Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia

The diffuse muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia can be debilitating. Unless you’ve experienced the achy all over pain that accompanies fibromyalgia you can’t imagine the amount of discomfort, stress, and fatigue it creates. For those people who don’t know what fibromyalgia is like, I ask them to imagine waking up everyday with the flu from hell. 

The pain can become worse when the individual gets under more stress (depleting serotonin), the weather changes, and after being on certain prescription medications for extended periods of time (Ambien).

Pain

Pain may arise from wear-and-tear arthritis (osteoarthritis), scar tissue, lactic acid (trigger points), allergic reactions, leaky gut, intestinal dysbiosis (yeast overgrowth), nightshade sensitivity, autoimmune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis), low serotonin levels or poor detoxification processes. Finding and successfully treating the source of chronic pain can be difficult. 

Pain is initiated from inflammatory chemicals that are released in response to injury. Pain acts as an alarm to warn us of potential danger. If you’ve ever placed your hand on a hot stove, you know pain acts as a potent deterrent to not make this mistake twice. Wherever there is pain, there is inflammation. Inflammation is a normal and important, bodily reaction. Inflammation allows the body to attack unwanted invading microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, etc.), remove damaged cells (from injury), eliminate toxins, and is part of the body’s repair process.

How the inflammatory system works

Trauma, infection, ischemia (reduced blood flow), toxins, poisons, and normal wear and tear cause damage and destruction to cells. This damage then triggers an orderly inflammatory response by the body’s self-regulating mechanisms. When cells become damaged, they release special enzymes. These enzymes digest the parts of the cell that have been damaged. If the damage is minor, the cell can repair itself. If the damage is severe, the entire cell is digested (autolysis) and a new cell is made. If a lot of cells (tissue) are damaged, either by trauma (sprained ankle, back joint, etc.) or autolysis (cell death from toxic exposure, radiation, etc.), certain chemicals are released into the surrounding tissues, producing inflammation and more pain.

Inflammatory chemicals

The first group of chemicals, histamine, leukotriens, and pro-inflammatory hormones (prostaglandins), cause the blood vessels to dilate or expand. The dilation of the blood vessels causes the area to become hot, red and swollen. The dilated vessels (capillaries) allow needed nutrients and white blood cells to get to the damaged (swollen) area. 

 The white blood cells are charged with digesting and removing damaged cells (phagocytosis). These white blood cells gobble up everything in sight. Foreign invaders or pathogens (viruses, allergens, free radicals, etc) release their own chemicals, many of which are toxic. The healthy tissue surrounding the damaged area releases anti-inflammatory prostaglandins (PG1 and PG3) to combat the inflammatory prostaglandins (PG2). Certain chemicals (proteolytic enzymes) are responsible for telling the white blood cells that their job is done. These chemicals sound the alarm for the white blood cells to stop attacking and digesting cells and tissues.

Proteolytic enzymes are manufactured to squelch the white blood cells from continuing to eat up cellular debris. As the damaged cells and tissues are removed, less of the pro-inflammatory chemicals and more of the anti-inflammatory chemicals are released. Once the inflammation process is finished, the body begins to repair itself.

The balance between inflammation, destruction, and repair is an ongoing process. Normally, this process is kept in check. When the process becomes unbalanced, chronic inflammation takes over. 

Inflammation is largely regulated by the prostaglandin hormones mentioned above.

Prostaglandins

Prostaglandins are a group of regulatory hormones produced in the body from fatty acids. There are several different groups of prostaglandins, but inflammation is largely controlled by Prostaglandin 1 (PG-1), Prostaglandin 2 (PG-2), and Prostaglandin 3 (PG-3).

PG-1, PG-2, and PG-3 are produced from essential fatty acids.

Essential fatty acids are essential for our existence. They can’t be manufactured by the body but must be obtained from the foods we eat. Essential fatty acids are made-up of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).

PUFAs are divided into two families of essential fatty acids (EFA).

PUFAs are further broken down into Omega 3 (fish oils) and Omega 6 (vegetable oils).

Anti-inflammatory hormones

PG-1 and PG-3 come mainly from Omega 3 oils (fish oils) and are anti-inflammatory hormones. They help reduce and eliminate inflammation and pain. 

Arachidonic Acid (AA) PG-2 Causes Pain and Inflammation

AA is an essential fatty acid (EFA) in the Omega 6 family. AA is found in corn and corn oil products. Corn products are used as the prominent foodstuff in westernized livestock. Red meat, dairy, and pork products have a high AA content. 

The pro-inflammatory series PG-2 are made from arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is derived from the consumption of land animal foods (meats, cheese, eggs, etc.). Arachidonic acid stimulates the production of inflammatory chemicals including leukotriens (notorious in causing allergic reactions), thromboxanes, and prostacylins. Several research articles have demonstrated that the more animal fats a human eats, the more arachidonic acid they have in their blood and cell membranes and the more likely to have inflammation.

   

Conversely, a diet high in fish or supplemented with fish oil (EPA) helps reduce inflammation.

A. Omega 3 Linolenic Acid

Omega 3 oils include are found in flax seed, soybean, walnut, and chestnut oils, as well as some dark green leafy vegetables.  Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid) are Omega 3 derivatives and are only found in cold water fish. These fish include salmon, tuna, and mackerel

The average AA (PG-2 from vegetable oils and animal products) to EPA (PG-1 and PG-3 from fish oils) of Americans is approximately 11:1. For patients with inflammatory conditions and neurological disorders, the AA/EPA ratio is 20:1 or more.

This means that Americans are eating and storing 11-20 times the amount of inflammation causing hormones (from vegetable oils and land animals) in comparison to the inflammation reducing hormones (from fish oils). 

An AA/EPA ratio of 1.5:1 is considered ideal. This is the ratio found in Japanese populations which by the way have the highest life expectancy and the lowest rate of cardiovascular disease.

 Our inflammatory reactions and their chemicals are therefore largely determined by what foods (fatty acids) we eat. Since most Americans are carrying around at least 10-20 pounds of excess fat, it is no wonder that arthritis and other inflammatory diseases are out of control in our country. 

   The average adult weighs 150 pounds, 30% of this is fat. This means that on average a person is carrying around 45 pounds of inflammatory fatty acid hormones!

Fish Oil Reduces Pain and Inflammation

The supplementing your diet with fish oils along with reducing the intake of arachidonic acid foods (land animals) can yield significant results. 

Some studies have shown that supplementing with fish oils results in a dramatic reduction in a person’s leukotriens (one of the chemicals implicated in asthma) by 65%. This correlates with a 75% decrease in their clinical symptoms.

Another fish oil study, involving rheumatoid arthritis sufferers (often treated with incredibly toxic and life threatening prescription drugs) who took 1.8 grams of EPA fish oil and reduced their saturated fats (land animal foods), showed significant improvement over and above a placebo. 

Sleep deprivation and pain

One study showed that college students who were prevented from going into deep sleep (REM sleep) for a period of a week, developed the same symptoms associated with fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): diffuse pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, irritability, stomach disturbances, and headaches. 

A study conducted by the University of Connecticut School of Medicine compared the sleep patterns and associated symptoms of fifty women with FMS. 

The study showed that a poor night’s sleep was followed by an increase in the subject’s symptoms including, increased pain.

Avoid instant coffee

Instant coffee contains substances which block the receptor sites for endorphins and may cause increased pain. 

Nightshades

In one study 70% of those with arthritis reported relief from chronic pain over a period of seven years after eliminating all white potatoes, tomatoes, peppers,(except black), eggplant, and tobacco.

Supplements That Help Reduce Pain

S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe) comes from the amino acid methionine and acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and blocks pain without the side effects associated with NSAIDs. 

SAMe helps boost serotonin and epinephrine levels. It also helps increase the production of endorphins. Endorphins are the bodies natural pain blocking chemicals and are more powerful than morphine.

One double-blind study showed SAMe was superior to ibuprofen in the treatment of osteo-arthritis pain.

Several studies involving SAMe and fibromyalgia patients yielded substantial improvement in over all pain levels (as well as depression).

Dosage is up to 1,200 mg. taken on an empty stomach 30 minutes before breakfast each day.

Malic Acid is found in a variety of foods. It is a vital nutrient needed for the production of cellular energy (Krebs cycle). Malic acid helps boost cellular energy and reduce achy muscles. It removes unwanted waste material from muscle cells including lactic acid, a byproduct of oxygen deficiency. 

Lactic acid has been implicated as one reason for achy muscles. Lactic acid may accumulate in muscles after periods of anaerobic and aerobic exercise. It may also be involved in the trigger point pains associated with fibromyalgia. 

“Malic acid gave subjective improvement within 48 hours in one study.” 

Sherry Rodgers M.D., Pain Free in Six Weeks.     

Studies involving FMS patients who were taking magnesium and malic acid together showed dramatic reduction in pain levels that returned with in 24 hours of discontinuing the supplements.

Fibromyalgia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Is There A Connection?

Fibromyalgia  syndrome is associated with chronic severe muscle or soft tissue pain. Fibromyalgia has also been linked to fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, cognitive dysfunction, depression, and anxiety.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that involves abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, as well as changes in bowel movements – constipation or diarrhea, or alternation of both. People with IBS often experience anxiety and depression.

Millions of people have at least one of these conditions. Fibromyalgia affects over 5 million U.S. adults, and an estimated 25 million to 45 million people in the U.S. have IBS.

Studies are now showing that if you have fibromyalgia or IBS, you may be more likely to have the other one, too.

In one study, 32% of people with IBS also had fibro symptoms compared with 4% of people without IBS. Another study showed fibromyalgia occurring in 20% of people with IBS. And studies have estimated 32% to 70% of people with fibromyalgia also meet criteria for IBS.

I find that about 80% of my fibro patient’s has IBS.

Fibromyalgia and IBS don't always go together. They're two separate conditions.

Pain Processing

Researchers see a possible pain link between IBS and fibromyalgia. In short, people with those conditions respond to pain differently than people without the two conditions.

IBS patients are hypersensitive to intestinal pain; people with fibromyalgia are hypersensitive to skin, soft tissue, and muscle pain. Both have a lowered threshold to pain in general. In fibromyalgia, the central nervous system may be highly sensitive, making someone feel more pain than what someone without fibromyalgia would feel in a similar situation.

The neurotransmitter, serotonin has been linked with both fibromyalgia and IBS.

I find that once I start to return my patients serotonin level to normal their IBS goes away within a couple of weeks.

If you’d like to know more about reversing IBS please see my past article Treating and Beating IBS click on the link below-

http://treatingandbeatingfibroblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/reversing-irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs.html

Should You Take a Daily Aspirin?

What About Aspirin?

The logic behind using aspirin is based on the idea that it inhibits the formation of blood clots. It does this by preventing the production of cyclooxygenase, an enzyme responsible for making prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormones that perform various bodily functions. Some prostaglandins cause platelets to become stickier and adhere to one another while attaching to arterial walls. However, other prostaglandins help prevent the platelets from attaching to one another. Thus, aspirin prevents the body’s own natural self-regulating mechanisms.

This is similar to what happens when taking non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). By the way, aspirin is the original NSAID. It reduces inflammation by blocking prostaglandins 1, 2, and 3. The problem with this is that prostaglandins 1 and 3 are the body’s own natural anti-inflammatory hormones. Blocking prostaglandins 1 and 3 prevents the body from releasing its own natural pain blocking chemicals.

Vioxx and Other NSAIDS Pulled from Market

Merck pulled the drug Vioxx off the market because a long-term clinical trial showed that some patients, after taking the drug for 18 months, developed serious heart problems. The data that ultimately persuaded the company to withdraw the drug indicated 15 cases of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots per thousand people each year over three years, compared with 7.5 such events per thousand patients taking a placebo.

Internal memos show disagreement within the FDA over a study by one of its own scientists, Dr. David Graham, who estimated Vioxx had been associated with more than 27,000 heart attacks or deaths linked to cardiac problems.

Studies have shown Vioxx users had twice the number of heart attacks as those taking Naproxen. These new drugs, which block COX-2 enzymes, may promote excessive blood clot formation. It appears that COX-2 enzymes counteract some of the effects of COX-1 enzymes, which narrow the blood vessels. This narrowing then causes blood to be more likely to clot.

A person taking NSAIDS, including aspirin, is seven times more likely to be hospitalized for gastrointestinal adverse affects. The FDA estimates that 200,000 cases of gastric bleeding occur annually, and that this leads to 10,000 to 20,000 deaths each year.

NSAIDs can cause high blood pressure. In one study, 41% of those who had recently started on medication to lower their blood pressure were also taking NSAIDs. NSAIDs more than double a person’s risk of developing high blood pressure.

Why isn’t my doctor telling me these things?

Good question. Most doctors and the public at large has been brainwashed into believing that these drugs pose little harm. As you’re now finding out nothing could be further from the truth.

You won’t find this behind the scenes, undercover reporting in the typical brochures on high blood pressure.

These pamphlets are by the way written by the drug companies, who of course don’t won’t you know just how dangerous their drugs are.

There have been several studies which have looked at the role aspirin may play in reducing heart attacks. But one in particular, The Aspirin Component of the Ongoing Physicians’ Health Study, is cited by physician groups, the media, and of course the drug companies who make aspirin.

This study involved 22,071 male physicians. Half of the study participants took Bufferin and half took a placebo. The study shows that over a 4.8-year period, there were 44 deaths in the Bufferin group and 44 deaths in the placebo group.

The Bufferin group did have fewer heart attacks (139 compared to 239) than the placebo group. Looking at the numbers above, we would conclude that taking Bufferin prevented 100 heart attacks. However, if we look at these numbers a little closer, you may not want to take a daily aspirin.

If we take the 11,037 who took Bufferin and divide by 100 (the number who benefited from taking Bufferin) we see that .906% of those taking Bufferin benefited. This is of course less than one percent, a number not worth the fanfare it has received.

The researchers reported that those taking Bufferin had between a 44 and 47% reduction in heart attack risk. How did they get this number? They took the 100 people who presumably didn’t experience a heart attack because of taking Bufferin and divided it by the 239 who didn’t take Bufferin and had a heart attack. This turns out to be 44%.

Researchers can do wonders with statistical analysis!

An interesting finding that somehow wasn’t revealed by this now famous study was that those taking Bufferin had a higher incidence of stroke (119), than those in the placebo group (98). Conventional doctors advocate the use of aspirin for the prevention of stroke. If we were to use the same statistical parameters by the authors of this study, we’d see that those taking Bufferin had a 21.4% increase in strokes!

Other studies that have evaluated the effectiveness of aspirin to prevent cardiovascular deaths have shown no benefit at all.  A 1975 study involving one million American men and women showed there was no benefit in taking aspirin.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute evaluated the effects of taking aspirin in a group of 4,524 participants. Half took aspirin and half took a placebo. The group who took aspirin had a 14.1% increase in heart attacks, while those taking a placebo had a 14.8% increase.

In 2003, a study linking low dose aspirin use among elderly patients caused decreased kidney function.

An Aspirin a day may not be in  your best interest after all. 

Danger-These Drugs Are A Disaster For Your Health

Benzodiazepines

These medications are usually used as sleep and anti-anxiety medication, they include Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), Restoril (temazepam), BuSpar (buspirone hydrochloride), Tranxene (clorazepate dipotassium), Serax (oxazepam),
Librium (chlordiazepoxide), Tegretol (carbamazepine), Valium (diazepam), Trileptal (oxcarbazepine), Seroquel (quetiapine), Risperdal (risperidone), and Symbyax (olanzapine and fluoxetine HCl).

Benzodiazepines are addictive, and patients build up a tolerance so that the drugs eventually lose effectiveness as a sleep aid. Addiction may occur in as little as two weeks.

The big problem with these medications, though, are the side effects, many of which mirror the symptoms of fibromyalgia and CFS. And they don’t promote deep, restorative sleep, so they are definitely not worth the risk.

Benzodiazepines depress the central nervous system and act on the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid). GABA acts as a calming chemical as it transmits messages from one cell to another. So directly or indirectly, these drugs influence almost every brain function and most other bodily systems, including those of the nervous, neuromuscular, endocrine, and gastrointestinal systems. It’s no wonder their side effects are so severe.

Benzodiazepines should be weaned off, starting as soon as possible. Be sure to work with a medical doctor as you wean off, and take it slow to avoid terrible withdrawal symptoms.

Potential side effects of benzodiazepines: Poor sleep; seizures; mania; depression and suicidal thoughts; tinnitus (ringing in the ears); transient amnesia; dizziness; agitation; disorientation; low blood pressure; nausea or vomiting; fluid retention; muscular incoordination and tremors; sexual dysfunction; prolonged drowsiness or a trance-like state; fatigue; headaches; body aches and pains; chills; runny nose; cough; congestion; difficulty breathing; feelings of discouragement, sadness, or emptiness; diarrhea; difficulty swallowing; vision and voice changes; and a host of others.

The crippling side effects and addictive nature of these drugs have been known for at least 40 years, yet doctors continue to prescribe them at an ever-increasing rate, especially for seniors. Surveys show that over 5.6 million adults over the age of 65 are now taking benzodiazepines. A mouth-dropping 50% of all women 60 and older will be prescribed a benzodiazepine drug.

And since addiction often occurs within four weeks of starting these drugs, the majority of these folks are now dependent on them.

Tolerance to the hypnotic (sleep) effects of these drugs may occur within one week. Symptoms of tolerance are identical to drug-withdrawal symptoms and may include anxiety, panic, severe insomnia, muscle pain and stiffness, depression, suicidal thoughts, rage, heart and lung problems, and agoraphobia (extreme fear of public or crowded spaces).

Tragically, only 10%–30% of people are able to successfully stop taking these drugs. The rest are addicted for life.

Please avoid these drugs if possible. Seek out alternatives, preferably over the counter natural amino acid therapy (5HTP, SAMe, L-Theanine, etc.) when facing anxiety disorder. For sleep related issues try over the counter 5HTP and or melatonin. You can read more about mood and sleep disorders at www.treatingandbeating.com

Lyrica and Fibromyalgia

Lyrica is the first prescription medication approved to treat fibromyalgia.   Because fibromyalgia patients typically do not respond to conventional painkillers like aspirin, Lyrica affects the brain and the perception of pain.  Pfizer’s Lyrica, known generically as pregabalin, binds to receptors in the brain and spinal cord and seems to reduce activity in the central nervous system.

No one knows exactly how Lyrica works.  But some say that Lyrica does not work well enough to have warranted its FDA approval.  According to The New York Times, in clinical trials, patients taking Lyrica reported that their pain fell on average about 2 points on a 10-point scale, compared with 1 point for patients taking a placebo. About 30 percent of patients said their pain fell by at least half, compared with 15 percent taking placebos.

In 2004, Lyrica was reviewed by the FDA as a remedy for diabetic nerve pain.  The reviewers recommended against approving the drug, citing its side effects.  Lyrica causes weight gain and edema, or swelling, as well as dizziness and sleepiness. According to the New York Times, in 12-week trials, 9 percent of patients saw their weight rise more than 7 percent, and the weight gain appeared to continue over time.

But the FDA ignored the advice of Lyrica reviewers, and approved it anyway.  Then Pfizer asked the FDA to expand the approved uses of Lyrica to include the treatment of fibromyalgia, and the agency did so in June.  It was a good move for Pfizer.  According to the New York Times, worldwide sales of Lyrica reached $1.8 billion in 2007, up 50 percent from 2006. Analysts predict sales will rise an additional 30 percent this year, helped by consumer advertising.  During the first nine months of 2007, Pfizer spent $46 million on Lyrica ads alone.

While I welcome anything that will help my fibromyalgia patients, I’m not a big fan of Lyrica.

Why? It doesn’t seem to offer any real long-term relief and the side effects are potentially dangerous. 

There are many side effects that are considered "normal" of Lyrica. However, it should be noted that if these symptoms occur they should be brought to the attention of the prescribing doctor. You must keep in mind that the Federal Drug and Food Administration often approve drugs that will result in certain side effects. However, they do so on the notion that the benefits of the prescription will outweigh the consequences associated with side effects in the long run. The following outlines some of the "common" side effects of Lyrica:

Experiencing Weight Gain

Blurred Vision

Body Tremors

Possible Insomnia

Gastrointestinal Difficulties, such as Diarrhea and Constipation

Mild to Severe Headaches

Nausea

Swelling in Hands

Dry Mouth

Swelling in Ankles

Dizziness

Drowsiness

Possible Fainting

Traditional medicine alone isn’t very helpful for fibromyalgia- 70 percent of fibromyalgia patients seek out alternative methods.

I encourage my patient’s to use the Essential Therapeutics Fibromyalgia Jump Start Package.

Traditional Medicine Offers Little Hope For Fibromyalgia Sufferers

Excerpt from Dr. Rodger Murphree’s “Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.”

With so many different symptoms, it’s no surprise that fibromyalgia and CFS patients are typically taking 6–12 different prescription drugs. Lyrica, Elavil, Klonopin, Paxil, Effexor, Xanax, Trazadone, Neurontin, Zanaflex, Ambien, Lunesta, Cymbalta,  and Provigil have all been heralded as “the drug” for fibromyalgia. Some of these are helpful, some worthless, and some really dangerous.

Drug management alone typically fails to yield lasting relief from the most common fibromyalgia and CFS symptoms, and patients’ and doctors’ optimism over a new drug treatment eventually gives way to this sad reality. Oh well, a new drug with an even larger marketing budget is on the horizon. (Forgive my cynicism. I’ve just seen this situation so many times!)

Many of the most commonly prescribed drugs for fibromyalgia have side effects that are similar or identical to the symptoms of FMS and CFS. These similarities can cause a lot of confusion when doctors are trying to determine the effectiveness of treatment. Ambien, for instance, can cause flu-like symptoms, achy muscle pain, sore throat, and fatigue. Sounds like CFS, doesn’t it?

Tranquilizers are often prescribed for restless leg syndrome; achy, tight muscles; and sleep problems. But these drugs deplete the sleep hormone melatonin, which then leads to a disruption of a person’s circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle). Instead of promoting deep restorative sleep, these drugs prevent it!

It’s important to realize that your drug or drugs may be causing or contributing to some or all of your symptoms. I spend a great deal of time with my new patients reviewing and discussing their current drugs—how they interact with each other, and the potential side effects.

I often find that by asking the right question, I can help the patient realize that her symptoms began or worsened soon after the drug treatment began.

Sometimes, though, I do find drug-induced symptoms that began months after the start of the drug treatment. Drugs deplete essential nutrients that the body needs to properly function, but it can take weeks, months, or even years for the drug to fully deplete the nutrient and for you to see the side effects surface.

Still, not everyone can be drug free, and most of my patients are on at least one prescription medication. But the least offensive drug should be used—sparingly—and only to manage symptoms unresponsive to more natural therapies.

A study conducted by the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research demonstrates the need for FMS and CFS treatment beyond drug therapy.

Thirty-nine patients with FMS were interviewed about their symptoms. Twenty-nine were interviewed again 10 years later. Of these 29 (mean age 55 at second interview), all had persistence of the same FMS symptoms. Moderate to severe pain or stiffness was reported in 55% of patients, moderate to a great deal of sleep difficulty was noted in 48%, and moderate to extreme fatigue was noted in 59%. These symptoms showed little change from earlier surveys. The surprising finding was that 79% of the patients were still taking medications to control symptoms. We can conclude that the medications weren’t making a significant impact.

Conventional medical treatments for FMS and CFS is a controversial topic, and I certainly have no desire to offend the many brilliant medical doctors out there. Still, in my experience, most traditional doctors continue to rely on prescription medications to treat fibromyalgia, even though their own studies show them to be ineffective and potentially dangerous.

They still just don’t get it. Those with fibromyalgia and CFS are sick and they want to feel well, not drugged.

Just try to find a doctor who really knows anything about these illnesses. Most don’t. It’s even harder to find one who is having any lasting success treating these illnesses. How many folks with fibromyalgia get well under the care of a traditional rheumatologist?

I speak to fibromyalgia support groups across North America, and I can tell you what the answer is: very few. The three-month wait for a new patient appointment typically ends in a two-hour interview and exam followed by a 10-minute visit to discuss test results, and then several prescription drugs and a follow-up appointment every 3–6 months.

And let’s face it, those with fibromyalgia are medical misfits, they don’t usually respond to medications like other folks. The ACR has, like many physicians, thrown up their hands and admitted they have little if anything to offer for those suffering from fibromyalgia. They focus more on helping their patients “cope.” At least they’re honest about their limitations.

Traditional Doctors Are Often Opposed To Natural Medicine

I find that people in general are usually down on what their not  up on.

Many conventional doctors are quick to ridicule nutritional
therapies, even though these therapies have consistently shown themselves effective in treating fibromyalgia. This prejudice just doesn’t make sense.

The usual accusation is that “there are no controlled studies.…”

But actually, there are numerous studies that validate the use of nutritional supplements to manage and often correct the symptoms of poor health. There are over 1,000 studies demonstrating the positive effects of various supplements and foods in the treatment of hypertension alone. And hundreds of studies demonstrate magnesium’s benefits in treating high blood pressure, angina, heart arrhythmias, chronic pain, muscle spasms, anxiety, mitral valve prolapse, and fatigue.

Dr. Janet Travell, White House physician for Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, and Professor Emeritus of Internal Medicine at George Washington University, co-wrote Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual, which is acknowledged as the authoritative work on muscle pain. In one chapter alone, Dr. Travell references 317 studies showing that problems such as hormonal, vitamin, and mineral deficiencies can contribute to muscle pain and soreness.

And modern medicine itself, despite the millions of dollars spent to promote it’s superiority over other forms of health care, is largely an art—with a lot of unproven science. The Office of Technology Assessment, under the authority of the Library of Congress, published a year-long study entitled “Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Medical Technology.”

The study showed that only 10–20 percent of all present-day medical practice have been shown to be beneficial by scientific controlled clinical trials. The study concluded that the vast majority of medical procedures now being utilized routinely by physicians are “unproven.”

Or how about, “Nutritional supplements aren’t regulated and therefore are dangerous.” Too much might make you queasy, but no one dies from taking vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients! The same can’t be said about drug therapy.

The great physician Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, “A medicine…is always directly hurtful; it may sometimes be indirectly beneficial. I firmly believe that if most of the pharmacopoeia [prescription drugs] were sunk to the bottom of the sea, it would be all the better for Mankind and all the worse for the fishes.”

Prescription drug therapy attempts, for the most part, to cover-up symptoms. This approach does little to correct the underlying problem(s).

After seventeen years of specializing in treating and beating fibromyalgia I’ve learned that traditional medicine alone yields little if any long-term results.

The best hope for those with fibromyalgia is to find and work with a doctor who practices integrative medicine-combining judicious use of prescription drugs (short-term if possible) and natural therapies (vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients).

Combining prescription drugs (when needed) with natural supplements allows the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia to be corrected, not just covered-up.

Subscribe to my Health Matters email newsletter-it is free to join and gives you free access to all my past tele-conferences (including those on fibromyalgia, heart disease, depression, hypothyroid, fatigue, and more).

www.get-healthmatters.com

Fibromyalgia Drug Savella- Another Gasoline Additive

The FDA’s approval of Savella for the treatment of fibromyalgia, comes 19 months after the approval of Lyrica, the first drug approved for fibromyalgia and roughly nine months after the approval of Cymbalta.

Savella is similar to Cymbalta, both are antidepressants known as selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These drugs are supposed to help a person re-uptake and use the serotonin (calming brain hormone) and norepinephrine (stimulating brain hormone) more effectively.

The approval of Savella was based on two clinical trials involving 2,084 fibromyalgia patients (1,460 on Savella and 624 on placebo).

About 25 percent of people taking Savella had a positive response. This was considerably better than the 13 percent who had a positive response to placebo.

However, while the maker’s of Savella will be sure to promote it as being twice as effective as a placebo, what they won’t say is what you now know- the drug failed to help 1,095 of the 1,460 participants in the study who were taking Savella.

There are no studies directly comparing Savella to Cymbalta, although it’s likely that because of their similar mechanisms of action they would be similar in effectiveness.

If you’ve read my book, “Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome” or past articles on fibromyalgia,  you know that those with fibromyalgia have low serotonin and norepinephrine levels due to bankrupting their stress coping savings account.

Serotonin is a brain chemical that helps regulate deep restorative sleep, reduces pain, boosts mood and mental clarity, and controls digestion and elimination (IBS).

The brain chemical norepinehrine helps boost moods, mental and physical energy, and block pain.

Restoring serotonin and norepinehrine to optimal levels often yields dramatic improvement in the chronic pain, poor sleep, low moods, and brain fog associated with fibromyalgia.

But using SNRI drugs like Savella is analogous to using a gasoline additive to help your car get more mileage out of the gasoline in their gas tank.

Unfortunately, for the majority of the individuals who suffer with fibromyalgia and or depression, they don’t have any serotonin or norepinephrine in their brains to re-uptake.

A gasoline additive poured into an empty gasoline tank doesn’t help much, if at all. A SRNI drug given to someone with little to no serotonin or norepinephrine to re-uptake doesn’t do much- results are usually short-lived and disappointing.

Studies show that the use of antidepressants causes the brain to release less and less serotonin and norepinephrine over time. SNRI drugs work by blocking the removal of serotonin and norepinephrine from its synapse.

Over time, the brain tries to compensate by shutting down the nerves that produce these two neurotransmitters.

This is known as down-regulation. Eventually, the brain begins to reduce the number of serotonin and norepinephrine receptors–up to 40-60 percent in some parts of the brain–until they literally disappear from the brain.

Now the patient is really in trouble as depression, anxiety, chronic pain, irritable bowel, brain fog, and poor sleep become even worse.

This may explain why patients often switch from one antidepressant drug to another in hopes of feeling better.

Common side effects of prescription antidepressants may include anxiety, depression, headache, muscle pain, chest pain, nervousness, sleeplessness, drowsiness, weakness, changes in sex drive, tremors, dry mouth, irritated stomach, loss of appetite, dizziness, nausea, rash, itching, weight gain, diarrhea, impotence, hair loss, dry skin, chest pain, bronchitis, abnormal heart beat, twitching, anemia, low blood sugar, and low thyroid.

Savella may be helpful, certainly safer than Lyrica, but no one suffers from a Savella or antidepressant deficiency.

Amino Acid Therapy/Nutritional Therapy

Neurotransmitters   or brain chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine are produced from the amino acids 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) and S-Adenosyl-methionine (SAMe).

These 2  amino acids along with B vitamins and certain minerals (one of many reasons why I recommend my patients take the CFS/Fibromyalgia Formula and the Fibromyalgia Jump Start Package) produce the brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine.

Use the Brain Function Questionnaire to Know if You’re Low in Serotonin and or Norepinephrine-

The Brain Function Questionnaire

The "S" Group (S for Serotonin)

Please check the items, which apply to your present feelings:

It's hard for you to go to sleep.

You can't stay asleep.

You often find yourself irritable.

Your emotions often lack rationality.

You occasionally experience unexplained tears.

Noise bothers you more than it used to. It seems louder than normal.

You "flare up" at others more easily than you used to.

You experience unprovoked anger.

You feel depressed much of the time.

You find you are more susceptible to pain.

You prefer to be left alone.

5HTP- Boosts Serotonin Levels

Supplementing with 5-hydroxytrryptophan (5HTP), a form of tryptophan helps raise serotonin levels. Studies show that 5HTP is as effective as antidepressant drug therapy including SSRI medications. One study showed that patients on 5HTP had a 50 percent improvement in their mood disorder symptoms.

Start with 50mg of 5HTP 30 minutes before bed on empty stomach with 4 ounces of grape juice. If you don’t fall asleep and sleep through he night keep increasing your dose by 50mg each night until fall asleep and sleep thgrough the night or reach 300mg. If you take 5HTP at bedtime on empty stomach and it wakes you up, take it during the day with food- start with 50mg a day and build up to 300mg a day with food (won’t make you tired or sleepy if take it with food).

The "N" Group (N for Norepinephrine)

Please check the items which apply to your present feelings:

You suffer from a lack of energy.

You often find it difficult to "get going."

You suffer from decreased drive.

You often start projects and then don't finish them.

You frequently feel a need to sleep or "hibernate."

You feel depressed a good deal of the time.

You occasionally feel paranoid.

Your survival seems threatened.

You are bored a great deal of the time.

The neurotransmitter Norepinephrine, when released in the brain, causes feelings of arousal, energy, and drive. On the other hand, a short supply of it will cause feelings of a lack of ambition, drive, and or energy.

SAMe

S-Adenosyl-methionine (SAMe)- is involved in regulating the brain's neurotransmitters. SAMe has been shown through several recent, well designed, studies to be one of the best natural antidepressants available.

SAMe helps boost serotonin and epinephrine levels. It also helps increase the production of endorphins.

SAMe Helps Boost the Effects of Antidepressants

Research has already shown that SAMe increases both serotonin and norepinephrine levels (brain chemicals) and is a potent antidepressant by itself. Now researchers have shown that combining SAMe with prescription antidepressants reduces the failure rate by 43%.

There are over 100 peer-reviewed studies showing that S-adenosyl-methionine (SAMe) is a safe and effective antidepressant.

It also helps increase the production of endorphins. Endorphins are the bodies natural pain blocking chemicals and are more powerful than morphine.

SAMe helps manufacture and repair cartilage components. A study of osteoarthritis patients compared SAMe with NSAID drugs in its ability to reduce pain.

One double-blind study showed SAMe was superior to ibuprofen in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Several studies involving SAMe and fibromyalgia patients yielded substantial improvement in over all pain levels (as well as depression).

Start with 400mg taken on an empty stomach (30 minutes before breakfast) in the morning and if needed increase up to 1200mg.

The best way to boost your serotonin and norepinephrine levels, improve your sleep, moods, IBS, mental clarity, and reduce your pain is to take the CFS/Fibromyalgia Jump Start Package and add SAMe.

You can learn more about ways to safely and effectively reduce your pain, IBS, fatigue, depression, brain fog, and episodes of poor sleep by ordering my book “Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.”

www.TreatingandBeating.com 

Dr. Rodger Murphree D.C., C.N.S.

205-879-2383