Did you know that the eye has six main muscles to control its movement? I certainly didn’t. And because fibromyalgia affects our nervous system, it stands to reason that it will affect our eyes and vision as well.

The nervous system deteriorates in FM patients, so the nerves to our eyes can deteriorate and cause problems. It’s a good idea to get your eyes checked each year. My eyesight seems to keep changing, so I need to keep updating my prescription.

Nutritional deficiencies, as well as some of the medications we take, can make our eye issues worse. Below are a few of the issues FM patients can have with our eyes:

Blurred or impaired vision: The ocular muscles that are affected by FM can cause us to experience double or blurred vision. This is especially true when I’m tired. I notice my vision is apt to get more blurry when I’m tired or looking at a screen too long, whether it’s my phone, tablet, or TV. To give my eyes a much-needed break, I listen to an audio book with my eyes closed. Blurry and double vision are common and can be linked to postural dizziness and vertigo. If I get up too fast I’ll get dizzy. I’ve had vertigo episodes off and on for more than 25 years.

Difficulties with night driving: We often have a real problem driving at night because the lights of incoming cars bothers those of us with FM more than most. I haven’t been able to drive at night for years because of that.

Dry eyes: When your eye muscles can’t function properly due to FM, dry eye sometimes is a result. I use a lubricating eye drop to deal with my dry eye. It was actually my ophthalmologist who first told me that my dry eye was related to FM. Supposedly, if you use the drops consistently it can reverse the dry eye. If you are older than 50, a menopausal woman, have a thyroid disorder (I’m hypothyroid), or have a medical condition that reduces tear production (such as Sjogren’s or Sicca syndrome), you’re much more likely to experience dry eye.

Eye pain: Lack of sleep, stress, anxiety and fatigue can exacerbate eye pain. Dry eye and cluster headaches also cause me to have eye pain.

Potential blindness: I was shocked to find the nerves that lead to the eyes can become inflamed due to our FM, and in extreme cases can cause partial or total blindness.

Light sensitivity: I know I prefer dim lighting and never turn a light on until it gets dark. Bright lights can trigger headaches for me. I never go out in the sun without sunglasses.

Shift-of-focus issues: When I’m watching TV or a movie, I have to close my eyes if a scene is panning too fast or things are spinning, as that makes me feel nauseous.
​
There are many more issues related to eyes and fibromyalgia. Do you experience these or other symptoms?
-Shared from Fibromyalgia News Today

IMC-1, a combination treatment of two drugs targeting the herpes virus, may be a safe and effective treatment for patients with fibromyalgia, according to the results of a Phase 2 trial developed by Innovative Med Concepts.

Results were published in an article titled “A Famciclovir + Celecoxib Combination Treatment Is Safe And Efficacious In The Treatment Of Fibromyalgia” in the Journal of Pain Research.

“Infections and other stressors have been implicated in the development of fibromyalgia,” researchers wrote in their report. “We hypothesized that these stressors could result in recurrent reactivations of latent herpes virus infections, which could lead to the development of fibromyalgia. This study evaluated … IMC-1, active against suspected herpes virus reactivation and infection, for the treatment of fibromyalgia.”

The PRID-201 study (NCT01850420) enrolled 143 patients with fibromyalgia at 12 research centers in the U.S. to evaluate the effects of IMC-1 — a combination treatment of the antiviral drug famciclovir and the anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib (brand name Celebrex).

Results showed that, after 16 weeks of treatment, patients receiving IMC-1 had a decrease in fibromyalgia-associated pain compared to patients on a placebo. Half of the patients assigned to receive IMC-1 presented at least a 30% decline in pain, and 38% presented at least a 50% decrease in pain.

IMC-1 treatment also improved the scores of two questionnaires, the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) and the revised disease-specific Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ-R), as well as the patient’s self-reported fatigue.

IMC-1 was well-tolerated by patients. Common side effects included gastrointestinal (29% vs 42.5% in the placebo group) and nervous system (17.4% vs. 23.3%) events, but these were more frequently seen in patients in the placebo group than in those in the treatment group. Also, most patients adhered to the complete treatment compared to the placebo (82.6% vs. 60.8%).

Taken together, the results showed that suppressing latent herpes viruses may significantly improve fibromyalgia-related symptoms, and that the treatment is a safe and effective approach to reduce pain in this patient population.
​
Based on several positive results, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation to IMC-1 in 2016 to support and accelerate the development of this therapy for those in need.
According to a press release, Innovative Med Concepts plans to conduct a Phase 3 trial using an improved IMC-1 later in 2017. - Shared from Fibromyalgia News today

I've done quite a bit of literature teaching on the Holocaust.  This one ranks up there with one of the finest.

Sixty years after fleeing Vienna, Maria Altmann (Helen Mirren), an elderly Jewish woman, attempts to reclaim family possessions that were seized by the Nazis. Among them is a famous portrait of Maria's beloved Aunt Adele: Gustave Klimt's "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I." With the help of young lawyer Randy Schoeberg (Ryan Reynolds), Maria embarks upon a lengthy legal battle to recover this painting and several others, but it will not be easy, for Austria considers them national treasures. -Google

I have a love of writing by trade.  So, anything with Earnest Hemingway has a thumbs up on my list!

In between bar-hopping and boisterous conversations about life, love and writing, the two men witness a fierce gun battle between student revolutionaries and government forces, with veteran war journalist Hemingway leading the pair perilously close to the action.
​
It quickly becomes apparent that the 59-year-old Hemingway is in poor health both physically and emotionally, drinking heavily and longingly eyeing the readily available firearms. His relationship with his wife also is deeply troubled, with the pair frequently erupting into violent arguments. But none of this stops him from dispensing such pearls of wisdom on the adoring visitor as, "The only value we have as human beings is the risks we're willing to take." - The Hollywood Reporter

Great book to add to end of a long day.  Pick this one up, and you won't be able to put it down. 

When a joke turns into tragedy, leaving Gillian Lloyd dead, Melina vows to stop at nothing to learn the truth and avenge her twin's death. But Gillian's murder has a far-reaching impact that no one suspected or could even fathom.

Individuals with any form of arthritis, arthritis-related inflammatory disorders (Fibromyalgia for instance), or autoimmune disorders are at HIGH risk of developing many diseases of the oral cavity including, but not limited to:

Developing periodontal disease more than twice as likely as others

​Developing severe jawbone loss  moderate to severe

​Extractions  averaged 12 missing teeth in studies

Researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center published findings linking periodontal disease to autoimmunity in October 2010. This evidence of autoimmunity explains why regular flossing helps prevent periodontal problems, and it also explains why some people are affected by periodontal disease more than other people. This theory can also be linked to the fact that the risk of both periodontal disease and autoimmune disorders increase with age.

“In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces (called “pockets”) that become infected. The body’s immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body’s natural response to infection start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the bones, gums, and tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.”

If tooth decay or damage extends to the pulp -- the center of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels -- bacteria in the mouth can enter the pulp, leading to infection. Often this can be corrected with root canal therapy (RCT), but if the infection is so severe that antibiotics or RCT do not cure it, extraction may be needed to prevent the spread of infection.

Before pulling the tooth, your dentist will give you an injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth will be removed. If you are having more than one tooth pulled or if a tooth is impacted, your dentist may use a strong general anesthetic. This will prevent pain throughout your body and make you sleep through the procedure.

Once the tooth, a few things can happen.  First of all, it’s important to understand that your jaw bone is what holds your teeth in place.  The roots of your teeth are surrounded by bone and attached by some other anatomical structures. If you are missing a tooth, you definitely want to replace it with something, usually a dental implant or a bridge. Once a tooth is removed, the bone doesn’t have anything to support anymore. 

Over time, it begins to slowly erode until it creates a hollow or a basin shaped divot in the jaw bone.  If you try to place a bridge or a dental implant in a spot where the natural bone and gum tissue level is much lower than the surrounding areas, it’s going to look kind of funny.  A tooth in an area where the bone level is very low is going to make you look really “long in the tooth”. 

​Ideally, your dentist or oral surgeon will remove the damaged tooth and preserve the bone in the area using a simple bone grafting procedure.  In this procedure, demineralized, sterile human bone granules, (which look like coarse sand), are packed into the tooth socket immediately after tooth extraction.  The granules are covered with a protective collagen membrane and a couple stitches are used to close the tooth socket.  This procedure is simple and usually does not add to your recovery time.  Over the next several weeks, your own bone will fill the tooth socket and preserve the bone height long enough for you to have the area restored.  If you replace the missing tooth with a dental implant, the bone level will remain indefinitely.  If you replace the missing tooth with a bridge, you will lose some of the bone level over time.

A temporary bridge may be added so that you may chew as normal after the procedure.  

Congratulations! You made it through the worst of it.  But, as you know healing can be slow and frustrating for those afflicted with Fibromyalgia. You can expect to have some discomfort when the anesthetic wears off. It is suggested that you take a pain pill before the anesthetic wears off so that the transition will be smooth. You may want to take your usual pain medication after the procedure even begins.  Many doctors suggest taking some form of anti inflammatory perscription BEFORE your procedure to reduce swelling and pain.  Check with your dentist first, of course.  If you pain medication contains codeine, wash it down with a dairy product to sooth your stomach.

Some oozing of blood from the surgical site is normal during the first twenty-four hours; so do not be alarmed if you notice pink streaks in your saliva. If the flow increase and your mouth is filling up with red blood, try to locate the area that it is coming from. Sit quietly, make a new roll of gauze and place it gently over the surgical wound if you did not have a temporary bridge in place. Bite firmly but gently for at least two hours and call your dentist.

You may experience some swelling of the face or jaw around the surgical area. It may start during the first day or two, last a few days then begin to subside. This is a normal defense mechanism and is no cause for alarm. You may place ice packs near the region.

If you were prescribed an antibiotic, take it conscientiously as directed until all pills are gone. By stopping in the middle, you can actually do more harm than good.

You may notice a funny, fowl taste coming from the extraction area immediately and days after surgery. Don’t be concerned with brushing or flossing during the day of surgery. After that, it is fine to resume your normal routine. Be gentle but thorough and be careful of the wound where it approaches your natural teeth.

After the first twenty-four hours, it is important for all patients to begin gently rinsing warm salt water several times a day, especially after meals. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Do not SWISH, let the mixture gently "roll" around your mouth and the affected area.  You might eventually be given a prescription for an antimicrobial mouthwash to use as healing progresses.

The importance of a nutritious diet cannot be overemphasized, especially during this initial healing period when your body is stressed. If you consume good liquid or soft foods, you will feel better, remain more comfortable and heal faster. A liquid or blender diet is best for the first meal or two after surgery. You may also include soups, milkshakes, sport shakes, Instant Breakfast, and blender concoctions.

Around DAY FIVE you may resume Oil Pulling.  Be careful that you are not SWISHING too rigorously. Coconut oil kills bacteria and viruses that may be trying to inhabit that compromised area.  Once in the morning an late afternoons should bring on faster healing.

At night, before bed, once you drink your nightly chamomile tea, gently press a bit of excess moisture out of the tea bag, and place it on the outside and inside of the dental area that is swelling.  Leave it on each area for approximately five minutes  This reduces swelling and infection.

Plan to take time off work.  Do not expect to have a tooth pulled on Friday and return to work on Monday. Your body will send you for an intense loop.  I have personally found five days to be stretching it as fibromyalgia will be still sending intense pain signals around the affected area and throughout the body for at least a week.  Expect to feel compromised for at least two weeks before true healing can be felt.  

Most importantly, due to feelings of panic that suppress our natural ability to deal with the difficulties of life, have your dentist's phone number handy.  Be sure to explain you are a patient of fibromyalgia and thoroughly explain all your fears.  Usually a short phone call will alleviate some of the anxiety.  Be strong! This will pass eventually:)

There are times we need to be reminded that life is not like it once was. This becomes increasingly more meaningful especially after we've had bouts of energy that can be delusional to our minds.  These are the times we actually feel more whole, wasting energy in a mad dash to complete things that have been sitting for quite some time.  

After these bouts we are locked back into the reality of it all as we wait in anticipation for our bodies to heal.  Often, this doesn't come as fast enough, and we beat ourselves up for being so driven.  

We are all on our own journeys, some further in healing than others.  But, the bottom line is that fibroymalgia will rear its ugly head in all our lives in one way or another.  This article reminds us to continue to be gentle and forgiving of ourselves.

I think one of the hardest things that I’ve ever had to do was to say goodbye to the life that I loved. I was never really an extrovert, but I really enjoyed being with people. There are some days now when I feel like I went from being an introvert to a hermit, and I hate it.

I used to love cooking, and I can’t even tell you the last time I cooked a meal. Fibromyalgia (FM) prevents me from standing too long, and the fatigue overwhelms me when I try to help cook. It makes me so sad.

I always enjoyed cleaning my house and making sure it was comfortable for my family and times when we had company. I loved it when my kids had their friends over. It was just joyful to me.

But those days are gone for me; my pain has increased and my energy has dwindled, and I don’t anticipate it coming back. So, to my old life and the person I used to be, I needed to say “goodbye.” It’s not healthy to dwell on what we no longer can do, and who we no longer can be.

So, to my new life and the new person I’m becoming day by day, I say “hello.” Hello to more pain and the ability to be more compassionate. Hello to more fatigue, and the time to be there when someone needs me. Hello to the freedom of time I have to devote to writing, and encouraging others who also are struggling with fibromyalgia.

Ask my husband, and he’ll tell you that I absolutely love anything new and different. I like the latest technology, and seem always to be upgrading. I love moving the furniture around, and trying to see how I can make our space more comfortable and interesting. But THIS new and different? Not liking it at all. Due to incredibly low energy I need to enlist my husband’s help when I need to clean or declutter.

When we moved two years ago, so much of the packing and unpacking was delegated to my husband and family; FM rendered me unable to help much. Even packing one box required at least two hours of lying down. When we moved into our new home 45 minutes away, I made sure the bed was unloaded and set up first.

I miss seeing my friends and family. I understand they have busy lives and their own concerns, and don’t necessarily have the time to be thinking about me and how I’m doing. It really doesn’t take much to pick up the phone and give someone a call or send someone a text or card and just say, “Hey I was thinking about you. How are you today?” But in our busy world, it seems people don’t take the time to do that as often as we’d like. It’s probably because they just don’t think of it. But those of us with FM seem to have nothing but time.
​
So, it’s very much a reluctant, tearful goodbye to my old life, and a reluctant, tearful hello to my new life. Although I really miss the old me before FM, I’m learning to embrace and enjoy getting to know the new me. -Fibromalgia News Today