| Quick Links |
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| Our Library |  | Access to our extensive, easy-to-read Library of Information (see this sample page)is available to patients, without enrollment in our counseling program. Interested patients should send a request, along with their doctor's name and fax number (in the US or Canada) or email address, to info@chronicillnessrecovery.org Your doctor will be notified that you have access to this information. Click here for a list of articles available in our Library of Information and Physicians' Reference Library.
Physicians may use CIR libraries, even if they don't have a patient enrolled in our counseling program... Simply contact us and ask to register. There is no fee for doctors.
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| Therapy Tip |
Throughout therapy, it's important to monitor any test results that were not within normal limits or have caused concern.
Lab results can reveal occult inflammation and help determine the pace of therapy (i.e., the need to slow down the immune response), especially for patients who are unable to define Herxheimer symptoms.
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Quotable Quotes
"I think the approach of the CIR team
makes so much sense..it's why I'm here. I don't want someone that is as sick or
sicker than I am fighting with me and telling me what to do with my medical
issues..when they have no more training than I do..I want a doctor and these
nurse experts to help guide me through this." ~ Alycia
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CIR Organization
CIR is an IRS-recognized
501(c)3 non-profit, charitable organization. All donations are appreciated. Donate Online Here | |
| Contact Information | CIR email address
Phone CIR toll-free
in the US and Canada
1-888-846-2474
Are you a Skype User?
Look for
Chronic.Illness.Recovery
If you're a Facebook fan, look for Chronic Illness Recovery on Facebook.
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Greetings!
Like many new organizations, CIR has experienced a
few growing pains recently, but the process of problem-solving was met with
cheerful enthusiasm by our dedicated volunteers who have doggedly learned a lot
of new technology skills. September finds us celebrating the successful
migration of our website/forum to a new virtual server. This task was important
to ensure we could operate smoothly 24/7 and provide our patient community with
an efficient, secure place to communicate. We're proud of our staff and hope you'll enjoy the
result of their hard work. If you need information on chronic illness, inflammation
therapy or patient counseling
services
please visit our homepage at http://www.chronicillnessrecovery.org    |
Patient Workshop February 20, 2011
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Patients often ask us where they can find a support group for inflammation therapy. Unfortunately, they're pretty rare, so many patients are eager to attend CIR's first Patient Workshop which will be held in the Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center in Dallas-Fort Worth-Grapevine, Texas on Sunday, February 20. One of our patients has expressed her goal to feel well enough to attend and meet some of her online friends face to face.
The attendance fee will be kept as low as possible because we realize that many of you have limited means. The gorgeous Hilton conference facility is being made available to us at a bargain rate so you may be able to plan ahead and fit a trip into your budget. The chance to meet other patients going through similar situations is priceless, so we hope you'll be able to join us.
For details, please visit our website Patient Workshop page with a link to the Hilton website.
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| About Inflammation Therapy | Avoiding light exposure as much as possible is an important part of inflammation therapy (IT) because skin and eyes have the ability to convert natural light into vitamin D (the 'sunshine vitamin'). Patients not previously sensitive to light often become sensitive during IT so everyone should assume their light sensitivity will increase and be prepared by purchasing NoIR sunglasses, appropriate clothing and darkening the home before starting therapy. Even on a cloudy day or in the shade, even far from the equator or in a location known for its rainy days, patients on inflammation therapy can get too much radiation from natural light in just a few minutes of skin exposure. Any symptoms (not just those typically related to photosensitivity) that increase during and/or after exposure to light may be evidence of light sensitivity. There is ample evidence that exposure to natural light elevates 25-D in some patients and, thus, may suppress the immune system and inhibit the recovery process. Light sensitivity will vary from mild to extreme - some patients may need to diligently avoid light exposure to maintain tolerable symptoms and keep 25-D down, while others will be relatively unaffected. As therapy progresses, bacteria are killed and inflammation resolves, light sensitivity gradually dissipates. This typically takes a year or longer. For details, please see Light Sensitivity. |
Scientific Articles (abstracts)
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1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3--a hormone with immunomodulatory properties.
Lemire J.
Z Rheumatol. 2000;59 Suppl 1:24-7
PMID: 10769431
Control of cutaneous antimicrobial peptides by vitamin D3.
Dombrowski Y, Peric M, Koglin S, Ruzicka T, Schauber J.
Arch Dermatol Res. 2010 Aug;302(6):401-8. Epub 2010 Mar 10.
PMID: 20221619
Vitamin D production after UVB exposure depends on baseline vitamin D and total cholesterol but not on skin pigmentation.
Bogh MK, Schmedes AV, Philipsen PA, Thieden E, Wulf HC.
J Invest Dermatol. 2010 Feb;130(2):546-53. Epub 2009 Oct 8.
PMID: 19812604
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| About Chronic Illness Recovery |
How do I enroll in your counseling program? To enroll in the Chronic Illness Recovery counseling program, send us an email and ask for an Enrollment Form. You will be asked for your doctor's email address or fax number so we send him/her a letter of explanation about the CIR counseling program and the professional forms to sign. When we've received all the necessary documents, any applicable fee and reviewed the enrollment form, you'll be notified of acceptance and registered at the Website/Forum where you will post progress reports and ask questions.
How long does this process take?
The enrollment process can be accomplished very quickly - it all depends on the length of time it takes for the four necessary documents to be returned (and any applicable fee to be made). Some patients and doctors return the forms the same day they're received and others need more time to accomplish this task.
Should I wait to enroll before starting inflammation therapy?
Because it's important to get off to a good start, we recommend completing the enrollment process before starting therapy so that you can ask questions about the medications and we can determine that you understand the process. Then if you have problems initially, you'll be able to turn to the CIR Nurses for help. |
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