The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Avoid Raw Fish
Posted by Janet (Pasadena, Ca) on 11/18/2009
Jason Uttley's theory about fluoride poisoning causing fibromyalgia really resonates with me. I don't have fibromyalgia per say, but every so often I get a strange sensitivity, burning sensation on the tops of my legs, sometimes on my upper arms. I haven't been able to figure out what triggers this fibro pain except on two occasions. One of those occasions was today. I had seared tuna (raw sushi) on salad for lunch at a restaurant today and an hour later, I had (still have) burning on my left thigh. The other occasion was after I got a deep tissue massage. Both tops of my legs were so sensitive that if I brushed them ever so slightly the pain would be so intense I would scream. The effects lasted over 24 hours. I know raw tuna has mercury, but I don't know about fluoride. Anyone have ideas? I am going to start detoxing with Ted's borax remedy because it seems like one of the best things to remove heavy metals, fluoride and mercury. I thought I would mention this in case it solves part of the fibro mystery for someone.
Dhea
Posted by Anonymous (Seguin, Texas) on 11/10/2009
★★★★☆
I had read on an MD's website that some people were having success with DHEA supplement. So I bought a bottle of DHEA, 25 mg each, and took one per day. Within 2 DAYS, my pain was gone, so was the brain fog, the exhaustion and the terrible anxiety that I used to feel surge up in me for no reason at all. I personally feel that Fibromyalgia is related to menopause, which even men experience to a lesser degree, but that is my theory. Instead, I now feel energetic, pain-free and almost euphoric, although nothing in my life has changed except for the reduction and elimination of the FM symptoms! I stopped taking it for three days, to evaluate its affect on me and WHAM, the terrible pain in the pressure points (particularly my back) returned with a vengeance. I am taking this stuff forever, if I have to. I now am cutting the tablet in half, as I noticed my breasts were swelling and slightly tender to the touch occasionally, as if I were starting my period and that eliminated that symptom. (I have been without a period now for about 4 years and I am 56). That was very little discomfort compared to Fibro symptoms, however. I haven't felt this good in years! DHEA is a precursor to progesterone, estrogen and testosterone (meaning it enables your body to make the above hormones again). I am not cured, but I feel SO much better, I wake up every day and THANK GOD!
General Feedback
Posted by Screenname (Plano, Tx) on 11/09/2009
Last two questions from your Fibromyalgia Survey:
Here's my best pain reliever (I avoid the drug store kind.) Saving in the freezer all peach pits, placing just one in a plastic bag and hitting it with a hammer, eating the seed inside when I have pain. Dramatic difference for me.
Also guaifenesin (plain expectorant).
--------
The Merck Manual gives Fibromyalgia etiology as lack of approval from the mother. I've read most fibromyalgiacs strive for approval and thus over-do. You can see how this is related to energy issues. Striving = strife, a sin in the Bible; of course, it doesn't really bring happiness. Add such related questions to your survey to address mind-body links.
You notice how many name stress as a cause in their surveys. Aim to live (and teach the children to live) a competition-free, strife and striving/ambition-free life outside the normal culture of living for commendation (being "cool", better looking, appearing richer, having a more noteworthy job, etc.). Remove yourself from high stress entertainment, unnecessary criticism, importance for importance sake, and "extreme" everything. Let yourself enjoy your own person as you are. Take time to do what _you_ enjoy. Live gently with good common sense routines of mealtime, sleep, work, play, spirituality and rest. When you do _not_ do these things, you are living with fear of not being approved.
Many fibromyalgiacs are addicted to hurry. Hurry makes people feel important. Hurrying gives the "free drugs" (adrenaline) that makes people feel involved in something important.
Vitamin D
Posted by Clickherex (Adelaide, South Australia, Australia) on 10/25/2009
Is is necessary to have a test to establish the existing level of vitamin D3, (cholecalciferol). Dr.s Joseph Mercola, at www.mercola.com John Cannell, at http://vitaminDcouncil.org and Ben Kim at www.drbenkim.com all agree on the optimal range for vitamin D, which is 45 - 52 ng/ml, or 115 - 128 nmol/l.
I suggest that you check out those websites, and enter "vitamin D3; testing" in the searchbar at Mercola.com, then "vitamin D3; 1 hour lecture" and view it.
Good levels of magnesium, calcium, vitamin K2, and zinc are required for maximum utilisation of vitamin D3, so it is a good idea to have your levels of them checked, and supplemented, if necessary.
Google: "vitamin D3; natural sources; supplies" if not relying on sunlight, or appropriate artificial lights.
Unstable Pelvic Girdle Connection
Posted by Kelsie (Springville, Ut) on 10/18/2009
I'm not certain that just an unstable pelvic girdle could cause all the symptoms of fibromyalgia (such as brain fog and numbness in the arms and hands), but it is definitely a piece to my puzzle. It's also possible that an unstable pelvic girdle is caused by fibro rather than the other way around.
I've been experiencing fibro-like symptoms for 7 years and have also been diagnosed with PCOS, but even when managing PCOS, I have had muscle pains, brain fog, migraines, and extreme fatigue.
During the pregnancy of my first child, I had terrible hip pain that I was told would go away when the baby was born. The pain became worse and was quite debilitating. My lower back and right hip socket would slide around and pop in and out of place. I saw an orthopedic surgeon who X-rayed me and told me nothing was wrong, then I saw a GP who said I had bursitis and gave me a cortisone shot in the hip which helped immensely. He also prescribed physical therapy which I believe strengthened my weakened hip muscles to the point where they could support the other structures and weight of my body normally and took my hip pain away.
Now, I have had a second child 10 months ago and had hip pain during the pregnancy, although not as severe during the pregnancy. Two months ago I started to work out regularly and recently started a jogging program (I am quite a bit overweight). I was able to get up to jogging a mile without stopping faster than I suspected I would, but I'm afraid I am going to have to stop and try a different approach since the hip and back pain, along with the joints sliding in and out of place have returned. I am also experiencing a lot of fatigue and pain up through my back and shoulderblades. I am going to try the hip strengthening exercises again before I try heavy weightlifting or jogging again, and I'll try to come back and report on how much it helps. Like I said above, I am not convinced that my hip problems are the source of all fibromyalgia symptoms. I don't think I was clear on this point in my history so I will say it now: I have had most fibro symptoms for 7 years (some I have had as long as I can remember, but not the debilitating ones like fatigue), but the hip problems only really began just over three years ago during my first full-term pregnancy. I did have some slight weakness in my right hip going back at least 8 years, but it was not noticeable except in a kickboxing class I took.
I am very interested in more information about what you have posted. Do you have a web link or any additional information about this?
Unstable Pelvic Girdle Connection
Posted by Fibrodoc (Eureka, California, Usa) on 10/15/2009
in a september 2009 doctor oriented writing a doctor has announced the discovery of the cause of the disease which is the effect of gravity upon an unstable pelvic girdle. This discovery is based upon the medical examination of hundreds of patients documented with the disorder. The cure involves natural therapies, prolotherpy, and advanced methods of physical therapy, ionotophoresis, and a revolutionary sleep system that relieves pelvic subluxation while the person is reclined. The cause is mechanical injury to the low back, often from mundane injuries and pelvic ligamentous laxity secondary to multiple pregnancies. Reported by Dr. Badgley.
EC: This post is a little confusing, but we've figured out from the screen name that the doctor is referring to the cause of fibromyalgia. Sending it to Jason Uttley for response.
Visualization
Posted by Zelda (Fukuoka, Japan) on 09/23/2009
★★★★☆
I've been reading the posts on fibromylgia and although I've suspected for some time that I have one, these postings have helped me realized perhaps I really have fibromylgia: my symptons are fatigue, achy muscles , excessive thirst, nausea. Ive been experiencing these for years and they seem to get worse over time. recently I've been to the doctor but test results indicate I'm fine (although I'm not).
Anyway, the posts here are helpful. I've one more thing to add though. Recently I tried visualization and imagery - imagining a bright white light over your body, esp. on areas where they ache - the results were quite good. Not 100 % cured but there was a considerable, or for me, great improvement. I also am doing some detoxification and reflexology for this and started to change a few things about my diet.
Here's some more info about visualization:
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/46/20.cfm
Hope this helps.
Vitamin D
Posted by Crystal (Salyersville, Ky, USA) on 09/20/2009
Can you tell me how much vitamin D she is taking?? I have fibro and lupus and I take only 1000 iu of D a day. Thanks
Vitamin D
Posted by Bob (New Harmony, Ut Usa) on 09/20/2009
★★★★☆
My wife suffers Fibro and has found that mega doses of Vitamin D help her get sleep witch then lessens the pain and other fibro problems. I note when I get a sunburn I get sleepy for the next couple of days. Bob
Dietary Changes, Acupressure
Posted by Dianne (Missoula Mt, Mt) on 09/10/2009
I had fibromyalgia for several years I did 2 things that seem to have cleared most of my symptoms.
1) I detoxed my life style (as much as I can):I eat only organic, No GMO foods, no preservative filled foods , no refined sugars, no artificial sweeteners, no harsh chemical cleaning products, no table salt, no nonstick cook pans, no florinated or chlorinated water, I take only organic hemeopathic and herbal medicines and (this is a biggy) I get lots of vitimin D from sunlight.
2) I use self applied acupressure EFT(Emotional Freedom Techniques) and MTT (Meridian Tapping Techniques)every day to clear the stress and anxiety from my mind and body.
I must tell you it has been effective for me and my family as well. I used MTT to ease my baby's teething pain and it worked great. I was so pleased with my results that I taught EFT to everyone who would listen to me.t is quick to learn, easy to apply and works fast.
There are tons of places on the internet where you can learn more about EFT & MTT, the manuals are free. Simply look up MTT & EFT.
LUV D
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Lisa (Columbus, Ohio) on 09/08/2009
★★★★☆
I suffered from Fibromyalgia for 3 years, which I believe was triggered through a traumatic experience I went through. For those who suffer, you know the unbearable pain, not to mention the fatigue. It affected the entire left side of my body from my temple to my toes, 24 hours a day and getting through my work day was about all I could do. The tightness, tenderness, and pain was unbearable and there was never relief for me. I tried prescribed medicine, physical therapy, massage therapy and chiropractor care, all to no avail. I used to walk 30 miles a week and I couldn't anymore, the pain was too much. I was starting to become sedentary and then depression hit, then I started gaining weight, 30 pounds in all gained. At one time during this struggle I had told my doctor it felt as if I had slowly been poisoned. I had tried some of the things suggested on Earth Clinic's web site, the borax, apple cider vinegar and baking soda, vitamins, and they helped some but my pain was still very overwhelming. Then I wondered, what if I had been poisoned? So I took a look at my environment and at what I was eating. I stopped drinking bottled water and bought a stainless steel water bottle that I fill every day. I got rid of all my plastic storage containers - no more heating and reheating things in plastic containers in the microwave. I use glass. Then I started to slowly change my diet, eliminating MOST processed food and changing to organic for ALL fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, etc... Next, I threw away all of my household cleaning products and now use a particular organic brand who's soap is all-one, just some really hot soapy water will do the trick for most jobs. Guess what? I started feeling better! This process took about 4 months but I was beginning to feel better. I felt better enough to try YOGA which has been a tremendous help. I am now a firm believer in YOGA and its healing effects on the body. The deep breathing and stretching the muscles has been a saving grace for me. The first 2 weeks were painful but it started to get easier and then it started feeling really good to do it. Now I am doing another excellent exercise program that is building my muscle strength and stamina back up and I'm still feeling better. The amazing thing is that I am ABLE to do it! I'm not pain-free yet, but my pain went from a 10 (being unbearable pain) to a 2, it's there but it's minimal. This process has taken about 7 months to get there and I feel positive that this will leave my system because of the changes I made in my environment, my diet, and because of YOGA. I know what a horrible struggle FM is and I am thankful I have found something that works for me. I hope this helps someone else out there struggling.
Borax
Posted by Denise (Biloxi, Mississippi) on 05/25/2009
★★★★★
Fibro/Flouride
A brief history. 7 years ago thyroid cancer, the next year adrenal fatigue then early menopause, the following year uterine prolapsed followed by hysterectomy- the following year fibromyalgia and neuropathy. Early Childhood was fluorinated water along with fluoride tablets. Fall of 2008 I was looking at total disability. I could barely walk and couldn't sleep because of the pain and was throwing up daily from the pain in my back. I was on many medications that gave me no relief and I have since found out that they had fluoride as a binding agent. I was sure that my life was over at 45, but thanks to Ted and Earthclinic I am almost at 100%. After reading about fluoride I came to understand where all of my problems originated. I had all the symptoms and reactions. It has been an uphill battle with my doctors and relatives, but you can't argue with a body that is almost pain free. I began the borax detox of 1/8 tsp in a liter of water and within 3 days my symptoms were almost gone. I watch everything I eat and can detect fluoride in vitamins, foods and drinks within 15 minutes of ingesting it. I still suffer from the neuropathy and some pain from the neuropathy but I am off all meds and I have my life. I only wish more people would try to understand the fluoride connections. My sister and mother both suffer with side effects of fluoride and I have only been able to influence my mother. I still borax 5 days on and two days off and give my body a break every month or so for about a week. Thank you :)
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Anonymous (South Pasadena, California) on 04/18/2009
★★★★☆
Hi All: I've tried almost every remedy under the sun for fibro and the only two which have helped me a little is magnesium and inositol. Magnesium helps with pain and inositol helps with exhaustion and depression. The three things I've discovered which helped the most are a lot are walking in the morning or whenever you are in the least amount of pain, avoiding food allergies and taking armour. I walk for an hour but you can walk for twenty or thirty minutes too. Studies have shown that aerobic exercise reduces fibro pain. I also lift light weights every morning. I would say that the walking reduces my pain by fifty percent. The other thing is, I realized I was allergic to gluten, artificial sweetener and citrus, that includes citric acid. Avoiding all of these things help quite a bit. I also wait until the afternoon to consume non gluten complex carbohydrates like rice bread. For some reason, I think this lowers the hypoglycemic reaction somewhat. Also, avoiding caffeine if you can do it really helps. It helps with pain when you drink caffeine for a little while then a few hours later you will have more pain and exhaustion than before drinking it, most likely. I know I did, anyway. Many fibro's are intolerant to gluten and complex carbs and are hypogylcemic. So, it's important to eat a lot of protein. I am a vegetarian and think this might help also. Lastly, fibro's sometimes are undiagnosed hypothyroids. If you are on the cusp most allopathic doctors won't help you but many naturopaths will prescribe thyroid medication. Just beware that once women reach menopause if you are in the hyperthyroid range you will have a slightly increased risk of developing osteoporosis. Once I started taking Armour, a natural thyroid medication some overcast or cloudy days actually were bearable. It takes a while for the tissue effect to catch up to change in blood levels though.I know this is a lot of information but it's taken me thirteen years of experimentation to find these things, and I am certain they helped me when other things failed. Every case of fibro is different though so different things will help for different people. Hope this helps. Sincerely, Anonymous
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Katie (Wrexham, Wales) on 01/14/2009
★★★★☆
Guaifeisin, and its herbal form guaicum potentially can help-its thought to help eliminate excess phosphates in the blood. Dr St Armand recommends not using essential oils if using guaifeisin, as it is thought to interfere with the guai working.(more info in elsewhere on the web)
Pain management is excellent, i.e. pacing, so that activity is stopped before the pain increases. (i.e. not continuing doing an activity until the pain increases, which can worsen the pain long term). Then gradually, the actvities can be increases in time etc.
Acupuncture, oesteopathy, energy healing, shamanic healing also help me, but most of these only work fairly short term, and have only worked long term when I did these reguarly e.g. weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
however, the long term benefits may increase if used with the pacing. the shamanic healing, and spirtiual/ energy healing in particular i have yet to try while being able to keep to my pain management program. (I know have a young child!), so I will find out soon (when I finally get enough help again) if these can work long term.
Herbs such as chammomile, scullcap, passionflower can help reduce pain, but only worked for me for a while, before i became tolerant, so just use these sporadically for extra.
Also, meditation/relaxation exercises are wonderful, and can easily be done daily- relaxing the muscles, which reduces pain. (breaking the pain cycle of pain=muscle tension=more pain etc etc)
Also a healthy diet, vegan, sugar free and gluten free, with the more raw foods the better helps so much too.
Tens machine, and acticare help too- as does acupressure, indian head massage etc.
5http helped give me better quality of sleep, which helped too.
I still have had to use mainstream medication, but with this various help, I manage just to only use one mainstream medication (tramadol).
Linseed Oil, Tyrosine, Echinacea
Posted by Arcely (San Francisco, CA) on 12/12/2008
Dear Anonymous from Australia, re: fibromalgia remedy ....you didnt say how long to take this remedy. Also you say 5 tablespoons each meal or 5 tablespoons during the whole day?Can you please let me know...please? Thank you very much.
Magnesium, Malic Acid
Posted by LuAnn (Rapid City, SD) on 12/06/2008
★★★★★
Colloidal Silver Wow, I tried putting the colloidal silver in a nazal spary bottle and felt almost immediate relief of my headache. I would like to comment on the web site. WOW! Lots of information here. Will visit very often.
For those of you suffering from spasms and muscle aches I found that Magnesium 400 mg and Malic Acid 600 mg 3x per day last dose before bed is most beneficial.
I am in the belief that my FMS symptoms and the chronic fatigue were a combination brought on by a severe systemic candidiasis condition. Suppliments along with the diet really made a difference for me.
I am going to take the suggestion to return back to meat and vegetable diet again. There was so much information that I couldn't quite absorb all at once. What a wonderful website!+
Diatomaceous Earth
Posted by Pamela (Houston, Texas) on 11/22/2008
★☆☆☆☆
I have suffered with fibromyalgia for years. And I have takens lots of Diatomaceous Earth. The DE works great for parasites but does nothing to relieve or get rid of fibromyalgia. I also know several others with fibromyalgia who used DE with no relieve. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and keep up the good the good work.
Diatomaceous Earth
Posted by Cindy (Kansas, USA) on 11/21/2008
Fluoride remedy? I'm wondering if anyone has tried diatomaceous earth for fibromyalgia? I stumbled upon some references to its ability to capture and bind fluoride and its use as a water filter. I consume food grade DE occassionally but I don't suffer from fibromyalgia. I'm not suggesting it but I'd like to know if anyone has tried it for this particular problem.
5htp
Posted by Lily (San Antonio, TX / U.S.A) on 09/30/2008
What is 5HTP? My grandmother suffers from Fibromyalgia, and I hate it. If there is something helpful, I would really like to know more. Please respond ASAp. Lily.
Fluoride Connection
Posted by Teresa (Kenedy, Texas) on 09/14/2008
I really appreciate this information. I suffer with Chronic Fatique and will definitely be sharing this info with family and friends that also suffer from it. It is hard to get others to believe that flouride is a dangerous toxin, because it is so drilled into us through commercials and from our dentist that it is necessary for us to use it to prevent cavities. Many have the opinion that if the FDA says it's safe for us, then we should not worry. I stopped using flouride about a year ago, and am wondering after using it for 30 plus years, how long it takes to get the effects of it to go away. I am supplementing with calcium, magnesium and vitamin C and have seen some improvement, but there are days that I have no energy whatsover.
Thank you again for posting this information.
Fluoride Connection
Posted by Jenny Clark (Charlottesville, Virginia) on 09/13/2008
Most patients with fibromyalgia/CFS report that it began after surgery or after a car accident. Many of the anesthesias used in surgery, including epidurals for childbirth, are fluorinated. The sudden entry of a high level of fluoride is likely what starts the condition. Anti-inflammatories are another commonly fluorinated set of drugs drug, and car accident victims are likely reacting to their medication when they develop fibromyalgia. Prozac, Paxil, Lipitor and many other drugs are fluorinated. The name of the drug does NOT always have "fl" in it.
India has been living with the effects of fluorosis for years. We can learn important lessons from them. India has high levels of fluoride in the water and soil, and they have the exact opposite image of fluoride than those in the US. They are currently working to defluorinate their water supply and they are asking US toothpaste companies to leave. They report that "donor" countries have been encouraging fluoridation there. Physicians in India would diagnose fibromyalgia with a different name: a non-skeletal phase of fluorosis, where fluoride affects the soft tissues of the body. Too arrogant to learn from our world friends, we invented our own diagnosis. Patients in India who present to a physician with GI disturbance, muscle pain, headaches, fatigue and cognitive decline are immediately recognized as having fluorosis.
The US not only helped to create the fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue problem here with the fluorination of drugs, we've missed the diagnosis for 50 years.
A noted fluoride toxicologist in India recommends a blood test called SA/GAG that offers a definitive diagnosis. I am trying to see if that is available in the US through some physicians I know.
Most importantly, we can learn from the effective treatments used in India today. Removal of fluoride from the diet, supplementation with calcium, magnesium and vitamin C. This simple treatment appears to be working and their physicians say fluorosis is reversible if caught early. How many of us wish we had known this sooner!
After 50 years of studying what happens when you drink a toxin, it makes more sense to simply keep the toxin out of your body.
Vitamin D
Posted by Jenny Clark (Charlottesville, VA) on 09/12/2008
A physician in Florida, Dr. Daniel Dantini, has an excellent protocol for fibromyalgia. He tests for latent viruses as well as food allergies. Treatment involves antivirals and diet changes. I found it very effective. His pioneering work despite criticism from the medical establishment should be noted. I believe he has important data on the link between fluoride and the resulting symptoms. Fluoride may impair the immune system, causing the latent viruses he is detecting to re-emerge. His IgG test for food allergies may even be diagnosing the body's immune reaction to the fluoride in fertilizers in those foods. Most patients do not tolerate soy and wheat, commonly fertilized with fluoride. Please include his important work on this site.
