In This Issue
Featured Article: Are We Making Progress? New Social Security Ruling on CFS and Disability
Featured Article: Beaverton Swim Center
Please Support Our Community
Featured Article and Product: Vitamin D Reduces Pain in People with Fibromyalgia
Upcoming Events
Recordings Now Available
Featured Article: Lupus and Autoimmune Condition Patient Forum
Join Our Mailing List
Are We Making Progress? New Social Security Ruling on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Disability Eligibility

By Cheryl Coon
SSDI Attorney
Introduction 
On April 3, 2014, the Social Security Administration (SSA)
issued a new ruling, SSR 14-1p, with regard to chronic fatigue
syndrome (CFS) and eligibility for disability benefits. But what does
it really mean? How does change the prospects of those who suffer
from chronic fatigue syndrome for being approved for disability
benefits?

Background: The Prior Rule 
To understand the significance of the new ruling that the SSA issued
in early April 2014, let's begin with some background on the prior
rule, SSR 99-2p.

In April 1999, SSA issued a new rule, SSR 99-2p that offered hope to
individuals trying to obtain disability benefits based on CFS. The
significance of that rule at the time cannot be overstated. Prior to
issuance of SSR 99-2p, SSA routinely denied disability claims based on
CFS because of skepticism about the disease. SSR 99-2p was SSA's
formal policy statement that CFS is a legitimate medical disorder that
can be the basis for a finding of disability.

Cheryl Coon specializes in the practice of social security disability
law with the law firm of Swanson, Thomas, Coon & Newton in Portland
Oregon.

She represents clients throughout Oregon and SW Washington in
initial applications through federal court appeals, in particular
representing many clients diagnosed with CFS/ME, fibromyalgia,
interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome and related mental
health issues.

Continue Reading...

She can be reached at ccoon@stc-law.com or by phone at
(503) 228-5222. Her disability blog is at http://www.stc-law.com/socialsecurity/
Beaverton Swim Center  
12850 SW Third Street
Beaverton, OR 97005
phone 503/629-6312 
If you are in the Portland, Oregon area, many of you have asked about a place to swim or do therapy in a pool.   
This pool comes highly recommended by a fellow fibromite.  

Back & Arthritis Exercise

Got Pain? Increase Mobility and flexibility. Water walking, stretching, range of motion, mild aerobics and more. 

If you have back problems, surgery, arthritis, fibromyalgia, or other pain issues this is the class for you. This class is also good for anyone needing increased flexibiity and toning. (level 2-3)


Read more...

Join our Private Facebook Group

We have a "secret" Facebook group that is only available by invitation.

If you would like to join, please email me and I will send you an invite.  

 

Quick Links
 

Meet Your Group Leaders


Our Sponsors
The Thriving ME/Fibromite
MAY 2014
   
 
This is a reminder of our new meeting location: 
Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center
Education Center - Room 104
19300 SW 65th Avenue
Tualatin, Oregon 97062

directionsImportant Directions Note: Do NOT go all the way to main hospital, but veer to left as soon as you turn onto hospital grounds. Then take a right into The Education Center parking lot. 

The Education Center does not have its own street address. If you use a GPS, be aware that you will still need these directions and 
maps. Your GPS will take you to the main hospital building.

Reminder: We are now meeting in Portland on odd numbered months and holding webinars on even numbered months.

PS... Think of one person with fibromyalgia or ME/CFS who has told you, "I wish there was some support for people like us!" and  to him/her.

 
Support Our Community

We have several great options for supporting our community. Please visit our website to learn more. 
Featured Article and Product
Vitamin D Reduces Pain in People with Fibromyalgia
By Bahar Gholipour, Staff Writer   |   January 17, 2014 09:42am ET 

Taking vitamin D supplements may alleviate chronic pain in people with fibromyalgia who have low levels of the vitamin, according to a new study from Austria.


Patients with fibromyalgia syndrome suffer from chronic, body-wide muscle and joint pain, and fatigue. Previous studies have pointed to the possible role of vitamin D in the perception of chronic pain.
In the new study, researchers studied whether raising patients' vitamin D levels to the recommended range would help with some of their symptoms. Thirty patients with fibromyalgia who also had low levels of vitamin D in their blood (below 32 nanograms per milliliter) were randomly assigned to take either oral vitamin D supplements, or a placebo, for 20 weeks.

Continue Reading...

Did you know that you can help support our community while at the same time purchasing a high-quality Vitamin D product? Just visit this link to do so. 
Upcoming Events

Webinar: 
Understanding How Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS Affect Your Weight
Saturday, June 21st, 2014 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM (PDT) 

 

Portland Local Meeting:
3rd Annual Retreat for the Soul: A Mind at Peace
Saturday, May 17, 2014 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (PDT)
Location: Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center
Education Center - Room 104
19300 SW 65th Avenue
Tualatin, Oregon 97062
Map - Please read directions here.
 
 
 

Recordings Now Available
 

Video: 2nd Annual Caregiver Appreciation

   

Our March meeting was about our caregivers. We aimed to accomplish two goals: 

  • Thank our caregivers.
  • Give our caregivers a place to ask questions and see that we all experience fatigue, brain fog, pain, etc.

 

We had a panel of caregivers which inclueded Jamie Liptan (Dr. Liptan's husband), Amy Mills (her mother has fibro) and Tony Gambino (his girlfriend has ME/CFS). 

 

To listen to the recording,  click here.

Webinar: Dr. Ginevra Liptan Explains Small Fiber Neuropathy

About half of a small group of patients with fibromyalgia - a common syndrome that causes chronic pain and other symptoms - was found to have damage to nerve fibers in their skin and other evidence of a disease called small-fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN). 

Unlike fibromyalgia, which has had no known causes and few effective treatments, SFPN has a clear pathology and is known to be caused by specific medical conditions, some of which can be treated and sometimes cured. The study from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers will appear in the journal PAIN and has been released online.

To listen to the recording, click here.

Lupus and Autoimmune Condition Patient Forum 
put on by Molly's Fund
 
Our very own Tami Stackelhouse (VP and Co-Founder of this community) will be participating as part of the patient panel. She will represent Fibromyalgia. 

When:  Saturday May 10th, 2014 from 2:00pm- 5:00pm 
Where: Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)  
1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, Oregon 97214
 
Registrations are encouraged, but not required.  If you have any questions about registering, please email Tracie Stone at tracie.stone@mollysfund.org.
 
Panel Discussion:

We've invited BJ Cavnor, Anita Noble, and Tami Stackelhouse to discuss the patient perspective on conditions including but not limited to lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia.

They will seek to unravel a few of the most critical questions that people struggling with chronic and autoimmune conditions face:
  • Affordable care: How the Affordable Care Act and new insurance laws help people living with autoimmune conditions.
  • How to be your own best advocate: self-care for people living with autoimmune conditions.
  • Accessing care: advice to help access medications and treatment people living with autoimmune conditions.
- See more at: http://www.mollysfund.org/patient-forum/#sthash.gt3vfCpX.dpuf

 

Thanks for reading our May 2014 issue! We'd love your feedback on what you thought.

 

It would really help us if you would:

  • Think of one person with fibromyalgia or ME/CFS who has told you, "I wish there was some support for people like us!" and  to him/her. 
To Thriving Not Just Surviving,

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Tamara Staples                                Tami Stackelhouse
(503) 662-7135                                          (971) 832-9322 
Co-Founder, President                             Co-Founder, Vice President 
Fibromyalgia-ME/CFS Support Center, Inc.
We exist so that you are NEVER alone!