BDO: Are there other options? What are the alternatives for taking medication to treat fibromyalgia?
Dr. Dunston: Evaluation for causation is another option to controlling symptoms with drugs. Testing for hormonal imbalances, such as cortisol, thyroid, insulin and sex hormones is a start. Cortisol imbalances frequently contribute to pain in the body. An evaluation for toxicity, which includes functional stool testing and testing for chronic viral and bacterial infections and heavy metal toxicity, as well as other tests, is also indicated. Nutritional evaluation that checks urine and blood for 250 nutritional parameters is very useful in fibromyalgia patients as deficiencies are commonly found.
Natural treatments aimed at correcting the identified imbalances in then indicated with vitamins, minerals and herbs. Lifestyle modification is usually indicated as well and includes aerobic exercise, stretching and body work like massage and acupuncture. Adequate and restful sleep promotion assists with recovery and can be obtained with natural measures as well. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, pranayamas (breath work and gentle or yin yoga are also helpful). Therapy that includes cognitive behavior components assists with coping with the chronic symptoms that can exist in patients with fibromyalgia.
Natural anti-inflammatory agents like cur cumin, bosweillia and quercetin and ginger can greatly ease symptoms. These are found in some foods and natural supplements. Magnesium is one of the most prevalent minerals in the body and is important for muscle relaxation. Most people are deficient in this and use of higher doses can significantly improve muscle tension in fibromyalgia patients. Omega 3 fatty acids have a beneficial anti-inflammatory effect as well and moderate doses may improve pain symptoms with this condition.
BDO: How would you describe the pain associated with fibromyalgia?
Dr. Dunston: The pain experienced with fibromyalgia is most often described as a chronic dull to intense localized aching in specific places in the body that may be intermittent but really never resolves. In my personal experience, this is truly the case. It’s chronic, nagging pain that occurs in the same places over and over again and few interventions alleviate it. It’s also pain in the viscera (abdomen), the head and sometimes the jaw.
BDO: Does fibromyalgia ever go away permanently?
Dr. Dunston: Absolutely, fibromyalgia can go away permanently if the causative factors and identified and corrected. Unfortunately, the majority of patients never receive the appropriate testing to identify the underlying causes of their pain and symptoms. This precludes correction of the issues with the appropriate measures. Hence, the majority of patients suffer needlessly their entire lives once diagnosed or are maintained on very strong and often harmful drugs whose side effects are often worse than the original symptoms.