Be your OWN spirit guide

 

Most of the time, when I delve into the spiritual community I find myself wary of the content. The internet, and the world, is overflowing with a mass of new age spiritual teachers who promise wealth, abundance, love, and success through the process of Manifesting or working with your Spirit Guides, but what does all of this really mean, and does it really work? 

And I, of course, have a few problems with these messages, but not for the reasons you may assume. 

Let's talk manifesting.

Manifesting first came onto the spiritual main stage through the book, 'The Secret', which teaches the universal law of attraction: like attracts like. You probably first heard of this law in one of your middle school science classes, as it applies to forces in the universe - but how does it apply to spirituality? In 'The Secret', the Law of Attraction is used as a tool to get everything in life you want. For example, if you focus on - or visualize - peacocks, the law of attraction states that you will somehow manifest (or attract) them into your life. IF you focus only on positive thoughts and visualize what you want in life, those things will be attracted to you. Now, I have no problem with the law of attraction. Actually, In some way or form I do believe in aspects of it. We all know that if a person focuses on negativity, then all they will see in life is negativity. But, can just focusing on what you want in life ENSURE that you will manifest it into your reality? Yes, and, no. 

Here's my perspective. 

The problem with the idea of manifesting is that it lacks action. As long as a person visualizes more money they will get it, but this is not true. In order to manifest positive change into your life, there needs to be equal parts visualization and practical action. And this is where you become your own spirit guides. 

When manifesting a positive change into you life, whether it be a relationship or new job, you need to sit down and make a list of ways YOU can lead the way. If you want a new job, start looking at job boards, update your resume, start attending professional development workshops in your area, or begin volunteering and making connections in your new profession of choice. Then, after YOU have put forth the positive changes into action, surrender what you can not control to the law of attraction. This is where visualization can work. Visualization can help keep you positively focused on the pieces you have put into play, and it allows for more positive experiences to enter your life. Manifesting, visualizing, or talking to spirit guides can help you incorporate positive energy into the aspects of life that we can not control. The combination of positive focus and action alongside visualization and manifestation is an incredibly powerful force increasing the life you want. But, never think that sitting back and merely visualizing everything you want  will help you get it. 

Spotlight on Spirituality : What to believe?

Sigh.....spirituality, where to start? First of all, I do consider myself a deeply spiritual person, but I constantly struggle between where my spiritual beliefs fall alongside with my beliefs in science and reason. If you are active in the spiritual community or in the spiritual YouTube community, you are aware that there are many, many, many different types of spiritual teachers active in the world today. Some teachers insist on the existence of fairies or dragons, and go so far as to even create YouTube videos entitled 'How to see a fairy'. Others claim that some people are actually souls of alien races (pleidians, andromedans, reptilians, etc) who are here to help aide the world in spiritual healing. A nice idea, but quite irrational. The more 'traditional' spiritual teachers speak of Guardian Angels or how to find your Spirit Guide. And then there are those teachers who preach the vegan diet to all of their followers, and seem to vilify any person who consumes meat. And...don't even get me started on Bretharianism! (the belief that a human being can live on only divine energy, and have no need to consume any food other than water) So, after all of this preaching, how is a reasonable person supposed to take any of these spiritual teachers seriously?!

First of all, I don't believe that fairies or dragons exist and I also don't believe that the vegan diet is the right choice for every person's body, which is why I consistently struggle between the diverse amount of spiritual teachings that exist  and my need to exert a sense of reasonableness in the world.
I can  not say for certain that there are definitively no human's who have souls from an alien race - but, to me, it seems highly unlikely. And I can also not say that there are no Guardian Angels or Spirits looking out for us, which is actually a belief  I have an easier time participating in, probably due to the fact that I was raised in a Christian household/society. But I guess that the double edged sword of spirituality, or any religion, is faith -  the fact that none of the beliefs can yet be proven by reason or science. Myths and stories of most religions are extremely unreasonable. Take in point the idea that Jesus walked on water. Any rational person knows that walking on water is impossible, and most serious theologians view the supernatural Bible myths as allegories for a larger life lesson, i.e. if you believe in the teachings of Christ you can achieve unbelievable feats - like walking on water. But, what I find funny about some spiritual teachers is that they may insist on the existence of fairies, but would never insist on the 'truth' of those supernatural Bible stories, when in 'reality', both are equally as irrational and unlikely.  So how the heck is a reasonable person supposed to be spiritual?

In my opinion, which isn't worth much, it is best to take the middle road. On the middle road, reasonableness and spirituality co-exist in harmony. The middle road allows for the understanding that science does not know everything about the Universe, therefore, making any sort of religious or spiritual absoluteness baseless. This leaves the door open for all possibilities. Yes there is a possibility that things like faeries or spiritual alien races exist, but only so far as we have not yet proven that they dont. Because we do not know anything FOR SURE, we can leave this door open for pondering existence, while not participating in a fundamentalist belief system. The middle road allows for the existence of all of these magical and supernatural beings, but in a theoretical sense. Do they exist? Do they not exist? All we do know for sure, is that we do not. On the middle road, the possibilities are endless. On this spiritual path I am constantly amazed by the possibilities that lie within our vast universe, and I only wish that I could live long enough to see some of the mysteries uncovered. In my opinion, the best spiritual path allows for the existence of these mysteries while promoting a life of harmony. Harmony with the Earth and each other, as well as deep introspection into personal emotional and physical health.

I don't mean to vilify any person's belief system, but I think that a dose of reasonableness needs to be injected into the current spiritual community. These best belief is one without absolutes and without a sense of reason, human beings are susceptible to getting duped into following a dangerous spiritual leader, one who may lead them down a path of destruction. (ex. Jim Jones)

Healing from Fibromyalgia: Step 3: Finding the Right Doctor

When I was outlining my steps for healing from fibromyalgia, I struggled as to where on the list this step should fall. In some ways, finding the right doctor for treatment should be number one, rather than number three. Finding the right doctor for treatment is crucial in healing from fibromyalgia. But, it often takes many months and many failed doctors until a patient finds the right one to work with. I chose to list 'Finding the Right Doctor' as step three, rather than step one, because in order to find that ONE doctor to continue treatments, one must first get a diagnosis. Getting a diagnosis is sort of a catch twenty two. In order to get a diagnosis, one must go through many, many doctors in order to rule out other similar diseases and syndromes. But once a patient is given a diagnosis, then the patient can take control of what type of doctor he/she is going to work with.

Currently, fibromyalgia is a diagnosis that has no specific treatment plan in western medicine, other than prescribing an effective pain medication. Therefore, once a patient has received the diagnosis and found an effective pain medication, the traditional western medicinal system is no longer of service to the patient. So, what's next? After one realizes that most M.D. have no real treatment plan to heal fibromyalgia, it is time to start looking elsewhere. Luckily, M.D. are not the only type of physicians around.

 A new movement in medicine is gaining momentum in the Western world. With the rise of autoimmune diseases, chronic illnesses, and cancers - patients and physicians are beginning to realize the limitations of the Western Medicinal system. An integrative approach, combining the effective aspects of western medicine, along with aspects of 'Eastern' medicine - is offering patients a wider range of options for treating 'incurable' conditions.

Physicians such as Naturopathic Doctors,  Holistic Medicine, Environmental Medicine, Osteopathic Doctors, and Functional or Integrative Medicine Practitioners are gaining wide appeal and aclaim for their devotion to their patients and their holistic approach to healing. But, what is the difference between each type of doctor, and which doctor is the best for you?

Let's review.

Holistic Medicine
Holistic Medicine is a umbrella term that encompasses doctors/physicians who treat patients with a mind, body, spirit approach. Holistic Medicine practitioners view each patient as a unique individual and treat the person as a whole. They take into account factors such as diet/nutrition, mental/emotional health, spiritual health, and lifestyle. According to the American Holistic Medicine Association, "disease is understood to be the result of physical, emotional, spiritual, social and environmental imbalance. Healing, therefore, takes place naturally when these aspects of life are brought into proper balance. The role of the practitioner is as guide, mentor and role model; the patient must do the work - changing lifestyle, beliefs and old habits in order to facilitate healing. All appropriate methods may be used, from medication to meditation."* 

Resources for Specific Illnesses, Holistic Resources, and list of Holistic Practitioners by state/region can be found online at the American Holistic Medical Association website.

Environmental Medicine
Similar to Holistic Medicine, Environmental Medicine approaches health through an integrative approach. However, unlike Holistic Medicine, Environmental Medicine aims to take healing one step further. Environmental Medicine focuses on how aspects of the modern living environment affects the overall health of human beings.

The Mission Statement of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine is "to promote optimal health through prevention, and safe and effective treatment of the causes of illness by supporting physicians and other professionals in serving the public through education about the interaction between humans and their environment."*

As with the American Holistic Medical Association, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine has a Physical Referral portal on their website in which you can search for an Environmental Medicine practitioner in your area.

Naturopathic Doctors
The purpose of a Naturopathic Doctor can be deduced through the name itself, naturopathic = nature. Naturopathic Doctors practice medicine through the integration of traditional healing methods found in nature. Partnered with rigorous medical training, a licensed naturopathic doctor may be the best route to optimal health. Naturopathic Doctors emphasize the power of the body to heal itself through the use of supplements, dietary, and lifestyle changes. According the the American Assoc. of Naturopathic Physicians, "Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care profession, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods and substances that encourage individuals’ inherent self-healing process.  The practice of naturopathic medicine includes modern and traditional, scientific, and empirical methods."*

Naturopathic doctors also have a very patient oriented practice. The first appointment usually lasts between 1-2 hours, during which the doctor and patient speak in depth to cover medical and personal history.Subsequent appointments last between 60 - 90 minutes in which the naturopathic doctor and patient discuss continued areas of treatment which may include the incorporation of supplements, lifestyle, and dietary changes.

Licensed naturopathic doctors complete years of rigorous training, similar to that of an M.D, but with an approach similar to that of a holistic health practicioner. The AANP website states that, "A licensed naturopathic physician (ND) attends a four-year, graduate-level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same basic sciences as an MD, but also studies holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, the naturopathic physician also studies clinical nutrition, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, and counseling. A naturopathic physician takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice physician."*  

Licensing procedures vary from state-to-state. "Currently, 17 states, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands have licensing or regulation laws for naturopathic doctors. In these states, naturopathic doctors are required to graduate from an accredited four-year residential naturopathic medical school and pass an extensive postdoctoral board examination (NPLEX) in order to receive a license." * In my state of Ohio, there is currently no licensing procedure for naturopathic doctors. Meaning, that any person on the street can claim they are a naturopathic doctor without receiving and training. Therefore, if you live in a state which also has no licensing procedures for naturopathic doctors it is important to research where your doctor has received his/her training. For example, my naturopathic doctor received her four year degree from a State University in Ohio, then continued her training in Arizona - where there are rigid licensing procedures to become a naturopathic doctor. Lists of accredited naturopathic doctor programs can be found on the AANP website.
 

If you are looking for an accredited Naturopathic Doctor in your area, please refer to the online directory from the AANP website.

Osteopathic Doctors
As we near the end of our list, Osteopathic Doctors vary significantly from the previous entries. Unlike Naturopathic, Environmental, and Holistic doctors - Osteopathic Doctors do not necessarily fall under the umbrella term of holistic healthcare. However, like Naturopaths, Osteopathic doctors must complete extensive medical training. "To become a DO, an individual must graduate from one of the nation's osteopathic medical schools, accredited by the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation" *  

As with Naturopaths, Osteopathic Doctors specialize in a specific area, which can be deduced through the name itself. Osteopaths focus on the muscular skeletal system, "so that they better understand how that system influences the condition of all other body systems. In addition, DOs are trained to identify and correct structural problems, which can assist your body's natural tendency toward health and self-healing." *

Due to the fact that fibromyalgia affects the muscular skeletal system, seeing an osteopathic doctor may be incredibly beneficial. OD's are capable of prescribing medication as well as practicing some surgery; however, they do not specialize in areas of nutrition, supplements, environmental, or lifestyle factors.

More information about Osteopathic Doctors can be found at their website.

Functional / Integrative Medicine

Ahhh, at long last we have reached the end of our list! Upon which we stumble the practice of integrative and functional medicine. Integrative and Functional medicine are essentially two terms meaning the same thing, an approach to medicine which integrates holistic and western approaches to treatment and functions to view the treatment of the individual as a whole. " Functional Medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease." *

Functional / Integrative medicine differs from the treatment received from an MD in the sense that an MD may treat symptoms, while a functional/integrative medicine practitioner searches to treat the root causes of the symptoms in order to provide overall healing.

 
 More information about functional/integrative medicine can be found online at the following links.

1. Functional Medicine
2. Integrative Medicine

Whew! That was a long list! But I hope that this list provides you with more information to move you forward in your path towards overall health!




Until Next Time,
Feast From Within

Radical Realizations: Self Approval

Most of the time I go through life feeling as though I'm living on autopilot. My only focus is moving one step at a time in the direction towards rebuilding my life and making it one of optimal health and well-being. But, it is rare (if ever) that I  am able to stop and realize how far I have come. However, yesterday that realization came right up and bit me in the ass, and it was fantastic!  Let me explain.

When I first became ill in 2009, I had just began dating my first boyfriend. This was HUGE for me. I was twenty years old and finally felt like I had met someone who 'understood' me and shared the same passions and interests. But at the same time as I had finally felt that I had found 'the one' or a 'one', I was falling incredibly ill - and fast. I didn't know what to do. So, of course, I kept pushing myself. I didn't want to loose this new relationship, and I felt like it was my fault for being the one who got sick. I was only twenty. Due to my illness, I couldn't go out to drink and party ( I was a sophomore in college) so I had lost ALL but one of my college friends and one of my high school friends. So, needless to say, I felt completely alone and was incredibly afraid. I was desperately trying to cling onto this relationship because it was all I had, and I felt that if I let it go it would be my fault that it failed, and that I would then be sick AND alone.

If you posses astute skills at inference, you may have already inferred that this relationship was NOT healthy. It was codependent on both accounts. I depended on him as my entire social and emotional outlet and in his own ways he was enmeshed with me. Because I was so sick, all I could see and all I could focus on was my health. My health was deteriorating, and fast. Within two months of beginning the relationship, I had withdrawn from school and was bedridden, living at my parents house. Because I was so sick, weak, and exhausted, I didn't have the strength or perception to leave the relationship.

As time went on the relationship became more and more toxic. Even though I was sick, bedridden, living in pain, and essentially felling as though I were waiting to die  - I did not 'look' sick. Because I didn't look sick, the severity of my symptoms could not be adequately expressed or understood by those around me. Because of this, many thought or asked me if it were all in my head. As if my symptoms were some how psychosomatic or self-induced. The double edged sword of living with an invisible illness is that it is 1) usually incredibly hard to diagnose and 2) manifests symptoms internally, leaving no outward appearance to be seen by the eye. Once people started questioning the reality of my symptoms, I began to participate in more self-blame and now self-doubt. I felt even more as though it were my fault for getting sick, and that somehow I might be able to just think myself back into good health. WRONG.

Fast forward two years later, by 2011 I had gone back and forth in this relationship - still struggling with my chronic illness, but slowly moving towards better health. By this time he had become such a central point in my life that his friends were now all my friends and I was just happy to have some what of a social life going on. I didn't go out much, but when I did I actually had people there - a vast improvement from being abandoned by all of my friends two years before. However, as my health improved, so did my sense of self. I started to realize that these new friends were toxic and so was the relationship. I constantly participated in self blame and guilt. Allowing others to make me feel insanely bad about myself, but I kept hanging out with them. All of my love and energy had been invested in this group of people, because in my mind they had been around when others weren't. [which was actually....false] By 2012 I was SICK of it! I was sick of hating myself and sick of allowing others to let me hate myself. So I stopped. I started saying no and I started demanding to be respected and to stop being blamed for being ill. And wouldn't you know it, within weeks of standing up for myself all of these relationships crashed and burned. In this funeral pyre  friendships, I was heartbroken, but I was me. Since then, I have been rebuilding my life. Alone. The two friends who stood by me through it all, one whom I met freshman year of college, the other from high school, are the only two people who I know will always support me, and I am incredibly indebted to their continued love and friendship.

But, even though it has been two years since I separated myself from those toxic relationships, I think subconsciously blamed myself. I always wondered - in the back of my head - if it really was my fault for all of them failing. That if I hadn't gotten sick, I would still be in a relationship, and still have a large group of friends. But yesterday I had the most invigorating moment of realization - a moment in which I saw, felt, and understood how far I have come.

All of this happened because I ran into someone who was part of this big group of friends I used to hang out with two years ago. Upon bumping into this person, I began engaging in the typical catching up conversations, in which I was filled in on everything that had happened since I stopped associating with them in 2011. And boy, did I end up leaving feeling AWESOME about myself. I finally felt like I had made the right decision. None of those people had changed, and they were still participating in the same unhealthy, manipulative, and selfish behaviors as they always had - but I could now see it much more clearly. It is amazing what a dose of good health can do for your sense of self. I was now able to say no, able to set up strong personal boundaries, and to respect myself. I didn't apologize for getting sick and I didn't feel guilty. Those relationships were unhealthy for me, irregardless of my health. And I felt so amazingly proud of myself for standing up those two years ago and putting a stop to it all. It was an intense feeling of satisfaction for the hard personal work I had put on myself these past two years, and how much I have grown. All of those people who I thought I needed, I didn't, and I was much better off with out them.

I don't wish them any harm or ill will, and I am sure they are doing much better in their lives without me,  but I needed this moment of clarity to have a better understanding of myself and how I want/ed to be treated. I hope that you all have positive, loving people surrounding you. Don't ever feel like having and illness is your fault. It is not. You are not broken because you are sick. You are whole and you are worthy of being loved and treated with respect just for existing. If there is anyone in your life who makes you feel otherwise I hope that you can one day stand up for yourself as well and realize how truly amazing you are.

Until next time,
Feast From Within

Healing from Fibromyalgia Step 2: Finding the Right Pain Medication

The often long and arduous journey towards receiving a fibromyalgia diagnosis is, unfortunately, just one step in the direction towards restored health. After I received my diagnosis of fibromyalgia, I was elated and felt a great sense of relief. Finally! Now the doctors would be able to give me some sort of prescription or treatment plan than would catapult me back to health. Oh how I wish I could go back in time and warn my young, naive self - the self who still believed in the omniscience of doctors - that there was still a long way to go. Upon receiving a diagnosis with fibromyalgia, I soon found out that there is no treatment plan, and that the main way most physicians treat the syndrome is through prescription pain medication. Althought, as with all fibromyalgia treatments, finding the right pain medication was trial and error. And boy, did I have to try A LOT of prescriptions before I found the one that worked for me.

From the onset of my illness in 2009, I immediately began receiving prescriptions for pain relief, and it took me two years until I found THE medication for me. Luckily, all of that painful trial and error was worth it; however, I do not wish that long of a wait on anyone. Finding the right medication to relieve pain is a crucial step in recovery. Until I received the proper pain medication, I felt as though I were waiting to die. I had no hope, no specific treatment plan to follow, and lived in continuous, excruciating pain. When I finally found that one, specific prescription to help ease my pain, I felt as though my life were back on track. Within a few weeks I was able to get up and move around. And as the pain faded, hope returned. Pain medication can be the key is restoring a sense of control and mobility in life. With the decrease in pain, I was then able to start forming a plan to treat the overall health of my body. I was able to get up, move around, and begin working towards regaining strength and stamina.

So, how do you find the right medication for you? 

Currently, there are three FDA-approved medications for the treatment of fibromyalgia pain.; Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Savella. Lyrica (Pfizer Inc) was the first medication to recive FDA-approval in June of 2007. Originally, "approved to treat seizures, as well as pain from damaged nerves that can happen in people with diabetes (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) and in those who develop pain following the rash of shingles," Lyrica was found to also be effective in decreasing the level of wide-spread pain in fibromyalgia patients. Now a popular drug, often seen in television commercials, Lyrica was the beginning of FDA-approved drugs which had positive responses in some fibromyalgia patients.

The next drug to be approved by the FDA was Cymbalta, which received it's approval one year later in June of 2008.  Like Lyrica, Cymbalta was not originally created to treat fibromyaliga patients. The original use of Cymbalta was to aide those who suffered from depression, anxiety, or diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Cymalta works to boost the brain chemicals serotonin and norepenepherine. "Serotonin and norepinephrine work together in the brain and spinal cord to tone down pain-related messages" *  Increasing serotonin and norepenephrine aide the body's ability to fight pain.

Similar to Cymbalta, Savella also works as a serotonin and norephenephrine booster. Savella was the first drug whose original purpose was created to help fight the pain of fibromyalgia patients. Recieving FDA-approval in 2009, Savella acts similar to those drugs used to treat depression and anxiety, but is not prescribed as such.

Each one of these FDA-approved drugs has the possibility of helping fibromyalgia patients, but they also have negative side effects. Typical side effects include:

1. Lyrica: "sleepiness, dizziness, blurry vision, weight gain, trouble concentrating, swelling of the hands and feet, and dry mouth. Allergic reactions, although rare, can occur."*
2. Cymbalta: "side effects include nausea, dry mouth, sleepiness, constipation, decreased appetite, and increased sweating ... Like some other antidepressants, Cymbalta may increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in people who take the drug for depression" *
3. Savella: " Side effects include nausea, constipation, dizziness, insomnia, excessive sweating, vomiting, palpitations or increased heart rate, dry mouth and high blood pressure" *

Although Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Savella are the only three prescriptions that have received FDA-approval for the treatment of fibromyalgia, there are many other prescriptions which have also been helpful in fibromyalgia patients. Muscle relaxants such as Xanaflex or Flexeri may be prescribed, as well as other serotonin boosters like Prozac, Lexapro, and Zoloft. In my experience with prescritption medications, serotonin boosters were unhelpful and created the most uncomfortable side effects of all those I had tried. Unlike Cymbalta or Savella (which boost BOTH serotonin and norepenepherine) prescriptions like Prozac only boost serotonin levels, which may increase energy - but does not decrease pain.

Overall,finding the correct pain medication is as hard of a journey as was getting a diagnosis. Often the medications will give you adverse reactions and side effects, and you will have to go through many until you find that one pill which gives you none. For me, it took two years, but I am hoping that for others their wait will be much less. Finding the tools to decrease wide spread pain is a fundamental building block towards rebuilding your body to total health.

This blog was sourced from the FDA website and the Fibromyaliga Network. If you would like to read their articles or look for further information, please follow the links below

1. FDA
2. Fibromyalgia Network

 Until Next Time,
Feast From Within

Healing from Fibromyalgia: Step 1 - Getting a Diagnosis

What is Fibromyalgia? To those who do not suffer from this curious illness, understanding its symptoms, treatments, and effects on a person's life can be very difficult. Debate within the medical community still persists as to the existence of fibromyalgia as an actual disease or condition. Characterized by widespread pain, unbearable fatigue, cognitive impairment (brain fog), and poor sleep, fibromyalgia is often considered the 'wastebasket' disease of the medical community. Considering that fibromyalgia can not be diagnosed using any form of medical testing (blood test, X Ray, etc) many doctors use the diagnosis of fibromyalgia as a catch-all for an explanation of their patient's symptoms. But to those of us who truly suffer from the debilitating syndrome, actually getting a proper diagnosis is incredibly difficult.

As previously stated, fibromyalgia can not be diagnosed through any sort of medical testing. In fact, the current way to diagnose fibromyalgia is through an arbitrary 'tender point test' along side a patient survey. In order to receive the diagnosis of 'fibromyalgia', a patient must respond to 11 of the 18 tender points in all four quadrants of the body (left/right, top/bottom). These 18 tender points are depicted in the graph below:

 

The tender point test and criteria for diagnosis was created in  1990 by the American College of Rheumatology, and, sadly, is still in use today. * There are many problems in the use of this test as the primary means of diagnosis. First of all, in order to meet the diagnosis of fibromyalgia, a patient must have had persistent wide spread pain symptoms for a minimum of three months. * Meaning, one must suffer and live in agonizing, full - body pain for MONTHS before a doctor will even consider to give a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Not only must one suffer through months of pain, they must also suffer through months of randomized testing in order to rule out any other possible illness or disease which shares similar symptoms. If anyone has lived with fibromyalgia or chronic widespread pain, they may understand the extent of suffering and hopelessness that one faces while being shuffled from doctor to doctor, going through a wide array of tests, only to continue waiting for any information that may provide an explanation as to why they are in so much pain.

Not only is the tender point test subjective, but is it highly unpredictable depending on the severity of the symptoms and the competence of the doctor. Symptoms of fibromyalgia vary from day to day; therefore, multiple tender points may not register on one day, but be very evident on the next. When I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2010, I was experiencing so much widespread pain that I could not differentiate between the pain I felt in the 'tender points' vs the pain I was feeling through out the rest of my body. To me, everything was painful, and the act of applying pressure to one specific area made no difference to the pain I was already experiencing. 

Since the tender point test is unpredictable and subjective, in 2010 "a group of rheumatologists acting on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) published new preliminary criteria on how doctors should diagnose fibromyalgia." * This preliminary criteria includes a patient survey, or 'symptom checklist', that acts as a backup to the tender point test. The symptom checklist is just as subjective as the tender point test. The idea behind the symptom survey, I'm assuming, is to provide further validation to the diagnosis of a patient with fibromyalia. As a person who has completed both tests and lives with fibromyalgia, I (obviously) find both to be extremely faulty and possibly ineffective in providing suffering people with proper medical care. However, until fibromyalgia can be diagnosed through a more effective test, like a blood test, patients suffering from chronic pain are forced to live with a flawed system. 

Unfortunately, in order to begin healing from symptoms of fibromyalgia, one needs a diagnosis. Receiving a diagnosis provides patients with some sense of understanding and allows each person to begin taking steps toward finding treatments. Armed with a diagnosis, any patient with fibromyalgia can now venture to arm themselves with knowledge of their condition and begin to regain a sense of hope for improved health. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of fibromyalgia, consider consulting a rheumatologist. Most cases of fibromyalgia are diagnosed under the umbrella of being a rheumatic syndrome, therefore many of the most knowledgeable doctors of fibromyalgia are found in the rheumatology department.

An example of the symptom survey can be found at the link below:
 http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HXZYTBM

Until Next Time,
Feast From Within



Further information regarding diagnosing fibromyalgia:

1. http://www.fmnetnews.com/fibro-basics/diagnosis
2. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/in-depth/fibromyalgia-symptoms/art-20045401?pg=1

What happens when the medical system fails

As I write this blog post I am , yet again, preparing myself to embark on a journey with another doctor. Many of those living with a chronic illness can understand this journey far too well. Moving from doctor to doctor in desperate search for a cure, we are continually faced with the harsh realities of our medical system. I can only write from the perspective of an American who has to deal with the American medical system, but I am sure that many of the hardships I have faced in search of treatments are transferable across nations.

Growing up in America, I viewed doctors as saviors, people who knew all the answers and were able to cure any disease. The only illnesses I ever thought of as 'incurable' were illnesses like cancer and HIV, boy was my world about to be rocked. When I first became ill in 2009, my symptoms looked like those of just a common virus. Typical aches, pains, nausea, fatigue, etc. The usual blood tests were drawn and I was cleared by my primary care doctor for mono or any other 'common' viral illness. Leaving the doctor's office I was sure that with rest and fluids I would be back to normal in a week or two, the truth is much different. As weeks passed, my symptoms persisted and continued to get worse. My glands began to swell up to the size of a golf ball and the fatigue became unbearable. At this time I was still attempting to struggle through my college classes, but I knew something was wrong. Once again I went back to the doctor to get more blood tests, but still the same diagnosis. No mono, no serious viral illness, and I would be better in two weeks. Somehow, even with my glands swollen to the size of golf balls, doctors were turning me away - telling me I was going to be fine, and dismissing any or all of my concerns.

Months went by, my glands didn't go down, and my tonsils were 3x the size of normal. I kept thinking that as long as I rested and got enough fluids I was going to be O.K. I mean, the doctors kept telling me I was fine, that my blood tests were 'normal', so I should get better, right? Not right. Because of my faith in doctors and my false belief that they know best, I kept pushing my body, and struggling to get to classes. But enough became enough, it had been almost 4months with persistent and worsening symptoms, and I felt myself slipping away. I began to become incredibly worried. Something was wrong, and I wasn't getting any better. I couldn't make it to my classes because I was too weak to even get out of bed and I was failing out of college, this is when I decided to withdraw and move back home. I was weak, constantly feverish, swollen all over, and had no appetite. I felt like I was dying. There were some days that I was sure my death was imminent and rushed myself to the ER or to the local Urgent Care, only to be turned away - being told that it was some common viral illness. Was I going crazy?! How could trained, medical doctors turn away a patient who was obviously so very sick?!

After I withdrew from college and moved home to the care of my family, our desecrate search for an answer continued. I saw an ENT and was tested for multiple cancers (lymphoma, leukemia, etc) TWO endocrinologists ( one of which was crazy enough to tell me [whilst I was in a wheelchair] that all I needed to do was masturbate in order to get my hormones regulated!!!) an immunologist, an integrative MD, a rheumatologist at the Cleveland Clinic, and an infectious disease specialist at the Cleveland Clinic. Literally, every. single. doctor I went to told me the same thing, "It's just a virus, you will be fine two weeks or so." WHAT?! Are you kidding me?!! By this point, I had been bedridden for months, losing weight fast, and basically waiting to diet. Nothing and no one would help me. I was so weak that I was visiting doctors in a wheel chair, yet they seemed to think that this mysterious virus I had really wasn't doing me much harm, and that I would be better soon. What a farce.

What I had essentially learned from my experiences in the medical system, is that doctors don't know as much as we think they do. When it comes to treating illness, most doctors will just prescribe antibiotics and hopefully the symptoms magically disappear. Now, there are things that doctors do which are wonderful. Just thinking about leaps we have made in surgical procedures is amazing. But for the most part, the majority of illnesses are misunderstood. Doctors usually just treat symptoms, not causes. Prescriptions are handed out to cover up symptoms, such as high blood pressure, anxiety, pain, etc but the root cause of the illness continues to persist. My experiences in the medical system lead me to believe that 1) doctors usually don't really listen to their patients, and 2) hospitals are businesses, and business like money; therefore, patients aren't treated as people, but as dollar signs.

I was continually turned away, continually dismissed, and continually told that I was 'fine' when I obviously wasn't. The extent of my hopelessness was consuming, and I truly began to believe I was crazy. If highly trained doctors couldn't tell me what was wrong with me, or help me get better, then I was doomed to either die, or be sick forever. I had exhausted all options in the medical system, so I began searching elsewhere.

Que in alternative treatments. Cognitive therapy, acupuncture, nutrition, and chiropractic treatments offered me the ray of hope I was so desperately searching for. First, let me note, I was diagnoses and prescribed Cymbalta by a Psychiatrist in 2010 - which acted as a springboard for health due to my new found ability to manage pain. My prescription to cymbalta and my experience in alternative medicine allowed me to heal myself. The philosophy of alternative and holistic medicine is that the human body is capable of healing itself, or regaining it's healthy equilibrium, when it is cared for properly. The practitioners I began seeing in the alternative medicine world took their time trying to truly understand me. For the first time in over a year I felt people were beginning to take my illness seriously. They were giving me hope for a brighter future, a sense of hope that was lost through my experience with the traditional medical system. And that's what happens when the medical system fails. Patients are forced to look within themselves, to find alternative treatments, and to learn how to understand the needs of their own body.

In the next few days I will be embarking on a journey with a naturopathic doctor, one whom I hope will help to shed even more light on what is going on in my body. I may have lost my faith in the medical system, but I have gained faith in the power of my body to heal itself.

If you are searching for alternative doctors in your area, look into finding a licensed naturopath or integrative medicine practitioner.

Until the next time,
Feast From Within

Re-defining Success with a Chronic Illness

Many days I spend time wondering if I'm working hard enough, if there is more I can be doing, if I need to be more proactive about my health, or if my health will prohibit me from achieving my goals. Before I got sick, I spent my teenage years being active in athletics, community service, and after school group activities. I was the stereotypical overachiever who wanted to be involved in any and every group possible. Back then, success meant being the 'best' and winning awards. My entire self-worth was derived from the success I felt from the outward accomplishments I could achieve. To me, the more recognition I got, the more successful and worthy I felt. But my idea of success was radically changed once I became ill.

It has been five years since I first fell ill in 2009, and I still struggle with my definition of success daily. My old paradigms of material gain and outward recognition still color my perception of how successful I feel. My emotions usually fluctuate between feeling like I'm not working hard enough, to worrying that  I will never amount to anything in my life. Recently I have realized that my current definition of success is detrimental to my personal outlook, and quite frankly it is a result of poor self-worth and self-image. In my definition of success, I'm using all of the outward accomplishments I can achieve as a filler for a lack of inner self-worth and self-love.

Self-worth/self-love is an inherently hard concept to cultivate in any individual, regardless of chronic illness; however, I have found that living with a chronic illness makes self-love even harder. It shines a harsh light on our vulnerabilities, insecurities, and true feelings about ourselves. For example, I have spent my whole life defining my success and self-worth through the eyes of others, and I only felt that I was worthy of love if I could accomplish something and get attention. And, now, living with a chronic illness I am FORCED to redefine success and how I view myself.

Living with fibromyalgia, I can not accomplish as many outward goals as others. I can't compete in physical activities, run a marathon, go back packing through Europe, etc. I have to make sure I get enough sleep, eat the correct diet, take my medication, have time to rest through out the day, and most often I have to depend on others for support. It kills me to think that there are things in this world that I may not ever be able to achieve or places I may never be able to visit, but I am slowly learning that not achieving those things is o.k. In my mind, I'm only worthy if I have traveled the world, been on adventures, made a lot of money, and achieved acclaim in my career. It drives me crazy that I still live near my hometown, that I haven't seen as much of the world as I want to, and that I haven't made an extreme headway in my career. There is something in me that believes if I do not accomplish these Type- A goals, my life will be worth nothing, or that no one will value me, or that I am wasting my life due to my chronic illness. And yes, there are things in life that my chronic illness will not allow me to do - but I'm starting to realize that all of those limiting beliefs t are bullshit.

Think about it, why are we all striving for success and acclaim? In one way or another, most of us are trying to fill a void that wasn't tended to as children. We are trying to fill that hole with material things, cars, jobs, money, etc. just because we don't believe we are incapable of seeing our inherent worthiness. We are trying to cover up our insecurities, because somewhere, deep down, most of us don't believe we are worthy of love unless we are able to accomplish something. Each day is a struggle for me to understand that I am worthy, not because I accomplish something, but I am worthy merely for just being me.

Sometimes I get lost in this world. It is hard living with a chronic illness. Each day is frustrating and painful and the fear that I am missing out on life can be incredibly heartbreaking. I believe that each person deserves to experience the full potential of their lives, and quite often, living with a chronic illness can make someone feel like their life has been taken away from them. But, on those days when my self-doubt is at its worst, I just have to stop and remember what I have and what I am capable of doing. I may not be able to do everything that everyone else can do, but I can still do a lot. I have come a long way from being bedridden. I'm fortunate enough that I have gotten a hold on my chronic illness, to the extent that I can work, I have traveled abroad once, and I am able to walk and enjoy life again.

Each day it is important to remember that we define our own success. Success is different for everyone, and it is never a replacement for self-worth. Being mindful of how we view ourselves, how we view success, and what we say to ourselves in our own heads can be incredibly enlightening if we just take the time to slow down and be mindful of our thoughts. Don't even compare your life journey to that of another. Each of us is inherently worthy to be alive and to be loved just by being us. We all have our own paths and our own parts to play in life, and the journey can take some amazing turns. Five years ago I thought I was going to die and that I was never going to be healthy again, but now I am grateful to say that I live a very blessed life with many opportunities to accomplish some of my goals - and so can you.

While this blog post might seem like I have rambled on about success, self-love, and self-worth, all I want you to take away from this is that our idea of material gain as success is usually bullshit. That we ARE worthy of being loved even though we are sick, and that there is always the possibility of things getting better. Never give up, and never let anyone define your success but you.

Until Next Time,
Feast From Within
xoxo

Book Review: The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book

On my quest for the perfect diet that will optimize my body's ability to heal, I have come across many books that promise such results. Of course, most fall short in conveying adequate information about how the body functions with regards to nutrition, and many others are just jam packed with difficult recipes which seem better suited for a chef (which I am not). However, I was pleasantly surprised by what I found in the Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book. 

Written by Jessica K. Black N.D, trained at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, the book does approached inflammation through a holistic and nutritional approach. Increased inflammation in the body results in many chronic health conditions such as heart disease, chronic pain syndromes, and diabetes. And, according to the book, "seven of every ten Americans who die each year, die of a chronic disease." (pg. 39) Therefore, in my journey to optimal health and wellness, I decided to embark on learning more about this Anti-Inflammation Diet 'revolution'. 

The Anti-Inflammation diet itself stresses what seems to be an obvious approach to eating habits; no sugar, alcohol, or caffeine. Avoid possible food sensitives like gluten and dairy, but focus on eating plenty of fruits, veggies, and grains. Food habits like these are not revolutionary, but following such a diet in our over caffeinated and sugared culture is quite difficult. The diet itself can be broken down into a simple format depicted in this Anti-Inflammation Food Pyramid created by Dr. Andrew Weil.

The diet is helpful in living a healthy life and preventing chronic diseases, but it should be stated that each person has an individual biochemistry - meaning that not all diets are created as a one size fits all. And diet alone will not 'cure' every ailment. However, the information provided in this book was helpful in understanding the effects of inflammation of the body. What I enjoyed the most about the Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book is the Jessica Black added helpful charts for example meal plans as well as a substitutions chart for cooking without food such as wheat, eggs, butter, etc. Each substitution chart provides helpful alternatives in baking if one is cutting out dairy or gluten. For example, if you are trying to make a recipe that calls for milk, you can substitute the milk for any alternative such as almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, etc. These charts are essential in simplifying the baking process and making it much easier to learn how to cook healthy, nutrient packed meals. 

Overall, I found the recipes in the book to be some of the most useful I have ever come across. They do not seem as intimidating as many other health food recipes I have tried in the past and many use simple ingredients that can be found in your kitchen or cupboard. In conclusion, I would have liked more of an in depth coverage of the properties of an Anti-Inflammation Diet and how nutrition plays a role in impacting our overall health and vitality, but the usefulness of the recipes in the back, as well as the sample meal plans and charts, saves this book from being passable. 

Finding a diet that fits your unique biochemistry and body is difficult and can often be a long journey. I do not follow the Anti-Inflammation Diety strickly because I find that I personally require more sources of protein in order to function properly, but I have committed to cutting out sources of cane sugar for my food sources. 

I do hope that this information is helpful to all of my readers out there! I will continue to dedicate my time to researching new, healthy ways to empower the body to heal itself. 

For more information about Jessica Black N.D. please visit her website at the following link:

http://drjessicablack.com/

Until next time, 

Feast From Within 

Personal Stories: Triumph Over Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

                                                                       Photo credit: Satish Kumar / The National
                                                      Alice Haine (right) with her personal trainer Emma White (left) in Dubai 

               The story of Alice Haine is one many of those with chronic illness or Fibromyalgia can relate to. of triumph. A year ago she was suffering from a range of debilitating symptoms that effectively stopped her life dead on the tracks. Unable to get out of bed or work full time, Haine was struggling to understand what was going on in her body. A mother of two living in the UAE, Haine was terrified that the life she had enjoyed as a wife, mother, and editor at The National- would be drastically limited by illness. In September of 2013, Haine was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. So, what was she to do next?

            With diagnosis in hand, Haine sought out to find treatments that would restore her heath. Researching online and joining support groups, she was devastated to see that many others with the same illness had spend years of their life restricted to a wheel chair or relying of care-givers. But Haine seemingly refused to accept that as her fate, and "just 10 weeks after [her] devastating diagnosis; however, [she] returned to full-time work. And today, 11 months on, [she] is almost fully recovered. So, how did [she] do it?' * 


          Haine credits her recovering to an fairly unknown treatment plan called, "Dynamic Neural Retraining System (DNRS) – a Canadian programme that remaps the brain away from a constant cycle of illness and back to full health over a period of six months...The programme was launched in 2009 by Annie Hopper, a counsellor and psychotherapist from Toronto, after she recovered from multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Using her professional experience and the latest research in neuroscience, she concluded that she was suffering from a limbic-system disorder where the brain is locked into a permanent trauma loop (or state of fight or flight), which makes it see everything around it as some form of threat." *   

What is the lymbic system and what role does it play in Dynamic Neural Retraining System?

              According to Haine's own article published at The National, "the limbic system is a complex set of structures in the brain that’s largely responsible for how we interpret sensory input. Several factors can impair its function, from exposure to chemicals, a virus, an emotional or physical trauma or accumulated stress. Once the system is damaged, it causes cross-wiring of the neuronal circuits in the brain and, as a result, distorted sensory perceptions."

              So, the theory is, if one can effectively train the brain to direct a positive focus away from pain and illness, then the patient can essentially re-wire the focus of the lymbic system. This theory, neuroplasticity, is revolutionary in the field of brain science. Neuroplasticity states that the brain is not a static system, but rather it is dynamic and always changing. It has plasticity. The  Dynamic Neural Retraining System utilizes this theory to create new, healthy pathways in the brain. Essentially, the sufferer of chronic illness would think themselves well.

              The program is completed in six months and is taught through a 14 hr DVD package. Each patient is directed to focus on positive brain training exercises for one hour each day. "To date, the DNRS programme has only treated 3,000 people – some on courses hosted by Hopper in North America and more than 1,800 through the 14-hour DVD that she created to reach those farther away."  More information about Hopper's program can be found at the her website http://www.dnrsystem.com/

             Treatments for fibromyalgia and any other chronic illness are often alternative in nature, due to the fact that the illness itself is still widely misunderstood by 'western' doctors. I, myself, have not yet tried the DNRS system and remain skeptical in nature. The power of the brain is truly astounding and I do believe that many people can will themselves into good health through the power of effective positive thinking. However, new 'miracle' treatments should always be taken under advisement before one makes an investment. Understanding how our body works is key in understanding how to heal, and the more we know the more answers we can unlock. Studying the function of the lymbic system and the power of the brain in rewiring old, negative thought patterns is a worth while endeavor and I will continue to do my own research into the topic. The most effective treatments for any illness usually involve an integrative approach to health. An approach that integrates 'western' and holistic medicine practices. Haine herself states that " the DNRS wasn't my only treatment"  But she does believe that, "The most important step in [her] recovery was being diagnosed, [and] the next was believing [she] could get better. There’s no one-stop solution for ­everybody, but treating both the brain and the physical symptoms was the key to [her] recovery."

           If you are interested in learning more about DNRS please follow the links above or below. In my upcoming posts I will be looking deeper into the program myself and learning more about the theories of neuroplasticity. 

Until next time,

Feast From Within

Sources:

For more information about the DNRS program, http://www.dnrsystem.com/Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/arts-lifestyle/well-being/the-road-to-recovery-a-first-hand-account-of-beating-chronic-fatigue-syndrome#page1#ixzz39XVr48CP
Follow us: @TheNationalUAE on Twitter | thenational.ae on Facebook

Man with Fibromyalgia Overcomes Odds

                                                          Tye Cypher | for Trib Total Media

Eight years after a quadruple-bypass surgery, Larry Shaffer (age 60 of PA), "broke state bench-press record ... and now has his eyes set on an Anti-Drug Athletes United world record. " Not only has Shaffer overcome the post-op odds of a quadruple-bypass surgery, he is doing so while battling elbow tendinitis AND fibromyalgia. 

Speaking about his condition, Shaffer stated that, “with fibromyalgia, if you let it overcome you, it will wreak havoc on your body,”  But Shaffer hasn't let that happen. He said weightlifting saved his life in 2006, the same time doctors told him he wouldn't lift again. His pure power of will allowed him to surpass the odds that were stacked against him. 

Shaffer began weight lifting later in life, beginning in his forties, and continues to do so in spite of  a diagnosis previously given by his doctors that he would never be able to lift more than forty pounds. In fact, this June, "Shaffer competed in his first competitive event since 2012 ... and his lift of 276 lbs. broke the previous state record for the 60-64 age group ... while his second lift of 282 lbs. broke the state AND national mark." 

Larry Shaffer is a testament to the power of the human mind. When you are determined to achieve a goal, the mind will destroy all obstacles that stand in your way. 

Shaffer has an important message to relay to all others who are facing challenging life circumstances. 

"“Doctors told me I'd never be able to lift more than 40 pounds,” Shaffer said. “Never let anyone tell you that you can't do something.”

Fibromyalgia is a terrible condition that is painful and debilitating to many people. I, myself, suffer from the condition and look to the success of Larry Shaffer as motivation and proof that I, too, can accomplish my goals.

I hope that the story of Larry Shaffer inspires you to believe in the power of yourself and gives you a ray of hope for a healthy future. His full story can be found at the link below.

Until next time,

Feast From Within 

Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/otherlocal/6469864-74/shaffer-lift-pounds#ixzz38xiy47Kj 
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook

Dangers of taking DHEA

DHEA has been referred to as the 'fountain of youth' in some corners of the health and wellness community. However, oral supplementation of DHEA can be incredibly harmful on the body. DHEA is a hormone produced natural in the body in conjunction with cortisol in the adrenal glands. DHEA is thought of as the 'immune and anti-aging hormone. [It] controls age-related disorders, helps repair and maintain tissues....and balances the activity of the immune system" (Black, Jessica*)  The use of DHEA is banned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) because it is considered 'cheating', similar alongside the use of steroids with regards to its use for increasing of muscle mass, strength, and energy in atheletes.*

So, why are  people supplementing their natural levels of DHEA with over the counter oral hormones? The main reasons are 1) energy and 2) youth. As previously stated, athletes have been known to take DHEA for the increased energy and strength it may provide, while others are attempting to find new ways to regain their youth. However, because DHEA is said to help the immune system as well as increase energy, many people with chronic diseases, chronic pain, or chronic fatigue illnesses have considered taking DHEA. But what people don't know is that people who have normal "hormone levels in their bodies who supplement DHEA are likely to experience negative side effects,such as: acne, tumor formation, hair loss, heart rhythm problems, and insomnia" *   
Jessica Black N.D, author of The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book, also suggests that DHEA "should not be taken as a supplement unless the patient's own bodily level of DHEA is found to be low on proper lab tests." Hormone levels can be tested by your family doctor, naturopath, or holistic doctor using a blood or urine test. "The scientific jury is till out on the subject, but it appears that normal daily DHEA production for an average person in their 20's is between 10-25 mg" *

Even though supplementation of DHEA without the reference of a doctor may be dangerous for most people, addition DHEA supplements can be beneficial for those who suffer from lupus,osteoporosis, ED, Alzheimers, MS, or HIV. *


Taking supplements to improve health can be a risky business. Before embarking on your journey to good health through the use of over the counter oral supplements, please speak with a doctor and do personal research. Some herbal supplements may interact with prescriptions, while others may not be safe or approved to be taken without testing by a doctor.

It is important to not only be proactive, but well informed about the choices you make for your health

Until next time,
Feast From Within


Sources:

1. Black, Jessica, The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book, 2006. pg. 20
2. Mayo Clinic, <http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/dhea/evidence/hrb-20059173>
3. Medline Plus, <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/331.html>
4. Dr. Mercola, DHEA: Supplementing with THIS Hormone can Lead to Tumors and Insomnia. 2011. <http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/03/19/the-most-common-mistakes-in-bioidentical-hormone-replacement.aspx

Supplements for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia - Ribose

Treating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue syndrome is still a mystery to many doctors, but new treatments and studies are being conducted into the effectiveness of supplements and alternative treatments. Lately I have been hearing a considerable amount of discussion in the Chronic Pain Community about the use of Ribose as a way to easy pain and increase energy. Ribose, " is a naturally occurring sugar made in the body from glucose and is an essential component of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the compound that stores and delivers energy in all cells." It also occurs in RNA (ribonucleic acid), "one of the main information-carriers of living organisms"  

So basically, ribose can be thought of as a sugar and is even being used in some energy or health drinks *(so keep an eye on the labels of drinks when you are considering how much ribose to add into your diet, you may already be consuming it!) As for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue patients, a study in 2006 done by The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, noted that, "patients who took five grams of ribose three times a day for an average of 28 days reported less muscle soreness and stiffness, better ability to overcome fatigue, and simply [felt] better." (source/ source)

It is important to note that ribose supplements have not been extensively studied and that the study done by The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine did not utilize a placebo group, nor did they do a long term follow up.

I have, personally, not supplemented ribose into my diet, but plan on implementing it into my routine.
As always, supplements are to be approached with caution and a significant amount of research. Even though they are 'natural', these products may have negative side effects depending on your own personal health and if you are currently taking any other medication. Please consult and doctor/herbalists/or dietitian.

Recommended Dosage:
5 grams 3x a day

Possible Side Effects:

• Digestive problems, such as nausea, stomach ache and diarrhea
• Headache
• Low blood sugar (not recommended for diabetics because it can lower blood sugar too much when combined with medications)

Until next time,

Feast From Within

Sources:
Dr. Andrew Weil 
chronicfatigue.about.com