An Insight into Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

By  Jeannie Cook, B.A.(Hlth), RHN

We were into the new millennium when a middle aged woman shuffled into my office appearing quite worn and exhausted.  She sat heavily in the chair across me and exclaimed, “I didn’t think I would make it in to see you today”.  “Sleepless night?” I cautiously inquired.  “Yeah, more like a sleepless two years” she quipped.

And so there sat the first of several people I would consult who had been diagnosed with  Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).  Because current medical literature suggests that the two conditions may be the same, I will use these terms interchangeably.  Though FMS may appear to some as being a relatively “new” disease, references of the symptoms of similar conditions in medical literature go back to the mid-19^th century.  Those of you old enough to remember the Beatles first appearance in North America (the mid-20^th century) will recall disorders such as, the Epstein-Barr Virus syndrome, chronic mononucleosis, the Yuppie flu – different names, same condition.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) formally defined FMS in 1988 using a set of diagnostic criteria that, interestingly, differ from British and Australian criteria for diagnosing this disorder.

CDC Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Major Criteria

          New onset of fatigue causing 50% reduction in activity for at least six months.

            Exclusion of other illnesses that can cause fatigue

Minor Criteria

            Presence of eight of the eleven symptoms listed, or presence of six of the eleven

            symptoms and two of the three signs listed.

            Symptoms

1.     Mild fever

2.     Recurrent sore throat

3.     Painful lymph nodes

4.     Muscle weakness

5.     Muscle pain

6.     Prolonged fatigue after exercise

7.     Recurrent headache

8.     Migratory joint pain

9.     Neurological or psychological complaints:

Sensitivity to bright light

Forgetfulness

Confusion

Inability to concentrate

Excessive irritability

Depression

10.  Sleep disturbance (hypersomnia or insomnia)

11.  Sudden onset of symptom complex

Signs

1.     Low-grade fever

2.     Nonexudative pharyngitis

3.     Palpable or tender lymph nodes

Please be aware that persistent fatigue can be caused by a host of other conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain, cancer, MS, certain prescription drugs, depression, stress, low adrenal or thyroid function, food allergies, hypoglycemia and anemia to mention just a few.

In treating CFS, the natural health practitioner must address underlying conditions such as, poor liver detoxification, gut permeability (dysbiosis), poor immune function, chronic candidiasis, food allergies, hypoglycemia, low adrenal and/or thyroid function (sub-clinical level).

As a holistic nutritionist you need to focus on food allergies, gut dysbiosis, candidiasis and hypoglycemia – all nutritionally based conditions that have a major impact on the severity of FMS/CFS symptoms.

It has become more and more evident that FMS is first and foremost a disorder of the immune system specifically under the category of autoimmune disease.  By definition, an autoimmune disease is when the body’s immune system makes antibodies against its own tissues or organs.  In a normally functioning body, the immune system recognizes the body’s organs and tissues as a part of self and therefore will not attack them.  An immune system is designed to attack foreign invaders such as viruses, bacteria, fungi (yeast) or cancer cells.  When an immune system attacks its own tissues and organs then you have an autoimmune reaction.

In 1930, well known allergist, Dr. Albert Rowe, M.D. described a syndrome known as “Allergic Toxemia”, a condition that included symptoms of fatigue, muscle and joint pains, “fog brain”, poor concentration and depression.  Estimates state that between 55% and 85% of people with FMS/CFS have allergies (food and environmental).  In my practice, food sensitivity testing is always indicated when a client presents with FMS or any of the autoimmune disorders.

One of the more common findings among sufferers of CFS or anyone with a compromised immune system, is gut dysbiosis or leaky gut syndrome.  This condition occurs when there is an overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans in the gastrointestinal tract (chronic candidiasis).  These fungi (yeast) produce toxins called mycotoxins which trigger inflammation of the GI tract which in turn leads to leaky gut syndrome.  These toxins are produced by the Candida yeast to protect itself against other living organisms such as bacteria, parasites, insects, animals and humans.  When these toxins enter the human bloodstream, they can produce a variety of nervous system symptoms such as fatigue, confusion, memory loss, depression, dizziness, headaches, numbness and tingling.

In patients suffering from FMS with depression, I always look at another nutritional link – in this case, hypoglycemia.  Fortunately, the anti-Candida diet, which is so important in controlling the severity of symptoms in FMS/CFS, is also quite appropriate for those with low blood sugar.  With this diet, the major offending foods to avoid are:  sugar, caffeine (coffee, tea, cola), white rice, flour products (pasta, bread, crackers, cakes, cookies), potatoes, bananas, corn.  Though this may sound daunting at first, the short and long-term benefits of no pain and a feeling of vitality, keeps followers of my anti-candida program on track.

Although one cannot be completely cured of Fibromyalgia Syndrome or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, there are safe, acceptable natural methods that can help alleviate the more troublesome effects of this disorder.

Sources:

Jeanne Marie Martin with Zoltan Rona. Complete candida yeast guidebook: everything you need to know…..

Roseville, Calif.: Prima Health, 2000.

A.H. Rowe and A. Rowe, Jr.  Food Allergy: Its Manifestation and Control and the Elimination Diets: A Compendium. Springfield, Ill: Charles. C. Thomas, 1972.

S.D. Shafran.  The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  Am J of Medicine v. 90 (1991): 731-739.