Page 30 - Boca ViewPointe - May '22

Page 30, Viewpointe May 2022

Healthy Answers – A Guide To Healthy Living:

‘The Most Misunderstood Disease Affecting Millions!’

By Dale Brown, B.S., the condition there is no way to cure it. Fibromyalgia Why go to the doctor if there is no cure? There are many
M.A., C.E.C. Dale is a produces a list of symptoms that vary depending upon options for managing fibromyalgia pain including medications,
motivational speaker who the individual. It’s important to find a doctor that will lifestyle changes, and complementary and alternative treatments.
has spent many years as a listen to you and take you seriously. You may have to experiment to find what works best for you.
Certified Life Coach and has You don’t look sick, so it must be in your head. One of Some days you feel better than others, so why not try to
written numerous articles the worst things you face if you suffer from fibromyalgia do more on those days to make up for the others? It’s not
and e-books relating to self- is the attitude of others who wonder if you’re faking your a good idea to try to accomplish more on the days you’re
improvement and ways to pain. You may appear to look fine and carry on with your feeling better. It could cause your symptoms to worsen and
build a high-performance daily activities without complaining. This can cause tension you may be exhausted the next day. Continue to stay active
team. She is the author of and more stress on you to constantly explain how you’re because exercise actually aids your condition.
the recently published book, feeling. Be open and honest about your condition and ask Fibromyalgia is a degenerative and sometimes fatal
Small Steps...Big Changes: others to learn about the symptoms of fibromyalgia to better disease. Fibromyalgia symptoms change over time from
The Personal Stories of a Life Coach. Her education and understand what you’re experiencing. good to bad, or vice versa. However, pain rarely disappears.
years of experience in physical fitness and training of When all other diseases are ruled out, why are you You can learn to manage your condition and it is not life-
elite athletes has enabled her to sharpen her knowledge told you have fibromyalgia? You should be diagnosed for threatening, nor will it damage your body.
in many health-related areas. The following introduces fibromyalgia based on a set of criteria developed by the What’s the best way to live with Fibromyalgia?
a new approach to Brown’s series of columns devoted to American College of Rheumatology. It often takes time Fibromyalgia is a real condition that causes multiple
many topics that deal with the mind/body connection and and there is no single test to determine the condition. But symptoms. Although pain associated with fibromyalgia may
the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Dale, a Bocaire tests and procedures are necessary to rule out other diseases never completely go away, you can live a satisfying and
resident, can be reached at dalebrown@lovingmondays.com. and help guide your treatment program. Don’t get frustrated productive life. Try to find a balance between the good and
when it seems to be taking too long. bad days. Exercise may improve your condition along with
A friend of mine was recently diagnosed with Something other than fibromyalgia must be causing meditation and visualization. Set reasonable goals that will give
fibromyalgia after several months of feeling unwell. At all those other symptoms. The truth is that fibromyalgia you a sense of satisfaction. Pace yourself in order to accomplish
first, she thought it was due to muscle soreness from causes many symptoms in addition to pain. You may tasks without overdoing it.
lifting heavy suitcases during a recent vacation. The pain experience fatigue, insomnia, headaches, sensitivity Find a doctor who will work with you to adapt daily activities
began in her right arm and soon traveled to her leg, then to light, dizziness, memory problems, and numbness to allow for other important things in your life. Set your priorities
to her left arm. As she described it, “I hurt all over and or tingling in your arms and legs. In some cases, these to include family, work, or community involvement. Find a
am exhausted most of the time.” symptoms may include mood disorders such as depression support group to give you a sounding board for your concerns.
After going to several different doctors and undergoing or anxiety. It’s understandable that people think their Make time for yourself, join a hydrotherapy or yoga class, eat a
numerous tests, my friend was told she must have symptoms must be caused by an underlying problem. healthy diet, and find time to relax. 
fibromyalgia. This painful condition occurs in about 2
percent of the population in the United States and is most
prevalent in women. Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease
characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, The Many Reasons to Avoid Probate
ligaments and tendons. It also causes you to have tender
points where even the slightest pressure causes pain.
Fibromyalgia seems to be a condition that has been By Martin Zevin, Attorney value of the Estate. Florida law authorizes a 3% fee on the first
You have heard that Probate is
widely misunderstood. There are many mistaken beliefs something to avoid; however, unless million dollars, and a sliding percentage thereafter. The Personal
Representative can negotiate with the lawyer for a lower fee. If
about this disease that can be confusing and discourage you have been through it, you may the Estate is valued at $700,000 and the fee is reduced from 3%
people from seeking the help they need to manage their not understand why. Here are some to 2%, that is still a $14,000 fee, plus about $1,000 in court costs
pain. The cause of fibromyalgia involves a variety of basic facts about probate in Florida: for filing fees, publication in the newspaper, etc. An attorney can
1. Full Probate (assets over
factors that include genetics, infections, physical or $75,000 or under $75,000 with also charge an hourly rate, but this could easily exceed the 3%,
particularly on smaller estates.
emotional trauma. creditors) takes at least six months 3. The Personal Representative will probably need to pay
Researchers believe that people with fibromyalgia have to a year or longer. During that money out of pocket for initial costs and a Retainer for the attorney,
a lower threshold for pain based on a theory called “central time, the assets being probated are plus funeral bills if not already pre-paid. In addition, if real estate
sensitization.” In essence, the lower threshold is caused by tied up. If your heirs want to sell is involved, the Personal Representative may have to pay taxes,
utilities, maintenance, mortgage payments etc. until access to
your home in probate, they must go through a formal process. This
increased sensitivity in the brain to pain signals. The brain’s includes filing a Petition to administer the Estate. If successful, Estate funds is authorized. The Personal Representatives will
pain receptors actually develop a sort of memory of pain the Judge of the Probate Court will sign an Order called Letters reimburse themselves at that time, but it could cause hardship if
and overreact to pain signals. of Administration. This could take one to three months. personal funds are limited.
The next step is Notice to Creditors published in a newspaper.
4. All of the above is stressful and time consuming for the
After listening to my friend, I became curious to know This must be done even if there are no creditors. Creditors have Personal Representative. Although a fee is allowed, this could
more about this subtle yet hurtful condition. Through my 90 days from the date of first publication to file a claim against the be an issue if family members or other beneficiaries object.
investigation, I discovered a number of myths associated Estate. Nothing can be done regarding distribution of the assets That is just a brief summary of why it is so crucial to have
with fibromyalgia and dug a little deeper to learn more. until after the ninety days. proper and complete estate planning with a lawyer to be sure
A tax id number from the IRS must be obtained for the Estate.
If you or someone you know suffer from fibromyalgia, Once the Personal Representative (Executor) obtains the Letters that ALL assets avoid probate. Please refer to many of my other
articles for practical tips on avoiding probate.
you might benefit from understanding more about this of Administration and the tax id number, an Estate account can be My Dad used to say: “May you live as long as you want and
mystery illness. opened to transfer any funds from an account or future proceeds never want as long as you live.” I will add: when you die, may
What Myths Are Associated with Fibromyalgia? from the sale of a home or other real estate. If real estate is your heirs avoid probate!
involved, a court order is generally necessary to allow the closing

During this current time of “social distancing,” I have been
The myth that Fibromyalgia is not a real condition. and another court order may be necessary to distribute proceeds. consulting with clients via phone, e-mail and regular mail. In the
Most doctors agree that your symptoms are real, but A formal Inventory must be filed listing exact date of death past, my free initial consultation would normally be a personal
because there is no underlying disease to associate with values of all assets being probated. meeting. Please feel free to call me for a free phone consultation
A formal accounting may be necessary if all beneficiaries do regarding any issues pertaining to Wills, Trusts, Deeds, Probate,
not agree to waive it. Power of Attorney or Health Care Surrogate. I am also available
without another court order. for a free consultation regarding personal injury claims or to
Once all distributions are made, the Estate cannot be closed
explain car insurance coverage. Call me at (954) 569-4878. My
Dear Boca Pointe has been discharged by the court, the Estate must be reopened and address is 3275 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Suite 204, Deerfield Beach,
If an estate asset is discovered after the Personal Representative
Florida 33442. My web site is www.martinzevinpa.com and my
e-mail address is martinzevin@netzero.com.
more formalities must be followed.
Dog Owners: 2. The attorney’s fees can be quite high, depending on the
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