Dom's house is for sale!  See #26 below.

August 6, 2010

A Christian-based newsletter for people with Fibromyalgia (FMS), Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) and their families.

 26 TOPICS.  Don't miss the RED ones.  Readers comments in BLACK.  My comments in TEAL.

 Previous newsletter: www.fms-help.com/080110.htm   Newsletter archives: www.fms-help.com/newsletters.htm   

Fibro: www.fms-help.com/fibro.htm  CFIDS: www.fms-help.com/fatigue.htm   Insomnia: www.fms-help.com/insomnia.htm

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Why did you write this book?
When I suddenly became aware that something was wrong with me physically, there were not many places to turn because so many traditional doctors thought it was psychological. My purpose is for others who are suffering with the syndromes of adrenal fatigue, chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia, to know there are solutions and that there is someone who understands.  There are so many adrenal fatigue suffers who have been misdiagnosed and/or undiagnosed. Many are considered to have a psychological condition and often feel like the dismissed, hopeless patient. I wrote this book to offer them hope and show them that, with persistence, you can get the symptoms under control and get your life back. If I could have had a book like All in My Mind? on my nightstand during those dark days, I would have read and reread it repeatedly. This book is about my journey, my research, my frustration, and my triumph. Yet even more, it is about my understanding that just because something is not easily diagnosed, does not mean it is a psychological problem.

What is adrenal fatigue?
Adrenal fatigue is considered a syndrome, or group of symptoms, that results from low adrenal gland function. Adrenal fatigue is the result of the adrenal glands being overstressed to the point they are no longer able to meet the daily demands of stress and crisis. Overwhelming fatigue is the primary symptom, and it is the kind of fatigue that is never relieved by sleep. There are also many secondary symptoms such as anxiety, nausea and body pain. Adrenal fatigue syndrome is not easy to diagnose, although it affects millions in the U.S. and around the world, because conventional medicine does not yet recognize it as a distinct syndrome.

How do you know if you have adrenal fatigue?
Many of the symptoms of adrenal fatigue are very similar to conditions such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and hypothyroidism. However, extreme fatigue, nonrefreshing sleep, unrelenting anxiety and fearfulness, heart palpitations, body pain, nausea, brain fog and hollow, sunken eyes are just a few of the symptoms specific to adrenal fatigue. In All In My Mind? I have created a Symptom Matrix, which lists over fifty different symptoms and compares these symptoms to those of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.  However, it is difficult get a diagnosis because of the very fact the medical community frequently denies, or perhaps even disdains, this diagnosis along with the diagnoses of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. Doctors have been trained to consider these types of conditions as phantom or “all in your mind” problems. Many doctors immediately assume it is a mental issue and proceed with prescribing medications prior to even attempting to diagnose a physical issue. There are several simple tests that can be performed, and one would be saliva testing. This test is convenient and you can test several times in a day to determine cortisol patterns which reveal how the adrenals are functioning. A quick assessment you can do at home is to test your own blood pressure in a resting and then standing position. The blood pressure readings will reveal the condition, and a more advanced explanation is in the book.

What is it like to live with this syndrome?
Living with adrenal fatigue syndrome is lonely, even in the midst of people, because no one understands what you are really going through. The syndrome is painful and takes a toll, both physically and emotionally. There are a multitude of symptoms, but obviously the debilitating fatigue is the number one issue. You do not have the energy to maintain relationships, have any kind of social interactions, or even adequately care for your family or yourself. It is grueling as you suffer day after day while those around you become weary of your problems and can even label you a hypochondriac.

In your book you mention a metabolic threshold; can you explain what that is and why it is important?
The “metabolic threshold” is a term that I use to refer to a point or a stage, (one which will be different for each person), when an adrenal fatigue patient has been exposed to overstimulation of the adrenal glands from stress for an extended period of time. This unrelenting stress places a person in peril. This is of great importance because disregarding adrenal fatigue and its symptoms can lead, according to some specialists, to death, and it is certainly debilitating as the adrenal glands are one the body’s main control centers and are responsible for the “fight and flight” reactions. They also produce and regulate a number of vital hormones that affect us both physically and emotionally.

Tell me a little bit more about the emotional stressors that can affect adrenal patients.
Our bodies react to stressful situations by releasing adrenalin, but excessive amounts of stress drain the glands until they are unable to function. In today’s world we are not running for our lives as the cavemen did, but the stress does not end. Stress at work, at home, from certain people in our lives – the body responds the same way as if you were running, but the stress does not end resulting in an overreaction of the adrenal glands. Over time, stressors can be cumulative and leave a person partially or completely unable to function normally.  I have found people’s personality traits to play a strong role as an emotional stressor in many adrenal patients. Some people, even family members and friends, can be what I call “energy vampires.” This means they are a constant source of drama and chaos and can quickly drain what little energy an adrenal fatigue sufferer has. In my book, I have developed a list of personalities that I found to most prevalently affect adrenal patients. These toxic personalities can range from the “Master Manipulator” to the “Never Ending Vacuum” and many other specific personality types in between.

 FROM DOM:  Wow!  Another good book I would love to read!

8.  PANIC ATTACKS, AGORAPHOBIA, ETC.

From a reader--

"Re: www.fms-help.com/080110.htm - before my CFS/fibro hit, I started having panic attacks when working as a legal assistant.  Not only was the job horribly stressful, but the atty. I worked for was abusive.  I didn't even know what a panic attack was and I honestly thought I was going crazy.  I was afraid to tell people what I was going through.  Finally, I told my sister and she said, "Oh my God, you're having panic attacks!"  The drs. put me through all kinds of tests, thinking I had a brain tumor or MS.  The panic would get so bad, that I would get dizzy, heart would race, then loss feeling in my legs and I'd stumble.  What I didn't understand was that the panic hit when I was in a situation where I felt "enclosed".  I'd stand in line at the grocery and think I was going to have a heart attack before I got out of there.  I'd be driving and dreaded every stoplight because I felt pinned in by other cars.  Multiple times, I thought I was going to have to jump out of my car and just start running or I'd pass out.  About 3-4 yrs. after having panic attacks at least 10 times a day, then the CFS/fibro and hepatitis hit me and I was down for the count.  But I still endured the panic attacks for several more years.  It wasn't until I moved to [a different state] with my husband and a doctor here suggested I try a small dose of Prozac, added to my small dose of Xanax.   In a week the panic attacks were GONE!!!  It felt so wonderful to be free from them and I praise God that I don't have to endure that reoccurring nightmare anymore.  I still use the same protocol to this day.  The panic attacks were causing the CFS/fibro to become worse because of all the fight or flight symptoms and drain on the adrenals.  Once in awhile, when I'm under great great stress, I'll feel a little panic coming on, but nothing like the full blown things I'd had before." 

FROM DOM:  I can sure relate to this reader!   The first panic attack I had was at age 14 during a high school choir concert.  I was on stage and suddenly felt like I was dying and would faint and fall off the risers.  I had been under enormous stress all of my life, because of various personal reasons.  My agoraphobia got worse and worse.   Tremendous fear got hold of my life from then on.  I often think how the devil used that first panic attack - during a musical performance! - to create in me a fear of performing musically publicly - something that God wanted to use me in to bless the Body of Christ!  I was unable to play the piano publicly for so many years.  It was only by the grace of God, and much agony and trying soooo very hard to overcome this, that I can serve the church today.  I knew it was God's will for me, and Satan using my fear to keep me from obeying God.  Finally in 1993, I came across a tract in the hallway of the church I was attending.   It said that if we wanted to hear Jesus say, "WELL DONE, my good and faithful servant," then we have to DO what he asked us to do!  From then on, I determined to obey God....if it killed me!  About a year or so later, I found good docs, got on good meds and supplements that helped me, my skill level increased through much practice, and my confidence grew with experience.   I now can play for church with little to no anxiety.  In the past 17 years, I have played for many churches, funerals, weddings, etc.   I have been a piano teacher for the past 17 years as well, having recitals with my students every 6 months.  The worst for me, though, was SINGING publicly, because that's how the first panic attack had begun - while singing in front of an audience.  I am happy to report that by God's grace, I have been able to sing publicly for many years now, as long as I accompany myself with piano, guitar or autoharp (my security blankets...ha-ha).  God inspires me with songs that minister to the needs of the congregation.  At 58, I give all the glory to God for any benefit I have been to His people.  It is a joy to serve the Lord. 

 9.  PRISTIQ

"I recently met with a friend of mine who cured her insomnia with Dr Clark's protocol of lugols iodine, fennel capsules and tumeric capsules.

She also uses the HCL prior to meals. Dr. Clark feels that the gut bacteria/ viral infections cause insomnia. Thought i would pass it along.

http://livingnetwork.co.za/drclarknetwork/dr-clarks-cleanses/bowel-cleanse/ & http://www.drclark.net/en/drclark_protocol/illnesses/insomnia.php There is nothing too strange if it works! HA."

 

FROM DOM:  Hmmmm.  Very interesting!  Maybe this is why the immune balancing powder helped me get my sleep back on track (along with meds).  The powder works in the "gut" (intestines) where 80% of our immune system is located.

 

 

15.  HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOKS

 

FROM DOM:  Classmates.com is slowing getting some high school yearbooks on their site.  This will be nice for those who don't have their yearbooks anymore or for those who never got one at the time: http://www.classmates.com/yearbooks/.

 

 

16.  BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS

 

From a reader--

 

"Re: blood transfusions www.fms-help.com/080110.htm, I believe Paul was referring to pagan practices that involved animal sacrifice and drinking blood. They did not practice blood tranfusions at that time. I don't think God has any misgivings about hemophilacs obtaining blood, either.  I found that when I had transfusions after a major car accident with 7 broken bones, etc., it helped me feel  better CFS-wise and I had to get up and push myself to try to walk to get bones to heal as part of physcial therapy, so I know I it helped.  I know my doctor did a live blood analysis under a microscope, and found that like many  CFS people the cells in my blood are all clumped together which could inhibit the oxygen, and also, way back in college before CFS, I could not give blood because I did not have enough red blood cells at the time. In addition, I would get very anemic at times (I am guessing from a reactivated virus that eats up the iron) and at other times I would have perfectly normal blood work. My doctor could not explain the huge fluctuations.  I feel monthly or semi-monthly transfusions might greatly help people with CFS and I believe God would be just fine with this. People worried about catching something might be able to get blood donations from family . There is an interesting book out called SURVIVAL OF THE SICKEST. It goes into detail how IRON is needed by viruses to survive. So, simply taking iron may help a virus that we can't fight stay around, while clean, unvirus ridden blood, may help us be healthy for some time and be far cheaper  and more helpful than all of the expensive meds we are on now. It could very well be that are symptoms fluctuate with low iron that happens when the virus eats up what we have. We fight off the virus and normalize and back it comes....over and over again."

 

FROM DOM:  Proanthenols 50 mg www.lifeplus.com/dominie got rid of my fibro pain in 1996 after suffering for 14 years.  Proanthenols unclumps red blood cells and helps them carry oxygen to the brain and tissue better.  Here's a picture from a Darkfield microscope before and after taking OPC's (Proanthenols is a highly effective OPC - works when others don't.)--

 

 

 

17.  PROBIOTICS

 

From a reader--

 

"Sometimes probiotics can help medication induced diarrhea - i suggest trying kefir first, one half to 1 cup daily. one woman I worked with received relief from metformin induced diarrhea with culturelle - a probiotic capsule available at most drug stores."

 

 

18.  FUNGUS & FIBROMYALGIA

 

From a reader--

 

"Just want to mention some things I've learned in my journey with FM, in hopes that it can help others in their journey. Please check out the info on the web. It's easy to find. Fungal infections can produce FM & multiple sclerosis symptoms. They ''live'' in our mucosa, wherever it is found, bladder, skin, etc. They cause burning pain, and nerve damage. You can literally get a fungus infection from after-effects of one course of antibiotics.  They can ''encyst'' like lymes disease stealth viruses. They can enter your brain. They, along with the Mycoplasmas responsible in some FM cases, attach to Heavy metals, such as Fluorides (in water and toothpastes) and metals from Jet-trails that rain down on us every day. We breathe this stuff in, literally. In order to get rid of stubborn Fungal infections, it is therefore absolutely necessary to remove the heavy metals.  Chlorella is the sea algae that removes heavy metals, also cilantro, & magnesium, ALONG WITH a ''no sugar'' diet. (white sugar STOPS the immune system for 2-3 hours after ingestion, allowing the bugs to run rampant.)  The only ''safe'' sugars for fungus infections are: xylitol, and stevia. These sugars do not feed fungus. Some people will have issues of carb-intake with fungus. Attention MUST be given to diet. iF you think you are ''immune'' to fungus, in today's antibiotic-laden world, PLEASE think again.  NATURAL KILLERS OF FUNGUS: Niacinamide (non flushing) and goldenseal along with 500 mgs. of Magnesium daily will help kill them. Cat's claw, Neem leaf, and Olive Leaf Oil are a few Herbal Fungal killers. 2400 MGS. daily of Lecithin is helpful in some cases for de-myelination of nerves, and burning nerve pain.  If they do become encysted, then I have read EDTA (EARTHCLINIC.COM) can de-encyst them. The man who advises on this site is a former chemist, and knows his stuff.

 

FROM DOM:  See Cat's Claw Plus at www.lifeplus.com/dominie.

 

 

19.  FIBROMYALGIA - CAUSED BY PITUITARY DAMAGE

 

From an essential oils newsletter--

 

Since the term Fibromyalgia was coined over 30 years ago, there has been a multitude of causation theories postured by a variety of medical specialists.  Harvard trained Pituitary Endocrinologist Dr. Nabil Gemayel maintains that Fibromyalgia is the   result of undiagnosed pituitary damage and growth hormone deficiency.  There is no Gold Standard for diagnosing Fibromyalgia,” says Dr. Purser, M.D. “However, our research also revealed that Fibromyalgia is almost always caused by Pituitary damage. The Pituitary is very fragile, one of the weakest points of the body and probably one of the most critical organs.”  The Pituitary is THE master hormone control gland.  Some of the ways in which the Pituitary is damaged include:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Whiplash or any Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA)

Air Bag Deployed to face or head

Mild blow to the head—including “heading” a soccer ball!

Concussion

Sexual abuse as a child

Stroke

Sheehan’s Syndrome (stress during childbirth)

Snorting drugs

Radiation exposure (from medical and dental treatments)

Prolonged high stress

Sports during childhood, including gymnastics and cheerleading

 Fibromyalgia affects 4% of the total American population; and depending on varying medical statistics, Women are 7-10 times more likely to develop this debilitating malady. The reason for higher percentages of women contracting Fibromyalgia are speculative, but some experts believe Women have greater opportunities for  pituitary damage, resulting in severe hormonal imbalances.

When Pituitary damage occurs, a number of symptoms may begin to manifest in the body which are later often diagnosed as Fibromyalgia. The symptoms, according to Dr. Purser, are the result of a breakdown of all the functions of the Pituitary Gland* ...

 Ø      Decreased HGH (Human Growth Hormone) production, adversely affecting REM sleep. This creates a non-supportive environment for muscles, nerves and joints and inhibits the ability for them to heal.

 Ø      Decreased LH (Lutropin Hormone) production affects ovaries and testicles and testosterone production.  Even in women, testosterone is needed to balance the overall hormonal system.  This imbalance creates vascular inflammation, coronary artery disease, migraines and wasted muscle tissue.

 Ø      Decreased FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) which affects progesterone levels leading to Demyelination (breakdown of myelin sheath), and results in numbness, tingling in feet, unexplained heart arrhythmias, TMJ, Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Diseases (GERD), Ulcers, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Interstitial Cystitis ( IC—extreme pain and inflammation of the bladder).

 Ø      Decreased TSH (T4 Thyroid Hormone) which leads to fatigue, cold extremities, brittle hair loss, skin problems, weight gain and other symptoms of Hypothyroidism

 Ø      Decreased ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) production, a major contributing factor to adrenal   exhaustion, Addison’s Disease and debilitating fatigue.

FROM DOM:   http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/cfsglossary/g/hpa_axis.htm - "The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a complex set of interactions between the hypothalamus (a part of the brain), the pituitary gland (also part of the brain) and the adrenal or suprarenal glands (at the top of each kidney.) The HPA axis helps regulate things such as your temperature, digestion, immune system, mood, sexuality and energy usage. It's also a major part of the system that controls your reaction to stress, trauma and injury Research links fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome with abnormalities in genes involved in the HPA axis. (Primarily the hypothalamus in fibromyalgia and primarily the adrenals in chronic fatigue syndrome.)  The HPA axis also is involved in anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, clinical depression, burnout and irritable bowel syndrome."  Check out therapeutic grade essential oils that I use at www.fms-help.com/oilsstore.htm - they affect the limbic portion of the brain where the hypothalamus is located, using the olfactory (sense of smell) system.  Fascinating info!  One of these blends rids me of fibro fog and "brain crashing" in just a few minutes.

 

II Corinthians 1: 4 - "[God] 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.