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© 2002 Nature Publishing Group Marbán, E.
We all understand that the very definition of ME/CFS means that we don’t all have the same disease – just the same label.  We’ve been culled into a symptomatic description of a syndrome that includes many disease possibilities.  No one has the answer that will cure all of us no matter how much we wish it were true.  With that disclaimer out of the way, I’m going to pull out my soap box and write about my version of ME/CFS and what I think was the key to my full recovery.  My reason for doing this is that I feel strongly that some percentage of those labeled with ME/CFS or Fibromialgia have what I had.  If this helps just one person recover, I’m thrilled.

Ion Channelopathy – As part of my eight step protocol I drank an 8oz can of V-8 vegetable juice everyday.  My intention was to add salt to my diet so that my chronic low blood pressure would rise to a more normal level (so please don’t start chugging salt as it can be dangerous).  I was not aware at the time that I was also providing my metabolism with a liquid Ion Cocktail - full of high dose, easily available ions – specifically sodium, chloride, potassium and calcium (the calcium was taken as a supplement at the same time).  If you feel that this may apply to you, you should discuss it with your medical practitioner before undertaking any course of treatment.  Under the supervision of a medical doctor, you can determine any contraindications and regularly monitor your blood pressure.

I wrote up a full description of my thoughts on this for a later edition of my book.  In case you have an earlier version, read about Ion Channelopathy under Further Lessons.

Have you had any experience with ion therapy?  Did it help you?  Please COMMENT or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them.  You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net.

Look for a weekly posting on Tuesdays.  And consider being part of the conversation.

Be Well Again,

Martha

 
 
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© 2011 TSM
Most ME/CFS patients would agree that supporting our immune system is key to a successful path back to health.  We recognize that this system is a 24/7 work horse that never rests.  The majority of challenges to our person health that we encounter are never known to us due to the vigilance and vigor of our efficient immune systems.  And some researchers support the theory that part of the ME/CFS struggle is due to a compromised or ‘on tilt’ immune system.

So what should ME/CFS patients do to support our immune systems?  From my perspective, it’s hard to find definitive information unless it’s followed by an ad for the recommended product.  At one extreme are the recognized research groups who won’t commit to anything specific.  At the other extreme are the passionate semi-scientific articles extolling the virtues of a ‘total solution’ product.  ME/CFS patients find it difficult to sift thru all of this when so much is at stake and brain fog is dulling one’s judgments.

Here’s a link to an article from Harvard Medical School “How to Boost Your Immune System.”  It’s couched but ultimately informative.  And it gets us into the supplement discussion again. For me, eating healthy food loaded with nutrients and getting REM sleep were the highest priority in my efforts to support my immune system as I was working to defeat CFS.

What are your strategies?  Have you found a combination of things that add up to a healthier immune system?  Please COMMENT or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them.  You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net.

Look for a weekly posting on Tuesdays.  And consider being part of the conversation.

Be Well Again,

Martha

 
 
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© 2011 TSM
Of all the considerations that ME/CFS patients need to address, supplements seem to be the most complicated simply due to the vast amount of information – a lot of which is conflicting.  And the fact that supplements are also viewed by many to potentially hold the key to the magic cure, if it exists.  Then add to that the complementarity puzzle where one tries to find the combinations and ratios which work – this offers endless possibilities.  Finally, when cost is considered, it can be financially crippling to pay for some of these recommended supplement treatments – especially the medically administered ones.  It’s a challenge to navigate for anyone let alone a patient suffering from brain fog.

Since I was sick, it seems that more and more companies are successfully marketing supplements and profiting.  Many of these have convincing representatives who are either former patients or simply great salespeople.  How does one vet all of this?  How do you successfully sift thru all the information and make educated decisions about what to take, how and when?  For me, it was a daily dose of the ‘knowns’ with a few doses of ‘it can’t kill me’ vitamins and minerals that were the ‘silver bullets’ of my era.

What supplement regimen have you settled into?  What have you tried and rejected?  What helped with your energy levels?  Have you tried a medically administered ‘cocktail’ and was it helpful?  Please COMMENT or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them.  You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net.

Look for a weekly posting on Tuesdays.  And consider being part of the conversation.

Be Well Again,

Martha