Fibromyalgia solved; A pathology, not in the mind. The National Biotechnology Information Center (NBIC) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the USA recently released the findings of research that claim to have discovered a pathological (the science of cause and effect) cause for fibromyalgia.
Test for defects and dysfunctions of the AV shunts linking veins to arteries. Test for inability to remove wastes from muscles and nerves, and supply oxygen and nutrients to mucles and nerves, and for excessive build up of lactic acid. See paper Fibromyalgia Mystery Finally Solved!
Flow-mediated dilatation significantly lower. Post-occlusive reactive hyperaemia was also significantly lower. ME patients have significantly higher levels of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and triglycerides and lower levels of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
(Newton DJ, Kennedy G, Chan KKF, Lang CC, Belch JJF, Khan F. Large and small artery endothelial dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome. International Journal of Cardiology, 2012 Feb 9; 154(3):335–6 )
Test for damage to the endothelium in veins and arteries. Test for endothelium dysfunctions.
Test levels of nitric oxide and endothelin
Tests to identify and quantify oxidative damage to the endothelium in blood vessels supplying the brain, spinal cord and nerves. Measure the following: oxLDL (raised in ME) Isoprostanes (raised in ME), GSH (lowered in ME), HDL (lowered in ME), Substance P (raised in ME), c-reactive protein (raised in ME), levels of Homocysteine (raised in ME). Also, measure level of arterial stiffness.
Abnormal red blood cell structure and it's effects on micro-circulation.
L. O. Simpson, 'The Role of Nondisocytic Erythrocytes in the Pathogenesis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome', The Clinical and Scientific Basis of ME/ CFS [Ottawa, Ontario: The Nightingale Research Foundation, 1992], p. 597
Mukherjee TM, Smith K, Maros K. Abnormal red-blood-cell morphology in myalgic en-cephalomyelitis. Lancet 1987;2:328-329.20. Simpson LO. Nondiscocytic erythrocytes inmyalgic encephalomyelitis. N Z Med J 1989;102:126-127.21.
Simpson LO, Murdoch JC, Herbison GP. Red cell shape changes following trigger finger fatigue in subjects with chronic tiredness and healthy controls. N Z Med J 1993;106:104-107
Small Fibre Neuropathy (SFN)
Small Fibre Neuropathy (SFN) is being found in high percentages of Fibromyalgia patients. It is believed to be the main contributing factor to severe pain
in ME / CFS and Fibromyalgia patients. A neurologist can carry out tests for Small Fibre Neuropathy (SFN). Dr. Gupta advises that physicians carry out a skin biopsy.
Get a Neurologist to test for Small Fibre Neuropathy (SFN).
Objective evidence that small-fiber polyneuropathy underlies some illnesses currently labeled as fibromyalgia.Oaklander AL, Herzog ZD, Downs HM, Klein MM. Pain. 2013 Jun 5. pii: S0304-3959(13)00294-7
Evidence of small-fiber polyneuropathy in unexplained, juvenile-onset, widespread pain syndromes.Oaklander AL, Klein MM. Pediatrics. 2013 Apr;131(4):e1091-100
Small-fibre polyneuropathy with evidence of nerve loss (American Neurological Association 137th Annual Meeting in partnership with the Association of British Neurologists; Abstract W1409; 7-9th October 2012)
Abnormal nerve fibres in the skin, showing enlarged Schwann cells which relay information from tissues to brain and produce cytokines, resulting in pain (Clin Rheumatol 2008:27:407-411)
Therapath Diagnostic Tests are useful for Fibromyalgia and can identify Small Fibre Neuropathy (SFN). You can order test at http://www.therapath.com . Informational video below:
Mitochondria
Mitochondrial dysfunction (Antioxid Redox Signal, Sept 2012). Mitochondria dysfunction is a major factor in Fibromyalgia. This causes high levels of lactic acid to build up in muscles and joints causing constant pain. The lack of ATP causes exhaustion and exercise intolerance, brain fog, and many other symptoms.
Damaged mitochondria and defective Krebs cycle and ATP production. (Found in high percentage of cases)
Test tryptophan levels in the blood. These are abnormally low in 75% or more of Fibromyalgia cases. Measure levels of neopterin, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, L-kynurenine, kynurenic acid and quinolinic acid. Also measure levels of tryptophan. Test for brain lesions consistent with edema, inflammatory destruction and demyelination.
Test for Kynurenine - Tryptophan Factors. New research has found a reliable biomarker for Fibromyalgia. A bloodspot-based diagnostic test for fibromyalgia syndrome and related disorders. Hackshaw KV, Rodriguez-Saona L, Plans M, Bell LN, Buffington CA Analyst. 2013 Aug 21;138(16):4453-62. It involves use of infrared micro spectroscopy to analyse ‘spectra’ to determine the chemical composition of tissue or blood. Test for:
indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)
high levels of kynurenine (KNN)
low levels tryptophan
high levels of pyridine carboxylateathy
high levels of quinolinic acid
The following tests for:
Central nervous system dyfunctions which increase pain transmission and perception (Autoimmun Rev, June 2012)
Autoimmune thyroid disease is highly associated with fibromyalgia (J Rheumatol, June 2012)
Test for overlap with inflammatory back pain (Clin Exp Rheumatol, August 2012)
Interstitial cystitis and irritable bowel syndrome as co-morbidities (Front Neurosci, August 2012)
Inflammatory dysregulation (Neuroimmunomodulation, Sept 2012).
Test blood, nerve fibres and spinal fluids.
Altered cerebral blood flow dynamics with an enhanced haemodynamic response (Psychosom Med, Sept 2012)
Neuromuscular fatigue and lowered exercise capacity (Arthritis Care Res, September 2012)
Abnormally high muscle membrane conduction velocity (Clin Exp Rheumatol 2012: November 22)
FM commonly occurring in patients with autoimmune disorders such as lupus, Sjogren’s Syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis (BMC Clinical Pathology, 17th December 2012:12:25)
Aberrant expression of immune mediators (cytokines), with impairment of cell-mediated immunity, providing evidence that FM is an immunological disorder which occurs independently of any subjective features (BMC Clinical Pathology, 17th December 2012:12:25)
Hearing difficulties, hair loss and easy bruising (Clin Exp Rheumatol 2012:30:S88-S93)
Biochemical differences (changes in tryptophan catabolism pathway) that are quite distinctive from those found in osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis (Analyst Issue 16, 2013)
A mismanaged blood flow and low levels of inflammation, with a unique peripheral neurovascular pathology consisting of excessive peptidergic sensory innervation of cutaneous arteriole-venule shunts (AVS) in the skin of FM patients confirmed by multimolecular immunocytochemistry, with blood flow dysregulation as a result of excessive innervation to AVS contributing to widespread deep pain and fatigue (Pain Medicine: June 2013:14:6:895-915)
Heart rate variability (HRV) aberrances, indices of increased sympathetic activity and a blunted autonomic response to stressors (Semin Arthritis Rheum 2013:6th July)
Test for excessive Microglia activation. This has multiple domino effects on the body, and would explain the widespread pain in Fibromyalgia.
High Histidine levels, and high trans-urocanate levels and high Histamine levels
Serum and urinary leukotriene and prostaglandin isoforms
Urine methylhistamine after exercise
Also test for abnormal levels of neuropeptide Y as this directly affects mast cell functions
Test for excessive Mast cells and Mast cell activation at night
I. Blanco, N. Béritze, M. Argüelles, V. Cárcaba, F. Fernández, S. Janciauskiene, K. Oikonomopoulou, F.J. de Serres, E. Fernández-Bustillo and M. D. Hollenberg, "Abnormal Overexpression of Mastocytes in Skin Biopsies of Fibromyalgia Patients," Clinical Rheumatology, 2010.
mucous forming foods such excessive potatoes, french fries (chips), cookies and sweets
refined sugars and foods containing refined sugars which can cause immune dysfunctions and inflammation. Stevia is healthier and safer.
processed and packaged foods containing additives and flavourings with E numbers
foods containing mercury – tuna, swordfish, shark
foods containing toxin residues from the land (arsenic in some rice)
table salt. Sea salt is healthier and safer.
chlorine in bathing / swimming water
flouride in drinking water
unfiltered drinking water
all of these increase toxin load on the body, and inflammation, with adverse effects on the body, in particular the immune system, the DNA, the mitochondria, the endocrine system and the brain and nervous system. Eliminate these foods and drinks from the diet.
Lectures by medical experts
Lecture
on Fibromyalgia Causes, Diagnosis and Treatments by Dr. Byron Hyde
Lecture on Fibromyalgia by Dr. Sean Mackey, Stanford University Medical Center
According to studies by Dr. Sivieri (USA), Small Fibre Neuropathy (SFN), which is found in high percentages of Fibromyalgia patients can be caused by (i) autoimmunity where an overactive immune system damages nerve fibres and (ii) an underactive immune system where chronic infections damage nerve fibres. Fibromyalgia often involves both infections and autoimmune conditions and other immune system dysfunctions. A virus / myocplasma / bacteria or other pathogen may be hiding inside human cells (including immune system cells), tissues, nerves, myelin sheaths, cartilage and muscles and this provokes an immune system response and inflammation. A toxin(s) can cause a similar immune system reaction. This can appear like an autoimmune condition, yet it is a chronic infection and/or presence of toxin(s). Over time, this can lead to chronic immune activation and inflammation and damage to human cells, tissues, nerves, myelin sheaths, cartilage and muscles.
Accessibility for disabled patients: Learning from other countries - International Standards & Excellence
It is important to learn from the experiences of other developed countries. Over long periods of time, other countries have tried and tested many different options, and refined and improved succesful ones, while also innovating and developing new technologies, new systems, new laws and regulations. Some countries provide models of excellence in certain areas of disability rights and social inclusion.
