| FOREWORD |
| "Fibro-My-What?!" is the collaborative work of Mary Ann Ringling, a long time Fibromyalgia sufferer, and Sean Curtis, the man who learns daily, new ways to both understand the disease and live with Mary Ann and her on going pain. |
| It is a combination of compiled research found in many places and the personal opinions on this information by Mary Ann herself. Along with the story of her personal fight of nearly 10 yrs suffering with and through Fibromyalgia. |
| The book “Fibro-My-What?!”, is written by an actual sufferer of this debilitating medical affliction. Though very common, (latest known statistics say 3 out of 7 women, as well as a smaller percentage of males is afflicted), Fibromyalgia is very misunderstood, as well as unrecognized by many health care professionals. There is virtually no conventional treatment, and or medication other than narcotic pain relief for many of the incapacitating symptoms, which presents difficulties for both the sufferer, as well as the health care professional treating the ailment. The unimaginable pain and suffering, as well as the ignorance that surrounds FMS, more often than not, can drive the suffer to depression and quite often thoughts of, and even actually committing suicide. ~Sean Curtis; President |
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| Carrie in Texas wrote: Wow! Impressed AND stressed. I think just from what I have read, there are going to be so many others that have been where you have been/are. I hate the pharmaceutical companies and others who rape the sick and suffering by withholding cures instead of treating symptomatically. Great job and astonishing that through the pain you wrote a book. It is a testament to your strength. |
| YOUR AD HERE! Contact: admin@fibromywhat.com for banner exchange & other advertising opportunities. |
| Dr. Paul Whitcomb, Founder of "The Fibromyalgia Relief Center" had this to say... Mary Ann, You are truly amazing, I am so happy and proud to be in your book. Great job. I had no idea you were such a good writer. Paul Whitcomb |
| Is any of this sounding familiar? I could seriously write an entire book filled with nothing but medical nightmare stories. Instead, I decided to turn this all into something positive. If in writing this book, I can help even a handful of people who either suffer from Fibromyalgia or know someone who does... Then I will feel I have been successful. Through all my research and my own experience with this disease, I know that the worse part... Even worse than the pain is the complete isolation & desperation that most people afflicted with Fibromyalgia feel. We have all said at one time or another, “PEOPLE JUST DON’T GET IT!” Even those of us with Fibro, (when not in crisis), realize we can’t expect them too. It sure would be nice if they could understand, but realistically, how can they? Well, guess what? Those who care about us most, wish “we” fibromyalgia sufferers, could understand what it feels like from their side too! The love of my life, the man who knows the helplessness, of standing by, seeing me in pain, and knowing there is virtually nothing he can do to ease my suffering, has helped me most in writing this book. To start with, this whole thing was his idea! Now from his help with editing, to the forward, to the quotes I have included all through this book, I can say I could not have done it with out him. Because I know how devastating Fibromyalgia can be to all relationships, family & friends. I felt it very important these people have a voice too. Because, as hose of you that suffer from this disorder know, “WE” are not easy to live with! You will find I cover this too, from Sean’s view of Fibromyalgia, to interviews with other friends and family members dealing with someone who has FMS. Though many in the medical & social services fields, remain skeptical on the whole subject, FIBROMYALGIA and its victims, do have a voice now and are being heard in many communities. I urge all Fibro-suffers & their loved ones, to arm themselves with as much knowledge as they can about this disease! We should all reach out to others afflicted. The support offered and received is some of the best medicine there is. Every case is different as this disease presents itself with so many varied symptoms, and each person affected, is in himself or herself, different from any one else. So I have not only written about the ways I have found relief from the pain and on-going problems from Fibromyalgia, but other known treatments also. I have attempted to include some of everything I could find anywhere on the subject of Fibro & related disorders to make this book as comprehensive as possible. Though fair warning given... Thanks to the research that is now going on, some the information in this book could be out-dated in the very near future. I have included pages, of links and contacts. You can now keep up-to-the minute with any, and all new information, research & findings that are made public. And there is a lot of it out there now. |
| 30 minutes passed... The pain was not easing, and it was insufferably hot in this tiny, box of a room. I tried to focus on how nice and gentle the nurses had been. Neither of them had given me “The Look”, when I had said the word “Fibromyalgia”. Could I be lucky enough to have moved to a “ Fibro- Friendly” medical community, here in California? I had reason for hope! FINALLY! The door opened, and an Asian man walked in. He was short and very thin. His hair so neatly cut and combed it looked almost painted on. Man, he looked so young! “Mary Nelson, is it? I’m Dr. Chan. What seems to be the problem?” he said, squinting through his bi-focal specs at the nurse’s notes. No eye contact... “Well Dr. Chan, pain... Pain is the problem. I moved here last week from Oklahoma & I haven’t had time to find a Chiropractor that knows about Fibromyalgia and as you can see, I am in a full-blown crisis. I just need some pain management help until I can find the proper help here in Tahoe.” My voice, shaky, with staggered breaks through my words as the spasms came and went in different places all through my body. “I’m guessing it’s a combination of the packing, the stress of moving & flying here mixed with this dang weather!” I said and tried to pass off a slight smile through my clenched teeth. Finally looking up from the chart, “And just where does it hurt?” he asked. Sarcastic skepticism was dripping from his words... I knew immediately, I was screwed! “Everywhere! But the worst pain is mostly from my head to my hips, and pins & needles in my left arm and leg.” I replied. I was desperate to keep the agonizing despair that was flooding my mind from creeping into my voice. Then it started... For what seemed like an eternity, yet I’m sure was no more than about 10 minutes, Dr. Chan berated me. I had been here too many times in my 5 years of fighting this illness. Everything from “You can’t be in pain, Fibromyalgia doesn't’t exist” to “I’d like you to get a mental evaluation”. Test after test, each one more painful than the last. Drowning me in mixtures of pills that left me crying and lost...ONCE, IN MY OWN KITCHEN! And yet, after all this, Dr. Chan had come up with a new one... I will never forget that one specific sentence he spat at me during his quiet, controlled tirade. “You, Miss Nelson, should think about moving back to where you came from. You will find that your drug seeking behavior will not fly here. We here in California do not cater to Drug Addicts.” |
| Through the tears of pain pouring from my eyes, I could see the snow outside was quickly turning into a blizzard. I noticed an elderly lady, sitting near the window. She was looking at me, concern written all over her kind face. I suddenly realized what a sight I must be. I had been hunched over with my head nearly laid on my left shoulder, rocking slowly, for over an hour. Had I succeeded in keeping my crying at least semi-quiet? At least I had the luxury of this soft wheel- chair seat, rather than those hard ER waiting room chairs. The kindness of the triage nurse to find me this chair had left me hopeful. After nearly 5 yrs since my diagnosis of Adult On-Set Scoliosis and Acute Chronic Fibromyalgia Syndrome, I had reason to be more than a little skeptical of trying any new Doctors or hospitals. In these past five years, life has taken me through three different States. And I can’t even count how many Doctors & Chiropractors, and Emergency Rooms. Now, 1 week after moving to South Lake Tahoe, I was in full fibro crisis. I had tried to read one of the magazines sitting next to me, hoping to occupy some part of my mind that was not now, completely, absorbed in the constant waves of pain wracking my body. Even if I could have focused my tear torn eyes, the pain tremors would really be obvious, and I figured I was embarrassed enough already! FINALLY!!! I heard my name called. I began to attempt to get up, but the nurse, seeing my great difficulty, motioned for me to stay in the chair and came out to get me. The ER room she rolled me into looked especially small with me in this big chair taking up the only open spot on the floor. When the pain was this bad, it had always been very strange to me, how my mind worked. Before this 5 yr nightmare began, I had always been a very rational, intelligent, independent woman. But these days, I literally had to fight, to keep from succumbing to the “Depression” and other new, very unfamiliar feelings of ”Helplessness” “Worthlessness” & the sudden irrational “Paranoia’s”. |
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| Ret in NJ, had this to say about "Fibro-My-What?!": It is beautifully written. Even though I am not directly involved in the subject matter I couldn't’t stop reading and was anxious to know more. Well done! It’s horrifying to think that someone in so much pain could be dismissed in such a way. Writing this book is such an incredibly selfless thing to do, as I know your main intention is to educate and ease the fears and pain of other Fibromyalgia sufferers. ~ |
| TESTIMONIAL FROM THE AUTHOR OF "FIBRO-MY-WHAT?!" ON DR. PAUL WHITCOMB OF THE FIBROMYALGIA RELIEF CENTER |
| Since the making of this video, Mary Ann and Sean, did indeed, move back to South Lake Tahoe and she has returned to the Fibromyalgia Clinic for treatment. To see other testimonials from people who come from all over the world, go to www.stopfibro.com |
| Bonzo Reagan Publishing PO Box 10283 South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158 |
| "THE FIBRO FIGHTER FOCUS" The name alone should tell you, this is no "cookie cutter womans health" newsletter! "Inspiring, entertaining, interactive, diverse, fun", this is the description I am striving to attain. To this end, I am counting on "reader critiquing and involvement" to assure quality and consistency. |