Fwd: [S-A] [AltAnswers] Fibromyalgia and Collagen Connection

[Guest guest]

" Misty L. Trepke "

Tue, 16 Sep 2003 17:35:45 -0000

[s-A] [AltAnswers] Fibromyalgia and Collagen Connection

 

I love sharing information about Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue-

there is hope, there are solutions. It was my own experience of a 8

year fog from chronic fatigue and my recovery that truely inspires

my joy and commitment to homeopathy...

Other comments?

Misty L. Trepke

http://www..com

 

Fibromyalgia and the Collagen Connection

 

Suffering from pain day in and day out, all over the body plus

fatigue, anxiety and depression are problems that are encountered.

 

There is no firm physical evidence of disease that can be detected

by blood tests or X rays. It's estimated that 3 million to 6 million

Americans are living with this musculoskeletal disorder two thirds

of them women, most of them white and most between 20 and 50 years

old when first affected.

 

I have noticed that fibromyalgia has become a general area into

which all kinds of symptoms are attached, without much understanding

of them. Doctors diagnose fibromyalgia by testing 18 " tender

points, " starting between the shoulders. If your friend has the

condition, they probably are tender all over the body, but these

areas, all where muscles attach to ligaments or bones, tend to have

pain with just the pressure of a thumb.

 

Overall, the body may feel sore, stiff, burning or achy.

Fibromyalgia is something you can learn to manage. The best

recommendation is a steady program of moderate aerobic exercise, at

least 30 minutes a day.

 

This may seem overwhelming at first, because the pain can increase

over the first few weeks they try this and they may need to cut back

and build up endurance more slowly. This is one instance where they

really should " work through the pain. " Eventually, it will lessen.

 

Activities like jogging or basketball aren't a good idea. But

swimming, walking, using a treadmill or riding a bicycle are better

because they are less pounding on the joints and framework.

 

Aspirin will help the pain, but be careful not to develop dependence

on painkillers.

 

Ginger is a good alternative to aspirin. Try this: Steep one

teaspoon of the grated Ginger root in eight ounces of boiling water

for 10 minutes. Strain and add honey if you like.You also can try

taking one to two grams of powdered ginger a day (in capsules, with

food).

 

Avoid resorting to sedatives, especially in the benzodiazapene

class, which include valium, halcion and atarax. They produce a

dependency and interupt the very type of sleep that we need most.

 

You MUST change the belief system about this dis-ease. Also

changing the perception of pain using mind-body methods. Since

stress seems to be a major factor in this disease, relaxation

techniques such as meditation, yoga, progressive relaxation and

breathing exercises are critical.

 

An important element of Pain management states that you can reduce

pain by changing the way you think about life.

 

By learning to recognize negative ways of thinking and converting

them to a more positive perspective.

 

Acupuncture is tremendous for pain management of fibromyalgia, as

well. I encourage patients to see someone who practices TCM

(Traditional ), which combines both acupuncture and

herbs. Often with the added use of herbal formulas there is a more

sustained response. Another technique which may prolong a beneficial

response is the use of magnets or stimulating beads taped over some

of the acupuncture points.

 

Nutrition and diet should be utilized to reduce inflammation.

 

*Exclude polyunsaturated vegetable oils and sources of trans-fatty

acids such as margarine and hydrogenated oils from your diet.

 

*Add gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, from black currant oil or evening

primrose oil, 500 milligrams twice a day) and omega-3 fatty acids

from sardines (two to three servings a week)

 

*Add Flax seeds, one to two tablespoons a day, sprinkled over food.

 

I am unaware of any research documenting the efficacy of Calorad or

any other hydrolyzed collagen product in the treatment of

fibromyalgia.

 

There is some research suggesting that there is a disorder of

collagen metabolism in fibromyalgia patients. (See research below).

Perhaps this is why Calorad appears to be helpful in some

fibromyalgia patients. You may want to try the product for two to

three months. If you haven't noticed a dramatic change in that time

frame it's probably not worth continuing to spend the money for this

product. Also you might check at the local health food store to see

if they have a comparable product that is less costly.

 

If you haven't already read Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum's book, " Fatigued

to Fantastic " I would encourage you to do so. There is a lot of

useful information in this book for people affected by fibromyalgia

and chronic fatigue syndrome.

 

RESEARCH

 

Abstract: Collagen and muscle pathology in fibromyalgia patients

 

Rheumatology (Oxford). 2003 Jul 16 [Epub ahead of print]. Gronemann

ST, Ribel-Madsen S, Bartels EM, Danneskiold-Samsoe B, Bliddal H. The

Parker Institute, Department of Rheumatology, Frederiksberg

Hospital, H:S University Hospital.

 

OBJECTIVE: To measure collagen concentration and search for muscle

pathology in muscle non-tender-point areas from fibromyalgia (FM)

patients.

 

RESULTS: The FM patients had lower hydroxyproline and lower total

concentration of the major amino acids of collagen than the

controls. No significant difference was seen in the concentration of

the major amino acids of myosin or of total protein. Electron

microscopy showed no significant differences between FM patients and

controls although atrophied muscle fibrils occurred in FM patients

only, but frequencies were not significantly different.

 

CONCLUSION: Fibromyalgia patients had a significantly lower amount

of intramuscular collagen. This may lower the threshold for muscle

micro-injury and thereby result in non-specific signs of muscle

pathology.

 

 

Consider these websites for research information:

 

http://www.peacefulmind.com/ailments_frame.htm

 

http://www.fibromyalgiasupport.com/library/articlelist.cfm

 

 

I want to stress again, that what may not work for someone else, may

just work for you! The healing process is as individualized as we

are. Experimentation with different modalities or combinations there

of, can be the key to unlock the healing mechanism inside.

 

Stay the course!

 

I hope this helps.

 

Andrew Pacholyk LMT, MT-BC, CA

Peacefulmind.com

Alternative medicine and therapies

for healing mind, body & spirit!

 

 

 

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