Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts

Friday, December 27, 2013

A Chance To Win A $500 Amazon Gift Card

DontPayFull.com is running a giveaway for a $500 Amazon GC! Enter until 12/31/2013. Click HERE to enter!!

Saturday, December 7, 2013

My Christmas Wish

Friday, December 6, 2013

A New Approach To Treating Fibromyalgia

Most everyone with fibromyalgia has a common desire that's always burning in the back of their mind. Everyone is always hoping for a cure, or at the very least, a universal treatment method that actually works! Dr. Michael Arata is on track to making that a reality! He's pioneered a new approach to treating fibro.

I first read about the approach of treating fibromyalgia by using TVAM (Transvascular Autonomic Modulation) in an article on the Synergy Health blog. You can find that article by clicking HERE. The article talked about how closely the symptoms of fibro mimic those of autonomic dysfunction,which is a malfunctioning of the nervous system. Dr. Arata now believes that many of those who have fibromyalgia, also have small fiber neuropathy. Reading this article left me intrigued, and I was craving more information. I contacted Dr. Arata, and he was generous enough to answer a few questions I had and allow me to post them here for all of you. Below you'll find our questions and answers:

TFF: Do you have any theories on what causes Fibromyalgia?

Dr. Arata: "At least for a portion of patients it appears to be an inflammatory autonomic neuropathy. As to what sets that off it is helpful to step back and think in general terms. Most chronic illness, particularly inflammatory ones, can be traced back to antecedents and triggers. Antecedents include things like genetics and exposures. Triggers are stressful events that occur just before disease onset. These can be emotional, trauma, infection etc. Intestinal permeability and SIBO are likely culprits for what sets off Fibro."

TFF: What led to the conclusion that many with Fibro also have SFN?

Dr. Arata: "I am not sure what lead the researchers to study the nerve fibers. It likely was similar to my experience working with MS patients. The overwhelming number of patients with autonomic symptoms was to hard to ignore. I didn’t have a neurology background which helped. I think in many cases it contributes to an elephant in the room phenomenon as the autonomic piece is often neglected."

TFF: How is the TVAM procedure performed?

Dr. Arata: "It is an endovascular procedure. That means “within the vessel”. In this case it is inside the central veins. A balloon is inflated to stimulate the nerves associated with the vein."

TFF: Are there any risks or possible side-effects to the TVAM procedure?

Dr. Arata: "I have submitted a manuscript looking at the safety of the technique. In 145 patients there were no procedural complications. At 30 days two skin infection developed and one blood clot occurred."

TFF: Will TVAM also help the muscle pain and joint stiffness that a Fibro sufferer deals with?

Dr. Arata: "Improved autonomic tone can decrease the intensity of pain felt. Stiffness also may improve. Treatment is not just limited to the TVAM procedure. For example magnesium helps some patients with those symptoms. Targeted use of supplements play a big role in my practice."

TFF: How long have you been performing the TVAM procedure?

Dr. Arata: "I have treated approximately 200 patients with TVAM over the last year."

TFF: How many Fibro patients have you done this procedure on, and what is your success rate thus far?

Dr. Arata: "All treated patients have autonomic dysfunction. Associated conditions are quite diverse. There have been about a dozen with Fibro. Response is seen in most but can vary in intensity. The patient with Fibro last week responded quite well."

TFF: Do the affects of the procedure last a lifetime, or is it something that needs to be done every so often?

Dr. Arata: "With such a new procedure it is very difficult to say much about durability. Treatment improved fatigue and cognition best. These two symptoms make lifestyle changes very difficult. I firmly believe the best treatment for any chronic disease is lifestyle. You have to be able to transform yourself and thats a tall order when you are seriously fatigued."

TFF: I had read that you are the only doctor currently performing the TVAM procedure. Are there any plans to educate other physicians on the procedure, to where this becomes a widely offered treatment?

Dr. Arata: "I will be speaking to physicians in Sicily in March. There is a group of Italian physicians who have been involved with CCSVI and similarly were troubled by the theory. They also concluded that the treatment response had to be something other than relief of vessel obstruction. I am very excited to share ideas with them."

TFF: Approximately how much is the procedure? Are insurance companies covering the cost, or is it all out of pocket?

Dr. Arata: "Most insurance companies are covering treatment so in many cases the out of pocket expense is very little. It really depends upon an individuals plan."

TFF: If someone travels out of state to come to you for the procedure, how long would they need to plan to be there?

Dr. Arata: "Consultation, treatment and follow up occur over three days. A day of travel on each end may be required depending on local."

TFF: If you have any research data supporting your work and would be willing to link it, I'd be happy to include that.

Dr. Arata: "I have one publication in print so far. Several others are currently under editorial review. This article describes the treatment effect on blood pressure. BP serves as a marker of sympathetic tone. It was the first objective evidence of treatment response. Click HERE to see the publication in print.

Dr. Arata is the primary care physician and co-founder of Synergy Health, a medical center located in Newport Beach, CA. Dr. Arata has been at the forefront of research efforts focused on establishing the link between neurodegenerative disease and autonomic dysfunction. I'd like to thank Dr. Arata again, for taking time out of his busy schedule to chat with me.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Photo Books Make Awesome Gifts! Here's Some Promo Codes From Picaboo!

50% Off Holiday Cards and free shipping with code CARDS4YOU!
Buy One Calendar Get One Free with code 2014CALENDAR!
Buy One Photo Book Get One Free with code CUSTOMCLASSIC!

Just click HERE to use one of these awesome codes!!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Save On Tickets To Disney On Ice Presents Passport To Adventure In Toledo, OH

Embark on the ultimate sightseeing holiday with all your favorite Disney characters in Disney On Ice presents Passport to Adventure. Join Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Daisy on a journey to the magical worlds of Disney’s The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan and Lilo & Stitch. You’ll explore the Pride Lands with Simba, Timon and Pumbaa; voyage under the sea with Ariel and all her aquatic friends; tour London with Peter Pan and Wendy, before flying to Never Land; and travel to Hawaii to visit Lilo and Stitch. Upbeat music, loveable characters and exciting destinations make Disney On Ice presents Passport to Adventure a holiday you’ll never forget. Disney on Ice presents Passport to Adventure is coming to Toledo, OH on Decemeber 4th to Decemebr 8th at the Huntington Center. My Readers can Save $4 off per ticket. Use offer code: MOUSE Get Your Tickets Today

Valid on Friday 7 PM, Saturday 1 PM & 5 PM and Sunday 1 PM & 5 PM. Not valid on Front Row or VIP tickets. No double discounts. Service charges, handling and facility fees may apply.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Take The Spoon Week Challenge

Dear Readers,

A reader of Fibrotastic Mom approached her with an idea for a challenge that will spread awareness. Fibrotastic Mom then approached me, asking if I'd be willing to jump on board, too. Well, you all know me, anything to create awareness and education, I'm all for! The Fibro Frog's motto is all about awareness and education, because without it, we'll never have the backing for enough research to find a cure. Or at the very least, a concrete, universal treatment plan that works for everyone! I'm repeating my words now for about the millionth time, so let's just move on to the challenge lol.

Starting tomorrow, through next Sunday, August 18, 2013, when you go out in public ...anywhere ...to the store, to work, to the beach, to a fair or festival or any kind of outing ....take a spoon with you. Then, take a photo of yourself out in public with the spoon in hand, and then post it on facebook! You can also post it on Fibrotastic Mom's facebook page (get there by clicking her name), on my facebook page The Fibro Frog, ...or on Christine Miserandino's facebook page: But You Don't Look Sick. How cool is it that Christine, the original author of The Spoon Theory, is on board with us on this?! She said if we post our pictures there too, that she will share them and thought this is an awesome idea!

The thought behind this idea, is to flood facebook with photos of us all holding spoons. So then, people will ask us about it and ask why we're holding a spoon. That's our opening to talk to them about Fibromyalgia and educate them about what a day in our lives is really like. How we only have so many spoons to use each day, for us to make it through. If we can get facebook flooded with these photos, just think of the awareness and education that we'll be able to spread! This could be huge, guys! -But it's going to take all of us to make this work.

You are welcome, and in fact we'd love for you to steal the photo above, and turn it into your facebook cover for the week. If you go to PicMonkey, then click on "college" on the left side, then click on the layouts tab, there's an option to upload the photo into a FB cover layout to turn the pic into a FB cover photo. PicMonkey is free to use. Then, make your pic of you holding your spoon out in public, your profile pic! -Don't forget to send the photo (or upload directly if the page allows that option), to either Fibrotastic Mom, Christine's, or The Fibro Frog's facebook page. -It would be GREAT if you'd upload the photo to all three of our pages!!

Let's face it. None of us like living with Fibro. We don't like the fact that we can't be the same person who we still mentally feel we should be. We don't like putting limits on ourselves. Not being able to play with our children and/or grandchildren the way we'd like to. Having to pace ourselves so we don't run out of spoons. Not having a clear memory, or forgetting what we were doing or saying. We don't like being as tired when we wake up, as when we went to bed. Or having insomnia for sometimes days at a time. We don't like the aches and pains. The sore, cramping, muscles and muscle spasms and charely horses. We don't like Fibromyalgia numbness, or feeling like someone took a match and lit every nerve in our body on fire. Feeling as if we live every. single. day. of our lives with having the flu. Therefore, all of us should be willing to do our part in this fight against Fibromyalgia. I've said it all along guys & gals. -If we don't educate and advocate, then there will never be enough pressure to force enough research to find our cure. Let's all jump on this, and make it the biggest, best Spoon Week that we can make it!

Much Love & Butterfly Hugs to you all,

Amy

The Fibro Frog

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Baby Bullet Giveaway

Welcome to the Baby Bullet Food Making System Giveaway!

Hosted by: Savory Savings

LoveMy2Dogs and GottaGetMyBodyBack

Hosted by Your Royal highnesses: Savory Savings and Me, Him & The Cats

Monday, July 29, 2013

Meijer Back To School Photo Sweepstakes

Meijer is such a great resource for helping children succeed in the upcoming school year! From great prices on school supplies, to great prices on clothes, and even great prices on photos! To help your child succeed, they're running a great, fun sweepstakes!

Meijer is inviting you to share a photo of your child that show's their unique talents and interests that will help them to be the next great ....valedictorian, doctor, chef, vet, nurse, etc. The "Most Likely To ..." sweepstakes will run July 28-September 8, 2013. All you have to do is visit HERE and submit a photo of your child, showing what they're most likely to be when he/she grows up!

My youngest daughter just graduated high school this past year, and starts college 3 weeks from today, and she's going to be a registered nurse! I can't tell you how quickly this time passes. I'm sad, yet so proud at the same time! Here she is on graduation day, along with my parents.

To help your child succeed, Meijer will be awarding 25 grand prize winners, a $100 gift card!! Meijer cares about the kids in their communities!

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Glass Dharma Giveaway

Ok, so it's widely knows that I am a bit of a straw-aholic. I love straws. I think I drink more water or unsweetened tea when I use them as opposed to not using them. I hate wasting them though. I've been known to use the same straw for as long as a week. Ewww, I know, but in my defense it's only water or unsweetened tea and it's only me using it. Well, I've found a solution to that Eww factor-- Glass Dharma Glass Straws!

BOB Books On Sale

I just love BOB books for learning to read! Even though set 1 is for ages 4-8, I'm going to order it for my 2yr old granddaughter anyway. She just LOVES to be read to, and soon memorizes what you've been reading to her. You're never too young to start reading, in my opinion. So, I'm going to take advantage of this sale! Click the box below, to check out them out!

iPad With Retina Display 32GB Color Black Giveaway

Hosted by:

NYSavingSpecials

and

Your Fashion Resource

Co-Hosted by:

Barbara's Beat, Simply Sherryl,

The Stuff of Success, Uplifting Love, Quick Tattletails,

Charis by Design, Bay Area Mommy,

Romania and Missions, Magical Mouse Schoolhouse, Capri's Coupons, The Penny Hoarder and A Day in our Shoes

We are giving away an IPad with Retina display 32GB Color Black

Value $599

This giveaway is only for US residents !

Dates July 29 - August 19

Winner will have 48hr to request prize or a new winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: The Fibro Frog is not responsible for prize. If you have any question about this giveaway please send an email to nysavingspecials@gmail.com. All entries are optional, if you do any of the tasks with multiples entries, even if you do one entry you can get the extra entries,. but if the winner tasks is a tasks you did not complete, a second winner will be chosen. If the winner tasks is the one you did you will be the winner.