Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Nine out of 10 people with Fibromyalgia are women. I have no idea whether it is because women are more receptive and hold their emotions to their heart (and inside their bodies) or whether hormones play a huge role in making us more 'sensitive' to the syndrome. Perhaps both. Either way, it suggests a weakened energy system, can be crippling, and many are on disability because of it. I suspect it has something to do with pH balance.
Common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Symptoms commonly experienced by those with Fibromyalgia are Restless Leg Syndrome, Tinnitus, Migraine & Muscular Headaches, TMJ (temporomandibular disorder, which causes jaw and face pain), Depression, Candida (yeast infection), numbness and/or tingling in limbs, chronic joint or muscle tissue pain (which tends to settle in different areas of the body), IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), anxiety and crippling tiredness that does not go away after a full 8 hours of sleep (read CFS above), morning stiffness, taking a long time to 'wake up', feeling panicked about the day' events before even rising, trouble with memory or concentration ('brain fog'), being easily overwhelmed and hypersensitive, meaning easily moved to emotion, startled easily, with abnormal (meaning ultra-sensitive or mislocated) pain reaction, complaint that even moderate exercise creates extreme muscle fatigue, makes symptoms worse, or can make symptoms suddenly appear worse 2-3 days after exercising or doing something strenuous.
Possible Causes of Fibromyalgia
Ongoing Stress (which produces acidity in the body), such as prolonged negative emotions (fear, resentment, shame), Muscular/Emotional Tension, Trauma, Post Traumatic Stress, Post Surgical Stress, Hypoglycemia, Diabetes, Heart Problems, Lack of Sleep & Sleep Disorders, Caffeine, Food Additives, Preservatives & Dyes, Genetic or Physical Makeup, Toxic Tap Water, Hormone Changes, Muscle Tissue Hypoxia, Poor Relationships, Low Blood Pressure (caused by salt deficiency), Electromagnetic Energy Imbalances, Lack of Connectivity to the Supreme Being, Bacterial or Viral Illness, Insufficient Growth Hormone (due to lack of refreshing sleep), Menopause (hormone imbalance), Muscle Overuse or Underuse, Myositis, Myalgia (a symptom/syndrome), Chronic Muscle Tensing, Toxicity, Bowel Diseases such as Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis, Leaky Gut Syndrome, Lack of Exposure to Daylight (Vitamin D deficiency), Neck Injury, High Amounts of 'Substance P' in the Spinal Fluid, Lack of Meaning or Purpose. Fibromyalgia may be a symptom of Adrenal Burnout, Sleep Apnea (which is also a symptom of Adrenal Burnout) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (above). Bad Stress Response (where some part of the individual perceives threat even when there may not be one or reaction to stress is exaggerated on some level) and A Diet Too High in Acidic Forming Foods (pH imbalance).
Spiritual/Psychological cause: There is resistance to moving on to new experiences in life. This might explain why muscles resist exercise (movement).
The number one cause of Fibromyalgia....
in my opinion, is ongoing build up of acids in the body (specifically, Lactic Acid in the muscles, tendons and ligaments, which causes pain) and mineral imbalances (the lack of calcium, magnesium, etc.), due to the highly acidic pH levels.
If you eat a diet primarily of acidic foods, are unduly stressed, and have a depletion of necessary minerals, your ability to metabolize acids decreases, your mineral levels decrease and your acidity increases. Hypoxia develops. Trapped acid causes pain and fatigue in muscles, joints and tendons occurs. It also causes all manner of disease. Emotional stress can encourage high acid levels of the body.
A Definitive Explanation of Why Your Muscles Hurt!
Hypoxia, as it relates to Fibromyalgia, (meaning 'low oxygen') is a situation of having too little oxygen in the muscle tissues. This causes inhibition of glycolosis, reducing ATP synthesis. Reduced ATP synthesis creates guconeogenesis, which causes the break down of muscle proteins into amino acids to be used as substitutes for ATP synthesis. This tissue breakdown causes pain.
I Know. It Can Be Confusing!
*Glycolosis is a method of breaking down blood sugars into energy (ATP). When glycolosis is inhibited (reduced or stopped), the cells are left without a means to energize. In Fibromyalgia, Glycolosis is inhibited by a reduction of oxygen in muscle tissue.
*Gluconeogenesis is the process of energy being formed by everything but Carbohydrates. This means that the proteins in your muscles are broken down and used for making energy instead. It is this tissue breakdown that results in pain.
*ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) is energy inside each cell.
Please visit 'The Importance of pH Balance!'
FS In Relation To CFS
It is possible that Fibromyalgia Syndrome is the result of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, with a heightened sensitivity to pain. Many Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue sufferers, although not all, are understandably depressed. I have read that depression may (key word here) lead to changes in the chemistry of the brain, which might be the cause of this sensitivity to pain found with Fibromyalgia.
What is Substance 'P'?
Those with Fibromyalgia often have more Substance P in their spinal fluid, a chemical that sends pain messages to the brain. Pain may be localized in a specific area, such as the neck and shoulder or pain can be more generalized. It commonly effects the neck, spine, shoulders and hip and can be the cause of sleep disturbances.
Treatments for Fibromyalgia
There is no diet for Fibromyalgia. This is one of the reasons I devised 'The Natural Weigh' for those suffering from Fibromyalgia and other stress syndromes. However, there are certain foods that may actually cause Fibromyalgia in some individuals.
Eliminate wheat (gluten), corn, dairy, citrus, soy, nuts and sugar from the diet for 2 weeks and then add one back in every 2-3 days to see if you have a reaction, such as headache, bloating, stomach distress, moodswing, muscle ache/pain, tiredness or some other symptom. Keeping a journal will help with this so that you can see patterns. It may take a food substance up to 3 days to trigger a negative response. Begin eating foods that help your brain to manufacture more 'feel good' brain chemicals such as Serotonin. See, 'Eating, Naturally!'
When you look at the possible causes of Fibromyalgia, you can see how the mind, body and spirit are all in question. One of the first things you can do is to start taking Calcium, Magnesium & Zinc (with Vitamin D). Coral Calcium is touted to be the best in helping those with Fibromyalgia, although Calcium Citrate works quite well. It is easily tolerated and absorbed by the body. Taking Calcium without Magnesium can cause excess Calcium to become toxic and you won't be able to relax your muscles! Magnesium helps with wimpy muscles. Sufferers of 'wet noodle' muscles are usually deficient in Magnesium. Magnesium is required for over 100 enzyme reactions in the body! A large percent of FM/CFS sufferers are Magnesium deficient 'inside' their cells. Blood tests will not show this. Magnesium and Malic Acid (see below) are probably the two greatest allies you can have against Fibromyalgia! Alkaline foods that are high in Magnesium are cashews, tofu, bananas, dried figs, avocado and blackstrap molasses.
Malic Acid Supplements are extremely important. Malic Acid forms ATP (cellular energy) and allows the body to make it even under low oxygen or hypoxic conditions. Malic Acid is found in high concentrations in apples. 600 mg per day is not enough. 1200 mg per day is sufficient and can be found in a nutritional supplement called 'Super Malic'. People with Fibromyalgia have high levels of lactic acid built up in their muscles. Malic Acid helps to flush out lactic acid (and uric acid, which attacks collagen), which helps to reduce pain. It also detoxifies aluminum toxicity in the body. Malic Acid reduces chronic muscle soreness and muscle tiredness. It also helps to increase exercise tolerance. Most people feel a significant difference within 48 hours and a reduction of general fatigue within just two weeks.
Foods that break down lactic acid are lemons, apples, coconuts, Omega 3s, avocado, flaxseeds, black cherry juice and olive oil.
Apple Cider Vinegar (the unprocessed form) contains Malic Acid, which helps to reduce the body's acidity and restore pH balance! It specifically flushes Lactic Acid and breaks down acid crystals. It also helps the body to produce ATP (cellular energy). You can begin with adding 2 teaspoons of ACV to 8 ounces of warm or cold water and drinking it a couple of times per day. You can add a little honey (it's alkaline) as well. There are many websites to choose from that will offer information about the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar and how to use it.
Lemon juice helps to restore pH. Add 1 ounce to every 8 ounces of water you drink.
Try 5-HTP (100 mg - 3 x per day or 300 mg at night) to help with sleep and anxiety. Most individuals with Fibromyalgia don't get adequate sleep, due to the inability to stay, or ever get to, 'deep' sleep. Up to 75% of all Fibromyalgia patients have sleep disorders due to muscle spasm and pain.
Add Antioxidants to your vitamin regimen! Co-Q10 works wonders at keeping cells from becoming 'rusty' and diseased. Add Vitamin E as well. Take as directed. Drink Green tea or add a 'green' drink' to your day, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables (at least 50% of your diet). Cilantro (Chinese parsley), a 1/2 cup per day for one month helps to remove toxic metal wastes. All of these contain wonderful antioxidants to keep cells energized and healthy!
Increase exercise, but gently. Do not overdo on exercise! Take a warm shower afterwards to relax the body. Use an ice pack, alternating with wet heat, for pain. For more on how to exercise properly with CFS or FS, click 'here'. I have provided safe, illustrated exercises for you so that you can design your own 'flexibility' program based on your particular strengths and weaknesses.
For TMJ, keep a little paper dixie cup in the freezer (with water in it). Use it as a mini-ice pack for your jaw.
Begin taking Omega-3 Fish Oils, 1000 mg per day. Omega-3s help with pain and inflammation associated with muscles and joints caused by arthritis and related dis-ease. they also help with depression. It's brain fuel! Take as directed on the label. No side effects reported in normal doses. For more information, visit www.omegabrite.com.
Drink cups of hot water. Hot water relaxes muscles. This might help with a tummy ache too.
Fibromyalgia hurts! Sometimes it is hard to tell if the muscle or the joint is hurting. Either way, an ointment containing Capsaicin (the 'hot' in peppers) can be used as a topical pain reliever. It is to be used like a sports cream, or muscle rub. The advantage is that Capsaicin reduces the amount of Substance P in the area it is applied to. Never use heat therapy with topical pain relievers!
Get a massage. Fibromyalgia is known for tense muscles and those tense muscles cause pain. Massage can help.
Acupuncture and Chiropractic manipulations may also help. I am not an advocate of regular spinal manipulations, but there are times when it can really help.
Have more Ginger and Turmeric. See "Tea, Anyone?". Do not use Turmeric if you have a blot-clotting disease, are pregnant, trying to conceive or have fertility problems. Those of you 65 and older should take the lowest dose possible.
Quercitin, a flavonoid, is known to reduce inflammation disorders of the muscles and joints. Speak to your doctor if you are already taking asthma medication.
Posture improvement is extremely important for those with Fibromyalgia. Because of the constant stress of pain and fatigue, those with Fibromyalgia tend to slump over rather than stand tall. This increases muscle weakness, which increases pain. Whenever possible, imagine you are a puppet and your creator is pulling the string that runs from the top of your head. Pull your head and shoulders up and back during the day, especially when sitting, as often as you can remember. Use a back pillow for your car seat and your office chair. Get involved in some simple neck, shoulder and back exercises as shown in 'Exercises for HSPs (Highly Sensitive People)'. These exercises are designed specifically for improving posture and strengthening muscle tone with out hurting you or making you more tired in the process.
There is nearly always an underlying emotional component related to Fibromyalgia. If you are in a stressful situation, please go to 'Dealing With Negativity' for a plan to set you on the path toward more positive energy!
There are a couple of other methods available for helping you to work physically through emotional components lending toward your discomfort. NST and EFT. See below.
Nutritional Deficiencies
...prevent tissue repair and can cause pain!
If your diet lacks in quality foods (a proper balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats), vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, or you have digestive problems which make it impossible for your body to absorb nutrients from your foods, your body will not be able to repair itself. If this is ongoing, you will develop pain because the body is 'tired' and you will develop the inability to recover quickly, if at all.
Suggested Daily Supplements for Fibromyalgia
Try to divide supplements into AM - PM doses.
Malic Acid - 600-1200 mg 2 x per day.
Magnesium - 300 mg 2 x per day for a total of 600 mg.
Vitamin C (immune booster) - 1000 mg 3 x per day for a total of 3,000 mg.
Co-Q10 (antioxidant) - 50-100 mg 3 x per day for a total of 150-300 mg per day.
You might also try 5-HTP - As directed on the label.
B6, B12 and Folic Acid in a 50-100 mg B-Complex as directed
(B-Vitamins repair nerves. Take only for three months.)
All Natural Product Links!
Neurostructural Integration Technique (NST)
We carry our negative emotions around inside of us. This is especially true for women who make up 90% of all those with Fibromyalgia.
NST can help. NST is a massage technique that is very, very gentle. Your body is gently touched in certain places (you can leave your clothes on) to free up blocked energy paths that cause pain and fatigue. As this energy is released, so is are the traumas and emotional associations causing the blockage. For more information, please visit 'Exercise for HSPs', where I have added a reference number for a practitioner in this area. You won't find this reference on the website for NST or EFT.
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) is an acupressure method using your own fingers to tap the same energy meridians of your body as applied in acupuncture, but without the needles! This is a do-it-yourself, at home, method of relieving emotional barriers that are causing blockages and pain. For more information, visit Dr. Mercola's website for free instructions on this training. When you get to his website, type your interest (NST, EFT, Fibromyalgia, etc.) in the search bar at the top right corner of his page. He also offers information on how to purchase the DVD series by Gary Craig, who developed this method.
For more information about Fibromyalgia,
visit 'Fibromyalgia Support'.
May Love & Energy Be Yours!
