EUROPEAN NETWORK of FIBROMYALGIA ASSOCIATIONS

From the News Desk of Jeanne Hambleton

PRESS RELEASE -28.01.2009

 

The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) are to  have a consultation with a delegation from the European Network of Fibromyalgia Associations (ENFA) in an attempt to understand the need for medical treatments for fibromyalgia in Europe.

Brussels – Following an invitation by the EMEA, the European Network of Fibromyalgia Associations (ENFA) has agreed to attend a consultation meeting with EMEA, where ENFA representatives will share their knowledge and experiences related to the disease of Fibromyalgia that some 14 million Europeans are suffering from.  One of the biggest challenges that the patients have been facing is the lack of officially recognized medical treatment options in the European Union whereas there are three drugs in the United States of America approved by the Food and Drug Administration: Cymbalta from Eli Lilly, Lyrica from Pfizer and recently authorised Savella from Forest & Cypress.

 

The European Declaration 69/2008 on Fibromyalgia that has been recently adopted by the European Parliament, symbolizing the awareness raised around Fibromyalgia, calls for actions on specific issues from European Institutions to improve healthcare surrounding the disease, e.g. investment in research and provision of better diagnosis and treatment.  In addition, the European Health Commissioner Ms. Vassiliou’s remarks (E-6262/08EN) on the treatment of Fibromyalgia demonstrates encouraging willingness of the European Commission to address various concerns laid out in the Declaration on Fibromyalgia.

“We hope that this new drive on Fibromyalgia awareness will bring the end to the impasse of medical treatment for Fibromyalgia patients in the EU”, said Mr. Robert Boelhouwer, President of ENFA. 

Fibromyalgia is a complex disease with a variety of symptoms in addition to the defining symptom – chronic widespread pain. It is estimated that 14 million people in Europe suffer from fibromyalgia and the condition is more prevalent with women (87%).  Fibromyalgia imposes large economic burdens on society as well as on affected individuals. The debilitating symptoms often result in lost work days, lost income and disability payments. Due to lack of awareness, on average patients in Europe see 3-4 physicians and take multiple medications over the course of several years before they receive a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia.

Mr. Boelhouwer said, “Increasing awareness of Fibromyalgia among healthcare professionals and patients will bring enormous benefits to patients, healthcare providers and the society in general by managing the burden of the disease.” he continues, “Having this in mind, ENFA welcomes the proactive role that both the European Parliament and the European Commission have taken up in raising the awareness of Fibromyalgia.”

 

 

Contact:  European Network of Fibromyalgia Associations (ENFA)

Mr. Robert Boelhouwer President of ENFA

contact@enfa-europe.eu  - www.enfa-europe.eu

 About ENFA

ENFA is a network of patient association and support groups working in close consultation with the national association in the relevant country. Our joint missions are to conquer the myths and misunderstandings around Fibromyalgia. The network will help collectively push forward the boundaries which currently exist in understanding, experiencing and treatment of Fibromyalgia. Our main goal is to see fibromyalgia receiving the recognition it deserves across Europe as an illness in its own right.

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http://www.europarl.europa.eu/QP-WEB/application/home.do?language=EN

 

 

PIERRE FABRE MEDICAMENT AND FOREST LABORATORIES TO COLLABORATE ON DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIALIZATION

From the Desk of Jeanne Hambleton – courtesy PR-Canada.Net. 

 (http://pr-canada.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=71522&Itemid=61)

Saturday, 27 December 2008

Forest Laboratories, Inc. and Pierre Fabre Medicament today announced that they have entered into a definitive collaboration agreement to develop and commercialize F2695 in the United States and Canada. F2695 is a proprietary selective norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor that is being developed by Pierre Fabre for the treatment of depression and other central nervous system disorders.    Under the terms of the agreement, Forest will make an upfront payment to Pierre Fabre of $75 million and will pay future, undisclosed milestone payments. In addition, Pierre Fabre will receive royalty payments based on F2695 sales. Forest will assume responsibility for the clinical development and commercialization of F2695 in the United States and Canada, while Pierre Fabre will fund all preclinical development and drug substance manufacturing activities worldwide. “We are pleased to expand our relationship with Pierre Fabre to include this collaboration on the development of F2695 for the treatment of depression. Pierre Fabre has been an outstanding partner for Forest since we commenced our alliance in 2004,” commented Howard Solomon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Forest. “We are highly encouraged by the strong clinical antidepressant activity and good tolerability exhibited by F2695 in the recently completed placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase II study. We look forward to initiating Phase III studies with F2695 next year. F2695 is the second late-stage product candidate we have licensed this quarter, underscoring our commitment to further building our pipeline and bringing novel therapeutics to the market.” “Pierre Fabre is looking forward to working with Forest on this exciting product opportunity,” said Jean-Pierre Garnier, Chief Executive Officer of Pierre Fabre Medicament. “Forest has an excellent record of developing and commercializing products for the treatment of depression and we are happy to extend our existing partnership to include F2695.” In a recently completed European placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase II study of F2695 in over 550 patients with major depressive disorder, the compound demonstrated statistically significant improvement compared to placebo (p<0.0001) on the primary endpoint, change from baseline in total score on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (“MADRS”). Statistically significant improvement for F2695 compared to placebo was also demonstrated using the change from baseline in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (“HAMD-17″) and in response and remission rates using both the MADRS and HAMD-17. In addition, F2695 demonstrated improvement compared to placebo within two weeks after treatment initiation. About F2695 F2695 is an isomer of milnacipran and is protected by a method of use patent that extends through June 2023. F2695 exerts its effects by selectively inhibiting the reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters known to play an essential role in regulating mood. Forest, in partnership with Cypress Bioscience, Inc. and Pierre Fabre, is currently developing milnacipran; a selective serotonin and norepinephrine dual reuptake inhibitor, for the management of fibromyalgia. The New Drug Application is under FDA review and we continue to plan for a first quarter 2009 product launch meeting About Pierre Fabre Medicament The Pierre Fabre Group, the second largest independent laboratory in France, employs some 10,000 people, and achieved a turnover of 1.7 billion euros in 2007. The lines of business are ethical medicine, family health but also in dermo-cosmetic products with several brands: Avene, Ducray, A-Derma, Galenic, Klorane and Rene Furterer and dermo-cosmetics. Pierre Fabre Medicament, the pharmaceutical branch of the Pierre Fabre Group, made Research and Development its core business and the key to its future. With 1,400 employees dedicated to R&D, Pierre Fabre Medicament has invested 30% of its annual sales to R&D during 2008, in five major therapeutic areas in terms of public health: oncology (the priority R&D area of Pierre Fabre Medicament, with 50% of all R&D expenses), psychiatry, urology, cardio-vascular, rheumatology. To learn more about Pierre Fabre, visit http://www.pierre-fabre.com. About Forest Laboratories Forest Laboratories is a U.S.-based pharmaceutical company with a long track record of building partnerships and developing and marketing products that make a positive difference in people’s lives. In addition to its well-established franchises in therapeutic areas of the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, Forest’s current pipeline includes product candidates in all stages of development and across a wide range of therapeutic areas. The company is headquartered in New York, NY. To learn more about Forest Laboratories, visit http://www.FRX.com. Except for the historical information contained herein, this release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the difficulty of predicting FDA approvals, the acceptance and demand for new pharmaceutical products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the timely development and launch of new products, and the risk factors listed from time to time in Forest Laboratories’ Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and any subsequent SEC filings.

 

MAY 12 AND FIBRO WHAT DAY

By Jeanne Hambleton 2008

Every year on May 12 people suffering with fibromyalgia raise awareness about this invisible disability with the public who frequently ask, “Fibro what?’

For the first time ever the fibromites will be able to sing-along to a new singles CD called Fibro what? to provide the answer, while encouraging folk to by the CD to fund research to find a cure. This is thanks to a benevolent Manchester postman who wanted to help two million fibromites find a cure for their 24/7 illness.

Not only will the public hear the upbeat lyrics comedy singer song writer Dom Collins has set to music, describing the condition – aches and pains, sleep disorder, memory loss – but they can enjoy to three cheeky tongue in songs donated by the FM benefactor. Laughter is the best medicine they say but it is not necessary to have fibromyalgia to laugh with Dom Collins while supporting fibromyalgia research. Without government funding it is hoped the money from sales will help research and maybe lead to a cure.

Dom, who is well known on the Manchester and northern circuits for his good clean humour and funny songs about every day life, wrote the Fibro What song to help his friend, fibromite Christine Thomson.

“I wanted to do something to raise awareness for May 12 and when Dom offered to help I was delighted. I am fed up with the lack of government funding and doctors still telling us it is all in our heads. I am anxious everyone should know more about our invisible disability. I also felt it was important to highlight the need for research to find a cure. So the proceeds from sales will go towards Jeanne Hambleton’s new book PAIN 24/7 The Fibromyalgia Jigsaw©, due to be self published in the autumn, as the sales money from the book will go to research. The more books we sell the more money for research,” said Chris.

Holding a new contract with a well-known agent Dom expects to be busy playing, singing and making people laugh for the foreseeable future. His reviews compare him to Mike Harding and Richard Digance and claim Dom will go far. With a cheeky grin Dom said he loves to entertain and is available for any special occasion from divorces, funerals, vasectomies, wedding, birthdays and corporate affairs.

Delighted with the new CD, which uses her photographs, Chris has offered Fibro what? to fibromyalgia support groups up and down the UK to sell and play on May 12 at the special events to raise awareness.

ROYAL MALE

This is the second time this year that Dom, who is a postman, has been benevolent. In January he wrote ‘Jack’s Song’s, a tribute to Jack Judge, the writer of the WWI favourite ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary’. Dom donated half the proceeds of this CD to the Army Benevolent Fund (North West) and he launched the CD at the Tipperary Café in Stalybridge, Manchester, the site of the old Grand Theatre where the song was written in1912..

This first charity CD attracted letters of support from four members of the Royal family, HM the Queen who sent a lovely letter of thanks; HRH Prince Charles, the Princess Royal, HRH Princess Anne and HRH Prince Edward who all welcomed his support for the Army Benevolent Fund. He also received nice letters of congratulations from our PM Gordon Brown and Leader of the Opposition David Cameron. These can be viewed on Dom’s Blog on his website (www.domcollins.co.uk). Needless to say copies of Fibro What will be winging their way to Buckingham Palace.

But Fibro What? CD is just part of the story? There is a new fibromyalgia book on the way later this year. Written as a labour of love and self-published to preserve as much money as possible, sales money will contribute to research to find a cure for fibromyalgia – the pain fibromites live with for the rest of their lives.

With the present government making no effort to put aside a substantial sum of money for research, fibromites must do it themselves. Every Fibro What Cd is raising money towards research. For more information about the music or fibromyalgia email fibrowhat@mac.com or log on to http://fibrowhat1.wordpress.com. There are also Fibro What tee shirts and tote bags available.

OTHER MAY 12 EVENTS

May 12 is not just the International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, but it is shared with the CFS/ME organisations, and is also listed as the International Nurses Day.

May 12 is the International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who was believed to have suffered with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue when she returned from the Crimean War.

Born to wealthy parents in 1820 in Florence, Italy, she was described as a wild child. She took 36 nurses to British military hospital in Constantinople in 1854 when the Crimean War broke out. This was the first time female nurses had served in military hospitals under war conditions. She became known as The Lady of the Lamp.

The work of Florence Nightingale, the English army nurse, led to the creation of the International Red Cross. In her 30s Florence Nightingale suffered a paralyzing FM/CFS/ME-like illness and spent in the last 50 years of her life virtually bedridden. In hindsight some say she suffered with fibromyalgia. In spite of her illness, she founded the first School of Nursing. It is fitting that the determination of this lady of the late 19th century became an inspiration to victims of CIND – FMS/CFS/ME/PVFS/MCS (fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, myalgic encephalopathy, post viral fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity) and other long-term chronic pain illnesses in the late 20th century.

In East Wellow, in Hampshire, UK, at St Margaret’s Church, where Florence Nightingale was buried in 1910, a service is held on the Sunday after May 12. There is a significant memorial in the graveyard.

The website Answers.com tells us that every year in London in Westminster Abbey on May 12 there is a service during which a symbolic lamp is carried from the Nurses’ Chapel into the Abbey. This is passed from one nurse to another before the Dean of Westminster Abbey places it on the High Altar. It is said this is symbolic of passing the knowledge of nursing from one to another.

Wikipeda, the free Internet encyclopedia, provides a long list of important events which happened on May 12 including the Coronation of King George VI in 1937, the Queen’s father; in 1942 on this fateful day 1,500 Jews were sent to the gas chambers in Auschwitz; and on a brighter note on May 12 1965 the Soviet spacecraft Luna 5 crashed on the Moon.

INSPIRATION FOR MAY 12
The Awareness Day commemoration was the inspiration of Tom Hennessy, a American patient with chronic immunological and neurological diseases. His thoughts to link with
Florence Nightingale’s birth date galvanised the CIND community to pressurise governments to respond to these devastating illnesses. These days Tom is constantly bedridden and too ill to even answer emails, which still arrive from all over the world.

According to the CIND website symptoms of the chronic immunological and neurological diseases included cognitive problems, chronic muscle and joint pain, extremely poor stamina, and numerous other symptoms. The number of those suffering with these problems increased dramatically. In the 1980s, and patients were often dismissed by the medical profession as suffering from psychosomatic illness. It still happens today with some GPs.

As the illnesses became more widespread many people were so weak that they could not care for themselves. The mystery aches, pains and fatigue continued to spread unchecked with little response from government of the day. In order to raise awareness of the seriousness of the situation, the response was the MAY 12 International Awareness Day.
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Two days after the world celebrations the Fibro What composer, Dom Collins, is visiting the South Manchester Fibromyalgia Support Group in Sale on the evening on Thursday, May 15, with fibromite Christine Thomson, when he will be playing his guitar and singing Fibro What? to those with fibromyalgia.

This is a small group run by Leader Georgina Jameson with just 15 members including 4 men with fibromyalgia. The group covers Greater Manchester and Cheshire. It is unusual to have such a high percentage of men with FM in a group – almost a third. Members enjoy socializing, speakers, a library and a helpline. For more information about the south Manchester meetings contact the Leader. (georginajameson@talktalk.net)

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AWARENESS DAY WILL SEE MPs AND FIBROMITES TAKE COFFEE

By Jeanne Hambleton

The Fibromyalgia Association UK will be raising awareness in a big way on the International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day on Monday 12th May, when fibromites from all over the UK, and MPs meet for coffee at Portcullis House Westminster.

Chairman of the Trustees of FMA UK, Pam Stewart said, “Our aim is to make MPs aware of how desperate the situation is for so many fibromyalgia sufferers living in their constituencies. We need to let MPs know of the day-to-day struggles people with fibromyalgia battle against just to lead as near ‘normal’ a life. We need their help and support. Fibromyalgia sufferers deserve a voice and deserve to be listened to.
“We need to raise the profile of fibromyalgia in order to persuade decision makers to adopt these guidelines officially so that full treatment programmes can be made available to all sufferers throughout the UK.”
Recent e-petitions to the No. 10 Downing Street website have raised the question of treatments and the government responses have indicated that it is up to each Primary Care Trusts to decide priorities for their area but, without clear national guidance, fibromyalgia mostly slips to the bottom of the list if it is considered at all.

Although more doctors are becoming knowledgeable about fibromyalgia, many people who contact Fibromyalgia Association UK say that having read about the symptoms of fibromyalgia, it has been down to them to suggest the possibility of this as a diagnosis to their GP. This diagnosis stills seems to be overlooked, despite the prevalence of the condition.

Diagnosis of fibromyalgia is just the beginning of the problems. There is still the minefield of treatment options. At worst some patients are still being told, “There is nothing that can be done; there is no cure; learn to live with it. It’s psychological – all in your mind”. At best there are one or two centres that offer a range of managing and coping strategies using pain relief units, physiotherapists, counsellors, hydrotherapy and other treatments. Unfortunately most of the alternative therapies are in the private sector and sufferers are unable to finance these long term or even short term. There are also many hospitals with very good supportive departments but, unfortunately, this is a postcode lottery.
“The method of diagnosis, initially developed for research purposes, has been shown to be both effective and simple. On assessment, a careful health history is taken. If the patient reports widespread pain for more than three months together with pain in at least 11 out of 18 tender point sites when they are pressed, then a diagnosis of fibromyalgia can be made.   ‘Widespread pain’ means pain above and below the waist and on both sides of the body. The ‘tender points’, or spots of extreme tenderness, are rarely noticed by the patient until they are pressed,” said the chairman. 
Most people must wait for an appointment with a consultant, usually a rheumatologist, before getting a confirmed diagnosed, when it should be possible to be diagnosed by the GP.

Sufferers can spend years going backwards and forwards to their GP with what seems to be many different conditions. During this time their general health often deteriorates, employment may become difficult or impossible and family and friends can become increasingly frustrated and unsupportive. There are instances where diagnosis is made fairly quickly, within a year, but the majority can take 3 – 5 years.

Fibromyalgia is a painful, non-articular condition predominantly involving muscle; it is the most common cause of chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain and affects between 2%-3% of the UK population. Although there is a reliable diagnosis for fibromyalgia and treatment guidelines, many people still wait years to get diagnosed only to be told there is no treatment.
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) has issued the first guidelines for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and published them in the September 2007 issue of the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. This 9 point plan covers the treatment and diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Whilst these guidelines are not yet adopted by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK, they can be seen as a significant step forward.
For more information of fibromyalgia in the UK please send a 42p sae to:
Fibromyalgia Association UK, PO Box 206, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY9 8YL
or visit the website http://www.fmauk.org.

For further information relating to this press release please contact Jean Turner 0845 3452603 jean@rfmsg.freeserve.co.uk

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FIBRO WHAT? FIGHTS BACK

by Jeanne Hambleton© 2008

How often have we all said we are sick of folk saying ‘fibro what’ when we try to describe how we feel? Help is at hand! It is now set to music and you just hand those folk the new Fibro What? singles CD and sit back and listen.

Not only will they hear the upbeat lyrics comedy singer song writer Dom Collins has set to music, all about our invisible condition, aches and pains, but you can both listen to three cheeky tongue in cheek songs donated by our man from Manchester, and have a good giggle. Laughter is the best medicine they say.

Our bright lad, well known on the northern circuits for his good clean humour and funny songs about every day life, has written the Fibro What song to help his friend, fibromite Christine Thomson.

“I wanted to do something to raise awareness for May 12 and when Dom offered to help I was delighted. I am fed up with the lack of government funding and doctors still telling us it is all in our heads, and I am anxious everyone should know more about our invisible disability. I also felt it was important to highlight the need for research to find a cure. So the proceeds from sales will go towards Jeanne Hambleton’s new book PAIN 24/7 The Fibromyalgia Jigsaw©, due to be published in the summer, as the sales money from the book will go to research. The more books we sell the more money for research,” said Chris.

While climbing the ladder of success, Dom’s work has also been recognised by two Royals, Princess Charles and Prince Edward, as well as PM Gordon Brown and the Leader of the Opposition David Cameron, who were all delighted to receive a copy of the Jack’s Song CD for the January anniversary. You can read the letters on Dom’s website.

Holding a new contract with a well-known agent Dom expects to be busy playing, singing and making people laugh for the foreseeable future. His reviews compare him to Mike Harding and Richard Digance and claim Dom will go far. With a cheeky grin Dom told us he loves to entertain and is available for any special occasion from divorces, funerals, vasectomies, wedding, birthdays and corporate affairs.

Both Chris and I are delighted to have worked with Dom in these early stages of his future career and one behalf of almost one and a half million fibromites, we cannot thank him enough for simply caring and helping to raise awareness about fibromyalgia.

Delighted with the new CD, which uses her photographs, Chris wants to offer the new CD to Fibromyalgia Support Groups to sell and play on May 12 at the special events to raise awareness about this rotten disability. This would also make sure fibromites, our members, have the chance to buy a copy.

This is the second time this year that Dom has been benevolent. In January he wrote ‘Jack’s Song’s, a tribute to Jack Judge, the writer of the WWI favourite ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary’. Dom donated the proceeds of this CD to the Army Benevolent Fund (North West).

His first charity CD attracted letters of support from four members of the Royal family, HM the Queen who sent a lovely letter of thanks; HRH Prince Charles, the Princess Royal, HRH Princess Ann and HRH Prince Edward who all welcomed his support for the Army Benevolent Fund. He also received nice letters of congratulations from our PM Gordon Brown and Leader of the Opposition David Cameron. These can be viewed on Doms Blog on his website. Needless to say copies of Fibro What will be winging their way to Buckingham Palace.

For more details about Dom and his work log on to http://www.domcollins.co.uk. If you click MY SPACE top right hand corner you will hear some of the funny backing tracks and a verse or two from the new Fibro What CD. The tracks include “A Girl called Chips”, “Can you lend me a tenner, Dad?” and “Does my ar.. look big in these?”

Copies of the new CD Fibro What are available from jeannehambleton @ mac.com (no spaces) and will cost £3.75 plus £1 p&p for a UK packing and postage…total £4.75. Overseas postage will be advised. We hope you enjoy the Fibro What? CD and that your friends want you to buy a copy for them. You don’t have to have fibromyalgia to have a good laugh with Dom Collins as well as supporting our mission. The proceeds will help research and maybe lead to a cure.

But Fibro What? CD is just part of the story? There is a new fibromyalgia book on the way later this year. Written as a labour of love and self-published to preserve as much money as possible, sales money will contribute to research to find a cure for fibromyalgia – the pain we live with for the rest of our lives. May 12 is International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day and we hope that you and your friends will be listening and laughing with Dom’s cheeky songs and selling copies to other folk to support the cause.

Later in the year for a week in September, it is UK Fibro Awareness Week. To celebrate this we will be running a cabaret dinner in West Sussex full of comedy, humour and mirth. We are planning a charity auction hopefully with some celebrity donations. If you have any souvenirs you feel able to donate we will be delighted. Please contact me.

With the present government making no effort to put aside a substantial sum of money for research, we have to do it ourselves with help from friends like you. Thank you. Take care Jeanne.

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ROBBING HOODS MAY BE AT IT AGAIN

by Jeanne Hambleton © 2008
NFA Leader Against Pain-Advocate

With the growing culture of street crimes, women are feeling more and more vulnerable if they have to work after dark or are coming home alone after an evening with friends.

Every day there seems to be more and more scary stories on the Internet and in the newspapers and ultimately this brings emails warning us to beware, tell all our friends and watch out.

Firstly we should all carry our mobile telephone switched on near the driving wheel when travelling alone at night in case of emergency. Also remember even from your mobile you can call 999 or 112 for help. Emergency calls to 999 or 112 in a genuine emergency where it is not possible to stop safely are exempt from a £30 fixed penalty.

But just to make me feel more insecure when out alone at night, I read this email on a Yahoo local community service and felt I should share it – whatever your views may be when you have read the whole story.

Please pass this notice on. It could save lives.

An important message from the Police

Please pass this along to all the women you know.
This actually happened a few weeks ago on the M3 Fleet services.

It
was early evening and a young girl stopped to get petrol.

She filled her tank and walked into the store to pay for her petrol.
The cashier told her ‘Don’t pay for your petrol yet…..walk around
the store for a while and act as if you’re picking up some other
things to buy. A man just got into the back of your car. I’ve called
the police and they’re on their way’.

When the police arrived, they found the man in the back seat of the
girl’s car and asked him what he was doing. He replied he was
joining a gang and the initiation to join is to kidnap a woman and
bring her back to the gang to be raped by every member of the gang.
If the woman was still alive by the time they finish with her then
they let her go.

According to the police that night, there was a new gang forming here
originating from London. The scary part of this is because the guy
didn’t have a weapon on him. The police could only charge him with
trespassing. He’s back on the street and free to try again.

Please be aware of what’s going on around you and for your family and
friends.

LADIES, you or one of your family and friends could be the
next victim. Please do not discard
this message. It is very important that everyone knows what is happening.

Please be careful when leaving your vehicle and make sure it is
ALWAYS locked to prevent this from happening to you.”

It could happen if your car was left unlocked.

This was followed by another warning – “MET POLICE

Subject: POLICE INFORMATION – ACTUAL SAFETY ADVICE

This first bit is mainly for women, but boys please read it and send
it on to any women you care about. The second bit is a warning to all
of us!

Some sound advice for us all as we all sometimes forget to take our
common sense with us when we go out. This is from Northants Police.

Women…. In light of the recent kidnapping and murder of young women I think it is important to read the following info for your
own safety.

Things women should know to stay safe:

Please take the time to read these pointers. There may just be one or
two you hadn’t thought of. After reading this, forward it to someone you care about. It never
hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.

I was also given tips about being attacked –

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your
body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. If a robber asks for your handbag, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it
away from you…. he is probably more interested in your handbag than
you and he will go for the handbag. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER
DIRECTION!

(There is an old saying –Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – in other words do not carry more cash than you need, and only one credit card. Who cares how big your handbag is as long as you have control of your valuables and they are safe at home!)

3. If you are ever thrown into the boot of a car: Kick out the back
tail lights and stick your arm through the hole and start waving. The
driver won’t see you but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping,
eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their cheque book, or
making a list). DON’T DO THIS! A predator could be watching you, and
this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger
side, and attack you.

5. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE THE AREA.

6. A few notes about getting into your car in a car park: (Hope your chose your parking space carefully near the entrance or in a well lit area)

a) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger
side floor, and check the back seat.

b) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the
passenger door. Most attackers surprise their victims by pulling them
into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.

c) Look at the car parked on the driver’s side of your vehicle, and
the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest
your car, you may want to walk back into the shop, or work, and get a
guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE
THAN SORRY (And better to be paranoid than dead).

THERE IS MORE ….

1. ALWAYS take the lift instead of the stairs. Stairwells are
horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot.

2. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control
ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in
100 times; and even then, it most likely it WILL NOT be a vital organ.
RUN!

3. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP IT! It
may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a
good-looking, well-educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies
of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often
asked “for help” into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when
he abducted his next victim.

4. Another Safety Point:
Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch
the night before last, and she called the police because it was late
and she thought it was weird. The police told her “Whatever you do,
DO NOT open the door.” The lady then said that it sounded like the
baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would
crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, “We already
have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.” He
told her that they think a serial killer has a baby’s cry recorded
and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone
dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had
several calls by women saying that they hear babies’ cries outside their doors when they’re home alone at night.
Please pass this on and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby.

ALL CAR OWNERS AND CAR DRIVERS PLEASE READ

Warning!!!!

Be aware of new car-jacking scheme.

You walk across the car park, unlock your car and get inside. Then
you lock all your doors, start the engine and shift or put into
reverse. You look into the rear-view mirror to back out of your
parking space and you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of
the rear window.
So, you shift the gear stick back into park or neutral, unlock your
doors and jump out of your car to remove that paper or whatever it is
that is obstructing your view.
When you reach the back of your car that is when the car-jackers
appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off!! Your engine
was running, you would have left your purse in the car and they
practically mow you down as they speed off in your car.

BE AWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USED IN
LONDON /MANCHESTER MAKING ITS WAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY!!!!! !!!

Just drive away and remove the paper later! It is stuck to your
window and be thankful that you read this email. I hope you will
forward this to friends and family especially to women! A purse
contains all identification, and you certainly do NOT want someone
getting your home address. They already HAVE your keys!!!

JUST BE AWARE AND TAKE CARE IT WILL PROBABLY ARRIVE IN YOUR AREA SOON

It is alleged this warning came from the Force Intelligence Bureau,
Strathclyde Police
So we are warned and if we do not take care it is our own silly fault BUT… with news of all the precautions we women should take when driving alone, comes news from one woman who said, it is all a hoax.

“There is no man out there waiting to get in the back of your car. You are spreading scare stories and you should check these out on Snopes.com – the site to find out if there is any truth when rumour has it,” they said.

Another email said, “re: Warning to all Women.

The details of this hoax can be found on

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/madmen/backseat.asp

It is a variation on an old hoax that has been going round the
Internet for years. I can’t imagine Strathclyde Police would be
best impressed with having their name attached to it!!
”

Back came a swift reply, “Even if this was all a hoax, surely it is better in this awful day and age to still warn people that these sort of things COULD happen and to just be aware and have some common sense when out alone.”

Further support came from another woman who wrote, “Even if it is a hoax, warning women off the
dangers of being in a car alone is extremely useful.
Perhaps you are safely in your bed at midnight. I am
driving home from work. I have on occasions had cars flash their lights at me
following me down a country lane.

“It is a frightening
experience to go through.
A lot of women think being in theirs cars is safe.
Wonder what you would do if someone got into your car
whilst at a petrol station or at traffic lights and
threatened you.
You must have searched the web for ages to prove me
wrong over this. I was asked to pass this message on
by someone who has had very bad experiences driving
two miles down the road coming home from work in
Bournemouth. All that is said in the e-mail does
happened in this country. Perhaps not yet in
our district. What is wrong with warning people
about the dangers?”

And a mere man added his words of wisdom, “It may be a hoax, but the basic message is well based. If it serves to alert a few people and make them vigilant that has to be a good thing. I, for example, have for many years locked my car at filling stations and when pulled up in traffic at spots like traffic lights.”

This last comment made me smile as I recalled a true story told to me some years ago about a patient with learning difficulties who had a passion for driving other people’s transport.

If he found a car with keys in it, off he would go for a drive, treating the vehicle with care as if it was his own. As you can imagine this passion got him into real trouble when he fancied driving an ambulance and stole this. Perhaps his only saving grace was the comments he left behind in the parked vehicle after running out of petrol in the middle of nowhere. He would leave notes saying that the tappets needed adjusting, or the tyre pressure on the back wheels were too low and he recommended the owner got it looked at. Harmless fun? Well he got his collar felt if you know what I mean.

Since I heard that story – never mind about a man in the back seat – I always lock my car when I go to pay at the petrol station to avoid theft as well as trespassers or rapists.

Do remember if you are driving alone and you are flagged down by what appears to be a police car, unmarked or otherwise, you have every right to drive to a busy, well lit area where you should feel safe, before dealing with the problem. You should report the incident on 999 before stopping or opening your door. If they are genuine police officers they will respect your safety precautions.

It is worth looking at these website – all with differing points of view about safety. Always good to share some sound ideas and good advice.

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/womenfamilies/articles/124632/article.html

http://www.aaroadwatch.ie/tips/women.asp

http://www.herald-journal.com/archives/1999/stories/women.html

Take care and beware. Jeanne

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COUNTDOWN FOR CONGO – HIS FATE WILL BE DETERMINED ON APRIL 4

by Jeanne Hambleton  © 2008
NFA Leader Against Pain-International Advocate  

Congo, the German Shepherd dog from Princeton, New Jersey, who has been facing the death penalty for the last nine months as a “vicious dog”, will learn about his future in a few days, on Friday April 4.

But as this family dog awaits the verdict Congo’s supporters all over the world are being urged to please write Judge Mitchel Ostrer, polite and professional, letters of
support for Congo. Meanwhile the new Bill Congo’s Law that may have helped to save Congo’s life, lies ‘pending’ in the offices of the Senate.

Congo was put on “death row” nine months ago after protecting his mistress, a female dog and three puppies, from an alleged attack with rake by a gardening contractor. When news of his fate reached the Internet animal activists and dog lovers all over the world signed petitions and sent emails to the Judge in Princeton, home of Congo, to save the dog’s life.

Since then petitions and websites have sprung up supporting Congo as American Assemblyman Neil M Cohen from the New Jersey Senate proposed a Bill to save the life of Congo, from his death sentence and review the out-of-date vicious dog laws.
Neil Cohen’s bill will revise state animal control law provisions that are archaic and barbaric by making it more difficult to label a dog vicious or to put an animal down.

Neil Cohen is quoted as saying,”Congo’s case underscores the need for the state to modernize the law that deals with dog attacks so it is fair for the owners and the animals.”

The Bill started its passage through the Senate in December as A.4597 and changed to S3010. It is currently waiting further discussion by a committee of the Senate under the number A1603.

I was advised by the Legislative Information and Bill Room that the Assembly Bill A4597 made it to second reading in the Assembly but was never voted upon before the session ended on January 8, 2008.

The communication read, “The bill has been reintroduced into the current session (2008-2009) and the new Bill number is Assembly Bill A1603. A 1603 was introduced on January 8, 2008 and referred to the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. There is no action scheduled for the Bill at this time. The
current sponsors of the Bill are listed below. You may also find this
Bill and much more by visiting the NJ Legislature’s website at
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us.

Assemblyman Neil M. Cohen Democrat
District Office: 985 Stuyvesant Ave., Union, NJ 07083
(908)-624-0880

Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr. Democrat
District Office: 908 Oak Tree Ave., Unit P, South Plainfield, NJ
07080 (908)-757-1677

Assemblyman Richard A. Merkt Republican
District Office: 12 Old Brookside Rd., Randolph, NJ 07869
(973)-895-9100

Assemblyman Declan J. O’Scanlon, Jr. Republican
District Office: 32 Monmouth St., 3rd Floor, Red Bank, NJ 07701 (732)-933-1591.”

On March 17 further news from the Legislative Information and Bill Room reported, “Congo’s law was reintroduced for the 2008/2009 session with the new Bill number of A1603. It is currently in the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources committee with no hearings scheduled at this time.

“I believe the April 4, 2008 date has to do with a court hearing on the case. This would have nothing to do with the Legislature so I would have no information on it.”

Today’s entry in my search for an up date on Congo’s Law showed the following -
A1603 Revises vicious and potentially dangerous dog law; designated Congo’s Law. Agriculture and Natural Resources
Last Session Bill Number: A4597   (2R) S3010
Cohen, Neil M.   as Primary Sponsor
Diegnan, Patrick J., Jr.   as Primary Sponsor
Merkt, Richard A.   as Primary Sponsor
O’Scanlon, Declan J., Jr.   as Primary Sponsor
1/8/2008 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
Lawyer Robert Lytle who is acting for Congo’s owners, Guy and Elizabeth James, will be fighting to save the family pet’s life when Judge Ostrer hears both sides of the argument during the appeal to save Congo’s life. The lawyer believes that animals have as much right as we have to defend themselves. The prosecutor is claiming there was provocation but the dog’s reaction was disproportion.

So Congo needs all the support he can get if he is to live the rest of his days with his family. All dog lovers are urged to write to the Judge pleading for Congo’s life at

MITCHEL E. OSTRER- his direct phone number – 609-571-4188
Mercer County Courthouse
209 South Broad & Market Streets
PO Bo x 8068
Trenton, 08650

Anne Soden and Daphne who sent this information to me, are asking PLEASE
mention in your letter or phone call that he needs to take into consideration that the laws are old and they don’t take in to consideration how the dog perceived the threat. Also, there is no case law out there in NJ that has interpreted the statutes. This is the first one. Another point to use is that the last case of a dog attack was back in 1994 and the Governor then, Christine Whitman, had pardoned the Akita and he was exiled from the State. This is a last resort option so we can keep him alive.

Also, please contact Governor Jon Corzine at 609-292-6000 and ask the
Governor to pardon Congo.

You can also email him at:

http://www.state.nj.us/governor/govmail.html

and where is says- Select a Topic choose- “Law and Public Safety”

and select a Sub-topic, choose-”Pardons and Clemency”

and fill in your information to send a note to him.

You don’t have to live in New Jersey to call or email our governor. PLEASE GIVE CONGO YOUR SUPPORT.

As far Congo’s Law a spokesman for Assembly Neil Cohen is reported as saying the Bill is still pending.

Assemblyman Neil Cohen, an attorney, who sponsored Congo’s Law

New Research Funding CD is ready for production.

My own personal CD is ready to start raising research funding for our planned concert. Watch http://www.fibrohugs.org and http://fmsglobalnews.wordpress.com for news of the CD being in production and ready for sale.

Music? Now your talking my language! I grew up in Detroit during the 60′s and 70′s and played guitar for numerous “garage bands” and met my share of talented people over the years. Some of the most talented musicians in the Detroit area are just now coming out and getting noticed. I have some projects set up with some of the area’s best talent in the near future. Watch for news of a “special project” I have in the works this spring.

FMS Global News began early one morning in May of 2006 while Ken Euteneier, a close friend and webmaster of fibrohugs, located in Regina, Saskatchewan, and I were discussing ways to promote fibromyalgia awareness over our morning coffee. At the time, there was very little in the way of reliable news regarding fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), so Ken and I decided to become an online news agency. About 9 months later the news blog, http://fmsglobalnews.wordpress.com was added, and became the worlds first “global” source of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome news available world wide and in any number of languages. Months later we were joined by Jeanne Hambleton, a journalist from the UK, and we began bringing news and articles from around the world about fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Jeanne’s unique style of writing and the wealth of data we were able to introduce to the web, became our signature trademark. We began adding RSS feeds to a number of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue sites, becoming the “source” of news for a number of web sites. FMS Global News Google Groups began this feed service and we were soon up and running with a number of web sites picking up the feed and a number of subscribers receiving their news by e-mail. We have some really awesome plans for 2008 and you won’t want to miss any of this, so keep reading and we’ll drop you a few hint’s about what’s coming up next.

Who I’d like to meet:

Anyone interested in promoting gulf war syndrome and fibromyalgia news, research, and awareness…Musicians that can really rock

Rick

If you would like to help:

To donate to the Gregory Shane Fibromyalgia Fund:

Please earmark your donation “Concert Fund Attn. Dr. Dan Clauw”

Call toll free 866-860-0026 or local (in Michigan) 734-763-6433.

E-mail IntMed-Development@med.umich.edu.

Donate online at Michigan Online Giving and

enter the fund’s name on the donor form.

Both private and Corporate donations are welcome.

http://www.med.umich.edu/painresearch/about/gift.htm

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Data study suggests cortisol could alleviate for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia

New hope available for the millions suffering from these diseases

LOS ANGELES — March 19, 2008 — Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are two serious and debilitating diseases with no confirmed cause and limited treatment options. However, results of a new comprehensive literature study propose a simplified treatment process that could help alleviate symptoms for patients suffering from these diseases.

Kent Holtorf, M.D., medical director of the Holtorf Medical Group Center for Endocrine, Neurological and Infection related illness Torrance, Calif., is advising a simplified treatment process that may help alleviate CFS and FM symptoms. From an extensive review of more than 50 published studies that assessed adrenal function in CFS and FM patients, Dr. Holtorf found that that the majority of CFS and FM patients displayed abnormal adrenal function due to hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. The comprehensive review also showed that the majority of patients could be treated for this adrenal dysfunction. Dr. Holtorf’s analysis, recently published in the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, demonstrated that patients that were given cortisol as part of a multi-system treatment experienced significant improvement in their symptoms.

“My review of existing studies suggests that a treatment protocol of early administration of cortisol may help improve and reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia,” said Dr. Holtorf. “This research provides a new understanding that treating the known causes of illness in CFS and FM can improve the symptoms and quality-of-life of patients who suffer from these conditions.”

CFS and FM primarily affect women in their 30s and 40s. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than one million Americans suffer from CFS while it is estimate that FM affects about 2 percent of the U.S. population. Unfortunately, both of these diseases are poorly understood by many physicians and there is no generally accepted test to accurately detect them. In addition, many CFS and FM patients express frustration because there is no clear treatment path for their conditions.

Dr. Holtorf’s research was further confirmed in an observational study following the conditions of 500 patients from his clinic, where of the patients given cortisol as part of their treatment protocol:

94 percent showed improvement by the fourth visit;
75 percent noted significant improvement;
62 percent reported substantial improvement; and
Energy levels and a general sense of well-being for patients doubled by the fourth visit.
The effectiveness of this multi-system treatment was further confirmed through the analysis of the cumulative findings of over 40 independent physicians and over 5,000 patients.

As shown in the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome study, cortisol doses of 5-to-15mg a day have been shown to be safe, with little or no associated risk while having the potential for significant benefit for CFS and FM patients.

“Cortisol treatment carries significantly less risk and a greater potential for benefit than treatments considered to be the standard of care for both conditions,” Dr. Holtorf explains.

###
What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a debilitating and complex disease characterized by profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and that may be worsened by physical or mental activity. Persons with CFS most often function at a substantially lower level of activity than they were capable of before the onset of illness. In addition, patients report various symptoms, such as weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory and/or mental concentration, insomnia, and post-exertional fatigue lasting more than 24 hours. In some cases, CFS can persist for years. The cause or causes of CFS have not been identified and no specific diagnostic tests are available.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia or FM is a chronic pain condition characterized by generalized muscular pain and fatigue. Fibromyalgia typically involves pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons and related sleep and quality of life disturbances. This condition is often referred to as a “syndrome” because it is a set of signs and symptoms that occur together. The disease is often misunderstood because its symptoms are quite common; however, medical studies have proven that fibromyalgia does indeed exist.

Kent Holtorf, M.D.

Kent Holtorf, M.D. is an expert in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, complex endocrine dysfunction and chronic infections (including EBV, HHV6 and Lyme disease). Dr. Holtorf received his doctorate of medicine from St. Louis University with residency training at UCLA. He has personally trained numerous physicians across the country to effectively treat chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and chronic infectious diseases. Additionally, Dr. Holtorf was the founding medical director and developed the protocols for Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers and other centers across the country.

Source

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Alex Winston musician supporting fibromyalgia research

myspace.com/alexwinston – alexwinstonmusic.com

Both shows are sold out.
If you already have tickets, here is the info…

Blind Melon
w/ ALEX WINSTON
Saturday, March 15th
@ The Vogue
Indianapolis, IN
Doors 6:30
ALEX plays at 7:00
The Vogue – 6259 N College Ave – Indianapolis, IN 46220
(317) 259-7029
thevogue.ws

Blind Melon
w/ ALEX WINSTON
& The Word Play
Sunday, March 16th
@ St. Andrews Hall
Detroit, MI
Doors 7:30
ALEX plays at 8:00
St. Andrews Hall – 431 East Congress – Detroit, MI 48226
http://www.livenation.com/event/getEvent/eventId/312915/

For more information on Alex Winstons fibromyalgia research support see: http://www.myspace.com/fmsglobalnews

FMS Global News

Fibrohugs Support

Tenderpoints Newsletter