See Table of Contents for a quick list of my 100 tips

41. SLEEP MEDS -- During a cross-country trip, I got my sleep cycle all mixed up. After 3 nights of virtually no sleep, I was exhausted. I finally went to a doctor who prescribed ambien. After so many years on prescription drugs, I was really cautious, so I used only half a tablet each night. It helped me to sleep fairly soundly. However, ambien can only be used for a short period of time--like for 7 to 10 days--and there is difficulty resuming normal sleep (rebound insomnia) after stopping ambien, so I rarely use it anymore. Presently, I use either ativan (lorazepam)--a prescription drug--or these over the counter (OTC) products: diphenhydramine HCL (generic Sominex) or doxylamine succinate (generic Unisom). Prior to the onset of menopause, I preferred using natural substances, such as melatonin. However, after age 48, I couldn't sleep at all no matter what I took! I had 25 hot flashes per day, my hair was falling out in clumps and I had these awful mood swings. At first my doctor thought it was a thyroid problem, but testing by an endocrinologist showed that it was just a dramatic drop in estrogen. After about 12-18 months with NO restorative sleep (ugh!) a friend told me about a unique immune product. With this I find that I am able to sleep again with the help of mild and various sleep meds. But everyone is different, so you just have to experiment to find what works best for you. Strangely, certain sleep medications that help some people with FMS have been totally disastrous for others! So, when trying out a new sleep med, start with an extremely low dose to see how it will affect you. I have heard (and experienced) some horror stories about sleep meds--especially anti-depressants, such as Remeron--so use caution!

42. MILK -- There's a lot of information on the internet about the health hazards of commercially produced milk, which contains hormones, antibiotics and substances too gross to mention here! See http://www.notmilk.com/  Also, you may want to read the book, "Don't Drink Your Milk!" by Frank A. Oski, M.D., the Director of the Department of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. I personally stopped using dairy products 4 years ago because of residual endometriosis. Evidently the hormones in milk were causing my endometrial implants to flare up. I began to feel better overall after almost totally eliminating all dairy products--milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, etc.  Many people with allergies are finding that eliminating dairy products helps a lot.  Milk causes mucous formation in the body. Most people with FMS produce too much mucous already, so by avoiding dairy products, you may be able to assimilate nutrients from your food better. I have been using Rice Dream Original Flavor rice milk as a substitute for cow's milk. It tastes great. If you decide to reduce the amount of dairy products you are presently consuming, be sure to supplement with calcium and magnesium. These minerals are sometimes called "nature's tranquilizers!"

43. CHIROPRACTIC -- I have been to chirorpractors for most of my adult life for neck and back problems with much success.  However, chiropractic never seemed to help my fibromyalgia.  Recently I heard from a lady who has had remission of her fibromyalgia with the Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic technique. I don't know if this relief was permanent or not. A-O chiropractic is said to be better than regular chiropractic care. An article was published in "Today's Chiropractic" that stated a cure rate of 92-100% of FMS symptoms after a series of atlas adjustments--the top two cervical vertebrae. Here are some sites about this technique: http://www.transportlogic.com/~romantic/wwwboard/messages/69.html http://www.pendulum.org/related/FMS/Brainstem_and_FMS.htm
http://www.uppercervical.org/
http://www.atlasorthogonality.com/index.htm
http://www.pacificchiro.com/iucca/iucca_home_page.htm
http://www.todayschiropractic.com/MJ00/amalu.htm

44. SUNGLASSES -- You may want to re-think your use of sunglasses. Dr. Jacob Liberman, author of "Light: Medicine of the Future," describes the human body as a living photocell, stimulated and regulated by light. He says that our health is dependent on the sun. The body is nourished by the stimulation of sunlight. According to Liberman, "When light enters the eye, millions of light sensitive cells convert the light into electrical impulses. These impulses travel along the optic nerve to the brain where they trigger the hypothalamus gland. The hypothalamus is part of the endocrine system which governs most autonomic (automatic) bodily functions such as blood pressure, body temperature, breathing, digestion, sexual function, moods, the immune system, the aging process and circadian rhythm." It is possible that we cause or worsen a wide range of health problems by spending most of our lives indoors, under inadequate lighting conditions. On CNN there was a report on a possible association between the use of sunglasses and skin cancers. A possible explanation could be that the eyes and optic nerve are a kind of "sun meter" that regulates certain chemicals in the skin to protect it from solar damage. The wearing of sunglasses would interfere with these "meter readings," causing the brain to under-regulate the protective chemicals. Just a theory, but interesting. (IMPORTANT: If you wear contact lenses, remove them if you are outside in the sun without sunglasses--otherwise you could burn your own lens! Consult your optician about the use of sunglasses with contacts.)

45. CORAL CALCIUM WATER -- Our body's pH balance is very important for optimum health.  We become too acidic because of things we eat and drink, such as coffee, soft drinks (highly acidic), sugar, etc.  Disease processes thrive on acidity, but our immune systems thrive on alkalinity. The perfect pH balance for optimum health is said to be between 7 and 8.6.  The only way I knew of to achieve a more alkaline state was to adhere to a strict vegetarian diet.  For most people this is very difficult to do--and for some it is not even advisable.  However, there is another way to make your pH more alkaline--just add a small sachet of coral calcium to 1.5 liters of pure drinking water.  This water can help restore your body's basic alkalinity. I have been using this for about four years now, and it seems to help me with an overactive bladder problem when my body becomes too acidic.

46. POSTURE -- Many people with FMS & CFIDS have poor posture, because it takes a lot of muscle strength and effort to hold the body erect. During my years with CFIDS, I recall my doctor pointing out my slumping posture and telling me to stand with my back to a wall and making my shoulders touch it. That made me realize how much I was slumping, and it was one of the reasons I wasn't breathing properly. I was so exhausted, that it was quite an effort to change this habit, but I learned to catch myself dozens of times during the day and force myself to sit up or stand up straight. Now it has become normal for me to have good posture. I do it automatically.  I have had a lot of neck and back problems in the past, so I know that this is helping me.

47. TENSION MYOSITIS SYNDROME -- This condition can cause (or imitate) FMS. It's when the muscles tense up under stress. Some people can get their whole body in a spasm of pain from getting stressed out emotionally. This tendency can be helped by avoiding stress, using magnesium for muscle relaxation, taking warm baths or getting a massage. If you can't afford a professional massage therapist, ask your spouse. You can also massage your feet, legs and arms with baby oil. Nerves in our feet affect our whole body. You may even want to learn about foot reflexology. A good massage can help you sleep more soundly also.

48. EPSOM SALTS -- Some people with FMS find that soaking in a warm tub of water with a cup of Epsom salts added is very relaxing to the muscles. This is an old-fashioned remedy, but I like it.

49. 5-HTP -- 5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan is a nutritional supplement which elevates serotonin levels in the brain (SSRI's). This helps people with sleep difficulties, anxiety, depression and panic disorder--all of which are conditions that many FMS patients struggle with. Clinical studies show that 5-HTP is highly effective. 5-HTP is a natural alternative to anti-depressants, but should not be used with MAO inhibitors or other anti-depressants.

50. MALABSORPTION -- Some researchers say that people with FMS need twice the amount of nutrients that others do, because of excess mucous that builds up in their bodies, interfering with absorption. You can flush mucous out of the body by using gentle soluble fiber supplementation. It helps keep the colon clean so that you can absorb nutrients better. According to some nutritional experts, nearly all diseases begin in the colon. Also, gentle digestive enzymes taken at meals will help you get the most from your food. It's not just "what you eat," but whether or not your body is absorbing it!

To read more of my 100 tips, click on these links:

Tips #1-10 - Reduce Stress, Get Plenty of Sunlight, Computers, Sleep, Mental Relaxation, Rest, Cold, Heat, Immune System, Exercise

Tips #11-20 - Massage, Excitotoxins, Mattress, Anti-oxidants, Soft Drinks, Doctors, Depression, Nightshade Vegetables, Repetitive Activity, Magnesium

Tips #21-30 - Noise, Calming Herbs, Yeast, Vitamin E, Fasting, Dark/Light, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pain Relieving Gels, Brain, Parasites

Tips #31-40 - "Be Happy," Smoking, Junk Food, Nutritional Supplements, Research, Raw Foods, CO-Q-10, Low-Fat, Anti-inflammatories, Pillows

Tips #41-50 - Sleep Meds, Milk, Chiropractic, Sunglasses, Coral Calcium Water, Posture, Tension Myositis Syndrome, Epsom Salts, 5-HTP, Malabsorption

Tips #51-60 - Progesterone Cream, Neck Injuries, Hormone Instability, Carbohydrates, Prayer, Aspartame (Nutrasweet) and MSG, Guaifenesin, Ions, Colds and Viruses, Sleep Anxiety

Tips #61-70 - Magnets, Fructose (Sugar) Intolerance, MSM, Electromagnetic Fields, "Leaky Gut" (Intestinal Permeability), Migraines, Cytomegalo Virus, Books, Overactive Bladder, Shoes

Tips #71-80 - Methylcobalamin, Mercury Poisoning, Soy and Food Allergies, Thyroid, Marital Stress, Lyme Disease, Breathing, Ativan, Soluble Fiber, Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS)

Tips #81-90 Type A Personality, B-Complex, Brain Surgery, Red Blood Cells, Iron, Substance P, Gluten Intolerance, Racing Thoughts, DHEA, Mycoplasmas

Tips #91-100 - Relaxin, Warm Water Exercise, Essential Oils, Blood Volume, Acidosis, Oxidative Damage, Hyperbaric Oxygen, Bedding, Histamine Intolerance, Blood Thickness

Click here to go to the massive immunesupport.com web resource for fibromyalgia & chronic fatigue syndrome patients!

Before saying goodbye to this web page, be sure to read the rest of my 100 tips. You just might find something that will help! Click on the convenient links located right after Tip #50 above.

  My Fibromyalgia Story