Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia has a spectrum of symptoms and severity. It is very difficult to diagnose and treat, especially in the typical 10-15 minute office visit. Fibromyalgia consists of widespread muscle pains, in at least 11 of 18 standard tender points, that lasts for at least 3 months. The pains can migrate and have good and bad days. The typical locations are the neck, back, hips, arms, legs, and chest. Patients usually describe “knots” in their muscles that are painful. In Fibromyalgia patients, the muscles are actually shortened and tightened. Massage therapy is typically helpful, but painful.

Along with the pain, Fibromyalgia patients experience other debilitating symptoms. These include:

It’s interesting to note that many of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia also occur in other disorders-Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (Systemic Exertional Intolerance Disease), Hypothyroidism, Adrenal Fatigue, Hormone Imbalance, Nutritional Deficiencies, Food Sensitivities, Depression, and Environmental Toxicity. Could there be a relationship? 

Dr. Gruning is especially interested in the relationship between Fibromyalgia and Biotoxin Illness (Mold Illness).  As time has passed and Dr. Gruning has treated over a thousand patients, he believes that most Fibromyalgia patients have Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) due to a Water Damaged Building (WDB) or a tick bite with resultant post-Lyme Syndrome.  The most common cause of CIRS is toxic molds, bacteria and the 30 other toxins and inflammagens found in the interior of a Water Damaged Building, which is a very common condition.  Dr. Gruning assesses every Fibromyalgia patient for CIRS.

Nutritional deficiencies and poor dietary choices play a major role in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  Some of the most important culprits are wheat (and the gluten in it), dairy, and processed foods.  In fact, Dr. Gruning has seen many patients totally recover just by changing their diet and eliminating these sensitizing foods and toxins.  He often employs a Functional Nutritionist or Lifestyle Educator to help manage the major changes that must be made in a patient’s lifestyle in order to heal. Food sensitivities and allergies are very common in Fibromyalgia patients.  While most patients will not recover fully just by changing their diet, it is an essential contributor to poor health that must be corrected.

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome seem to have become more prevalent around the late 1970’s. That is when we began using the TSH test as the gold standard to test for thyroid problems. What if it is not accurate? What if we have been missing many cases of Hypothyroidism because of this? What if you are Hypothyroid?

The Thyroid Gland is an endocrine gland that affects the function of every aspect of your body. When it is not producing enough Thyroid Hormone, or that hormone cannot be converted to its active form and used by your body, your metabolism can not be regulated and everything goes haywire. Thyroid disorders, at least the obvious ones, seem to be exploding in this country. Autoimmune Thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s) is all too common now.  We believe that many Fibromyalgia patients have undiagnosed or poorly controlled Hypothyroidism. 

Adrenal Fatigue is another common finding in Fibromyalgia patients. To deal with the many stressful events in our lives, our body has a system to handle it-at least physically. The Adrenal Gland, which sits on top of each kidney, produces a myriad of hormones to regulate our body systems. They work in concert with the Thyroid Gland to control our metabolism. They produce stress hormones like Adrenaline and Cortisol. They produce Aldosterone to regulate our fluid balance. Pregnenolone and DHEA are important Adrenal hormones that affect many organs of our bodies.  And the Adrenals produce sex hormones, which become increasingly important as we pass mid-life.

As we accumulate stress over the years, our Adrenal Glands are working hard to produce Cortisol and other hormones to compensate and keep us going. Gradually, over time, they get tired of trying to keep up with our stressful lives. Poor diet, nutrient deficiencies, toxins, poor sleep, and other factors take their toll. The hormone production begins to decline and the Adrenal Glands can no longer fully compensate for stressors. Then, some major stressful event occurs and they just can’t keep up, resulting in Adrenal Fatigue or even failure. Our patients usually describe a time (or even a date) when everything got worse and they have never felt well since

Other causes of Fibromyalgia include sleep dysfunction, lack of exercise, and a spiritual life out of balance. Most patients have several causes at work. This is why a comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment team approach is essential for the healing of Fibromyalgia patients.

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed by history of the typical symptoms and physical examination to confirm the necessary tender points. In addition, other diseases and disorders that can mimic or complicate the picture must be detected or excluded. There is no one test to diagnose Fibromyalgia, but there are necessary tests to diagnose the underlying causes that can be successfully treated.

Hypothyroidism is diagnosed by history, physical exam, measurement of basal body temperature ( Broda Barnes test), and specific lab tests (blood). The lab is focused on thyroid function, antibodies and general organ function. In addition, other endocrine problems, such as Adrenal hormone deficiency (i.e. Cortisol, DHEA, sex hormones), are assessed with blood and saliva testing. Thyroid problems will not get better if there are untreated Adrenal problems.  Iodine Deficiency is also sought as Thyroid Hormone is made from Iodine.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can be evaluated thru blood tests and hair analysis. Food sensitivities are evaluated thru specialized blood testing and detailed history. Toxins can be evaluated thru hair, stool, or blood analysis. Biotoxins are diagnosed by history, vision testing and detailed blood analysis.

First, you need to understand our philosophy. The reason you have never had long term benefits from your prior attempts at treating Fibromyalgia is because you have never been treated as a whole person – Holistic Treatment. Only by looking at Fibromyalgia in this way, and using a multidisciplinary treatment team approach, will you see results. Our Fibromyalgia patients actually get better; they are cured, not just tolerating their symptoms.

Our Fibromyalgia treatment team seeks to merge together the best of traditional medicine with natural therapies that heal. We call this Complementary Medicine. It is not alternative medicine. We seek to use only those Fibromyalgia treatments that have at least some scientific validity, are safe, and are cost effective. And all of this is done in our modern facility in Fort Myers in an environment of love and compassion. 

We believe you were created in God’s image and exist in three interrelated “persons” – the body, the mind, and the spirit (just as God exists in three persons – the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit). Only by addressing “sickness” in all three persons can you ever hope to be healed of Fibromyalgia. Many things go into making you feel the way you do- and each must be addressed. This is not something one pill can fix. That is why nothing has worked for your Fibromyalgia before.

The essential elements of Fibromyalgia treatment at the International Center for Health and Wellness include:

It is clear that this will take something major on your part – commitment! This Fibromyalgia treatment program will simply not work unless you are totally committed to make it work. This means you must want to make whatever changes in your life are necessary to get well. And you must be consistent.

Fortunately, you will have a team of dedicated professionals to assist you with every step of your journey toward healing from Fibromyalgia. We will assess you, formulate a treatment plan, and then help you implement it. We will hold you accountable and do whatever we can to help you heal. That is our commitment to you. All we need to get started is your commitment to get well.