Chronic fatigue immune disorder syndrome (CFIDS) is a debilitating disease that currently affects over one million Americans. Because many outsiders see it as being "simply tired," people with chronic fatigue syndrome often feel hopeless, misunderstood, and opt to not talk to a specialist. However, though a CFIDS diagnosis can be devastating, you don't have to suffer helplessly. Treatment options are available and, in combination with lifestyle changes, can help you manage your illness. And most important, getting treatment can help you take back your life.
CFIDS is more than just being tiredIs chronic fatigue the "yuppie flu" or is it actually a dangerous illness?
If you have never experienced the unyielding exhaustion and the severe flu symptoms that never go away, you might think chronic fatigue syndrome is a made up illness of people who are simply tired.
However, chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) is a debilitating illness that currently affects over one million Americans, targeting more women than men, and greatly disrupting their family, work, and general lifestyle. People with CFIDS are burdened with a disturbing array of physical and cognitive abnormalities that, to date, has no known cure.
Get diagnosed and seek treatments
If you happen to have CFIDS and have been diagnosed, there are steps you can take to help you better understand your illness
. But there are also successful treatment options that can help you manage CFIDS and its symptoms.
While prescription drugs can be used to treat the insomnia, depression, pain, and anxiety associated with CFIDS, integrating other treatments and techniques with prescriptions can double your relief.
Following are a few strategies that can help you manage your symptoms, reduce fatigue and boost your overall immunity.
Treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome
Never begin any treatment plan without first consulting with a knowledgeable specialist. This list is in no way conclusive. For other treatment options, consult with a licensed professional.
Boost your Immune System
Also referred to as immune system adjuvants, immune boosters can help the body defend itself against potentially harmful invading viruses, bacteria and fungus which prey on weakened immune systems.
While no immune booster is a cure for CFIDS, warding off even simple infections, such as the common cold or flu, can prevent relapse and flare ups. On-going immune therapy with one of the following options can strengthen a weak system.Hepapressin complex injections.
Hepapressin, the generic name for Kutapressin, is an amino acid complex originally created to treat the virus herpes zoster. Years ago, Dr. Derek Enlander, a CFIDS specialist in New York City, tried the complex with his patients. When initial results yielded improvement in only 30 percent of his participants, Enlander combined the complex with several essential vitamins and minerals known to boost immunity and fight fatigue. The new injection, made of Hepapressin, glutathione, magnesium, vitamin B12, folic acid, folinic acid and trace elements (when administered weekly) yielded improved results in 67 percent of patients. Enlander now uses the weekly shot as part of his CFIDS treatment protocol.Vitamin C.
Known as a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C reduces damaging oxidative stress in the body and is recommended to help ward off colds and infections. As the body does not manufacture vitamin C on its own, supplements or dietary sources are necessary. While the recommend daily dose for average American adults is around 100 milligrams, some specialists recommend much higher doses for ill patients (at least 3,000 milligrams per day). However, consult with your doctor or a licensed naturopath to determine your proper dose.Immune Supplements.
While there are thousands of immune supplements on the market (and hundreds of fakes), some actually may live up to their claims. Dr. Enlander prefers orally administered high-quality mixes of glutathione, l-cystine and selenium, like those found in his preferred adjuvant, Immunoprop
In addition, Chinese medicine suggests that mushrooms, as well as tea extracts, available at health food stores, can also improve immunity by boosting natural killer cell activity. Do your research to find brands that are both reliable and safe, or ask a specialist for suggestions.
The Methylation Cycle Treament
Recent research has shown that the methylation cycle, a process involved in cell replication, organ regulation and immune maintenance in the body, may be deficient in people with CFIDS. This deficiency can contribute to fatigue and infection.
Several researchers and specialists believe that by supplementing cells with the minerals, vitamins and substances which drive the methylation cycle, the body may be able to kick start or support the cycle, which can potentially ease symptoms and prevent further cell damage. Supplementation with a combination of active glutathione, l-cystine, methylcobalamin (active vitamin B12), vitamin B6, folate, folinic acid, selenium, calphosan, magnesium, sam-E and other trace elements has been found useful in this case.
However, do not read this and decide to supplement at random! Due to potential complications from treatment and the need for monitoring, a doctor's guidance is absolutely necessary. To find doctors experienced with methylation cycle treatment, consult with www.CFIDS.org
, or contact researcher Rich Van Konynenburg at email@example.com for more information.
Treat Secondary Infections
As with other immune compromised individuals, such as HIV and cancer patients, secondary bacterial and viral infections can invade the body's weakened defenses. Secondary infections include:
- Clamydia pneumonia, a bacteria that can cause chronic bronchitis and mild pneumonia in the lungs.
- Mcoplasma pneumonia, another bacteria which causes respiratory infection
- Systemic candida, an all-over infection by the same strain of yeast attributed to common yeast infections.
- Hman herpes virus simplex 1 (HHV1), a form of the herpes virus, which can cause cold sores, shingles and, in rare cases, encephalitis.
- Hman herpes virus six (HHV6), a non-sexually transmitted form of the herpes virus which can cause organ inflammation and exacerbate CFIDS symptoms.
Antibiotics. Simple blood tests can be performed to determine whether a patient has secondary infections. In the case of bacterial infections, antibiotics can be used to kill off the invaders. Candida infections, which can be exacerbated by antibiotics, are usually best treated with probiotics, such as acidophilus, which kill candida and build healthy "gut flora" in the stomach, preventing future candida overgrowth. In extreme cases, a doctor may need to intervene in treating candida.
Antiviral therapy. Antiviral therapy is a controversial subject within the CFIDS community. Several specialists now believe that the disease can be triggered by viral infection, and that aggressive treatment of existing HHV6 (and, to some degree, HHV1) infections can lead to a working "cure" for some.
The most watched study on the subject, headed by Dr. Jose Montoya of Stanford University, is currently testing the effectiveness of the potent drug Valcyte in the treatment of HHV6 infected CFIDS patients. Results from the study are expected later this year.
Diet and (the right kind of) ExerciseYou know the rules to good health - eat right and get plenty of sleep. These rules are even more essential for people with CFIDS.
Diet. Eat a diet rich in lean proteins, like fish and fowl, consume at least five to seven servings daily of healthfully prepared fruits and vegetables, and avoid substances which can agitate digestion and upset the immune system, such as preservatives and chemical additives.
For some people with CFIDS, dietary restrictions, such as avoiding food allergens like gluten, dairy, or sugar, may also provide added relief. You may even consider eliminating the daily glass of wine or other alcohol for a time, and see how you feel.
Exercise. While some doctors or specialists, particularly those with limited knowledge of CFIDS, may recommend exercise therapy, this is to be approached with extreme caution. Dr. Enlander and several other experts warn that exercise (even walking, in some cases) may trigger extreme fatigue and full-blown relapses.
If you have the energy to exercise, start with mild, five-minute walks, journaling how you feel before, immediately after, and the day after activity. If symptoms flare, exercise may not be an option for you at this time.
However, if you experience no adverse reaction, gradually increase exercise over the course of several weeks and months, journaling daily. If symptoms return or relapse occurs, journaling will offer clues as to whether exercise is to blame - and let you know what your limits are next time.
Take back your lifeYou can take back your life by exploring the various treatments for CFIDS. Don't suffer silently and don't accept that you will always be burdened with your symptoms. Though there is no cure for CFIDS, you can improve the quality of your life.