Suffering With Joy

Sabbath Moments

August 14, 2010

Hosted by Colleen at Thoughts on Grace, Sabbath Moments are the times during the week when we were quiet in our souls, even if we are outwardly active.  I like this meme because it forces me to think often during the week about practicing the interior life, as the great spiritual directors have written. Without the internet, we would not know of fellow Catholics on this journey, nor would we be able to encourage one another to closer union with Christ. Every person who participates in this meme contributes to the building up of the Body of Christ, and individual examples inspire the many.

I wish more people would participate in this meme for the good of all, but I also understand that many people don’t feel comfortable publicizing their interior life. I myself would not do it if it were not for the fact that I firmly believe that we must uphold one another, comfort one another, and encourage one another towards sainthood. Part of being Christian is also to rejoice with others in the gifts God gives them.  It is not up to me to judge what about myself will help others, but to step out in faith and let God’s grace on the reader do His work.

God-enforced Sabbath Moments: This week I had a couple of episodes of serious fatigue where I was  so wiped out I couldn’t do anything but lie in bed.  These are always opportunities to meditate and pray.  They are also reminders that God is in charge and what I want to do isn’t always what He has in mind for me at the moment.  These events are great opportunities to practice abandonment to Divine Providence and detachment from self-will.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this forced quietude is the fact that I had been asked this week to take on something that would require a great deal of energy and time.  I told the person I would pray about it and asked God to let me know what He wanted.  He did.  He flattened me. God is so good and generous.  He knows I won’t get it unless He applies a 2×4 and that’s fine by me.

Tags: chronic fatigue, trust in God

Gluten Sensitivity, Weight Gain, and Fibromyalgia

May 11, 2010

Recently I was tested by my Natural Health Doctor for gluten sensitivity by means of a saliva test.  It was called the gliadin Av, SIgA test and revealed a mild intolerance or reactivity to Gliadin, a term I had never heard of before.

Gliadins are polypeptides found in wheat, rye, oat, barley, and other grain glutens, and are toxic to the intestinal mucosa in susceptible people.  Polypeptides are chains of amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins. (Now is about the time I wish I had taken chemistry in high school!  Since I didn’t, I have to search a lot to understand important aspects of achieving wellness.)

I learned in my studies that protein is a part of every cell in our bodies, and no other nutrient plays as many different roles in keeping us alive and healthy. We need protein to grow and repair our muscles, bones, skin, tendons, ligaments, hair, eyes and other tissues. Without it, we lack the enzymes and hormones we need for metabolism, digestion and other important processes.

With gluten intolerance we aren’t getting the use of the amino acids present in the grain and we are reacting badly to them, often with a low level inflammation of the intestines.  Why is this important to know?  Any disruption in the gut by inflammation prevents us from absorbing the vitamins and minerals we need to be in balance. Our cells can be starving for proteins and for the enzymes and hormones we need to live and feel healthy.

When I was first diagnosed six years ago with severe fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and other neurological issues my holistic practitioner put me on the Atkins induction program.  It didn’t give me energy nor did it take away the fibro pain, but at some level I felt better and I lost 25 lbs. in three months.  This foray into the high protein/low refined carb way of eating was a revelation.  I never felt like I was starving and it was easy to do.  In retrospect, based on what I know now, I think that because it was  totally gluten free, I felt better.  Part of feeling better was overcoming insulin resistance, which is often a factor in fibromyalgia, and that came from eliminating grain and refined sugar carb intake while increasing fresh vegetables, berries and a variety of nuts.

Gluten Intolerance, Weight Gain, and Fibromyalgia

Some people who suffer from fibromyalgia are downright skinny.  A lot more of us weigh more than we should and have a dickens of a time getting to a normal range.  Is part of our problem gluten intolerance? Over at Gluten Free Fox doctors Vikki and Richard Peterson have written a book called The Gluten Effect that tackles the myth that gluten intolerance is marked by weight loss. (You can find the book in Barb’s Custom Shop under the “wellness” category.) Gluten sensitivity affects 40% of the population while only 1% are celiacs.  They write:

“Contrary to classic medical opinion, gluten intolerance is not associated with weight loss the majority of the time.  In fact, it is simply the opposite. Gluten-sensitive patients are overweight approximately forty percent of the time due to various direct and indirect factors. Because of the misperception that most individuals suffer weight loss when they have gluten sensitivity, a greater number of people go undiagnosed.  This perception needs to change.”

…This is one of the many reasons we wrote our book.  Not only are 95% of those suffering with celiac disease never diagnosed but the percentage of those with gluten sensitivity who continue to suffer undiagnosed is about 99.8%. This must change as too many people are suffering needlessly.

The same doctors write about fibromyalgia in their book:

“Anecdotally, we have witnessed over and over again the resolution of the classic muscle aches and tender points in response to gluten elimination. Adrenal fatigue, poor blood sugar control and hidden infections round out the most frequent causes of this condition that we find. Among our patients who have enjoyed this response, there is no question as to the link between fibromyalgia and gluten sensitivity.”

This tells me that we have unearthed another major piece of the wellness puzzle that sufferers of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and chronic pain should look at when trying to find their own, individualized approach to health.  The other key pieces that I have explored and found to be significant for me and for others are:

1. the role of thyroid functioning - large percentages of people have underactive thyroids or their cells are unable to use the thyroid their bodies are producing due to
2. iodine deficiency – about 95% of the population suffers from iodine deficiency which prevents cells from operating efficiently and using the thyroid circulating in the blood;
3. vitamin D deficiency – the range of D3 in the blood needs to be 50-65, not 30+ as some labs say is “normal”;
4. Adrenal gland fatigue and other endocrine gland imbalances;
5. Not enough intake of flouride and chlorine-free water;
6. Type of food eaten;
7. Need for probiotics;
   
8. Stress, stress, and stress and not enough intake of vitamins and minerals for our particular needs.

Our doctors are trained to treat symptoms, but some symptoms point to so many possible diseases that a systemic approach is a much better strategy.  We aren’t going to die of fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue, but we can get to feeling better if we can find a good Natural Health Doctor who will help us diagnose the whole body and apply the remedies that work the best for us.

Since starting on the gluten-free diet several weeks ago, I have a slight increase in energy and a slight decrease in pain levels.  It looks like it can take 5-6 months to experience the good effects of this program in full.  For more information go to The Gluten Doctors blogspot.

Comments?

You might enjoy my related posts:

Adrenal fatigue, gluten intolerance, and war on ignorance

A holistic approach to treating depression

A fairly cheap way to feel better – iodine

Guaifenesin vs. iodine in treating fibromyalgia

Tags: chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, wellness

The Great Benefits of the Nintendo Wii

April 15, 2010

I first mentioned the Nintendo Wii™ in my post:  Holistic Approach to Treating Depression where I wrote about the importance of exercise as part of a wellness program to overcome depression.  The Wii™ was a delightful discovery for me when I was in rehab after having both hips replaced.  Somehow, bowling and softball made regaining my balance and strengthening my legs a lot less onerous, and the occupational therapist I played with was a lot of fun.  Not only was the weather or having to go somewhere (getting in and out of a car was hard) not an issue, the mental lift I got from the exercise made me look forward the sessions.  Since then, I saw that Dr. David Williams [1] wrote about how the Wii™ is being used to help Parkinson’s patients improve balance and coordination.

If we suffer from debilitating conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, Parkinson’s, chronic back or knee pain, a stroke or obesity, our quality of life quickly diminishes.  We can easily lose our range of motion, muscle mass, and will to do even the most basic things like chopping veggies for a healthy dish, dusting the house or loading the laundry into a wash machine.  Getting in and out of a car can be a major project and slowly we find we have cut ourselves off from friends and healthy activities we once enjoyed because it is just too difficult to get out.  Depression sets in and one day we may wake up and ask ourselves, “How in the world did I get here?”

I cannot emphasize enough what Wii™ can do for us by giving us an enjoyable way to get moving, revving up the endorphins in our brains and helping us restore our balance and build muscle mass to help us move our bodies more easily. We can build core body strength, improve fine motor skills, and experience increased energy levels.  It can give us an excuse to invite a friend over for some healthy competition in a golf or bowling game, all without the stress on the body an actual game would cost us.

If you’ve ever wanted an alter-ego, the Wii™ makes it possible.  Using a character of your own creation you can track your wins, losses, and achievements, and it makes goal setting fun.  This is yet another engagement of the brain that helps with healing and improving cognitive functioning.

What I like best is that by playing a game I use the same muscles I need for doing ordinary daily activities, and it makes a good fill-in for the days I can’t make it to the therapy pool.

Probably one of the greatest challenges for a disabled person is to keep a good mental attitude, especially when getting a disease under control seems hopeless.  Playing Wii™ games makes me laugh and laughter lowers pain levels and strengthens the immune system, both of which affect depression levels.  Moving around helps the body throw off toxins that interfere with brain functioning.

If you know someone who could benefit from a Wii™ you will be doing them a great kindness to mention it and even offer to play games with them. How many lonely, depressed people with discouraging illnesses are out there who could be lifted up by playing a game with someone who cares? Who knows – you could be an “angel” in disguise.

[1] February 2010 Alternatives newsletter.  Click on the link at the sidebar for his web site.

Tags: chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, wellness

Sabbath Moments

April 10, 2010

Welcome to Sabbath Moments hosted by Colleen at Thoughts on Grace. Sabbath moments are the moments we rest in God, when we take time to just Be with God rather than Do.  Sabbath moments are those times when we live in the moment and find the holy in the ordinary.

This week I struggled with fibromyalgia pain and chronic fatigue.  Through it all I finished my regular monthly newsletter for Una Voce Arkansas Ozarks and got it posted. Then I completed an article I was writing on the unavoidable tragedy of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, researched for some blog posts and met with our insurance agent to find a better Medicare supplemental policy. These were not my Sabbath moments, but they led me to them.

My way of winding down after intense mental activity is to go out into God’s good sunshine and putter in the yard, to work on my digital art, or to gaze at a work of sacred art that leads me to prayer.  This week was great because I got to do all of it.  It may seem strange to say that puttering in the yard is a Sabbath moment, but it is.  When I am grooming plants, planting things or pulling weeds, I am reminded that all is God’s creation and am thankful He is letting me help take care of it and show His beauty to others.

When I work on digital painting, the beauty I create there is a dull reflection of God’s beauty.  It makes me think, “If this is beautiful, imagine what heaven will be like!”  Sacred art prompts me to meditate on the mysteries of salvation.

Through all these moments I keep thinking of God, my helplessness, and my need to trust in Him for all my needs, which leads to an undercurrent of constant prayer asking Him to help me to trust in Him more.

I want a good relationship with God.  Good relationships are built on trust.  Trust is letting go of self and selfishness and turning to face God.  Facing God, like facing the sun (the Son) brings warmth, peace, and well-being in a world gone mad.

Tags: chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, peace and joy

Asthma and Vitamin D Deficiency

April 6, 2010

The incidence of asthma is growing, especially among children.  One thing that seems to be an underlying cause is a vitamin D deficiency. I am writing about this because I know so many people who suffer from asthma, and if you have a chronic problem such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, lupus or other autoimmune problems, any other health difficulty makes the major problem much harder to deal with.

Only 5% to 37% of American infants meet the American Academy of Pediatrics standard for daily consumption of vitamin D – a mere 400 IU per day. This dose is required to prevent rickets, but it is not nearly enough to protect from other diseases. Who gets sick and who doesn’t may be affected by genetics and environment, but the more researchers study vitamin D deficiencies, the more they find that a key factor in many illnesses is not enough vitamin D.  One key problem parents should know about is that most blood levels of D considered “normal” are actually too low.  To reap the greatest health benefits from vitamin D, the blood test 25 OH D should result in a reading of 60ng/ml.  From Dr. Mercola’s site are recommended daily dosages of vitamin D and a warning:

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that poor diets and lack of vitamin D among mothers were determining factors in whether their children suffered from asthma, quite apart from the D levels of the child after birth.  Another issue of the journal calls the need to have an effective intake of vitamin D “urgent”.

Dr. Mercola says:

If you get your child’s levels to about 60 ng/ml, there’s a strong likelihood — especially if you combine it with exercise and balancing out her omega 3 and omega 6 fats as described below — that she will not experience asthma anymore.

He also points out:

Advair, for example, contains the long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) salmeterol. A 2006 analysis found that regular use of LABAs can increase the severity of an asthma attack. Researchers estimate that salmeterol may contribute to as many as 5,000 asthma-related deaths in the United States each year.

Conventional asthma treatments can also increase your risk of heart disease and osteoporosis, just to name a few.

To read the full article on the subject of vitamin D deficiency and asthma in children, go to Mothering Magazine. As far as adults go, look hard at keeping vitamin D levels adequate.  It is very inexpensive and has no side effects. Parents, ask for the 25 OH D blood test for all your children.  It could save their lives.

Tags: chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, wellness

Frustration

March 11, 2010

GRRRRRR!

After feeling better for a couple of months, I think I am backsliding.  For the past couple of weeks my allergies have been giving me a lot of trouble and no amount of vitamin C or anything else is helping.  It is so frustrating and it’s increasing my chronic fatigue.  The continual facial bone pain from the sinuses is maddening.  It seems that I can’t take any stress at all to body or mind without bad effects.  But I’m not giving up.

This past week I went to see a Natural Health Doctor for the first time in hopes we can find a way for me to overcome the allergies, improve my health overall, and restore hair loss from hormone imbalances.  There will be some non-invasive testing over the next couple of weeks.  Meanwhile, today everything is getting on my nerves and I’m soooo tired and feel really crabby.  Have any of you felt like this? Send some prayers my way, will you?  Thanks.

Tags: chronic fatigue

A Holistic Approach to Treating Depression

February 11, 2010

This article is the first in a series on depression.  By presenting basic information I hope to help others as I have been helped by a holistic approach.  The causes of depression are varied but chronic pain and other stressors play a big role. As we age it only gets more difficult to handle depression.  What is really important is that we take charge of our health and find medical professionals who think beyond prescribing pills.  The answer to getting well (or getting better) is unique for each person and discovering what works is like an adventure with Sherlock Holmes.  It takes a lot of work before the right combination of therapies are discovered.  One thing for sure, nobody is depressed because he needs more prescription antidepressants in his system.

Not long ago the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that “depression is the leading cause of disability as measured by YLDs (years living with disability) and the 4th  leading contributor to the global burden of disease (DALYs) (disability adjusted life years) in 2000.”[1] They estimate that by the year 2020, depression will rise to second place for all ages and both sexes.

About 121 million people worldwide suffer from this disease and every year about 850,000 people commit suicide because of depression according to WHO.  Signs of depression include: loss of interest or pleasure in life, feelings of guilt or low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness, low energy levels, poor concentration, disturbed sleep, aches and pains and eating abnormalities.  Barriers to effective care may be financial, lack of knowledge concerning the disorder, unavailability of qualified providers, and the social stigma attached to mental disorders which prevents people from seeking help.

What many people involved in conventional medicine don’t realize, and what holistic medical providers do understand is that depression is a systemic disorder that affects body and mind. Systemic problems require a systemic solution.  Often simple changes in life style can eradicate depression without the use of drugs and the expense of psychotherapy.  Approaching the treatment of depression as a systemic issue can ameliorate the social stigma still at issue in getting effective treatment.

Glandular malfunction

From a biochemical perspective, several glands are associated with depression.  The adrenal glands which sit atop the kidneys have two functions connected with depression.  First, they are the “stress” glands, and second, they are associated with the pancreas and regulation of blood sugar levels.

When people are stressed, the adrenal glands increase the production of hormones that put us on high alert and step up blood sugar levels to give us energy to overcome a perceived threat.  It doesn’t matter what the stress is from, if it continues long enough the effect on the body is the same — exhaustion of the adrenal glands.

When the adrenal glands are depleted, the thyroid gland tries to compensate by raising blood glucose levels.  The gland increases the metabolic rate which breaks down fats and protein into glucose.  But when the overworked thyroid is depleted, the metabolic rate slows resulting in chronic fatigue and “brain fog”.  In addition, the thyroid is often prevented from functioning well due to lack of adequate iodine in the gland, a major problem today in America.

When the adrenals and thyroid are depleted, the pituitary gland shifts into high gear and works to produce additional stimulating hormones to help with the thyroid function.  Unfortunately, overworking the pituitary gland results in greater depression.

Getting back to the basics: food, water, exercise

Fortunately, it is possible in many cases to restore healthy balance or an improved level of wellness in the body with logical, natural approaches, many of which work synergistically.  The first place to start is with food.  Providing the raw materials for neurotransmitters in the brain begins healing.

Poor eating habits are destructive to health and contribute to depression.  Eating five smaller meals a day helps with the regulation of blood sugar and “rests” the adrenals.  Getting the right mix of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates for each person’s biochemistry is essential.  What works for one person may not be best for another, so people must listen to their bodies.

Avoiding artificial sweeteners and allowing carb needs to be satisfied by raw vegetables and fruits rather than breads, cereal, and pasta from refined products is also essential. These foods along with some protein are great snacks and easy to take along when people are away from home.   Adequate and well-balanced protein, especially from whey or eggs can jump-start feeling better.  Protein is the building block for various neurotransmitters that play a role in regulating mood.

The body needs plenty of omega-3 fatty acids.  These come from sardines, tuna, Alaska red salmon, flax and chia seeds or from supplements.  Cod liver oil is an excellent source and it comes in flavors.

The second “basic” in natural treatment of depression is sufficient water which does not contain chlorine, fluoride, chemicals, hormones and other substances bad for the body.

To know how much water to drink daily take body weight in pounds, divide that number by two, and then divide the result by 8.  This tells how many cups of water are needed to maintain good hydration.  Other positive effects from proper hydration are pain reduction and a boosted immune system. [2]

The final “basic” natural therapy is exercise, the last thing a depressed person wants to do.  With severe depression most people don’t even want to get out of bed, but “…walking or some other form of exercise for 30 minutes a day can improve depression and mood in nearly everyone.”[3]  Beginning with 5 minutes a day is sufficient.  A high-tech, lower cost exercise aid is the Nintendo Wii™ with the opportunity to play bowling, softball, tennis and other games no matter what the weather.

Supplements

Although many people may find relief from depression by doing the basics listed above, supplements are often necessary to get the best results.  Probiotics, the healthy bacteria the intestines need to get the most out of an improved diet, is the first place to start.

Addressing adrenal and thyroid problems is also important and easily done by using supplements.  Drenamin® has been in use since 1935 for adrenal support.[4]

Hypothyroidism is a known cause of depression and nervousness. It is likely that 13 million adults in the United States have an undiagnosed hypothyroid condition and possibly close to 52 million suffer from the condition.[5]

Determining a low thyroid condition is easy using a basal temperature test.  Put an oral thermometer by the bedside.  Upon awakening in the morning do not get out of bed!  Place the thermometer in the armpit for 10 minutes.  Record the temperature.  Do this every day for a week.  A reading between 98.2 and 97.2 is considered normal.  If it is lower than this, it indicates a sluggish thyroid.[6]  However treating with a natural thyroid hormone supplement will not help depression if an iodine deficiency is present in the body.  Therefore, an iodine-loading test is necessary.  Test results for over 30,000 people indicate that about 96% of the population is iodine deficient. Supplementation with iodine which the thyroid (and all body cells) needs to function will often help depressed patients turn a corner from despair to hope.

A good multiple vitamin-mineral product will help keep systemic imbalances from occurring.  Antioxidants like Vitamin A and C help detoxify the body, reducing stress from toxins.  Sometimes extra B vitamins are necessary, especially B3 (niacinamide) and B12.  Niacinamide, a form of B3, is known to reduce anxiety and depression when taken several times a day.[7]  There is no way to overdose on B3 because it is metabolized by the body so quickly that within 3 hours all traces of it are gone.  It may take a few weeks to notice improvement, but the results can be astonishing.  People with years of “brain fog” and low energy are almost suddenly clear-headed and energetic.  Best of all, it is very inexpensive.

Herbalists have recommended St. John’s Wort for years to relieve depression.

Finally, in the supplement category are the effects of Vitamin D, called the Sunshine Vitamin. Doctors are now realizing that low levels of D cause a host of serious health issues, among which is fatigue and depression.  The optimal level of D is 50-65 ng/ml according to Dr.Mercola.  Physicians are discovering a large percentage of the population are very low on Vitamin D and need anywhere from 1000 -10,000 IU daily, particularly in winter when exposure to the sun is limited. Before starting Vitamin D supplementation, a blood test (25(OH)D) is necessary to determine the baseline levels of D in the body.

Other “natural” remedies

Full-spectrum light therapy is known to be beneficial to people depressed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).  Use of high enough levels of Vitamin D may make light treatment unnecessary.

Prayer has been shown to help relieve depression.

The Emotional Freedom Technique, a psychological acupressure technique which is being used increasingly by health professionals unblocks emotional issues affecting depression.  Click on the link for complete instructions on this application.  A person does not need to go to a health professional to apply this therapy.

All of the approaches covered in this article can be called “natural” in that none introduces foreign substances into the body to treat depression and all individually or in some combination right for the individual can help relieve depression.  All therapies put the patient in charge of feeling better with a holistic approach to the systemic problem of depression.

[1] http://www.who.int/mental_health/management/depression/definition/en/

[2] Drugs That Don’t Work and Natural Therapies That Do! by David Brownstein, M.D., p. 186-187

[3] ibid. p. 178

[4] http://www.standardprocess.com/display/displayFile.aspx?docid=95&filename=/Public/Lit/TabSheets/drenamin3650.pdf

[5] Overcoming Thyroid Disorders Second Edition by David Brownstein, M.D. p.35

[6]  Alternatives Newsletter, November 2009, Dr. David G. Williams, p.39

[7] http://www.doctoryourself.com/hoffer_niacin.html

Dr. Brownstein’s books are available in the “wellness” category at my custom store.

Tags: chronic fatigue, iodine, pain, wellness

Guaifenesin vs. Iodine in Treating Fibromyalgia

January 20, 2010

Many people suffering from fibromyalgia have stumbled upon the guifenesin protocol pioneered by Dr. Paul St. Amand explained in his book What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Fibromyalgia.* It apparently works well for some people although the restriction of avoiding all salicylates can be difficult for some to follow as salicylates are hidden in many items commonly used in the home and for personal hygiene such as toothpaste and lotions.

The use of iodine in treatment of fibromyalgia shows consistent success and is much easier to accomplish, but some people may need both to get well enough to live anything close to a normal life.  Karen Frandsen’s website has a lot of really useful information about treating fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, the accompanying brain fog and depression, hypoglycemia and other bad symptoms.  The holistic approach shows the greatest promise because it gets to the root of the problem and “fixes” it rather than the application of pharmaceuticals which may relieve symptoms but don’t cure.

Karen has a good list of the similarities and differences in the guaifenesin and iodine protocols here.  Be sure to read this because if you need to increase your knowledge, this will be a good reference.

If you don’t have a doctor willing to work with you on a holistic approach (mine moved away), you might be able to find a good family practice doctor who will be open-minded enough to help you as I have.  It’s not a good idea to have to do everything by yourself, but you, the patient are still the only one who can say whether a particular combination of supplements, hormones, exercise, and drugs, if necessary, make you feel better.

*Clicking on the book title above will take you to Amazon.

Tags: chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, guaifenesin, iodine

Another Really Cheap Way to Feel Better – Fibro-fog, Niacinamide, and Me

People with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue are constantly presented with sure-fire cures and magic bullets that are supposed to cure them.  I haven’t found a single one of them to work for me.  What has worked is a combination of approaches that has allowed me to manage life better.  Nearly all of it I figured out for myself by pursuing leads I got reading articles and books from holistic practitioners and from the first M.D. who treated me, getting me started on a low carb – high protein diet and thyroid. I owe them all.

As patients in an age where a pill is supposed to be the answer to everything and the government is moving towards serious denial of healthcare based on age and disability, I think we need to keep several things in mind:

1. Drug companies want to sell us their drugs.  That’s why they spend billions in advertising to the public, even though we can’t prescribe for ourselves.
2. Most drugs address symptoms, create unpleasant side effects, and don’t provide a cure.
3. Medical schools receive considerable funds from drug companies and most students are taught to treat symptoms with drugs rather than get down to the systemic issues that cause the condition in the first place.

I am not accusing doctors of bad will nor saying that there is no place for drugs.  I am deeply grateful to the surgeon who replaced my crippled hips and the painkillers I took at the time were necessary for recovery. Other situations call for the use of drugs to alleviate symptoms, too.

What I want to make clear is that we must be in charge of our own health because the things I am discovering are not presented in the average doctor’s office.  The pharmaceutical lobby is much bigger than most people realize and it is to their benefit to keep holistic approaches from the public which they do at every opportunity, especially in the area of supplements.   At the same time, every approach to fibromyalgia that has helped me I learned from reading books by medical doctors who practice holistic or alternative medicine.

The most recent discovery I made is what I call the wonders of niacinamide, a form of B-3.  Anyone who has fibro or knows someone with it knows that the brain fog is really awful.  Added to that is the anxiety and depression that accompany a chronic pain condition.  One thing I set out to do after my second hip replacement in January of 2009 was to get the use of my brain back.  After much improvement using thyroid, vitamin D, and iodine, a couple of months ago I started on niacinamide after reading about it in Dr. David William’s newsletter.  Continuing research convinces me that many others can benefit by taking this supplement.

Niacanamide and niacin are two different forms of vitamin B-3 and are slightly different chemically. Niacinamide does not cause the uncomfortable niacin flush. B-3 is an essential member of the B-vitamin family.  What interested me was a report from Dr. Williams about a study done at the University of California, Irvine, on reversing Alzheimer’s using niacinamide.  After reading how it worked in the brain, I decided to try it myself.  Here is part of the report covered at Orthomolecular.org:

Kim Green, Ph. D. neuroscientist, University of California, Irvine

Researchers at the University of California at Irvine gave the human dose equivalent of 2,000 to 3,000 mg of vitamin B3 to mice with Alzheimer’s. (2) It worked. Kim Green, one of the researchers, is quoted as saying, “Cognitively, they were cured. They performed as if they’d never developed the disease.”

(2) Green KN, Steffan JS, Martinez-Coria H, Sun X, Schreiber SS, Thompson LM, LaFerla FM. Nicotinamide restores cognition in Alzheimer’s disease transgenic mice via a mechanism involving sirtuin inhibition and selective reduction of Thr231-phosphotau. J Neurosci. 2008 Nov 5;28(45):11500-10.

Specifically, the study employed large amounts of nicotinamide, the vitamin B3 widely found in foods such as meat, poultry, fish, nuts and seeds. Nicotinamide is also the form of niacin found, in far greater quantity, in dietary supplements. It is more commonly known as niacinamide. It is inexpensive and its safety is long established. The most common side effect of niacinamide in very high doses is nausea. This can be eliminated by taking less, by using regular niacin instead, which may cause a warm flush, or choosing inositol hexaniacinate, which does not. They are all vitamin B3.

B3 and nerves go together. New research confirms that niacinamide (the same form of B3 used in the Alzheimer’s research) “profoundly prevents the degeneration of demyelinated axons and improves the behavioral deficits” in animals with an illness very similar to multiple sclerosis. (11)

(11) Kaneko S, Wang J, Kaneko M, Yiu G, Hurrell JM, Chitnis T, Khoury SJ, He Z. Protecting axonal degeneration by increasing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide levels in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis models. J Neurosci. 2006 Sep 20;26(38):9794-804. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search&DB=pubmed See also: Vitamins fight multiple sclerosis. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, October 4, 2006.

This website is very interesting.  They say: “Orthomolecular medicine describes the practice of preventing and treating disease by providing the body with optimal amounts of substances which are natural to the body.”  The site has the niacin molecule on the front page.

I chased down information on William Kaufman, M.D. and his over 60 year work on niacanamide and arthritis treatment as well, and discovered yet more information on the benefits of this supplement.  After reading articles by Dr. Kaufman and Dr. A. Hoffer relating over 60 years of successful clinical applications each, I determined I had nothing to lose by trying several doses a day.

My experiment resulted in a clearer brain, increased mental energy, and increased calmness.  The SADS disappeared, too.  All this occurred in about a month.  The fibro fog seems to have completely departed and there are no side effects.  Niacinamide disappears from the body in a matter of a few hours which is why several doses throughout the day are necessary to achieve an optimum benefit.

According to articles at Doctor Yourself, Niacinamide has also proven effective in treating the following conditions:

• High cholesterol
• Atherosclerosis
• Diabetes
• Osteoarthritis
• Cataracts
• Burns
• AMD
• Cancer
• Alcoholism
• Juvenile Diabetes
• Behavioral disorders

I strongly recommend reading Dr. Hoffer’s article as well as Dr. Kaufmann’s.  Doctor Yourself is a really interesting and informative web site that I have bookmarked for myself.  What worked for me may not work for others, but trying niacinamide in careful doses has no downside that I could find.  Each person’s chemistry is different, but once again, I have found a really cheap way to feel better.

Tags: chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, wellness

Of Water Therapy and Miso Soup

Today I went to the fitness center to do my water therapy exercises after two weeks off during the holidays.  I was surprised to find that I was in better shape than I thought.  My 3x weekly workouts are slowly strengthening my arms and legs from the past year’s surgeries.  The bonus is that I’ve lost about 20 lbs. and only have 25 more to go.  The exercises were given to me by my wonderful physical therapist and I have added a couple more to help improve balance and co-ordination.  These times in the pool are also terrific for my fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and neuro disorders.  If you’d like to know what I’m doing so you can see if it would work for you, leave a comment and I’ll make some posts about the exercises.  Really, they are not hard and they don’t leave me miserable as land therapy does.  In fact, I really hate to leave the pool.  It’s warm water!

Now for the miso soup part of the day.  After working out my husband and I went to the health food store where I saw a product called “Miso-Cup®”, a freeze-dried instant soup.  Friends know that I love much about the Japanese – classical movies, kimonos, the countryside, the spirit of the people and many more things.  It’s turned into quite a love affair.  After seeing many movies mentioning miso, I have wanted to taste it, but thought it would never happen.  Imagine my surprise when I found that I could get it right in Springfield!  This stuff tastes good, and attention fibromyalgia sufferers, it is a living food like yogurt, made of fermented soy and rice.  This is really important for the IBS aspect of fibro.  I bought the kind with wakame seaweed and it was delicious, tasting very vaguely like chicken soup.  One cup only has 3 grams of carbs for you carb watchers out there, it’s filling and the price was economical. The box tells the story of miso and I’m not going to spoil the fun by telling you.  Just know that this could be a good food for people affected by wheat sensitivities, IBS, blood sugar problems, and other systemic issues.  It doesn’t say that on the box: I deduced it from the information given. So now I have one more thing I love about Japan and maybe you will, too.

I took the picture from Steamy Kitchen, Jaden Hair’s blog.  It shows tofu in the miso instead of wakame.  You can get Miso Cup® with tofu and with vegetables, too. Steamy Kitchen tells you how to make it fresh.  Jaden Hair is fantastic but if you go to Steamy Kitchen, beware!  This blog can be addictive if you like to putter in the kitchen and try recipes from around the world.

Tags: chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia

A Really Cheap Way to Feel a Lot Better

If you could possibly reduce the number of prescription drugs you have to take for various conditions and feel a lot better by taking a single substance, would you look into it?

 Over the past year and in between hip replacements, I’ve been studying the effect vitamin D has had on how I feel and on health and wellness in general.  Much research is being done on the subject and many discoveries concerning the debilitation due to deficiency of D are coming to the fore. I thought that writing about this might help a lot of people who are really struggling with health issues.

In addition to the considerable coverage of vitamin D by Dr. Mercola, you can learn more fron the Vitamin D Council itself.  According to the Council, “Current research has implicated that vitamin D deficiency is a major factor in the pathology of at least 17 varieties of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease, and more.”  Adequate vitamin D levels also boost the immune system. 

Tags: chronic fatigue, wellness

Those Pesky Little Neurites

Anyone who suffers from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, heavy stress or other disabling conditions has a brain under attack.  One of my favorite websites for learning more about systemic ways to address my own conditions as well as giving me insight on health problems others face is Vitamin Research Products.  You can sign up for a free enews monthly newsletter as I have if you want short, informative and educational articles covering a variety of health challenges written by scientists who work for VRP. I consider them an important part of my wellness education.“Now where did I put that?”, “What was I just saying?”, ”How did you say I should do that?” and other similar experiences can be a sign of deteriorating neurites.  The good news is that neurite outgrowth can actually be enhanced with improves the brain’s neural communications network.

Yes, they want you to buy their products and they explain what the formulations should do, how you should use them, and what they are for.  No, I get nothing from VRP and have yet to purchase anything from them because of budgetary considerations but I would really like to some day.  Nevertheless, the articles themselves are worth checking out.  They are short, fully footnoted, and identify research findings related to numerous conditions. 

We also can have “brain fog” from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, and from side effects of some prescription drugs.  For example, in a recent article, “Four Ways to Keep Your Brain Young for Good” I learned that given the right conditions, brain cells can regenerate themselves.  Neurites, branch-like extensions on brain cells can be reduced as we age, causing what people call “senior moments.”

Another good article, “Could Chronic Stress be Lowering Your IQ?” talked about the effects of excessive levels of cortisol on the brain.  It states that there may even be a connection between Alzheimer’s and stress. 

If you or anyone you know might benefit from more knowledge about the factors involved in brain functioning take a look at these short articles and keep those pesky neurites functioning well.

Tags: chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, pain