My name is Dominie Soo Bush. I suffered with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome for many years before finding some things that helped me. Below are more helpful tips continued from my previous page.

Please Read This Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor. The purpose of this site is not to diagnose or cure any disease or malady, but is presented as food for thought. What you read on this site is based on my own history and ideas. 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 presented in this website.

61. MAGNETS -- Special magnets that you wear on your body help some people with FMS and other types of pain. About 10 years ago, I bought a set from a dentist who used magnets on his lower back and claimed that without them he wouldn't be able to work on patients all day due to back trouble. I used the magnets on my shoulders and found them quite helpful, but had a problem finding a good way to keep the magnets in place. My skin became extremely irritated from the tape used to hold the magnets in place. I then made "sleeves" out of Ace bandages to hold the magnets, but they kept sliding down my arms, so I finally stopped wearing them. Awhile back, I ordered a magnetic mattress pad from Natural Health Alternatives (now out of business). It was expensive--$1,000 for a queen size--but the quality was great! The magnets in it are 4,250 gauss strength and NORTH-facing. The topper was made by Sealy. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was able to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. If I woke up, I could go back to sleep fairly easily. I no longer seem to need the topper, so I gave it to a sick friend, but it was very helpful during the years I used it. The conflicting reports I've heard over the years about magnetic mattresses may be due to the different ways they are constructed. If you decide to try this, do some thorough research first and find a good brand. The pineal gland controls hormones and immune function and is acutely sensitive to magnetic energy. A negative magnetic field (with the use of magnets) stimulates the pineal gland's production of melatonin and the hypothalamus' production of human growth hormone. High levels of melatonin are necessary for sleep. Electric blankets, electric clocks, TV's, computers, etc. offer chronic low-grade electromagnetic explosure. This can disorder the body's energy systems, including brain function. If you've tried everything else unsuccessfully, you might want to investigate magnet therapy. DO NOT USE MAGNETIC THERAPY WITH A PACEMAKER OR DEFIBRILLATOR.

62. FRUCTOSE INTOLERANCE -- A friend with fibromyalgia told me that her doctor believes she is "fructose intolerant." She has been avoiding sugar and fructose and her FMS pain has subsided! Here is part of her doctor's interesting report: "The patient's lymphocytes have shown a deficient ability to tolerate fructose (found in table sugar, corn syrup and fruits). Fructose is metabolized differently from other sugars. A fructose load leads to accumulation of fructose-1-phosphate in cells which may partially deplete intracellular ATP levels in susceptible individuals. Decreased cellular ATP causes disturbances in protein, DNA & RNA synthesis, interferences with cyclic AMP formation, and reduced ammonia detoxification. Several forms of hereditary fructose intolerance have been described. Symptoms may include fatigue, headaches, weakness, dizziness, behavioral changes and depressed immune function. Excess intake of fructose should be avoided, rather than absolute removal of dietary fructose. Whole foods containing fructose (fruits and some vegetables) may be consumed, in order to benefit from their overall nutritional value. Foods very rich in fructose include table sugar (sucrose), high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, fruit juice concentrates and a large list of prepared foods containing sucrose and/or corn syrup. Reduction of excess dietary fructose intake by avoidance of foods very rich in fructose is suggested."

63. MSM -- MSM (Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane) is biological sulfur, which is essential to life and a major component of all living things. MSM is found in most fresh fruits and vegetables but is easily destroyed in cooking, storing and processing of foods. MSM helps the cells throw off waste products. I know several ladies whose FMS pain has improved by taking MSM. It also seems to significantly help people with allergies and arthritis.

64. ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS -- According to a book I came across recently, a lot of insomniacs who have gotten rid of electromagnetic fields in their bedrooms are now sleeping like babies! You might try shutting off the circuit breaker to your bedroom and see if that helps your sleep improve. (The man who wrote the book sells a metal shield that goes on 2 walls surrounding the bed. It has to be grounded with wire outside to the ground.) You can also try a magnetic mattress pad--Tip #61. There are ways to measure the amount of electrical charge in your house with a meter. I don't have one of these gadgets, but I find this idea to be very intriguing! If true, it could explain why sleep difficulties are practically epidemic in our modern society. Interestingly, computer use seems to aggravate insomnia in a lot of people too.

65. LEAKY GUT -- Dr. Devin Starlanyl discusses FMS and "leaky gut" in her book "Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome." Also, Dr. Sherry Rogers, herself a sufferer, has stated that when people take antibiotics, aspirin, aleve and other pain reducing drugs, it can cause intestinal permeability. Cells within the intestine separate and small food particles begin to enter the blood stream. Then white fighter cells attack because they see these food particles as something to be destroyed. In doing this, bad toxins are formed in the blood and this causes soreness throughout the body. There is a special test that doctors can prescribe that uses a stool sample to have leaky gut diagnosis confirmed. The more you take pain relievers to help, the deeper you get into trouble with this problem. Chemical sensitivities are caused from leaky gut syndrome. You can try proteolytic enzymes, digestive enzymes and gentle soluble fiber to help problems with intestinal permeability.

66. MIGRAINES -- People with FMS are often prone to headaches. OPC's and magnesium may help people susceptible to migraines. Dietary and lifestyle changes can help too (avoid cheese, salt, chocolate, nitrates, etc.--as well as excessive stress and fatigue).

67. CYTOMEGALO VIRUS -- Some researchers believe that this virus is the cause of FMS/CFIDS. You can get more information by searching the net. The antibiotic, doxycycline, is sometimes used successfully to treat it, but it is not without side effects, so investigate carefully and remember to take acidophilus and B-complex when taking antibiotics.

68. BOOKS --When I first developed FMS in 1982, there was very little information available. However, a number of books have now been written by medical doctors regarding natural treatments. It's nice to see that some ideas which have worked for me and others with FMS are actually in print by health care professionals! Here's a list of some you might want to browse through at your local bookstore: "Alternative Medicine Guide to Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia and Environmental Illness" by Burton Goldberg; "America Exhausted: Breakthrough Treatments of Fatigue and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" by Dr. Edward J. Conley; "Dr. Crook Discusses Yeasts and How They Can Make You Sick" by Dr. William G. Crook. M.D.; "From Fatigued to Fantastic" by Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.; "Getting Well Naturally - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" by Michael T. Murray, N.D.; "Inside Fibromyalgia" by Dr. Mark J. Pellegrino, "Natural Alternatives to Prozac" by Michael T. Murray, N.D.; "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.; "Recovering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" by Dr. William Colline, M.P.H., Ph.D.; "The Fibromyalgia Cookbook" by Mary Moeller; and "Wellness Against All Odds" by Dr. Sherry Rogers.

69. OVERACTIVE BLADDER -- This is an annoying problem which many people with FMS have. The bladder is hypersensitive resulting in frequent urination, which interferes with activities in the day and with sleep at night! One thing that might help is to keep your body in a more alkaline (rather than acid) state through diet. I found it easier to use these little sachets that I put in my drinking water that help keep your body pH more alkaline. I have been using this for many years to help my overactive bladder problem. I also heard of a lady with an overactive bladder who began using aloe vera and was finally able to sleep 7-8 hours without getting up for the bathroom.

70. SHOES -- Sometimes in our search for solutions to complex problems, we can overlook things that are right under our noses--or in this case, feet! One summer I began to have pain in my leg muscles and around my knees. I couldn't find any way to get rid of it! For months I had been wearing those perfectly flat slip-on tennis shoes that come in a lot of cute colors, but have absolutely no support for the foot or arch. My chiropractor noticed them last year and remarked that although he knew I was "making a fashion statement," my shoes were not good for me! He strongly suggested a pair of high quality athletic walking shoes. It was not until at least 6 months later when my legs began bothering me a lot that I remembered my chiropractor's comment and finally took his suggestion! I now try to wear my walking shoes as much as possible (at home, running errands, etc.) and I save my "fashion statements" for less frequent occasions. I just heard of an interesting study by Harvard Medical School about how wearing high heels may contribute to osteoarthritis of the knee in women! It was confirmed in this study that wearing high heels significantly alters the normal function of the ankle and that compensations must occur at the knee and hip to maintain stability and progression during walking. For those of us who battle FMS pain, it's probably an excellent idea to wear comfortable shoes with good support as often as possible.

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

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 #70 above.