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Do You Suffer From Any of These Symptoms?
- Do you suffer with chronic fatigue to the point of always being exhausted?
- Do you have chronic pain, with burning and aching in your muscles?
- Do you have difficulty sleeping at night, difficulty getting that
deep, restful sleep that makes you feel refreshed in the morning?
If you have answered "yes" to one or more of these questions, you may be suffering with a condition known as "fibromylagia."
Fibromylagia is a disorder often misdiagnosed by the majority of medical practitioners. Most medical schools do not treat it as a real disease and medical practitioners who do recognize it will often refer patients to their psychiatric colleagues. It is sometimes known as "chronic fatigue syndrome," "chronic myofascial pain syndrome" and other names. It is estimated that up to about 5-6% of the population may suffer with this condition. It seems to primarily affect women, although it certainly does affect men and even children.
The pain associated with fibromylagia can be limited or diffuse (spread out). Patients complain of deep aching, throbbing, stabbing and shooting pains throughout their body. There may be tingling and numbness in the extremities, as well as frequent morning stiffness and increasing discomfort. The fatigue may be quite overwhelming, to the point that it even interferes with the simplest daily activities.
Additionally, most people with fibromylagia have an associated sleep disorder, which prevents them from getting a full, deep night of sleep. There are other symptoms with fibromylagia, including migraine and irritable bowel syndrome. Many complain of difficulties with their memory and concentration, skin sensitivities, or mood swings. The cause of this ailment is not known. although it may well be a viral illness that has eluded detection by the most skilled researchers. Also, because it is often misdiagnosed as mental of psychological problem very little research has been conducted on its origins. What is known is that its frequency is increasing, especially among those who live in areas where environmental stress is evident.
The current edition of the Journal of Rheumatology International has published a definitive answer to this question. The role of free radicals in fibromylagia has often been a subject of scientific speculation. Now, in a study published in this journal, 85 female patients with primary fibromylagia were matched with 80 healthy women. Their oxidant/anti-oxidant balance was measured. There was a particular toxic metabolite (a substance essential to the process in which energy is provided and new material is created) called malondialdehyde, which is used as a marker for free radical damage. Additionally, there is an enzyme called superoxide dismutase, which is a powerful anti-oxidant. It was found that those women suffering with fibromylagia had significantly higher levels of malondialdehyde and significantly lower levels of superoxide dismutase, compared to the controlled subjects. The authors concluded that the oxidant/anti- oxidant balances were changed in fibromylagia, and that free radical levels may be responsible for the development of this condition.
The traditional treatment for fibromylagia in the United States primarily involves the use of anti- depressants and strong antibiotics. Most people do not respond well and their condition grows worse. Fortunately, there are several nutrients that have been shown over the years to help reduce the symptoms and often lead to a complete recovery. I
n one study, subjects were given oral doses of 200 mg of co-enzyme Q10 and 200 mg of gingko biloba each day for twelve weeks. A progressive improvement in the quality of life scores was observed over the course of the study. At the end of the study, 64% of individuals reported that they were better, while only 9% claimed that they felt worse.
In another study, 21 consecutive patients with fibromylagia were included in an open four-week pilot study. These patients were given melatonin 3 mg at bedtime. At the end of one month, patients reported a decrease in the number of tender points and severity of pain, along with overall improvement in sleep. Although this was an open study, the results suggest that melatonin may be an effective and safe treatment for people with fibromylagia.
The mineral selenium has been studied in fibromylagia. In one study from about five years ago, 68 consecutive patients with fibromylagia were matched with 97 healthy controls. It was found that those patients suffering with fibromylagia had a significantly decreased amount of selenium in their blood compared to the controlled subjects. Selenium is renowned as a powerful anti-oxidant, and it is a co- factor for certain anti-oxidant enzymes in the body. Without the addition of adequate selenium, these enzymes cannot properly function.
Other nutrients that have shown some benefit for fibromylagia include magnesium. The typical recommended dose of magnesium is 400-600 mg daily.
Finally, the most effective nutrient by far to be studied and the most powerful is S-adenoslmethionine (otherwise known as SAMe). In one study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, 800 mg of SAMe was administered daily, versus placebo for 6 weeks in 44 patients with primary fibromylagia (double- blinded). At the end of the study, there was a statistically significant improvement in pain, fatigue, morning stiffness and mood in the treated group, compared to the placebo group.
Other nutrients that may be of significant help to people suffering from fibromylagia or CFS include the high-energy producers Acetyl L-Carnitine and Alpha Lipoic Acids. These powerful antioxidants are powerful anti-aging compounds as well.