Fibromyalgia and You
   by James Occhiogrosso, N.D.

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“Well, Mrs. D, It looks like you have Fibromyalgia!” About 1-2% of Americans hear these discouraging words from a doctor annually; most of them middle aged women. While Fibromyalgia occurs in both sexes, women are 80% more likely to develop the condition. Approximately 3-4% of the population has been diagnosed with it.

So then, what is Fibromyalgia? Breaking down the medical terms; fibro is Latin for fibrous or connective tissues, myo and algos are Greek for muscle and pain respectively. Thus, the basic definition resolves to pain in connective tissue and muscles.

The term, Fibromyalgia, has been in use for about 30 years and is synonymous with Fibromyalgia Syndrome and FMS. Unfortunately, some medical practitioners doubt it is a real condition and view it as a psychosomatic problem. The controversy is due to the fact that there is no test that can diagnose FMS, and in many cases, conventional medical tests of people with FMS appear normal.

For FMS sufferers, it is very traumatic to be told by your doctor that your problems are “all in your head”, be prescribed a tranquilizer, and told to see a psychiatrist! People diagnosed with this condition are often desperate for help, and their doctors sometimes read this desperation as a psychotic issue.

Conventional medicine has yet to fully accept FMS as a real condition. Doctors are often dismayed when they have to deal with FMS patients, because they know that there is little they can do for them. There are many websites and thousands of articles devoted to diagnosis and treatment via conventional medical techniques, but alternative treatment with vitamins, minerals, herbs and other nutritional items, as well as lifestyle changes is often ignored by doctors in favor of drugs.

Conventional Fibromyalgia Treatment

Conventional medicine typically treats FMS sufferers with pain relievers, antidepressants and/or anti-seizure medications, and is aimed only at reducing symptoms. There are some medications (like Lyrica) specifically approved by the FDA for treating FMS, but none offer total relief, and Lyrica has a host of nasty side effects. The typical patient winds up in a frustrating limbo between multiple medications, multiple doctors, and unresolved pain.

Medical doctors are often too busy to think much further than their prescription pad. Patients frequently bounce from doctor to doctor looking for relief, and wind up with multiple prescriptions for various medications, few of which are of any real help. Doctors are not the only ones at fault. Patients pressure them for drugs seen in T.V. ads, and the doctors often comply, rather than provide lengthy explanations. Both doctors and patients need to think beyond drugs.

No one knows what exactly FMS is—or what causes it. However, some studies have suggested a link with physical or emotional trauma—particularly trauma incurred in early childhood. There is little one can do to erase the traumas of early childhood, but patients subject to substantial trauma prior to developing FMS may well find talk therapy useful. Studies have also linked nutritional deficiencies with the syndrome. While there is no known cause or cure, the condition is not fatal or progressive, and thus a patient would do well to consider a natural approach before resorting to prescription medications that may cause significant undesirable side effects.

Natural Approaches for Fibromyalgia

Natural remedies, dietary changes, exercise, supplemental vitamins and minerals, as well as certain herbs can help FMS patients. This article is about vitamin, mineral and herbal supplementation, but a little research can provide interested readers with a wealth of information about other natural techniques.

Studies have found that many fibromyalgia patients are deficient in certain critical vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Thus, one area a patient can easily address is nutritional deficiencies. By supplementing with the appropriate vitamins, minerals, and herbs, one might achieve significant relief. Below, in order of their importance, are some nutritional and herbal items that have a good history and strong science for helping with FMS.

• Magnesium — This mineral is often found deficient in the general population and even more so in FMS sufferers. Much of the body’s magnesium is stored in muscle tissue and low levels prevent the muscles from being able to relax. This contributes to muscle pain due to contracted muscle tissue. Magnesium is also used in many body processes, and is a crucial mineral for production of the energy-producing molecule, adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
  
 

• Serotonin — Several studies have found low levels of the brain chemical serotonin in Fibromyalgia patients. Low serotonin levels can result in a deficiency of ATP, as well as impaired adrenal function. Serotonin also helps regulate many body processes. Prescription drugs like Cymbalta—frequently prescribed for FMS—inhibit the natural disintegration of serotonin, thus increasing its circulating levels. Studies have shown that raising serotonin can significantly decrease pain and improve function for FMS patients. Serotonin levels can also be increased naturally using the modified amino acid, 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan. (5-HTP) which the body uses to manufacture serotonin. The herb, St. John’s Wort, typically used to help with mild depression and anxiety, has also been shown to increase serotonin levels. Other herbs that can help are Feverfew and Ginger.
  
 

• Melatonin — This hormone is released into the bloodstream by the pineal gland in the brain. Its levels vary considerably throughout the day in what is known as a circadian cycle. It is secreted mostly in darkness, thus contributing to proper, restful sleep. Many FMS patients have sleep disturbances that can be helped by supplementing with melatonin or eating more foods that produce melatonin like oats, brown rice, wheat bran, bananas, and especially nuts and seeds. B-vitamins and the amino acid, L-tryptophan are also critical for producing melatonin. Food sources that promote melatonin can be consumed at any time, but melatonin in supplement form should only be taken at night before bedtime.
  
 
FMS patients are often on multiple medications for other conditions. Many prescription medications have the unfortunate side effect of reducing melatonin levels. This includes most blood pressure and cardiac medications as well as statin drugs used to control cholesterol. Patients taking such drugs and having sleep problems might well consider supplementing with melatonin. The herb, Valerian, can also help increase melatonin levels and promote restful sleep.


• Vitamin D — There appears to be a strong relationship between deficiencies in vitamin D and fibromyalgia. Most Americans, especially those living in the northern portion of the country, are vitamin D deficient. Almost everyone should use a vitamin D supplement, and it is important that FMS sufferers get enough of this critical nutrient. Your doctor can order a vitamin D test for you, or you can easily test it at home using a readily available home test kit.
  
 

• B-Complex — The B vitamin family is known to help improve nerve communication. Older adults are often deficient in several B vitamins, and particularly apt to be deficient in Vitamin B-12, which is harder to assimilate as one ages. Supplementing with a B-Complex product that provides approximately 100mg of most of the B vitamins can be very effective. However, older adults should be sure to add a sublingual vitamin B-12 lozenge to insure sufficient absorption of that particular member of the B-vitamin family.
  
 

• Ginseng — The nutritional herb, Ginseng can help increase energy and relieve stress. There are many varieties, but the most effective for FMS is Panax Ginseng. It is very important to buy ginseng from a reputable supplier. Inferior product, while it typically will not hurt you, will not help you either.
  
 

• Gingko Biloba — Gingko is a well-known herb that can help promote better blood circulation throughout the body, indirectly contributing to improved health and well-being. Again, it is important to purchase this from a reputable supplier that produces it in at least a 50:1 extract form.
  
 

• Hawthorn — Hawthorn is an herb renowned for its ability to support increased cardiac efficiency and contribute to better health. For FMS sufferers, a root extract is more effective than an extract of hawthorn berries, although either can be used.
  
 

• Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM — These items, taken together are effective in reducing joint and muscle pain and inflammation. They are difficult to get from food sources, thus the best way to get them is through supplementation.
  
 

• L-Carnitine — This combination amino acid is a well-known energy producer. While it is available in capsule form, it works more effectively and is assimilated by the body quicker when taken as a liquid. Carnitine levels tend to drop due to aging, and since this element is crucial for continuous reconstruction of bones, muscles and cartilage, it is an important supplement for Fibromyalgia.
  
 

• Fish Oil – (Omega 3) — Fish Oil contains large amounts of the essential fatty acid. Studies have found that many FMS sufferers have very low Omega-3 levels and very high Omega-6 (another fatty acid) levels. This is an imbalance from what is normal and due to the large quantity of processed foods in our diet. Supplementing with fish oil can help with the pain and inflammation.
  

Critical Nutrition

There are many other herbs and nutrients that can help FMS patients. The above list highlights those that are typically deficient in most people suffering from fibromyalgia. While this list is far from complete, it can provide a good starting point from which to build a solid nutritional foundation. However, it is critically important to address basic nutritional needs before trying to remediate symptoms with specific items, be they vitamins minerals or herbs.

Many herbs contain vitamins, minerals and other nutritive and healing plant chemicals (called Phytonutrients). When the body is dealing with a nutritional deficiency in any area, it has to struggle to function correctly. Herbal agents alone cannot always correct vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

People who suffer from FMS need to remember that proper nutrition via both diet and supplementation is critical to regaining health. It is important to get a well-rounded spectrum of balanced vitamins and minerals. Inexpensive multi-vitamins sold in convenience and drug stores, especially the type that promote using only one pill per day, are typically lacking in many critical vitamins and minerals or contain nutrient amounts too small to be useful. It is impossible to pack a single small pill with sufficient quantities of all needed nutrients. A manufacturer who did this would have, as a result, a pill the size of a golf ball.

Most high-quality multivitamin/multimineral products have relatively large pills and require two or more per day to reach the dosages stated on the labels. This is a matter of physical necessity. You just cannot pack the needed nutrients into one small pill, and manufacturers that say they can are trying to fool you. Thus, it is important to purchase a quality multivitamin/multimineral product from a natural health practitioner or a health food store.

Secondly, even the highest quality multivitamin/multimineral will not provide all the nutrients needed. You will generally need additional supplementation of Vitamins A, B, C, D and E, as well as other supplements depending on your diet and overall health. Again, the quality of the products you purchase is of utmost importance. Your health professional can help you select appropriate supplements.

Final Thoughts

By design, this article deliberately avoids dosage information for the herbs and nutrients discussed. Each person suffering from FMS needs to determine what his or her body needs. This is empirical data that can only be determined individually by experimentation and observation.

As with all nutritional programs using vitamins, minerals and herbal remedies, it is wise to consult with a knowledgeable health practitioner before starting, particularly if you are also using prescription medications. Herbs often have contraindications with prescription medications and may cause unwanted interactions.

FMS sufferers that are on multiple medications—especially if these medications were prescribed by different doctors—would do well to select one provider for their primary care and have that doctor go over each of their prescription medications, detailing its purpose. Many FMS patients are on multiple medications with the same characteristics, and they are sometimes prescribed medication to overcome the side effects of another medication. If you are taking several medications, along with vitamin and herbal supplements, it can be very advantageous to have one health practitioner review your list periodically.

Fibromyalgia is a debilitating condition and one where it is critical to be your own ombudsman. Health practitioners can prescribe or recommend, but only you can determine what is effective and what is not. Be patient, and listen to your body!