Still Cured of Fibromyalgia - Fibromyalgia Message Board

rhody · 02-13-2007, 08:04 PM

I haven't written in a very long time. I don't know if any of you remember, but I had muscle pains, chest pains, lower back pains, headaches, and many other FM symptoms for decades. About 13 year ago I had my dental amalgams removed, and followed a good healthy diet. Getting rid of those amalgams was a life-saver, for there were times I didn't want to go on for another day. Previously, there were times I had trouble walking and then after the amalgam removal, I was running almost 20 miles weekly. Life had been pretty good for about 10 years or so.

Then last year about 13 months ago, my right arm started hurting so bad. It hurt so bad, that I couldn't even use it, but I continued running. And when anyone shook my hand, I had excrutiating pain. Then my lower back hurt so much, that I couldn't bend down easily. My running came to a stop in the summer six months later, as I hurt so much.

I went to the doctors, and she said that I had arthritis, and prescribed orthodox pain killers. Since I have followed natural health care for so many years, I didn't want to believe it. So, I started changing my diet again to less acidic foods, started using natural herbal deordorant, drank green tea, and now eat one clove of fresh raw garlic every day.

Slowly, my muscle pains went away. I'm back to running nearly 20 miles a week, and lifting weights. My lower back pain is gone. It took about 5 months for this to naturally go away.

I don't know all the reasons for this, but I theorize that a lot of fibromyalgia is caused by toxins, poor diet, and unnecessary stress and other poor lifestyles. I haven't figured out which of my changes, made the most significant difference, but I think the garlic this time was a major contributor. I write more about this, if you want. I'll tell you why raw garlic is so important.

I was so oooold last summer, couldn't hardly walk...kind of depressed...but with God's help I'm back.

I hope that I'm encouraging to all of you. There's more out there then these doctors understand.

rrforest · 02-13-2007, 10:15 PM

Which I could find that kind of help! What is dental amalgrams? I am not sure if I have fibro or not but it seems that alot of my symthoms are the same as those with fibro. I can not afford the go the the doctor to find out, do you think if I started eating garlic, it would help? Thanks, CR

elmhar · 02-14-2007, 12:27 PM

Hi CR,

If you are strapped for cash or have poor to nonexistent medical insurance, I recommend you visit your local public library to see if they have one or more books by Jacob Teitelbaum, MD. The titles are: From Fatigued to Fantastic and Pain Free 1 - 2 - 3.

If your local library doesn't own the books, they will likely be able to get them for you from another library, for free or very low cost (like one or 2 dollars). Most public libraries in Oregon participate in a program called Interlibrary loan. If all this is too much info for you, just ask for the books at the library's reference/information desk & they will be able to help you.

The main reason why I like Dr. Teitelbaum's books is because the information there has been extremely helpful to me personally, in reducing my pain level, and also in increasing my energy levels. There are hundreds of treatments described in each book (with some overlap) -- conventional drugs, alternative treatments, and self-help stuff. Each treatment is described in terms of helpfulness & side effects, followed by Dr. T.'s personal opinion. Another thing I like is that Teitelbaum isn't just a one-fix-fits-all doctor, like some other people who write on fibro & CFS. And this is appropriate, because research increasingly shows that there are a variety of causes for fibro/ chronic fatigue.

Dr. T. himself was a chronic fatigue sufferer -- one of us. He understands our pain in a very personal way. As an internal med doc, he specializes in treatment of fibro & CFS. He also runs research studies on treatments for fibro. Recently, he has signed on as medical director of Fibro & Fatigue Treatment Centers. In Oregon, a new FF center just opened in Beaverton. IMO, specialized treatment might be a better option than trying to get somewhere with the docs in Umatilla, where there are few if any fibro specialists. Maybe something to save up for while you try a few self-help things.

Dr. Teitelbaum is giving a free lecture in downtown Portland on March 13. He will also be in Seattle on the same tour. This is a great opportunity, as he is based on the East Coast & doesn't often make it to the West. I realize that Portland is a ways from Umatilla, but it might be worth your while to consider attending.

Best wishes.

PS. Garlic is helpful to people in a number of ways. It has antiviral properties. It stimulates the immune system. It contains a lot of sulfur (as do onions), which helps with enzymes & detoxification. But, in some people raw garlic can cause upset stomach. You can use it in cooking, for some benefit & maybe a little less stomach irritation. In people with a lot of toxin exposure, whether due to chemicals or to dental fillings (silver amalgams), taking a lot of garlic at once can make you feel pretty ugly, as the bad stuff starts to move around & hopefully out of the body. So ... easy does it, start slow.

Epsom salts baths can provide temporary pain reduction in muscles, and are also very relaxing -- good before bed. One cup of salts in a tub of warm water, soak 20 min. Last I checked, I could get Epsom for about $1.50 at Walmart -- 3 pound bag good for at least 6 baths. The salts provide a small amt of magnesium, which is often deficient in fibro sufferers.

mooaa · 02-14-2007, 02:31 PM

hi i hope u will be pain free for the rest of your life ,do u have a doctor who told do about this info or u just reda a book and do use mind body connection theory by dr sarno.
thanks

rhody · 02-14-2007, 07:24 PM

My whole life, all that doctors would give me was "dumb" looks. You would tell them your symptoms, they would stare...it's like they just didn't know. This is a typical response I later found out of a lot of doctors for people that have FM or similar conditions. I was told to not run more than 100 yards, I was too old, and I was too fat in 1978. The doctor said it just like that...not overweight...but fat.

To make a long story short, I experimented with changing my diet, taking herbs, and finally when my tooth broke and exposed a dental amalgam...and my pains got worse...I decided on my own to have them removed. Doctors have always failed for me. Even my last one, who is really nice and knowledgeable...just thinks it's arthritis. Would they believe that I'm well again? No, I just get those same kind of looks.

Before the internet, I would read and read about so many things. I did not want to live that way, so I explored natural healing. One of my anti-mercury experiments made me extremely sick, but most of my experiments were successful.

I only take small amounts of raw garlic, and it's important to mix it with other foods. It has these remarkable properties:

1) Anti-inflammatory
2) Antibiotic
3) Removes mercury and other toxins
4) Lowers blood pressure some

I'll let you read more about this, as there's mountains of information about raw garlic and it's medicinal properties. Will they tell you about this at the doctor's office? I only learn these things on my own. And with the internet, we now have access to much more information. We can make changes to get well.

Like I've said many times, changing to a healthy lifestyle for you may not work as it did for me, but it certainly won't hurt. Eat better, avoid processed foods, remove toxins and excess stress from your life. Be patient with natural healing and read a lot about it. For what choice do we have? I chose to not be sick.

You all can read about dental amalgams with the mercury that leaks and accumulates in the body. It's controversal with both anti and pro positions. I can't understand why anyone would believe for a minute to think that mercury is safe in our teeth, inches from our brain. I don't care what anyone says, I know for me that they were not safe. My headaches, after those mercury amalgams were removed, have never come back.

I hope that helps everyone.