In the News

25 January, 2022

As COVID Is Allowed To 'Let Rip', These Australians Are Locking Themselves Back Down

Immunocompromised people in Australia say they've been forced to return to lockdown by cavalier government measures and attitudes around surging COVID-19 cases.

25 April, 2022

As In-Person Seders Return, Some Vulnerable Jews Are Being Left Behind

Profiles of US Jewish chronic pain patients, including ME/CFS sufferer Rivka Solomon.

27 October, 2022

As Pandemic Wanes, ‘Long COVID’ Patients In Hampton Roads Still Struggle With Mysterious Symptoms

Megan Temple is well-versed in the medical system. As a registered nurse, she’s seen a lot and worked in a range of settings including hospitals, home health and prison medical departments. But she didn’t know just how much that knowledge would come in handy over the past year. Temple, 42, contracted COVID-19 last October, while recovering from an unrelated surgery. Ever since, she’s dealt with an ever-changing list of symptoms, a confusing web of conflicting information and a mysterious disease still too unknown to fully understand.

13 March, 2024

As Scientists Study COVID-Chronic Fatigue Ties, NJ Man Seeks Escape From Personal 'Prison'

It’s been four years since James Strazza was diagnosed with an aggressive form of chronic fatigue syndrome, which brings pain with any stimuli. Light, sound and touch can all be torture for Strazza, who grew up in North Jersey but now lives in South Carolina. Sapped of all his energy − another hallmark of the condition − the 35-year-old former music producer spends much of his time in a dark, silent bedroom. "It's like being in prison," he said recently. "You're trapped in your own body, and there's no escape. Every day is a struggle just to do the simplest things."

16 January, 2021

As They're Told To Exercise Despite Crippling Fatigue, And Advised They Should Banish 'Negative Thoughts'...No Wonder Doctors Think Their Long Covid Treatment Is Misguided

An article from The Daily Mail Australia.

05 November, 2022

Ask The Expert: Could Fibromyalgia Be Linked To Endocannabinoid System Deficiency?

The endocannabinoid system is a system built into all animals with nervous and immune systems, which regulates a host of different functions in the body and brain, from pain and inflammation to body temperature and mood. It was first discovered in the early 1990s by Israeli scientist Raphael Meshulam, during his research into the effects of the cannabis plant on the brain and body. Building on Mechoulam’s work, some scientists believe a deficiency of the ECS could be linked to conditions such as fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and migraine, which are typically hard to treat. Cannabis Health expert, Dr Anthony Ordman, a pain specialist who has experience prescribing cannabis for patients with fibromyalgia, shares his thoughts.

20 December, 2023

Assessing Ethnic Minority Representation In Fibromyalgia Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review Of Recruitment Demographics

The under-representation of non-White participants in Western countries in clinical research has received increased attention, due to recognized physiological differences between ethnic groups, which may affect the efficacy and optimal dosage of some treatments. This review assessed ethnic diversity in pharmaceutical trials for fibromyalgia, a poorly understood chronic pain disorder. We also investigated longitudinal change to non-White participant proportions in trials and non-White participants’ likelihood to discontinue with fibromyalgia research between trial stages (retention). First, we identified relevant trials conducted in the United States and Canada between 2000 and 2022, by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library databases. In trials conducted both across the United States and Canada, and exclusively within the United States, approximately 90% of participants were White. A longitudinal analysis also found no change in the proportion of non-White participants in trials conducted across the United States and Canada between 2000 and 2022. Finally, we found no significant differences in trial retention between White and non-White participants. This review highlights the low numbers of ethnic minorities in fibromyalgia trials conducted in the United States and Canada, with no change to these proportions over the past 22 years. Furthermore, non-White participants were not more likely to discontinue with the fibromyalgia research once they were recruited.

13 December, 2023

Assessment Of Post-COVID-19 Fatigue Among Female Survivors 2 Years After Hospital Discharge: A Nested Case–Control Study

Research published BMC Public Health.

15 November, 2023

Assessment Of The Therapeutic Potential Of Lutein And Beta-Carotene Nanodispersions In A Rat Model Of Fibromyalgia

Research published in the journal Scientific Reports.

14 December, 2023

Association Between Elasticity Of Tissue And Pain Pressure Threshold In The Tender Points Present In Subjects With Fibromyalgia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a multicomponent illness and despite its worldwide prevalence, a complete understanding of its aetiology and pathogenesis remains unclear. The goal of the study is to analyze the level of association between elastic properties of tissue measured by strain elastography (SEL) and pain pressure threshold (PPT) in the characteristic painful points described in patients suffering from FM. This was a cross-sectional, observational study. A sample comprised of 42 subjects with FM was recruited from a private care centre. The occiput, low cervical, trapezius, supraspinatus, paraspinous, lateral pectoral, second rib, lateral epicondyle, medial epicondyle, gluteus, greater trochanter, knee, and anterior tibial PPTs were bilaterally assessed using a standard pressure algometer and elastic properties of tissue were evaluated by SEL. Linear regression analysis showed significant associations between SEL and dominant trapezius PPT (β = 0.487, 95% CI [0.045, 0.930], p = 0.032) after adjustments for the age, body mass index, and menopause status (higher SEL and higher pain sensitivity). No significant associations between SEL and the other PPTs variables were found in women diagnosed with FM. The PPT of the dominant trapezius is associated with SEL measurements in subjects suffering from FM. More studies are required to fully explain the underlying mechanisms.