Making Noises

Flower from the flax plant

(Taken from the broadcast January, 2010:  On the Line:  Fibromyalgia with Dr. Alison Bested MD and Dr. Alan Logan ND (Naturopathic Doctor)  http://www.ctstv.com/calgary/player.php?ctsvidID=17298&show=On%20The%20Line

Drug treatments include NSAIDs, opiods, anti-depressants, and Lyrica and Gabapentin.

My interest however was in non-drug strategies and treatments.  What I found interesting was that Dr. Bested spoke most often of non-drug treatments.  It’s been my experience that medical doctors are more interested in drug therapies for fibromyalgia. Certainly my medical doctor is. Some of these non-drug therapies include:

• Identifying food sensitivities.  Many patients with fibromyalgia often have sensitivities to wheat, dairy, mold, and corn.  Identifying – and eliminating – sensitivities can lead to a 10% reduction in pain.
• Other dietary strategies include:
  • Watch foods that can increase inflammation at the cellular level.  These include refined sugars, processed grains, corn syrups and trans fats.
  • Fibromites “use up” antioxidants more easily and faster than “normals” and thus require higher levels of the same.  Try to eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables as much as possible.  Include green leafy vegetables. Foods high in antioxidants include berries and green tea.
  • Include adequate amounts of protein in the diet.  I’d also like to add – include salmon and other fish that are high in Omega 3 oils (see below.).
  • Supplements are used but are just that – supplements – and do not take the place of a healthy, whole foods diet rich in antioxidants, green leafy vegetables, adequate fiber etc.
• Nutritional oils (Omega 3 and 6 particularly) are effective anti-inflammatories.  Omega 3 oils are the fish oils and flax seed oils.  Omega 6 oils is found in evening primrose oil and flax seed oil (note:  some stomach upset may occur with evening primrose oil.*)   Therapeutic levels must be taken to achieve an anti-inflammatory benefit:  1 gram of Omega 3 and 300 mgs of Omega 6.   Heat is very helpful for fibromites, including infrared saunas, hot tubs, even hot baths.
• Epsom salts in the bath helps detoxify the body.  Fibromyalgia sufferers have problems detoxing.
• Therapeutic massage is helpful and it is recommended that to get the full benefit, fibromyalgia patients have an Epsom salts bath before and after the massage.  Do something relaxing after the massage, rather than stress the muscles more by doing an activity such as grocery shopping.
• Chili pepper extracts, such as capsaicin, can be helpful in pain reduction.
• Exercise is very important.  Start slowly and build up your tolerance. Start moving and keep moving. Dr. Bested spoke of a  woman with fibromyalgia, who had been bed-ridden for 2 years, and she started exercising (gradually, slowly) and is now able to go for walks, go to the mall, etc.  I can attest to the benefits of exercise.  I try to exercise 2  – 3 times a week. My fibromyalgia symptoms are so much better when I exercise, and not as good when I don’t.  You may need to see a osteopath or other medical professional to help put the muscles /joints back into alignment because of exercising — I see a chiropractor on a regular basis.

*As always, consult with your doctor or pharmacist for contra-indications and possible drug interactions with these or any other supplements or medications.

Mandatory disclaimer:  I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV (although that would be fun.)  I’m a patient.