Natural Health Support for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a fairly common chronic condition characterized by specific tender points on various parts of the body, widespread musculoskeletal discomfort, morning stiffness, pronounced fatigue, and disturbed sleep. Other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia are irritable bowel syndrome, increased urination, anxiety, headaches, and numbness or tingling.

It most occurs in women aged 30 to 50.

While fibromyalgia was once dismissed as a psychosomatic complaint or something too nebulous to nail down, this is no longer the case. The American College of Rheumatology has, in fact, accorded it an official medical definition, i.e., a musculoskeletal condition that involves widespread chronic pain and the existence of pain in at least 11 of 18 specific points on the body when pressure is applied.

The cause of exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown at this time, but there is growing evidence that it may be trigger or have as a contributor a virus called human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6). This particular member of the herpes family of viruses should to be confused with the herpes virus that causes canker sores or genital herpes, as it is distinctly different. Like the Epstein-Barr virus, most of people carry HHV-6 in one or both of its principal forms – type A or type B – although most of us are carrying type B, not A.

HHV-6 poses no problem for the majority of us, remaining dormant or inactive. However, in folks who are immunocompromised, which is to say have a compromised or weakened immune system, especially those who carry both HHV-6 types (A & B) or A alone, the virus can become active. One study, in fact, revealed that 22 percent of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromyalgia patients are infected with HHV–6A. Those who carry HHV-6A are typically much sicker than those who carry HHV-6B alone.   

HHV-6 does its dirty work in terms of damage to its host (in part) by infecting white blood cell called “CD4+ T-lymphocytes,” and “Natural Killer” Cells (NK). The virus actually lyses or kills NK cells. Once HHV-6 becomes active, it grows rapidly within white blood cells, which burst, releasing the virus to spread throughout the body where more cells become infected.

Once HHV-6 is active, it apparently can cross-react with other viruses that may be present including cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr Virus, and HIV.

In the case of fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients and also (it is felt) many MS and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s) patients too, HHV-6 infects the brain and nerves.

Is there any solid scientific evidence that HHV-6 underlies CFS/fibromyalgia? Consider this statement made by the Wisconsin Viral Research Group, Ltd.

“In studies performed by our laboratory, single, random blood specimens from CFS patients were obtained from clinics around the country. Thirty-nine percent of these CFS patients were positive for active HHV-6. None of the blood samples from normal controls were positive, which is a significant finding. This demonstrates that active HHV-6 infections in the blood are highly abnormal.

Periodic blood samples were drawn from some of these CFS patients over a 12 to 18 month period. Our study showed that, on average, these samples were positive for active HHV-6 50% of the time. After testing a second sample from the patients whose initial sample was negative, it was shown that another 16% of the patients were positive for an active HHV-6 infection. This suggests that the amount of active virus (viral load) present at different times in the course of an active HHV-6 infection may vary. This is the rationale for repeat testing in cases where the initial sample is negative.

We believe that infection of this patient population with active HHV-6 can account for the clinical symptoms of this CFS. This raises the possibility that CFS may be effectively treated with currently available antiviral medications.”

The traditional medical approach to treating fibromyalgia was, until recently, largely palliative. For example, antidepressants have been used with some success to ameliorate chronic, even when prescribed in doses too low to treat depression.  Other treatments include anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety medications.

However, during June 2007 the FDA approved a Pfizer drug called Lyrica to help manage fibromyalgia pain. This drug appears to attenuate pain by modulating the release of certain neurotransmitters.

Lyrica does have side-effects, such as “dizziness and sleepiness, blurry vision, weight gain, trouble concentrating, swelling of the hands and feet, and dry mouth. Allergic reactions can also occur. These are rare, but potentially serious.” (FDA)

S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e) is a chemical derived from a combination of the amino acid methionine, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is produced in cells to provide energy. Although SAM-e has garnered a respectable scientific pedigree for alleviating depression and osteoarthritis, there is some very tantalizing research that suggests it may be helpful for fibromyalgia as well.

To-date four (4) double-blind studies been carried out involving SAM-e and fibromyalgia. Three has revealed it to be helpful. While most used injected SAM-e, one involved oral dosing. The oral SAM-e study involved forty-four (44) people with fibromyalgia who were given 800 mg of SAM-e or a placebo over a six week period. Those participants who took SAM-e had improvements in disease activity, pain while at rest, fatigue, and morning stiffness, and also mood -- compared to those who wound up taking the placebo.

SAM-e is made up of active forms (isomers) and inactive ones, with many OTC (over-the-counter) SAM-e products containing a mix of both. Two fine products that contain only active isomers is SAMenhanced and SAMeSLEEP.

At least one study has shown that L-carnitine (500 mg three times daily) might be more effective than placebo for the treatment of fibromyalgia. This study, however, had design flaws and thus its conclusions are questionable.

Various B vitamins alone and in combination, vitamin E, melatonin and selenium have a reputation for helping fibromyalgia, although there is no definitive scientific evidence to support any of these.

Readers interested in a premium time-release B-vitamin formula should check out NUTRACENE.

There are a number of natural antiviral preparations on the market, but by far one of most compelling is a compound from the Chaparral plant (leaves) called Nordihydroguaiaretic acid or NDGA. While the Chaparral plant is toxic to the liver used in its native form (as a tea or extract) as is NDGA in its pure form, scientists have managed to extract and create a nontoxic NDGA form which is actually patented. This nontoxic NDGA has been tested against various members of the herpes virus family and found effective at inhibiting them. It is marketed in the USA and Canada under the name Virox or Larreastat.  

Immune boosting herbs, mushrooms and such also abound. Among the more interesting is a Tibetan herbal blend called HEARTROL, which has been shown to have immunoaugmentative properties in various studies. In addition, at least 5 published randomized, placebo-controlled studies have shown that the Heartrol™ herbal mix lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides, and prevents blood clots from forming (It is actually approved as a drug for peripheral arterial occlusive disease in Switzerland). Since the herpes virus family may adversely impact arterial walls and negatively influence other circulatory players, HEARTROL may represent a double blessing: Immune stimulation and reduction of certain risk factors in the genesis of various blood vessel diseases.

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8. Rossini M, Di Munno O, Valentini G et al. Double-blind, multicenter trial comparing acetyl l-carnitine with placebo in the treatment of fibromyalgia patients. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2007;25:182-188.