UK Physician Believes He's Found Proof of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
ImmuneSupport.com
08-10-2005
Doctor takes stigma out of 'yuppie flu'
By Deborah Haile, reporter
Dr. Raymond Perrin believes he has proof that chronic fatigue syndrome - once
dubbed yuppie flu
- has a physical cause.
For years sufferers of CFS - which includes ME - have lived under the stigma
of being diagnosed
with a condition that many dismissed as being in the
mind. But Manchester osteopath Dr. Perrin
believes he has proved that the
debilitating syndrome is the physical result of the way the body
deals with
toxins.
He believes a picture of varicose lymphatic vessels taken during a research
project at Salford
University shows for the first time the "backflow" of
lymphatic drainage that he believes is the
cause of toxin build-up.
And it is this accumulation of toxins in the central nervous system, which
Dr. Perrin believes is the
cause of conditions such as chronic fatigue
syndrome and ME.
Valves
Dr. Perrin, who runs clinics in Prestwich, central Manchester and London,
said: "Normally these
vessels are the size of the thinnest pencil line and
you can't usually see them without a magnifying
glass, but the fact they are
swollen like this is significant. There is a backflow against the valves.
"Very rarely can you see these, but with every person I have seen in the last
16 years with
chronic fatigue syndrome you can feel them under the surface.
It means this person has had ME
for a number of years."
Until now experts have believed that valves in the lymphatic vessels only
allowed the flow of fluids
in one direction. But Dr. Perrin says these
varicose lymphatic vessels - which resemble varicose
veins but are the same
colour of the skin instead of a bluish colour - are the proof that the
backflow exists, when vessels are damaged, allowing toxins to concentrate in
the central nervous
system. He revealed the picture at a seminar at Salford
University. He hopes to publish it in a
respected medical journal later in
the year.
Margaret Cannon, who had to give up work because of the condition, said:
"After about three
months of Raymond's treatment my concentration was
restored and the symptoms improved
greatly."
© Copyright 2005 Manchester
Evening News.
Online at
http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/men/news/health/s/168/168143_doctor_takes_stigma_out_of_
yuppie_flu.html
----
Fibromyalgia Is Not a Rheumatologic Disease Anymore
Posted 02/25/2008
George T. Griffing, MD
Think of your last patient with difficult-to-treat fibromyalgia: Aren't
they all? Did you refer that person to a
rheumatologist?
Since the 1950s, when it was first described by Dr. Graham, "fibrositis" or
fibromyalgia was thought to be a
rheumatologic disorder because it was
characterized by musculoskeletal pain similar to other rheumatologic
diseases.[1]
In 1990, The American College of Rheumatology established diagnostic criteria
based on the scoring of 18
potential tender points.[2] It turns out,
however, that these tender points have nothing to do with
fibromyalgia.
Biopsy of the tender points shows no pathologic changes, and numerous studies
have not
shown any abnormalities in the musculoskeletal tissues that are
painful.
Current evidence points to a neurologic disorder of central pain
processing.[3] Fibromyalgia patients
experience pain differently and have
lower pain thresholds compared to normals. Research has
demonstrated that
various pain-related processes in the brain and spinal cord are abnormal in
fibromyalgia.[4] But more work remains to be done.
Market surveys show the number one class of drugs used to treat fibromyalgia
is nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs.[5] Since fibromyalgia is not an
inflammatory disease, it is not surprising we have a
lot of treatment
failures.
The pharmaceutical industry knows this, and they are viewing fibromyalgia as
the prototypical central pain
state. The 2 main drug classes of interest are
the dual receptor reuptake inhibitors, like duloxetine or
Cymbalta, and the
antiepileptic drugs, like pregabalin or Lyrica. In fact, pregabalin has shown
enough
efficacy, that it is the first and only drug approved by the FDA for
the treatment of fibromyalgia.[6]
Therefore, in the future, with new insights and therapies on the horizon, we
will no longer need to refer our
fibromyalgia patients to the
rheumatologist.
That's my opinion. I'm Dr. George Griffing, Professor of Medicine at St.
Louis University and
Editor-in-Chief of Internal Medicine for
eMedicine.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reader
Comments on: Fibromyalgia Is Not a Rheumatologic Disease Anymore
See reader
comments on this article and provide your own.
Readers are encouraged to respond to the author at [email protected]
or to George Lundberg, MD, Editor in
Chief of The Medscape Journal of
Medicine, for the editor's eyes only or for possible publication as an
actual Letter in the Medscape Journal via email: [email protected]
----------------
Fibromyalgia myths: The truth about 9 common myths
Get the facts about
these nine common fibromyalgia myths. Learning all you can about fibromyalgia is
the
first step toward gaining control of your symptoms.
Fibromyalgia is a
widely misunderstood condition that causes widespread pain and fatigue. If
you've been
diagnosed with fibromyalgia and are trying to learn all you can
about the condition, you may come across
some of the many common myths and
misconceptions about fibromyalgia. Don't let these myths confuse you
or
discourage you from seeking help for your fibromyalgia symptoms. Here's a look
at nine common myths
about fibromyalgia and why each is wrong.
Myth: Most doctors don't believe fibromyalgia is a real condition.
Truth: This myth may come from a misunderstanding. Since fibromyalgia is
defined by a list of symptoms,
claiming that fibromyalgia isn't real is
essentially saying that your symptoms aren't real. That doesn't make
sense.
Most doctors believe your symptoms are real.
The controversy comes when deciding whether fibromyalgia is a disease process
that can be reversed or
cured. Most doctors believe fibromyalgia is a set of
symptoms that aren't caused by an underlying disease.
Most doctors believe
that fibromyalgia symptoms can be managed, but there is no underlying disease to
"cure."
In some cases, a doctor may not be familiar with fibromyalgia. He or she can
refer you to someone who
knows more about the condition.
Finding a compassionate doctor can be a frustrating part of living with
fibromyalgia. But don't give up if you
haven't found the perfect doctor.
Focus on finding a doctor who is willing to listen to you and take you
seriously.
Finding a doctor who's an expert on fibromyalgia may not be practical, for
instance, if there aren't many
specialists in your area. But a doctor who's
willing to learn more about fibromyalgia and listen to your
concerns can be
an invaluable ally.
Myth: Fibromyalgia damages your joints.
Truth: Though fibromyalgia pain can be severe at times, it doesn't damage
your bones, joints or muscles.
Some people worry that when pain worsens, it
means that fibromyalgia is progressing. But that isn't the case.
While
increasing fibromyalgia pain can make it difficult to go about your daily
activities, it isn't damaging your
body.
Myth: You look fine, so there's nothing wrong with you.
Truth: You know this is a myth, but friends, family and co-workers who don't
understand fibromyalgia may
sometimes hold this belief. It can cause tension
when others wonder if you're faking your pain because they
think you don't
look sick. Resist the urge to get angry and withdraw rather than explain how
you're feeling.
Open and honest communication can help others better understand fibromyalgia.
Be honest about how you
feel and let others know that if they have
questions, you're willing to listen and explain.
Myth: You were diagnosed with fibromyalgia because your doctor couldn't find
anything wrong with you.
Truth: Fibromyalgia is a specific diagnosis based on your symptoms, not a
diagnosis you're given when
there's nothing wrong with you. The American
College of Rheumatology developed a set of criteria to help
doctors diagnose
fibromyalgia.
Diagnosing fibromyalgia often takes time. Since there's no single test that
can confirm you have fibromyalgia,
your doctor will often run tests and
procedures to rule out other conditions. Enduring repeated tests can be
frustrating, but it's an important part of determining whether your symptoms
are caused by fibromyalgia or
something else. The results will guide your
treatment.
Myth: Fibromyalgia causes pain. Those other symptoms you're experiencing must
be caused by something
else.
Truth: Fibromyalgia can cause symptoms in addition to pain. Many people with
fibromyalgia also experience
fatigue and difficulty sleeping. Other
fibromyalgia symptoms may include headaches, sensitivity to light,
dizziness, memory problems, and numbness and tingling in your arms and legs.
A number of other conditions
commonly accompany fibromyalgia, including
irritable bowel syndrome, bladder control problems and mood
disorders, such
as depression and anxiety.
Myth: No treatments for fibromyalgia exist, so it's no use going to the
doctor.
Truth: There's no standard treatment for fibromyalgia, and the Food and Drug
Administration has approved
just one drug for treating fibromyalgia. But you
have many options for controlling fibromyalgia pain, including
medications,
lifestyle changes, and complementary and alternative treatments. Often you'll
need to try a few
treatments in different combinations to determine what
works best.
Myth: On days when you're feeling good, you should try to do as much as you
can since you may be unable
to accomplish everything you want on other
days.
Truth: Overdoing it on the good days may catch up with you. You may feel
exhausted the next day and your
fibromyalgia symptoms could worsen. But that
doesn't mean you should keep your activity to a minimum.
Doing very little
could weaken your muscles and increase your pain.
Cope with the good days and the not-so-good days by finding a balance. Pace
yourself. Set goals for each
day. Your goals should be reasonable. And they
should include daily exercise and time for yourself, such as
time to relax
or listen to music.
Myth: Fibromyalgia is a life-threatening disease.
Truth: Fibromyalgia isn't fatal and it doesn't damage your body. Fibromyalgia
symptoms fluctuate over time,
sometimes getting worse and sometimes becoming
milder. Fibromyalgia pain rarely disappears completely,
but you can learn to
gain some control over it.
Myth: You can't have a productive life with fibromyalgia.
Truth: Learning to control your fibromyalgia pain takes time. It's likely
that the pain will never completely go
away and you'll have to accept that
your life might never be the same. But that doesn't mean your life can't
be
satisfying and productive.
Work with your doctor to adapt your daily activities so that you can have
time and energy for what's
important to you. Your strategy may include a
number of approaches, such as setting goals, for instance,
making time for
relaxation exercises every day, or making lifestyle changes, such as walking
most days of the
week.
www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/AR00056
-----------------------------
Women with Fibromyalgia***
As the owner of a clinic that has one of the
higher quality WBV units, I can attest that we see some pretty
interesting
results across a variety of conditions. I must add a caveat about the
lower quality cam-driven
units--they generate substantial G-forces that may
lead to long term joint damage. Stick with the sonic
driven
units.
http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2008.0050
ImmuneSupport.com
08-10-2005
Doctor takes stigma out of 'yuppie flu'
By Deborah Haile, reporter
Dr. Raymond Perrin believes he has proof that chronic fatigue syndrome - once
dubbed yuppie flu
- has a physical cause.
For years sufferers of CFS - which includes ME - have lived under the stigma
of being diagnosed
with a condition that many dismissed as being in the
mind. But Manchester osteopath Dr. Perrin
believes he has proved that the
debilitating syndrome is the physical result of the way the body
deals with
toxins.
He believes a picture of varicose lymphatic vessels taken during a research
project at Salford
University shows for the first time the "backflow" of
lymphatic drainage that he believes is the
cause of toxin build-up.
And it is this accumulation of toxins in the central nervous system, which
Dr. Perrin believes is the
cause of conditions such as chronic fatigue
syndrome and ME.
Valves
Dr. Perrin, who runs clinics in Prestwich, central Manchester and London,
said: "Normally these
vessels are the size of the thinnest pencil line and
you can't usually see them without a magnifying
glass, but the fact they are
swollen like this is significant. There is a backflow against the valves.
"Very rarely can you see these, but with every person I have seen in the last
16 years with
chronic fatigue syndrome you can feel them under the surface.
It means this person has had ME
for a number of years."
Until now experts have believed that valves in the lymphatic vessels only
allowed the flow of fluids
in one direction. But Dr. Perrin says these
varicose lymphatic vessels - which resemble varicose
veins but are the same
colour of the skin instead of a bluish colour - are the proof that the
backflow exists, when vessels are damaged, allowing toxins to concentrate in
the central nervous
system. He revealed the picture at a seminar at Salford
University. He hopes to publish it in a
respected medical journal later in
the year.
Margaret Cannon, who had to give up work because of the condition, said:
"After about three
months of Raymond's treatment my concentration was
restored and the symptoms improved
greatly."
© Copyright 2005 Manchester
Evening News.
Online at
http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/men/news/health/s/168/168143_doctor_takes_stigma_out_of_
yuppie_flu.html
----
Fibromyalgia Is Not a Rheumatologic Disease Anymore
Posted 02/25/2008
George T. Griffing, MD
Think of your last patient with difficult-to-treat fibromyalgia: Aren't
they all? Did you refer that person to a
rheumatologist?
Since the 1950s, when it was first described by Dr. Graham, "fibrositis" or
fibromyalgia was thought to be a
rheumatologic disorder because it was
characterized by musculoskeletal pain similar to other rheumatologic
diseases.[1]
In 1990, The American College of Rheumatology established diagnostic criteria
based on the scoring of 18
potential tender points.[2] It turns out,
however, that these tender points have nothing to do with
fibromyalgia.
Biopsy of the tender points shows no pathologic changes, and numerous studies
have not
shown any abnormalities in the musculoskeletal tissues that are
painful.
Current evidence points to a neurologic disorder of central pain
processing.[3] Fibromyalgia patients
experience pain differently and have
lower pain thresholds compared to normals. Research has
demonstrated that
various pain-related processes in the brain and spinal cord are abnormal in
fibromyalgia.[4] But more work remains to be done.
Market surveys show the number one class of drugs used to treat fibromyalgia
is nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs.[5] Since fibromyalgia is not an
inflammatory disease, it is not surprising we have a
lot of treatment
failures.
The pharmaceutical industry knows this, and they are viewing fibromyalgia as
the prototypical central pain
state. The 2 main drug classes of interest are
the dual receptor reuptake inhibitors, like duloxetine or
Cymbalta, and the
antiepileptic drugs, like pregabalin or Lyrica. In fact, pregabalin has shown
enough
efficacy, that it is the first and only drug approved by the FDA for
the treatment of fibromyalgia.[6]
Therefore, in the future, with new insights and therapies on the horizon, we
will no longer need to refer our
fibromyalgia patients to the
rheumatologist.
That's my opinion. I'm Dr. George Griffing, Professor of Medicine at St.
Louis University and
Editor-in-Chief of Internal Medicine for
eMedicine.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reader
Comments on: Fibromyalgia Is Not a Rheumatologic Disease Anymore
See reader
comments on this article and provide your own.
Readers are encouraged to respond to the author at [email protected]
or to George Lundberg, MD, Editor in
Chief of The Medscape Journal of
Medicine, for the editor's eyes only or for possible publication as an
actual Letter in the Medscape Journal via email: [email protected]
----------------
Fibromyalgia myths: The truth about 9 common myths
Get the facts about
these nine common fibromyalgia myths. Learning all you can about fibromyalgia is
the
first step toward gaining control of your symptoms.
Fibromyalgia is a
widely misunderstood condition that causes widespread pain and fatigue. If
you've been
diagnosed with fibromyalgia and are trying to learn all you can
about the condition, you may come across
some of the many common myths and
misconceptions about fibromyalgia. Don't let these myths confuse you
or
discourage you from seeking help for your fibromyalgia symptoms. Here's a look
at nine common myths
about fibromyalgia and why each is wrong.
Myth: Most doctors don't believe fibromyalgia is a real condition.
Truth: This myth may come from a misunderstanding. Since fibromyalgia is
defined by a list of symptoms,
claiming that fibromyalgia isn't real is
essentially saying that your symptoms aren't real. That doesn't make
sense.
Most doctors believe your symptoms are real.
The controversy comes when deciding whether fibromyalgia is a disease process
that can be reversed or
cured. Most doctors believe fibromyalgia is a set of
symptoms that aren't caused by an underlying disease.
Most doctors believe
that fibromyalgia symptoms can be managed, but there is no underlying disease to
"cure."
In some cases, a doctor may not be familiar with fibromyalgia. He or she can
refer you to someone who
knows more about the condition.
Finding a compassionate doctor can be a frustrating part of living with
fibromyalgia. But don't give up if you
haven't found the perfect doctor.
Focus on finding a doctor who is willing to listen to you and take you
seriously.
Finding a doctor who's an expert on fibromyalgia may not be practical, for
instance, if there aren't many
specialists in your area. But a doctor who's
willing to learn more about fibromyalgia and listen to your
concerns can be
an invaluable ally.
Myth: Fibromyalgia damages your joints.
Truth: Though fibromyalgia pain can be severe at times, it doesn't damage
your bones, joints or muscles.
Some people worry that when pain worsens, it
means that fibromyalgia is progressing. But that isn't the case.
While
increasing fibromyalgia pain can make it difficult to go about your daily
activities, it isn't damaging your
body.
Myth: You look fine, so there's nothing wrong with you.
Truth: You know this is a myth, but friends, family and co-workers who don't
understand fibromyalgia may
sometimes hold this belief. It can cause tension
when others wonder if you're faking your pain because they
think you don't
look sick. Resist the urge to get angry and withdraw rather than explain how
you're feeling.
Open and honest communication can help others better understand fibromyalgia.
Be honest about how you
feel and let others know that if they have
questions, you're willing to listen and explain.
Myth: You were diagnosed with fibromyalgia because your doctor couldn't find
anything wrong with you.
Truth: Fibromyalgia is a specific diagnosis based on your symptoms, not a
diagnosis you're given when
there's nothing wrong with you. The American
College of Rheumatology developed a set of criteria to help
doctors diagnose
fibromyalgia.
Diagnosing fibromyalgia often takes time. Since there's no single test that
can confirm you have fibromyalgia,
your doctor will often run tests and
procedures to rule out other conditions. Enduring repeated tests can be
frustrating, but it's an important part of determining whether your symptoms
are caused by fibromyalgia or
something else. The results will guide your
treatment.
Myth: Fibromyalgia causes pain. Those other symptoms you're experiencing must
be caused by something
else.
Truth: Fibromyalgia can cause symptoms in addition to pain. Many people with
fibromyalgia also experience
fatigue and difficulty sleeping. Other
fibromyalgia symptoms may include headaches, sensitivity to light,
dizziness, memory problems, and numbness and tingling in your arms and legs.
A number of other conditions
commonly accompany fibromyalgia, including
irritable bowel syndrome, bladder control problems and mood
disorders, such
as depression and anxiety.
Myth: No treatments for fibromyalgia exist, so it's no use going to the
doctor.
Truth: There's no standard treatment for fibromyalgia, and the Food and Drug
Administration has approved
just one drug for treating fibromyalgia. But you
have many options for controlling fibromyalgia pain, including
medications,
lifestyle changes, and complementary and alternative treatments. Often you'll
need to try a few
treatments in different combinations to determine what
works best.
Myth: On days when you're feeling good, you should try to do as much as you
can since you may be unable
to accomplish everything you want on other
days.
Truth: Overdoing it on the good days may catch up with you. You may feel
exhausted the next day and your
fibromyalgia symptoms could worsen. But that
doesn't mean you should keep your activity to a minimum.
Doing very little
could weaken your muscles and increase your pain.
Cope with the good days and the not-so-good days by finding a balance. Pace
yourself. Set goals for each
day. Your goals should be reasonable. And they
should include daily exercise and time for yourself, such as
time to relax
or listen to music.
Myth: Fibromyalgia is a life-threatening disease.
Truth: Fibromyalgia isn't fatal and it doesn't damage your body. Fibromyalgia
symptoms fluctuate over time,
sometimes getting worse and sometimes becoming
milder. Fibromyalgia pain rarely disappears completely,
but you can learn to
gain some control over it.
Myth: You can't have a productive life with fibromyalgia.
Truth: Learning to control your fibromyalgia pain takes time. It's likely
that the pain will never completely go
away and you'll have to accept that
your life might never be the same. But that doesn't mean your life can't
be
satisfying and productive.
Work with your doctor to adapt your daily activities so that you can have
time and energy for what's
important to you. Your strategy may include a
number of approaches, such as setting goals, for instance,
making time for
relaxation exercises every day, or making lifestyle changes, such as walking
most days of the
week.
www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/AR00056
-----------------------------
Women with Fibromyalgia***
As the owner of a clinic that has one of the
higher quality WBV units, I can attest that we see some pretty
interesting
results across a variety of conditions. I must add a caveat about the
lower quality cam-driven
units--they generate substantial G-forces that may
lead to long term joint damage. Stick with the sonic
driven
units.
http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2008.0050