Classic Fibromyalgia
These people seem to have a pain perception problem. Generally they do not sleep well, feel fatigued upon waking, have low energy, can not tolerate heavy exercise and have a lowered pain threshold. There is often an associated clinical depression or anxiety disorder. Symptoms often first begin after a period of emotional stress or trauma and studies have shown that these people have decreased levels of serotonin.
Pseudo Fibromyalgia
Pseudo fibromyalgia describes people who have been misdiagnosed as having fibromyalgia when they have another cause for their widespread pain. Pseudo fibromyalgia has been broken down into three categories: organic diseases, functional disorders and musculoskeletal disorders.
Organic Diseases
Many other diseases such as hypothyroidism, inflammatory arthritis, anemia, Lyme disease, auto-immune disorders, multiple sclerosis and cancer can cause widespread pain. A diagnosis of fibromyalgia should only be given after these other causes of pain have been excluded. Many conditions in this category are also associated with fatigue, especially hypothyroidism.
Functional Disorders
Functional disorders are not true pathological conditions or diseases. These are things such as vitamin and mineral deficiencies, intestinal dysbiosis, dehydration and subtle hormonal imbalances. What these functional disorders have in common is that they can cause low energy and widespread pain.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
The tender points of classic fibromyalgia are different than the trigger points from sore or overused muscles. Classic fibromyalgia is not a disorder of the muscles, but is a pain perception disorder. Pain from problems such as sore muscles, inter-vertebral disks, joints, herniated disks, or nerve impingement is not fibromyalgia.
Conclusion
There are many symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, but labeling these as “symptoms of fibromyalgia” or “fibromyalgia syndrome,” does nothing to explain their causes and is also very confusing.
Is fibromyalgia widespread pain and tenderness in 11 of 18 tender points, or is it a myriad of other associated symptoms?
Classifying fibromyalgia into different groups depending on cause is very helpful. Once this is done treatment can be focused on fixing the cause of fibromyalgia, instead of just suppressing the symptoms with drugs.
The following recommendations are for Pseudo Fibromyalgia. For Classic Fibromyalgia click here.
Lifestyle Recommendations:
• Avoid stress and extra obligations.
• Begin a mild exercise program, making sure not to over-do physical activity; make sure to warm up and cool down with gentle stretching exercises.
• Work with a physical medicine practitioner (PT, chiropractor, psychiatrist, body worker) to deal with muscle soreness and energy deficits.
• Prioritize good, restorative sleep habits:
a. Avoid drinking excess fluids before bed.
b. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and large meals 4 hours before bed.
c. Try not to nap in the afternoon.
d. Avoid having lights from computers, TV and cell phones in the bedroom during sleeping hours.
e. Try to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time each morning.
• Spend time around supportive friends and family.
• Manage chronic pain through stress reduction techniques such as biofeedback, massage therapy, prayer and meditation, deep breathing exercises, and more.
• Consider alternative therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal therapies and flotation therapy or water exercises.
• Address and rule out any stealth infections, neurological issues, and abnormal blood glucose, lipids, and/or circulation. Consider the following tests: GGT (glutathione), hormonal panel, thyroid panel, homocysteine, estrogen metabolite ratio testing, gastrointestinal health panels, and genetic variances in detoxification pathways, such as CYPA12, COMT, and methylation pathways.
• Use healthy, chemical-free unscented soaps, lotions/oils and detergents.
References can be found on the Environmental Working Group’s “Skin Deep” Database –www.ewg.org.
Dietary Tips and Caveats:
• Make organic fruits and vegetables the diet’s foundation for the antioxidant support they provide against inflammation.
• Focus on high amounts of fiber from flaxseed meal or ground chia seeds and from complex, unrefined carbohydrates such as the whole grains quinoa brown or black rice.
• Emphasize omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, mackerel, trout, herring, sardines) and omega-9 fats (olive oil, olives, almonds, hazelnuts, avocados, macadamia oil and coconut oil) to help control inflammation.
• Choose lean, clean, quality protein at each meal such as chicken breast, turkey breast, lean beef, fish (especially salmon and sardines), eggs and whey protein to fuel muscles with energy; include Whey Cool™, PaleoMeal® or PaleoMeal® DF to address protein needs; avoid dairy if it causes flare-ups
• Begin with an elimination diet and then eat according to food sensitivities.
• Drink at least 64 ounces of filtered or non-chlorinated water every day. In addition, drink 2-3 cups of naturally decaffeinated green tea daily and/or up to 2 cups of dandelion tea.
• Limit caffeine and other potentially neurotoxic compounds like aspartame, nitrates and MSG.
Supplement Recommendations: Protocol dependent upon actual problem
Hypothyroidism:
Thyroid Synergy™ 2 capsules per day
Hypoadrenia:
Adrenotone Plus™ 3 to 6 capsules per day
Mitochondrial Dysfunction:
Mitochondrial NRG™ 4 capsules per day
Mito-PQQ™ 2 capsules per day
Lipoic Acid Supreme 1 capsule per day
B-Supreme 1-2 capsules per day
Anemia:
Ultra B12-Folate 1 capsule per day
Ferrochel® 1 capsule per day
Gastrointestinal Health:
GI Revive™ 1 tsp powder or 7 capsules
Probiotic Synergy™ 1 probioshpere
OmegAvail™ Synergy 1 softgel per day
Neurotransmitter and Pain Inhibition Dysfunction:
5HTP Synergy™ 1 capsule per day
Neurocalm™ 2 capsules per day
CraveArrest™ 1 capsule 3 times per day
Musculoskeletal/Myofascial Syndromes:
MyoSedate™ 3 capsules 2 times daily
MagneGel™ Massage onto affected areas as needed
ArthroSoothe™ Cream Massage onto skin as needed
Inflammatone™ 2 capsules 3 times per day
The above protocol is designed as a general approach for dealing with the most common issues involved in pseudo fibromyalgia. If you do not see results after several weeks you should contact us for a personal evaluation. The above recommended supplements can be acquired by clicking here.