Re: Is this a womens forum?

August 30, 2002

Reggie,

I have often found forums lean too much toward the social. I think

there is room for both but I also want information on managing pain.

Please share anything that works and I will, too. I want pain relief

and to hear any new reseach. Just because Fibro has no cure for some

doesn't mean it doesn't for others and they will eventually find out

what causes it and have a good treatment. Why not soon?

Let's keep looking. I'm very interested in the glyconutrients. Did

you mention something on this? That's something I haven't tried. I'm

also doing research on intracellular mag.

Amy

August 30, 2002

-Reggie, according to this message I believe you are a little

more " touchy " than most women in this group. I have been proactive

with this disease. I also had endometriosis and bought a $20.00 500

page book to research it. I am on birth control therapy for it and

vitamin supplements and it has been gone for almost 2 years. I spent

months researching it. I have also changed my eating habits to some

degree and am in the process of stopping smoking and I am not as

cranky as you are. I have replied to you and I believe I have seen

more replies to your messages than anyone has replied to mine. I know

you will get plenty of replies to this one so you will get

the " attention " you need. I have found your posts very informative

but the whining has to stop.

-- In @y..., " hansmprnc " wrote:

> Hi,

>

> Since I joined this group I noticed that I'm rare being a man with

> CFS/Fibro who happens to be a member. It also appears so far that

the

> tenor of the group is geared more towards women, almost as if CFS

and

> Fibro discriminates along gender lines and your sharings are

limited

> to one another on that basis.

>

> It was my deep desire when I joined to try helping others if I

could,

> make new acquaintances, create a new support network, and be a part

> of something positive with regard to this condition.

>

> I try to respond to messages from members who ask for help, or seem

> deeply distressed. I have intense experience in the medical field

and

> have tried to share relevant information with respect to scientific

> research and new findings, disability, and social issues. On rare

> occasion someone seems interested, but for the most part I feel as

> though my attempts to be of help are not wanted in the group.

>

> I'll be honest that I'm sometimes surprised by what people talk

about

> here in light of the difficulties living with a debilitating

illness

> like this can have on anyone with it. OK, now I know you guys will

be

> mad as hell with me but here it goes .... as a man, I've heard over

&

> over that women want to vent but don't necessarily want things

fixed.

> Is it possible that we are conditioned to think so differntly based

> on gender? Men see problems and look for solutions, and women only

> want to talk about the problems ? (generalization ok?).

>

> Is it that men and women are better off in support groups

segregated

> based on sex? I'm confused so far with the way things go in this

> group, but I do feel as if there is a difference in receptivity.

>

> Be well,

> Reggie

August 30, 2002