I'm trying a new color scheme for this newsletter - hopefully easier on the eye. Those of us with FMS/CFIDS have a hard time reading glaring colors or too much contrast. Let me know if you like this better. For comparison, see the newsletter at www.fms-help.com/022610.htm with red, black, blue, etc.

1.  READERS WRITE

 "I am very intrigued by everything you have compiled. By far the most eye opening stuff all in one place."

"Thank you for taking the time to put together such a useful website www.fms-help.com."

Your site is absolutely fantastic!  Never in 15 years of FMS have I gotten more information that confirmed so many of my theories - with so many similar pasts, from family abuse, to traumas, to stress, that most of us have done for long periods of time."

 "I've printed your 100 tips www.fms-help.com/tips.htm and will start reading them!!"

 2.  "DIRTY POWER" - ELECTRICAL POLLUTION & CFS

3.  STRESS IN CHILDHOOD & M.E.

From a reader--

"I never knew this about Stormie Omartian. I like her prayer books. I've just ordered her autobiography http://www.amazon.com/Stormie-Story-Forgiveness-Healing- Omartian/dp/1565078322/ref=sr_1_1 - and it will definitely inspire me.  Thank you for this - I was meant to get this newsletter www.fms-help.com/031810.htm.  I agree with the stress in childhood I believe the same caused my M.E. in the first place then glandular fever tipped it off.  I've had lots of physical and verbal abuse as a young child and it continued until I left home.  I've also had fear drummed into me.  I developed M.E. around puberty when hormones were kicking in.  I suffer lots of mental and emotional fatigue along with anxiety.  I try to give it to God - it helps. I run out of steam easily mentally and I get stressed easily. I get lots of cognitive dysfunctions, I believe its because of the stress as a little girl that I'm sick, but I've learnt life for myself and hopefully I can help others someday."

4.  ACTIVIA

From a reader--

"I recommended activia. It does have sugar. I do recommend avoiding all other sugars, but some patients only get more constipated with probiotic capsules.  I have seen several cases of that. One of the most important things is to not be constipated. I have seen so many patients with chronic pain syndromes who move bowels on ly once a week in which case you are not getting rid of your bodies waste products INCREASING PAIN. Also - I don't recomend any with artificial sweeteners because they also can increase pain. Sugar is the natural food for good bacteria just as it is for yeast. So I recommend using either Activia or Danactive and avoiding all other sugar."

5.  SCHIZOPHRENIA

From a reader re: www.fms-help.com/031810.htm--

"Schizophrenia can also improve on a gluten free diet."

 6.  OXYGEN DROPS

FROM DOM:  To readers with questions about SLO - stabilized liquid oxygen - drops, I highly recommend getting the book on the Oxygen Force site at  http://neveranoutbreak.com/oxygen.php?partner=FM5H1PDB - it explains all!  Also, read the site carefully and also the instructional paper they send in the box with the drops.  Basically, you start with just 1-2 drops in 8 oz. of water 3 times a day. (I use double the amount of water.)  The drops are tasteless.  DO NOT INCREASE DROPS for several days, then add only 1 drop.  Do not use any more than will give you a positive effect.  Using too much will alkalize your system too fast and cause you to detox too quickly.  I use 10 drops in 16 oz. of water 3 times a day (since Aug. 2009) and basically have recovered my health (thank GOD!) - no more crashing fatigue and fog.  I feel normal most days now.   But I had to work up slowly.  A complete list of everything I use is at www.fms-help.com/what.htm, but I know it is the oxygen drops that made the major difference these past 7 months.  If there was just ONE thing I could do for my health, oxygen drops would be #1 on my list - they alkalize your pH and increase oxygenation of body and brain tissue.  They may not work for everyone as well, but for me they have been a life-saver!   I am able to keep up with my job so much easier now.  The drops were recommended by a reader, and I am forever grateful!!!  If you have any kind of herpes infection - cold sores, shingles, genital herpes - the DMSO cream on the site, along with oxygen drops in the water, is extremely helpful.  It is pleasant to use (rose-scented, not the stinky stuff you read about on the net.)  BTW, HHV is related to FMS/CFIDS!

7.  INFRARED SAUNA CONCERNS

From a reader--

"I have a concern about the infared sauna [mentioned in past newsletters www.fms-help.com/031810.htm].  I did look into it extensively myself, more from the science of it, and infared is more "powerful" than microwave on the light spectrum, meaning one is subjecting themselves to a wave more powerful than microwave.   There's the concern of EMF exposure, as well, electromagnetic fields, which are emitted from computers, cell phones, and on and one.  Infared is not "ionizing" as UVA, UVB and X-ray, but it is a powerful electromagnetic field, and does introduce electric energy into the body more potent than microwave.   I began to be concerned when I used one because my body was profusely sweating but the ambient temperature of the inside, the seats, walls, were not hot.  Then I looked into the technology more carefully and decided I didn't want to risk exposing myself to that much "low wave" radiation.  Also, I did read an article that stated that there is a concern about the waves "cooking" internal organ tissue on higher temperatures, over 140 degrees.   There are no long-term studies on the use of infared in humans.  There's only marketing hype at this point.  I always try to keep in mind that the practice of smoking cigarettes started because people thought inhaling the tobacco was GOOD for their health.  It took a very long time and a hard fight to debunk that.   Here's some info below.  If you look at the spectrum graph, starting with "Gamma Rays," you'll see the progression of energy down the spectrum, and "IR" is infared, below which is "microwave"...   The chart is also very clear about where infared falls on the light spectrum.   Heat is great, but at this time, I'll use a regular sauna until they know more...Hate to be the bearer of skepticism.  See article on The Electromagnetic Spectrum at http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr162/lect/light/spectrum.html - the table gives approximate wavelengths, frequencies, and energies for selected regions of the electromagnetic spectrum."   FROM DOM:  If you want to read a rebuttal to these concerns from the reader who first introduced the infrared sauna information (about 2 newsletters ago), please write dombush@bellsouth.net.    I have also received this request:  "Could you ask your readers if anyone has had reasonably lengthy experience with either INFRARED SAUNA or PULSED ELECTROMAGNETIC FREQUENCY mats that one lay on that rid the body of bad EMF and replenish body electricity."  Please write dombush@bellsouth.net with any info.     8.  LYRICA   Reader 1--   "I have been on Lyrica for about 3 years now.  It has made me gain about 20 lbs., I was thin to begin with so I could deal with that.  It has made my fibro-fog worse when I was on a higher dose, it has made my hands hurt so bad that at times I could almost cry.  My fingernails are this beet red colour halfway down and the tips of my fingers are numb.  The other day I spilled candle wax on my index finger and I didn't even feel it!  So some of the things that I can do while sitting and resting, like sewing or crocheting have become difficult.  I can no longer open jars etc. It is like Reynaud's but when I was off of Lyrica for a couple of weeks it started to go away.  It's embarrassing to have people see the way my nails look.    But, it does help with the pain and it takes away the burning pain across my shoulders.  I tried to go off of it a few weeks ago and I just couldn't, I went in for my lidocaine shots and  I could feel the needles so much worse than when I was taking the Lyrica, it was awful.  And that burning pain returned across my shoulders, I cannot deal with that pain, I can't function at all when I have that pain.   I also noticed when I was off of it I could drive longer distances without getting dizzy, normally my husband drives me to my appointments.  So, now I have decreased the dose so that it is very minimal, just enough to take away the burning in my shoulders.  All I take is 50 mgs. in the morning and afternoon and I am going to try to decrease that a bit more.  And it does help with my depression, I am in a better mood, I can't take anti-depressants at all, none of my family can.  So, there are pros and cons, I guess everyone has to figure it out for themselves but my advice would be to take the minimum dose and not increase it like the try to do.  I think alot of us with fibro are very sensitive to doseage of medications and that may be the key to managing some of your symptoms.   I wrote to Pfizer over a year ago and I never heard anything from them, so that is how much they care....  If there was anything else that would take away the burning I would take it and throw Lyrica out the window.....   The commercials also make me very upset, it's ridiculous, especially when you have family or friends that don't believe your symptoms in the first place.  Now they can say "Well, go ask your doctor for Lyrica, that will make you all better!"   FROM DOM:  Could Serzone help the burning pain?  Write dombush@bellsouth.net if you have experience Serzone.  BTW, I had to give up needlework like sewing or crocheting decades ago, because it made my fibro pain worse - this was back in the early days (1980's) www.fms-help.com/fibro.htm, because I had repetitive stress injury (RSI) from too much typing under stress at my legal secretary job - this was before computers - we had the big old IBM selectric typewriters.   Reader 2--   "I have taken Lyrica for my pain from a bulging disc L4 to L5 and it kept me from grabbing the guns and knives to stop my pain.  It did nothing to stop my  hand, wrist , arm searing pain and weird pulling sensation like muscles ripping off the bones but I was thankful for the back pain relief. I first tried Lyrica for one week then felt like my tongue was swelling  so stopped taking it.  Several months later in desperation I took it again..this time I last 3 months on it then stopped as I felt it was no longer effective..fortunately my back was better by then and I haven't needed it since.  These drugs are powerful and I dont believe the long term effects of using them is clear; I would prefer not to on them at all.... but pain is a great motivater!  I am blessed to be doing better."     "Lyrica never helped my Fibro...it was not around when I had shingles, but my daughter uses it for her shingles (at 42)."   Reader 4--   "I took Lyrica for about a month, and during that time I gained literally a pound a day - all in my stomach area (I am normal-sized weight and exercise, so it was weird).  I also felt emotionally unstable, and went off it, so I know what you mean when you say 'hide the knives'!!"     9.  SAVELLA (MILNACIPRAN)   Reader 1--   "I have been on Savella for a couple of months and I am starting to see a difference. My doctor told me the important thing is to titrate slowly; more slowly than the 2 week packs they give out. In fact, he gave me 2 packs, and take day 1, then day 1, then day 2, then day two, alternating as such. It is hard to tolerate... I had nausea symptoms every time I increased the dose. You have to work through it, but it really has started to help! My doctor said that it is not a miracle cure, but that if you work up slowly most people see a significant inprovement."   Reader 2--   "I know that Lyrica and Savella have been problematic for several sufferers. But, for me Savella has been a miracle in my life. It has cut my pain from a 9 to a 3-4. I also don’t have side effects except some weight loss. Lyrica tends to work the opposite way…weight gain and swelling. If they take Savella off of the U.S. market I’ll send to the UK for it!"   FROM DOM:  Use the Google box below to search my newsletters for (less positive) comments about Savella (Milnacipran).       10.  MEDICAL MARIJUANA   From a reader--   http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/print/0,,20345530_4,00.html   FROM DOM:  Search past newsletters (use Google box below) for more on this subject.    11.  ALUMINUM IN VACCINES - ADHD, ALZHEIMER'S & AUTISM http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/03/20/david-ayoub-interview-february-2010.aspx    12.  HIPPOCAMPUS & FIBROMYALGIA http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090217123124.htm - snippet: "Scientists at Louisiana State University examined 16 fibromyalgia patients to assess the role in fibromyalgia pain played by metabolite abnormalities in the hippocampal region of the brain. The hippocampus is sensitive to the effects of stress exposure and can be affected in a variety of disorders, like fibromyalgia, which are associated with stressful experiences."   13.  BRAIN "FRIED" From a reader-- "I'm writing to comment on the cause of fibro/CFS. Like you, I think it's a problem in the brain: I believe that it is unrelenting and intense stress that fries our brains, and the longer it goes on, the less we are able to recover from it. It doesn't necessarily have to be a major traumatic event. There are many things we don't think of as being stressful, like planning your wedding, having a baby, driving every day in heavy traffic, getting a new job, meeting deadlines. Then there all the negatives -- frustration, fear (how many women consciously realize how careful they are about where they go and how they walk?), powerlessness, illness, abuse, obligations and responsibilities, death, divorce, and so forth. Also, the fact that there is such a high percentage of Type A, high achievers among fibromites might be another factor -- we are in a permanent state of stress." FROM DOM:  See www.fms-help.com/causes.htm (causes of fibromyalgia). 14. "EARTHING" From a reader-- "My husband installed the earthing pad on our bed yesterday that Dr. Sinatra refers to in the article! We ordered it from www.sleepingearthed.com.  It was aprox $200.00 . The website is under construction but you can call the phone # at the website and place an order . The literature that came along with the pad refers to  both fibro and CFS !!!  I have severe adrenal fatigue with insomnia, hypoglycemia, fatigue, panic anxiety attacks brain fog etc.  My problem was triggered by a stressful event, a severe drug reaction. I have had problems for about 4 mos now.   I started using the pad last night. I took my usual 10 mg ambien along with another .3mg when i woke up at 2:45am. I was able to sleep an extra 2 hours longer . Instead of waking up at 6:00 am i awoke at 8:00am. I felt refreshed for a change. I also felt more drowsy than normal  at bedtime.   I will report back with regularity as to my progress with the pad.   My husband has two cancerous lesions on his legs due to his psoriasis lesions .He is having  them removed in about a week. Wound healing is supposed to be improved from earthing. Hopefully the pad will assist the healing after surgery. Amazon has pre-order of the Book, Earthing by Clint Ober.  Here is the link-- http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_8?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=earthing+by+clint+ober&sprefix=earthing     "Earthing" and inflammation:  http://www.amazon.com/Earthing-Most-Important-Health-Discovery/dp/1591202833/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269220599&sr=1-1   Update from reader a week later--   "So far so good sleeping with the pad! I am still  taking ambien to fall asleep and i take .3 or so of ambien to fall back asleep when i wake up in the middle of the night. I am sleeping much longer with the pad. I now get 8-9 hours instead of my usual 3-5 hours. This is a tremendous improvement.   I feel extremely drowsy when i use the pad. I used to feel hyper alert 24/7 especially before bedtime. I use the pad during the day when i am relaxing reading and i feel the same drowsiness.    the literature that i am sending  mentions that it takes 6 weeks with the pad or so to restore sleep,cortisol, melatonin rhythms . I hate to get my hopes up but this could help all of us adrenal,CFS,Fibromyalgia patients tremendously!( All our  normal rhythms are  totally screwed up)   One thing about the pad, there are no wires that would be irritating to sleep on. There is a very fine silver fabric sown into the sheet fabric. The fabric is very,very soft and you would not even guess that there is a conducting material in there. We were amazed as we were expecting bulky wires etc. You wash it just like you would your sheets and they say after 100 washings the fabric does not wear and the unit if functional.   My husband is a ham radio operator so we ordered the pad with the outside ground that you plant in the earth outside your bedroom window. It comes with 45 feet of wire. There is another option of a 3 prong plug that you just plug into an electrical outlet in your bedroom."       15.  A DOG TALE   From a reader--   "Your precious picture of Cheeto www.fms-help.com/031810.htm reminded me of the importance of having a pet in your life. Statistics show such positive information about this very issue.  Lowering blood pressure, calming anxiety and depression are just a few things that animals can help us with.    I can attest to all of this. I have suffered from CVID, CFS and Fibro for over 10 years. I now administer IGG subq at home. When I first started this process, I was quite nervous that I would remember how to hook everything up, how would I feel during the treatment and would doing the treatments at home really help.   I will start the answer by saying that I have six dogs and am a full time volunteer with one of Arkansas's premier animal rescue groups! During my first home treatment, my healthcare nurse was with me and sitting all around me were my wonderful little furry caretakers. I rescue Jack Russell Terriers and Chihuahuas and as you must know about the chi's, they have an "interesting" personality - Kind of like their way or the highway!!   They sat quietly, with little worried expression until the treatment was done.  As the needles came out, I breathed a sigh of relief and so did the dogs!  They got excited and rowdy and wanted to bestow kisses on their brave ALPHA mom. I am in my 5th yr. of home treatment and the dogs still stand by.    Two years ago, my wonderful husband was diagnosed with ALS. He fought bravely for one year , but succumbed to this horrible disease. During his entire illness, I would bring the dogs in to visit. Instead of their usual rowdy selves around my husband, they were quiet and loving. He loved having one of them sitting in his lap, offering kisses.    I will close by sharing that in the year since my husband passed, my dogs have been a comfort and solace in my sadness. I felt that my Angels had abandoned me - My faith has wavered.    Six months after my husband died, a shelter director called to tell me about a scruffy, funny looking little terrier who had been abandoned by her people. She was in desperate need of a forever home. If course, I went to take a look. She looked at me, tentatively walked over and offered her paw. Of course, my heart melted and I said, "okay,let's go home little scruffy girl."    Before I drove away, I asked, "oh by the way, does she have a name?"   "Yes", the director replied, "her name is Angel."   She is actually more of a devil, but she has managed to bring laughter and chaos back into my life when I needed it most.  Just wanted to share my dog tale!!!   FROM DOM:  My little dog, Cheeto, thanks everyone for the "fan mail" he received from his picture being in the last newsletter www.fms-help.com/031810.htm!        16.  SELF-WORTH & FIBROMYALGIA   FROM DOM:  This is an AWESOME page written by newsletter reader, Kacy: http://www.valuingtoday.com/?page_id=8 - I could relate to everything she said, and I especially loved her Christian perspective on our limitations due to FMS/CFIDS.  Here's just short snippet: "...for the past several years my body and mind just haven’t felt right. I have had all of these weird things go on within me and have just classified myself as a “freak of nature”. Doctors, try as they might, have been baffled at my situation thus sending me through the rigors of countless test after test. All of those tests came back normal…but I knew I was anything but normal. Recently, I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. It’s been a crushing blow coming to the realization that my body may be this way for the rest of my life and that my greatest desires and dreams I have dreamt of may not become a reality for me."  Read the entire article at http://www.valuingtoday.com/?page_id=8.  I agree with Kacy's wise conclusions!  She has been an encouragement to me, and I know she will be to you too.  You can read my despairing thoughts about when I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1982 at www.fms-help.com/interview.htm - but at that time little did I know all the GOOD that God would bring about because of my illness!  Even the apostle Paul had a "thorn in the flesh" that the Lord permitted to afflict him for a purpose that will probably be revealed in eternity.  (Romans 8:28, 29)       17.  5 TYPES OF MEDICATIONS TO EASE FIBRO PAIN   http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/features/treating-fibromyalgia-pain-medication-options?page=2   FROM DOM:  I suffered severe fibro pain for 14 years, but finally found natural pain relief in 1996.  I still battle CFIDS symptoms, however.  My story is at www.fms-help.com/fibro.htm.  For a list of helpful things I use now, see www.fms-help.com/what.htm.       18.  CHEMO & CFS   Please reply to Diane kdkerner@comcast.net--   "I'm getting chemotherapy for non-Hodgkins lymphoma and can't find anything on the internet about chemo and CFS interactions. Have you heard from any of your readers who might have gone through this? ). I'd really like to know if anyone has had an oncologist or CFS/FM dr who has been familiar  with how the two might interplay. Or if they've had chemo and did the CFS come into play and in what way. My oncologist doesn't know of any  research and it's hard to distinguish whether my chemo side efffects are  being exacerbated by my CFS. I know the flu-aches I've felt have been  devastatingly painful, more than ever from my CFS/FM alone.   On another note, perhaps my CFS helped me get an early diagnosis and  catch my cancer at a stage when most people don't notice it, because the fatigue of the cancer combined with the usual CFS fatigue was so powerful. - Diane kdkerner@comcast.net"   FROM DOM:  Many of us could face this same situation before life is over - although we sure hope not.  Please write Diane with any info you may have.  This topic - chemo and CFS - has been mentioned in past newsletters - search using the Google box at the end of this newsletter.      19.  BROKEN BRAIN   From a reader--   http://www.ultramind.com/epidemic.php - Dr. Mark Hyman mentions schizophrenia, brain fog, mood swings, sleep problems, anxiety, etc.  Here is his own personal story of how he abused his body and broke his brain through overwork - he developed CFS and recovered from it: http://www.ultramind.com/epidemic_chronicfatigue.php.  And here's a sneak preview of his book: http://www.ultramind.com/files/sneak.pdf.  He mentions  7 Keys to wellness:  1. Optimize nutrition;  2. Balance your hormones;  3. Cool off inflammation;  4. Fix your digestion;  5. Enhance detoxification;  6. Boost energy metabolism;  7. Calm your mind FROM DOM:  Hmmm.  After reading his list, I realized why the immune balancing powder and inflammation-reducing capsules had helped me so much for 8-1/2 years.  It's on my list of helps at www.fms-help.com/what.htm.   20.  MARRIAGE STRESS   Fight Busting http://www.fightbusters.com/Fight_Busting.html   Marital Harmony (An Emergency Marriage Manual for women only) http://www.fms-help.com/marriage.htm       21.  YEAST OVERGROWTH, THRUSH & ACID/ALKALINE BALANCE   From a reader--   "Regarding the yeast overgrowth www.fms-help.com/031810.htm, I developed it also and  a mild case of thrush. Since FMS creates an acidic environment I went way overboard to make myself alkaline. Now I have  to regroup and get myself into a moderate acid-base  state. I got some litmus paper strips from my pharmacy (dist. John G. Kyles,Inc.  Norwalk,Ct.  06856 is on the package) and when I test my urine I can better gauge which way my body chemistry is.  The first weeks I was 5.0 (very alkaline).The highest acidic value is 9.0. I got a candida diet book and I’m endeavoring to make small changes to my diet. Cutting out the sugar and simple carbs is not easy.  I thank the reader who gave the information on the book: CFS - A Treatment Guide (Erica Verillo and Lauren Gellman)and the web sites where the testing should be sent. I intend to give this to my Physician."     22.  LEVAQUIN CAUSED READER'S CFS   From a reader--   "I’m a 49 year old male who suffered terrible anxiety and panic and insomnia with no REM sleep for over 3 months back in 2005 after receiving Levaquin for mastoid infection.   Once I started to sleep, I developed terrible chronic fatigue and pain like I had never experienced before.  About 7 mos. out I found an alternative doctor who started Dr Patricia Kane Protocol of IV treatments of glutathione, followed by leucovorin, followed by lipostabil all given in about a 20 min period.  After 2.5 mos and 13 treatments, I recovered and returned to my job.  In Jan 18 this year I was given a CT scan with contrast and all of these symptoms returned with a vengeance.  I now am again at the chronic fatigue stage.  I am reacting to every food I eat and is causing excitotoxicity in my brain.  It is affecting my memory and vision and muscular strength.  The protocol mentioned above didn’t work this time."   FROM DOM:  If anyone has suggestions for this reader, please write dombush@bellsouth.net.       23.  911 RELIEF SPRAY   FROM DOM:  A reader directed me to 911 Relief Spray when I was having a severe reaction to handling a stinging nettle while weeding in my yard.  She saw it at a Kroger's store.  I haven't found it locally it, but it looks effective for all kinds of pain, especially burning or stinging:  http://www.sanishield.com/911relief/testimonials.htm  Here's what it does:  RELIEVES DRYNESS & REDNESS FROM PSORIASIS  & ECZEMA RADIATION - STOPS RADIATION BURN POISON PLANTS - RELIEVES PAIN AND SWELLING FROM POISON IVY, SUMAC, & POISON OAK KILLS ALL FORMS OF BACTERIA - WITHIN 5 MINUTES NO BACTERIA LIVES, INCLUDING MRSA ANIMALS - RELIEVES ITCHING FROM HOT SPOTS ON ANIMALS 911 RELIEF BRINGS YOUR SKIN BACK TO A NORMAL PH BALANCE ELIMINATING SWELLING AND PAIN   24.  NEURONTIN From a reader-- "I started taking Neurontin five years ago when I crushed the nerves in my feet. Lyrica hadn't had much, if any, advertising. Evidentally, Neurontin is like the generic form of Lyrica. Althrough I tried the brand, I found that Neurontin gave me every bit as much relief. This is just an FYI for people that don't have insurance. I'm lucky enough to have it, but figured if the less expensive worked as well, why not stay with it since I take 8 of them a day!!" FROM DOM:  Anyone else want to comment on Neurontin?  Write dombush@bellsouth.net.

 25.  ENIGMA

From a reader--

"We are an enigma physically and mentally!"

FROM DOM:  This reader went on to tell me about her husband who gives her an "itinerary" of his activities for the next 6 months and wonders why she can't join him on these trips, etc.  She has to go "day to day" depending on how she feels due to fibro and knows that this is unreliable for others.  What a dilemma!  Only a very compassionate spouse can understand.  But truly, this illness is a "loss" to the entire family, not just the one who has FMS/CFIDS.  I have some helps for relationships on my homepage at www.fms-help.com (see links in yellow box on the left).

26.  IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)

Please reply to Beverly bjforney@comcast.net--

"Because of dental work, sinus infection, and then ear infections I have been on three different antibiotics in the last 6 weeks.  The result has been that my infections cleared but a new problem has arisen—diarrhea.  I’ve been checked for parasites, etc. as well as c-difficile (an infection in colon from taking antibiotics), which all came back negative.  I still cannot get rid of this intermittent diarrhea which strikes at the worst possible moments and has now given me two choices: no eating and be able to leave my house, or eat and stay very close to home!  I am taking probiotics, trying to get the good bacteria in my colon back—but that has not stopped the issue.  Has anyone else suffered from this and found relief?  I do suffer from IBS (thanks to FMS) and am frustrated and worried. Anyone who has suffered similarly and found relief please email me. - Beverly bjforney@comcast.net"

FROM DOM:  The immune balancing powder I took for 8-1/2 years helps normalize bowel function for a lot of people.  You take just a tiny bit at first and work up slowly.  The powder works in the "gut" (intestines) where 80% of our immune system is located, surprisingly.  Antibiotics can wreak havoc!  I actually think that's what caused my CFIDS in 1987 www.fms-help.com/fatigue.htm (I was on 6 major antibiotics in 6 months).  My FMS started 5 years earlier in June of 1982 www.fms-help.com/fibro.htm.  Write dombush@bellsouth.net if you want info about the immune balancing powder.

27.  TOTAL INSOMNIA

From a reader--

"I was just reading on your site that it said longtime subscribers know there is a sleep less man who doctors can't help and insomnia is causing his body to shut down. Could you possibly tell me more about his story? I am only 27, have had severe insomnia the last year, its causing rapid aging (no exaggeration- before it, looked 17, now I look in 40s, developed wrinkles, lines, wrinkled feet and hands, sagging breasts, hair loss, jowls, loss of volume in face, loss of skin elasticity, gray hair, thinning skin, wrinkled knees and elbows.. all the things women typically get in their late forties/early fifties. It all happened in about 6 months!) and I've talked to many people with severe insomnia and this has not occurred for them. Sleep study showed I get barely any deep sleep and have arousals every few minutes. Just dreaming unrestful sleep. Sleeping pills didn't help at all. I've tried many. I'm starting to think I developed sporadic fatal insomnia because I didn't sleep for about 8 days when this all began- during those 8 days, I started to get electric shocks in my head and my head felt very warm inside, but not to the touch. It really seemed like so many days without sleep was causing permanent damage to my sleep center."

FROM DOM:  I had a computer crash and have lost a ton of info, so I no longer know the identity of the man with total insomnia.  I remember how we were all trying to think of things to help him a few years ago.  If anyone has some helpful ideas for this 27 year old reader, please write dombush@bellsouth.net.  My personal insomnia story is at www.fms-help.com/insomnia.htm.  A list of everything I tried for sleep is at www.fms-help.com/sleep.htm.  A list of things I use now to manage insomnia, etc. is at www.fms-help.com/what.htm.

28.  STINGING NETTLES

FROM DOM:  Thanks to all of my wonderful, caring readers who wrote with ideas for getting rid of the awful stinging pain from my encounter with a stinging nettle plant in my yard last week.  If anyone wants the list of those suggestions, write dombush@bellsouth.net.  I tried a ton of these ideas with no relief, but finally landed on something that helped, which was tea tree oil applied frequently, along with soaking my hand in warm water.  But it will probably take awhile for the stinging to totally go away.  (As a piano teacher and church musician, I need my hand to be okay!)  I read online that stinging nettles in the U.S. cause generally 30 minutes to 24 hours of a severe stinging feeling, but in other countries they have stinging nettles that hurt for YEARS!!!  Oh, my!!!   For me it seems to be taking days for the stinging sensation to go away completely, but that's how it is with FMS/CFIDS - we are not "normal." 

Here's some info about stinging nettles sent by a reader: "http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms/fmarion/safety/safety.healthHazards.plants.php -  Nettle (Laportea canadensis) and Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) - The acid in the hairs, formic acid, is the same substance that many ants secrete to protect themselves from predators. In the Stinging Nettle, it's pressurized so that it bursts out the instant the sharp hairs make contact with skin. The acid quickly spreads into the nearby human skin cells, causing them to swell." 

Although some readers mentioned nettles tea as helpful for asthma and arthritis, I also received this from Lydia simmonsj413@bellsouth.net (please correspond with Lydia directly if you have any ideas to help)--

"Someone gave me nettles tea for detox few months back and ever since then Ive had all kinds of side effects - 3 weeks after, I have burning scalp, burning face, burning lips on and off i also had hair loss which has not grown back.   I never thought till now that this could be nettles, obviously i stopped the nettles.  I just keep trying everything, my doctor says it COULD be the liver, shingles? viruses???, or heavy metal poisoning like arsenic which i show up for for some reason, but we cannot pinpoint the cause or a solution.  It will be ok for a few weeks and then start all over again, my face gets a sunburned look when it starts.  i thought maybe it was wheat so i stopped it and it still didnt help.  I know you are familiar with viruses,  does shingles or viruses cause anything like this?  only cause it affects my lips, they get puffy and feel burning. - Lydia simmonsj413@bellsouth.net"

 29.  VITAMIN C FLUSH

From a reader--

"A high dose of effervescent vitamin C can be used to detoxify.  Vitamin C IV drips are administered to people with snake bite.  Vitamin C clears toxins and venom from the body and alternative medicine practitioners use it.  I know you don’t have access to IV vitamin C but the powdered, reduced, buffered form is something I take to occasionally detoxify.  I read a fascinating story of two young boys who playing in an ag field that got sprayed by a crop sprayer. They got the poison all of them.  One of the boys was treated alternatively with VERY high dose infusions of IV Vitamin C around the clock and he survived.  The other boy was in the hospital and he died the following day from severe toxic exposure thru dermal penetration, that is a true story.  I have the book.  Vitamin C is very NON-toxic even at high doses.  It does however have the side effect of a laxative type reaction at high doses.  This is not dangerous, but one does need to “be home” if they are going to take multiple doses of high Vitamin C to detoxify a jelly fish sting or whatever.  This so-called undesirable side effect can actually be used in times of occasional female constipation.  Laxatives are generally full of chemicals.  Whereas a “Vitamin C flush” (google it) can take care of that temporarily case of constipation and leave the person incredibly detoxified throughout their body.   I have done Vitamin c flush before and you feel like a million bucks afterwards."

II Corinthians 1: 4 - "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."  Visit Dominie's FMS/CFIDS Homepage at www.fms-help.com for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers and their families.

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DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical doctor. I am a fibromyalgia / chronic fatigue syndrome survivor. The purpose of this website is not to diagnose or cure any disease or malady, but is presented as food for thought.  This information cannot take the place of professional medical advice. Any attempt to diagnose and treat an illness should come under the direction of a physician. No guarantees are made regarding any of the information in this website.