At several conferences I attended on chronic fatigue syndrome, professionals discussing this disorder expressed varying points of view, and different treatments were recommended. The general consensus seemed to be that FMS and CFIDS were closely related - if not the same disorder.
I met Kristen Thorsen, president of the American Fibromyalgia Association, at a conference in California about 10 years ago. Since then, we have corresponded and talked on the phone a number of times. She says, "FMS could be another name for CFIDS ... or vice versa ... depending on which diagnosis you happen to have." Because of her own problems with FMS, for a number of years she's published Fibromyalgia Network, a newsletter for people with FMS/CFIDS.
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| Causes Of Yeast Overgrowth |
Here are excerpts from the newsletter:
- It's hard to state the cause of FMS/CFIDS. Genetic predisposition combined with triggers can lead to the development of the disease. These triggers also continue to work as aggravants once the condition reaches full-blown development.
- Trauma (especially to the neck or spinal cord region) and candida and bacterial infections may be triggers.
- Infectious agents have the ability to generate the production of nasty Pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- What is FMS? A CNS (central nervous system) disease that also causes dysfunction in the ANS (autonomic nervous system) which in turn feeds back to the CNS problem.
- A dysfunction in CNS and ANS can lead to thyroid and adrenal problems and other hormonal abnormalities.
- Sleep disturbances are common. It is unknown whether sleep disturbances such as Periodic Limb Movement Syndrome (PLMS), also known as restless legs syndrome, during sleep are secondary or primary to the development of FMS.
- Immune system. When sleep is destroyed, the immune system is adversely affected, and infections become a problem. Yeast overgrowth can have devastating effects. So can other infections, but antibiotics given for them promote the overgrowth of yeast, which is known to cause cytokine production and pain.
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can be a trigger and cause problems.
Treatment
Standard treatment options for fibromyalgia include:
- Antidepressant medication, particularly tricyclic antidepressants, such as Elavil
- Another class of antidepressants called serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like Prozac, which may help lift mood, but don't address the physical condition. They are also associated with a growing list of side effects
- Pain relievers
- Trigger point injections that involve injecting a local anesthetic such as lidocaine in the tender point
- Lifestyle changes, including exercise, establishing sleep routines and relaxation techniques (meditation, biofeedback and yoga), and avoiding caffeine
- antibiotics/antifungals for infections
- trigger-point injections combined with massage therapy and muscle relaxants for muscle pain and trauma/injury problems
- hormone replacements - especially testosterone, which helps with pain, mood and energy levels
- addressing nutritional deficiencies
- avoiding MSG and aspartame (both excitatory amino acids that cause an amplification of pain signals)
- avoiding repetitive muscle strains, postural problems, and working to maintain functional range of motion
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| Causes Of Yeast Overgrowth |
Fibromyalgia and CFIDS are classified as syndromes rather than diseases because they have such a wide range of symptoms. To find out more, you can check out Causes Of Yeast Overgrowth.