2 replies to this topic

[bradp]

Hello, I am new to this community, and I have a few questions, ideas, and so forth on a subject I recently gained interest in.

A friend I met recently suffers from Fibromyalgia, with the pain points mostly located on the torso and pelvic regions. She further suffers from severe allergies to many things, asthma, and depression.

My first question is this; why do we not know anything about this disease? it has clear patterns, such as female predominance and triggered onset. The pain is centred around specific points most of the time, and it seems to occur more frequently in patients with allergies, auto-immune problems, and/or depression. Between the genome project and advances in neuro-science, I would think someone would at least have a very solid theory, but I could find none!

Now, I did what research I could into such things, and I have a hypothesis (well, my best attempt at one) as to the way it functions. Depression and bi-polar familal history being common, along with triggers related to emotional response and my knowledge of how the nervous system (basically) functions makes me think these are related only in that they increase the likelihood of trigger in the potential windows during life and development. It seems more likely that it is in some way linked to some auto-immune response which once triggered does not stop. I cannot understand how something so completely permanent could be created in the brain; as people have overcome incredible things. OK, so this was more just ramblings, but it's all I can glean from hours of pointed research reading technical journals and common medical descriptions alike.

On a similar issue, why do all allergic reaction treatments only treat the last part of the chain of effects? Anti-histamine suppresses the chemical released by the mast cell, which was bound to by an anti-body, which was created by a B-cell. From what I have read, the science behind it is poor at best. It is said in what I have read that IgE is solely responsible for most allergic reactions, and that it's only function is to fight off parasites. Furthermore, the role of Mast Cells is very hazy beyond causing allergies and aiding in the healing of wounds. If I was to take both of these as truths, why do we not inhibit their production in patients, causing them to be 100% cured? In the case of a person with debilitating allergies and asthma, I would take hemophelia over that any day (assuming worst-case scenario with mast cells' impact on wound healing). Oh, and being unable to fight off parasites (we don't do a very good job of that anyhow).

I apologize for the ranting nature of my post, but I have searched, and no one has answers, despite maintaining they know so much.

I suppose what I really want to hear from this community is this:
What is the persistent cause of Firbromyalgia (in your opinion), and why are we not all allergy-free by now?

(as a final note, among the research papers I studied on IgE, most work was done in early 2000, but developments seemingly just stopped, and no one tried anything more, even papers from 2010 say 'IgE is the cause', but show no further efforts to inhibit IgE)

[pycnogenol]

Your friend may want to get the book "A Headache in the Pelvis: A New Understanding and
Treatment for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes" for her torso and pelvic pain.

http://www.amazon.co...16998293&sr=1-1

Edited by pycnogenol, 23 November 2011 - 11:49 PM.

[Luminosity]

There is no co-orelation between bipolar and fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is not an overreaction of the immune system, although some may posit that theory.

Finding foods, supplements, and other substances that trigger fibromyalgia in a given individual can help a lot. Hidden food allergies and sensitivities are part of it. In Chinese medicine, it is a yin disease, brought on by an overabundance of yin influences in western society, including drinking cold water, cold drinks, and cold raw food. It is really an alternative form of arthritis where acidic crystals are deposited in the muscles at certain points instead of the joints. Things that can make it worse are certain medications, sodas, wheat, acidic drinks and foods, spicy foods, citric acid, certain supplements, coffee and tea. Things that may make it better are a bland, low allergy diet high in hot meals. Things like rice, squash, yams, lamb and chicken. Smoking is definitely bad for fibromyalgia.

Western doctors know nothing about fibromyalgia.

Going to an acupuncturist and eating and living more according the principles of Chinese Medicine might help. I've written a thread about that:

http://www.longecity...inese-medicine/

Edited by Luminosity, 24 November 2011 - 01:57 AM.