Fibromyalgia

Joint and muscle problems associated with fungal exposure; the full explanation

Fibromyalgia is the diagnosis doctors give when autoimmune symptoms develop at the same time the patient suffers from sore joints, painful muscles, disturbed microcirculation, chronic fatigue, impaired immunity, sleep disorders, and a reduced level of energy. (Lancet, 1992). It is difficult to identify the causes, triggers and origins of Fibromyalgia, and is often misdiagnosed, and some physicians are still uneducated and ignorant about this debilitating disease. But make no mistake the disability is progressive and destructive especially to the high proportion of women that develop Fibromyalgia. In simple terms, mold patients of suffer from loss of synovial fluid around their joints, resulting to loss of lubrication. Another hypotheses is that in addition to this joint problem, is the symptomology of lack of fluid in the fascia; the connective tissue throughout the body. Unfortunately, many pharmadocs are lost at recognizing, diagnosing, or treating this illness since they do not know what tests to conduct and in most cases it is not treated with drugs. This makes fibromyalgia exceedingly frustrating for the medical community.

Early symptoms of Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome:

"(FMS)" indicates that the preceding symptom often accompanies fibromyalgia. "(H)" indicates that reactive hypoglycemia or insulin resistance may contribute to the symptom. The Latin-derived names of the muscles in brackets [ ] indicate the most likely muscles that may have trigger points that could cause the symptom. The symptoms are listed in boldface type, but by design, they are not in any particular order. There may be a variety of causes for every symptom, and there are many ways of categorizing the symptoms. I do not wish to imply connections where there may not be any, nor, by separating symptoms, to exclude them where they may exist. Each of us is different and our patterns of symptoms may be different. You may notice that the diagnostic criteria for FMS and MPS are very similar to the symptoms of fungal exposure.

"Traveling" nocturnal sinus stuffiness: [pterygoid, sternocleidomastoid, posterior digastric]
Unexplained allergies: (FMS)
Post nasal drip: (FMS), [pterygoid, sternocleidomastoid]
Drooling in sleep: [internal medial pterygoid]
Swollen glands: [digastric]
Difficulty swallowing: [digastric, pterygoid]
Dry cough: [lower end sternal sternocleidomastoid]
TMJ symptoms: [masseter, trapezius, temporalis, pterygoid]
Dizziness when turning head or changing field of view: [sternocleidomastoid], (H)
Runny nose: (FMS), [sternocleidomastoid, pterygoid]
Sore throat: [sternocleidomastoid, digastric, pterygoid]
Stiff neck: [levator scapulae]
Mold/yeast sensitivity: (FMS), (H)
Reflux esophagitis: [external oblique], (H)
Headaches/migraines: (FMS), [trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, temporalis, splenii, suboccipital, semispinalis capitis, frontalis, zygomaticus major, cutaneous facial, posterior cervical], (H)
Light and/or broken sleep pattern with unrefreshing sleep: (FMS)
Sweats: (FMS), (H)
Morning stiffness: (FMS), [multiple TrPs]
Fatigue: (FMS), [multiple TrPs], (H)
Shortness of breath: (FMS) [serratus anterior, diaphragm, other respiratory muscles], (H)
Painful weak grip that may let go: [infraspinatus, scaleni, hand extensors, brachioradialis]
Menstrual problems and/or pelvic pain: (FMS), [coccygeus, levator ani, obturator internus, high adductor magnus, abdominal obliques]
PMS: (FMS)
Loss of libido: (FMS)
Low back pain: [quadratus lumborum, thoracolumbar paraspinals, longissimus, ilicostalis, multifidi, rectis abdominis]
Nail ridges and/or nails that curve under: (FMS)
Difficulty speaking known words: (FMS), (H)
Directional disorientation: (FMS), (H)
Visual perception problems: [sternocleidomastoid], (H)
Tearing/reddening of eye, drooping of eyelid: [upper sternal sternocleidomastoid]
Loss of ability to distinguish some shades of colors: (FMS)
Short-term memory impairment: (FMS), (H)
Weight gain/loss: (FMS), (H)
Sensitivity to odors: (FMS)
Mitral valve prolapse: (FMS)
Double/blurry/changing vision: [internal eye muscles, temporalis, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, cutaneous facial, splenius cervicis]
Visual and audio effects/falling sensations before sleep (called "sleep starts"): (FMS)
Earaches/ringing/itch: (FMS), [SCM, masseter, pterygoid],
Unexplained toothaches: [temporalis, masseter, digastric]
Rapid/fluttery/irregular heartbeat/heart attack-like pain: (FMS), [sternalis, pectoralis], (H)
Bloating/nausea/abdominal cramps: (FMS), [abdominals, multifidi, iliocostalis, paraxiphoid rectus abdominus, quadratus lumborum, upper thoracic paraspinals], (H) [Note: for excessive gas and belching, check for TrP at angle of 12th rib, either side.]
Appendicitis-like pains: [iliopsoas, rectus abdominis, piriformis, iliocostalis]
Carbohydrate/chocolate cravings: (FMS), (H)
Sensitivity to cold/heat/humidity/pressure changes/light/wind: (FMS)
Abdominal cramps, colic: [periumbilical rectus abdominus]
Panic attacks: (FMS), (H)
Mottled skin: (FMS)
Depression: (FMS), (H)
Confusional states: (FMS), (H)
Thumb pain and tingling numbness: [brachialis entrapment of radial nerve, adductor pollicus]
Urine retention: [upper pubic, inguinal ligament, lower internal oblique and lower rectus abdominus TrPs]
Tendency to cry easily: (FMS), (H)
Night driving difficulty: (FMS)
Weak ankles: [peroneus, tibialis]
Lax, pendulus abdomen: [abdominal TrPs, especially in rectus abdominus]
Upper/lower leg cramps: [sartorius, gastrocnemius]
Tight Achilles tendons: [tibialis posterior]
Groin pain: [adductores longus and brevis, iliopsoas]
Irritable bowel: (FMS), [pelvic TrPs, multifidi, high adductor magnus, abdominal obliques], (H)
Sciatica: [thoracolumbar paraspinals, gluteus minimus, hamstrings, piriformis, iliopsoas]
Urinary frequency: (FMS), [cutaneous and myofascial lower abdominal TrPs]
Impotence: (FMS), [piriformis pudendal nerve entrapment]
Stress incontinence, anal/genital/perineal pain: [pelvic floor TrPs, high adductor magnus, piriformis, paraspinals]
Painful intercourse: [vaginal TrPs, pelvic floor TrPs, piriformis]
Muscle twitching: (FMS), [local TrPs]
Numbness and tingling: [nerve entrapment by TrPs]
Diffuse swelling: (FMS), [vascular entrapment by TrPs]
Hypersensitive nipples/breast pain: [pectoralis]
Fibrocystic breasts: (FMS), [possible ductile entrapments by TrPs]
Buckling knee: [vastus medialis, quadriceps, adductor longus]
Problems climbing stairs: [sartorius, quadriceps femoris, vastus medialis]
Problems going down stairs: [popliteus]
Free-floating anxiety: (FMS), (H)
Mood swings: (FMS), (H)
Unaccountable irritability: (FMS), (H)
Trouble concentrating: (FMS), (H)
Shin splint-type pain: [peroneus, tibialis]
Heel pain: [soleus, quadratus plantae, abductor hallucis, tibialis posterior]
Sensory overload: (FMS), (H)
Handwriting difficulties: [adductor/opponens pollicis]
Sore spot on top of head: [splenius capitis, sternocleidomastoid]
Problems holding arms up (as when folding sheets): [subscapularis, infraspinatus, supraspinatus, upper trapezius, levator scapulae]
"Fugue"-type states (staring into space before brain can function): (FMS), (H)
Tight hamstrings: [hamstring complex, adductor magnus, quadriceps femoris, iliopsoas, gastrocnemius] Numbness/tingling on the outer thigh (meralgia paresthetica): [quadriceps femoris, vastus lateralis, sartorius, tensor fascia latae entrapment]
Carpal tunnel-like pain in wrist (watchband area): [subscapularis]
Balance problems/staggering gait: [sternocleidomastoid, gluteus minimus], (H)
Restless leg syndrome: [gastrocnemius, soleus]
Myoclonus (muscle movements and jerks at night): (FMS), [local TrPs]
Feeling continued movement in car after stopping: [sternocleidomastoid]
Feeling tilted when cornering in car: [sternocleidomastoid]
First steps in the morning feel as if walking on nails: [long flexors of toes, tibialis posterior]
Pressure of eyeglasses or headbands is painful: [head, neck and shoulder TrPs]
Thick secretions: (FMS)
Bruise/scar easily: (FMS)
Some stripes and checks cause dizziness: [sternocleidomastoid]
Bruxism (teeth grinding): (FMS), [digastric, masseter, soleus]
Inability to recognize familiar surroundings: (FMS), (H)
Delayed reactions to "overdoing it": (FMS)
Tissue overgrowth (fibroids, ingrown hairs, heavy and splitting cuticles, adhesions): (FMS)

A myofascial trigger point is a localized area starving for oxygen. It creates an increased local energy demand. This local energy crisis releases neuroreactive biochemicals which sensitize nearby nerves. The sensitized nerves initiate the motor, sensory, and autonomic effects of myofascial trigger points by acting on the central nervous system. Muscles with trigger points are muscles in a constant state of energy crisis. Myofascial trigger points can be identified and documented electrophysiologically by characteristic spontaneous electrical activity (SEA). They may also be identified histologically (which means that the structure of the cells have changed) by contraction knots — the lumps and bumps we know only too well. Both of these phenomenon seem to result from excessive release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) from the nerve terminal of the motor endplate (the complex end formation of the nerve).

We now have objective confirmation of electromyographic imaging of a myofascial trigger point. There is also ultrasound imaging of local twitch responses of trigger points, and biopsies of myofascial trigger points that show contraction knots and giant rounded muscle fibers. To quote from this article, "The endplate dysfunction characteristic of MTrPs involves both the nerve terminal and the postjunctional muscle fiber. This relationship identifies MTrPs as a neuromuscular disease." Simons DG. 1999. Diagnostic criteria of myofascial pain caused by trigger points. J Musculoskeletal Pain 7(1-2):111-120.

A MTrP is always found in a taut band which is histologically related to contraction knots caused by excessive release of ACh in an abnormal endplate. The pathogenesis of myofascial trigger points appears to involve serious disturbance of the nerve ending and contractile mechanism at multiple dysfunctional endplates. Doctor Hong has even formed a theory concerning fibromyalgia tender points. Hong, C-Z. 1999. Current research on myofascial trigger points-pathophysiological studies. J Musculoskeletal Pain 7(1-2):121-129.

Please ask your librarian to obtain these articles through Interlibrary loan, and give them to your doctor. Don’t forget to keep copies for yourselves.

Common permanent symptoms of FMS and MPS include:

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndromes
Dizziness
Depression and anxiety (onset)
Irritable bowel syndrome (beginning signs)
Skin complaints
Morning stiffness
Chronic headaches
Myofascial pain syndrome
“Fibrofog”: Cognitive or Memory Impairment
Chronic fatigue
Abnormally high pain sensitivity especially in the muscles and joints
Insomnia or unrefreshing sleep
Chronic stiffness especially in the shoulders, back and neck
Reduced levels of Human Growth Hormone
Reduced levels of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) resulting in low or no energy
Hormone and endocrine imbalances
Chronic toxin accumulation from the skin, lungs, intestines, blood stream and brain
Depressed immune function and activity

*The above symptoms can decrease immunity and allow or cause fibromyalgia to worsen, producing additional symptoms that include:

Depression and personality changes
PreMenstrual Syndrome
Tension and migraine headaches
Muscle trauma, and deconditioning
Anxiety, sleep disorders vertigo, apathy, mood swings and memory loss
Autoimmune disorders like chemical hypersensitivity, asthma, lupus and arthritis
Irritability
Mitral valve prolapse
Opportunistic bacterial, viral and parasite infections
Chronic fatigue immune deficiency
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and leaky bowel syndrome
Myofascial pain syndrome
Hypoglycemia and inability to burn fat
Intestinal and food allergies

Causes of Fibromyalgia

As the number of contributing factors increase, the symptoms of fibromyalgia increase until the body becomes weaker and less able to identify self from non-self. Ultimately, the burden of multiple problems decimate normal immune function, until the body can no longer suppress the symptoms of fibromyalgia. It is interesting to note that wherever the body is weakest the symptoms become strongest. For this reason each fibromyalgia patient suffers in different places. The scientific community will continue to discover more specific causes for auto immune disorders but at present there are four significant factors that have been proven to cause fibromyalgia like symptoms, they are:

1. Fungal infections (primarily systemic)
2. Parasite/viral infestations
3. Bacterial infections
4. Chemical poisoning or prolonged exposure to chemical exposure
5. Severe trauma or shock

The viral, parasitic, and bacterial infections can trigger autoimmune and hypersensitive reactions that may lead to auto immune responses, but in most cases the human body is only exposed to that infector a single time. The body can usually defend itself and eliminate the disease or suppress all the symptoms. If there is only one exposure the pathogen will be suppressed or it will mutate and become a different manifestation. This is important because the intestinal yeast infection can cause autoimmune disease that has similar symptoms continuously, indicating that it is probably the primary cause of fibromyalgia. A closer scientific review demonstrates support for this theory.

The results of this continual immune assault begins with pain wherever the body is being attacked. The most common places for autoimmune attacks occur in the muscles, soft tissues, joints or any cell that is identified as a foreigner to the body. This includes brain cells. When the immune system damages these tissues sufficiently, it produces diseases like arthritis, irritable bowel disease and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Because the body is at war with itself, the true cause of fibromyalgia must be something that causes the body’s immune system to attack normal tissues. In order for this to occur one or more of the following must occur:

1. Normal immune cells that identify normal tissue have become damaged.
2. Normal immune cells are sending improper messages.
3. The receptor sites on normal tissues have been damaged and cannot receive proper messages.
4. Normal tissues are not sending or receiving normal messages.
5. Immune factors that communicate normal or attack status have been adversely affected.
6. Something damaged the immune system, communicating immune factors, or normal tissue receptor sites and is continuing to interfere with normal immunity.

Intestinal Yeast (candida albicans), and other fungal pathogens such as toxigenic molds, produce the following toxins, which could be responsible for the symptoms and causes of Fibromyalgia. This is not an all inclusive list.

1. Ethanol- an alcohol of intoxication mutates immune cells
2. Acetaldehyde 6 times more potent than ethanol, cell mutation
3. Tyramine interferes with immune function
4. Canditoxin interferes with and reduces immunity
5. Proteinase increases candida potency
6. Glycoprotein toxin interferes with immune function
7. Polysaccharride proteins reduces immunity
8. Histamine reduces immunity
9. Mycotoxins that can cause immune dysfunction and many other health problems

*Cyclosporin is a drug given to patients that have received transplants. It prevents the rejection of the transplant by reducing the function and activity of the immune system. With reduced immunity the transplant is able to live and function within the body. Cyclosporin has numerous adverse side effects including, chronic fatigue, muscle and joint pain, opportunistic infections due to lowered immunity, low energy, autoimmunity and a host of others that mimic the definition of fibromyalgia. The important thing is that the source of cyclosporin is a fungus found in Norway that is very similar to candida albicans (yeast). Make no mistake one of the primary causes of autoimmune syndromes like Fibromyalgia comes from fungus cyclosporin, toxic mold, or candida albicans (intestinal yeast).

Reversing the Cause of Fibromyalgia

Most fibromyalgia treatments merely treat the symptoms and never address the cause.
Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune problem and the cause of the autoimmunity must be stopped and reversed if a cure is to be achieved. Since ethanol and acetaldehyde have been shown to cause autoimmune responses and promote the growth of abnormal immune cells, these toxins must be eliminated.

Note: The following do not heal or cure any type of disease. Only the body can heal itself. However it is a well known fact that when the body is given the proper nutrients to feed, cleanse, and protect itself, it then has the ability to bring itself into balance and combat the cause of autoimmunity and help restore proper immune function and wellness.

1. Cleansing Agents

Lactobacillus acidophilus, bifodobacterium bifidum, lactobacillus bulgarius, bifidobacterium longum, and streptococcus thermophilus. Ensure it is without FOS.

These healthy intestinal flora are the primary tools for destroying candida and restoring normal intestinal absorption and immune function. Good flora works by secreting toxins that kill candida albicans. As candida retreats, the good flora re-establishes its intestinal domain. This results in a reduction of the yeast and the toxins it produces, which include ethanol and acetaldehyde. By killing off the yeast and the toxins it produces, the following benefits result:
A reduction in immune cell wall mutation, which reduces autoimmune responses, which results in no more abnormal shaped immune cells being reproduced. As the immune cells take two weeks to reproduce normal cells, the body will cleanse for two weeks and then rebuild steadily. Digestive gas bloating and irritability should subside first, followed by a reduction in muscle and joint pain, followed by a reduction in chemical sensitivities, followed by a continual strengthening of the immune system, followed by improved health and vigor and vitality.

This is the most important step in arresting the production and replication of abnormal immune cells. This stops the cause of the autoimmune response.

5. Behavior Modification

a. Stop eating refined sugars, fruit sugars, and start eating stevia extract.
b. Stop eating milk sugars and dairy products
c. Avoid eating red meats, yeast, and caffeine
d. Avoid taking birth control pills, alcohol, and tobacco
e. Stop taking antibiotics for the problem

Following the Mold Diet has been proven to be very helpful.

6. Suggestions for the first phase of de-toxing:

a. Eat correctly
b. Sleep 8 hours nightly
c. Supplement where there is a deficiency
d. Exercise and stretch daily, preferably in a warm pool.
e. Naturally hydrate with distilled or R/O water (8 glasses daily).
f. Cleanse the intestines and restore good flora daily.

Update on fibromyalgia

What You Can Expect

Expect a dramatic cleansing of the fungi that usually results in a flu-like illness that lasts about two weeks, after which a steady return to good health begins. This return to good health takes at least one month for mild cases, three to six months for moderate cases and six to nine months for severe cases. Remember you are killing a fungal infection that took years or decades to develop. Because of this it may take months, and in some cases years to return to a normal function. Virtually everyone that uses this protocol experiences significant benefit and about half of the patients progress to a point where they function normally without symptoms. At this point it takes small continuous preventive amounts of these behaviors and supplements to keep functioning normally. Following the diet is an integral part of effective detoxification.

References

1. Lancet, 340(8827), 1992
2. Adv Exp Med Biol, 398, 373-379, 1996
3. Medical Hypothesis 44,369-378, 1995
4. Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America 22(2), 219-243 1996
5. Current Opinion in Rheumatology 7(2),127-135, 1995
6. Clinical Rheumatology 15(3)283-286, 1996 200-205, 2003
7. Archives of Phys Med Rehab, 44, 369-378, 1995

This site is not intended to give medical advice. Seek the advice of a professional for medication, treatment options, and complete knowledge of any illness. The opinions expressed here are exclusively my personal opinions do not necessarily reflect my peers or professional affiliates. The information here does not reflect professional advice and is not intended to supersede the professional advice of others.