See which brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) you may be low in by taking the quiz below… The “S” Group – Serotonin Please mark the items which apply to your present feelings: __ It’s hard for you to go to sleep. __You can’t stay asleep. __You often find yourself irritable. __Your emotions often lack rationality. __You occasionally […]
It can be hard to believe that fibromyalgia, an extremely complicated illness, one that continues to baffle most physicians, could ever respond to natural over the counter vitamin supplements. While doctors and medical researchers continue to look for the holy grail drug combination to “cure” fibro, the only result is the increase in the drug […]
Anyone can give up, it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength. – Author Unknown Battling fibromyalgia, the pain, fatigue, low moods, weight gain, insomnia, can be a real test of one’s willpower. It’s hard to be positive, […]
Fibromyalgia patients are often bombarded with recommendations for mind altering, health robbing drugs. Antidepressants and tranquilizing benzodiazepine anxiety pills are common. But these drugs often cause more problems than good. I’m not anti drug but no one has an antidepressant deficiency. Learning where the happy hormones or neurotransmitters come from allows you to use the […]
Should we celebrate National Fibromyalgia Day? Well yes and no. I don’t believe it is appropriate to celebrate a disease or even a day that recognizes a disease. Wouldn’t it be great if there wasn’t an awareness day because fibromyalgia doesn’t exist anymore? Wishful thinking I know, but celebrating fibromyalgia doesn’t feel right. True, those […]
Fat provides energy, produces certain hormones, insulatesus from cold, and makes up cellular membranes. It is the primary source of fuel for the muscles, including the heart. Fats have gotten a bad rap in our society. Low-fat diets have been the rage for years, promising weight-loss and improved health. But this line of thinking […]
Brain fog or diminished mental clarity is a common complaint from patients with fibromyalgia. The traditional drugs of choice for fibromyalgia include NSAIDS, antidepressants, anticonvulsant medications, muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, and pain medications. These drugs may provide short-term relief but their results are often fleeting and their side-effects are detrimental. It’s not unusual for FMS patients […]
Recurrent UTI symptoms may point at a problem known as interstitial cystitis (IC). Interstitial cystitis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder that causes frequent, urgent, and painful urination and pelvic discomfort. The lining of the bladder breaks down, allowing toxins to irritate the bladder wall, and the bladder becomes inflamed and tender […]
Urinary tract disorders are another “layer of the onion” that might need to be peeled away to make you better. Of my FMS patients, 25% have chronic UTIs or interstitial cystitis. Individuals with fibromyalgia and CFS often have problems with their urinary system. They may experience chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), interstitial cystitis, incontinence (involuntary […]
More About NutraSweet and Other Sweeteners NutraSweet (Aspartame) Aspartame has been associated with a multitude of health risks and has largely lost favor around the world. Consider that the FDA had its concerns and denied approval of aspartame for 16 years before it finally gave in to political/economic pressure. This controversial artificial sweetener was approved […]
For 90 percent of Americans, hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune thyroid disease. Considering most of the immune system is situated in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, poor gut health may play a significant role in triggering and exacerbating autoimmune diseases including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. GI or Gut Flora and Thyroid Hormones Our digestive tracts contain […]
The Health Dangers of NutraSweet-Fibromyalgia and Aspartame Aspartame can be found in most diet sodas and in other artificially sweetened food products. Commonly known as NutraSweet or Equal, it is broken down by the body into methanol and formaldehyde. Toxic levels of methanol are linked to systemic lupus and now Alzheimer’s disease. Methanol toxicity can […]
The diffuse muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia can be debilitating. Unless you’ve experienced the achy all over pain that accompanies fibromyalgia you can’t imagine the amount of discomfort, stress, and fatigue it creates. For those people who don’t know what fibromyalgia is like, I ask them to imagine waking up everyday with the flu from […]
Gluten Intake May Trigger Low Thyroid Function and Lead to Fibromyalgia I find that 40-50% of my fibromyalga and CFS patients are suffering with low thyroid function. Many of these patients are plagued with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Gluten sensitivity has been implicated in contributing to Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism. Several studies now show the link between gluten sensitivity […]
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) for Fibromyalgia and CFS Essential fatty acids are, as their name implies, essential for our existence. Essential fatty acids cannot be manufactured by the body and must be obtained from food.They make up the outer membranes of each cell. These membranes determine which nutrients get into and out of the cells. […]
