Fibromyalgia

[Only me]

I was recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I started with unexplained back pain back in October and it gradually progressed to all over pain. It has been an extremely stressful couple of months. (My daughter just had major surgery on her leg last week and my mom was diagnosed with cancer). The doctor thinks that both have really made my fibromyalgia worse.

 

So far I have tried several different meds and none have really helped. At first my general practitioner tried me on Flexeril and then Skelaxin but neither worked. Then she gave me Tramadol. This helps the most but I don't take it during the day or it makes me drowsy.

 

I did a 1 month trial of Gabapentin but that didn't help the pain. I just started on Robaxin yesterday but so far I don't have any relief. The other problem with the muscle relaxers is that they make me very drowsy. My doctor wants me to take it 3 times a day but I have to drive so I can only take it once or twice a day.

 

Are there any medications that have really worked for you? Do you have any non-drug recommendations? Last night I don't think that I slept more than 1-2 hours due to the pain and also having to get up every 4 hours to check on my daughter and give her more meds.

 

I hate the feeling of being drugged up but I need something to control the pain.

[Mommyfaithe]

I have had fibromyalgia for 20 years and some times are worse than other times. I have been having a horrible flare-up since March where I feel almost incapacitated. My 24 y/o dd also has fibro...I think somehow it might be genetoc. Anyway, her doctor put her on Cymbalta, and she has had excellent results from it. So much so, that I decided to try it as well. I had my first try last week and it was a disaster...you can look at my blog...

But then I tried again this week, taking that in the am and taking a pain killer at night. This seems to be a pretty good mix.

 

I am already beginning to have relief from the pain. I am having a few side effect, mostly I feel a bit jittery and today i was very tired. My dd told me it took her 2 weeks to get past the side effects, but she feels really great now, so much so, is able to exercise again.

 

I am hoping I have similar results as the fibro has already stolen too much from me.

 

I am sorry you are dealing with this. Stress definitely plays a part in flare ups. But, I have never been very good at avoiding stress. It seems to seek me out and find me.

 

Faithe

[Jean in Newcastle]

I've had fibromyalgia for 20 years too. I was on prescription meds at first but they gave me heart problems.

 

I've gone naturopathic since. I take a B complex for stress. I take 4000 mg of Omega 3-6-9 (2000 in am, 2000 in pm). I take Adrenal Optmizer for adrenal problems. I take selenium for my low thyroid. I'm also on thyroid medicine (prescribed). I take 5000 iu of vitamin D daily. I intermittently take epsom salt bath for magnesium. I also take a Cal-mag. I take 5 - HTP (100 mg) at night and 2 mg melatonin for my sleep problems. I take Quercetin (2000 mg in am and pm) for inflammation. I also take curcumin in a form called Meriva SR morning and night for inflammation as well. And I take Mucinex extended release in the am and pm - this seems to help me and studies have shown that it helps a subset of those with fibromyalgia but not everyone with it. Lately I've been taking caprylic acid for candida and Oreganol with has anti-bacteria/ anti-fungal and anti-parasitic properties. Both of these have helped me tremendously lately.

[Denisemomof4]

Jean, I was just about to PM you but now that I see this thread, I'm going to post my information here.

 

I started a thread a few days ago, possibly a week, about how FANTASTIC I feel since I changed my diet. While I don't have fibromyalgia, the diet supposedly can cure that as well. What I can tell you is that there are some AMAZING things going on in my body!!! I will list them here:

 

I have had chronic insomnia for 28 years. I have PTSD and know this is related because my sleep issues started the night I nearly lost my life. I've sometimes gone on 5 hours of sleep in THREE DAYS. It's been a huge problem in my life. Since I started this diet, not only am I sleeping well, but I used to go to bed between 1:00 - 2:00 and now I'm yawning and sleepy before 11:00. I'm sleeping a good 8 hours per night now and it has been WONDERFUL!!!

 

I had issues with blood pressure. I've been on medication for 15 years. When I started, I was very slim. During the time I was taking care of my mother, my prescription was quadrupled and my blood pressure STILL wasn't good. I was going to go to the dr this month to get help with this but I feel SO much better that I decided to start to check it myself. Today it was 117/78!!! OH MY!!!!!

 

I sprained my ankle in July and was still wearing my ankle support when I started this diet, suffering from pain and swelling STILL. It's totally gone now. NO pain, NO swelling. I've lost a ton of swelling and can put my rings on and take them off easily. I'm eating salt now but restricted it before because it made me swell TREMENDOUSLY. Sometimes there was just NO way I could get my rings off until all salt was removed from the diet for a few days. I used to have difficulties and pain while flossing my teeth; difficulties because my teeth were SO CLOSE together. The floss slides in freely now! Wow!

 

I have suffered from SEVERE foot pain and fatigue for years. I just realized that my feet haven't been hurting for a couple of weeks now! Not to mention I have a TON of energy.

 

This would be a drastic change for you, but it's something worth looking into. It may help! Right now I'm on a candida diet and stick to the guidlines on this webpage:

 

healingnaturallybybee.com

 

but she has a link to this site that I just read through some:

 

http://homodiet.netfirms.com/diet/optimaldiet1.htm

 

It's at least worth a try. Please consider it! I'm just SO amazed at the changed in me by following Bee's recommendations. I can't stop boasting about it!!!

[Jean in Newcastle]

Denise - I KNOW that I should do as you say. I do know that. But I tried an anti-candida diet last month. I lasted 2 weeks before I almost murdered my family from the stress of doing this diet! (Disclaimer - all violent words in this post are an exaggeration. No family members were actually at risk during this diet).

[Denisemomof4]

Denise - I KNOW that I should do as you say. I do know that. But I tried an anti-candida diet last month. I lasted 2 weeks before I almost murdered my family from the stress of doing this diet! (Disclaimer - all violent words in this post are an exaggeration. No family members were actually at risk during this diet).

 

Jean, if you possibly could endure, I just feel SO certain you would see results!

 

Check out that other site with the Optimum Diet. They allow dairy and some carbs, but if you DO have candida, that wouldn't be a good diet for you. Candida CAUSES Fibromyalgia, did you know that?

 

I need to go run to the barn now but Jean, I've been thinking about you so much as I'm doing this. Because I feel SO fantastic, I have NO desire to have anything other than what I'm having. I've been doing this three weeks now. What I thougght would be the hardest to give up is coffee, but I am doing quite well with that. The crankies and the die off symptoms can be lessened if you take baby steps into the diet.

 

I just could go on and on. I am just SO AMAZED at the changes in me. People are telling me that I look like I've lost weight, BUT, I've only lost 5 pounds! But I'm just not swollen and puffy anymore so I look like I lost more. If I could get the exercises going regularly, I'm CERTAIN the pounds would be dropping.

 

Ok, I really need to go to the barn! Oh but one more thing!!!

 

Just kidding. :D

[Denisemomof4]

Jean, I just have to say this. The first time I did the candida diet I decided to clear the schedule 100%, INCLUDING school. I had severe die off symptoms the last time that made me sweaty and feeling like I had the flu for about 3 - 4 weeks. But after I was on the diet for 4 months or so, I just felt SO much better.

 

This time is different. I've found a way of eating that I believe in, and a way that makes me feel so fantastic. Realistically, I will have a day here or there where I splurge. BUT, I just can't go back to eating the way I have. I'bve been complaining for YEARS that food was making me sick. It's SO empowering to finally take control over that!

 

Think of it! I will be your personal supporter!

 

OK, I NEED TO GO TO THE BARN!!!! :001_smile:

[Jean in Newcastle]

Denise - The 2 weeks I did of the candida diet were really hard because of the restrictions. But I did not experience any die-off type symptoms when I was on it. I also did not experience any return of symptoms when I went off the diet.

 

The capryllic acid I'm taking is for candida but it is also anti-biotic and anti-parasitic and anti-fungal for things other than just candida. So is the Oreganol. I have experienced some kind of die-off symptoms with the caprillic acid - I had a bad rash for about a week. So - my hesitation to go back on the diet is because I'm not sure that candida is my particular problem. It could be parasites again. (I underwent one treatment from a naturopathic Dr. for parasites that was very successful.) It could be a different kind of fungus. It could be underlying infections that are finally being treated.

 

On the Caprillic acid/Oreganol, I am finally able to do stuff that I haven't been able to do for years. I am working very hard to try and do some very important things that I've put off for way too long. My kids are going to the dentist next week - a visit I've put off for two years because going out the door was just too difficult for the past couple of years.

 

Sorry, OP, for the hijack but perhaps the things Denise and I are talking about would help you too.

[Mallorie]

Find good practitioners of:

 

1. Myofascial Release Therapy.

2. Craniosacral therapy.

 

I would also look toward natural anti-anxiety therapies. I tend to associate fibro with anxiety, ptsd and the like. If you will, a physical manifestation of emotional trauma/unrest. I know that sounds hokey, but that's where my journey has taken me.

[melmichigan]

I have had severe fibromyalgia for almost 15 years. The best combination for me is both pharmaceutical and natural.

 

I take high dose Wellbutrin, to alter pain perception, and Xanax at night for the muscle relaxing properties and to help me get into a better sleep.

I have a regular schedule of deep tissue massage therapy, 90 minute sessions every two weeks, increasing to weekly when I am having a flare up. (You have to slowly increase the amount of deep tissue work you have done over time, don't let anyone convince you otherwise or you will be miserable.)

Moist heat is helpful, as is time in the steam room at the Y.

I am know for taking extremely hot showers and whirlpool baths.

We have manditory quiet time every afternoon.

[melmichigan]

Oh, and I second craniosacral therapy, in combination with massage. We don't have any good practitioners within a reasonable distance of my home, but I was spoiled for seven years and it is also helpful.

Edited January 28, 2011 by melmichigan

[elizabeth]

Find good practitioners of:

 

1. Myofascial Release Therapy.

2. Craniosacral therapy.

 

I would also look toward natural anti-anxiety therapies. I tend to associate fibro with anxiety, ptsd and the like. If you will, a physical manifestation of emotional trauma/unrest. I know that sounds hokey, but that's where my journey has taken me.

 

Agree.

[Peela]

My mother has had fibro and various other conditions- which I think are all related- for over 20 years. She has tried all the medical suggestions and is so frustrated with the medical system- she was sent from one specialist to another and they all had their area of supposed expertise- giving her a specific medication for a specific symptoms- but nobody had a clue about treating her as a whole person.

She has tried many natural therapies over the years, with various levels of success. At the moment she has found a brilliant naturopath who is taking her off (along with a good doctor) the way too many medications various specialists had put her on- which all had their own side effects. She is feeling better just from what she is NOT on any more (she sometimes gets so bad she has to go on steroids, which are very hard to get off but the side effects are bad).

 

Anyway....what I suggest is that you get on the internet and do the research yourself and become your own expert. Try things. Read, a lot. The truth is that doctors do not know how to treat fibromyalgia- there is no known cure- they can only throw things at the symptoms- but whenever you get given a medication- do the research yourself- look up the side effects.

 

Diet, herbs, massage, everything others have suggested- various things work for various people. There is no one approach that works. And what works for a while may not work always.

 

I have been doing a lot of research on raw food diets in the last year and that is one area I suggest you have a look at. There are many success stories- from arthritis to cancer, and definitely fibromyalgia, that a raw food approach has completely cured. But that is pretty radical for most people- but I just put it out there for your own research.

[Jean in Newcastle]

 

Anyway....what I suggest is that you get on the internet and do the research yourself and become your own expert. Try things. Read, a lot. The truth is that doctors do not know how to treat fibromyalgia- there is no known cure- they can only throw things at the symptoms- but whenever you get given a medication- do the research yourself- look up the side effects.

 

Diet, herbs, massage, everything others have suggested- various things work for various people. There is no one approach that works. And what works for a while may not work always.

 

 

 

Yes, Peela is right. You need to become an expert on your body. The thing about fibromyalgia is that it is a syndrome - a collection of symptoms, not a specific disease process. These symptoms can be caused by many things . . . vitamin deficiencies, hormonal deficiencies, candida, parasites, viruses etc. The reason that different things work for different people with fibromyalgia is because they might work on the cause of the problem for that person but not for someone else. For example, Peela gave a very good approach to try in the raw foods. But I have digestion issues that make it really hard for my body to digest food that is raw. But someone else, without that problem, would benefit greatly from that approach.

[Negin]

So sorry about all that you've been going through. :grouphug:

 

Sorry that my info here is a bit unorganized. Haven't had time to get it together the way I normally like.

 

SUPPLEMENTS AND NUTRITION

Magnesium – 500 to 1000 mg

Some people with chronic fatigue have diets that are very high in calcium and low in magnesium. Once they increase their magnesium (beans, whole grains, green vegetables) and eliminate dairy products (worth trying for at least 2 weeks), their symptoms are greatly lessened. You may very well need more magnesium.

Magnesium is one of the best nutrients – if not, the best – both for energy production and pain control. Everyone who has CFIDS or fibromyalgia – or even general fatigue – should try increasing their magnesium before turning to more expensive remedies.

While magnesium won’t eliminate fibromyalgia completely, it often plays a major role in improving energy, reducing pain, and lessening other symptoms.

Sometimes muscles hurt because they don’t contain enough potassium. One of magnesium’s many important functions is to maintain a sodium and potassium balance. If your muscles lack potassium, taking more magnesium can raise your level better than taking more potassium. If you need both, try a potassium-magnesium aspartate combination. Aspartic acid carries both potassium and magnesium into the cells more quickly and efficiently.

 

400-1200 mg daily of Magnesium is helpful but use according to bowel tolerance. Your body knows how much magnesium you can tolerate from bowel tolerance – take as much magnesium as your bowels can tolerate

If you can, add 100 mg of magnesium to your nutritional supplements, and increase it by 100 mg every few days until your stools are soft, but not uncomfortably loose.

Take in divided doses and with meals to ensure optimal absorption – preferably more at night

Some say to not take magnesium with calcium - I think that that is preferable.

Calcium, magnesium, and many other minerals are best absorbed when they are bound to an acidic carrier such as citrate, aspartate, picolinate, or amino acid chelate. Minerals need an acidic base to break down and get used.

The most absorbable forms are magnesium citrate, glycinate taurate, or aspartate, although magnesium bound to Kreb cycle chelates (malate, succinate, fumarate) are also good.

Avoid magnesium carbonate, oxide, sulfate, and gluconate. They are poorly absorbed (and the cheapest and most common forms found in supplements).

Side effects from too much magnesium include diarrhea, which can be avoided if you switch to magnesium glycinate.

People with kidney disease or severe heart disease should take magnesium only under a doctor's supervision.

 

NATURAL SOURCES

Dark Chocolate

Sea vegetables (seaweed and kelp – but make sure they come from non-polluted waters and are high-quality)

Greens

Beans

Kelp

Wheat bran

Wheat germ

Almonds

Buckwheat

Brazil nuts

Millet

Pecans

Walnuts

Rye

Brown rice

Figs

Dates

Collard greens

Shrimp

Avocado

Parsley

Barley

Dandelion greens

Garlic

Kelp

Whole Grains

Molasses

 

EPSOM SALTS BATH

Taking a hot bath with Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) is a good way to absorb and get much needed magnesium.

[Negin]

Malic acid is an acid found in apples and other fruits. It reduces fibromyalgia pain. When you add malic acid to magnesium, you have a powerful supplement that can reduce fatigue in a few weeks, and reduce your pain in a few days.

 

If magnesium and malic acid are not enough, it’s time to look at other reasons for your chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia. These include taking probiotics to regulate your intestines, candida and parasites, intestinal permeability, and inflammation. Your chronic health problems could also be caused by Lyme disease.

 

”Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia and Lyme Disease” by Burton Goldberg and Larry Trivieri

 

Corvalen Energy Dietary Supplement – http://www.corvalen.com – Take 5 grams in water or juice 3 times a day for 3 weeks, then twice daily thereafter

 

Carlson’s Fish Oil – 1000 to 8000 mg daily

 

Vitamin D3 – 5000 IU daily

 

SAM-e – 400 to 1500 mg

 

Curcumin – 500 mg 3-4 times daily

 

Fibromyalgia sufferers produce less serotonin – try GABA Calm, 5-HTP, and even some dark chocolate

 

More calcium

 

Make sure you get rhodiola rosea, not any other species.

The herb can help just about anyone suffering from low energy. Rhodiola might be particularly helpful for people with more serious forms of fatigue such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and seasonal affective disorder.

How to use it: Look for a pure root extract, standardized to contain at least 3 percent rosavins and .08 to 1 percent salidrosides. For most people, a dose of 200 to 400 mg per day will bring benefits. Start small and work up to a full dose over several days. Since no research has been done on doses over 400 mg per day, don’t exceed this without seeing an herbalist or doctor familiar with the herb. And while rhodiola has been used safely for years in its native regions, no human trials have verified its safety for longer than four months, so some experts recommend a one- to two-week break after four months’ use.

Side Effects: Some people have reported irritability and insomnia at very high doses (1,000 mg a day or above), but most side effects disappear when the dose is adjusted. People with bipolar disorder should be closely supervised by a doctor, as it may induce mania.

 

A daily dose of B complex (50 mg) will restore spent energy

[Negin]

5 grams of the sugar D-ribose twice daily will stimulate the production of ATP, the fuel that powers your body’s tissues and muscles. People who suffer from excessive joint and muscle pain and fibromyalgia (widespread muscle pain) often have low levels of ribose.

 

Eat cherries as often as possible. Consuming 20 a day (about 2000 mg of cherry fruit extract) has been proven to provide more pain relief than aspirin and other painkillers.

 

OTC remedy – Guaifenesin (Muxinex) – helps rid the body of phosphates

 

Limit or avoid:

Nightshade vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, some spices, and tobacco) may aggravate inflammatory conditions like fibromyalgia.

74-90% of people with ache from any cause have a nightshade sensitivity.

Temporarily avoid all foods with any amount of nightshades. Read labels carefully. Spend a day or two getting ready for this experiment. Then eliminate all nightshades entirely – 100% - for 2 full weeks. Did your pain subside or disappear during this time? If so, nightshades are a problem for you.

At the end of 2 weeks, eat one food from the nightshade family by itself – like a tomato or bell pepper, and watch for any reactions. You may feel tired, agitated, your heart may race, you could have more pain, or you could have other undesirable side effects.

If you react, continue to avoid the entire nightshade family for 3 months or more.

If not, bring them back into your diet.

Some people with fibromyalgia who have a nightshade sensitivity can eventually add small amounts of them back into their diet – like the amount found in salad dressing. Others can’t. But if they trigger your pain, you’ll need to avoid them completely for at least 2-3 months.

Even tiny quantities of nightshades hidden in other foods can contribute to excruciating arthritis pain, and nightshades are everywhere.

Potato starch is disguised in many frozen and processed foods in the form of modified food starch, modified vegetable protein, modified vegetable starch, and hydrolyzed vegetable protein. Look for it meatballs, mock crab, sausages, and deep-fried foods that have been cooked in the same vegetable oils as French fried potatoes.

Some Rx and OTC medications use potato starch as their fillers. You need to find out.

Tomatoes are an ingredient in brown meat sauces like Worcestershire sauce and steak sauce, as well as salad dressings, some luncheon meats, gravies, and baked beans, so read labels carefully. Green olives may be stuffed with pimentos, a sweet red pepper, and dried pepper flakes are often sprinkled over pasta dishes.

Avoid sauces, especially Thai, barbecue, Cajun, Mexican, Southern, and Jamaican dishes, as well as Tabasco sauce, prepared mustards, and Cayenne pepper.

Safe foods you might think are unsafe include sweet potatoes, yams, and black pepper.

You may not react to vegetables in the nightshade family, but if you do, you need to stop eating them. You can test yourself at home.

[Negin]

OTHER TIPS

SLEEP - Get enough sleep. Your body needs a full night of quality sleep to fight pain. Sniffing lavender oil before sleep can help you.

 

CHIROPRACTIC/MASSAGE – both help immensely with pain

Be aware that you should wait for any inflammation to subside before starting either.

 

EXERCISE – Begin with a daily 10-minute walk, take up a gentle yoga class, or try the slow movement of Tai Chi. Water aerobics and swimming help also.

 

LOOK INTO FOLLOWING TREATMENTS

Acupuncture helps with all sorts of pain, especially fibromyalgia

Electrotherapy has been proven to help with low back pain

Hydrotherapy has been proven to help with arthritis. No medicine on the market can rival the physiological effects of water. Warm to hot water eases joint pain by reducing swelling and increasing blood flow to fight inflammation.

 

BOOK

“What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia” by R. Paul St. Armand

Follow a diet designed to reduce phosphates – avoid soda

[Negin]

IODINE

More than 90% of us are low in iodine and fibromyalgia is linked to an iodine deficiency.

Today's environment makes it almost impossible to get the amount of iodine you need.

1. There's very little iodine in the soil. So unless you're eating a ton of iodine-rich foods like kelp, seaweed and shellfish, you're not going to get much iodine from your diet.

2. Many salt companies have stopped adding iodine to table salt.

3. Food manufacturers have stopped using iodine in baked goods and are using bromine instead. Bromine (a halogen) competes with iodine to get into your cells. So the more bromine you consume, the less iodine you get. Unfortunately, many foods today (primarily baked goods) are loaded with bromine.

4. Our water supply contains chlorine and fluoride, both of which are halogens. Again, halogens compete with iodine to get into your cells.

And you can't avoid chlorine and fluoride simply by drinking filtered water. That's because you get a hefty dose any time you bathe, shower, soak in a hot tub, or swim in a swimming pool.

5. Most conventional doctors never test for iodine deficiency. They figure there's no need to test iodine levels when they can just test your thyroid function instead. The problem with this is that the most widely used thyroid test, the TSH, is wildly inaccurate. Reason: While the TSH measures thyroid hormone, it can't tell the difference between active thyroid hormone with iodine and de-activated thyroid hormone with bromine or chlorine or fluorine. So the test shows you have plenty of thyroid hormone. But most of the thyroid hormone isn't doing its job!

 

BENEFITS OF CORRECTING AN IODINE DEFICIENCY

HELPS FIBROMYALGIA

Fibromyalgia patients often have high levels of bromide. Iodine removes bromide out of the body, improving fibromyalgia.

 

CORRECTING AN IODINE DEFICIENCY:

I think it was Dr. Nan Fuchs who wrote: “I've had women come into my office who look like the poster child for underactive thyroid. They're overweight, they're losing their hair and eyebrows, their skin is dry, and they tell me they feel cold all the time. Yet when their doctor gave them a thyroid test, it came back normal!

When I put these women on iodine supplementation, their conditions improve dramatically. Their skin improves, they stop losing their hair, and they finally lose that excess weight — and keep it off.”

 

The RDA for iodine is 150 mcg. This amount was set based on the amount needed to prevent goiter. This amount will prevent goiter but it will not prevent breast cancer or its precurser fibrocystic breast disease or other serious diseases and symptoms listed above.

Breast tissue and other reproductive organs require much more iodine than the thyroid gland. Many researchers now believe that you may need 100 to 400 times the RDI.

The average consumption of iodine from seaweed by the mainland Japanese is nearly 14 mg. They have some of the lowest incidence of iodine-deficiency diseases like goiter, hypothyroidism, and cancers of the reproductive system (breast, ovaries, and uterus).

 

Increase your intake with mineral-rich sea vegetables (agar, hijiki, kombu, nori, and wakame) at least twice a week. You can eat as much seaweed as you want. Brown seaweeds are highest in iodine. They include all forms of kelp. Fucus, also known as Bladderwrack, is considered to be the best for underactive thyroids. Hijiki and Sargassum are two other forms of brown seaweeds. Red seaweeds include dulse, nori, Irish moss, and Gracillaria.

Since toasting doesn’t affect seaweed’s iodine content, you can eat it dried or dried and toasted. Toast some in the oven or in a dry frying pan to see if you prefer that taste. You can also powdered seaweed to your food or add larger pieces of seaweed to soups, grains, or vegetables. Seaweed should be an enjoyable addition to your diet, not an unpleasant experience. If you simply don’t like its taste, you can get it in capsules.

Use 5-10 grams of mixed brown and red seaweed for thyroid problems. This is about 1 ½ teaspoons per day. If you’ve been told that your thyroid is borderline-low, eating seaweed makes sense. But remember, you need to eat seaweed every day or take iodine in a different form.

Not all seaweeds are safe to eat. Some come from polluted waters.

Be more cautious and talk to a naturopath if you’re on thyroid meds and want to try seaweed.

 

Use iodine-rich Seaweed Gomasio to season your food.

 

Instead of using seaweed to boost your iodine levels, you might consider taking an iodine supplement. Iodoral is a very good one.

You may need 1 to 4 tablets of Iodoral, a combination of 5 mg of iodine and 7.5 mg of potassium iodide. Additional research finds that vitamin C improves the transport of iodine in the body, so it may be best to take Iodoral with Vitamin C.

Studies show that women who weigh about 110 pounds need at least 5 mg of iodine a day for normal breast function. If you’re heavier, you may need more.

Start off slowly over a 4 week period.

Take 1 pill for 30 days

Then 2 pills for 30 days

Then maybe 3 for 30 days

Then 1 in morning and 1 in evening for 30 days

Can then go back to taking 1 or 2 a day to maintain

Your body will know....listen to it...

One Iodoral tablet provides 12.5 milligrams of iodine/iodide which is about the amount the average Japanese consumed in 1964 in their everyday diet.

Iodoral is the best way to get the recommended amount of iodine.

When we take 50 mg of iodine/iodide a day, it acts as an adaptogen, regulating various body functions.

[Negin]

Substances that interfere with iodine

Chlorine – present in most city water supplies – unless you de-chlorinate your water, you are being exposed to thyroid-lowering gases whenever you bathe, shower, or have a drink of water.

 

Fluorine

 

Bromide or Bromine – found in some pesticides – try to eat organic whenever possible

Bromide is even used in some asthma drugs

Mountain Dew, Fresca, and orange Gatorade all contain bromide in the form of brominated vegetable oils. Drinking beverages with bromide causes low thyroid function in some people.

 

These toxins are in our water, hot tubs, non-organic foods, and some soft drinks.

If you don’t have enough iodine, chances are you have too much fluoride and bromide. Sufficient iodine pulls these toxins out of your body.

 

Aspirin, blood thinner meds, and steroids can result in iodine deficiency thyroid problems. If you’re taking these, ask your doctor to check your thyroid function.

 

Chronic fatigue syndrome is not a single illness, but a complex cluster of various symptoms including:

Fatigue

Muscle Pain

Impaired Sleep

Depression

Brain “fogginess”

Headache

Anxiety

PMS

Stiffness

Joint Pain

 

Fibroymyalgia and muscle pain are often components of chronic fatigue.

 

We all get tired at times, but the fatigue that is part of CFIDS (chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome) hits suddenly and is deep and debilitating.

Along with this fatigue come:

• Difficulty concentrating

• Headaches

• Pain in muscles and joints

• Digestive problems

• Anxiety

• Low-grade fevers

• Depression

Rest takes care of most types of fatigue, but not if you have CFIDS. It never goes away. The fatigue may let up for a while, but then it returns.

 

If you have extremely sensitive and painful points on various parts of your body, or simply ache constantly, you could have fibromyalgia.

Sometimes fibromyalgia begins after a physical trauma, but a hereditary or biochemical imbalance may also cause it. Or it could be connected to another health condition.

Unfortunately, NSAIDS like Motrin, Advil, and Naprosyn can only treat the pain, not the underlying cause. And what’s more, they can actually create fibromyalgia by increasing intestinal permeability, also known as “leaky gut syndrome” resulting in additional inflammation. NSAIDs are like a Band-Aid contaminated with bacteria that make your sore worse.

 

Again, sorry for all the jumbled-up info.

[KidsHappen]

I have had the most success with a combination of message therapy, chiropractic care and medications. Anti-depressants are frequently successful in relieving a lot of the symptoms. I can't take anti-depressant so I have to take indiviual meds to treat individual symptoms. No one medicine seems to work by itself but in combination they seem to work some. First of all ibuprofen or a prescription strength anti-inflammatory for daytime use. Then I find either flexaril or xanax is excellent for muscle relief and tramdol for pain. Flexaril and Tramdol have the added benefit of having a much lower risk of tolerance or addiction. Yes, they can cause drowsiness but you can start by only taking them at night so that you can get a good's night sleep. I find that sleep makes a world of difference in the amount of pain I have the next day. You should talk to your dr. and find out if you should be applying heat of ice to sore muscles. Sometimes (especially on days when I have muscle work done) I need to apply ice. Other times when I just need to relax the muscles, taking a hot bath or applying heat helps. Anytime I push myself to really try and accomplish to much (especially to the point that I actually feel point at that time) I end up regretting it. It always wears me out and make the pain much worse for days and take at least a week to recover. I personally have tried every natural treatment (believe me, ALL of them) and the only thing that I haven't listed so far that made any difference was adding magnesium (at least twice as much as calcium or 200 %) and a probiotic. I still have pain and fatigue everyday but some days it is managable, other days it is not. It seems to be worse in the winter than summer.

[melmichigan]

It seems to be worse in the winter than summer.

 

:iagree:This is my experience as well. I sometimes increase my nightly Xanax dose temporarily in the winter, and use moist heat more often. :) In the past they have tried adding in other anti-depressants in the winter without much success and to many side effects.

[Sparkle]

Wow, thanks, Negin. Lots of interesting information here. I appreciate you posting all this.

[LostSurprise]

My sister was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 3 years ago. She was on a lot of pain medication but none of the muscle relaxant type stuff worked for her.

 

A year ago, her eye specialist mentioned that his wife had similar problems and that cutting wheat out of her diet helped her. He recommended, unofficially, that she get an allergy test.

 

She did. She reacted to many things. Among them gluten, oats, and eggs. The allergist gave her a diet plan to help her eliminate those things and separate foods in the 'slight reaction' category to see how they affect her.

 

Now she lives with no pain medication on a gluten-free diet. She will occasionally eat wheat (birthday cake, etc) but when too much is in her system she starts to get the old pains in her joints.

 

I'm not saying you need to go gluten-free, but at the very least think about taking an allergy test or doing a diet reboot, testing what you eat and upping your vitamins. And if stress is a trigger (often it is) think about what you can do to learn relaxation techniques or go to a counselor--whatever you can do to help yourself.

[Mallorie]

Coming back to jump on the magnesium and vitamin D supplement bandwagon, particularly if symptoms are worse in winter.

 

NaturalCalm plus calcium works wonders for my muscle pain.

NOW brand Vitamin D 2,000mg a day works wonders for my mood.

[Only me]

thanks for all of the suggestions

[Green Vixen]

Hi Hpymomof3,

 

I have CFS, Fibro and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Stress can be a major contributer to pain flares and fatigue in Fibro, so it is no wonder you're flaring right now :grouphug:!

 

There are so many different treatments options for Fibro and of course every patient is SO different. That is what makes treating Fibro so difficult.

 

I would prioritize by what your biggest problem is right now, is it all over pain, specific area pain, fatigue, etc. Once you figure this out try to get that under control. Then as you get that worked on move on to the next problem area.

 

How do you like your current doctor? Is he/she knowledgeable in Fibro? I have a team of doctors that I work with and only see my primary care doctor for general problems. Here are the people I see:

 

Rheumatologist - Rheumatoid Arthritis issues, but also Fibro & CFS

Pain Management - pain management meds

Physical Therapist - core strenghtening and back/pelvis pain

Chiropractor - back/pelvis pain

Therapist - depression

Psychologist - stimulant for CFS, antidepressants, sleeping meds

Accupuncture - CFS

 

So as you can see I use a combination of Western and Eastern meds :001_smile:. I also go to a very active CFS/Fibro forum to read up on current research and what is working for other people. They also have a great medication tracking tool that is wonderful, especially for those of us with fibro fog LOL! You can also search medications and patient's reviews of meds, which I have found very helpful, the website is www.patientslikeme.com.

 

Good luck! I know this can be a very overwhelming diagnosis!

 

Marisa

[Negin]

I use a combination of Western and Eastern meds :001_smile:

Great advice. I love your use of both approaches.

 

Just saw this if anyone is interested.