"Show Me Where It Hurts" Wins Premiere Video Award
Posted: October 17, 2007
Groundbreaking Film is First Known Winner on Topic of Fibromyalgia
ANAHEIM, Calif---- Dr. Patrick Wood, Chief Medical Advisor for the
National Fibromyalgia Association and a nationally recognized researcher
and authority on the cause and treatment of fibromyalgia, is among the
recipients of the 2007 Bronze Telly Award for his groundbreaking video,
"Show Me Where It Hurts."
The 37-minute film, which won in the Health and Wellness category, is
the first known entry and winner to address the topic of fibromyalgia.
"Show Me Where It Hurts" details Dr. Wood's "Dopamine Theory of
Fibromyalgia" and offers viewers a front-row seat for some of the most
cutting-edge research being done in the field. The video has been hailed
for offering a unique combination of scientific research and the human
perspective as presented by the fibromyalgia patients who discuss their
struggle with this disorder, and the hope this new research and
treatment has given them.
"The award was a nice affirmation for a lot of hard work," said Dr.
Wood. "I think the audience really connected with the mixture of
technical information and the personal stories."
The video was produced by Angler Biomedical Technologies, whose primary
focus is the improvement of the understanding and treatment of
fibromyalgia by seeking to identify novel medications and medical
technologies that will meet the needs and further the cause of
fibromyalgia patients worldwide. Dr. Wood is also the Chief Medical
Advisor for the privately-held company, based in Texas.
"The National Fibromyalgia Association was honored to host the premier
of Dr. Wood's video at our National Patient and Physician Conference
last year," said Lynne Matallana, president and founder of the NFA. "We
knew then, based on the reaction of the viewers, that this film will be
instrumental in helping provide answers that could directly benefit
people with fibromyalgia."
TELLY AWARDS
The 28th Annual Telly Awards received a record 14,362 entries from all
50 states as well as countries around the world, making this year's
competition the most competitive and successful since its inception in
1979. The Telly is the premier award honoring outstanding local,
regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest film and
video productions, and groundbreaking web commercials, videos and films.
This year's winners include companies, agencies and organizations of all
sizes, from large multinational media companies to small ad agencies and
local production houses.
ABOUT THE NFA:
The National Fibromyalgia Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3)
organization whose mission is to develop and execute programs dedicated
to improving the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia by
increasing the awareness of the public, media, government and medical
communities. The NFA publishes a quarterly magazine, 'Fibromyalgia AWARE'
and hosts an award-winning website at www.FMaware.org
.
IT’S ALL IN THE MIND
Review of the film “Fibromyalgia – Show Me Where It Hurts” by Jeanne Hambleton
For people suffering with fibromyalgia, IT’S ALL IN THE MIND is about to take on a whole new meaning.
New brain imaging technology is showing us it IS all in the mind. Yes, I do need my brains testing.
A new DVD which was premiered at the Hyatt Hotel FAME exhibition in California 2006, has revealed that the chemical imbalances in the brain play a major part in the pains we feel.
We have heard talk about antioxidants fighting the free radicals (the bad guys), pain gates, messages from the spinal cord to the central nervous system and now I have to tell you your doctor was right when he told you, “It is in your mind”. Although, of course, the chances are he did not know what he was talking about and obviously meant something different.
Today you should now be thinking about three little words - brain, dopamine, and stress. You should give serious thought to changing your lifestyle to reduce any chronic prolonged stress, start light aerobic exercise and walking at least 3 times a week and consider new medication – possibly the Dopamine Agonists.
The new DVD called “Fibromyalgia – Show Me Where It Hurts” features Professor Patrick B Wood MD, Professor Andrew J Holman MD and the Founder and President of the National Fibromyalgia Association of America, Lynne Matallana. The message is loud and clear - they are now on the right track.
Professor Wood is quoted in the film as saying, ”With the advent of new brain imaging technologies, a whole new picture has emerged. As it turns out, we’ve simply been looking in the wrong place!”
Professor Holman said, “The study of fibromyalgia is doing so much to uncover new areas of human physiology, it’s almost unfathomable.”
The DVD introduces people who describe fibromyalgia as “flu that never goes away” while one said, “I thought I was having a stroke.” Others tell stories relating to overwhelming stress, which led their bodies to shut down. Patients talk about the frustration of knowing words they want to say, which translate as something else. Another said only her hair and toes nails were free from pain. “I had every test known to man,” said one lady. Comment was also made that one lady’s biological clock was all upside down, meaning she could not sleep. The death of a dream, hopes spiralling into disappointment, despair and tears at being unable to achieve their goals.
I also read somewhere that you can even get a pain in the butt. Can you believe that pains in the buttocks are listed among some of the symptoms? No wonder I can’t sit still.
Professor Wood has been doing research into changes in the brain at the Louisana State University in Shreveport, using brain imaging technology.
The film describes fibromyalgia as a stress related disorder due to the onset of exacerbation of symptoms in the context of stressful events. Prolonged exposure to unavoidable stress produces reductions of dopamine output in parts of the brain. It is suggested this contributed to the development of certain chemicals in the context of chronic stress and plays a role in the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia.
The research had shown changes in the function of the brain and spinal cord and central nervous system.
Patients described their roles as super mums having taken care of the family needs until overtaken by fibromyalgia. Professor Wood said many people say they can handle stress and suggest it is not a big deal until they reach over-load.
Fibromyalgia sufferers demonstrate changes in the way their brain utilises dopamine and this is associated with stress. Stress impairs the brain’s ability to utilise dopamine. Dopamine plays a critical role in processing painful bodily sensations.
“We rely on a constant supply of dopamine to feel comfortable in our skin,” he said.
As stress becomes more acute, more dopamine is released to help us to fight for survival. If stress becomes chronic the hippocampus part of the brain becomes hyperactive resulting in changes in the chemical make-up. The hippocampus controls any dopamine release, which affects the control of pain. As a result, more information enters the brain unsoothed by dopamine. "This is what we call fibromyalgia" said Professor Wood. The problems with the hippocampus may also explain the cognitive problems.
The hippocampus controls the brain’s responses to stress. Some systems are out of control in patients with fibromyalgia.
While some people sleep soundly the “flight or fight” reactions remain active in someone with fibromyalgia. The result is they are wide-awake during the night.
Fibromyalgia is a change in the way the brain listens to the body resulting from a lack of normal dopamine.
The Professor talked about links between fibromyalgia brain activity and Parkinson’s disease. He said these were scary but there were differences. The neurons making the dopamine do not die in fibromyalgia patients.
The film traces the history of muscle pain back to the early 1900s when it was known as fibrositis, the discovery of Tender Points and the alpha delta sleeping patterns found by Professor Harvey Moldofsky in 1975.
I have also learned that in days gone by people who suffered with similar pain syndromes were often said to have suffered with “invalidism”.
The 1990 criteria for diagnosing fibromyalgia established by the American College of Rheumatology is discussed with the changes in today’s thinking.
Fibromyalgia was a word used to describe pin in the muscle fibre tissue. Rapidly developing technology has changed all that by allowing researchers to see the brain in a new way.
There is talk of overwhelming stress and I am sure this is what had happened to me before I was diagnosed. At that time I believed I would never walk again. In my case I am convinced it was harassment in the work place that triggered fibromyalgia for me.
It was said that fibromyalgia patients owe it to themselves to identify the causes of their stress. It is a hard decision but changes in a lifestyle may be the only way to get the stress out of your life. Until people reduces stress or rid himself or herself of it there is little hope of much progress.
At present there are no specific medicines for fibromyalgia – every prescription is “off label” and some medicines make the body uncomfortable. Changes in lifestyles, aerobics and properly prescribed medicine can make a lot of difference.
The Professor said he had the honour to run a fibromyalgia speciality clinic and he sees how other chemicals affect the body. He aid stress produced a chemical which affects the brain. It is possible to change that impact and he had seen people become dramatically better.
There are now medicines, which promote the release of dopamine, medicines, which make the effects of dopamine, last longer, and over the counter medicines and healthy food which makes dopamine. . Professor Holman spoke about the Dopamine Agonist medicines used to treat restless leg syndrome. These had been shown to have a dramatic effect on those suffering with fibromyalgia.
He referred to a randomised double blind placebo controlled trial of Pramipexole, a Dopamine Agonist, in patients with fibromyalgia, receiving concomitant medication. These trials had been carried out by Professor Holman and Robin R Myers and were published in the Arthritis & Rheumatism magazine Vol.52 No.8 pp 2495-2505 in August 2005 by the American College of Rheumatism.
The study demonstrated effectiveness with much to be hopeful about by providing additional issues to be considered.
He spoke about four causes of widespread pain, with one indistinguishable from fibromyalgia and another which if untreated made it virtually impossible to trace fibromyalgia.
Professor Holman describes fibromyalgia as an incredible disorder. Professor Wood said he was standing at the brink of truly understanding this disorder and it is very exciting.
“We have an understanding of the pathology of this disorder. We are going to have treatment that addresses the pathology and not just treats the symptoms.
The Dopamine theory is at the cutting edge of research.
Lynne Matallana said that at last physicians were saying they needed help to treat people with fibromyalgia. She said fibromyalgia struck intense people, those who multi-tasked. She felt today’s generation wanted to do so much and maybe they were overtaxing their bodies. As her grandmother had fibrositis she also believed there are genetic implications.
Film-maker and Director Storme Wood from Angler Biomedical Technologies has said his private company’s primary focus is the improvement of the understanding and treatment of fibromyalgia. His aim is to provide first quality information for the education of patients and physicians that will in turn provide meaningful education on the path towards life beyond pain.
Under the guidance of his chief medical advisor Patrick B. Wood MD, the company advocates treatment options for people who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia by qualified health providers. In the absence of FDA-approved medications for the specific treatment of fibromyalgia, Angler Biomedical Technologies advocate plans of care that are both based on cutting edge research and tailored to each individual patient’s unique medical profile.
You should see the film to hear the real story. “Fibromyalgia – Show Me Where It Hurts”, made by Angler Biomedical Technologies, in the USA, is available on DVD from the offices of the Fibromyalgia Support Group for Surrey & Sussex - 14 Singleton Road, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham RH12 3NP for £17.99 plus £1 packing and postage. Please send a cheque for £18.99 made out to “FMS SAS”.
Other Reports about the Film and its background
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Buy-at the FMS SAS on-line shop.
