Archive | Healthcare RSS feed for this section

Have we found the cause of ME/CFS and FMS?

3 Dec

Whittemore Peterson Institute – XMRV.

The spectrum of neuro-immune diseases including: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), Atypical MS, Fibromyalgia and Gulf War Syndrome, share common abnormalities in the innate immune response, which result in chronic immune activation and immune deficiency.

We have detected the retroviral infection XMRV in greater than 95% of the more than 200 ME/CFS, Fibromylagia, Atypical MS patients tested. The current working hypothesis is that XMRV infection of B, T, NK and other cells of the innate immune response causes chronic inflammation and immune deficiency resulting in an inability to mount an effective immune response to opportunistic infections.

Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wikipedia fails to mention the FMS link, and is clearly not as positive about any of the links as WPI. Still, it’s something worth knowing about.

More to read: Could a Virus Cause Chronic-Fatigue Syndrome? – Newsweek

Tags: ,

HMO Incompetence – Why Am I Surprised?

18 Nov

Just found out when my appointment with the HMO psychiatrist is. My PCP referred me for treatment of the withdrawal from Cymbalta, and evaluation as to need for any other treatment for depression. So how important is treatment for symptoms of physical withdrawal? Continue reading →

Tags: , , ,

The Dangers of Cymbalta

15 Nov

OK, for a while there, it seemed as though Cymbalta was helping me cope. This past weekend, though, the truth raised its ugly head and bit me. I developed severe adverse reactions to it. Not any serious physical ones, but mental and emotional ones. I became combative, depressed, and suicidal. When I wasn’t depressed, I developed mania. I frightened a lot of people, myself included. Continue reading →

Tags: , ,

Doctor’s visit on Monday

20 Oct

Yeah, I’m a little slow reporting back. So sue me. No, on second thought, don’t. I have high-powered attorneys. Seriously, though, I’ve been a little too busy to update. Life happened. Nothing I care to talk about. Suffice it to say I made a fool of myself, and got hurt in the process. No, it’s not anyone you have ever heard me speak of. Continue reading →

Tags: , , ,

Monday, anti-depressants, and support groups

18 Oct

Midday Monday I go see the doctor who originally put me on Cymbalta. She’s the neurologist who is treating me for epilepsy and fibromyalgia. Continue reading →

Tags:

Anger Phase of Grief

14 Jul

I am pissed. I am angry at my Goddess. I am angry at myself. I blame myself. I know the psychology of grief. And yes, I am in the anger phase.

But it’s more than that, and I have a confession. Continue reading →

Tags: , ,

People worry about me?

2 Jul

People worry about me. That is such a foreign concept to me. Continue reading →

Tags: ,

Barbara Allen (Underwood) Shaw

14 Jun

Barbara Allen (Underwood) Shaw – Obituary

Barbara Allen (Underwood) Shaw, 48, of Houston Texas, died June 8, 2010.

Continue reading →

Barbara crossed the veil

8 Jun

And I am alone for the first time in my adult life.

Tags:

Intubation

8 Jun

As I write this, Barbara is being intubated. She simply isn’t able to breathe well enough on her own. Her CO2 levels are too high, and oxygen levels too low.

This is when it starts to make me scared. I’ve been through this with her enough to know that this is a bad sign. There is no point in pretending otherwise.

Tags: , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →