Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis - Natural Balance Wellness Medical Center
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis - Natural Balance Wellness Medical Center Often patients seeking our clinic’s help become very educated about what their doctors can’t seem to figure out. For this reason, we are often required to offer our thoughts about diagnoses such as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), immune dysfunctions syndrome (CFIDS), fibromyalgia, neuroimmune syndromes, undermethylation, adrenal fatigue, and the list goes on.
While these terms are merely descriptive and the conditions themselves “waste baskets” for the doctor’s “failed search,” these conditions are real and significantly reduce one’s quality of life.
Not too long ago, research concluded that the best approach for conditions such as myalgic encephalomyelitis and other neuroimmune syndromes was gradient physical exercise and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy. And while this is true, there is also much more to it.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis - Natural Balance Wellness Medical Center Our clinic attracts patients from all over the country with conditions such as ME, chronic fatigue, and types of neuroimmune abnormalities. For patients ranging from children to seniors, our primary goal is to improve one’s constitutional baseline by addressing genetic susceptibilities, repairing brain inflammation, improving immune regulation, addressing neurochemistry collapse, and rebalancing the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-gonadal-thyroid (HPAGT) axis.
Our approach is intensive, but for the motivated patient it can truly increase the quality of one’s life and reverse the impending health collapse.
There are other ways to look at “therapy” as well. For example, reframing one’s understanding of the situation, transforming the “hopeless” to “hopeful” through group education sessions, and encouraging full understanding of one’s genetics IS, in fact, “therapeutic.”
Cognitive behavioral approaches have value, but there are also other approaches. Energy kinesiology, emotional release techniques and self-directed approaches to reversing PTSD, all are worthy of one’s consideration.
Our clinic performs a number of conventional and functional medicine diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of illness. We cross-reference single nucleotide polymorphisms (genetic susceptibilities) with blood, urine, and stool tests. We use neuroimaging, brain electrical testing, survey assessments, and any number of tools to help us solve the puzzle. We encourage our patients not to give up.
While many conditions we treat do not have clear diagnostic criteria, myalgic encephalomyelitis does. Please note I have provided the conventional description as well as the diagnostic and treatment focus that often leads to reprieve and reversal of symptoms.
Diagnostic Criteria for ME/CFS
In order to be diagnosed with ME/CFS, you must have “post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion.” This means unexplained and severe fatigue after simple activities, not otherwise explainable by medical conditions like anemia, hypothyroidism, etc. In addition, a patient needs to present with at least one symptom from each of the following 3 categories:
Neurological Problems
Immune, Stomach, or Bladder Problems
Problems with Energy Production or Energy Transportation within the Body
Regardless of the reason for ME, CFS, CFIDS, onset – whether from stealth infection, vaccine reaction, brain injury, trauma, toxicity, stress, or simply genetic-susceptibility-meets-environmental-factors – patients can get their lives back if they play their (genetic) cards right. These are treatable conditions and a Precision/Functional Medicine clinic well-versed in genomics often has many tools and approaches to offer patients in this regard.
Neurological Problems
Short-term memory loss, difficulty concentrating or thinking, pain, unrefreshing sleep, problems focusing vision, sensitivity to light or noise, problems with depth perception, muscle weakness, poor coordination
Diagnostic and treatment focus
Neurotransmitter collapse, vaso-cognitive impairment, histamine abnormalities, glial cell activation, infectious etiologies, innate immunity pathway abnormalities, chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), neurotransmitter intrapathway genetic susceptibility, and so on
Immune, Stomach, Or Bladder Problems
Flu-like symptoms, nausea, food sensitivities, frequent urination
Diagnostic and treatment focus
Sympathetic / parasympathetic imbalance, Th1-Th2 shift, IgA deficiency or excess, malabsorption, eosinophilic inflammation, gastrointestinal dumping, GI permeability problems, food sensitivity/allergy, and so on
Problems With Energy Production Or Energy Transportation Within The Body
For example, dizziness or lightheadedness, difficulty breathing, difficulty regulating body temperature
Diagnostic and treatment focus
Stressed or injured mitochondria, copper toxicity, metallothionine abnormality, cell membrane health, fatty acid deficiency, methylation genetic susceptibility, cellular oxidative stress, inflammatory stress, HPAGT axis problems, etc.
Neurotransmitters page (new patient process)
New Patient Phone Consultation (20 Min)
Call our office to schedule a 20-minute meet and greet consultation with one of our doctors. The purpose of this meeting is hear your story initially and briefly tell you how we approach mood and memory problems and neurochemical rehab from a functional medicine perspective.
Once you decide to proceed with the program, charges for this initial phone meeting with one of our doctors will be credited toward your in-person history and physical exam visit described below.
In-Person History & Physical Exam (60 Min)
The purpose of this face-to-face visit is to officially establish the doctor-patient relationship, undergo a complete history and physical exam, and to decide what testing is needed.
Typical testing for this program might include:
- HPA (adrenal) profile with neurotransmitters:This test looks at both adrenal function and neurotransmitter levels through saliva and urine testing. Adrenal function and neurotransmitters are very closely connected in their physiology, so it is important to test both to understand your complete picture.
- Urine nutritional metabolites and organic acids: This test is a urine sample that looks at metabolites of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and neurotransmitters. Many basic nutritional deficiencies can lead to mood and memory problems. Therefore, correcting such imbalances first can allow for greater success when initiating neurochemical rehab protocols.
- HIRREM (optional):Imbalances in the nervous system can present with sleep disturbance as well. HIRREM evaluates the balance between the right and left side of your brain, i.e., balance between your parasympathetic (rest and digest) and sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system. This modality is both a screening as well as therapeutic tool to help bring you back into balance. For more information regarding HIRREM, please visit our page here.
- Comprehensive blood testing:If you have already had recent blood work, we will review what you have already. Important blood work for evaluating neurotransmitter function includes CBC, CMP, cholesterol, thyroid function studies, B12, folate, and iron studies.
If something concerning is flagged on these initial tests or during our initial discussion, we may need to order additional testing.
Lab Review (40-60 Min)
After all your testing is complete, we will discuss the findings and put together your treatment plan which might include nutritional supplements, amino acid therapy, neurofeedback, sleep hygiene, dietary, lifestyle, emotional support, and/or other holistic interventions.
Follow-Up Appointments (20 Min)
While you work with our clinic, you will have an appointment approximately every 4 weeks initially for the first 4-5 months while we proceed through the steps of nutritional and neurochemical rehabilitation.
This is for your safety and to ensure that you are tolerating all of the supplements and for us to provide guidance and coaching. Of course if you need to see us anytime sooner than your scheduled appointment, you may always schedule to see us. We are here for you!
After you are on all the supplements, we give your body time to repair. At this time, we do not require follow-up, but should any concerns or issues come up, we are always here for you and want to see you.
Discharge Appointments (20-30 Min)
Once we have successfully rehabilitated your neurotransmitters, you will be taken off supplements and amino acid therapy in a structured manner. Upon discharge we will provide longer-term discharge instructions which include dietary and lifestyle modifications and periodic supplementation protocols if indicated.
Most patients take at least 12-16 months to properly rehabilitate their neurotransmitters. It does take time, but we want to make sure we do it right so that you sustain all of the improvements you make with our clinic!
We Are Here to Help You!
On behalf of the Natural Balance team, we hope you have found this information helpful and we look forward to working with you.
To schedule your new patient appointment, you can use our online scheduler , or if you have any questions, contact Lili Boggess at (734) 929-2696 , extension 11.
