Our monthly magazine includes many useful articles and features. Read about some of the past and present content in thsi section. You can subscribe to the magazine by going to our shop.
July highlights from Fibromyalgia Focus
In May I had the privilege of attending a rheumatology conference called OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology & Arthritis Clinical Trials) designed to allow rheumatology experts to come together to discuss what outcomes they should be measuring in clinical trials and how these measurements should be made. I was invited as a patient participant and had the opportunity to learn about and offer opinions on fibromyalgia in research-related discussions.
It was an exciting opportunity, especially as it was based in Borneo, not a place I ever thought I'd visit! Take a look at page 11 to find out what I learnt about FM and current research techniques.
How are your levels of self-esteem? If you are finding that your self-esteem has plummeted recently, then take a look at page 18 where Bridie Nelson offers some Top Tips for boosting your self-esteem.
Bridie says: "One of the first things you can do when you wake up in the morning is to think about what makes you the special and unique person that you are. Now it might not be easy to come up with a long list of positives at first, but as you get used to noticing some of the nice things people say to you and about you, it will get easier.”
Subscribe to Fibromyalgia Focus to read these articles and more.
May highlights from Fibromyalgia Focus
When you are first told you have fibromyalgia you obviously want to know as much information as possible about the symptoms, possible therapies and how it will affect your day-to-day life. Information on the Internet can be overwhelming, especially if you don't know what sites to focus on. Often, a good book is just what you need.
This month meet the person behind that classic FM book Living with Fibromyalgia. Christine Craggs-Hinton shares her personal story and tells us what inspired her to write one of the first patient's books on FM in the UK. Living with Fibromyalgia is about to be relaunched, fully updated with the latest research and therapies for FM, so now is a great time to purchase a copy and get all the facts about FM presented in an easy to understand format.
Subscribe to Fibromyalgia Focus to read these articles and more.
April Fibro Focus Highlights
Happy Easter! I hope you're enjoying the Easter break and the indulgence of large quantities of chocolate bunnies.
Ever fancied taking part in a reality TV show? Our cover girl, Becky Magson, has done just that. She took part in the TV show, Brides on a Bus, where 10 hopeful brides-to-be travelled on a double-decker bus from Land's End to Gretna Green carrying out challenges along the way to qualify to stay on the bus. Having fibromyalgia meant that Becky faced an extra challenge of coping with her symptoms, especially in the physical tasks. This month she tells us about what it was like to take part in the programme and how it has helped her to gain self-confidence and the courage to push new barriers.
March Fibro Focus Highlights
Spring is definitely on the way, the days are getting longer and the sun is starting to make more of an appearance. With the hope of ever increasing hours of sunshine it's time to start planning those summer vacations.
This month, two of our writers, Sally Mayor and Sally Dixon, share some travel stories and offer tips on how to make travelling with limited mobility uncomplicated and comfortable. Sally Dixon visits the Lake District and shows that with a bit of planning and determination, even this UK mountainous region is accessible and you can enjoy the stunning views and the wide range of cakes on offer.
Sally Mayor has taken the plunge and gone to New York to explore the hectic sights and sounds of this spectacular city. She reports on the welcome she received wherever she went and the bonus of queue jumping in a wheelchair.
Magazine Features February 2010
Why not settle down by a warming fire and get absorbed in the great features we have this month.
Our cover girl, singer/songwriter Shelly Quarmby, tells her heart wrenching story about her struggles with fibromyalgia and how her experiences have inspired her to release her first album: Change, the proceeds of which will be donated to FMA UK. Shelley writes:The lyrics were inspired by events in my life that became difficult to handle on top of having FM. I felt like I literally had no fuel to keep going, something would perk me up, but only for a while. I became frustrated with others, almost jealous because I couldn't be the best I knew I could be. So although I unite with all those other independent musicians performing today, I also identify with a group of people in the UK and across the world affected by fibromyalgia…
I think every one of us battles with trying to exercise; can fibromyalgia and exercise really coexist?
This is the question that Melanie Forde addresses offering useful tips and advice about how to get going with and stick to an exercise programme:It is important to be realistic when planning exercise as consistency is the key to beneficial exercise. Living with FM causes us an enormous amount of frustration so we need to try not to add to that by trying to do things that are out of our reach. We need to tally up our resources. Think about each of the following:..
Subscribe to Fibrmoymalgia Focus - FMA UK's monthly magazine.