Topic: Medical Care
Theorists and Theories Collide, With Patients Caught In the Middle- Part Three
A Few More Theories Regarding Fibromyalgia's Causes and Treatements:
Fibromyalgia As a Distinct Mental Illness
This article, “Fibromyalgia: The Enigma and the Stigma” by Stephen M. Stahl, M.D., PhD offers the viewpoint that Fibromyalgia is a distinct mental illness disorder akin to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Social Anxiety Disorder.
Excerpt from Dr. Stahl's article:
About a third of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia have major depressive disorder (MDD). Most qualify for the diagnosis of a somatoform disorder. Many have associated anxiety disorders.1-4 If these mental disorders are subtracted, is there anything "real" left--especially considering that "normal" people have aches and pains all the time, with almost all of us experiencing a somatic symptom (e.g., headache, neckache, backache, joint ache, muscle stiffness) every 4 to 6 days? Some skeptical experts apply Yogi Berra's logic to fibromyalgia, namely, "If I hadn't believed it, I wouldn't have seen it."8 Thus, fibromyalgia is considered by some to be the result of unconscious conflicts manifesting themselves as physical symptoms, with pain serving as a somatic metaphor for unhappiness and a life that is not working out.
This rather unsympathetic and old-fashioned point of view is slowly giving way to the idea that fibromyalgia may be as "real" as obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, and other previously ill-defined entities that were not recognized as legitimate illnesses until antidepressant treatments began to define them as treatable. Furthermore, it is now well recognized that psychiatric disorders frequently do not occur in isolation, and the fact that fibromyalgia is comorbid with depression or anxiety actually makes this entity more similar to than different from MDD, generalized anxiety disorder, and most other contemporary psychiatric illnesses in the general population. http://www.psychiatrist.com/pcc/brainstorm/br6207.htm
Alternative Therapy Approaches to Treating Fibromyalgia and CFS
The Marshall Protocol:
http://www.marshallprotocol.com/forum2/2275.html
Dr. Trevor Marshall (a Ph D. Electrical Engineer, not a physician, but he refers to himself as a 'Biomedical Engineer') developed this controversial protocol for 'curing' illnesses with immune and/or autoimmune components to them- Fibromyalgia CFS, Lyme, Lupus, MS, and others- by viewing Vitamin D as the 'enemy' which prevents the body from fighting off harmful bacterial infections. His protocol involves the use of the hypertension medication Benicar at higher doses, and the antibiotic Minocycline, along with the complete avoidance of natural sunlight, bright lights, foods that contain Vitamin D, and most other medications. The idea here is to have an extremely low level of vitamin D in the body in order to fight off infection, to cure chronic illnesses that are, or may be, bacterial based. The Marshall Protocol must be followed for several years in order to “cure” the patient, and its followers are pretty much serving as test subjects for the protocol. This protocol has inherent dangers to it and can cause life-threatening health problems. There are no scientific studies to indicate this protocol actually works or has any medical benefits. On the other hand, there are real scientific studies which indicate Vitamin D deficiency causes various health problems.
Marshall Protocol Risks:
http://www.natmedtalk.com/general-discussion/1643-marshall-protocol-stay-away-one.html
Serious Side Effects Risks of the Marshal Protocol:
http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/blog/boardDetail.cfm?id=1307141
Chelation Therapy:
Chelation therapy was developed to help patients with heavy metal poisoning, such as Mercury Poisoning. There is nothing to indicate fibromyalgia or CFS are related to toxic levels of heavy metals in the body, and the same holds true regarding toxic levels of calcium. But this therapy is listed as an alternative treatment for fibromyalgia, and is touted on some fibromyalgia/CFS patient forums and message boards (just like the Marshall Protocol).
Fibromyalgia Alternative Therapies- Chelation Therapy
http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/chelation-therapy.html
Chelation, the Marshall Protocol and various other alternative treatments and protocols are being touted on the internet as “cure-alls” for various chronic illnesses and diseases, including fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. These treatments are most often touted in Usenet, and at various patient forums, groups, and message boards by posters claiming they have been greatly helped or outright cured by these therapies.
