What is Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome?
Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, CFIDS or CFS, is a serious
and complex illness. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is associated with systemic
and cognitive symptoms and with several immune abnormalities. It affects
numerous body systems such as the central nervous system, endocrine, immune
and gastrointestinal to name a few.
According to the CFS case definition published in the Dec. 15, 1994 issue
of the Annals of Internal Medicine, diagnosing CFIDS requires a
thorough medical history, physical and mental status examinations and
laboratory tests to identify underlying or contributing conditions that
require treatment. Chronic fatigue can be classified as Chronic Fatigue and
Immune Dysfunction Syndrome if the patient meets both the following
criteria:
- Clinically evaluated, unexplained persistent or relapsing chronic
fatigue that is of new or definite onset (i.e., not lifelong) is not the
result of ongoing exertion, is not substantially alleviated by rest, and
results in substantial reduction in previous levels of occupational,
educational, social or personal activities.
- The concurrent occurrence of four or more of the following symptoms:
substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration; sore throat;
tender lymph nodes; muscle pain; multi-joint pain without joint swelling
or redness; headaches of a new type, pattern or severity; unrefreshing
sleep; and post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours. These
symptoms must have persisted or recurred during six or more consecutive
months of illness and must not have pre-dated the fatigue.
Can it be treated?
Treatment for CFIDS is intended primarily to relieve specific symptoms. One
third of the patients who develop CFIDS report resolution of symptoms over
time. Another one third cycle between periods of good health and wellness
and some gradually worsen. What is required is an integrative, step-wise
approach. Each patient requires an individualized protocol.
Is CFIDS the same thing as Fibromyalgia?
No, but patients can have both simultaneously. They overlap and treatment is
similar.
Briefly, how do you treat CFIDS?
With an integrated, step-wise approach to address:
- Remove food allergies
- Sleep disorder--if the body can get adequate sleep, it may improve
pain issues
- Immune dysfunction/Infections try to improve without medication
- Endocrine disorders - thyroid, hGH, adrenal, sex hormonal imbalances
- Metabolic disturbances - blood volume depletion, mineral deficiency,
especially magnesium, acid-base imbalance, DNA and mitochondrial damage,
antioxidant depletion, mercury detoxification, brain protection and
restoration, autonomic nervous system imbalance, oxygen transport
difficulty, adrenal insufficiency and pain management.
Depending on the current status of a patient in the step-wise protocol,
we can carefully progress through an individualized plan of treatment. As
the body begins to repair itself and heal, the next step is implemented.
This allows time to assess what is most beneficial in a partnership between
physician and patient.
Why do lab results my doctor orders so often have no
abnormalities?
Routine lab tests that measure blood count, blood sugar, kidney, liver
function and cholesterol are often normal in CFIDS patients, some patterns
emerge such as low sed rate, low uric acid and low white cell count as well
as upregulated cholesterol levels. These tests are too general to find
functional defects in CFICS patients.
What laboratory tests are helpful?
There are many specialty tests
- Chronic Viral Infections - measured by PCR technology, indicating
smoldering infections with HHV6, Cytomegalovirus, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia
infections. I look for active viral infections, not antibody titers.
- 24-hour urine Amino Acid analysis - can pinpoint specific vitamin,
mineral and protein deficiencies.
- Abnormal salivary melatonin level - often a CFIDS patient will not
secrete melatonin at midnight, but will secrete a quantity of melatonin at
6:00AM. This inhibits sleep, and then creates difficulty in waking.
- Other hormone analysis: DHEA, Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone and
Cortisol imbalances.
Please keep in mind that treatment for each patient is individualized,
based on the results of a patient’s symptoms, physical exam and laboratory
analysis.
Do some CFIDS specialists recommend shots?
Shots may be helpful; :
- Magnesium + Taurine injections
- B12 (hydroxy form)
- Glutathione
- Kutapressin
- Human Growth Hormone - very low dose
- Growth Factors
- IVIg
Does Imunovir (Isoprinosine) Work?
It is a powerful immune modulator that can be very helpful, although not
currently available in the U.S. it can be imported utilizing a correct
prescription. This is one of the safest, most cost effective and helpful
drugs at our disposal. Ongoing studies in Canada and Europe have proven this
drug to raise NK cell count and function and correct TH1/TH2 imbalances. It
is a non-specific antiviral compound.
Does insurance pay for treatment, laboratory testing, and office
visit?
Most insurance covers some of the above. We will furnishes claim forms and
documentation to allow filing with most insurance companies. In addition, we
can write a letter of appeal to your insurance carrier if they deny payment
which may help coverage benefits.
