e-newsletter #11 June 2009

Headline News

E-Newsletter Editor Wanted: FibroAction are looking for a volunteer e-newsletter editor to take on the role of putting together the monthly e-newsletter.

FibroAction founder to speak at pain conference: FibroAction founder Lindsey Middlemiss will be speaking at the 'Brains, Pains & Gains' conference taking place on Thursday 9 July.

Support UK Fibromyalgia Syndrome sufferers by becoming a Friend of FibroAction: FibroAction are pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the Friends of FibroAction scheme.

Research Articles

Fibromyalgia Syndrome Patients Newly Prescribed Gabapentin or Pregabalin: A study, e-published ahead of print in Pain Practice, has found that Fibromyalgia Syndrome patients newly prescribed with either pregabalin or gabapentin tend to have an increase in the cost of their healthcare.

A Study of Sickness Absence and Transition to Disability Pension in Norway: A Norwegian study has found that age, diagnoses, and socioeconomic variables were important predictors of an adverse outcome among workers with a sickness absence of 8 or more weeks.

fMRI in Fibromyalgia Syndrome and the response to milnacipran: A scientist from Pierre Fabre has used Functional magnetic resonance imagery to show that Fibromyalgia Syndrome patients treated with milnacipran exhibit a reduction in pain sensitivity and a parallel increase in activity in brain regions implicated in the descending pain inhibitory pathways.

Traditional Chinese Acupuncture affects mu Opioid Receptors differently to Sham Acupuncture: A team of researchers at the University of Michigan have used Positron emission tomography to determine that traditional chinese acupuncture activates certain pain relieving systems in the body better than sham acupuncture.

Pain relief through expectation in Fibromyalgia Syndrome patients: A team of Canadian researchers have found that, although positive expectations can affect the pain signals of people with Fibromyalgia Syndrome, they does not do so by influencing spinal activity in the same way as in healthy individuals.

Prevalence of Fibromyalgia Syndrome in low socioeconomic status population: A study in Brazil has found that Fibromyalgia Syndrome is prevalent in a low socioeconomic status population and that prevalence is similar to that in a more diverse population.

Notes from
FibroAction founder
Lindsey Middlemiss

Apologies for the lateness of this e-newsletter!

I have finally conceded that I simply don't have the time to put together the newsletter on time each month, so we're now looking for a volunteer e-newsletter editor to put it together. If you're interested in helping out, email us.

It's now one year since the revamped FibroAction website was launched and what a year it's been! I keep on thinking things will settle down, but the speed of progress that can be made now is wonderful and we're just trying to keep up the momentum! If anyone would like to help out, do contact us. We might take a little while to get back to you, but we are interested in any help we can get!

Next month, I'll be speaking at Brains, Pains & Gains, a one-day conference on pain and pain management. It is being organised by the West Berkshire Neurological Alliance (WBNA), of which FibroAction is a member, and looks set to be a great event. Speakers include Dr Katy Vincent from the Oxford fMRI Centre - fMRI is the modern imaging technique that can be used to show the hypersensitivity to pain that characterises Fibro, so it will be fascinating to hear Dr Vincent talk about the work they're doing in Oxford. Download a registration form for the event here. If three people book together, then you can get a concessionary delegate rate.