Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FMS)

Sufferers of this condition find themselves in chronic pain and they are often fatigued, sleep-deprived, depressed or anxious. Irritable bowel can also be troubling for some FMS patients. To top things off, the medical community often feels like the condition doesn’t exist and feels that it “Is all in your head.” Anti-depressants don’t treat the cause of the pain and fatigue and Lyrica, a drug now used to treat Fibromyalgia, is riddled with side-effects. So what is the solution to the problems of Fibromyalgia? I have seen many, many patients who suffer with Fibromyalgia and there is help for the suffering. I offer several therapies which I have found to have the greatest beneficial effect for treatment of FMS:

Guaifenesin: This oral medicine helps to lessen the tender points that generate pain. A “mapping” is done in which the tender points are laid out on a diagram and symptom intensity is recorded. The patient increases the dose of Guaifenesin until there is a noticeable change in the size and number of the tender points and this is recorded in the mapping. At this point, the patient can experience a worsening of their symptoms as what was once stored in the muscle is now brought in to general circulation to be excreted. The worsening passes and the patient often experiences an easing up of their symptom intensity, sometimes allowing them to feel better than they have in years. Guaifenesin doesn’t work for all patients with FMS, but for those who experience its benefits, they would not trade it for anything.

Myers' Cocktail Intravenous Push: This vitamin and mineral intravenous (I.V.) push delivers much-needed nutrients directly into the blood stream bypassing absorption and digestion issues. Studies have shown that FMS sufferers often have a deficiency of magnesium and vitamin B12, which does not show in lab tests. The push delivers these nutrients and more, in high concentrations, to cells. This can bring about an increase in energy, improved sleep, improved mood, less restlessness, decrease in overall pain and some even experience a decrease in blood pressure.

I.V. Hydrogen Peroxide: As a combination of water and oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, when given as an I.V., delivers oxygen to tissues thus increasing the production of ATP in cells. ATP is the body’s storehouse of energy. Some research suggests that FMS patients may lack compounds required to make ATP. Fibromyalgics may suffer from a shortage of ATP due to a shortage of oxygen for the cell’s use. Lactic acid is the result of anaerobic glycolysis which can contribute to muscular pain. By delivering oxygen to the body in this way provides a way to make ATP and increase the availability of energy for the body. The Journal of Integrative Medicine has reported significant improvement in energy in FMS patients receiving I.V. hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is also anti-viral and can aid if there is a viral cause to the illness.

Proper laboratory testing and correct diet: Laboratory testing can reveal a diet that is right for Fibromyalgia. Allergies and blood sugar issues can cause fatigue and other symptoms associated with FMS. Lab tests can distinguish the root of the problem and therefore a unique diet can be used to help to improve the condition. Proper testing for heavy metals and elimination of the heavy metal has proved extremely helpful for a number of my “Fibro” patients. A G.I. Health Panel can determine the cause of irritable bowel syndrome and therefore Naturopathic treatment can focus on the cause of the bowel symptoms.

Prolotherapy: This non-steroidal injection therapy directly addresses muscular tender points by strengthening the ligaments and tendons that support them. A study by K. Dean Reeves MD postulated that the chronic pain of FMS may be due to pain generated by weak tendons and ligaments and that prolotherapy reduced pain and increased functional ability in more than 75% of his treatment subjects.

Craniosacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release for release of emotional trauma.

Proper nutritional supplementation.