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Chatelaine FM Article
This archived discussion is "read only". » Windancr19 - Re: Article...what a step backwards for FMS education ... For the first time in a long while, I am simply speechless. I just finished reading the above article Michelle talks about. At the very least, it is contradictory. On one hand, Gibson-Elliot (or whatever her name is) , states that those women who "work" ( as in a job or career) manage their overall FMS symptoms in a much more healthy way, and do not play the victim role the label of "Fibromyalgia" places on people diagnosed by physicians who just don't know exactly what is wrong with patients who seek their help for the *PRE-EXISTING* symptoms that drove them to seek relief in the first place. So, does the diagnosis of "fibromyalgia" create a self-perpetuating or, if you will, a "self-fulfilling prophecy" of a lifetime of unresolved illness? I resent that implication. I have NOT read ONE post here or on any other site in which I have found this to be true. Quite the contrary, in fact. Most of the posts here and on other sites usually deal with pro-active problem solving, giving support, and helping others to cope with this very real disease, always imparting hope. In fact, I felt guilty the first time, when in unbearable agony for 2 months straight, I vented same on this site, for rarely do I see this. Hence, I simply am hard pressed to find people who perpetuate a negative cycle, thus keeping themselves "ill" as she implies. Then, towards the end of the article, we are told that this same "researcher" mentioned above, finally found some relief from her FMS symptoms when she STOPPED working, (uh, excuse me, but , in my fibro-fogged brain, isn't this a direct contradiction to what she stated earlier , as related above??? ) She even goes on to say that she realizes she is lucky to have a husband to support her, thus, she has no financial worries to plague her, as she concentrates on her new daughter , and working only a few hours from home each week. Helllloooo?????? And, the final insult to our intelligence is the last paragraph.... she has now developed a "rash on her head and pain in her hands" , and had to seek out medical intervention once again... only to receive a *different* diagnosis this time, one much more positive, it seems, *psoriatic (sp) arthritis*. Now, that would certainly make ME feel better, how about yall??? As the saying goes, " a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet." What a set-back for those of us with this hellish disease...as if it isn't hard enough to get our own families to believe what we endure, now the general public is fed this destructive slant on the information available, and we wonder why we are not taken seriously by those who love and know us, much less strangers.Windancr19 ~~~~~~~~ Annie -- posted by Windancr19 » Jausten - Article My suggestion is for us to email Chatelaine and tell them that they have just set the record for the most damaging article that they've ever printed. It is a Canadian magazine that is geared towards women, and I'm sure that they deserve to get a lot of negative feedback about this article.I will be writing to the editor of Chatelaine, but need to cool off first. I lived in denial for 5 years, and only got worse. I don't live my condition, but I'm sure thankful that my doctors are there for me and that I have disability. I couldn't work as a nurse under any conditions, and to suggest that I'm "ill" because I have a diagnosis is crazy. A recent article in Psychology Today (I think that's the magazine) does a much better job of explaining FMS. Chatelaine blew it, and maybe I should mail them all of my articles and see if they want to fire the writer of that article and hire me...... Cynthia -- posted by Jausten » TvBabe - Go for it! I say "Go for it" Jausten! I know that both of us have written Chatelaine several times in regard's to the possibility of them doing an FM article, toooooo bad they didn't listen to either of us when it came to the content!I'm also "cooling off" first before replying ...No sense jumping down their throat's without composing a strong, factual email IMHO -- posted by TvBabe » Windancr19 - Re: Chatelaine article & cooling off... Hi everyone.... uhhhh, I guess I didn't wait to cool off before posting here my humble opinion regarding the Chatalaine article on FM after reading same last evening. Hmmm, I wonder if impulsivity is on the "narrative" of symptoms ( Chatelaine's word ) that the FMS "label" covers.... or , did I develop that tendency to reply to negative press which appears to be unfounded in facts, ( or at the least , "slanted"), *AFTER* I received the diagnosis of "Fibromyalgia"? Yes, a conundrum, to be sure,*grin*.I'm searching under all this mess of research on my desk for my misplaced sense of humor *smile*. Uh oh, something just occurred to me.... I wonder if I had a sense of humor *before* I was diagnosed with "fibromyalgia", or, did I *develop* one *after* the destructive label was slapped upon me? Geesh, now I wonder , did I become a nurse because I somehow *intuited* that I would develop the dastardly diseased "label" of "fibromyalgia" some 8 years later and would find that medical knowledge helpful due to same, OR, did I become unable to function as a R.N. 3 years ago, thus having to quit a profession I loved due to a myriad of painful and cognitive symptoms, *AFTER* I was diagnosed with "fibromyalgia" 8 years ago? (Yes, I continued to work , wearing the 'Scarlet F' every day, until forced to quit 3 years ago...and no, I am not lucky enough to have disability insurance). Uh oh, now I wonder.... ohhhhh, just forget it. And I probably will , just give me a few hours, *grin*. Windancr19 Annie -- posted by Windancr19 » Angie_L - Strike while the iron is hot! Thanks to Michelle for alerting us to the article. I read it and some responses, then added my own. Cynthia, contact Chatelaine asap and see if you can strike a deal and be paid for what you have here. If they receive enough Emails, they may do a follow-up or retraction. I expect those who know I have FM to send me photocopies by mail, even tho I have spent years trying to educate them. My siblings & their spouses (in other provinces) still have an idea that I wanted to enjoy a comfortable early retirement by going on LTDI. I am lucky to have it as I am divorced and self-supporting. I had to lower my standard of living, don't have my own car and live with chronic pain, every day. No good days anymore. How comfortable is that? Chatelaine has done a dis-service to all who suffer with FM, with their bad research and one poor case study. Still dreaming of willing myself into a state of wellness. I'm sure that if I just tried harder.....-- posted by Angie_L » colleen7 - FM article in Chatelaine Dear Windancr: You said it like I couldn't. My exact sentiments re this "misleading" article on Fibromyalgia. They should get their facts straight before publishing such "dribble". The lady in the story is in total "denial", make God help her. colleen.-- posted by colleen7 Please follow the guidelines set forth in the Suite101 Posting Etiquette when adding to the discussion. |
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