Debbie Markel, CH, CNHP
Certified Herbalist, Certified Natural Health Professional
804-598-5352 ~ www.herbalconsultant.com
DO ANY OF THESE STATEMENTS SOUND FAMILIAR??
“Everything hurts.”
“I just feel soooo tired all the time.”
“My brain is foggy.”
MY STORY
In 1978, my husband left me in a violent rage.
I suffered severe emotional trauma and a minor breakdown.
I was the mother of 2 boys ages 1 and 3 and had just gone back to work
after staying home for 4 years. My
income was next to the poverty level and I had just bought a house that I
couldn’t afford on my own. I was
only in my mid-20’s, but I began having mysterious aches and pains, trouble
sleeping, IBS, memory problems, TMJ and constant fatigue.
I felt like I was 85! I went
to doctor after doctor, none of whom could diagnose anything wrong.
Tests for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other autoimmune disorders came
back negative. Nobody knew about
Fibromyalgia at that time or if they did, they didn’t think of it.
They all recommended anti-depressants.
I WASN’T DEPRESSED!
For over 20 years I suffered in silence.
Finally, at age 45 or so (when I was also having peri-menopausal symptoms
on top of it all), I met with a naturopathic physician from
FIBROMYALGIA
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Disturbed
sleep
- Dizziness
- Dry
eyes and/or mouth (Sicca syndrome)
- Fatigue
- Frequency
of urination
- Headaches
- Hearing
sensitivity
- History
of injury - sometimes serious but often only minor within the year before
the symptoms started.
- Irritable
Bowel Syndrome
- Joint
pain and swelling
- Memory
lapses
- Muscular
pain, aching and/or stiffness (especially in the morning)
- Osteoarthritis
- Pain
after exertion
- Paresthesia
(tingling feelings)
- Raynaud’s
phenomenon (hands go dead white and cold)
- Restless
leg syndrome
- Rheumatoid
arthritis
- Silicon
Breast Implant Syndrome (SBIS)
- Skin
sensitivity
- Substance
(drugs/alcohol) abuse problems.
- Symptoms
are almost always worse in cold or humid weather.
TO BE
“OFFICIALLY” DIAGNOSED
Nobody
knows the exact cause and there are many theories, but all doctors will look for
the following:
- Widespread
pain in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum duration of three
months
- Tenderness
or pain in at least 11 of the 18 specified tender points when pressure is
applied (see figure below)
How Disabling is Fibromyalgia (FMS):
- 100
out of 394 patients (that is 25.3%) with FMS (all female) and 12 out of 44
males (27%) were shown in a recent survey to be sufficiently badly affected
by the condition as to be unable to work - they were effectively disabled.
- Almost
all the others surveyed claimed that their FMS affected their job
performance very badly.
DRUG THERAPIES
The
following drugs may be prescribed by a physician.
- Sleep
disturbances are often treated successfully with low doses of tricyclic
antidepressants like Elavil. Benzodiazepines (like Xanax) may also be used.
- Psychological
disturbances can be treated with tricyclic antidepressants and
sedative-hypnotics.
- Pain
in the bones and muscles can be treated with lidocaine or procaine (injected
into points where pain is greatest) or with capsaicin (used topically). Ibuprofen
may also help briefly reduce muscle pain.
SIDE EFFECTS OF TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS INCLUDE:
Abnormal movements, anxiety,
black tongue, blurred
vision, breast development in males, breast enlargement, coma, confusion,
constipation, delusions, diarrhea,
difficult or frequent
urination, difficulty in speech, dilation of pupils, disorientation,
disturbed concentration, dizziness on getting up, dizziness or light-headedness,
drowsiness, dry mouth, excessive or spontaneous flow of milk,
excitement, fatigue, fluid retention, hair loss, hallucinations, headache,
heart attack, hepatitis, high blood pressure, high fever, high or low blood
sugar, hives, impotence, inability
to sleep, increased or decreased sex drive, increased perspiration,
increased pressure within the eye, inflammation of the mouth, intestinal
obstruction, irregular heartbeat, lack or loss of coordination, loss of
appetite, low blood pressure, nausea, nightmares, numbness,
rapid and/or fast, fluttery heartbeat, rash, red or purple spots on skin,
restlessness, ringing in
the ears, seizures, sensitivity
to light, stomach upset, strange taste, stroke, swelling due to fluid
retention in the face and tongue, swelling of testicles, swollen glands, tingling
and pins and needles in the arms and legs, tremors, vomiting, weakness, weight
gain or loss, yellowed eyes and skin.
Side effects due to rapid decrease or abrupt withdrawal from
tricyclic antidepressants include: Headache, nausea, vague feeling of bodily
discomfort
Side effects due to gradual dosage reduction may include:
Dream and sleep disturbances, irritability, restlessness
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication.
It is especially important that you consult with your doctor
before taking tricyclic antidepressants in combination with the following:
Airway-opening drugs such as Sudafed and Proventil
Antidepressants that raise serotonin levels, such as Paxil,
Prozac, and Zoloft
Other antidepressants, such as amoxapine
Antihistamines such as Benadryl and Tavist
Barbiturates such as phenobarbital
Certain blood pressure medicines such as Catapres
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Disulfiram (Antabuse)
Drugs that control spasms, such as Bentyl and Donnatal
Estrogen drugs such as Premarin and oral contraceptives
Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl)
Major tranquilizers such as Mellaril and Thorazine
MAO inhibitors, such as Nardil and Parnate
Medications for irregular heartbeat, such as Tambocor and
Rythmol
Painkillers such as Demerol and Percocet
Parkinsonism drugs such as Cogentin and Larodopa
Quinidine (Quinidex)
Seizure medications such as Tegretol and Dilantin
Sleep medicines such as Halcion and Dalmane
Thyroid hormones (Synthroid)
Tranquilizers such as Librium and Xanax
Warfarin (Coumadin)
SIDE EFFECTS OF BENZODIAZEPINES INCLUDE:
More common side effects may include: Abdominal discomfort,
abnormal involuntary movement, agitation, allergies, anxiety, blurred vision,
chest pain, confusion, constipation, decreased or increased sex drive, depression,
diarrhea, difficult urination, dream abnormalities, drowsiness,
dry mouth, fainting, fatigue,
fluid retention, headache,
hyperventilation (too frequent or too deep breathing), inability to fall asleep,
increase or decrease in appetite, increased or decreased salivation,
impaired memory, irritability, lack of coordination, light-headedness,
low blood pressure, menstrual problems, muscular
twitching, nausea and vomiting, nervousness, palpitations, rapid
heartbeat, rash, restlessness, ringing
in the ears, sexual dysfunction, skin inflammation, speech difficulties,
stiffness, stuffy nose, sweating, tiredness/sleepiness,
tremors, upper respiratory infections, weakness, weight gain or loss
Less common or rare side effects may include: Abnormal
muscle tone, concentration difficulties, decreased coordination, dizziness,
double vision, fear, hallucinations, inability to control urination or bowel
movements, infection, itching, loss of appetite, muscle cramps, muscle
spasticity, rage, sedation, seizures, sleep
disturbances, slurred speech, stimulation, talkativeness, taste
alterations, temporary memory loss, tingling
or pins and needles, uninhibited behavior, urine retention, warm feeling, weakness in muscle and bone, weight gain or loss, yellow eyes
and skin
Side effects due to decrease or withdrawal from Xanax:
Blurred vision, decreased concentration, decreased mental clarity, diarrhea,
heightened awareness of noise or bright lights, impaired sense of smell, loss of
appetite, loss of weight, muscle cramps, seizures, tingling sensation, twitching
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication.
Never combine Xanax with Sporanox or Nizoral. These drugs
cause a buildup of Xanax in the body.
It is important to check with your doctor before combining
Xanax with the following:
Amiodarone (Cordarone)
Antihistamines such as Benadryl and Tavist
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Certain antibiotics such as Biaxin and erythromycin
Certain antidepressant
drugs, including Elavil, Norpramin, and Tofranil
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Diltiazem (Cardizem)
Disulfiram (Antabuse)
Ergotamine
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Grapefruit juice
Isoniazid (Rifamate)
Major tranquilizers such as Mellaril and Thorazine
Nefazodone (Serzone)
Nicardipine (Cardene)
Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
Oral contraceptives
Other central nervous system depressants such as Valium and
Demerol
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Propoxyphene (Darvon)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Still feel like taking some drugs??
DIETARY
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Eliminate
all food allergens from the diet. Common allergenic foods are dairy, soy,
citrus, peanuts, wheat, fish, eggs, corn, and tomatoes. Try an elimination
trial: Remove suspected allergens from the diet for two weeks. Reintroduce
one food every three days. Watch for reactions such as gastrointestinal
upset, mood changes, flushing, fatigue, and worsening of symptoms. A
rotation diet, in which the same food is not eaten more than once every four
days, may reduce sensitivities.
- Decrease
refined carbohydrate intake; increase unrefined carbs & healthy protein;
fats in moderation.
- Eliminate
inflammatory foods such as refined foods, sugar, saturated fats (meat and
dairy products), alcohol, artificial sweeteners and caffeine.
Use stevia or agave nectar for sweeteners.
- Eat
whole foods such as vegetables, whole grains, fruits, protein, and essential
fatty acids (cold-water fish, nuts, and seeds).
Drink tons and tons of water. Green
tea in moderation is good – herbal teas are better.
(Personal note: I gave
up all meats & most dairy. I do
eat a little yogurt, cheese, fish & seafood.
My tummy loves me!)
(See Appendices about artificial sweeteners &
sodas. Yes, even Splenda’s bad!)
SUPPLEMENTS
There are
many supplements that are helpful for fibromyalgia.
I take all of the following except the melatonin and extra zinc.
My sleep has improved just from the extra magnesium before bed and I have
enough zinc in my multi-vitamin. Each
person’s symptoms and system are unique, so play with these.
There are others, too, if these don’t do the trick over time.
- Vitamin
C (500 - 1000 mg twice per day) reduces swelling and helps your immune
system function better.
- 5-Hydroxytryptophan
(100 mg three times per day) may help with depression and insomnia.
- B
vitamins help reduce the effects of stress: B-complex (100 mg twice a day)
- Melatonin
(0.5 to 3 mg one time before bed) may help sleep.
Do not take with 5HTP.
- Zinc
(30 mg per day) is essential for proper immune function.
- Calcium
and Magnesium – 500 mg calcium + 250 mg magnesium 2 times daily [Muscle
tone & bone strength]. Then
add an extra 400 mg of magnesium before bed.
[Relaxes muscles and spasms.]
- Aloe
juice – 2 oz. 1 to 2 times daily [A good lubricant and detoxifier for the
whole system]
- Psyllium
husks – 1 tablespoon 1 to 2 times daily [Colon health.
Many people with fibro have IBS, too]
- Multi-vitamin
supplement with minerals WITHOUT IRON!! – 1 time daily [Everyone needs
this!]
- Mixed
EFA’s (essential fatty acids – oils: GLA, ALA, Omega 3 & 6 all in
one. Should have flax oil, fish
oil, primrose oil, etc.) – As directed on label (usually 3 times daily.
Strengths vary.) [Most people in the U.S. are deficient in EFA’s.
Essential for cell health, brain development & overall good
health. I recommend these for
everyone.]
- Try
an extra B-12 sublingual tablet when you’re feeling run down.
It gives a burst of energy when needed.
Herbs
- The
following herbs may help increase resistance to stress and strengthen the
immune system:
Siberian
ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
Schizandra
berry (Schizandra chinensis)
Ashwaganda
root (Withania somnifera)
Gotu
kola (Centella asiatica)
Astragalus
root (Astragalus membranaceus).
Use
ginseng alone or with equal parts of two to three herbs. Take as directed two to
three times per
day.
These may need to be taken for four to six months for maximum benefit.
DO NOT TAKE ECHINACEA. It is
not recommended for autoimmune disorders!
- Herbs
that alleviate pain and tension include the following:
Black
cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
Kava
kava (Piper methysticum)
Skullcap
(Scutellaria lateriflora)
Passionflower
(Passiflora incarnate)
Lavender
(Lavandula angustifolia)
Valerian
(Valeriana officinalis).
Turmeric (Curcuma longa).
Powerful anti-inflammatory which is also a good detoxifier.
- Herbs
for nerves and memory include Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) and Ginkgo
biloba (Ginkgo biloba)
Homeopathy
Homeopathic
remedies are highly diluted doses of substances that can actually cause or mimic
the problem. The theory behind
homeopathy is that you give someone teeny, tiny doses of the substance and the
person will build up a resistance to it. It’s
like a vaccination – your body will form antibodies to resist the cause of the
problem. Some people react better to
homeopathy than others, but they are VERY harmless, so worth trying.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Arnica
for pain, tenderness and stiffness. Take
one dose of 30X or 30C three times daily.
Stop after 3 days to assess the pain.
Can resume if necessary. Arnica
cream or gel is wonderful for pain, too.
Rub in as often as needed.
- Bryonia
helps ease pain that increases with movement and is better when resting.
It also helps constipation. Take
one dose of 30X or 30C three times daily.
Stop after 3 days to assess the pain.
Can resume if necessary.
- Hypericum is good for prickly pain that radiates along nerve paths, is worse with movement and when touched. Good for pain in the extremities. Take one dose of 30X or 30C three times daily. Stop after 3 days to assess the pain. Can resume if necessary.
- Rhus
toxicodendron is for people who feel better after moving around.
Take one dose of 30X or 30C three times daily.
Stop after 3 days to assess the pain.
Can resume if necessary.
Physical Medicine
- Two
to four cups of Epsom salts in a warm bath can soothe aching muscles.
- Essential
oils of jasmine, lemon balm, rosemary, and clary sage relieve nervous
exhaustion and may be used in aromatherapy. Place several drops in a warm
bath or atomizer, or on a cotton ball, and inhale.
Do NOT ingest these or apply them to the skin in an undiluted form.
- Massage
reduces stress and improves circulation.
It works WONDERS for me & I go twice a month.
- Acupuncture
- There are a few well-designed studies showing that acupuncture can help
improve fibromyalgia symptoms and the National Institutes of Health
recommend acupuncture as a treatment for this condition. Acupuncturists
treat people with fibromyalgia based on an individualized assessment of the
excesses and deficiencies of qi located in various meridians. In the case of
fibromyalgia, a qi deficiency is usually detected in the spleen and/or
kidney meridians. Moxibustion (a technique in which the herb mugwort is
burned over specific acupuncture points) is used to strengthen the entire
energy system. Qualified practitioners may also advise persons with
fibromyalgia on lifestyle and diet, and provide recommendations on the use
of herbal medicines.
- Chiropractic
- Because fibromyalgia generally includes low back pain and/or neck pain
(for which spinal manipulation is beneficial), chiropractors commonly treat
people who have this condition. In one small study, women with fibromyalgia
reported that they experienced a 77% reduction in pain intensity, 63%
improvement in sleep quality, and 75% improvement in fatigue level after
receiving 30 chiropractic treatments. Symptom relief continued for 1 month
after treatment ended.
- Exercise
- I take a yoga class faithfully once a week & often add a second class
when time allows. Tai Chi would
work just as well, as would swimming & water aerobics.
THERE’S NO NEED TO SUFFER IN SILENCE.
DON’T BE A VICTIM OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION!
TAKE CONTROL, TRY DIFFERENT TREATMENTS AND REMEDIES AND THINK LIKE
YOU’RE GOING TO BEAT THIS THING!!!! A
POSITIVE ATTITUDE IS CRITICAL TO HEALING. GIVE
IT TIME – IT TOOK ABOUT 1 ½ YEARS FOR ME TO FEEL LIKE A HUMAN BEING AGAIN.
APPENDIX I
DANGERS OF
ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS
(From www.mercola.com)
Let's take
aspartame (the key to Equal
and Nutrasweet) for starters. Research has found that the components of this
deadly ingredient may lead to a wide variety of ailments including:
Epilepsy/seizures
Migraines
and headaches
Depression
Brain
tumors
Autoimmune
diseases
However, Splenda
is not a day at the beach either, as research in animals has shown that
consuming sucralose comes hand in hand with a plethora of health problems
including:
Shrunken
thymus glands (up to 40 percent shrinkage)
Enlarged
liver and kidneys
Atrophy of
lymph follicles in the spleen and thymus
Reduced
growth rate
Decreased
red blood cell count
Extension
of the pregnancy period
Aborted
pregnancy
Diarrhea
For these
many, many reasons it is wise to avoid artificial sweeteners. In addition,
eating too much REAL sugar will also
adversely affect your health, as it will cause your blood sugar level to rise.
If your blood sugar levels remain elevated (even mildly) over a period of time,
your risk of diabetes will increase, which will increase your risk of cancer.
Unlike
aspartame, suclarose and other artificial sweeteners that have been cited for
dangerous toxicities, stevia is a natural
alternative that's ideal for diabetics, those watching their weight and anyone
interested in maintaining their health. Stevia can be used in appetizers,
beverages, soups, salads, vegetables, desserts -- virtually anything! It is,
hands down, the best alternative to sugar you will ever taste.
APPENDIX II
DANGERS OF
SODAS
(From www.mercola.com)
How many
sodas have you had today? How about your kids? The average American drinks an
estimated 56 gallons of soft drinks each year, but before you grab that next can
of soda, consider this: one can of soda
has about 10 teaspoons of sugar, 150 calories, 30 to 55 mg of caffeine, and is
loaded with artificial food colors and sulphites.
This is an
alarming amount of sugar, calories and harmful additives in a product that has
absolutely no nutritional value. Plus, studies have linked soda to osteoporosis,
obesity, tooth decay and heart disease. Despite this, soda accounts for more
than one-quarter of all drinks consumed in the
Teenagers
and children, who many soft drinks are marketed toward, are among the largest
consumers. In the past 10 years, soft drink consumption among children has
almost doubled in the
While
these numbers may sound high, they’re not surprising considering that most
school hallways are lined with vending machines that sell, of course, soft
drinks. It’s not uncommon for schools to make marketing deals with leading
soft drink companies such as Coca-Cola from which they receive
commissions--based on a percentage of sales at each school--and sometimes a
lump-sum payment.
The
revenues are used for various academic and after-school activities, but what
activity could be worth devastating the students’ health, which is exactly
what consuming all that soda is doing? Getting rid of vending machines in
schools--or replacing their contents with pure water and healthy snacks--could
make a big difference, as vending machines can increase the consumption of
sweetened beverages by up to 50 or more cans of soda per student per year.
Let’s
take a look at some of the major components of a can of soda:
Phosphoric
Acid: May interfere
with the body's ability to use calcium, which can lead to osteoporosis or
softening of the teeth and bones. Phosphoric acid also neutralizes the
hydrochloric acid in your stomach, which can interfere with digestion, making it
difficult to utilize nutrients.
Sugar:
Soft drink manufacturers are the largest single user of refined sugar in the
Aspartame:
This chemical is used as a sugar substitute in diet soda. There are over 92
different health side effects associated with aspartame consumption including
brain tumors, birth defects, diabetes, emotional disorders and epilispsy/seizures.
Further, when aspartame is stored for
long periods of time or kept in warm areas it changes to methanol, an alcohol
that converts to formaldehyde and formic acid, which are known carcinogens.
Splenda:
See discussion of artificial sweeteners in Appendix I.
Caffeine:
Caffeinated drinks cause jitters, insomnia, high blood pressure, irregular
heartbeat, elevated blood cholesterol levels, vitamin and mineral depletion,
breast lumps, birth defects, and perhaps some forms of cancer.
Tap
Water: I recommend
that everyone avoid drinking tap water because it can carry any number of
chemicals including chlorine, trihalomethanes, lead, cadmium, and various
organic pollutants. Tap water is the main ingredient in bottled soft drinks.
Soda
is one of the main reasons, nutritionally speaking, why many people suffer
health problems.
Aside from the negative effects of the soda itself, drinking a lot of soda is
likely to leave you with little appetite for vegetables, protein and other food
that your body needs.
If you are
still drinking soda, stopping the habit is an easy way to improve your health.
Pure water is a much better choice. If you must drink a carbonated beverage, try
sparkling mineral water.
Good luck! Let
me know if I can help in any way.