferers would feel accepted & understood.
Check out a dog's perspective of life (humorous).