Fibromyalgia
Condition Description
Chronic widespread pain associated with tender spots on skeletal muscles (called trigger points). Pain often radiates from these areas when there is no injury or apparent cause.
Common Symptoms
- Widespread musculoskeletal pain lasting more than 3 months
- Chronic fatigue and/or low quality sleep
- Anxiety, depression or cognitive problems (known as “fibrofog”)
- Less commonly: weight fluctuations, nasal allergy symptoms, hypersensitivity to environmental factors (odors, bright lights, loud noises), digestive upsets like diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, gas, belching and/or bloating
Underlying Causes
- Mineral deficiencies including magnesium, calcium and potassium
- Yeast overgrowth
- Food allergies
- Hormonal problems like hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, and female or male hormonal deficiencies
- Mold allergies
Traditional Approach
- The Traditional Approach: does not recognize any causes, thus treatment is symptomatic
- Antianxiety medications like Alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin), Zolpidem (Ambien), Trazadone (Desyrel), Buspiron (Buspar), and Temazepam (Restoril)
- Muscle relaxants like Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
- Antidepressants like Amitriptyline (Elavil), Duloxetine (Cymbalta), and Minacipran (Savella)
- Anticonvulsant medicines like Pregabalin (Lyrica), Gabapentin (Neurontin) or antihypertensive medicines like Clonidine (Catapres)
EHAC Approach
- Look for and treat mineral deficiencies like magnesium, calcium, and/or potassium
- Test for and treat any yeast overgrowth, food allergies, mold allergies or hormonal problems
