Fibro And Fabulous ™

Roasted Duck in a Cranberry Sauce This is a great recipe for any leftovers you may have from a Christmas dinner. I was taught how to cook by my Italian/Austrian Grandmother. She was truly talented and could make a seven course Mediterranean meal out of almost nothing in the fridge. I owe a lot to her because she made me feel very capable and comfortable in the kitchen. 
But lately, though, I've missed my other heritage. So for the past few years, I've been traditionally making roasted duck l'Orange for Christmas to incorporate my Dutch, Irish, and Swedish roots. I find it's the best way I can honor my other Grandmother, who typically made traditional Irish meals.
The duck this year was large and we had a lot left over so I decided to create a unique dish for lunch the following day. This dish is quite easy to make and you can substitute any fruit or veggie you'd like, I just happened to have cranberries left over and added them.
The ingredient portions w…

http://www.pharmaceutical-business-review.com/news/pfizer-reports-positive-results-from-phase-iii-trial-of-pregabalin-191214-4473635

I really find this study very interesting. A couple of years back my husband and I had to have a blood test for a new life insurance policy and we were mailed the results. In those results I was told that my cytokines levels were consider "high".

They were not alarming, in fact, they were just slightly above average, but I thought it was high enough for me to research why this abnormality may have occurred for me.

My research didn't amount to much two years ago because all I could find was information on RA. I was not diagnosed with RA and thought I might have possibly tested false-positive at the time. But these findings have me thinking much differently now!

I hope this is looked into further and will eventually become a standard to help all sufferers get diagnosed within a matter of months and not years. That would be most refreshing for us all!
http://www.fmcpaware.org/fm-a-real-medical-disease

It's FINALLY here! The latest book in the Fibro and Fabulous Series is here!

Fibromyalgia and Pregnancy by Amanda Kimberley LB
Fibromyalgia and Pregnancy is Amanda Kimberley's third and latest book to the Fibro and Fabulous Series and discusses what every Fibro Mom should know about pregnancy. It offers tips and tricks to help alleviate both Fibromyalgia and pregnancy symptoms through extensive research and real-life experience.

Kindle Exclusive: $2.99
Print Book: $9.99

ISBN: 978-0692335499
ASIN: B00R2TOBC0

Buy Links Available Through Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Kimberley/e/B00K95ML5S/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Buy Links Available Through Barnes and Noble Author Page: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/amanda-kimberley?store=allproducts&keyword=amanda+kimberley

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/research-finds-nerve-damage-patients-150200231.html

Fibromyalgia Associated with Coronary Heart Disease

The Real Reason Wheat is Toxic (it's not the gluten) | The Healthy Home Economist

Before you chalk your food allergies up to being only a wheat problem, you may want to extend your elimination diet into including water, fruits, and veggies!

Many people, especially Fibro sufferers have been going on elimination diets to see if certain foods are the culprits to their problems. Most have found wheat to be a big issue and once they eliminate that, they start to feel better.

However, there are a select few that still have symptoms, and for those people it has been frustrating because everything seems to bother them. These people may find some relief if they look to their water intake.

A new study finds that pesticides in tap water, fruits, and vegetables may be playing a larger role in America's food allergy epidemic. According to http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/253513.php (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8624.php), a study published by Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology states that dichlorophenols, a chemical used to chlorinate water and als…

BOOK BLURB For patients suffering from chronic fatigue, Fibromyalgia, or Lyme disease, life can be extremely frustrating. Doctor visits that never yield a clear diagnosis, drug therapy that leaves you feeling weak and exhausted, and medical bills that you can never seem to pay off. Fortunately, Dr. Rawls is a physician who has discovered a path of natural healing–having struggled with Lyme disease himself–and has since dedicated his life to helping others overcome chronic illness. If you have suffered long enough and you are ready to embark on the path of natural healing, the search is over—follow the lead and guidance of a physician who has been there.

BIO Dr. Rawls is a board certified gynecologist who received his training from the Bowman Gray School of Medicine (at Wake Forest University). He has also undergone extensive training in herbal and alternative medicine and oversees two wellness-based practices in North Carolina. For more information on Dr. William Rawls plea…

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/chronic-pain-sufferers-confirm-bioelectronics-123000257.html

Your Brain Could Shrink if You Don't Get Enough Sleep | EmpowHER - Women's Health Online

Nightmares of being raped as a teenager have haunted Christy for years. She’s tried to run and hide from them to no avail. Over the years pain has taken its toll, until she finally has enough and moves back to her hometown of Moneta, Virginia to be with the woman she loves. After being away for six years, facing her fears and being in Heather’s arms again gives her hope for a normal life.
Once she realizes that running away doesn’t really solve everything, Christy deals with the mental fears as well, seeking professional help. Everything begins to fall into place. Christy is with Heather and doing what she loves most, teaching.

Christy has reasons to smile again…until a horrendous hate crime is committed which specifically targets homosexuals. The roller coaster ride that Christy and Heather will unwillingly have to experience will be like nothing they have ever encountered before.
Men, who are nothing short of monsters continue their rage by kidnapping Christy and taking her off int…

http://the-lyme-disease-symptoms.com/llyme-disease-stages-and-tests/fibromyalgia-symptoms-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-and-lymes-disease/

Fibro and Fabulous has been recognized again as a blog worth checking out. Thank you readers! This honor wouldn't be possible without any of you!

http://www.brianbarr.co.uk/five-top-blogs-about-fibromyalgia-worth-checking-out/

Stay fabulous!
Love and friendship,

Kimberley

This book, along with several others, will be at a 40% discount at the NEWS Oct 4 signing in Worcester, MA. I'll also be handing out some very unique swag, holding a giveaway, and giving out a free eBook teaser of #ForeverBound, the prequel to #ForeverFriends, with each newsletter signup. By sure to stop by and say hello to me at table 28. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/763462

I must admit that there are times when I don't want to look at studies about Fibromyalgia because I come across things like these. It's scary to think that this is possible since FM attacks men and women at usually such a young age.

One can only hope that all of these studies bring us closer to a cure!

Stay fabulous!
Love and friendship,

Kimberley
http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/5949/167678/fibromyalgia-disease/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18727109

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/b/2011/11/23/fibromyalgia-bad-for-your-heart.htm

I've been working hard updating it and now it's finally here! Fibromyalgia and Sex Can Be a Pain in the NeckSecond Edition is now available in for purchase through Amazon in print and digital format. It will be available through other channels at a later time.

http://www.amazon.com/Fibromyalgia-Sex-Can-Pain-Neck-ebook/dp/B00NTACYNO/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1411483827&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=fibro+amd+sex

Antibiotic Use on Farms Linked to Food Allergies | Food Rant | Food | KCET

Reason Behind Increasing Food Allergies Discovered | Food Rant | Food | KCET

Scientists Discover Effective Strategy To Switch Off Autoimmunity | IFLScience

Celiac Symptoms in Fibromyalgia Patients

I can relate to how horrible this diagnosis must have been for him. It's by NO MEANS fun-- neither is Alzheimer's, a close cousin. It's a sad thing to say but, I'm just kind of grateful that my mom was not clinically depressed along with her diagnosis. It gave me some more years to talk and relate to her and find out what made her sick. 

She was very tight lipped about it. She kept EVERYTHING inside. It wasn't until I reached drinking age that she'd open up. We'd go out from time to time or stay home and share a bottle. At that time she was very open. It's sad that it took that, but sometimes it does.

My heart goes out to the Robin Williams family. It is not easy to deal with any kind of dementia. I have a second cousin, a Great Aunt, a deceased Grandfather, and a Mother with similar forms of dementia and Parkinson's. I am so sorry that your father made the decision he made. 

BUT please understand, it's a normal process everyone diagnosed w…

WARNING! THIS IS A LONG ONE AND IS OFF TOPIC! I don't know if any readers out there are following the whole Amazon and Hatchette war. Today I received a letter from Amazon and you can read the letter here: http://www.readersunited.com/. The problem I have is not about authors getting fair pay. We ALL deserve to be paid for our work, if and only if, we choose to. Some authors would like to offer work for free because it is their way of giving back and I don't begrudge them of that. MY problem with this is that this fight will hurt readers' buying power. I remember a time when I used to be able to go to a book store and purchase a lot of books in both hard cover and paperback. I was in my glory in those days, but as the prices skyrocketed, and my funds grew smaller because of bigger responsibilities, I found I could no longer read because I just couldn't afford to. I didn't think it was fair back then to be denied my pleasure of reading, and frankly, to be denied my …

We have winners for the #ForeverFriends Book Giveaway! Congrats to Catherine Lee, Paula Johnson Harp, and Jessica Collamati! I have sent you all a message with the emails you provided. Please respond to them with your contact info so I can get the goodies out to you!

Guest Author Jennifer Beilis has stopped by Fibro and Fabulous today to talk a little about her latest book Hear I Am!!

“Hear” I Am!! “is a powerful book that shows the author Jennifer Beilis’ strength, perseverance, and optimism. “There are many traits that she has exhibited throughout her long-term battle with hearing loss, disability and illness. In the face of great challenges that would defeat even the strongest and healthiest of people, Jenny has found ways to repeatedly survive, redirect her life, and flourish.

Book Link: http://bookstore.xlibris.com/Products/SKU-000778742/Hear-I-Am.aspx


About the Author:



Jennifer Beilis received her Associate’s degree in Social Sciences from Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, New Jersey. She also earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey and her Masters degree in Education and Deafness Rehabilitation, SCPI (Sign Language Proficiency Interview) from New York University in New York. “…

It isn't everyday that I get an email from someone asking me to post about products or a recent topic concerning health related to chronic disease, but when I do and I research what they have to say, and agree, I feel compelled to post.

This latest email request hits very close to my heart because I know what it's like to experience the pain of menorrhagia and many with Fibromyalgia experience this type of period http://chronicfatigue.about.com/b/2011/09/27/fibromyalgia-the-women-only-symptoms.htm. Menorrhagia is heavy or prolonged periods, and with that, I have also experienced two miscarriages within the past couple of years that required me to have two dilation and curettage, as well. My doctor was, of course, concerned, and rightly so, because this change in me was very sudden.

But through all of the tests, visits, and surgeries, one of the things my doctor was very adamant about was the fact that he did not want to perform a hysterectomy due to my heavy bleeding. He truly…

http://blog.healthtap.com/2014/08/good-morning-america-feature-new-app-lets-patients-video-chat-with-doctors/

Loving Those With Fibro: Caring for those with the invisible disease by Michael Holien

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed this uplifting read. The author really took the time to start understanding what people with Fibromyalgia go through. It's a must read book for everyone who is newly diagnosed and everyone who is a caregiver.



View all my reviews

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/tonix-pharmaceuticals-announces-registered-direct-122020709.html

If you missed last month's book launch, have no fear! I'm currently running another giveaway! Look towards the right to enter!

Stay fabulous!
Love and friendship,

Kimberley

It has come to a point with this blog that a makeover for the website is needed. Fibro and Fabulous has enough posts where I can start to section off pages in dedication of certain topics so it's easier on all of you visitors while you are here perusing.

This process is usually only a small undertaking for large corporations, but it will be a little tougher, and a lot longer of a process for little old me because I'll be up against my writing schedule, family schedule, and of course, my body's schedule. BUT I'm up for the challenge!

My future plans include a separate page for all of my recipes, a tips for coping/daily management of Fibro symptoms page, my day-to-day thoughts in the form of blog entries, as well as, separate pages about my up and coming and published books. I'm also toying with a page geared towards caretakers and partners.

This will be a large undertaking and I want to thank you in advance for your patience, so please, pardon the virtual dust as I …

Most people like to blame "the big guys" today because a lot of them are greedy. But as an indie author myself, I can attest to the fact that I make a minimum profit of 35% of the sale of my book through Amazon International and 70% in the US. They are not considered my publisher either. I am my own publisher. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY-- I know EXACTLY what the start up costs of publishing a book are because I pay for those out of my own pocket before the reader even sees the finished product and it's not as expensive as "the big guys" lead you to believe. As a consumer myself, I know how hard it is to afford food and shelter because I've struggled just like you all too. In fact, there are plenty of times that I STILL do. I remember a time when I was a teen and I could walk into a book store and pay a reasonable $5 for a paperback and about 10-15 for a hardcover. This is just simply not true anymore. As an author, it is important to me for all of y…

From time to time I come across people in my everyday life that are doing some amazing things to help Fibro sufferers. And recently I had the pleasure of chatting with just such a lady. 

Her name is Jessica Collamati. She has two sons that she homeschools and she is an independent distributor of Young Living Essential oils.

As many of you know, I'm a BIG fan of integrating alternative therapies with regular therapy when it comes to daily pain management. Essential oils are a big part of therapy for me. I use them in a variety of ways from aroma and massage therapy to cooking and bathing. 

Jessica's essential oils are no different, Young Living started in 1993 as an organic herb farm and and distillery and soon became the largest, most technologically advanced distillery for the production of essential oils in North America.

Ms. Collamati just recently started distributing with this company. She is a huge fan of the oils and uses them for her own chronic pain issues, along with aid…

One of the things I enjoy the most about blogging is that I get a chance to talk with some of the most fascinating and brilliant people who are passionate about helping chronic pain sufferers. Recently I've had the pleasure of talking with Dr. Seth Lederman, a rheumatologist and CEO of Tonix Pharmaceuticals.

I have been interested in Tonix for quite some time and had posted a blog entry on 6/28/12 about their initial study for chronic pain sufferers. Their initial target was for Fibro and Post Traumatic Stress and it was going to focus on a medicine geared towards restful sleep that was opiate-free and non-addictive.

Tonix Pharmaceuticals, known as TNXP on Nadaq, as of August 2013, is a rapidly growing company that was founded in 2007 and went to public trade in 2011. It is currently boasting two sites with 13 employees. Manhattan, NY is their main base and San Jose, CA is where they do clinical developmental research.

The drug, which is now in phase 2 of testing, is known by the…

Come one, come all, and join in the fun! You don't have to bring a dish or a beverage to this shin dig! And you don't even have to dress up either. This kind of party can be done in your pajamas if you'd like since it's online.

https://www.facebook.com/events/246944798840204/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Increasing number of Americans dealing with fibromyalgia - Good4Utah.com

This article has been circulating the internet as of late in either written or video form. It talks about a study done where gluten sensitive people may not actually have a problem with wheat but with fructan.

The study is very small, and you all know what I think about small studies. I'd rather see at the very least 100 participants to see if there is any validity to these findings. Having said that, I can understand where this is all going. Many researchers believe Celiac Disease is rare since only 1 percent of the population ever gets diagnosed. So according to these researchers, it MUST be something else rather than wheat, right?

It could be. I personally didn't have a huge problem with wheat. I'd break out in an eczema flare if I had two servings of pasta in a week, but that was it. I didn't start having serve bloating that led to a 4 size change in my dress size until just a couple of years ago. I also miscarried twice, suffered from severe panic attacks, hand ec…

An app created by founder and CEO of ManagingLife Tahir Janmohamed, called Manage My Pain is getting noticed. Not only is it the most downloaded app on Android and award winning, but the reviews are quite high with an average of 4.1 out of 5 stars for its free version and 4.3 out of 5 stars for its paid version.

This app offers chronic pain suffers a way to electronically capture their day-to-day pain in one program that is compatible with cloud and any Android device and then the patient can look up easy to read reports for him/herself and the doctor.

This app can replace all the hard copy tracking you have in a pain diary, journal, log, and/or tracker for any sufferer of chronic pain, especially ones suffering from arthritis, cancer, chronic muscular pain, migraines, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue, so you and your doctor have a better sense of your condition.

Both the main site (http://www.managinglife.com) and the Google app store (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=c…

Fibro and Fabulous made the list for the 3rd year in a row! YAY!!!! A BIG THANK YOU goes out to all of you, my dear readers. I couldn't have made this accomplishment without all of you!
http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/best-fibromyalgia-blogs

Stay fabulous!
Love and friendship,

Kimberley

In a few days I will have the pleasure of talking with a rheumatologist about a new treatment for Fibromyalgia.

If you'd like more information about the person or drug we will be discussing, please sign up for my newsletter.

I will be sharing not only that, but what we discuss on Friday with my subscribers first BEFORE it gets posted here.

Stay fabulous!

Kimberley

Are you curious about my upcoming Paranormal Romance novel? If so, hop on over to https://www.facebook.com/authoramandakimberley to check it out, like the page, and receive updates!  This novel will be available on Amazon and Kindle Direct Publishing shortly!

I just came across this statement this morning and I find it to ring very true in my own life, but it may not be for the reasons as you see it. This entry today may sound more like a rant as opposed to my other entries, but it's nothing more than me standing up for what I believe we Fibromites should all have in our lives.

Relationships are truly important. You have family relationships, friendships, partnerships, working relationships, and the list goes on of important people in your life.

In today's society it seems we have many, many people that think our time means very little. I've personally spent countless hours driving all over New England for middle school band concerts, middle school basketball games and tournaments, school projects, school functions, and the like. Each one of these things had a person in charge who expected many, many hours of dedication from my child with little regard to the parent who had to supply the ride, time, and money to pay these peopl…

I know it's been a while since I have posted. I will say that I'm truly sorry for the silence. I didn't mean to go dark on all of you, I just merely needed to process what was going on and try and find some answers before I talked to all of you.

The truth of the matter is that I still haven't found any answers. I only know what my friends have been able to tell me through comfort and consoling.

I have found NOTHING on the subject, except speculation on my own part which I will offer, BUT PLEASE, do not under ANY circumstances take my words as truthful. There are NO studies backing up my speculations at this point, BUT, having said that-- I hope they will one day try my speculations.

I turned 40 this past year, I'm actually almost 41, and this year is the poking and prodding year for me when it comes to yearly exams. I probably should have had some of these tests a little earlier in my life, but insurance only covers so much and I'm not rich, so therefore, I'…

Looking for a great deal on some of my books? Lulu.com is offering 100% off of eBooks and 10% off of everything else! See my storefront for more details on my titles.
100% off Free eBooks and 10% off everything else Celebrate April Fools Day with 10% off through April 2!
Offer ends April 2nd at 11:59 PM.
Cannot be combined with other offers. Not valid on services.
Use Code: FOOLSGOLD 
Stay fabulous! Love and friendship,
Kimberley

There is MUCH controversy in the medical field about allergies and sensitivities to foods. Some doctors feel that there is a clear distinction between an intolerance to food and an allergy. Others have used the two terms as a unified definition.

An allergy, to me, is defined as having a severe reaction almost immediately after coming into contact with something. For instance, I'm allergic to the drug penicillin because I go into anaphylaxis within the first minute of consuming it. My entire body, not just my throat, will swell up. I had this reaction at the age of 3 so if I were to try it now, I could possible die within seconds. I have a similar reaction to blue cheese, a component of penicillin.

A sensitivity is a much broader term to me. A sensitivity could be an upset stomach a couple of hours after eating dairy or red meat. Or a headache from drinking a glass of red wine. But again, I only consider these a sensitivity if they happen while digestion is occurring.

Some doctors …

Having the flu, a sinus infection, stomach bug, or a cold is hard for anyone, but it's even harder on someone with Fibro. I can't speak for the entire Fibromyalgia community, but for me, if I'm not careful, my colds could very easily turn into pneumonia because I refuse to take the time I need to rest.

All mothers with kids will at one point in life hear their own mother in the back of their mind telling them to clean all of the sheets and house with bleach from top to bottom if the kids get sick. I'm not sure about any of you, but my mother suffered from OCD and a can of Lysol was her best friend. There was never any other scent in our house but Fresh Linen when I was growing up LOL!

This type of thinking may have been great for the Baby Boom Generation. They (pardon the pun) bought into all the products that promised to kill every germ in sight. I honestly think my mother may have thought it would ward of the boys too. LOL! That generation needed quick fixes because …