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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 11:37 am
Mods, wish it were not necessary to delete the health threads. It's a shame to have to re-create them. Fibromyalgia Source: Nutrimed Labs Fibromyalgia - The Real Story The patient goes from doctor to doctor, seeking an answer to her debilitating pain, unexplained fatigue, morning stiffness, depression and unrefreshing sleep. Finally, after seeing the twelfth doctor, her condition gets a name . . . FIBROMYALGIA. Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)-a rheumatic condition characterized by widespread, migrating, and often debilitating pain and fatigue which prevent the patient from accomplishing everyday tasks-strikes mostly women between the ages of 20 and 50.(1,2,3) The National Foundation for Fibromyalgia estimates that as many as 12,000,000 Americans suffer with the disorder, yet remain undiagnosed because of its elusive nature.(2,4) Symptoms range from mild discomfort to complete debility and may vary from day to day.(2) SYMPTOMS(1,2,3,4) Persistant Pain (moving, burning, aching, throbbing, shooting, and stabbing) in muscles, joints, and ligaments of neck, shoulder, low back and hip areas. Fatigue (mild or totally drained feeling) Breathlessness Unrefreshing Sleep Swollen Lymph Glands Morning Stiffness Tender Lymph Nodes Recurrent Headaches Hypothyroidism Irritable Bowel Syndrome Chronic Fatigue Syndrome TMJ/TMD Myofascial Pain Syndrome PMS Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Subjective Swelling Rheumatic Diseases Chest Pain Numbness and Tingling Sensations Muscle Spasms/Twitching Cognitive/Memory Impairments Mitral Valve Prolapse Irritable Bladder Mood Swings/Disorders Dry Eyes and Mouth Dizziness Sinus and Allergies Reynaud's Syndrome Skin Rashes Environmental Sensitivity Frequent Eye Prescription Changes Impaired Coordination Sore Throat Intolerance to Heat or Cold Frequent Abdominal Pain Poor Sleep Over-Exertion from routine physical activity The following can all contribute to flare-ups in FMS symptoms: changes in weather-- cold, dampness, or drafty environments, humidity; stress, anxiety, depression, and hormonal fluctuations. Presently, no laboratory test can definitively identify a patient with FMS. Diagnosis is difficult since many other diseases and conditions also present similar symptoms. However, two criteria define the syndrome: * Widespread musculoskeletal pain in all four quadrants ofthe body for at least three months, in combination with -- * Tenderness at 11 or more of 18 specific "tender point" sites.(l,2) WHAT CAUSES FMS? Research has not identified an exact cause for FMS. However, certain events (such as a viral or bacterial infection, an automobile accident, or the development of another disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or hypothyroidism) may precipitate its onset by awakening an underlying physiological abnormality already present.(3) METABOLIC ORIGIN FMS exhibits many of the same symptoms as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Both conditions reveal reduced diurnal glucocorticoid levels, impaired reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and reduced ATP production.(l,5) Biopsies conducted on FMS patients indicate mitochondrial damage in the muscle, a metabolic abnormality. An impairment in glycolysis leads to an "energy crisis" with abnormal carbohydrate metabolism and phosphorylation, causing failure of thiamin activation and serotonin depletion.(l ) Blood chemistry findings of FMS patients typically show: (l,5,6,7,8) LOW Thiamin activation Serotonin Growth Hormone High-Energy Phosphates (ATP) in red blood cells Lactic Dehydrogenase Phosphocreatinine/Inorganic Phosphates Phosphate/Creatinine/ATP Magnesium (RBC) Tryptophan (plasma) Histidine and Serine (plasma) Cortisol DHEAS NADP (RBC) Serum Serotonin, Norephinephrine and Dopamine (in cerebrospinal fluid) HIGH Pyruvate Pyruvate/Lactate Quinolinic Acid Substance P FMS patients may show normal levels of vitamins D and B12, folate, estrogen, testosterone and myoglobin. More conventional testing often results in a "nothing can be found that's wrong" diagnosis.(l) DRUGS FOR FIBROMYALGIA Clinical observations and studies indicate that two of the most commonly prescribed drugs for fibromyalgia--amitriptyline (Elavil)®: and cyclobenzaprine (Flexiril)® -- may be no more effective than placebos and may cause more harm than good.(9,10) Neither have ibuprophen or other NSAIDs proven to be effective, yet they may increase the incidence of kidney disease.(8) WHAT ABOUT T3? Many fibromyalgia symptoms mimic those of hypothyroidism. Dr. John C. Lowe found that virtually all FMS patients experience dramatic improvement or even complete recovery from their symptoms with judicious use of T3 (thyroid) therapy--even when thyroid profile tests were normal.(11,12) Many patients resistant to T4 and desiccated thyroid can use T3. Dr. Lowe postulates that hypometabolism, caused by faulty thyroid hormone receptors (rather than measurable T4 deficiency) in the patient’s nervous system and muscle cells due to one or more mutations on chromosome 3, may explain fibromyalgia as a genetic and molecular disease.(l5) NUTRITIONAL IMPLICATIONS FMS patients have a marked impairment of thiamin status, which responds better to thiamin pyrophosphate than thiamin hydrochloride.(l4) Injectable thiamin may have a beneficial effect. Thiamin-dependent enzymes also require adequate magnesium.(l4) Remarkable results have been attained using a combination of 300-600 mg. of magnesium hydroxide and 1200-1400 mg. of malic acid per day.(l,l5) All patients following this regimen reported significant improvement in pain symptoms within 48 hours of starting the supplement. Fatigue symptoms responded within 2 weeks. Removal of the supplement resulted in all symptoms returning within 48 hours. (l ,15) Both magnesium and malic acid play a role in aerobic and anaerobic reactions leading to the production of ATP. Because both substances have an oxygen- sparing effect, a deficiency of either possibly can induce the hypoxia common in muscles of FMS patients.(l 5) CONCLUSION Natural, effective approaches exist to deal with the elusive illness called fibromyalgia. Although they might not actually cure the condition, they certainly merit a try over a period of weeks to determine their effect on individual patients. Outright nutritional deficiencies need to be addressed, as well as hormonal influences, since many patients have responded favorably to such therapies. REFERENCES 1. Bland, Jeffrey S.,Ph.D. "Fibromyalgia & Myofascial Pain Syndromes." Applying New Essentials in Nutritional Medicine. Gig Harbor, WA: HealthComm International, Inc., 1995. 2. "What is Fibromyalgia Syndrome?" San Diego: National Foundation for Fibromyalgia. 3. Wilson, Janet. "Her pain now has a name: Fibromyalgia." Austin, TX: Austin American-Statesman, April 10, 1995. 4. "Understanding the invisible disability." San Diego: The National Foundation for Fibromyalgia. 5. Demitrack, Mark A., M.D. Chronic fatigue syndrome: A disease of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis? Annals of Medicine 26: 1 -3, 1994. 6. Eisinger, J., M. D., et. al. Glycolysis abnormalities in fibromyalgia. Jour. of the Amer. Cola. of Nutr. 13(2):144-148, 1994. 7. Romano, Thomas, M.D., Ph.D. and Stiller, John W., M.D. Magnesium deficiency and fibromyalgiasyndrome. Jour. of Nutr. Med. 4:165-167, 1994. 8. Yunus, Muhammad B., et. al. Plasma tryptophan and other amino acids in primary fibromyalgia. Jour. of Rheum. 19(1):90-94, 1992. 9. Drs. Carette, S., and Bell, M.J. A controlled trial of amitriptyline, cyclobenzaprine, and placebo in fibromyalgia. Arthritis and Rheum. 35(suppl. 9): 112, 1992. 10. Dr. Carette, S., and Bell, M.J. Comparison of amitriptyline, cyclobenzaprine, and placebo in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Arthritis and Rheum. 37(1):32-40, 1994. 11. Lowe, John C., M.A., D.C., et. al. Improvement in euthyroid fibromyalgia patients treated with T3 (tri-iodothyronine). Jour. of Myofascial Therapy 1 (2): 16-29, 1994. 12. Lowe, John C., M.A., D.C. T3-induced recovery from fibromyalgia by a hypothyroid patient resistant to T4 and desiccated thyroid. Jour. of Myofascial Therapy 1 (4):26-31, 1995. 13. The Fibromyalgia Research Foundation. "The Hypo-Metabolism Hypothesis: A New Explanation of Fibromyalgia." Houston: The Fibromyalgia Research Foundation, 1995. 14. Eisinger, J., M.D., et. al. Studies of transketolase in chronic pain. Jour. of Advancement in Med. 5(2):105-113, 1992. 15. Abraham, G.E., and Flechas, J.D. "Management of fibromyalgia: Rationale for the use of magnesium and malic acid," Jour. of Nutr. Med. 3 :49-59, 1992.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 12:08 pm
Source: Ivanhoe.com Reported May 11, 2005 Alternative Advances: Fixing Fibromyalgia In-Depth Doctor's Interview by David Katz, M.D., a specialist in internal medicine and director of the Yale Griffin Prevention and Research Center at the Integrative Medicine Center Griffin Hospital in Derby, Conn., discusses the alternative advances to fixing fibromyalgia. Ivanhoe Broadcast News Transcript with David Katz, M.D., Preventive Medicine Specialist, Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, Derby, Conn., TOPIC: Alternative Advances: Fixing Fibromyalgia What is fibromyalgia and how does it impact a patient's life? Dr. Katz: Fibromyalgia is a condition of unknown cause seen most commonly in middle-aged women. This is because the condition is associated with severe and, at times, debilitating muscle pain throughout much of the body. Often very severe fatigue is a major problem with women suffering from fibromyalgia; in fact fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) overlaps with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). There can also be brain fog and difficulty with concentration. The condition may wax and wane by itself but can also be quite progressive. At times it can be so bad that it requires people to stop working and seek disability. The biggest problem with fibromyalgia is that the cause is unknown. There is no definitive test for it so it lacks the credibility and respect diseases that are better understood typically get in the medical system. If there are no tests, are you just seeing if the patient fits certain criteria? Dr. Katz: Yes. There are two key elements in diagnosing fibromyalgia. One is meeting the criteria for the condition, or giving a story that sounds like fibromyalgia. There are characteristic tender points in the muscles, especially of the shoulders, the back and the upper arms. We test those tender points and control points. Then if many of the standard tender points are sore and the control points are not, we consider fibromyalgia as the cause. The other key element in diagnosing any condition we don't understand and for which there is no definitive test is to rule out everything else. So like many syndromes, which are diagnosis of exclusion, fibromyalgia is established by ruling everything else out. What are the current treatments in traditional medicine for fibromyalgia? Dr. Katz: Because fibromyalgia is associated with pain, one thing that has routinely been done is to treat the pain. Of course we have a wide array of conventional drugs for treating pain, such as anti-inflammatories, which are commonly used in severe cases. Some antidepressants show some efficacy in treating the pain of fibromyalgia. Interestingly, it's not the antidepressants that tend to be most commonly used these days for the treatment of depression. Drugs like Prozac, or SSRIs, don't tend to be highly effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia. An older class of antidepressants called tricyclic antidepressants tends to work somewhat better. One of the more effective treatments is gradually progressive physical activity. The problem, of course, is when you're exhausted and your muscles are sore, it's very hard to get started. The condition almost prevents you from doing something that will treat the condition. If you can get patients over the hump and have them gradually increase walking or some low impact physical activity it tends to be very helpful. It would be quite characteristic of most treatments to combine several of these things. In many instances, however, all of these together -- the antidepressants, pain medication and some kind of exercise program -- fail to be enough and symptoms persist and sometimes worsen. Why did you decide to start using IVMT to treat fibromyalgia? Dr. Katz: All too often when therapies that have been considered alternative for decades suddenly get put to the test, we find they should no longer be considered alternative because in fact they work. This is why I began examining IVMT [intravenous micronutrient therapy] or, as we like to call it, the Meyers Cocktail, as a possible treatment for fibromyalgia. Actually a resident I was training brought IVMT to my attention when he pointed out that many of our patients suffering from fibromyalgia didn't do so well with traditional treatment and suggested using IVMT instead. I, of course, told him to prove it to me, which lead to extensive research on clinical trials for the therapy. When nothing turned up, we knew we had to do something ourselves. So working together, we constructed an online survey that circulated to all of the clinics in the country using IVMT. We received nearly 12,000 responses about patient treatment with an 80-percent success rate to the therapy with almost no toxicity. We then took two actions. We decided to offer this to our patients asking them to sign a form of consent because we have to tell them we have no real scientific evidence to back this up, but we'd like to give it a try anyway if you're game. The other thing we did was pursue funding from the NIH to do a placebo-controlled trial, which was sorely lacking in the literature. What is in the cocktail? Dr. Katz: The cocktail is a combination of a high concentration of vitamins. What does the cocktail do to the body that other medications don't and, consequently, are there any side effects to the cocktail? Dr. Katz: The Meyers Cocktail is a combination of vitamins and minerals. We tend to think that it's the calcium and in particular the magnesium that made exert the strongest effect. We worry about infusing high doses of nutrients because the kidney has to clear them and it could lead to kidney toxicity. We tend not to give this therapy to any one whose kidney function is not normal to begin with. You're putting this treatment into the vein. If someone has congestive heart failure or another condition where they don't respond well to the increase in blood volume, you'd have to be very cautious there. In healthy people, this appears to be a remarkably safe treatment because there is a vasodilating effect, causing the blood vessels to open up more and a flushing feeling to occur. I've had it administered to me several times so I'd know what my patients are experiencing --you feel kind of flushed in the face, maybe even a little bit light headed. Some patients also feel slightly nauseated. That is the extent of toxicity we've seen. Do the patients taking the cocktail feel it is helping them? Dr. Katz: The patients are responding much the same way the surveys indicated they would. Namely that this is not a miracle cure but it often works. That's important because people have the notion that conventional medicine sometimes works and sometimes doesn't where as in alternative you could find miracles. When things work there's a reason they work and there is nothing in medicine conventional or alternative that works for all the people all the time. About 80 percent of our patients get better and very often from this treatment when nothing else has worked. As a conventional doctor, is it controversial for you to be using an alternative method like this? Dr. Katz: It's interesting to be not only a conventionally trained physician but also a conventionally trained physician at a premier and fairly conservative medical institution. I'm very cautious about using alternative medicine in a responsible way. In fact, I would characterize the challenge here is being responsive to patient need while remaining responsible about the use of evidence. The needs of patients simply stated go on well past the edge of medical evidence. What we know from randomized clinical trials runs out long before we have fixed all the things that compromise the quality of our patient's lives. Is this something the insurance companies will cover? Dr. Katz: Generally our patients have to pay for the intravenous micronutrient treatments. Regrettably at times that's the difference between access to them or not. Some patients who would likely benefit from this or at least should be given the chance can't afford it. We do all we can to make this affordable to all, even to the point of making it difficult to balance our books. If we go any further than our current efforts we'll put ourselves out of business and nobody will be getting the treatment here. The reason for doing the clinical trial other than answering scientific questions is if we find scientific evidence that this works well one trial will lead to another, will lead to another. Ultimately you do trials not only of the therapeutic effect but also of the cost effectiveness. If we prove this is a cost-effective therapy for fibromyalgia it then becomes a reimbursable commodity. It may very well be that IVMT is beneficial to all, making patients currently suffering feel better. Consequently, because they feel better they're more functional and productive, need less drugs, are less costly to their insurer, and everybody wins. To get to that point, we need to do the science first and answer the fundamental question of whether this is a cost effective therapy. END OF INTERVIEW Procedures or medicines apply to different people and medical factors in different ways; always consult your physician on medical matters. If you would like more information, please contact: Lauren Liberti Integrative Medicine Center 252 Seymour Ave. Derby, CT 06418 lauren.liberti@yalegriffinprc.org
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 4:25 pm
MODS>>I agree,,,there are a few of us with fibro and I would request this thread stay so we can refer to it and post from time to time
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Kstme
Member
08-14-2000
| Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 4:36 pm
PLEASE keep this thread!
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 6:32 pm
Thanks HP! Both the Fibro thread And the Chronic Pain thread have disappeared, it seems. I will dig up my published article on FM again and repost it here...
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 6:41 pm
Living With Fibromyalgia By Joyce... (c) (Published Metro News: 2001) It’s disheartening being saddled with an illness that is often referred to as a ‘garbage-can’ syndrome by the medical community. I have Fibromyalgia, sometimes called fibro, sometimes FM. Let me cut to the chase - there is no cure. You know that run down, low energy, achy feeling you get when you come down with the flu. That’s me most days. A few of the overall symptoms include chronic muscle pain, difficulty sleeping, constant fatigue, gastrointestinal complaints, and migraines. Some of the doozies are temperature sensitivity, and environmental sensitivity (to light, noise, odours, taste, and weather fluctuations.) My personal nemesis is a cognitive disorder commonly referred to as fibro-fog, which pops up mostly under stressful situations. Fibro-fog features frequent short-term memory lapses (doubly embarrassing in my line of work) and being easily overwhelmed. I’ve dubbed it cheese-brain, because I picture my memory as a piece of Swiss cheese, with holes in it. Here is where the frustration comes into play. It took at least a couple of years before I found someone who could tell me what the constant pain and fatigue were all about. It seems like one third of the medical community completely discounts FM as a haven for hypochondriacs, and one third tend to dump their patients into this category when they are stumped, (ergo the garbage can nickname), while one third are truly knowledgeable about this complex syndrome. It’s difficult enough not feeling up to par most of the time, but to have something that often takes years to find a correct diagnosis, adds enormously to the misery. One day, in the Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain newsgroup, Iris Weverman, RPT, posted her reviews of several books on the subject, and indicated that her physiotherapy clinic was located in Toronto. I was lucky. This was the Internet and she could just as easily have been based in Katmandu. Her credentials include speaking engagements on the topics of Chronic Pain, Fibro, and Myofascial Pain Syndromes. At my first appointment, she immediately did the ‘tender point test’, (where you must have pain in at least 11 out of 18 specific sites on the body), which unfortunately I passed with flying colours. Since this is mostly a diagnosis of exclusion, (meaning after everything else is ruled out, then chances are you have this) Fibromyalgia is often mistaken for illnesses with similar symptons. According to Weverman, one should picture the spokes of a wheel, one spoke representing FM, one for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, one for Lupus, and one for Multiple Sclerosis. I know of someone who for years was told she had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. They just discovered that she really has Multiple Sclerosis. It’s a frightening situation when you have so many illnesses that mirror one another. Mind you, I’m not complaining. Over the past 4 years, since my diagnosis, I’ve grown accustomed to its vagaries, and have figured out how to live with it, on a truce-like basis, day to day. I ignore it and get on with life on my good days, and I coddle it with massage and the occasional painkiller on my really bad days. And truth to tell, some days it just pays to huddle under the covers, until I can regroup, and face the world, once again, re-energized. I don’t mind fighting Fibro. But it’s exhausting fighting smug disbelief. Although according to Iris Weverman, while eight years ago it wasn’t unusual for her peers to discredit it, research is finally beginning to prove, unequivocally, that this ‘garbage can’ disease really does exist in and of itself. Saturday, May 12th, was Fibromyalgia Day. This is a giant step in a hopeful direction. <END>
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 7:26 pm
Great article, MB! I missed this the first time, so I am glad you took the time to re-post it. Thanks! 
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 7:33 pm
Thanks HP, according to YOUR research, there have been some decent strides made regarding treating this illness. But I just live with it though, cuz I find it manageable on most days.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 9:16 pm
Well, if I had it, I sure would try that Meyers Cocktail. Because it consists of all natural, healthy stuff, I can't imagine risking any negative side effects.
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Baby
Member
01-08-2006
| Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 9:31 pm
Just wanted to put my two cents in! I really do rely on this thread and some of the other medically related ones for new and useful info I can share with my doc. So, please, can we keep them! They truly are important to some of us. Thank you HP for all of the hard work you have put into these threads. I, for one, truly appreciate all that you do for all of us!! You are the best!
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Sunshyne4u
Member
06-17-2003
| Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 10:22 pm
cyclobenzaprine (Flexiril A word of caution to anyone who is taking this drug. If you have a car accident this medication will show up in a Drug Screen for illegal drugs. (depending on the methology used at the facility) Hi Herkle, Meyers Cocktail- I can't imagine risking any negative side effects. I just reread the article. To give a concentrated dose of vit/minerals CAN put a strain on the kidneys. It is severe enough that they dont recommend it to anyone with kidney problems. I personally wouldnt want ME to risk it as kidney probs run in my family. A kidney has to be almost nonfunctional before Lab results will tell us something is wrong. well, other than a pyelogram, I guess. ************* Many solid advances have been made in the last few years. No longer is it some vague condition that gives physicians a suggestion that hypochondria is the problem. My specialist, who travels and lectures throughout the world, says that the real problem with this condition is how closely it is intertwined with other diseases/disorders. Everyone seems to present with a slightly different combination of what causes them the most problem. Since there are many ways that people differ, there are many ways that people swear that they are treated/fixed. What works for one person may do nothing for another.....and actually HURT a third person who tries. I have tried some pretty indepth trials thru the years. Some of my experiences with "professionals" have caused permanent physical damage. for instance, ripped ligaments in one leg caused by a Physio who was determined to stretch out my severe muscle contortions. It was hellish and I was convinced to go back!! Beware, some practitioners will promise you the moon, the stars and promise your health will return. A Naturopath didnt want to treat me after meeting with me a couple of times. He said that at my stage any kind of Chelation or vit treatment could cause a crash. What a pleasant surprise to find a caring practicioner who wasnt just trying to get $$$ from me. A new physio wanted to try a Scenar on me. I refused until I could research it. It is basically an electrical stimuli device which overloads the nerves causes some temporary relief of pain. When I researched it the warnings stated that for some people the pain will increase drastically due to the nerve stimulation. The physio 'forgot' to mention that when she was trying to coherse me into having it done. ((geesh i could rant on forever on this subject)) the ONLY thing that has helped me thru the years is Gabapentin...NOT neurontin, gaba is the generic from Pzifer. Neurontin doesnt work for most people I know. It is an antiepileptic which has a nerve blocker in it. When I take it I finally get some relief from the bladder frequency, full body acute ITCHING!! and the surface stabs/ burning is reduced. I tried to go off ONCE and I only lasted three days. I never slept in those three days due to the nonstop itching that returned. At least on the med i can get a good four hours a night!!
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Sunshyne4u
Member
06-17-2003
| Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 10:49 pm
oh I forgot to add, I guess everyone kinda knows that this condition seems to be common in Healthcare professionals and Teachers. It would interesting to know how many of us are in those categories. ***** http://www.mesupport.bigstep.com/generic227.html Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is a serious life-changing physical illness, recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) since 1969; listed at ICD-10-G93.3 as an organic-biomedical neurological disorder. This classification is supported by a considerable body of peer-reviewed clinical and research evidence. For example, SPECT and PET brain scans of M.E. sufferers have revealed physical tissue damage and severely reduced cerebral blood-flow - made worse by exertion. Autopsies have confirmed such damage/infection. Dr Bruce Carruthers. Principal Author of: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Clinical Working Case Definition, Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols. The Canadian Governmental "Health Canada" has appointed an expert panel of eleven international physicians, who have between them treated over 20,000 ME/CFS patients worldwide. If anyone is reading this is from the Vancouver Area, this specialist works out of a clinic near Dunbar. He has cowritten the books used by Physicians across Canada and is recognized worldwide. Hey, I found a bio when doing a search.
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Sunshyne4u
Member
06-17-2003
| Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 10:50 pm
Bruce Carruthers was born in India. He has had an internship at the Charity Hospital of Lousiana, New Orleans, residencies in the Internal Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pensylvania, Philadelphia, research fellowships at the American Diabetes Association in Philadelphia, and at the Clinical Investigation Unit of Shaughnessy Hospital, Vancouver. Dr. Carruthers has also had a fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada - specialising in Internal Medicine - and was a Research Scholar of the Medical Research Council of Canada. He has specialised in diabetes and metabolic disorders as well as continuing clinical research in cellular information processing, diabetes mellitus and metabolic problems. Dr. Carruthers still maintains a private practice as Consultant in Internal Medicine with a special interest in chronic fatigue, chronic pain problems of soft tissue origin and health enhancement. Since 1998 Dr. Carruthers has been concentrating on writing. From 1999-2003 he arranged and was the principal author for Canadian Consensus article 'Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Clinical Case Definition, Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols' which was published in Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 2003, 11: 7-115. From 1999-2003 he arranged and was the principal author and co-editor of 'Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Canadian Clinical Working Group Case Definition, Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols - a Consensus Document' which was published in Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain 2003, 11: 3-107. Until the present day Dr. Carruthers has continued to follow research interest in the role of consciousness in theclinical activities of Diagnosis, Prognosis, Treatment and Prevention, as presented in Consciousness Research Abstracts and Poster Presentations at the 'Towards A Science of Consciousness' Conferences, held biennially in Tuscon, Arizona at the 2004 convention. He has presented in the UK in 2005 with 'Uncovering Significant Patterns of ME - Using a Clinical Definition To Ground a Dynamical Systems Approach'. He also produced in 2005 Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome : A Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners - An Overview of the Canadian Consensus Document. He has also produced 'Teach ME: A Source Book for Teachers' with Dr. David Bell and the TEACH-ME Task Force (teachers with ME/CFS and/or FMS).
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 11:12 pm
Thanks, Sunshine! And thanks so much about the caution. It would never have occurred to me that a concentration of vitamins and minerals could be dangerous for an adult. Good to know it could be a strain on the kidneys. ETA: Thanks for everyone's two cents about the need to keep this thread, too!
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Williesmom
Member
08-19-2005
| Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 11:29 am
I have been living with Fibro for several years now (6 since diagnosis), recently started with the itching all over thing. Is this fairly common in fibro?
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 4:55 pm
I havent had that yet...I am now getting the swelling feelings
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 9:03 pm
Whoo Pamy - I am getting the swelling too. Are we talking water-retention?
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 5:42 pm
Mame, I dont think its water, I read that its just feeling like we are when we arent really....fibro rocks, doesnt it??? lol Mummy...posted a great link to a site to help with pain...gonna put it here for us to ck out Concentrated Cherry juice can be found at local grocery stores. Its expensive, but look at it as med. You only need an oz a day. For real fibro relief go to www.fibromyalgiatreatment.com. I have been doing this protocol for over 5 years. It works and no one is getting rich off of it. Anyone interested can contact me off post. I am not selling anything. I just want other people to get well too.
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Mummy35332
Member
09-09-2005
| Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 6:23 pm
TY Pamy for posting what I wrote, I didn't even know this tread existed. I would post more now, but I got hit with a bad allergic reaction this afternoon and I'm a bit wiped out from my body fighting it and 4 tsp of Benedryl Is there an allergy thread to?
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 6:38 pm
I think so. feel better and come back and post when you are up to it...we'll leave the light on for ya
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Sunshyne4u
Member
06-17-2003
| Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 11:47 pm
That feeling of Itching and the heavy feeling of swelling is from the surface nerves basically. However, Williesmom increased allergic reactions and chemical sensitivity can be part of fibro. Of course that could be causing the itching more than nerves. the swelling feelings when the condition is acute you really DO swell up. I saw a specialist once who told me that I wasnt really swollen, I only perceived myself as swollen. So I took a pic of my hands with and without swelling. I get tired of doctors and their rehearsed onesizefitsall answers. I dont have Mickey MOuse hands all the time LOL I usually feel like I am wearing really tight leather gloves.
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Sunshyne4u
Member
06-17-2003
| Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 11:53 pm
Which protocol Pamy? I dont really see anything there that is clearly marked as something a person can follow. Which heading do I look under?
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Friday, September 01, 2006 - 1:02 am
Mummy is the one that is doing the protocol, I am hopiong she feels better soon cuz i cant wait to hear about it also
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Mummy35332
Member
09-09-2005
| Monday, September 04, 2006 - 10:45 pm
Argh, just lost a long post. Go to www.Fibromyalgiatreatment.com . Read the site, join the email list (after BB, lol) get the books or check it out from the library (inter library loan works). I am feeling progressively better. I often forget I have fibro. I have many more good days than bad, when once it is was tollerable days and awful days. I have gone from not being able to get out of a chair/bed and using one arm to lift the other, to as active as I can be. My limits now are my allergy to natural rubber latex, not FMS related. Don't get this, stay as far way from latex gloves and cheap balloons as you can. I need spell check!!!!!!!!! no cure for typing faux pas. And no one is getting rich from this. The book proceeds go to research. City of Hope is getting close to a blood test, becasue of money from the Fibromyalgia Treatment Center grants and book sales.
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Mummy35332
Member
09-09-2005
| Monday, September 04, 2006 - 10:47 pm
Oh yeah, I have been doing this protocaol for 5 plus years. No one would ever supsect that I have FMS now. I run around like an energizer bunny.
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Roteach
Member
06-01-2003
| Tuesday, September 05, 2006 - 11:27 am
Hey, I didn't know this thread was around. I've had costochondritis and fibro for about 8 years (I've lost track of how long it's been.) I've been pretty good lately. A few flareups and some serious tiredness this summer. I've lost seven pounds and am eating better so I have more energy.
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Tuesday, September 05, 2006 - 5:09 pm
Mummy...what is the protocol?? Is it something you eat/drink? Roteach, good for you! I gotta eat better!
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Sunshyne4u
Member
06-17-2003
| Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 1:03 am
All I could see is the obvious "low allergen" type lifestyle that we are supposed to follow. I'll go and look more closely at the link another day but the Latex allergy IS related directly to the Fibro syndrome Mummy. I am awfully curious whether you have all the other 'typical' allergies and sensitivities. Types of foods, Brands of products, Chemicals, Preservatives and of course Hormones/drugs in meat will reak Havoc on the body of a fibro sufferer (provided you have severe fibro, not a mild case) I have met so many people with Mild fibro who do so much complaining it makes me mad. The very last meeting I dragged myself to had me stressed out for Weeks. I stopped going after that bad experience. Some lady was complaining that she could only ride her horses THREE times a week! and then she'd be sore the next day when working in the barns. I have trouble WALKING and driving! I just find the complaining too much sometimes from people who shouldnt be. It makes me want to stand up and start 'ranting' about how lucky they are and they should zip their lips LOL I dont know, to me going to those meetings is like someone that has a painful hangnail (which stops them from running their usual five miles a day ) complaining Oh poor Me, poor ME!! with a paraplegic in the room!! I just find many people so egocentric and uncaring.
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