This Week - Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is still something of a mystery. This chronic disorder, accompanied by joint and muscle pain and sometimes fatigue, is hard to diagnose, and difficult to treat. For many years, doctors often dismissed the symptoms as being exaggerated or even imaginary, but fortunately that attitude is changing. In an HSI Forum thread titled "Fibromyalgia," a member who goes by the name "srjd," asks for some help for a friend: "Has anyone had any success in treating or curing fibromyalgia with alternative methods? My friend is hopping from doctor to doctor but not getting any help. They did send her to a rehab center to learn how to stretch correctly but nothing else. Any ideas?" A member named Jo says that she's seen fibromyalgia patients improve from 65 to 90 percent after a few acupuncture treatments. Jo also mentions that she happens to be an acupuncturist herself, but adds, "don't let that put you off!" Acupuncture seems to be about the ONLY thing that a member who goes by "SouthernSong" hasn't tried. She writes: "I have had this stuff for 15 years and have tried pretty much everything. I don't believe there is a cure - don't I wish. I have found that CoQ10 helps tremendously with the energy level - doesn't do anything for pain. Magnesium in high dosages does help some. I tried Noni Juice, didn't help. I have found the greatest improvement I can make is to leave off anything containing gluten. Doing yoga, handheld massagers, I even have a TENS unit [a low- voltage muscle stimulator], go to physical therapy, go to a chiropractor, and try not to over do it on the good days - that seems to be what works for me. I am trying so hard to get off pain meds, but I'm not sure I will ever be able to get completely off them." But members Jeff, Ethel, and Jody all have additional therapies to try. Jeff suggests taking magnesium malate, along with fish oil supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids, probiotic supplements, and systemic enzymes. He adds: "Sometimes an aluminum toxicity is responsible for the problem." Ethel wonders if something else is triggering the condition. She writes: "Often the direct result of fibromyalgia is a condition called Candida albicans. Micro-organisms escape from your gut and branch out into the bloodstream. Yeast takes over the body causing many problems!" And to get rid of toxins, Ethel suggests using a rebounder mini-trampoline to stimulate the lymph system. She says, "Rebounding opens up the lymph valves and releases the toxins. Make sure to drink plenty of pure water throughout the day also. This will carry those toxins out of the body." And Jody speaks from experience with her suggestion: "I had/have fibromyalgia and had chronic fatigue and I have found that taking some malic acid keeps it in check. I tried a few different brands and some work better than others." There are a number of other postings on this thread with additional recommendations for fibromyalgia treatments. And SouthernSong offers this encouragement: "To all who suffer with this disease - try to stay positive and focus on how much we have to be thankful for." Other topics on the HSI Forum this week include: * Vitamin D
* Panic and anxiety attacks
* Carbohydrates
* Allergy bumps on skin
* Herbal solutions to thinning hair?
* Baby nutrition | 
