CFS, Fibromyalgia And other Illnesses That are Stress Related
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia an Audio Study
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Stress is a known trigger for adrenal fatigue and related syndromes, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia and can also bring an autoimmune disease to the surface, that is in the body but hasn't fully manifested. Thyroid diseases are some of the more common health disorders that can be triggered by stress, especially Grave's Disease/hyperthyroidism.
PTSD (Post Traumatic stress Disorder) is also a chronic stress caused syndrome and is also classified as an anxiety disorder.
I personally went through an extreme period of chronic stress and my thyroid disease, called "Hashimoto's Thyroiditis", manifested as a result as well as a severe case of adrenal fatigue. I was left untreated for these disorders for several months and as a result experienced a severe flare-up in the year 2003, that also triggered the onset of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
I initially developed a severe case of hives and a strange viral type illness that left me with the co-occurring CFS. Afterward, the lymph nodes in my neck, remained swollen to this day and I also suffer multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS).
My belief is that CFS is a syndome causing an altered HPA Axis (Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal glands), plus altered immune system function (deficiency). I suggest to people who suspect they have adrenal fatigue, CFS or a chronic illness/disease to get their adrenal hormones and all other hormones (including the sex ones) checked as well because it is my belief that hormonal imbalances over time, can possibly result in CFS and Fibromyalgia type illnesses.
Some who read my articles or my posts on forums, may wonder why I have the passion I do for the adrenal syndrome subjects and it is because it is my belief that adrenal fatigue can eventually cause CFS and/or FMS type syndromes, when not diagnosed and treated early when suspected.
Another strong association to these type syndromes is EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus), which causes monolucleosis initially in some patients but afterward, remains in a persons body for life. This virus is suspected of having a strong connection to CFS. While most people have EBV in their system beginning in childhood (estimates are 80 to 95% of the population), most only have antibody titers to the virus, that are just barely positive, like a "5", a "10", "20" above normal, etc..., others actually have flare-ups of this virus (reactivation), probably due to a compromised immune system (immune deficiency) that causes high titers of the virus to increase in their bodies over time.
Many in the medical field are of the opinion that EBV is a background virus like many others in the herpes virus-family, that can flare-up like cold sores can (also a herpes virus that remains in the system). When flare-ups happen, they believe it can cause or at least contribute to symptoms of CFS in some people.
In my case, my EBV count was "218" with normal range being <20, so mine was more than ten times the normal cut off range.
Some Doctors believe the EBV test means nothing, unless actually being used to test for monolucleosis but there has to be a reason some patient's EBV counts elevate so highly. Both MDs who treat me for hypothyroidism and CFS, believe that EBV can flare-up/reactivate in some patients who have the higher titers of the virus. Many sources also state that adrenal fatigue is a major feature of this because the adrenal glands are the major moderators of the immune system.
While EBV may not be the actual root cause of CFS, it has been shown to be an indicator of immune dysfunction in studies that have been conducted. In my opinion, it is just one of many factors that can contribute to the symptoms of CFS.
The Centers For Disease Control/U.S. Gov., has been publishing studies and diagnostic criteria for CFS, for many years, so it is recognized as a real illness.
Many patients with CFS have complete remission of it within two to five years while others have partial but significant improvement, even if it never completely remits. Some may have it for many years but regardless, it does not cause organ damage or decrease life span expectancy, according to published medical research. It also does not negatively affect intellect, despite the "brain fog" symptoms it also causes in patients who experience it.
Things that speed recovery for CFS, are; treating the associated adrenal fatigue, getting proper sleep and rest, a healthy diet, exercising to tolerance and making sure other diseases a patient might have are treated. Under-treatment of a thyroid disorder for example, can serve as a trigger for continuing CFS flare-ups and may actually be a trigger for the syndrome itself according to some medical sources. Many sources also state that thyroid patients commonly have co-occurring CFS and/or Fibromyalgia (CFS & FMS have 75% crossover symptoms).
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Thanks KaranM for the kind comments and I wish your friend the best in recovering as well!
Many CFS patients do completely recover in 2 to 5 years, others are not so fortunate but gives us all hope in seeing much better days physically. I'm actually seeing a lot of good days already.
Hi Jim :)
Excellent information!! We have very similar ideas! I believe we vastly underestimate both Stress and Sleep Deprivation. And, although I haven't had CFS, I've found you CAN get rid of FMS symptoms - by aiming at the CAUSE, not the symptoms. Haven't had FMS symptoms for over a year now. :)
Thanks for a Great Hub xxx
Have you heard of "Paths Fibromyalgia Release"? It's worth Googling it and checking it out - it's what cured my Fibromyalgia. It uses the body's natural resources, and is aimed at releasing the cause, as well as relieving the symptoms. xxx
lifeboost,Thanks, I will do some search on that book. I am a firm believer in natural treatments which work extremely well in many cases. Natural treatments can also be effective when incorporated into conventional medical treatments when a health situation calls for it.That's truly wonderful to hear how well it worked for you and a great testimony for other FMS patients!
I was diagnosed with CFS and Fibromyalgia in 2007, however the onset of the illness I have been dealing with since the birth of my 1st son in 2000. It is so horrible. I am in constant pain along with many many other symptoms that go along with these disorders. I also was diagnosed with PTSD after having been attacked physically and in a state of fear for 3 years while dealing with a stalker. This led to a severe development of anxiety and panic attacks which triggered my stress nerve ( my gag reflex) It is terribly embarrasssing to go anywhere because I never know in which the moment may come when I get nervous and start to gag.
I have learned over time that I can somewhat control that reflex with water or Altoids. But I have yet to find the possible technique or cure to avoid this embarrassment. All in all, the total of all these disorders disrupt my day to day life and it often depresses me because I can still remember the days when I was younger and I did not suffer from this. Oh how I wish I could go back to that time. And unfortunately it seems this illnesses are here to stay with me! =(
jjrubio,
Thanks for the comments and sharing your story. It's amazing how many CFS/FMS patients have suffered chronic stress and.or traumatic stress! There's also a connection of CFS,FMS and PTSD to low cortisol levels or what is sometimes called "adrenal fatigue".
Here's a link to an article on similar subject> http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art24335.asp
Numerous very serious errors in this article. You should not write about subjects you simply don't understand, because it does much more harm than good.
First of all, recovery from CFS/ME is extremely rare, a few per cent at most. Secondly, CFS/ME causes significant organ damage in many cases (heart, kidneys, liver, brain and other organs). My CFS/ME isn't very severe and I still have demonstratable brain and heart damage. CFS/ME also kills people, and saying it doesn't is inexcusable. Oh, and it can cause a drop of up to 50 IQ points. This is all documented in the medical literature!
The low cortisol levels in CFS/ME are usually not due to "adrenal fatigue" but ACTH deficiency, which is caused in the brain, not the adrenals, as in adrenal fatigue. I have this condition which unfortunately threatens my life every single day. Luckily my CFS/ME is no longer progressive, thanks to low dose naltrexone.
Sincerely, Maija Haavisto
Author of "Reviving the Broken Marionette: Treatments for CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia"
Miaja,
First, those type replies/comments will not help you draw readers to your books. A little diplomacy and choosing your replies with more forethought would really be helpful to you.
Also, I am a Chronic Fatigue Patient. I have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's with resulting hypothyroidism) and the CFS is co-morbid. Mine intially manifested as fibromyalgia including tender points and widespread body pain but the rheumatic symptoms resolved with thyroid hormone therapy. My CFS symptoms however, including swollen lymph nodes, chemical sensitivities, orthostatic hypotension, etc... have remained and flucuate in intensity according to my stress level, physical activity etc...
I have lived with CFS since 2003 and it is absolutely fallacy on your part to assume I don't know what I'm talking about.
CFS can be a manifestation of systemic autoimmunity or other disease processes and in these cases, organ damage is a result of the co-morbid condition and not the CFS. How do I know this? Because the number and type of co-mobid conditions that occur with CFS ranges greatly among patients. You could say the co-morbid disease in some CFS patient's bodies is a complication of CFS but that's not going to be true in all cases. CFS in fact can be a post viral illness but even that is not true in all cases.
I have a friend in my state who contracted CFS about five years ago and his completely resolved three years into treatment and has been in remission for over two years. His symptoms were more severe than mine.
Would you like to be the one to tell him his recovery was imagined? He was treated at a Fibro & Fatigue Center and all of their research shows that full recovery of CFS can happen as well. Go to their website and see for yourself, the doctors on the board of these centers are as qualified as they come (Board Certified MDs with highest degrees achievable.)
Here's a quote from Fibro & Fatigue Centers Website: "We offer help through a successfully proven treatment protocol and have treated over 15,000 patients nationwide."
Here's a quote from the Centers for Disease Control:
"The earlier a person with CFS receives medical treatment the greater the likelihood that the illness will resolve."
The effect of telling CFS patients that there's no chance of recovery will only discourage them from seeking treatment, so do be careful about what you claim to be as absolutes.
Let me add that I have written 100s, not dozens of articles and this includes 163 articles for BellaOnline thyroid Health, 52 for Suite101 Health, 72 for HowToDoThings and 245 for HubPages. These are the major sites but there are many others. I have written reviews for some of the most recognized medical subject authors including Mary Shomon who personally sent me 6 of her books to review over the past five years. I have 22 Amazon ebook titles published and 15 audios available through them.
My search and research has been extensive on all subjects I write for and I add nothing to articles that is not backed up by reputble medical research.
Actually the pituitary hormone; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH)is what stimulates release of ACTH and the CDC states that low cortisol in CFS is likely due to CRH deficiency.
I recently came across this article of a young woman with very severe M.E./CFS. I think you should read it to the end as it would be an education for you: http://tinyurl.com/d3o9td
Ben-Maija
I have read cases of very severe CFS/ME, literally 1000s of times and have corresponded with patients suffering extremely bad cases. I read the patient's post at the link and is in the category with those. I wish them best possible recovery and God Bless them.
To also help educate you, I posted a new Hub titled: "The Many Faces of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" that you might want to read. It was in direct response to your posts above.
KaranM says:
16 months ago
Hi, very nice post...very informative. I learned a good amount from reading this piece. My best friend suffers from CFS as well, and it breaks my heart to see her go through what she does. At the same time, i highly respect her courage and attitude. I wish you the best with your recovery.