A transcript of a question and answer session with Dr. Mark Pellegrino – a physician who has devoted his life to treating FM patients, and author of the highly recommended book Fibromyalgia: Up Close and Personal.
ProHealth
James - September 24th, 2008
Researchers from Raboud University Nijmegen investigated whether Cognitive Therapy (CT) affected the cerebral atrophy of patients suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
The study appeared in BRAIN: A Journal of Neurology.
The study included twenty-two CFS patients and twenty-two control subjects, all of whom underwent a two-step program of CBT. The initial focus of treatment is a “rehabilitative approach of a graded increase in physical activity,” while the second part emphasizes a “psychological approach that addresses thoughts and beliefs about CFS which may impair recovery.”
James - September 20th, 2008
What would you say if I told you we had millions of Dr. Jekyll’s living in our bodies, each waiting for the opportune time to turn into Mr. Hyde?
Would you think I’m nuts or would you think I’m an expert? (“He’s losing it,” says a reader from Michigan.) We all have little round whitish organisms in our body known as Candida albicans that can lose their innocence and become rather vicious creatures that attack our fibromyalgia [and ME/CFS] bodies and make us feel worse.
James - September 18th, 2008
A virus suspected of triggering some cases of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS) can be passed genetically from parent to child, according to an article published in the journal Pediatrics.
James - September 11th, 2008
Conclusions: We suggest that the anaesthetist may be best to use the technique they would use if the patient did not have CFS or IEI but avoid drugs to which there is a history of adverse response. Anaesthesia is likely to be associated with adverse effects in these patients but the effects are not likely to be severe. A series of recommendations for the safe and harmonious conduct of anaesthesia in patients with CFS and IEI are provided.
British Journal of Anaesthesia
James - September 10th, 2008
Abstracts of all research papers from 1966 to July 1st 2008 can be downloaded in one large file (Excel or Word) for you to explore at your leisure (including all available abstracts from the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome which will cease production shortly).
You can also download the list of papers on ME epidemics from 1934 to 1980 collated by Dr J. Gordon Parish, and a recent article on EvME by Dr Irving Spurr.
James - August 29th, 2008
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disabling disease of unknown aetiology. A
variety of factors have been suggested as possible causes. Although the
symptoms and clinical findings are heterogeneous, the syndrome is
sufficiently distinct, at least in relation to the more obvious cases, that a
common explanation seems likely. In this paper, it is proposed that the
disease is caused by a ubiquitous, but normally benign virus, e.g., one of
the circoviruses. Circoviruses are chronically present in a majority of
people, but are rarely tested for diagnostically. Normally these viruses do
not penetrate the blood-brain barrier, but exceptions have been reported, and
related viruses cause disease in the central nervous system of animals. The
flu-like illness that often precedes the onset of CFS may either suppress
immune function, causing an increased viremia, and/or lower the blood-brain
barrier. In both cases the result may be that a virus already present in the
blood enters the brain. It is well known that zoonotic viruses typically are
more malignant than viruses with a long history of host-virus evolution.
Similarly, a virus reaching an unfamiliar organ may cause particular
problems.
James - August 29th, 2008
(AACFS Seventh International Conference Madison, Wisconsin, October 8-10, 2004)
WHAT IS GLUTATHIONE? [Refs. 1--5]
• A tripeptide composed of the amino acids glutamic acid,
cysteine, and glycine. Its molecular weight is 307.33 Da.
• Found in all cells in the body, in the bile, in the
epithelial lining fluid of the lungs, and, at much smaller
concentrations, in the blood.
• The predominant nonprotein thiol (molecule containing an S-H
or sulfhydryl group) in cells.
• Its active form is the chemically reduced form, called “GSH.”
• GSH is compartmentalized, with concentrations ranging from
0.5 to 10 millimolar in various organs and cell types.
• GSH serves as a substrate for enzymes, including the
glutathione peroxidases and the glutathione-S-transferases.
• When oxidized, two glutathione molecules join together via a
disulfide bond to form “oxidized glutathione,” or “glutathione
disulfide,” referred to as “GSSG.”
• Inside cells, the concentration of GSSG is normally
maintained at less than 1% of total glutathione by the enzyme
glutathione reductase, which is powered by NADPH, produced by the
pentose phosphate shunt, part of carbohydrate metabolism.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FUNCTIONS OF GLUTATHIONE (GSH)? [Refs. 1--5]
• Maintains proper oxidation-reduction (redox) potential
inside cells. Redox affects the oxidation state of sulfur in
enzymes, and thus affects the rates of biochemical reactions in
cells.
• Scavenges peroxides and oxidizing free radicals directly and
also serves as the basis for the antioxidant network.
• Performs Phase II detoxication of heavy metals (such as
mercury), organophosphate pesticides, chlorinated hydrocarbon
solvents, estradiol, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, acetaminophen,
and other foreign and endogenous toxins.
• Stores and transports cysteine throughout the body.
• Transports amino acids into cells, especially cystine into
kidney cells.
• Regulates the cell cycle, DNA and protein synthesis and
proteolysis, and gene _expression.
• Regulates signal transduction.
• Participates in bile production.
• Protects thyroid cells from self-generated hydrogen peroxide.
By means of several of the above functions, GSH plays very important
roles in (1) maintaining mitochondrial function and integrity, (2)
regulating cell proliferation, and (3) supporting the immune
system.
James - August 25th, 2008
This article is excerpted with permission from Dr. Mark J. Pellegrino’s highly praised book, Fibromyalgia: Up Close and Personal.
Dr. Pellegrino, an international leader in FM treatment and himself an FM patient since childhood.
Article at ProHealth
James - August 20th, 2008
Our next meeting will be held on the coming Monday August 11, from 12:30 to 2;30pm, at our usual venue, a meeting room off the hall behind St Judes Church, Freyberg Street, Lyall Bay.
This will be a “between ourselves” meeting, when we can catch up on each other’s news, welcome new members or visitors and raise any topics we would like to discuss.
James - August 7th, 2008
Individuals views expressed in Brainstorm (The Web Site) do not necessarily reflect those of the Wellington ME/CFS Support Group.
Any information provided is not intended for use as, or to replace professional medical/diagnostic advice. If you have medical issues you should consult a physician.
Brainstorm (The Web Site) and the Wellington ME/CFS Support Group assumes no responsibility for the choice or outcome of any treatment by its readers.
Everybody is welcome to join Gerda every Friday between 12:30-2:30 at 27 Mexted Terrace, Linden, Tawa (Tawa Art and Craft Society Inc building)
Fine art, painting, poems, craft, scrapbooking, artist trading cards etc. It is about creating something with people to whom you don't have to explain about ME/CFS. Bring your art project or come a long and get some ideas what to do. If you just want to pop in for a coffee you are most welcome to.
For more information email the group, or contact Gerda.
Download the Groups information leaflet.
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