In this eNews:

• Awareness Contest
• Does Fibro Differ Between the Sexes?
• Next Journal Issue
• Order Awareness Items Now
• The Unpredictability of Fibro
• Keep Your Membership Current

Questions?

Call: (800) 853-2929
Email: kthorson@fmnetnews.com
Visit: www.fmnetnews.com

Fibromyalgia (FM) Awareness month is fast approaching. New this year, we are hosting a fibro awareness contest, so if you have any planned activities, we hope to hear from you. In case you are wondering, your Spring Journal will arrive before the end of next month.

Given that more women than men are diagnosed with fibro, it is often wondered if the symptoms in both genders are the same. The article in our latest news provides a new angle on this research, and it may not be what you think. We are also pleased to pass along some words of insight from one of our Facebook fans on daily living with FM.

Kristin Thorson & the Staff of FM Network

Here is your opportunity to win a one-year free renewal to Fibromyalgia Network. Email us a photo and a short description (one to three paragraphs) of your Fibro Awareness activities to kthorson@fmnetnews.com. The top ten entries will receive the free renewal and the best five will be posted to our website’s Latest News blog. Deadline for submissions is Thursday, May 31st.

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The so-called “Battle of the Sexes” stretched into fibromyalgia research earlier this month, and it’s no surprise. Men, often under-represented in fibro research, are often thought to not be as affected as the typical “over-emotional, over-exaggerated” women. But as expected, the research shows this old sexist view is incorrect.

Read the complete article in the Latest News section of our website.

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The upcoming Spring issue of the Fibromyalgia Network Journal will arrive at the end of May. Some of the topics in this issue include:

• Why you have trouble finding words when they’re on the tip of your tongue.
• How balance and coordinated movements are affected by fibro, and what you can do to reduce this alteration in function.
• Learn how an experienced pain expert approaches the treatment of your sleep, fatigue, brain fog, and non-stop pain.
• How does your sleep-wake cycle impact your fibro, and what can be done to intervene? Also, learn about a novel therapy to help relieve hypertension caused by disrupted sleep.
• What forms of heat are best for easing fibro symptoms based on the research? Learn how heat might help and inexpensive ways to achieve the most benefit.
• Find out what the experts suggest on simple ways to get moving and improve your function without adding to your pain and fatigue.
• Why do potent opioid pain killers help some patients more than others?

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Order Awareness Items Now

Small steps have led to great strides in fibromyalgia awareness over the years. Again this year, the Fibromyalgia Network invites you to continue this effort by joining the Awareness Day activities on May 12 or any day you feel up to it.

The Awareness campaign is designed to minimize the time and energy requirements on your part. The materials are subtle reminders that while your illness is invisible, it does exist. All of our items are provided to you for only the cost of printing and postage. For more information, visit the Awareness page of our website at www.fmnetnews.com/awareness.

Our only goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to spread awareness. We offer purple wristbands, popular ribbon-shaped car magnets, static-charged decals, posters, and lapel pins. Imprinted on all of these items is "Fibromyalgia—It's REAL."

• Purple Wristbands - These silicone wristbands are debossed with “Fibromyalgia – It’s REAL”
• Car Magnets - The 3 7/8-by-8 inch magnets offer an easy and convenient way to spread Awareness.
• Removable Decals - These amazing 5.5-by-8.5 inch static-charged decals adhere to virtually all smooth surfaces without any sticky residue.
• Awareness Poster - These 18-by-24 inch, full-color posters come with a free May 12 Fibromyalgia Awareness Day sticker. Use at health fairs and Awareness events to remind others that “Fibromyalgia—It’s REAL.” Each order comes with Bookmarks.
• Awareness Pins - The 1.5-inch round pins are small enough to wear on a lapel, but bright enough to raise Awareness. Each order comes with Bookmarks.
  

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Everyone with fibro struggles with its ups and downs, never knowing what each day will bring. The following was posted by one of our Facebook fans and we loved it so much, we wanted to share it with you.

By Hannah Hill

As a Fibromyalgia sufferer I do not want your sympathy, I just want you to understand who I am because I may forget.

Yesterday I may have been limping, today I may be skipping, tomorrow I may be having a sofa day.

Yesterday I may have been on top of the world, today I may want to stay indoors, tomorrow I may not be able to get out of bed.

Although my pain is all over, yesterday my leg may have been hurting more than my arm, today it’s my head, tomorrow it may be my back.

Yesterday I was able to make a three-course meal, today it’s a frozen meal, tomorrow it’s jam and bread.

Yesterday I climbed a mountain, today I may manage a mile, tomorrow I may manage a smile.

Yesterday I may have been engaging in great conversation, today I may forget my words, tomorrow I may have forgotten we spoke.

It's not easy living with Fibromyalgia, even harder when others do not understand you!

Join Us on Facebook

The Fibromyalgia Network invites you to share your ideas on our Facebook page. With more than 34,000 Facebook fans, the site offers a variety of topics related to your symptoms and lifestyle-management issues pertaining to fibromyalgia. The FM Network staff loves reading all of your comments, stories, and humor. Please keep telling others we are on Facebook by sharing the link below.

Share with us on Facebook today at
www.facebook.com/FibroNetwork

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If your Membership expires soon, renew now before you forget.

To find out when your Membership expires, look above the mailing address on the back of your Journal or call us at (800) 853-2929 for your expiration date.

You can rest assured each issue of the Fibromyalgia Network Journal and monthly eNews Alerts will give you the most up-to-date information that you cannot find on the Internet or anywhere else.

Call us today at (800) 853-2929 or renew online. If you have questions about your Membership, please call us. The Fibromyalgia Network is a patient education and advocacy organization that strives to improve your quality of life. We have been dedicated to this mission for 24 years, and you can always count on us to serve you now and in the future.

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Articles are for informational purposes only. Consult your physician for treatment.

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