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| | FEATURED ARTICLE | CFS/FM News: July 23, 2008 | | Treating Children with CFS/FMS Dear Readers, Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia afflicts children as well as adults. Fortunately, children also respond well to treatment. As an internist I was initially hesitant to treat children, but I began doing so after lecturing in England around 15 years ago. After the talk, a mother came up to me and said that I needed to treat her seven-year-old daughter. I told her I couldn't, because I wasn't a pediatrician. She very sweetly smiled and told me that she was not going to let me leave the country until I treated her daughter! She was so loving and caring that I could not tell her no, and I told her that if she found a pediatrician that would work with me, I would treat her daughter. The girl is now healthy and doing well, having finished college. Since then, I have treated many children in conjunction with their pediatricians. Although the "SHINE Protocol" is very effective in children as well as adults, there are some differences in the treatment approach. This week's article will discuss how to help children recover from these illnesses. Read more » | |  | | Treating CFS and Fibromyalgia Just Got More Affordable! One of the largest problems facing those with CFS and fibromyalgia has been affording medical care. Unfortunately, insurance companies don't want to pay to treat these illnesses and the large array of treatments needed can make the cost for getting healthcare for these illnesses both unpredictable and unaffordable. The Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers have come up with an excellent new program to make treatment costs both more affordable and predictable. People can now pay a fixed cost of $500 a month for the first year of treatment, followed by $334 a month for the 2nd year and $175 a month for maintenance once you're better. This price includes almost all of the cost of doctor visits, IV treatments, and recommended supplements (i.e., the services provided by the FFC). What are not covered are prescription medications and lab tests, both of which are more likely to be covered by one's health insurance. This is a major step forward in making effective treatment available for everyone. It's time for you to get well now! Click here for an FFC article on the program » | | | | | It is becoming clearer that CFS and fibromyalgia represent an energy crisis in our bodies. Any of a number of physical and emotional stresses can drain your energy and exhaust your adrenal (stress handler) glands. This week's research briefs look at several studies on adrenal function and CFS and how to decrease both the physical stress and anxiety associated with CFS and fibromyalgia. CFS Associated with Low Morning Adrenal Cortisol, But High Evening Levels Here is another study showing adrenal problems in CFS. In addition to people with CFS having low cortisol levels in the morning, the study suggests that levels may be too high at night. This could contribute to your insomnia. Read more » Improve Adrenal Function and Back Pain with Exercise Adrenal (HPA axis) dysfunction is also commonly seen in Myofascial Pain Syndrome (muscle pain), a common component of low back pain and fibromyalgia. This study showed that the adrenal function and pain can both be improved with exercise. Read more » Pacing Yourself in CFS and Fibromyalgia This study shows that if people with CFS/fibromyalgia pace themselves instead of overdoing it, they have better overall function and quality of life, and less depression, anxiety, fatigue, pain, and disability. Read more » Relaxation Training Highly Effective for Treating Anxiety Relaxation training is highly effective for treating anxiety. This review of 27 studies suggests that relaxation training is an excellent alternative to valium—and will put you back in control! Read more » | | | | FEATURED QUESTIONS FROM READERS | | | Q: A physician requests more information on how to treat CFS in children. Read more » Q: Why are my thyroid blood tests looking worse on the Armour Thyroid? Answer » Q: Can I split my thyroid dose and take it twice a day? Can taking thyroid hormone stress my adrenals? Answer » Q: What about acid/base imbalance? Is it good to alkalinize your body? Answer » | | | | | | More Brain Fog Moments ;-) Brain Fog Moment #1 As a spacey gentleman was driving down the freeway, his cell phone rang. Answering it, he heard his wife's frantic voice urgently warning him: "Herman, I just heard on the news that there's a car going the wrong way on Interstate 77. Please be very careful!" "Heck," said Herman, "It is not just one car. It's hundreds of them." Brain Fog Moment #2 A spacey gal called 911 on her cell phone to report that her car had been broken into. She was hysterical as she explained her situation to the dispatcher: "They have stolen the stereo, the steering wheel, the brake pedal and even the accelerator!" she cried. The dispatcher said: "Stay calm. An officer is on the way." A few minutes later, the officer radioed in. "Disregard" he said. "She got in the back seat by mistake." ........ Our thanks to Roger for this week's joke. Roger wins a free bottle of Corvalen or the Energy Revitalization System vitamin powder;-) We invite you to send in your favorite jokes or quotes. | | | | LECTURES & MEDIA APPEARANCES | | | If your support group would like a free DVD of one of Dr. Teitelbaum's lectures to play at a meeting, please email us with your support group name and address and we will be glad to send you a complimentary copy. The DVD's can also be purchased on our website. Visit our website to see a list of Dr. Teitelbaum's upcoming Speaking Engagements or to see some of his appearances in the Media. | | | | | | | | We hope you've enjoyed this week's newsletter! If you have any comments or suggestions on how we might improve our service to you, please send us an email. Please also be sure to share what you've learned with your friends. | | | |
