Case Study: Thirty-Three Year Old Female with Fibromyalgia

History: A thirty three year old female was referred to me by a Chiropractic Physician, with symptoms of severe Fibromyalgia over a period lasting three years. Her family medical doctor had given her the diagnosis and placed her on a variety of pain suppressing drugs which exacerbated her problems. The Chiropractic Physician gave her spinal adjustments and physiotherapy which helped the patient but only on a temporary basis. The patient was receiving disability benefits due to her inability to manage her job with the severe discomforts she was having. She found it difficult to sleep due to the muscular pains and even mild exercise caused more discomfort than the patient could handle. She had recently also placed herself under the care of a medical internist who had placed her on anti-depressants. The patient had additional complaints of fatigue, depression, and constipation alternating with diarrhea.

Plan of Action: A report of findings was given to the patient, in which I emphasized the need to rebuild her general health and to pay less attention to symptoms. I explained to the patient that when her energy level and digestion were improved, so too would be the muscular discomforts. Toxic habits had to be given up, particularly the coffee. Water was to be the beverage of choice. I further instructed her that she should be in bed each night no later than 10 p.m. and that she could get up any time after 6 a.m. she desired. After eight weeks the patient estimated that she had improved 75 percent overall. Her bowels began to function normally, her digestion was improved, her energy level was greatly enhanced and the muscular discomforts of Fibromyalgia dissipated. more>>

Case 2: 45 Year Old Female with Fatigue

History: A 45-year-old female presented with complaints of fatigue, Fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, heartburn, bloating and depression. She had experi­enced a gradual decline in her health over the past seven years. She was receiving NSAIDS and anti-depressants from her family medical physician and weekly massages. She took antacids for the heart burn. The patient had undergone a com­plete hysterectomy five years pre­viously. Her marital relationship was stressful, as was her relationship with her daughter, who had taken advantage of her financially. She was a top salesperson at her company but felt unappreciated by them and had a number of small but irritating problems with her job. Her eating habits were erratic. She took occasional walks, but had no regular physical activi­ty program. There was a family history of cardiovascular disease.

Plan of Action: The patient was placed on a restricted diet, consisting of most­ly raw and steamed non-starchy vegetables, for a period of seven days. This was followed by a cus­tomized diet which eliminated refined carbohydrates and her allergens and emphasized whole foods with a lowered total carbohydrate intake. She was counseled at length on proper eat­ing habits, including avoiding eat­ing when overly fatigued or stressed. I further advised the patient to begin a swimming program, to work on resolving the marriage issues and to allow her adult daughter to work out her own financial problems in the future while forgiving her for past mistakes.

Discussion: Occupational and familial problems can be potent stressors and initiate or exacerbate many health problems, including fatigue and Fibromyalgia. I have found it critical to address these issues with the patient or to at the least make them cognizant of how these issues can affect their lives and refer them to an appropriate counseling source if needed. At the same time, by improving the patient’s biochemical/nutritional status, they are placed in a better position to deal with the stressors of life and manage them more effectively. more>>

Case 3: 41 Year Old Female with Fibromyalgia

History: A forty one year old female presented to our office with the diagnosis of “Fibromyalgia” which she had received from her medical physician. She suffered with diffuse muscle discomforts in the shoulders, neck, knees, and thighs and intermittently throughout the upper back. He physician had advised non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs along with the use of an antidepressant. He also encouraged her to seek psychiatric counseling if the problem did not improve. The patient pointed out the different areas of her body that hurt, being particularly concerned about the pain in the muscles of her shoulders, neck and back. She noted that the pains had begun five years previously and while they varied in intensity from day to day, they had increased over the past year considerably. In addition to having had extensive medical care, she had taken a number of “remedies” including homeopathic potions, popular herbal formulas and some multi-level marketed products. While the patient’s complaints centered around her muscular discomforts, questioning brought out that she suffered with moderately severe fatigue, poor digestion and poor bowel functioning, and mood swings varying from anxiety to depression.

Plan of Action: During the first ten days the patient felt worse as withdrawal from the caffeine and junk food took place, by the second week she felt a significant improvement. By the end of the sixth week her pains had diminished by 70% and she had become more receptive to communicating and being physical with her husband. She has since become a swimming devotee and has lost 20 pounds without any special “fat free foods” or special reducing plans. She sleeps soundly and has noted improved digestion by the altering of her diet and habits. She describes her mood as being more upbeat as is clear to the people around her. Her menstrual discomforts have lessened. more>>

SUMMARY

Fibromyalgia is a symptom of imbalanced health. To address these symptoms requires determining the causes of them in each person. Each patient’s overall health must be investigated, including their lifestyles. Individual biochemical traits need to be evaluated. Reconnecting with the earth by spending time outdoors and obtaining a natural whole foods diet, sunlight, fresh air and pure water benefits all patients. Those who simply treat their symptoms by employing pills, potions, or treatments that are not directed to causal factors will be disappointed. Social factors, such as work and familial relationships, should be given consideration. Careful investigation and hard work, by both the patient and a caring, analytic practitioner, will usually bring about significant improvement in the patient’s condition, as long as causes, rather than symptoms, are addressed.

If you are reading this you are probably like the patients described above. There is an opportunity for you to find help for the causes of your health problems. Won’t you call us now and make an appointment? Together we can see if our approach will help you as it has for all the others with the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. Call today 561-722-9637