Fibromyalgia
This article is used with permission from the new book, PAIN RELIEF in 4 Simple Steps by Jacob Teitelbaum, MD. If you’re interested in this topic and would like to see all the articles published so far, visit Healing from Chronic Pain, a Multipart Series.
Background
Exhausted, achy, brain fog, and can’t sleep?
Having had post-viral chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and its painful cousin fibromyalgia (FMS) in 1975—which 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 50 years, I have effectively treated over 3,000 people for these illnesses.
Long COVID is simply one more form of post-viral CFS. It often responds well to supportive and integrative care approaches.
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 published in the American Journal of Pain Management 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.”
What Is Causing These Syndromes?
Chronic fatigue syndrome / fibromyalgia (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 or circuit breaker in your 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. This chronic pain then triggers brain and nerve pain (central sensitization and “small fiber neuropathy”). This “energy crisis” can be caused by many infections, stresses, or injuries.
Treatment
Five main categories of problems need to be treated. Think “S.H.I.N.E.,” an acronym that summarizes 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 S.H.I.N.E. stand for:
- Sleep
- Hormonal deficiencies and hypotension (POTS)
- Infections/Inflammation
- Nutritional supplementation
- Exercise as able
Recommended Supplements to Optimize Energy Production
- 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. Adequate restful sleep is an important part of symptom improvement, and a combination of natural and prescription sleep support may be helpful. Try using natural aids like EP120 Melatonin 10 mg plus the Revitalizing Sleep Formula 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 several other reasons) it is often necessary to treat with natural bioidentical thyroid, adrenal-supporting supplements, and ovarian and testicular hormones—despite normal blood tests! These natural/bioidentical options have been found to be reasonably safe when used in low doses.
- Multinutrient 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 multinutrient powder. Add ribose 5 gm (1 scoop) 2–3 times a day for 3 weeks, then 1–2 times a day to support cellular energy production. In our two studies of 298 people with CFS/FMS, ribose increased energy an average of 60% after 3 weeks.
Power Packed Herbals. For Healthy Energy
- A mix of Ashwagandha, rhodiola, licorice, green tea extract and schisandra, plus ribose, increased stamina an average of over 80%.
- Red Ginseng. Though most ginseng products no longer have the needed potency, a new unique hydroponically grown form called HRG80 Red Ginseng Energy Chewable Tablets does! Our recent study of 188 people showed that ½–2 chewable tablets daily increased energy an average of over 60%.
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, antibiotic sensitive infections such as Lyme, parasites and other bowel infections and, most importantly, fungal/candida infections.
Pain Relief
Two excellent natural pain relievers:
Plus:
- Exercise as Able. Don’t push to the point of crashing the next day. Start by walking if you comfortably can (even if it’s for only 2 minutes). After 10 weeks of treatment, start to increase your walks by up to 1 minute more each day as you’re able. When you’re up to an hour of walking, you can increase intensity.
To learn how to recover from CFS/FMS in an easy read, get my book The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution.
For more detailed information on how to recover from CFS/FMS, I recommend my book From Fatigued to Fantastic!
Vitality101.com, and my Facebook support group, “Recovering from Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, and Long COVID,” can be very helpful as well.
You’re Invited! Dr. Teitelbaum is now personally answering questions in his new Facebook support group: Recovering from Fibromyalgia, CFS, and Long COVID. The group is also open to anyone dealing with chronic pain or related health challenges. Join the community, ask your questions, and connect with others!