Members List:

Past Lead Coordinator:
Linda Osborn
Lead Coordinator:
Arlene Porter

Links

	NATIONAL FIBROMYALGIA ASSOCIATION
	FIBROMYALGIA NETWORK
	PRO HEALTH
	WEB MD
	ABOUT.COM
	FIBROMYALGIA INFORMATION FOUNDATION
	NATIONAL FIBROMYALGIA PARTNERSHIP, INC.
	DEVIN J. STARLANYL; FM & MPS MANUAL
	NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER POINT
	HAL BLATMAN, M.D.,PAIN CLINIC
	AMERICAN FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME ASSOCIATION
	NATIONAL FIBROMYALGIA RESEARCH ASSOCIATION
	OREGON FIBROMYALGIA FOUNDATION
	LUC JASMIN, MD,PHD - JASMIN NEUROSCIENCE LAB
	MYOPAIN SOCIETY
	MICHAGAN FM SUPPORT GROUP HOPE
	HEALTH CENTRAL
	GET WELL FROM ME (CFS)
	NATIONAL FIBROMYALGIA & CHRONIC PAIN ASSN.
	WOMEN & FIBROMYALGIA
	AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PAIN MANAGEMENT
	AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PAIN MEDICINE
	AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHAB
	AMERICAN BOARD OF PAIN MEDICINE
	PAIN.COM
	AMERICAN PAIN FOUNDATION
	STAY ON YOUR GUARD
	MEDICATIONS AND YOU
	PAIN/MEDICINE/NEWS
	PARTNERS AGAINST PAIN
	AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
	AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS
	AMERICAN COLLEGE FOR ADVANCEMENT OF MEDICINE
	AMERICAN HOLISTIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
	INTERNAT. ACADEMY OF ORAL MEDICINE & TOXICOLOGY
	INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COLON HYDROTHERAPY
	NAMBUDRIPAD'S ALLERGY ELIMINATION TECHNIQUE
	NAT. CERTIFICATION BOARD FOR THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE &
	AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES PUBLICATION CENTER - T
	FIBROMAMA.ORG
	DISABILITY DIGEST

• To educate

• To listen

• To inform

• To be compassionate

• To care -- and most of all...

• To bring HOPE to all who suffer from Fibromyalgia

Welcome to the NEW Northeast-Community Fibromyalgia/CFS Support Group formerly known as The Northeast Chapter Fibromyalgia Support Groups. Our previous name included two separate groups - our "Family" and "Beginners" Support Groups. Our new name change currently reflects the structure of our present organization and expands our support group to include not only Fibromyalgia (FM) but also Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and some of the other syndromes that reflect our complex symptomology. We still have the same two meetings that meet on alternative months beginning in March; however, we have no individual coordinators for the meetings or different meeting times or locations.

Our mission is to educate, listen, inform, and be compassionate, caring and most of all bring HOPE to all who suffer from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Our Motto is - Building Support Together. Our logo - Hands Reaching Out! We are a support group with alternative options.

We are a network of meetings created to deal with the psychological and physiological aspects of Fibromyalgia (FM) and the other NeuroEndocrineImmune diseases and the need for information. We hope that through our meetings, you will be provided with access to help balance your life. We provide timely information on FM and its related diseases and conditions of complexities in an environment where you can feel comfortable expressing your feelings, frustrations and needs.

The meetings are for men and women...anyone affected directly or indirectly by Fibromyalgia, and/or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Each meetings meets four time a year on their assigned day, place and time. Times and place may change due to availability. Please check with the Past Lead Coordinator, Linda Osborn, or our current Lead Coordinator, Arlene Porter. There is no limitation of participants, and there is no charge to attend any support group meeting.

However, the Northeast-Community Fibromyalgia/CFS Support Group is the organization that oversees the workings of both meetings and helps provide written communiques such as handouts and "New Packets of Information" to each new participant at each support group meeting. The organization also provides participation in various community health fair days and, on occasion, provides research-based seminars to the public. The individual meetings run on per meeting donations as you can afford.

MEETING STRUCTURE: Each support group meeting is approximately two to two-and-one-half hours long. Part of the meeting will be an educational process with guest speakers when available. The other part will be a time of sharing your experiences with FM and CFS per the topic of discussion and addressing questions you may have. There will be a sign in sheet at each meeting so we can contact you to remind you of the next meeting.

We will strive to present a variety of topics. Our phone squad will call once a month to remind you of upcoming meetings, health fairs and other events or you may be notified by e-mail. Meeting schedules are posted online at our Support Group's website (http://www.orgsites.com/pa/ne-fibromyalgia) and local newspapers. Each meeting allows time for business and an upcoming meeting schedule.

GROUND RULES: The following are some ground rules for the support group meetings:
1. The content of each support group meeting is confidential. What is discussed in these meeting stays in the meetings.
2. Participants of each support group meeting will refrain from judging one another. The purpose of the meeting is to support one another and benefit from educational presentations made.
3. Participants will be attentive to who is speaking and refrain from private conversations during the meeting. One person will speak at a time and others will not interrupt.
4. Participants will speak from personal experience and not relate the experiences of others.
5. Participants will not pressure others to discuss feelings or experiences.
6. Meetings will be conducted in non-smoking, handicap accessible environments.

Again, we welcome you to the Northeast-Community Fibromyalgia/CFS Support Group and hope that you will become an active advocate for Fibromyalgia/CFS and all the chronic immunological and neurological diseases.

THE FIRST MEETING IS HELD THE FOURTH MONDAY OF EVERY OTHER MONTH BEGINNING WITH THE MARCH MEETING AT BETHESDA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 808 RED LION ROAD, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19115 12:30-2:30 PM. FELLOWSHIP HALL. Exceptions - No meetings during January, February, July or August.

THE SECOND MEETING IS HELD THE SECOND THURSDAY OF EVERY OTHER MONTH BEGINNING WITH THE APRIL MEETING ALSO AT BETHESDA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 808 RED LION ROAD, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19115 12:30-2:30 PM. FELLOWSHIP HALL. Exceptions - No meetings during January, February, July or August.

MEETING DATES FOR 2012
NO MEETING JANUARY OR FEBRUARY
First Meeting - March 26, 2012
Second Meeting - April 12, 2012
First Meeting - May 21, 2012
Second Meeting - June 14, 2012
NO MEETING JULY OR AUGUST
First Meeting - September 24, 2012
Second Meeting - October 11, 2012
First Meeting - November 26, 2012
Second Meeting - December 13, 2012

FIBROMYALGIA

AS PER A SENATE REPORT ON THE LANGUAGE REGARDING FIBROMYALGIA PASSED ON 9/30/93, FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME (FMS) IS A CHRONIC PAINFUL DISORDER CHARACTERIZED BY WIDESPREAD MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN, STIFFNESS, CHRONIC FATIGUE, AND DISTURBED SLEEP. IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, FIBROMYALGIA HAS ADVANCED FROM A SYNDROME TO A DISEASE...A DISEASE OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, AND CURRENTLY CLASSIFIED AS A NEUROENDOCRINEIMMUNE DISEASE BY SEVERAL NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS .

IT HAS ALSO BEEN STATED THAT FMS IS A DYSFUNCTION OF THE BIOCHEMICAL INFORMATIONAL SUBSTANCES OF THE BRAIN CALLED PEPTIDES, HORMONES, AND NEUROTRANSMITTERS. WHEN THESE BIOCHEMICAL SUBSTANCES ARE DISRUPTED BY A STIMULUS AND OR A TRAUMA, THE BRAIN TRANSMITS EXTREME PAIN LEVELS (HYPERALGESIA) CAUSING THE WIDESPREAD PAIN IN THE MUSCLES, FASCIA (lining of the muscles) TENDONS AND LIGAMENTS OF THE BODY,THUS IT IS THE INABILITY OF THE BRAIN TO REGULATE THESE SUBSTANCES TO STOP THE MESSAGE OF PAIN. FM PAIN IS REFERRED TO AS ALLODYNIA (long standing increase in pain perception). THE EXTREME PAIN LEVELS MAY BE DEBILITATING CAUSING ONE TO LIVE IN RESTRICTED MOVEMENT AND FEAR.

FIBROMYALGIA AFFECTS ALL THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND METABOLIC PROCESSES OF THE BODY. THEREFORE, ONE MIGHT CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME TYPE OF METABOLIC GLITCH, WHICH LEADS TO THE CASCADE OF PROBLEMS IN THE WAY THAT THE BODY'S RESPONSES FUNCTION TO VARIOUS STIMULI.

THE SUPPORT GROUP DOES NOT CONSIDER FIBROMYALGIA TO BE AN AUTO-IMMUNE DISEASE.

SLEEP DYSFUNCTION WITH NON-REFRESHING SLEEP, INSOMNIA, MULTIPLE AWAKENINGS, NIGHT SWEATS, MORNING STIFFNESS, AND FOGGINESS.

FLUCTUATING FATIGUE AND THE NEED TO CAT NAP AND/OR CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME.

"FIBROFOG", SHORT-TERM MEMORY IMPAIRMENT, TROUBLE CONCENTRATING, DIRECTIONAL DISORIENTATION.

IMMUNE SYSTEM DYSFUNCTION AND/OR SPECIFIC AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES.

HISTORY OF MULTIPLE AILMENTS, WHICH MAY INCLUDE-

LUPUS, DEPRESSION, MOOD SWINGS, HEADACHES, MIGRAINES, TMJ , POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME, CANDIDA, SINUSITIS, ALLERGIES, MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL ILLNESS, REFLUX, IBS, IRRITABLE BLADDER/BOWEL, RAYNAUD'S SYNDROME, RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME, NUMBNESS, CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME, WEAKNESS, MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME, SJOGREN'S, PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY, OSTEO and/or RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, AND MORE...

RESEARCH BOOKS FOR FM/CFS/ME

1. Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome by James L. Wilson

2. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and other Invisible Illnesses: The Comprehensive Guide by Katrina Berne and Daniel L. Peterson

3. Defeat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Now! - Martha Kilcoyne

4. Doctor's Guide to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - David Bell

5. From Fatigued to Fantastic - Dr Teitelbaum

6. Hope and Help for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia - Alison Bested

7. Treating and Beating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia by Dr. Murphee

8. Your Symptoms are Real by Dr. Natelson

Linda J. Osborn, Past Lead Coordinator Chapter. 215-884-1504

Arlene B. Porter, Lead Coordinator Chapter. 215-393-3493

The Chapter's e-mail address is: Arlene.NEFibro@gmail.com E-mail: ArlenePorter@verizon.net

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD

Larry S. Durst, R.Ph., M.Sc.,

Holistic Pharmacist

215-232-2901 or email LSD41@verizon.net

Luc Jasmin, M.D., PhD, Neuroscience

David J. Chesner, D.O. Past Medical Advisor & Current Advisor Emeritus, Rheumatology





Contributions needed & appreciated. Your donations help the Support Group to keep information free and available to the public and help continue our advocacy, education, and awareness for our community. Donations for the Group are made payable to - The Northeast-Community Fibromyalgia/CFS Support Group and sent to Arlene Porter, Lead Coordinator.
Please call for additional information and address. 215-393-3493.