May 12th is National Fibromyalgia Day

Should we celebrate National Fibromyalgia Day? Well yes and no. I don’t believe it is appropriate to celebrate a disease or even a day that recognizes a disease.  Wouldn’t it be great if there wasn’t an awareness day because fibromyalgia doesn’t exist anymore?

Wishful thinking I know, but celebrating fibromyalgia doesn’t feel right.

True, those in the fibromyalgia community don’t have anything to celebrate but we can appreciate just how far we have come.

When I first started treating fibromyalgia, some seventeen years ago, the public didn’t know what the illness was or even how to pronounce it. Heck, most doctors didn’t know much of about fibromyalgia.

Fortunately healthcare professionals and the public at large have over the years continued to learn more and more about fibromyalgia-at least at this point most everyone has heard of fibromyalgia.

So while we aren’t celebrating anything on May 12^th we can be appreciative that the skepticism from family, doctors, and the public is thankfully being put to rest.

Unfortunately we still have some STUPID doctors who think that fibromyalgia doesn’t exist-“it’s all in your head.” Clearly ignorance and arrogance is still alive and well as some stupid doctors choose to write fibromyalgia off as another hypochondriac disease.

Wish they could be in your shoes for a few days. I bet they’d change their minds. Let them go 4-5 nights without sleep and battle diffuse achy all over pain day in and day out and I bet they’d be demanding federal dollars for a cure for fibro.

Clearly there is much work to be done so that those with fibromyalgia aren’t made to feel like they are lazy, crazy, or simply depressed.

National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is a great way to educate others about a very real disease. We need more research and we need more understanding-the more the better.

We also need to proactive and not wait on “the cure.” Please realize that traditional medicine alone isn’t going to cure fibromyalgia. There will not be a magic pill or combination of magic drugs that will prevent or cure fibro-sorry but it just isn’t possible.

You can read my blog about this topic here-

http://treatingandbeatingfibroblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/traditional-medicine-offers-little-for.html

I’m not anti-drug-they can be helpful. But drugs don’t make you healthy-they cover up your symptoms and do not correct the problem. Now this can be life saving but covering up symptoms while ignoring the cause can also be dangerous.

You can read more about this topic

http://treatingandbeatingfibroblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/ill-take-my-chances-with-complementary.html

Unlike type II diabetes in which the symptoms, elevated blood sugar, can be treated and managed with one drug like Metformin, fibromyalgia has several problems, sometimes dozens of symptoms that must be treated in order for the patient to feel dramatically better.

Of course covering up the symptom, elevated blood sugar instead of correcting the cause, being overweight (95% of time) really doesn’t make sense either….

But in fibro patients using one drug after another to treat the various symptoms, insomnia, chronic pain, fatigue, depression, headaches, etc., is a recipe for disaster-one drugs side effects lead to another drug.

The drugs being used for fibromyalgia don’t work, at least long term, and potentially have numerous life draining side effects.

You can read more about these drugs at the links below

Savella-Cymbalta

http://treatingandbeatingfibroblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/fibromyalgia-drug-savella-another.html

Lyrica

http://treatingandbeatingfibroblog.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.html

Neurontin

http://drmurphree.blogspot.com/2010/10/neurontin-for-everything.html

The only way to beat fibromyalgia, and you can beat fibromyalgia, is to get healthy.

Drugs don’t make you healthy.

Using the essential, natural vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and supplements the body needs to repair itself, replenish serotonin, norepinephrine, cortisol, melatonin, thyroid, etc. is the best long term approach for treating and reversing fibromyalgia.

Using the right supplements along with losing inflammation storing fat, slowly building up to exercising on a daily basis, reducing or eliminating potentially dangerous drugs, and managing stress, allows your body to repair itself.

If you are tired of being sick and tired, tired of seeing doctor after doctor who continue offer more and more mind numbing drugs, going year after year stuck in a medical paradigm that treats symptoms, not causes, then I challenge you to be proactive and take a different course of action-get healthy.

Are you willing to be proactive and get healthy? Change your diet? Start the RIGHT (go easy) exercise program for you? Are you ready to start eliminate those bad health habits you know aren’t good for you-smoking, excessive sugar, etc?

New Patient Phone and In Clinic Appointments Are Available

Normally $399 still only $129

I’m committed to helping any many folks as I can beat fibromyalgia. I’ve helped thousands get their life back. Are you next?

Call 205-879-2383

The History of Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

In 1993, Tom Hennessy, the founder of RESCIND, INC.  (Repeal Existing Stereotypes about Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases) designated May 12 as International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND).

The date was chosen to memorialize the birth date of Florence Nightingale, the English army nurse who inspired the founding of the International Red Cross.  Nightingale contracted a paralyzing, CIND-like illness in her mid-thirties and spent the last 50 years of her life virtually bedridden.  Despite her illness, she managed to found the first ever School of Nursing.

Today, National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day activities take place worldwide in an effort to increase awareness of this chronic pain illness. Awareness Day seeks to help patients and organizations educate the general public, healthcare professionals, government officials, and legislative bodies.

National fibromyalgia and chronic pain organizations, as well as local support groups around the country, host events in or around May 12 to create awareness and generate media interest in their cause.

Don't be Fooled by the Low Fat Propaganda

 

Fat provides energy, produces certain hormones, insulates
us from cold, and makes up cellular membranes. It is the primary source of fuel for the muscles, including the heart.

Fats have gotten a bad rap in our society. Low-fat diets have been the rage for years, promising weight-loss and improved health. But this line of thinking has contributed to yo-yo dieting, heart disease, fibromyagia, chronic fatigue, and type-2 diabetes. 

In fact, researchers at the National Institute of Health have recently shown that while our consumption of fat and cholesterol have drastically declined over the last several years, we've actually gained an average of ten pounds per person. 

Statistics show that during the years between 1960 and 1980, one-quarter of the population was overweight. But that number has grown to 60% of the population. Researchers and health officials are still scratching their heads over these statistics. It is now estimated that , over 80% of the U.S. population will be overweight in the near future. The "fat-free" mantra has proven to be the most misguided medical blunder since bloodletting.

The fear of fat and its derivative, cholesterol, has spawned a multibillion dollar industry of low-fat foods, but it's not turning the tide. We trust medical intervention, but drugs that lower fats and cholesterol have been shown to increase the risk of certain cancers. Dieters dutifully avoid fat, but hidden sugars in our processed foods are being turned into fat right under our noses (and our belts!).

The truth is that fat is in all natural foods. It is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in our overall health. We can't live without fat in our diet. Fat provides over twice the amount of energy of carbohydrates and 70% of the energy needed just to keep the body warm. Fats make up 70% of the brain. The fat insulates the brain cells and allows the neurotransmitters to communicate with one another.

Cholesterol and fats make up each and every cell. Cholesterol helps keep cell membranes permeable, and this permeability allows good nutrients in and toxic waste products out. Over 8% of the brain's solid matter is made up of cholesterol, and cholesterol is essential for proper brain function and normalized neurotransmitters such as serotonin. 

A deficiency in cholesterol can result in mood disorders including depression, anxiety, irritability, and fibro-fog. Cholesterol is also involved in the production of such essential hormones as DHEA, testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and cortisol. 

Because it is essential to our very survival, cholesterol is manufactured by the body on a daily basis. Eliminating cholesterol from our diet only triggers the body to make more!

What about cholesterol and heart disease?

Believe it or not, your body needs cholesterol. It's not some foreign element to be avoided. It's a valuable nutrient.

Consider these facts about cholesterol, taken from my book Heart Disease: What Your Doctor Won't Tell You.

Cholesterol is so important that the body manufactures 800-1500 mg. each day. This is about twice as much as you take in through diet! Cholesterol and other fats are the very building blocks that make up each and every cell. Cholesterol is an important fat that helps keep cell membranes permeable, allowing good nutrients to get in and toxic waste products to get out. Cholesterol makes the bile salts required for the digestion of fat. 

Cholesterol is the precursor to vitamin D an important hormone in reducing pain associated with fibromyalgia. Cholesterol is essential in proper hormone production. Testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), progesterone, estradiol, and cortisol, all essential for optimal health and in reducing fibromyalgia symptoms and are all made from cholesterol. 

Fats make up 70% of the brain, and over 8% of the brain's solid matter is made up of cholesterol. The fat and cholesterol insulates brain cells and allows for proper functioning of neurotransmitters. 

Cholesterol levels have been repeatedly linked to decreased brain function, including depression. Those with low cholesterol are three times more likely to suffer from depression as normal adults. The British Medical Journal has published research showing that the lower the cholesterol, the more severe the depression. 

Low cholesterol levels are also linked to an increased risk of suicide. One study, reported in the British Medical Journal, showed that of the 300 people studied who had committed suicide, all had low cholesterol levels. Another study reveals that men whose cholesterol levels are lowered through the use of prescription lipid-lowering medications double their chances of suicide. Low cholesterol (below 180) has been linked to an increased risk for heart attack. Yes, you read this correctly. Low cholesterol increases the risk of a heart attack.      

Read all the dangerous medical myths associated with heart disease in my book Heart Disease: What Your Doctor Won't Tell You.

Fibromyalgia Pain Causes "Fibro Brain Fog"

Brain fog or diminished mental clarity is a common complaint from patients with fibromyalgia. 

The traditional drugs of choice for fibromyalgia include NSAIDS, antidepressants, anticonvulsant medications, muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, and pain medications. These drugs may provide short-term relief but their results are often fleeting and their side-effects are detrimental. It’s not unusual for FMS patients to be taking twelve or more prescription drugs, many of which contribute to erratic behavior. 

A new study finds that the degree of cognitive impairment for fibromyalgia patients is linked to the level of pain that they experience.

The study was led by Dr. Gustavo Reyes Del Paso of the University of Jaén, and presented at the Sixth World Congress of the World Institute of Pain. His team wanted to examine the connection between fibromyalgia and cognitive impairment, which has not been closely studied.

Fibromyalgia is often associated with depression, and anxiety. But a few studies have found that cognitive function – or how well the brain works – is not related to emotional disorders.

The researchers compared 35 fibromyalgia patients with 29 healthy people. Both groups were tested on a series of tests that measured how they performed on an arithmetic task. At the same time, their mental and cardiovascular states were assessed.

The fibromyalgia patients did worse across the board on the task. However, patients who were taking opiates to treat pain did significantly more calculations than those who weren't on medication.

The study builds on the mounting evidence that chronic pain is a critical factor in cognitive abilities.

Depression, anxiety, and other emotional disorders common in people with fibromyalgia play a secondary role when it comes to the brain.

Urinary Tract Infections and Fibromyalgia Part II Interstitial Cystitis

Recurrent UTI symptoms may point at a problem known as interstitial cystitis (IC).

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder that causes frequent, urgent, and painful urination and pelvic discomfort. The lining of the bladder breaks down, allowing toxins to irritate the bladder wall, and the bladder becomes inflamed and tender and does not store urine well. The condition does not respond to antibiotics, since it is not associated with a bacterial infection like is UTI. Like UTI, IC is much more common among women than among men. Although the disease previously was believed to be a condition of menopausal women, growing numbers of men and women are being diagnosed in their 20s and younger. Data released just this year suggests that up to 12% of women may have early symptoms of IC.

Symptoms: The symptoms of IC are basically the symptoms of UTI, only more stubborn. IC is often misdiagnosed as UTI, until it refuses to respond to antibiotics. IC symptoms may also initially be attributed to prostatitis or epididymitis (in men) and endometriosis or uterine fibroids (in women).

Causes: The cause of interstitial cystitis is unknown, though several theories are being investigated, including autoimmune, neurological, allergic, and genetic. Regardless of the disease’s origin, IC patients clearly struggle with a damaged bladder lining. When this protective coating is compromised, urinary chemicals can leak into surrounding tissues, causing pain, inflammation, and urinary symptoms.

Diagnosis: IC diagnosis has been greatly simplified in recent years with the development of two new methodologies. The “Pelvic Pain Urgency/Frequency (PUF) Patient Survey,” created by C. Lowell Parsons, is a short questionnaire that helps doctors identify if pelvic pain could be coming from the bladder. The KCL test, also called the potassium sensitivity test, uses a mild potassium solution to test the integrity of the bladder wall. Though the latter is not specific for IC, it has been determined helpful in predicting the use of compounds designed to help repair the bladder lining.

Previously, IC was diagnosed by visual examination of the bladder wall after stretching it. This test, however, can contribute to the development of small hemorrhages, making IC worse. Thus, a diagnosis of IC is made by excluding other illnesses and reviewing a patient’s clinical symptoms.

Treatment of the bladder lining: Traditional medications work to repair and hopefully rebuild the wounded bladder lining, allowing for a reduction in symptoms. But FDA-approved therapies for IC have had recent setbacks in various research studies. Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate) is supposed to provide a protective coating in the bladder. But data released in late 2005 by Alza Pharmaceuticals suggests that 84% of Elmiron is eliminated—intact—in the feces. Another 6% is excreted in the urine. DMSO, a wood-pulp extract, can be instilled directly into the bladder via a catheter, yet it is much less frequently used in urology clinics. Research studies presented at recent conferences of the American Urological Association have demonstrated that at the FDA-approved dosage of a 50% solution of DMSO, irreversible muscle contractions and damage may occur. DMSO therapy has yielded mixed results, and long-term benefits appear fleeting.

Recently, the use of a new therapeutic instillation—implemented like DMSO—has generated considerable excitement in the IC community. And rightly so. Published studies report a 90% effectiveness in reducing symptoms. This treatment is called a “rescue instillation” and can be conducted with any number of “cocktails” to treat specific symptoms.

Another bladder-coating treatment, Cystistat, is believed to replace the deficient layer on the bladder wall. The primary component of Cystistat is sodium hyaluronate, a derivative of hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in the fluids of the eye, in the joints, and in the bladder-lining layer that is deficient in many patients with interstitial cystitis. This layer is believed to provide the bladder wall with a protective coating. Cystistat, however, is still in the process of approval and not yet available to the public.

Treatment of the pelvic floor: Pelvic-floor dysfunction may also be a contributing factor to IC symptoms. Thus most major IC clinics now evaluate the pelvic floor and/or refer patients directly to a physical therapist for a prompt treatment of pelvic floor muscle tension or weakness. The tension is often described as a burning sensation, particularly in the vagina.

Muscle tension is the primary cause of pain and discomfort in IC patients who experience pain during intercourse. Tender trigger points (small tight bundles of muscle) may also be found in the pelvic floor.

Exercises such as Kegels can be helpful as they strengthen the muscles, but they can provoke pain and additional muscle tension. A specially trained physical therapist can provide direct, specific evaluation of the muscles, both externally and internally.

Bladder distention (a procedure done under general anesthesia that stretches the bladder capacity) has shown some success in reducing urinary frequency and giving pain relief to patients. Unfortunately, the relief achieved by bladder distentions is only temporary (weeks or months) and consequently is not really viable as a long-term treatment for IC. It is generally only used in extreme cases.

Pain control is important in the treatment of IC, as the pain of this condition has been rated equivalent to cancer pain. A variety of traditional pain medications, including opiates, can be used to treat the varying degrees of pain. Electronic pain-killing options include TENS (a machine that sends electrical impulses to the skin through sticky pads) and PTNS (similar to a TENS treatment, except a needle is used).

Natural Remedies For IC

Alkalinizing the urine through diet seems to help reduce the burning pain and urinary urgency of IC in some patients. See the facing page for a list of common foods that seem to make IC worse. I know that the list can be intimidating, but I encourage my cystitis patients to conduct a modified elimination diet for 2–3 weeks, avoiding all the foods above. Then they challenge one of these foods at a time. If you do this, be sure to keep a food diary to keep up with what you learn about your body.

For more information about IC and your diet, visit www.ic-network.com/handbook and click under “Living with IC—Diet.”

Prelief by AkPharma, Inc. is calcium glycerophosphate, a food-grade mineral classified as a dietary supplement. It’s a natural
treatment for IC and also a good source of calcium. In a retrospective study conducted by AkPharma, over 200 patients consumed acidic foods and beverages with and without Prelief. Seventy percent of the patients had a reduction in IC pain and discomfort with the use of Prelief when consuming acidic foods. Sixty-one percent of them reported a reduction in urinary urgency after using Prelief. For more information or to order Prelief, visit www.prelief.com or call 1-800-994-4711.

Bioflavonoids are naturally occurring substances that act as mast-cell inhibitors (similar to an antihistamine), anti-inflammatories, and antioxidants. Since IC is associated with an increased number and activation of mast cells and inflammation in some patients, it has been suggested that bioflavonoids—quercetin in particular—have potential in the treatment of IC.

Cysta-Q, distributed by Farr Labs, is a quercetin-based dietary supplement that was specifically developed to target the symptoms of IC. Cysta-Q also contains bromelain, papain, nonacidic cranberry powder, nonacidic black cohosh, skull cap, wood betony, passionflower, and valerian in order to enhance the effectiveness of the quercetin. The quercetin used in Cysta-Q is derived from grape skin, onion skin, grapefruit rind and green algae. Initial studies have shown promise, but additional research is needed to access the long-term benefits of this natural formula. To find out more about Cysta-Q, visit www.CystaQ.com or call 1-877-284-3976.

Polysaccharides are long chains of sugar molecules. These naturally occurring substances may work by replacing the defective lining in the bladder, and they are thought to have a protective effect on the bladder. Elmiron is a synthetic polysaccharide. Examples of natural polysaccharides include glucosamine, chondroitin, marshmallow root, spirulina, and aloe vera. Desert Harvest, Inc., manufacturers a special IC-specific formula of aloe vera available in capsule form. It contains freeze-dried, whole-leaf aloe vera with no additives or fillers. Desert Harvest designed a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which patients ingested three capsules twice a day with eight oz. of liquid for three months. Of the eight patients who completed the study, seven received relief from at least some of their symptoms. Of those seven, four experienced significant relief from all or most of their symptoms. Only one patient had no response after completing all six months of the study. For more information about Desert Harvest Aloe Vera products, visit www.desertharvest.com or call 1-800-222-3901.

Algonot-Plus combines polysaccharides (glucosamine and chondroitin) with quercetin and also adds an organic, unrefined olive seed oil from the island of Crete which increases absorption and adds its own antioxidants.

No formal research on this combined type of treatment for IC has yet been published, but several studies indicate that these supplements may be helpful, on their own, in the treatment of IC.
Glucosamine and chondroitin have previously been given to many IC patients in an open-label study with very good results when taken for a few months.

TC Theoharides, MD, and Grannum Sant, MD, have been involved in IC research and patient care for over 10 years. Their recent studies are encouraging for the benefits of combined therapies such as Algonot-Plus. For more information on Algonot-Plus, visit www.algonot.com, or call 1-800-254-6668.

 This information is taken from my book Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Learn more at www.getfibrobooks.com

Urinary Tract Infections and Fibromyalgia

Urinary tract disorders are another “layer of the onion” that might need to be peeled away to make you better. Of my FMS patients, 25% have chronic UTIs or interstitial cystitis. Individuals with fibromyalgia and CFS often have problems with their urinary system. They may experience chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), interstitial cystitis, incontinence (involuntary loss of urine), and urinary retention (inability to pass urine).

Urinary Tract Infections

UTIs are more common in women who are sexually active, people with diabetes, and people with sickle-cell disease or anatomical malformations of the urinary tract. Also, women are more prone to UTIs than males, since a women’s urethra is much shorter and closer to the anus than a man’s. This is why proper hygiene is so important in females. UTI can be especially dangerous for infants and can cause permanent renal damage.

Symptoms and signs include painful, hesitant, frequent urination and high temperature lasting for more than three days. Nausea and vomiting along with pain and temperature may indicate a more complicated UTI, in which a kidney is infected.

Some urinary tract infections are asymptomatic. Others may have quite dramatic symptoms including confusion and associated falls, which are common for elderly patients with UTI who show up at the emergency room.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of UTI is confirmed by a urine culture. A negative urine culture suggests the presence of other illness, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.

Causes

Common organisms that cause UTIs include E. coli and S. saprophyticus. Less common organisms include P. mirabilis, K. pneumoniae, and Enterococcus spp.

Over 90% of UTIs are caused by E. coli. This bacteria is normally found in everyone’s gut and, with the exception of a few rare dangerous forms, it is a healthy part of our normal bowel bacteria. The problems begins when E. coli escapes the bowel and enters the bladder. The bladder is able to remove most infections through the process of urination, but E. coli are quite resilient and able to use projections to help them stick to the bladder wall.

Prevention of UTIs

• Drink 70 ounces of water a day.

• Avoid excess alcohol and caffeinated beverages.

• Don’t resist the urge to urinate; visit the bathroom as soon as you feel compelled.

• If you have frequent UTIs, avoid taking baths; take showers instead.

• Practice good hygiene by wiping from the front to the back to avoid contamination of the urinary tract.

• Sexually active women—and to a lesser extent, men—should urinate within 15 minutes after sexual intercourse to allow the flow of urine to expel the bacteria before specialized extensions anchor the bacteria to the walls of the urethra.

• Clean the urethral meatus (the opening of the urethra) after intercourse.

• Clean genital areas prior to and after sexual intercourse.

Conventional Medical Treatment

Most uncomplicated UTIs can be easily treated with oral antibiotics such as trimethoprim, cephalosporins, Macrodantin, or a fluoroquinolone (such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin).

Symptoms consistent with pyelonephritis, a serious kidney infection, may call for intravenous antibiotics.

Patients with recurrent UTIs may need further investigation such as ultrasound scans of the kidneys and bladder or intravenous urography (X-rays of the urinary system following injection of contrast material).

Often, long courses of low-dose antibiotics are prescribed to help prevent otherwise unexplained cases of recurring UTI.

Natural Treatment

Taking antibiotics will usually kill the bacteria that is causing a bladder infection, but will also kill the healthy “good bacteria” in your body. Always combat this side effect of antibiotics by taking probiotics along with them, 12 hours apart from each other.

Another option, which I prefer, is to try natural remedies before resorting to antibiotic therapy. If the symptoms don’t clear up within a couple days, then you can always start antibiotic therapy then. Natural therapies can also be used while you’re waiting for your tests results to confirm a UTI.

• Cranberry juice can end a UTI. In addition to acidifying urine, cranberries contain substances that inhibit bacteria from attaching to the bladder lining and, as such, promote the flushing out of bacteria with the urine stream. Dosage is one to two cups of pure cranberry juice (no sugar added) or 2–4 cranberry capsules (standardized to 11%–12% quinic acid) a day for 1–2 weeks. This may well be all you need to eliminate a UTI.

• D-mannose is a naturally occurring sugar similar in structure to glucose but metabolized differently. (Because the body metabolizes only small amounts of D-mannose and excretes the rest in the urine, it doesn’t interfere with blood-sugar regulation, even in diabetics.) Though D-mannose doesn’t kill bacteria, it prevents bacteria from attaching to the bladder wall. D-mannose is safe, even for long-term use, although most people will only need it for a few days. Those who have frequent recurrent bladder infections may choose to take it on a daily basis. I’ve found it to be the best option for stubborn, chronic UTIs.