April 28, 2008
Where to Buy 024 FibromyalgiaTM?
Q: I was wondering if you sell 024 topical pain cream for Fibromyalgia. I am having a hard time finding it. – Lynne
A: No, ProHealth does not currently carry 024 Fibromyalgia, a camphor-based product. It may be ordered online from the Canada-based manufacturer, Swiss Medica.
_____________________________ Seaweed Wrap for FM?
Q: I was on a cruise recently and visited their spa. One of their employees tried to sell me on the benefits of a seaweed wrap to treat the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. She said that the alkaline properties of seaweed reacted to the acidity in the muscles of Fibromyalgia patients and took a significant amount of the pain away for 4-6 weeks.
The treatment was pretty expensive ($175) so I didn’t get it then as I wanted to check it out first. Is this something you’re familiar with or was I just getting a sales talk? If it’s really true, it would be worth the investment of time and money. The science seemed to make sense, but I was never very good in science!
A: Since there is no evidence that Fibromyalgia patients have excess acidity in their muscles, the explanation sounds like a sales pitch.
Fibromyalgia is a malfunction of the central nervous system that causes pain amplification. Although much of the pain may be felt in the muscles, there is no actual muscle damage. That said, it’s not unusual for FM patients to tighten their muscles as a reaction to the pain. The result can be muscle tension and spasms, which in turn cause increased pain. Any treatment that helps relieve the tension and spasms could improve pain symptoms for a period of time, so it’s possible the seaweed wrap might be helpful in that way.
However, there are other treatments, like myofascial release therapy, that have the same effect but are less expensive.
_____________________________ Difference Between ME, CFS, FM?
Q: What, if anything, is the difference between ME and CFS and FM? – JAN
A: That question has been debated by physicians and scientists for many years. Some feel ME, CFS and FM are different facets of the same illness, while others believe they are distinct illnesses that share several common symptoms. Further complicating the situation is the fact that 70 percent of people who have been diagnosed with one, are also diagnosed with the other.
ME/CFS – ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) and CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) are often used interchangeably. In the past 20 years there has been, and continues to be, considerable controversy over both the name of the illness and its definition or diagnostic criteria. Myalgic Encephalopathy is a medical term meaning a disorder of the brain accompanied by muscle pain. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis indicates inflammation of the brain and spinal cord accompanied by muscle pain. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is the name the CDC decided to give the illness in 1988 because they couldn’t identify its cause.
Generally speaking, ME/CFS symptoms may include:
- Fatigue that is persistent, relapsing or debilitating and does not improve with bed rest
- Short-term memory or concentration problems
- Sore throat
- Multi-joint pain without joint swelling or redness
- Muscle pain
- Headaches of a new type, pattern or severity
- Non-refreshing sleep
- Post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours
- Achiness
- Brain fog
- Increased thirst
- Bowel disorders
- Recurrent infections
- Exhaustion after minimal exertion
Just as there have been many names for ME/CFS, there have also been a number of definitions. The best thus far seems to be the Canadian Definition. You can download a full copy of the Canadian Definition here (http://www.cfids-cab.org/MESA/ccpccd.pdf)
FM – FM (Fibromyalgia) is a malfunction of the central nervous system that causes disordered pain processing, and results in pain amplification. The primary symptoms of FM are: widespread chronic pain, extreme fatigue, and sleep problems. Other symptoms which may occur include: allergies, irritable bowel, irritable bladder, headaches, migraines, dizziness, numbness and tingling, sensitivity to cold or heat, depression, restless legs syndrome, chemical or environmental sensitivities, impaired balance or coordination, dry eyes and mouth, vision problems, or problems with memory, concentration and cognitive functioning.
Differences – Although there are many similarities, there are also significant differences.
- FM is identified by 18 distinct tender points (designated points on the body that are painful when four kilograms of pressure are applied), while ME/CFS is distinguished by post-exertional malaise (deep fatigue and exhaustion following physical exertion, which lasts more than 24 hours).
- Substance P (a neurotransmitter that sends pain signals) is elevated in FM but not in ME/CFS.
- RNaseL (a cellular antiviral enzyme) is frequently elevated in chronic fatigue syndrome but not in fibromyalgia.
- ME/CFS is often triggered by an infectious or flu-like illness, while FM is usually triggered by a severe physical or emotional trauma (for example, injury, illness, surgery, prolonged stress).
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B-12 Deficiency & FM Article?
Q: Can you please send me the most recent article on B-12 deficiency? I inadvertently deleted it from my e-mail. Thank you. Keep up the good work. – Martha
A: The condensed version of Dr. Myatt’s B-12 article, “The Vitamin B-12 – ME/CFS/FM Connection” is at http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/id/8749.
The longer, more comprehensive and detailed version of the article, “B-12 Deficiency in ME/CFS and FM May Provide Clues and Relief” is at http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/id/8784.
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Dr. Pall’s Antioxidant Protocol?
Re: "Antioxidant Suggestions for down-regulation of the NO/ONOO- Cycle from Dr. Martin L. Pall, PhD.”
Q: I am curious about Dr. Martin Pall's antioxidant protocol for ME/CFS etc. (1) Do you carry a 'package' of the supplements, and enough for the whole 'treatment'? (2) In his directions, 5 steps, does one keep the first 'step' of antioxidants going, add in the second group, add in the third and so on? Or does one take the first group, end that when one starts the second, and so on? - Beverly
A: ProHealth does offer all of the preparations in the regimen Dr. Pall developed. They would all be taken daily, but Dr. Pall suggests that in the beginning you can phase them in at three-day intervals. They are not a “treatment,” but rather offer a rich supply of antioxidants & other nutrients that may help the body downregulate a biochemical problem Dr. Pall believes is common to ME/CFS, FM, and other illnesses - including tinnitis (ringing ears) and other inner-ear/balance problems, according to his latest journal article. We’ve spoken with Dr. Pall and hope to share a report from him soon on the sorts of responses people seem to be getting.
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Note: This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is generic and is not meant to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure any illness, condition, or disease. It is very important that you make no change in your healthcare plan or health support regimen without researching and discussing it in collaboration with your professional healthcare team.
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