End Fatigue
New This Week — CFS/Fibromyalgia News: October 21, 2008
CFS & Fibromyalgia Research Updates
Dear Reader,
This issue will be devoted to reviewing some of the recent new research related to CFS and fibromyalgia. In addition, I would like to report on the 2nd annual meeting of the Sonoma Working Group, which was held September 24-28, 2008 in Sonoma California. This group is composed of 30 of the world's leading CFS researchers and clinicians. Each year we are brought together to compare notes and teach each other what we've learned. We have also been offered what may be the largest CFS research grant ever given, with our instructions being to explore the causes of CFS and to determine how to treat it effectively. I am honored to be the Chairman of the Protocols Committee for this study.
With 30 very bright and very opinionated CFS researchers, the sparks were flying—and everyone learned a lot! In this issue of our newsletter, I am happy to give an overview of some of the ideas that I found to be most interesting.
HELPFUL TOOLS
More Help for Insomnia
Insomnia is a major problem—especially for those with CFS and fibromyalgia. The sleeping problem is often triggered by your sleep center (the hypothalamus) not working. When this happens, it can cause your adrenal stress hormone to be low during the day (when it should be high), and high at night (when it should be low so you can sleep). This can cause you to feel "brain foggy" all day—and wide awake with a racing mind when it's bedtime.
We've discussed many natural and prescription treatments that help insomnia. There is now an exciting new natural remedy for sleep that has been shown to lower bedtime cortisol/adrenal stress hormone levels by 40% (while leaving them OK during the day when you need them). This product works beautifully in some folks and not at all in others (depends on whether your insomnia is caused by high night time cortisol or other causes). It often works quickly (the first night) and you will certainly know if it is helpful by the time you finish one bottle. It can be used along with any natural or prescription sleep treatments.
It is called "Sleep Tonight!" (by Enzymatic Therapy) and can be found in most health food stores and also on our website. Take 1 or 2 at bedtime.
RESEARCH BRIEFS
This week we review research that is especially pertinent to CFS & fibromyalgia patients.
Cholesterol Medications May Cause Fibromyalgia
Cholesterol-lowering "statin" drugs often cause severe side effects—including CFS & fibromyalgia! Unless you have had a heart attack, these medications are usually not necessary (see Lower Your Cholesterol—Naturally). We have found they can often cause or worsen fibromyalgia, and I recommend that those with CFS/FMS speak with their physician about stopping these medications for 3 months to see if the pain and fatigue decrease. Read more »
Vitamin E Low in CFS
Antioxidants play an important role in CFS. This study showed that CFS patients were low in vitamin E—an important antioxidant. Read more »
Fish Oil May Improve Heart Function
Heart function is decreased (just like everything else) in CFS. We've discussed elsewhere how Ribose, CoQ10, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, magnesium and B vitamins may dramatically increase heart function naturally. These 2 studies suggest that fish oil may also improve heart function. Read more »
Low ATP Energy Levels in Fibromyalgia
Another study confirms low energy molecule (ATP) levels in those with fibromyalgia. In this study energy stores were 80% higher in healthy vs. CFS patients. The good news is that energy production can be dramatically increased naturally. Read more »
Stay Thin by Getting 7-9 Hours of Sleep a Night?
This study shows this is the optimal amount of sleep for losing weight. Read more »
Hypnosis Helps Decrease Fibromyalgia Pain
Hypnosis helps decrease fibromyalgia pain—even on brain scans. Read more »
FEATURED QUESTIONS FROM READERS
Q: Are CFS and FMS autoimmune illnesses? Answer »
Q: Feels better on thyroid, but her doctor won't give enough. Read more »
Q: What does a funny smell in my house mean? Answer »
COOL STUFF
Don't Judge too Quickly
JOKE OF THE WEEK
A guy driving a Yugo pulls up at a stoplight next to a Rolls-Royce. The driver of the Yugo rolls down his window and shouts to the driver of the Rolls, "Hey, buddy, that's a nice car. You got a phone in your Rolls? I've got one in my Yugo!"
The driver of Rolls looks over and says simply, "Yes I have a phone."
The driver of the Yugo says, "Cool! Hey, you got a fridge in there too? I've got a fridge in the back seat of my Yugo!"
The driver of the Rolls, looking annoyed, says, "Yes, I have a refrigerator."
The driver of the Yugo says, "That's great, man! Hey, you got a TV in there, too? You know, I got a TV in the back seat of my Yugo!"
The driver of the Rolls, looking very annoyed by now, says, "Of course I have a television. A Rolls-Royce is the finest luxury car in the world!"
The driver of the Yugo says, "Very cool car! Hey, you got a bed in there, too? I got a bed in the back of my Yugo!"
Upset that he did not have a bed, the driver of the Rolls-Royce sped away, and went straight to the dealer, where he promptly ordered that a bed be installed in the back of the Rolls. The next morning, the driver of the Rolls picked up the car, and the bed looked superb, complete with silk sheets and brass trim. It was clearly a bed fit for a Rolls-Royce.
So the driver of the Rolls begins searching for the Yugo, and he drove all day. Finally, late at night, he finds the Yugo parked, with all the windows fogged up from the inside. The driver of the Rolls got out and knocked on the Yugo. When there wasn't any answer, he knocked and knocked, and eventually the owner stuck his head out, soaking wet.
"I now have a bed in the back of my Rolls-Royce," the driver of the Rolls stated arrogantly!
The driver of the Yugo looked at him and said, "You got me out of the shower for that!"
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