Fibromyalgia

Brain Function As I have mentioned in previous secrets, brain function is extremely important in treating fibromyalgia! Our brain needs two things to survive:  fuel and activation. Fuel is glucose and oxygen, which is why we use Exercise With Oxygen Therapy (EWOT) in our office.  We have addressed the glucose end of the equation: now let’s address the importance of…

The evils of GLUTEN! Gluten is one of the biggest culprits in causing an autoimmune condition that I see in my office.  Remember in Fibromyalgia Treatment Success #2 that I said fibromyalgia can be caused by an autoimmune condition?  That’s why it is EXTREMELY important to be tested properly for gluten sensitivity.  In our office, we run a food sensitivity…

Vitamin D You always seem hear in the news that there’s some new vitamin to consider or new deficiency to consider, but when it comes to fibromyalgia or any autoimmune condition – it’s very important that patients are taking Vitamin D to help their immune system. Modern diets are lacking in Vitamin D rich foods.  What are Vitamin D rich…

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) Healthy hormone production depends on Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s).  You’ve probably heard about these nutrients; fish oil, flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil, black currant seed oil. In our diets, EFA’s can be found in cold water fish and in many raw, unprocessed nuts and seeds.  EFA’s not only contribute nutrients for hormones but also for proper…

The Adrenal Glands! Your adrenal glands make a hormone called “cortisol”.  They sit atop your kidneys and they are your stress glands.  They make a lot of hormones for your body in addition to cortisol, such as aldosterone and androgens.  Your adrenal glands are vital for optimal health.  When your adrenal glands are not working, it causes high levels of…

Cytokines! Cytokines are the messengers that your immune system uses as part of the inflammatory process and inflammation = PAIN!!! When a patient has an inflammatory condition like arthritis, IBS, asthma or an autoimmune condition like Lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, there are usually high levels of cytokines. Remember, I said there are two parts to your immune system, TH-1 and…

Intestinal Fortitude…LITERALLY! Gut function is extremely important, and can be affected by something called “Leaky Gut Syndrome” (LGS).  You may or may not have heard of it.  Leaky Gut Syndrome is where the lining of your intestines have become more permeable, so it allows things like food particles and large molecules to permeate your system and create havoc with your…

Don’t fall into the false belief that… “Everything has been done!” Believing that all of the labs that have been done are normal is WRONG!  I can't tell you how many times a patient walks in my office and tells me that their medical doctor told them that all their labs are normal.  Yes, they may be normal in regards…

Do Not Allow Your Health Condition to be Labeled and Placed in a Nice, Neat Box! Do not accept “fibromyalgia” as a label for all of your symptoms.  There’s no simple explanation for why you have this problem.  That’s why ALL of the testing needs to be done.  When you were first diagnosed with fibromyalgia, you might have been happy…

Don’t Use Medications as a Crutch! Are you relying solely on medication to treat your symptoms?  The “fibromyalgia medication,” Lyrica, is not a fibromyalgia medication at all!  It is an anti-seizure medication or an epilepsy drug.  The same holds true for Neurotin and Topamax.  Ask yourself if you really think all of the medications that you’re taking are actually making…