Fibromyalgia
Feb, 2021 – At a Linus Pauling Conference on vitamin C, it was reported that intravenous vitamin C had signficant benefits for people with fibromyalgia. I looked at the literature, and found mixed results. The first paper indicates it may be useful. It appears the treatment must be repeated regularly over the long term.
Reduction of fibromyalgia symptoms through intravenous nutrient therapy (given IVNT once per week for 8 weeks): results of a pilot clinical trial At the end of the study, all participants reported increased energy and activities of daily living as well as a 60% reduction in pain (P=.005) and an 80% decrease in fatigue (P=-.005). No participants, however, reported complete or lasting resolution of pain or fatigue.
The purpose of this review is to collate and summarize some of the available scientific data regarding potential causes, aggravations and therapies in the Fibromyalgia / Chronic Fatigue (FMS/CFS) and like syndromes. The use of ASC in IV therapy is well known and reasonably well studied and reported on elsewhere in the literature and clinical experience. Limiting the discussion to symptoms related to FMS/CFS such as fatigue, pain and immune deficits ASC infusion can be a helpful addition. Use of ASC IV has been shown to improve pain in viral infections [21], improve fatigue [22] as well as improve oxidative / redox balance [7]. Doses in studies were moderate (5 to 15 grams) and are amenable to admixture in other water soluble nutrient infusions. In clinical practice the author has seen similar results with these relatively low dose strategies, as well as higher dose oxidative ASC infusions in treating infectious comorbidities.
A Rapid Evidence Assessment on the Effectiveness of Intravenous Mega-Dose Multivitamins on Fibromyalgia. Massey (2007) and Ali et al., (2009), both reported on the use of a modified Myers’ Cocktail and its effects on fatigue, pain and ability to complete daily activities of life. Both 51 studies had varying vitamins and concentrations in their modified cocktails, therefore straight comparison between the studies is difficult.
FOR OTHER REMEDIES: I found this information before the vitamin C information:
1) 2,000 IU vitamin D daily is worthwhile and safe. Vitamin D: More than bone health, based on remarks by Dr. Michael F. Hollick, Prof of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics at Boston Univ. School of Medicine, Director of Osteoporosis Center at BU. ” The Importance of Vitamin D in prevention of osteoporosis and other chronic diseases,” presented at the Linus Pauling Institute “Diet and Optimal Health” conference, Portland, OR, May 20, 2005 – But he stated 40-60% of fibromyalgia is actually lack of vitamin D and misdiagnosed by medical experts. People would benefit most from a dosage of 50,000 IU taken every other week; a dose of 1,000 iu per day also works [http://www.beloit.edu/~nutritio/vitD]
2) L-theanine and ribose:
Newest issue of “Alternative” has an article on fibromyalgia in which one researcher gave subjects “5 grams of ribose three times a day, for an average of 28 days” leading to “significant improvement in energy, sleep, mental clarity, and pain intensity with a 44 percent average increase in energy and an overall 30 percent increase in well-being.” Same researcher also advises 200 mg of “L-theanine (it must be the ‘L’ form)” to promote sleep, one of any fibromyalgia patient’s biggest issues.. Any problem with either? Are they obtainable for non-research purposes? Thanks. Have a great week. Mary
1. Pharmacotherapy. 2004 Nov;24(11):1646-8. Benefit of ribose in a patient with fibromyalgia. Gebhart B, Jorgenson JA. Ribose was added to the existing treatment regimen of a woman with fibromyalgia, resulting in a decrease in symptoms. It has been postulated that patients with fibromyalgia may have an alteration in muscle adenine nucleotide metabolism, leading to depleted energy reserves… As a key component in adenine nucleotide synthesis, ribose supplementation may be useful in such patients.
2. Biol Psychol. 2006 Aug 21; l-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses. Kimura K, Ozeki M, Juneja LR, Ohira H. l -Theanine is an amino acid contained in green tea leaves which is known to block the binding of l-glutamic acid to glutamate receptors in the brain. Because the characteristics of l-Theanine suggest that it may influence psychological and physiological states under stress, the present study examined these possible effects in a laboratory setting using a mental arithmetic task as an acute stressor. Twelve participants underwent four separate trials: one in which they took l-Theanine at the start of an experimental procedure, one in which they took l-Theanine midway, and two control trials in which they either took a placebo or nothing. The experimental sessions were performed by double-blind, and the order of them was counterbalanced. The results showed that l-Theanine intake resulted in a reduction in the heart rate (HR) and salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) responses to an acute stress task relative to the placebo control condition…Thus, it was suggested that the oral intake of l-Theanine could cause anti-stress effects via the inhibition of cortical neuron excitation.
