Wow what a turn out! Thank you all for coming and it's always awesome to have new members.
First let me say another thank-you to everyone for being so patient with the group transition, I think in the future I will do topic discussion for the first half and open discussion for the second, I know I monopolized a lot of time this meeting with discussion on the topics and I want everyone to have a chance to ask questions and talk freely.
Please let me know if there are any topics you'd like to discuss in up-coming meetings, everyone has an input here so don't be shy.
We will be staying at the Kaseman location as there were no objections about the room, registration is complete through 2015.
if you have questions you'd like me to discuss here on the blog in between group meetings please email me your question and I will do a topic on here for you. I believe that would be a great way to get everyone involved! I would also love you're stories as well.
Just a reminder that I will not be at next months meeting because I will be out of town but Paula will be there to take care of business. Also December is always the annual holiday meeting and it has been decided that this year will be a potluck. (No discussion topics) We ask that desserts be limited so everyone doesn't crash from a sugar high, heathy snacks and appetizers or dishes would be great. If you'd like you can email us and we will let the group know what you are bringing. Absolutely no aspartame or artificial sweeteners!!! if you have food allergies make sure you bring something you can eat! Bring your own beverages, Paula will provide plates, napkins, silverware, ect...
We briefly touched on bringing your spouse or supportive family/friend to the potluck.
Discussion Topics:
LDN low dose naltrexone and it's potential for treatment:
In the meeting I attempted to explain why LDN could be a important treatment option, keeping in mind the limited amount of information and clinical trials. This is what I find so fascinating about LDN- some researchers believe fibromyalgia to be a sickness response of central nervous system immune cells. mainly microglial cells. These cells are essentially the central nervous systems military (I am way over-simplifying I'm sure.) but as I understand it these cells patrol for markers that indicate disease or damage and when they are activated they produce an appropriate sickness response;
Pain, headaches, sensitivity, sleep disturbances, mood disorders, fatigue, cognitive impairment, ect. All necessary inflammatory responses to danger.
However, when these microglial cells get a little twitchy or trigger-happy they can start a toxic sickness behavior that can become chronic, they essentially get stuck in fight mode even if there is nothing to fight, our microglial cells have PTSD.
In low doses naltrexone both inhibits production of microglial cells and blocks reception of opioids which causes your body to produce more of its own natural opioids to compensate for the loss.
This means not only is there potential for more natural non-opioid pain relief but also that it can calm down an overly excited central nervous system, meaning a reduction in comorbidities associated with Fibromyalgia. If future research does provide a definitive connection between microglial cells and pain dysfunction then this could be an exciting new direction in treatment protocols.
As it stands there are a few hurdles to be jumped when deciding on this medication; Doctors mostly know of naltrexone/nalaxone in high doses as a treatment for drug dependency, they are sometimes reluctant to become informed on low dose treatments, also at this time there is no low dose option so it must be compounded (I've heard Menaul Compounding will do this.) You also need to know that because of the lack of knowledge on interaction and proper dosing the majority of prescribing doctors will not allow opioid usage with this treatment.
Here are a few helpful links for you and your doctors to become more informed on LDN- please check out resources to see more and there are also a few videos referencing LDN.
Brain cells making us sick: http://phoenixrising.me/archives/25148
Brain cells making us sick part two: http://phoenixrising.me/archives/25310
Opiod Antagonists for Pain PDF
Surviving the holidays:
Our second much shorter but still important topic was on pacing and staying healthy during the Holidays. I Have put several informative links on the resources page that can help you manage your energy during this stressful time.
This is an easy time to fall into guilt behavior, it's ok to say no, to delegate tasks, and to ask for help. If you find yourself in a situation you just aren't sure how to handle the group is here to help you through it.
Here are a few fun little guides for Thanksgiving:
Happy holidays!