FIBROMYALGIA

Fibromyalgia is a good impersonator - It can look like Lyme disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, rheumatoid arthritis and many other conditions. The condition may be due to a dysfunction of the nervous and endocrine systems. It is hard to pin down -doctors can't diagnose it by testing, and as a result, fibromyalgia often goes undiagnosed for five years or longer before being identified. (from Solve It with Supplements, by Robert A Schulman, M.D.)

It is an elusive disease, sometimes starting with a flareup that is hard to diagnose, only to go into remission, sometimes for years before it reappears. 

One way to identify Fibromyalgia is that people afflicted by it often feel extreme tenderness in up to 18 "tender points" in specific locations of the body. Common symptoms are musculoskeletal pain, extreme fatigue, poor sleep and insomnia, and "fibrofog" or unclear thinking. Other symptoms include digestive upset, female pelvic pain, and sometimes, depression.

Medications for fibromyalgia include low doses of antidepressant, and muscle relaxant medications. One medication, Lyrica, which can be given in low doses, and is non- habit forming is often given to help with flareups. Lyrica does have some side effects for some people.

Massage often helps relieve symptoms. Regular gentle and aerobic exercise helps keeps muscles strong and more resistant to pain. It is believed that consistent exercise will not aggravate the condition. Gentle stretching and acupuncture have been found to help alleviate some fibromyalgic symptoms.


NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS that help some Fibromyalgia patients :
( From Solve It with Supplements, by Robert A Schulman, M.D. page 448)

Magnesium - 200 mg, up to 3 times daily, with 1200 mg Malic acid,  1 tot 3 times daily.

Calcium- Age 19 -50- 1000 mg of Calcium Citrate or other formula. Age 51 and over;
          1,200 of Calcium Citrate  divided in 2 or 3 doses per day.

Chamomile- Tea- 3 grams of dried flower heads to 1 cup boiling water, up to 3 times daily.

Vitamin D, or D3- follow normal amounts advised.

Co Q10, - 60 Mg 2 to 3 times daily, reducing amount as symptoms decline.

5 HTP, Take  100 mg up to 3 times daily.

Ginsing, - 200 mg of standardized extract containing 4-7% ginsenosides 2 times daily.

Melatonin - 3 mg tablet  1-to 2 hrs before bedtime. Do not increase dosages because
          Melatonin ingested is depleted later in the sleep cycle, helping the person to sleep.

Same - 800 mg, twice daily, taken 1/2 hr before meals.

Vitamin C, 500 mg, taken twice daily.

Vitamin E - 400 IU taken with Selenium 100 to 200 Mcg Daily

St. John' swort - 300 to 375 mg capsules, 1 to 3 times daily, of standardized extract to
           contain .3% hypericin. This has a leveling effect on the emotions, lowering 
           depression for some people.

Valerian Capsules up to 400 to 900 mg daily, before bedtime. Valerian products vary 
           widely. Be cautious. Valerian causes disturbed dreams for some people.


USE CAUTION - As with all Nutritional Supplements, do not start adding all items to your plan at once. Start with one at a time, at a lower dose at first, increasing until symptoms of the condition recede. When you feel well, taper off the supplement over a week or two.

Remember, with AutoImmune Conditions, Natural Supplements offer a benefit largely because your system is not accustomed to the substance. If you don't take a supplement forever, you will not become sensitive or allergic to the herb. That way if you have a future flareup or outbreak, you can use the Supplement later on in the future when you need it.


Article researched and written © by Ruth Zachary