FIBROMYALGIA SUPPORT GROUP (MEDWAY)



[pic]

16 Barberry Avenue, Chatham Kent ME5 9TE

Telephone: 01634 865925 E-mail: fibromedway@yahoo.co.uk

Website: fibrosupportmedway.btck.co.uk

December 2011 ISSUE 56

Next Meeting: Thursday 26th January, at St Stephen’s Church Hall, Maidstone Road,

Chatham ME4 6JE. 1.00pm to 3.00pm

********************************************

MEETING DATES FOR 2012

Thursday 26th January – Dr Julian Spinks, speaking about the allergies and sensitivities associated with Fibromyalgia

Thursday 22nd March – Lesley Wright, Pain Specialist Nurse, Eastern & Coastal Kent PCT

Thursday 24th May - Dr Nick Read, Medical Adviser to the Gut Trust speaking about Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Thursday 26th July

Thursday 27th September – 10th Birthday

Thursday 22nd November

All at the above address and time.

NOVEMBER MEETING

See page 12 for details.

****FUNDING SUCCESS*** –See page 2.

WEBSITE UPDATE

Our website has had many compliments since its inception and is used by large numbers of people. This has been confirmed by the fact that over 10,000 hits have been recorded on the site from December 2010 until October 2011. This includes over 5,000 hits on the Home Page, over 800 on the Newsletter Page, over 800 on the Local Information Page, and 3445 hits on the Guestbook Page. One of the attractions is the fact that our last eight newsletters are always on the site and are available to download for free. Our thanks to Peter our Website Manager.

TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES

Please note that telephone calls to the group should be made on weekdays between 10am and 5pm. For those who are at work and unable to make telephone calls during those times, it would be appreciated if calls could be made during weekday evenings before 7.00pm.

SUPPORTERS’ HELPLINE

Ron Robson is available on 01634 865925 to take calls from supporters of those with Fibromyalgia, who just need to talk about their concerns.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

We would like to wish all of you, and your families, a very happy Christmas and a happy (and pain-free) New Year. We look forward to seeing you all again in 2012.

FUNDING UPDATE

The balance in our Bank Account at the end of September 2011, was £3557.64.

Expenditure since then has been, £10.97 for Stationery, £127.50 for Hall Hire, £25.04 for Sundries, £216 for postage, £268.34 for Insurance, £150 for Special Event Hall Hire, and £198 for Photocopying.

This leaves a total of £2561.79

At the November meeting and during the past two months, we raised, £55 on the raffle, £3 for pens, £21.46 for refreshments, £22 for Tracey’s Awareness Day, £29 in donations, £181 for sale of 024 Fibromyalgia, £3 for plugmates, £3 for CDs, £18 for DVDs, £5 for Car Stickers, £10.54 from Ayla’s collecting tin, and £480 from Medway Council.

This gives a total of £831 to be deposited in our bank account.

This gives us total of funds of £3392.79.

DONATIONS

I would like to acknowledge all donations sent in during the last two months. All donations help ensure the service remains at the present level. I am not able to respond to each one personally but please accept our thanks to you all. Thanks also for the lovely letters I receive. They are much appreciated

FUNDING SUCCESS

I am pleased to announce that Medway Council has granted us £480 for our Awareness Event in May. This grant will cover the hall hire, refreshments, photocopying of Information Packs and Postage for the event.

Our thanks go to Medway Council for enabling us to hold this popular event once again.

AGM

Our eighth AGM will be held at the beginning of the January meeting. We are looking for at least one new volunteer Committee Member who has good organisational skills, is Computer literate, has an ability to read, learn and disseminate information to members, is a sympathetic listener and has interactive skills.

Applicants should also have an ability to work as part of a team, but also be able to work on their own initiative within the Group’s agreed framework. The commitment would be no more than 2 hours a week and the hours required are flexible. Attendance at three Committee meetings a year is required.

LIVING WITH CHRONIC PAIN CD

The Living with Chronic Pain CD that we have sold a large number of during the last eight years, is now available to download (free) or listen to (free) online at .uk I do now have some for sale for £3 each for those who wish to have one.

024 PRICE CHANGE

Due, once again, to the exchange rate, and also the fact that this time we have been charged Import VAT, we can no longer offer the 024 at £8.

If you are able to pick one up at meetings, the cost will be £10, but with postage it will be £11 each. Please make cheques payable to Fibromyalgia Support Group (Medway)

NORTH KENT GROUP

Contact: Philomena (Phyl): 0844 887 2348

or e-mail: fibromyalgia.nkent@yahoo.co.uk

MAIDSTONE GROUP MEETINGS

Contact: Heather Hammond: 0844 887 2442

or heather.hammond@mypostoffice.co.uk

SITTINGBOURNE & SHEPPEY SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS

Contact Jean Spain: 01795 471324

Email: sandsfibrosupport@

TALK ON HOMEOPATHY AT THE SEPTEMBER MEETING

By Wanda Wright

About myself

I've been practising in the Medway Towns, Gravesend and West Malling, now for 15 years, having graduated from The College of Homeopathy in London, after a four year course. I first came across homeopathy as a patient when I was blown away by how well I felt. I just had to know more about it and so embarked on a course, a part-time job to pay for it, and, together with three young children was kept well occupied! I can honestly say that it has been one of the most fascinating and rewarding experiences imaginable.

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a complete system of complementary medicine which is gentle and effective and based on the treatment of the patient as an individual. It works by assisting the natural ability of the body to heal itself. Unlike conventional medicine there are no side effects and it is impossible to become addicted to the remedies. Because homeopathy treats the person rather than the symptoms, you could be suffering from, say, arthritis, IBS and migraines and, whereas orthodox medicine would see these as three separate problems and treat the symptoms of each with different medicines, homeopathy would treat you as a whole, with a single remedy, so that the whole of you gets better. With homeopathy, we always aim for a cure rather than just the relief of individual symptoms so that you are left without any reliance on treatment or medication whatsoever. The remedies themselves are all natural substances which have been prepared in such a way that the energy from them stimulates the body's natural healing process. It gets us back on track when life has knocked us off balance.

Homeopaths see ill health as an imbalance within, with the effects of the imbalance being shown on the outside in the form of symptoms. The outside bits can only be properly put right if the imbalance is corrected first. If patients come back and say that they feel better in themselves, even if their physical symptoms haven't yet disappeared, I am confident that these will soon show improvement.

Homeopathic remedies come in the form of sweet pills which are dissolved in the mouth. They are absorbed into your system straight away and for some the effect is immediate, especially with acute problems.

Most homeopathic treatment is for chronic or on-going problems. However, homeopathy is brilliant for acute ailments such as Sprains and Strains, Chest Infections, Digestive Upsets, Menstrual Pain etc. etc. etc. and in these situations often a short telephone consultation is all that is needed.

Where there is a chronic problem, however, a commitment to several face-to-face consultations is necessary. If you have a chronic problem, we must, between us, get to the root of the problem and find a cure.

Homeopathy can be helpful in all cases of illhealth no matter what the diagnosis and I have listed below just some of the physical complaints which are commonly treated.

• Acute Problems such as fevers, colds and flu, ear, nose and throat problems, lethargy and stress related complaints

• .Respiratory conditions - asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, croup etc.

• Skin problems - all skin problems including psoriasis, eczema, acne, herpes

• Digestive complaints - IBS, colitis, crohns disease, ulcers, acid, constipation and diarrhoea etc.

• Menstrual problems - PMT, irregular, painful or heavy periods.

• Menopausal problems - flushes, flooding and any other symptoms associated with the Menopause

• Gynaecological problems - endometriosis, fibroids, cysts, prolapse, thrush

• Urinary problems - cystitis, incontinence, kidney infections, dribbling

• Joint problems - arthritis, gout, rheumatism

• Chronic headaches including migraines

• Chronic ear, nose and throat problems

• Recurrent Colds and Flu

• Glandular Fever and all Childhood Diseases Teething and Bedwetting in children.

• Tonsillitis and recurring sore throats.

Mental and Emotional problems respond really well to homeopathy -problems such as:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Mood swings

• Grief and Trauma and the effects thereof

• Panic Attacks

• Fears and Phobias

• Obsessive behaviour

What you can expect

Your first homeopathic consultation would last about one and a half hours. This time is spent finding out about you, your idiocyncracies, your symptoms, health history and family health history. It goes without saying that everything said is treated in the strictest confidence. A remedy is then given on the basis of the information given. I see patients at two, three, or more usually, four weekly intervals and patients are encouraged to make notes of any changes they have experienced so that they can be discussed at the next appointment.

At the second consultation I will ask you about your response to the remedy. This important feedback enables me to assess the progress of your treatment and help me to understand more about you and how your body works.

Because of the unique way that homeopathy works (in treating the whole person) you will probably, during the process, also experience relief of minor ailments you'd expected to have to live with. Patients of homeopathy are often pleased to find that apart from being relieved of the problem they came with, their digestion is improved, or they are sleeping better for example.

My aim as a practitioner is not only to make you well but to help you to understand your treatment and feel fully responsible for, and in control of, you own state of health and well-being. To this end I will always explain fully my reasons for prescribing certain remedies and my thinking around it.

Generally, you should be able to commit yourself to 4-5 sessions of homeopathy, otherwise you could be wasting your time and money on the initial one. You may not need all these but because of the way that homeopathy works, in aiming to get to the root cause of the problem and treat that, rather than just to mask the symptoms, a lot of input from you is necessary and a lot of understanding from me, and this takes time.

Myths and Misconceptions

The most common misconception about homeopathy is that you must get worse before you get better. It is true that your body, in an effort to right itself, may go through some of the problems you've experienced in the past, in order to sort them out properly. These old problems may have been dealt with artificially or suppressed with antibiotics or steriods in which case your body may need to relive them in a mild way so that they can be dealt with properly and naturally. For example, if you used to suffer from tonsillitis, you could get a sore throat after taking a remedy. It is also possible to get an aggravation of your symptoms after taking the remedy if the potency is too high. This would occur a few days after taking it and would last only two or three days. It is, however, seen as a very good sign and an improvement of the condition should swiftly follow.

Some homeopaths warn their patients not to drink coffee because it is thought to antidote the remedies. As students we all experimented with remedies and tried to antidote them with masses of coffee and I don't know anyone who succeeded. However, coffee will affect the nervous system and therefore your energy, and strong, caffeinated coffee could undo the good that the remedy is doing. I would suggest only a moderate intake of decaffeinated coffee. Mint is one thing that most homeopaths are unsure of and to be safe I ask patients not to take peppermint for an hour before or after taking the remedy.

There is a lot talked about not touching homeopathic remedies. This is because they can be taken in through the skin and this is not such a reliable or predictable method of taking a remedy. For this reason also it is not a good idea to touch a homeopathic remedy unless it is intended for you. However, you cannot damage its efficacy by doing so.

First Aid Remedies

A hundred or so years ago homeopathic remdies were found in every first aid cupboard - certainly Vets relied on them a great deal before the introduction of antibiotics. Since they are absolutely harmless and so simple and easy to take (children love my little round sugar pills) they are ideal for your children, yourselves and your pets. I take a make-up bag full of remedies when I go on holiday, which caters for every conceivable eventuality and I usually end up handing them out to other holiday makers. I encourage my patients to equip themselves with a kit of homeopathic remedies which are relevant to them for both the home and travelling. A few examples of this are: Jet Lag or just sheer hard work (travelling, gardening, walking etc,); Knocks, Falls and Shocks; Infected Bites or Wounds; Allergic reaction to Bites or Stings; Prickly Heat; Sun/Heat Stroke or Fevers; Diarrhoea and/or Sickness; Burns - including Sun Burn; Over Indulgence; Flu; Sprains and Strains; Travel Sickness; and Fear of Flying.

I also supply homeopathic kits which help enormously when medical intervention is necessary and also during childbirth. These can be despatched after a short telephone consultation.

Operation Remedies - These relieve the trauma to the body, thereby reducing the risk of complications, infections and haemorrhage, and generally helping with the healing process. Patients using these are invariably discharged earlier than usual because they recover so quickly.

Birthing Remedies- These homeopathic remedies help to get the dilation and contractions working together thereby reducing the chance of a long labour, the risk of haemorrhage and cutting down the trauma enormously for mother and baby.

Dental Treatment - These remedies reduce the fear and anxieties, the bruising and pain, during and after treatment.

Altitude Sickness - There are several natural remedies which will relieve or prevent altitude sickness. Two homeopathic remedies are taken daily whilst at altitude together with an oxygen supplement called Oxytech. Oxytech has been shown to raise the levels of oxygen in the blood 30 mins after taking. People experience a variety of symptoms at altitude, some getting headaches, some nausea etc and if the first two homeopathic remedies were not sufficient to relieve these, there are four more remedies, one of which you would choose on the basis of your particular symptoms. I recommend that you take a first aid kit of remedies with instructions. This could of course include remedies which will help with other aspects of trekking or mountaineering such as injuries, aching legs and knees, strains and sprains, digestive upsets etc.

Contact:

Wanda Wright Phone: 01634 252284

Email: wanda@bespokehomeopathy.co.uk

Editor’s Note: Please note that any new treatments should be discussed with your Dr, and inclusion of any article in this newsletter does not infer endorsement by the Fibromyalgia Support Group (Medway)

THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF FIBROMYALGIA IN FEMALE PATIENTS, A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY – SOURCE: CHIROPRACTIC & MANUAL THERAPIES, SEP 19, 2011



by Francesca Wuytack, Peter Miller

September 22, 2011

[Note: the full text PDF of this research report, including interview excerpts and scores of related references, is at content/pdf/2045-709X-19-22.pdf]

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome with no cure. A thorough understanding of the illness experience is therefore key in the palliative care of patients with this condition. In search for supportive treatments, Fibromyalgia patients often attend a chiropractor or other manual therapist.

Knowledge of the meaning and reality of living with this condition to the patient could be considered essential to any health care practitioner playing a role in the management. This study aimed to gain a better understanding of the subjective experience of Fibromyalgia, focusing on the personal, occupational and social impact of the condition on patients' lives. This included exploring the patients' views about the future.

Methods: This study employed descriptive phenomenology and adopted Husserl's concept of transcendental subjectivity or ‘bracketing’. This qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews and was undertaken to obtain rich data that reflected the essence of the participants' experience. Participants consisted of six female volunteers, diagnosed with Fibromyalgia by the University Hospital Gent, Belgium. Data were analyzed using a thematic framework.

Results: Fibromyalgia pervaded all aspects of life.

Four main themes arose from data analysis, namely; the impact of Fibromyalgia on patients' occupational and personal life, the impact on their future, and aspects of social interaction.

• Nearly all participants had stopped working, giving rise to feelings of uselessness and loss of identity.

• Leisure activities were also greatly affected.

• Fibromyalgia was said to alter family bonds, some of which were reinforced, others were broken.

• The diagnosis was seen as a relief, marking an end to a period of uncertainty.

• Participants reported ambivalence in interaction. Despite some positive encounters, frustration arising from perceived incomprehension dominated. Consequently patients preferred not to share their experiences.

Conclusions: The study revealed the negative impact of Fibromyalgia on patients' lives as comprising of great complexity and individuality.

Several implications for health care practitioners can be extrapolated, including the need of:

• A more efficient diagnostic process

• And increased education about the Fibromyalgia experience.

Further studies are required to better clarify the multifaceted nature of living with the condition.

Source: Chiropractic Management Therapy, Sep 19, 2011;19(1):22. PMID: 21929763, by Wuytack F, Miller P. Anglo-European College of Chiropractic, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK. [Email: pmiller@aecc.ac.uk]

[pic]

EXERCISE AND FIBROMYALGIA

Many people with Fibromyalgia think the idea of exercise sounds about as much fun as pulling out their arm hairs!!! You don’t want to do it because you think it will make you feel worse. If you do too much at first, yes your pain might be worse, but baby steps are the key. Learning how to start slowly and progressing at the right pace will help provide relief from the pain of Fibromyalgia eventually.

Regular bouts of physical activity can lessen the effects of this disease and help people to feel better.

Good choices of exercise include:

• Swimming

• Walking

• Cycling

• Tai chi

• Pilates

• Low impact exercise classes

The key is to start gradually and slowly progress to longer sessions. For example, you could set a goal of walking around your garden (depending on the size of your garden!) three times a week for the first week and then progressing to walking around the block by the end of the month.

Although pain and fatigue may make exercise and daily activities difficult, it is important to be as physically active as possible. Research has repeatedly shown that regular exercise is one of the most effective treatments for Fibromyalgia.

Aerobic exercise is the closest thing to a medical magic pill that has ever been found!!

Benefits of aerobic exercise are:

• Reduces risk of heart disease

• Reduces risk of stroke

• Improves circulation

• Reduces Stress

• Improves Depression

• Improves memory

• Reduces Blood pressure

• Increases Bone density

• Improves Arthritis

• Improves sleep quality

• Helps with weight loss

• Improves self esteem

• Reduces the risks of developing several types of cancer

• Can reduce or eliminate need for a wide variety of medications and much more!!

For people with Fibromyalgia, exercise is not an option it’s a requirement. There is a lot of hope for Fibromyalgia sufferers. It all starts with education about exercise, a little determination and a lot of patience.

Do you know about the Medway Exercise Referral Service? This programme runs in the major leisure centres in Medway and is managed by a team of highly qualified exercise instructors who have a wide range of experience in dealing with a variety of medical conditions, including Fibromyalgia.

Please consult your health care professional for advice regarding your ability to participate in an exercise programme or to be referred on to the Medway Exercise Referral Service.

Editor’s Note: Phil Carr came to our November meeting to tell us more about this service.

NEW FIBROMYALGIA BOOK

In 2004 I came across a website that had a number of very useful articles on Fibromyalgia. As I thought these would be very helpful to members of the Group, I emailed the lady whose website it was to ask if I could use the articles in our newsletter. She very kindly agreed to this and explained that she has Fibromyalgia herself. At that time she was a young Mum and she had every hope that one day she would be able to complete a book on Fibromyalgia.

The articles that I used in the newsletter are still available as handouts at meetings and are very popular with members. It is a few years since I heard from Deborah so I was surprised to receive an email from her in October asking me if I would very kindly write a review of the book she had now completed. I agreed to this and the publisher sent me a copy. I have copied the review below in its long form as I really do believe this is a must-have book for those with Fibromyalgia. It is available for pre-order at Amazon (amazon.co.uk) and will be available from 15th February 2012 when we will purchase a few copies for our Library.

PAINTRACKING

Your Personal Guide to Living Well with Chronic Pain

By

Deborah Barrett, PhD, MSW

When I was asked to review this book I had thought that I’d be able to skim read it but as I started to read I knew that this was impossible as I felt, as I was reading, that this book was written for me. Having Fibromyalgia I was able to identify with so much in the book and found myself so engrossed in what I was reading that I wanted to read and devour every line.

Deborah says that this book that she has written is the book that she wishes someone had given her when she was first diagnosed. I run a support group for 300 people with Fibromyalgia and have set up seven other groups in Kent in England, and this will be the book I will be recommending to everyone. It really is a ‘must read’ for anyone with a chronic pain condition.

The book is divided into three section, Paintracking, Pain Treating, and Pain Living. This division makes it so much easier to read as you can chose the section that you want to return to so easily, and I firmly believe that once read it will be one of those books that will be kept as a tool that will be used again and again.

One of the main attractions of the book is that Deborah ‘knows how it feels’. She has empathy and she gets to the heart of the problems that those with chronic pain have as they try to live a life as near to normal as possible, and to have relationships with others. She tackles every aspect of life, giving explicit examples and so many helpful hints, and there seems to be nothing that could be added. There is so much useful and helpful information that it is difficult to know where to begin and what to mention.

Not only is the book written for those with a chronic pain condition, but it also covers the role of the carer or supporter and the healthworker. There is also a companion website to go alongside the book which will be extremely helpful.

One of the things I liked about the book is that Deborah doesn’t treat us all as being the same. She recognises that, despite having the same condition, we all react in different ways. She gives ample advice as to how we can adjust the advice to suit ourselves and her suggested personalised plans and charts are so helpful.

There are two particular aspects of the book that has stayed in my mind. The first was the chapter on mindfulness which was particularly thought provoking explaining that what we thought might happen, may not. The thoughts about what may happen are often the things that affect us most.

I quote: “No matter how lousy you may feel, being mindful can help you direct your attention to places besides your pain.” and “But by focusing on the challenges of pain, such as worries about the future, regrets, or losses, you may miss opportunities for sweet indulgence.” I also liked the suggestion of defining your own well-being – the quality of life that you would wish for. You’d need to read the book to get the real benefit, but I definitely recommend that you try it.

Another piece I liked, and I quote: “Through understanding, you can take control of your life. The very idea that you can make informed choices is empowering. Living with chronic pain can feel like you are a raggedy doll, tossed about by conditions beyond your control. By facing and experimenting with your experience, you not only learn to understand your situation but to manipulate it to your advantage.”

The second aspect that has stayed with me is at the very end of the book where Deborah talks about grief and acceptance. She explains that we need to progress through the stages of grief having lost the life we had before pain came into our lives, and she guides us through to acceptance and the need to lead the life we now have in a different way.

I cannot speak highly enough of this book and of Deborah’s ability to get to the heart of the matter, and I can only end with her own words “PAINTRACKING puts you squarely in the driver’s seat”.

Margaret Robson

FLUPIRTINE - A NEW DRUG TO TREAT FM?

The drug flupirtine has been used in Europe for more than 25 years to treat pain associated with cancer, trauma, surgery and other forms of neuropathic pain, and is now being considered as a possible new treatment for fibromyalgia. What makes this drug so attractive is that it is a non-opiate analgesic meaning that it is non-addictive with no withdrawal effects, has been reported to have minimal side-effects, and works best for pain associated with non-inflammatory conditions.

Flupirtine acts in the central nervous system suppressing pain perception transmission in the spinal-cord and the brain. It helps to control nerve excitability by reducing the amount of the neurotransmitter glutamate which causes nerves to get excited and transmit stronger pain signals. It is believed to target the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, a specialised glutamate receptor that has been linked to central sensitisation. So, overall it works to calm the nervous system down and reduce hypersensitivity.

In addition, flupirtine has muscle relaxant and neuroprotective properties, helping to dispel abnormally increased muscle tension so typical of fibromyalgia, and is well-tolerated with the most common adverse effects being drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth and nausea. There also appears to be no build-up of tolerance to its effects. In a 12 month study on 104 patients with arthritis, flupirtine worked consistently without an increase in dosage for 75% of the participants¹. The researchers also found that participants did not have to be weaned gradually off the drug, supporting its non-addictive properties.

Despite being available in Europe for the past 25 years it is currently not available in the US or the UK. The drug company, Adeona Pharmaceuticals, has applied to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and been granted permission to conduct a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II clinical trial specifically investigating the effects of flupirtine on the symptoms of fibromyalgia. The company aims to demonstrate that flupirtine not only treats the pain of fibromyalgia, but also improves mood, fatigue, cognitive problems, sleep disturbance and overall function. It is hoped that this drug will be approved by the FDA for the treatment of fibromyalgia in the US.

Preclinical trials and clinical experience are certainly encouraging. An open label case-series carried out in 2000 in Belmont Massachusetts looked at the effects of flupirtine in four women with fibromyalgia². All of these women had tried multiple treatments for their FM symptoms with limited success. Three of the case studies had a dramatic response to flupirtine, describing their symptoms as being completely abolished. Case 1 experienced recovery from her Fibromyalgia pain, sleep disturbance, fatigue and depressive symptoms within several days and has remained free of symptoms for more than 18 months. Case 3 described recovery from pain and substantial improvement of fatigue with the initial sedation and dizziness resolving after several days. She continued to have full and sustained remission for more than 1 year. Case 4 had substantial relief from her myofascial pain and what she described as a 'miraculous' increase in energy and ability to concentrate. She experienced no significant adverse effects. Case 2, on the other hand, only experienced moderate relief from her joint pain and sleep disturbance.

These results are quite striking as flupirtine not only targets pain but appears to successfully relieve the other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. If confirmed in the upcoming randomised controlled trial, it would demonstrate that flupirtine is a very effective drug for treating the symptoms of FM.

By Kathy Longley

References:

1. Herrmann WM, Kern U, Aigner M. On the adverse reactions and efficacy of long-term

treatment with flupirtine: preliminary results of an ongoing twelve-month study with 200 patients suffering from chronic pain states in arthrosis or arthritis.

Postgraduate Medical Journal 1987; 63 Suppl 3:87–103.

2. Stoll AL. Fibromyalgia Symptoms Relieved by Flupirtine: An Open-Label Case Series. P

sychosomatics 2000 August; 41:371–372.

Editor’s Note: This article has been reproduced by kind permission of Fibromyalgia Association UK and appears on their website

BETTER CARE TOGETHER: PROPOSED INTEGRATION OF MEDWAY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST AND DARTFORDAND GRAVESHAM NHS TRUST

As you may be aware, Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, the trusts that run Medway Maritime and Darent Valley Hospitals, are working on plans to bring the two organisations together as one.

First of all, we would like to reassure you that all core services will continue to be offered at both hospitals. This means that:

A full A&E service will continue to be provided at both sites, led by consultants.

• Emergency medicine, surgical wards and care of the elderly wards will remain on both sites, as well as all of the specialties required to ensure that those services remain comprehensive at both hospitals.

• A full maternity service will be provided on both sites and women can choose to have their baby at either hospital.

• All outpatient clinics will be retained on both sites.

The integration is not about reducing existing services but about safeguarding and improving them, as well as being able to develop some new specialist services not currently available locally.

Our hospitals already have a lot in common. Just 15 miles apart, they have similar local populations and are of comparable size. Senior doctors believe that there could be significant benefits in bringing the trusts together.

We are currently developing our plans in detail, with input from patients, the public and our staff, before putting them forward for formal approval. We hope to become one organisation in the summer of 2012.

We are now embarking on a six month engagement period with patients, the public and staff. The first phase, running until the end of February 2012, will focus on gathering views and comments on our plans for the proposed integration. This is to ensure that when we submit our plans at the end of March 2012 for formal approval, those plans will have been informed by the views of our local communities and staff. The second phase will focus more on how people can get involved in the implementation of those plans.

Rebecca Silverman

Integration Communications Manager

Transition Team

Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

DISABILITY INFORMATION SERVICE

This is an Information Service providing help and advice on a wide range of issues relating to disability. Their advice is free, confidential and independent. They have a team that is always willing to welcome you and help you. It is there for people with disabilities, their carers and families. If they cannot provide the information you need they will put you in touch with someone who can.

For more information contact Patrick Johnston, Disability Information Service Manager, DSC, Medway Maritime Hospital, Windmill Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 5NY, or telephone 01634 838947 or Fax 01634 833940. If you prefer, email: patrick.johnston@.

MEDWAY YOUNG CARERS’ PROJECT

If your child or teenager (under eighteen years old) has to help you or care for you, they may feel isolated, feel they are different from other children, feel that no-one understands, and feel a conflict between your needs and their own.

The Young Carers’ Project gives opportunities to meet other children in similar situations, help with communication, information, and social activities. If you feel this would benefit your child/children, ring 01634 577340. A number of our members have contacted this service and have found it to be a great benefit.

ACCESS TO WORK - PRACTICAL HELP AT WORK

If you have a disability, you may find that practical obstacles at work are stopping you making the most of your opportunities. Access to Work is designed to help you and your employer find solutions to these problems.

Access to Work could help if you’re about to start work (including self employment) or if you’re already in a job. Both unemployed and employed disabled people who need the help of a communicator at a job interview can get help through Access to Work.

If you feel that the type of work you do is affected by a disability or health condition that is likely to last for 12 months or more, ask the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) at your local Jobcentre Plus office about Access to Work. They can put you in touch with your closest Access to Work Business Centre to check whether you're eligible for help.

WEBSITE FOR MEN WITH FMS

The website is specifically aimed at men with Fibromyalgia.

WILTSHIRE FARM FOODS

If you are having difficulties preparing and cooking your meals, Wiltshire Farm Foods may be the answer for you. They provide a brochure with details, including pictures, of what they provide. The brochure also has diet guide colour-coded symbols to the side of each meal and dessert i.e. normal diet, diabetic diet, lower fat diet, reducing diet, moderate salt diet, gluten free, and vegetarian.

Ordering couldn’t be easier. You just note the code numbers beside your chosen meal and ring through your order. Or you can order from their website.

Delivery is free and you can pay by cash or cheque on delivery.

They are easy to prepare and can be stored in your freezer until you are ready to heat them. All meals are easy to heat straight from frozen, by oven, microwave or Aga.

For a brochure: ring Freephone 0800 773 773 or visit the website:

WiltshireFarmFoods.co.uk

EMPLOYEE SICK LEAVE DECISION TO BE TAKEN AWAY FROM DOCTORS

A review commissioned by the government is expected to recommend that employees who are ill will be unable to be signed off by their doctor.

The government’​s Independent Review into Sickness Absence is likely to say that a new body should be set up to decide whether people are fit to work and that employers will have the right to ask the new organisation to make an independent decision rather than checking with the patients doctor.

The report is part of the Government’​s review of the Benefits system which aims to reduce the cost of Employment and Support Allowance (formerly Incapacity Benefit) and keep people in work.

Other ideas expected to be included in the report are to introduce a scheme whereby employers are offered tax breaks to help those on low pay return to their jobs

BENEFITS & WORKS GUIDES UPDATED

Benefits and Work have updated their guides to the work capability assessment to take account of recent changes. These include: the shortening of the time allowed to complete and return the ESA50 questionnaire; the newly declared independence of decision makers, who should no longer simply rubber stamp Atos reports; and the telephone call from a decision maker that claimants who are about to be found fit for work should now receive.

They’ve also update their DLA guides following minor changes to the consent form in the DLA claim pack.

In December they will be publishing an updated guide to ESA appeals which will

reflect the fact that so many IB to ESA claimants are being placed in the work-related activity group without having a medical examination

Benefits and work newsletter 11th Nov 2011 (benefitsandwork.co.uk)

NOVEMBER MEETING

We had a very successful meeting in November attended by eighty six people.

During the first part of the meeting we had a very interesting talk by Phil Carr who told us about an NHS exercise programme that is available to all those with chronic conditions such as Fibromyalgia. More details can be found on page 7.

I gave a talk about the Vicious Cycle of Fibromyalgia and Emotional Impact. Full details of this will be in the next newsletter.

PERSONAL STORIES

It is good to see members sharing their personal stories, and I would like to encourage more of you to send in your own stories. It is always good for members to read about others and particularly if it is about a positive experience.

You never know when something you have felt, or tried, that has helped you, will help someone else. Don’t be discouraged if you have difficulty putting things into words, just give the bare bones and I will do the rest.

NEWSLETTER ITEMS

Items for inclusion in this newsletter are very welcome, but please note that the newsletter is about Fibromyalgia and related information, for those with Fibromyalgia, and their supporters. It would be helpful, if you are able, if you can send it via email.

The inclusion of articles and features in this newsletter does not necessarily infer endorsement by the group/Association. Any advice or recommendation of a medical nature, given in this newsletter, should always be discussed with a medical professional. The group/Association cannot be held responsible for omission and /or errors.

-----------------------

NEWSLETTER

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download