Dr. T's Health Blog (Recent Posts)

Sleep Hygiene & Helpful Sleep Medications

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Published: August 10, 2012
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In this multi-part series, I am reviewing the elements of the SHINE protocol for CFS and fibromyalgia: Sleep, Hormones, Infections, Nutritional Supplements and Exercise — I'm reviewing the basics and also discussing new developments in therapy for each of the five elements. In part 1, I looked at natural remedies for sleep. In part 2, below, I continue talking about sleep, first looking at "sleep hygiene" (daily habits that can help or harm sleep), and then at how to effectively use multiple, low-dose medications to address the sleep problems that are so common in CFS/FM.
Jacob Teitelbaum, MD

is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.

Natural Remedies for Deeper Sleep

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Published: August 10, 2012
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In the previous two newsletters, I discussed what people with CFS/FM should do "when all else fails" — what to do when the SHINE protocol (Sleep, Hormones, Infections, Nutritional Supplements, Exercise) doesn't work, or doesn't work as well as you'd like it to. Of course, I'm happy to say that our research shows SHINE usually does work, helping more than 85% of CFS and fibromyalgia patients feel significantly better after just 3 months. And that's why I'm going to devote the next series of newsletters to a review of key elements of SHINE. Because it's always good to get back to the basics — to the foundational self-care and medical care regimen that can relieve pain, restore energy and counter the other symptoms of CFS/FM — by addressing the underlying causes of this condition.

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD

is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.

Vitamin D and Chronic Widespread Pain (e.g., Fibromyalgia)

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Published: August 10, 2012
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Vitamin D deficiency has been found to be very common in chronic pain. This study looked at vitamin D levels in 6,824 white British adults who were 45 years old. Chronic Widespread Pain (CWP) was present in 14.6% of those with a vitamin D level (25 OHD) under < 25 nmol/l, 14.7% for a vitamin D level of 25-49 nmol/l, 11.5% for 50-74 nmo/l, 7.7% for 75-99 nmol/l, and 9.7% for participants with > 100 nmol/l. That means those with a low vitamin D level had almost twice the risk of having widespread pain (and likely also fibromyalgia). This connection was only found in women (3/4 of those with fibromyalgia are women).

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD

is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.

Low-Dose Naltrexone for Fibromyalgia Pain

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Published: August 10, 2012
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Good news from the 2012 annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain: A study from researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine showed that a low dose of the drug naltrexone significantly reduced pain in patients with fibromyalgia. The study confirms earlier, similar findings from the same researchers, published in Pain Medicine in 2009.

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD

is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.

Flexeril for Fibromyalgia

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Published: August 10, 2012
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I've noted for more than a decade that a very low dose of the muscle relaxant Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) can be very helpful in people with fibromyalgia. Although the drug is a distant cousin to the antidepressant Elavil (amitriptyline), it has nowhere near the same level of side effects, like weight gain and dry mouth. And low dose Flexeril works without next-day sedation. Now there's more good news about Flexeril for fibromyalgia patients.

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD

is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.

The Best Diet for Women with PCOS

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Published: August 10, 2012
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Most women with CFS/FMS have low levels of the hormones testosterone and DHEA. But a small subset of women have elevated levels - and accompanying symptoms, like acne or darkening of facial hair. This condition is called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Therapy includes strictly avoiding sugar and taking metformin, an excellent and safe medication for diabetes. These therapies can dramatically help women with PCOS, and also help decrease their CFS/FMS symptoms.

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD

is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.

Childhood Physical Abuse Linked to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

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Published: August 10, 2012
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A study shows that childhood physical abuse might significantly increase the risk of functional somatic syndromes such as CFS, fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivities among women. The new study by researchers from the University of Toronto will be published in the May issue of the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma.

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD

is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.

Zinc Makes You Smile - Literally!

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Published: August 10, 2012
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Zinc is a talented mineral. It's critical in the production of the collagen that keeps skin healthy and speeds wound healing. It cools low-grade chronic inflammation, a problem in many chronic diseases. It boosts the strength of the immune system. Now researchers have found it may even help relieve depression.

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD

is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.

Yoga for Fibromyalgia

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Published: August 10, 2012
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Yoga can gently stretch the tight muscles of fibromyalgia, helping the healing process (though you have to be careful not to overdo it, stretching-wise). A new study shows that it really works.

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD

is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.

XMRV Update

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Published: August 10, 2012
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Though research continues to show mixed findings, several more studies have shown positive for XMRV in CFS, including two in Europe (Spain and Norway). This suggests that the key is proper testing technology. This continues to help increase awareness and acceptance of CFS. Though current therapies can be very helpful, there is always room for improvement, and we continue to explore new therapies that are promising. The push now is to research different antiviral therapies and combinations in people with CFS.

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD

is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.

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