Exhausted, achy, “brain fog,” and can’t sleep?
Having had chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromylgia in 1975 (they knocked me out of medical school and left me homeless for much of the year) and having learned how to recover, helping people get well from these syndromes is near and dear to my heart. In the last 30 years, I have effectively treated over 3,000 people for these illnesses.
Our study titled "Effective Treatment of CFS and Fibromyalgia," published in the Journal of CFS, showed that 91% of patients improved with treatment (p<.0001 vs. placebo for you science buffs), with an average improvement in quality of life of 90%. Many patients no longer even qualified for the diagnosis of CFS or fibromyalgia after treatment. In support of our work, an editorial in the journal of the American Academy of Pain Management (the largest multidisciplinary society of pain specialists in the United States) noted "the comprehensive and aggressive metabolic approach to treatment detailed in the Teitelbaum study are all highly successful approaches and make fibromyalgia a very treatment responsive disorder. The study by Dr. Teitelbaum et al and years of clinical experience make this approach an excellent and powerfully effective part of the standard of practice for treatment of people who suffer from fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.” Dr. Mehmet Oz has also repeatedly invited us to present our work on his "Oprah and Friends" radio show. What is Causing These Syndromes?
CFS/FMS acts as a “circuit breaker,” with the hypothalamus decreasing its function to protect the individual in the face of what is perceived to be an overwhelming stress (just like blowing a fuse/circuit breaker in a house). This center controls sleep, hormones, temperature, blood flow, blood pressure, and sweating. In addition, if your muscles do not have enough energy, they will get stuck in the shortened position and you’ll be in pain (think rigor mortis). This “energy crisis” can be caused by any of a number of infections, stresses, or injuries.
Related Information
Effective Treatments for CFS and Fibromyalgia
TREATMENT
Five main categories of problems need to be treated — think “SHINE.” These are the key areas that need to be treated to "turn your circuit breaker back on" and for fatigue and pain to resolve.
The letters in SHINE stand for:
* Sleep
* Hormonal deficiencies
* Infections
* Nutritional supplementation
* Exercise as able
Recommended Supplements
Herbal sleep aids
For sleep — Because the hypothalamic “circuit breaker” that is offline controls sleep, most people with CFS/FMS need a mix of herbal sleep aids and prescription sleep treatments. For you to get well and pain free, it is critical that you take enough of the correct natural and prescription sleep treatments to get 8 to 9 hours sleep at night! Try using the natural aids first (take just before bedtime). Ambien, trazodone, and other specific prescription sleep aids that improve deep sleep, can also help.
Adrenal nutrients and DHEA
For hormonal deficiencies — The hypothalamus is the main control center, via the pituitary, for most of the glands in the body. Most of the normal ranges for our blood tests were not developed within the context of hypothalamic suppression or these syndromes. Because of this (and for a number of other reasons) it is usually necessary to treat with natural thyroid, adrenal (e.g., adrenal nutrients and DHEA), and ovarian and testicular hormones — despite normal blood tests (see The Problem with Lab Testing)! These natural hormones have been found to be reasonably safe when used in low doses.
Multi-nutrient powder and ribose
For nutrition — Widespread nutritional deficiencies are common, and require dozens of nutrients. As people are tired of being part of the “Handful Club” (taking handfuls of supplement tablets each day), a better solution is to take a good multi-vitamin powder (see Energy Revitalization System). Add Ribose 5 gm (1 scoop) 3x day for 3 weeks, then twice a day to powerfully jump start your energy. In our recently published study, Ribose increased energy an average of 45% after 3 weeks in those with CFS/FMS.
Other Therapies & Advice
Treat infections
Many studies have shown immune system dysfunction in CFS/FMS, which can result in many unusual infections. These include viral infections, parasites and other bowel infections, chronic Lyme and, most importantly, fungal/Candida infections.
Exercise
Exercise as Able
Do not push to the point of crashing the next day. Start by walking as long as you comfortably can (even if that is only 2 minutes). After 10 weeks on treatment, start to increase your walks by up to 1 minute more each day as able. When you are up to an hour of walking, you can increase intensity.
Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers
Most physicians are clueless about how to treat fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. You are more likely to get help from a holistic physician or a naturopath. You can find a trained physician at one of the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers which are opening throughout the United States.
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