Potsdam Fibromyalgia Support group

Newsletter

 


August, 2003

 

Help Us Sponsor a Fibromyalgia Table at the Heuvelton Health Fair

The Potsdam and Massena Fibromyalgia Support Groups are sponsoring an information table at the Heuvelton Health Fair from 8-2 on Saturday, October 4th. The goal is to provide educational information so that people with FMS, their families, friends and co-workers better understand this disorder. Debbie Wells is coordinating this activity. If you can help out by setting up or staffing the table for a couple of hours, please contact Debbie at 384-4582 or by email at klw1@localnet.com (that is k-ell-w-one).

 

What is Balance?

Several people who participated in the Clarkson Fibromyalgia balance research said they learned a lot about balance by participating. So, this newsletter will describe a little what balance is about.

      Three systems contribute to your balance:

1.       The vestibular system, which is located in the  inner ear. This system operates like a carpenter’s level, detecting both tilting and motion of the head in any direction.

2.       The visual system. We use our eyes to determine which way is up and whether we are moving relative to our environment.

3.       The somatosensory system includes the sensors in our joints and muscles. These sensors detect changes in force or motion in our joints when we move.

When any one of these senses isn’t working properly, the feedback from that sense doesn’t match with one or both of the other senses. This may result in a sense of dizziness (feeling unsteady) or vertigo (feeling like you are spinning or the room is spinning around you).

      Physical activity helps improve all three parts of our balance, and inactivity may make it worse.  It seems that many people with FMS report balance problems. This could be due to the FMS itself, to decreased activity or to medications. Balance can be improved by proper diagnosis and exercises that specifically challenge the balance systems that are not working effectively.

      Canton-Potsdam Hospital has a vestibular specialist who works with people who have a variety of balance disorders. For more information about treatment for balance problems, contact CPH at: 261-5461.

Massena Support Group Meeting

The group meets at 6:30 in the Community Meeting Room. The September 9th meeting will be about Sleep: Improving Your Nights. For more information, contact facilitator Maxine Dodge, at email maxinesbeach@wmconnect.com or 769-5778.

 

Potsdam Support Group Meeting

The Potsdam Fibromyalgia Support Group will meet on Thursday, August 28th. This will be an open discussion of upcoming Support Group activities, brainstorming topics for future meetings, and generally talking about anything that is on our minds.

 

Clarkson fibromyalgia research continues

Profs. Leslie Russek and George Fulk continue to collect data on balance and walking in people with fibromyalgia. So far, 18 people have participated toward the goal of 30 before the end of the year. The project involves participating on 3 different days, each time for about 30 minutes. Testing includes several questionnaires, two 6-minute walks, a 3-minute walk, a computerized balance test and a functional balance test. Participants receive the results of their tests and are compensated $10 for each session, to cover time and travel expenses.

Please help Clarkson become a regional center for fibromyalgia research and treatment! If you are interested in participating or would like more information, contact Leslie Russek at 268-3761 or email at Lnrussek@clarkson.edu.

 

If you would prefer to receive these newsletters electronically (and save a few trees), please send your email address to gilberta@clarkson.edu.

This newsletter is a joint effort of Clarkson University and Canton-Potsdam Hospital. If you would like to be removed from the FMSG mailing list, please contact us at the above email or by phone at 268-3786.