HerArticle

Tina Marcantel
More From This Member
Send Message

HERWriter

Signs and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? The cure may be more basic than you think.

Headaches, bloating, muscle and joint pains, leg cramps, fatigue, insomnia, cravings for sugars and carbohydrates and unwanted weight gain: all these have been associated with signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia, arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome.

You or someone you know may have experienced the frustration of seeking help from one doctor after another, only to be given prescription medications that temporarily mask the symptoms or, even worse, told that you'll simply have to learn to live with them.

In my clinical experience, I've found that many of these troubling conditions can be caused by food sensitivities and/or an overgrowth of candida that causes inflammation and toxicity in the body. Often, these symptoms can be greatly reduced or even eliminated with a good detoxification program, a controlled diet to identify possible food sensitivities, proper nutritional support and a good antifungal agent to reduce candida growth.

A Case Study

Recently, a 46-year-old patient came to me with a prior diagnosis of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. She complained of abdominal bloating, muscle and joint aches and pains, weight gain, insomnia and low energy levels that she said she'd been experiencing for the last five years. She had a history of antibiotic use for treatment of urinary tract and dental infections (the antibiotic use is significant because antibiotics can destroy the natural flora in our intestines that help maintain a healthy digestive system).

I put "Lucy" on a meal plan that included food elimination to help identify foods that could be causing inflammation. The plan also incorporated a yeast-free diet to eradicate the overgrowth of yeast she might have. Along with the diet plan, I also prescribed an antifungal medication to reduce candida (depending on the severity and number of symptoms, prescription medicines may be necessary; often, a nonprescription herbal antifungal can be very effective as well).

To aid the detoxification process, I suggested the use of a castor oil liver pack and some antioxidants to combat the release of toxins.

We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

CONNECT with Women Interested inArthritis

Pat Elliott

Arthritis Guide