Are you or someone you know suffering from...

Success Story
I had fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome (FM/CFS) and suffered with digestive problems, varying degrees of pain, anxiety, depression, etc., for more than 13 years. Every evening after work I was exhausted. Some days I wasnt able to go to work. Now, I have been mostly symptom-free for more than three years and have lots of energy. After trying the drug route, I researched non-drug solutions and found out many existed. My niece, who had recovered from fibromyalgia, recommended I walk every day, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, drink lots of filtered water, avoid refined sugars and take natural sleep aids. That helped. What helped even more was a seminar I attended on fibromyalgia. I learned about the yeast connection. I contacted The Great Plains Laboratory, Inc. and asked for a physician referral to do the testing. I did have a yeast overgrowth plus a bacterial infection in my gastrointestinal tract. I discovered I was sensitive to house dust, certain foods, molds, and chemicals. Also, I had hypothyroidism and some hormonal and mineral deficiencies. Within a few weeks of starting treatment for the yeast and bacterial problems, I started feeling better than I had felt in years. I found out that eating organically grown foods and meats free of antibiotics and growth hormones is important. Also, vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements played a role in my recovery. If you are among the millions of people who suffer from these illnesses, remember there is hope. It isnt the diagnosis that you should be concerned with, but rather the things you can change. Another good outcome of the testing: Getting Well Support Groups and the nonprofit organization Fibromyalgia Coalition International, which includes people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, were formed. Today, there are Fibromyalgia Coalition members throughout the U.S. and other countries. - Yvonne Keeny, Executive Director, Fibromyalgia Coalition International

FIBROMYALGIA & CHRONIC FATIGUE

What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by chronic or intermittent muscle pain, particularly at trigger points, fatigue, and poor sleep. Patients report cognitive and mood changes in fibromyalgia, and often digestive symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome. The ratio of females to males with fibromyalgia is 9:1 and at least 3% of the population has symptoms with usual onset between 20 and 50 years of age. ups and downs of everyday life. The patient is too tired for normal activities and the profound weakness associated with chronic fatigue syndrome does not go away with a few good nights sleep. Instead, it slyly steals your energy and vigor over months and sometimes years.

FM/CFS
These two conditions are now considered to be variants of the same underlying dysfunction and are referred to as FM/CFS. The cause of FM/CFS is unknown, but it is not contagious and does not usually go away. Serotonin, the neurotransmitter involved in the sensation of pain, is known to be involved. Chronic low-grade infections, particularly fungal, are also present in many patients. The stress of not being able to perform daily tasks of course exacerbates symptoms.

What is Chronic Fatigue?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is also a mystery; the fatigue is not like the normal

Evaluating the Patient

The integrative practitioner expects that physical and psychological symptoms may have common metabolic and functional sources. This approach to evaluation and treatment presumes that, as with any chronic condition, multiple underlying factors are responsible: digestion, inflammation, immune reactions, hormone levels, oxidative stress, detoxification capacity, as well as the psychological and spiritual state of the individual. Clinical assessment of a patients symptoms, a thorough medical history, and appropriate laboratory testing are the foundation for an effective treatment plan.

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One Step At A Time

Step 1. Test at The Great Plains Laboratory to determine underlying factors contributing to your FM/CFS. In addition to the tests offered at The Great Plains Laboratory, we recommend ordering a thyroid evaluation and an adrenal/sex hormone panel. a. b. c. d. e. f. Organic Acids Test IgG Food Allergy Test w/ Candida Metals Hair Test Comprehensive Stool Analysis Gluten/Casein Peptides Test Amino Acids Urine Test

Step 2. Eliminate processed foods containing food dyes and artificial colors and reduce sugar intake. Step 3. Eliminate foods indicated as positive on the IgG Food Allergy Test. Step 4. Remove sources of toxic metals in your environment and chelate if tests show toxic metal burden. Step 5. Treat yeast and bacterial overgrowth with antifungal agents and probiotics if indicated by the Organic Acids Test. Step 6. Supplement with a good multi-vitamin and calcium, if dairy intake is restricted. Step 7. Supplement with a good source of omega-3 fatty acids such as flax seed oil, cod liver or fish oil.

Breaking the Cycle of Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue

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Serotonergic Markers, Chronic Candidiasis Syndrome and Excitotoxins Serotonergic markers and lowered plasma branched-chain-amino acid concentrations in fibromyalgia.
Patients with fibromyalgia had significantly lower plasma concentrations of the three BCAAs (valine, leucine and isoleucine) and phenylalanine than normal controls. It is hypothesized that the relative deficiency in the BCAAs may play a role in the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia, since the BCAAs supply energy to the muscle and regulate protein synthesis in the muscles. A supplemental trial with BCAAs in fibromyalgia appears to be justified.
Psychiatry Res 2000 Dec 4;97(1):11-20. Maes M, Verkerk R, Delmeire L, Van Gastel A, van Hunsel F, Scharpe S. Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, University Hospital of Maastricht, Postbus 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands. crc-mh@online.be

Chronic intestinal candidiasis as a possible etiological factor in the chronic fatigue syndrome.
The chronic candidiasis syndrome, also known as the Candida-related complex, putatively caused by the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the gastrointestinal tract and secondarily in the genital organs, is briefly described. Patients with this disorder have many of the same symptoms as those with the chronic fatigue syndrome, except for the recurrent flu-like symptoms of the latter disorder. The positive response of a large number of patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) to an oral antifungal agent and a diet for intestinal candidiasis has been described by another clinician. There is evidence that Candida albicans infection of the mucous membranes depresses T cell and natural killer (NK) cell function. Similar abnormalities of immune function are found in the CFS. The function of cytotoxic T cells, T helper cells, and NK cells is important in preventing reactivation of infections from Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and other herpes viruses. Reactivation of one or more of these viruses could lead to the expression of the flu-like symptoms in the CFS. Yet the immune dysfunction found in this disorder has been considered the primary underlying causal factor. It is proposed that chronic intestinal candidiasis may be an agent which leads to immune depression in many CFS patients and therefore could be a causal factor in CFS.
Med Hypotheses 1995 Jun;44(6) : 507-15. Cater RE 2nd.

Hypersensitivity to Metals, Fibromyalgia, IBS and TM Mercury and nickel allergy: risk factors in fatigue and autoimmunity.
This study examined the presence of hypersensitivity to dental and environmental metals in patients with clinical disorders complicated with chronic fatigue syndrome. Three groups of patients were examined through medical history, dental examination, and by using a modified test of blast transformation for metals-MELISA(R). The three groups consisted of the following: 22 patients with autoimmune thyroiditis with or without polyglandular autoimmune activation; 28 fatigued patients free from endocrinopathy; and 22 fatigued professionals without evidence of autoimmunity. As controls, a population sample or 13 healthy subjects without any evidence of metal sensitivity was included. Healthy controls did not complain of marked fatigue and their laboratory tests did not show signs of autoimmunity and endocrinopathy. We have found that fatigue, regardless of the underlying disease, is primarily associated with hypersensitivity to inorganic mercury and nickel. The lymphocyte stimulation by other metals was similar in fatigued and control groups. To evaluate clinical relevance of positive in vitro findings, the replacement of amalgam with metal-free restorations was performed in some of the patients. At a six-month follow-up, patients reported considerably alleviated fatigue and disappearance of many symptoms previously encountered; in parallel, lymphocyte responses to metals decreased as well. We suggest that metal-driven inflammation may affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) and indirectly trigger psychosomatic multisymptoms characterizing chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and other diseases of unknown etiology.
Neuroendocrinol Lett 1999;20(3-4):221-228. Sterzl I, Prochazkova J, Hrda P, Bartova J, Matucha P, Stejskal VD. Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic.

Fibromyalgia in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, An association with the severity of the intestinal disorder
Fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are functional disorders in which altered somatic and or visceral perception thresholds have been found. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of FM in a group of patients with IBS and the possible association of FM with patterns and severity of the intestinal disorder. One hundred thirty consecutive IBS patients were studied. a significant association was found between the presence of FM and severity of the intestinal disorder. The presence of FM in IBS patients seems to be associated only with the severity of IBS. This result confirms previous studies on the association between the two syndromes.
Abstract Volume 16 Issue 4 (2001) pp 211-215. International Journal of Colorectal Disease, Clinical and Molecular Gastroenterology and Surgery.

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How Can I Order a Test Kit?

Contact The Great Plains Laboratory, Inc. via phone, fax, e-mail, or from our website to order a test kit. In just a few days, you will receive the test kit, along with complete shipping materials, sample requirements and instructions.

What About Insurance Coverage?

Most of our testing is covered by insurance and we are happy to file your claim, but we cannot guarantee payment. We cannot bill any state run programs, Medicaid plans, Humana, Aetna, or HMOs. We are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Tricare, and Medicare. We advise patients to call their insurance provider to get pre-approval prior to testing. Patients will be billed for what your insurance does not cover and are responsible for any deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or balance. Patients may pay the cash price for testing and we will provide you with a receipt, which you may file with your insurance plan for reimbursement.

Testing Procedure
1. Contact us via phone, fax, e-mail, or on our website to order a test kit. 2. Fill out the Test Requisition Form and have this form signed by a licensed medical practitioner and indicate the payment method or insurance information. 3. Follow the instructions to collect the specimen. 4. Send the specimen with the paperwork in the pre-paid express overnight envelope included in the test kit (shipping cost is included in the price for U.S. clients). 5. The results will be mailed with a detailed explanation to the patient and medical practitioner in approximately two to four weeks after receiving your sample, unless the practitioner has specified otherwise. 6. A free 30-minute phone consultation with our nutritional consultant is available to practitioners and patients upon request.

How Can I Use These Test Results to Improve My Health?

We provide detailed reports of results. In addition, we are pleased to provide phone consultations to help you and your physician implement a treatment plan.

How Can I Find Which Foods Are Major Sources of Food Additives and Toxic Chemicals?
The Feingold Association can provide books and other literature on choosing safer foods for affected patients. Phone: 1-800-321-3287 Website: www.feingold.org Environmental Working Group has information on water quality, cosmetic safety, and pesticides in produce. Website: www.ewg.org

What Type of Allergy Testing is Best?

We recommend the IgE Inhalant Allergy Test for allergens such as grass, weeds, dust, dander, etc., and the IgG Food Allergy Test for foods which includes allergens for 93 foods. We also offer an IgE Food Allergy Test. All of these tests can be done thru The Great Plains Laboratory, Inc.

Recommended Professional Organizations

Fibromyalgia Coalition International develops programs dedicated to finding the root causes of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome through extensive research and reporting of natural, proven and effective therapies. Website: www.fibrocoalition.org

An extensive bibliography and frequently asked questions about fibromyalgia & chronic fatigue available at: www.greatplainslaboratory.com

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