Fibromyalgia disorders

DISORDERS

(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,

causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)

Disorder: FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME

Description: Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic disorder characterized by chronic achy muscular pain that has no obvious physical cause. It is much more common in females than in males and most often begins in young adulthood. In most cases, symptoms come on gradually and slowly increase in intensity. They can be triggered (or made worse) by different factors, including overexertion, stress, lack of exercise, anxiety, depression, lack of sleep, trauma, extremes of temperature and/or humidity, and infectious illness. In most cases, the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with normal daily activities. Many people with fibromyalgia also have an associated sleep disorder known as alpha-EEG anomaly, in which the individual’s deep sleep periods are interrupted by bouts of waking-type brain activity, resulting in poor sleep. People with fibromyalgia often suffer from chronic fatigue that can range from mild to incapacitating. The course of the disorder is unpredictable. Some cases clear up on their own, some become chronic, and some go through cycles of flare-ups alternating with periods of apparent remission.

Symptoms: The most commonly affected areas are the lower back, the neck, shoulders, back of the head, upper chest and/or thighs, although any part of the body may be involved. The pain is usually described as burning, throbbing, shooting, and stabbing, is often greater in the morning than at other times of day, and may be accompanied by headaches, strange sensations in the skin, insomnia, and irritable bowel syndrome. The most distinctive symptom is the existence of "tender points," specific spots where the muscles are abnormally tender to the touch:

	Around the lower vertebra of the neck
	At the insertion of the second rib
	Around the upper part of the thigh bone
	In the middle of the knee joint
	In muscles connected to the base of the skull
	In muscles of the neck and upper back
	In muscles of the mid-back
	On the side of the elbow
	In the upper and outer muscles of the buttocks

Other symptoms often experienced include premenstrual syndrome, painful periods, anxiety, palpitations, memory impairment, irritable bladder, skin sensitivities, dry eyes and mouth, dizziness and impaired coordination. Depression is frequently part of the picture as well.

Incidence:

Causes: The cause or causes of fibromyalgia are not known. Some evidence points to a problem with the immune system; certain immunologic abnormalities are common among people with fibromyalgia. A disturbance in brain chemistry may also be involved. Other possible causes that have been proposed include infection with the Epstein-Barr virus, the virus that causes infection mononucleosis, or with the fungus Candida albicans; chronic mercury poisoning from amalgam dental fillings; anemia; parasites; hypoglycemia; and hypothyroidism. Some experts believe that fibromyalgia may be related to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), which causes similar symptoms, except that in fibromyalgia, muscle pain predominates over fatigue, whereas in CFS, fatigue predominates over pain.

Treatments: Because malabsorption problems are common in people with this disorder, higher than normal doses of all supplemental nutrients are needed, and a proper diet is essential. Massage therapy is beneficial for improved muscle function and pain relief. If you are diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it is wise to seek a health care provider with specific experience in the management and treatment of this condition.

Nutrients:

Supplement Dosage Comments

Coenzyme Q10	75 mg. daily	Improves oxygenation of tissues, enhances the effectiveness of the immune system, and protects the heart.
Acidophilus	As directed on label	Candida infection is common in people with fibromyalgia. Acidophilus replaced "friendly" bacteria destroyed by candida. Use a nondairy formula.
Lecithin	As directed on label, with meals	Promotes energy, enhances immunity, aids in brain function, and improves circulation.
Calcium and Magnesium	2,000 mg. daily	Needed to balance with magnesium. Needed for proper functioning of all muscles, including the heart, relieves muscle spasms and pain. Deficiency is common in people with this disorder.
Manganese	5 mg. daily. Take separate from calcium.	Influences the metabolic rate by its involvement in the pituitary hypothalamic-thyroid axis.
Vitamin A and Vitamin E	25,000 IU daily for 1 month, then slowly reduce to 10,000 IU daily. 800 IU daily for 1 month, then reduce to 400 IU.	Powerful free radical scavengers that protect the body’s cells and enhance immune function.
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids	5000-10,000 mg. daily	Has a powerful antiviral effect and increases the body’s energy level.
Vitamin B complex	100 mg. 3 times daily, with meals.	Essential for increased energy and normal brain function. (Injections under doctor’s supervision are best.)
Grape seed extract	As directed on label.	A powerful antioxidant that protects the muscles from free radical damage and enhances immunity.
Garlic	2 capsules 3 times daily, with meals.	Promotes immune function and increases energy. Also destroys common parasites.
Potassium and Selenium and Zinc	99 mg. daily 200 mcg. daily 50 mg. daily. Do not exceed a total of 100 mg. daily from all supplements.	Involved in proper muscle function. An important antioxidant. Needed for proper functioning of the immune system.
Essential fatty acids (black currant seed oil, flaxseed oil, and primrose oil are good choices).	As directed on label 3 times daily, with meals.	Protects against cell damage. Helps to reduce pain and fatigue.
L-Leucine plus L-isoleucine and L-Valine	500 mg. each daily on an empty stomach. Take with water or juice, not milk. Take with 50 mg. vitamin B6 and 100 mg. vitamin C for better absorption.	These amino acids are found primarily in muscle tissue.
L-Tyrosine	500-1000 mg. daily, at bedtime.	Helps to relieve depression and aids in relaxing the muscles. (Caution: Do not take this supplement if you are taking an MAO inhibitor drug.
Melatonin	As directed on label, 2 hrs. or less before bedtime.	Promotes sound sleep.
Multivitamin and mineral complex	As directed don label.	All nutrients are necessary in balance. Use a high-potency hypoallergenic formula.
Taurine	500 mg. daily, in an empty stomach.	An important antioxidant and immune system regulatory necessary for white blood cell activation and neurological function.

Herbs:

	Astragalus and echinacea enhance immune function.
	Black walnut and garlic aid in removing parasites.
	Teas brewed from burdock root, dandelion, and red clover promote healing by cleansing the bloodstream and enhancing immune function. Combine or alternate these herbal teas, and drink 4 to 6 cups daily.
	Ginkgo biloba improves circulation and brain function.
	Licorice root supports the glandular system. (Caution: If overused, licorice can elevate blood pressure. Do not use this herb on a daily basis for more than seven days in a row, and avoid it if you have high blood pressure.)
	Topical applications of cayenne (capsicum) powder mixed with wintergreen oil can help relieve muscle pain. Use 1 part cayenne powder to 3 parts wintergreen oil. Cayenne can also be taken orally, in capsule form.
	Milk thistle protects the liver.
	Skullcap and valerian root improve sleep.

Recommendations:

Eat four or five small meals daily to keep a steady supply of protein and carbohydrates available for proper muscle function. If the body does not have enough fuel for energy, it will rob the muscles of essential nutrients, causing muscle wasting and pain.

Include the following in your diet:

	A well balanced diet of 50 percent raw foods and fresh "live" juices. The diet should consist mostly of vegetables, fruits, whole grains (primarily millet and brown rice), raw nuts and seeds, skinless turkey or chicken, and deep-water fish.
	Plenty of liquids to help flush out toxins. The best choices are steam-distilled water and herbal teas. Fresh vegetable juices supply necessary vitamins and minerals.

Avoid the following:

	Caffeine, alcohol, or sugar. Eating sugar in any form, including honey, promotes fatigue, increases pain, and disturbs sleep. (If these substances have been a regular part of your diet, your symptoms may actually get worse for a short period as a result of the "withdrawal" effect, but after that, you should experience a noticeable improvement in your condition.
	Meat, dairy products, or any other foods that are high in saturated fats.
	Fried foods, processed foods, shellfish.
	White flour products such as bread and pasta. Also avoid wheat and brewer’s yeast until your symptoms improve.
	Limit your consumption of green peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, and white potatoes. These foods contain solanine, which interferes with enzymes in the muscles, and may cause pain and discomfort.
	Maintain a regular program of moderate exercise. A daily walk followed by some gentle stretching exercises is good.
	Be sure to get sufficient rest. Set aside at least eight hours for sleep each night.
	Take a hot shower or a bath upon arising to stimulate circulation and help relieve morning stiffness. Or alternate between hot water and cold water while showering. Recent studies have shown cold showers to be beneficial for relieving the pain of fibromyalgia.

Considerations:

Chronic pain sufferers, especially those with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, tend to be deficient in magnesium.

Common painkillers such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen are not usually effective at relieving the pain of fibromyalgia. Other approaches, including attention to diet, exercise, and nutritional supplementation, are more likely to be of benefit.

Since many disorders can cause symptoms similar to those of fibromyalgia, including anemia, hepatitis and Lyme disease, anyone experiencing muscular pain and/or fatigue that persists longer than a week should consult a health care professional.

Recent research points to the possible involvement of chemical and/or food sensitivities in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. It is advisable to be tested for allergies, including food allergies.

Many doctors prescribe low-dose antidepressants for fibromyalgia. These drugs can be beneficial in some cases, but can also cause a number of side effects, such as drowsiness. Other medical treatments that may or may not be of help to any given individual include muscle relaxants and/or local anesthetic sprays or injections for relief of pain. The antianxiety drug lorazepam (Ativan) is sometimes prescribed as well. This drug can cause a loss of equilibrium.

Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:

Product No. 59618-	Description	Comments	Cost
946-12	Coenzyme Q-10 30 mg. Caps.	Take 2 tablets daily	$13.95/60
888-15	Acidophilus w/Pectin Hardshell	As directed on label	$6.95/100
921-15	Lecithin 1200 mg. Softgels	As directed on label, with meals	$4.50/100
958-15	Vitamin A 10,000 IU Softgels	2 softgels daily for 1 month; then reduce to 1 softgel daily.	$3.95/100
234-15	Vitamin E (D-Alpha Tocopheryl) 400 IU	1 tablet daily.	$7.99/100
970-12	Vitamin C w/Rose Hips 1000 mg.	1 tablet daily.	$5.75/60
890-15	B Complex 100 mg. Tabs.	1 tablet 3 times daily.	$8.95/100
222-12	Grape Seed Extract 150 mg. plus bioflavonoids	As directed on label.	$32.95/60
978-25	Garlic 400 mg. Odor free tabs.	2 tabs. 3 times daily, with meals.	$5.50/200
140-17	Super Calcium/Magnesium Tabs.	1 tab daily.	$5.25/180
239-15	Evening Primrose Oil 500 mg. Softgels	1 softgel 3 times daily, with meals	$8.99/100
957-12	Melatonin 1 mg. w/B6 Tabs.	1 tablet, 2 hours or less before bedtime	$4.95/60
968-15	Multivitamin w/Minerals Tabs.	1 tablet daily.	$6.95/100

Sources:

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2^nd Edition

by James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.