From Fatigued to Fantastic by Jacob Teitelbaum
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Book Reviews of From Fatigued to Fantastic
Book Review: Thank you Dr Teitelbaum. The definative work on CFS
Summary: 5 Stars
Thank you, thank you, Dr Teitelbaum. Here is THE definative work on M.E. CFS & Fibromyalgia.
I have been a sufferer for a great many years and am now well enough to help others in my neuro-therapy clinic. If there is a single book I reach for most often it is this one. The updated 2007 version is outstanding. Thorough, broad ranging, expert, clinically tested treatments that cover the board and are presented in a way which empowers the M.E/CFS sufferer to treat themselves or work with their doctor.
Dr Teitelbaum advocates the SHIN protocol. Actually I would suggest it should be called the SHINE protocol. Here are the stages and what each letter stands for:
S = sleep. Without 8-9 hours of good quality deep sleep a night the body cannot heal. This is the foudnation stone. And Teitelbaum is deadly serious about getting this right. Many pages cover every conceivable issue and long lists of useful supplements and medications to get you there. My sleep was truly awful. I reckoned that no doctor could help it and gave up after a few attempts at sleeping pills (hang-over, side effects, useless etc. But this section of the book gets you back on track. It WILL help you learn how to get back that missing sleep.
H = hormones. They're all discussed here in a rational intelligent way. DHEA, Thyroid, Adrenals, Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone and a few little extras. He is passionate about which hormones need testing and the PROPER tests to do. How to interpret the results, or indeed how to trial the supplements without tests. Which type of each hormone to use, the dosage, the test ranges to aim for, the possible complications, the safety issues (bio-identical hormones are way safer than pharmaceutical ones), where on his website to read more and WHY hormone replacement is so very critical to healing.
I = Immune and Infections. Lots of people with M.E /fibromyalgia have lots of infections. There's a big chapter on how to deal with these - from parasites to bacteria, from viruses to candida. There is an emphasis on natural treatments but he also uses antivirals and antibiotics where indicated. Also an emphasis on getting the immune system back up and running - essentially balancing it out again
N = Nutrition. This is basically why and how to supplement with lots of good nutritional pills. Lots of great discussion on why certain minerals and vitamins are important in M.E - each one discussed in detail and the dosage etc. Although this is the section that is often covered in other books on the disease, Teitelbaums version is superior in my opinion because it is based on experience with tens of thousands of patients and their actual outcomes.
Finally, I think Teitelbaum should add an E to the end of his SHIN protocol and call it SHINE, because
E = Energy. The very first chapter of the book is about how to get the mitochondria - the cells little powerhouse - working again and thereby give your body, your heart and your brain more energy. Essential, of course. The big new thing out there - and Dr T is crazy for it - is D-Ribose. He discusses how much to use, how it is the single most powerful tool in his clinic and what sort. Additionally he advocates Co Q 10, Acetyl L carnitine and Malic Acid/Aspartate for energy.
About half of the book is taken up with the SHINE protocol in a way that is highly user friendly whilst also in depth. The second half is:
a) A serious look at additional treatments for M.E/Fibro out there, including the Shoemacker work on Neurotoxins (an important one), Dr Berg protocol for blood clotting and a BIG section on Pain Relief. He's good on pain. He really gets it and attacks it with vigour and intelligence.
b) Lots of Resources, where to buy stuff, how to diagnose yourself with various sub-groups, internet resources, psychological issues relating to M.E, spiritual (in the broadest sense) support that helps healing, and good usable lists of supplements for various categories.
I cannot praise this book too highly. Dr Teitelbaum and his clinic have conducted the only blind, placebo controlled published study for an integrated medicine approach to M.E/Fibromyalgia. And it was a huge success. He draws on great and deep experience in the field and writes with compassion and understanding. But also with a strong grounding in science and proof of efficacy. There are other approaches out there which make good adjuncts to this one - but if you can only have one then, WITHOUT A DOUBT it should be this book.
Just a few extra tips/resources.
If you do want to follow the natural remedies recommended then there is no better one-step shop for everything you could want than www.iherb.com. There are the cheapest and largest on the net
If you feel you have no choice but to go the pharmaceutical route and feel that you cannot find or afford a doctor who will prescribe for you (I am not advocating this, merely respecting that this is a reality for many) then the best no-prescription pharmacy that I know of on-line is www.internationalpharmacy.com. They have never let down anyone that I know of over the past five years, their stuff is always the real thing and they are extrememly cheap and fast. There is pretty much nothing in the book (medicine wise) which you cannot get yourself from this company. A subsidiary one is www.inhousepharmacy.com.
If this you follow the Teitelbaum progamme really seriously for several months but make no significant progress then I would bet these are you two next best options (they are the areas T is least stong on)
1) Gut involvmet. The gut plays a huge role in immunity, toxicity and even brain health. See "Gut and Psychology Syndrome" on Amazon.
2) Toxins. I do not know of a one stop shop for how to really deal with a toxic overload in the body. But I tend to use those protocols designed for autism - as many autistic children have an immune and central nervous system (CNS) collapse due to toxic overload. And some forms of M.E/CFS/Fibro are essentially just and immune/CNS collapse syndrome.
Finally there are two psychological therapies for CFS in the United Kingdom that have significant effect for many sufferers. The first is Mickel Therapy - check it out on Google or YouTube. The second is Gupta Amygdala retraining. These therapies in NO WAY suggest that CFS/M.E/Fibro is a psychological disease. But rather that processes in the mind affect the body and vice versa.
After some pause writing this I would say that if you have these diseases the first two things in the world that you should do are
a) Buy this book
b) Look up Gupta Amygdala retraining on YouTube. It is pretty much free to view and learn the main bulk of his outstanding work on how deep parts of the limbic system interact with our thoughts and keep the brain and immune system in a state of alarm. Brillian stuff and virtually free.
If you want to take it deeper - or you know you have a toxin issue/lots of neurological symptoms/lots of gut and digestion problems then proceed to
c) Gut and Psychology Syndrome book
d) www.Co-Cure, books on autims esp Healing Childhood Epidemics by Bock on Amazon
c) Look up some of the stuff currently around on chronic Lyme (which often mimics M.E)
But buy this book first and foremost. About 70% of you poor fellow suffers will never need to look any further.
My warm best wishes to you all and best of luck.
Book Review: Read this even if you have read the 2nd edition
Summary: 5 Stars
The second edition of From Fatigued to Fantastic was the best discussion of fibromyalgia treatment, until the current third edition was printed. Please read my review of the second edition of this book, in addition to this review.
Even if you have already read the second edition, you will find considerable new information in the latest edition. The third edition contains new sections discussing:
increasing energy with Ribose;
an enlightening discussion of the dangers of Premarin and progestins, in comparison to bioidentical hormone replacement;
new antiviral treatments, including Nexavir and Valcyte;
extensive information concerning sleep apnea and CPAP treatment;
information explaining how to win a disability claim;
a succinct, comprehensible, streamlined explanation of the Shoemaker protocols, for testing and treatment of Lymes Disease and other neurotoxic illnesses, which are often the cause of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Updated information concerning prevalence of Ambien triggered sleepwalking;
and using theanine and magnolia extracts to lower anxiety.
Some of the treatment protocols have been moved to an appendix, labled "for physicians," which makes the remainder of the book more readable for nonphysicians, but the physician section, is comprehensible to well read laymen.
The infectious disease section deals with the causes of fibromyalgia and their treatment. Dr. Teitelbaum observes that Immunoglobin G titers for Epstein Barr Virus frequently decrease with antiviral treatment.
Teitelbaum provides an integrated, comprehensive nutritional, hormonal, herbal and pharmaceutical treatment approach to fibromyalgia. He is very aware of the costs of testing, nutrients, herbals, prescription and nonprescription drugs and often suggests less expensive diagnostic and treatment protocols, realizing many fibromyalgia patients have been bankrupted and lost health insurance coverage, due to this illness.
Dr. Teitelbaum is quick to credit or acknowlege the contributions and effective testing and treatment protocols of other leading researchers and practitioners, and this book contains contact information for some of them.
I have never seen a fibromyalgia patient who did not experience at least some improvement, with at least one of the treatments recommended in this book. Many of these fibromyalgia patients had consulted dozens of practitioners, in an agonizing, frustrating seven or eight year quest for treatment and experienced no improvement, prior to following treatments recommended in this book. Treatment of the thyroid, testosterone, estradiol, progesterone and DHEA hormonal deficiencies often produces rapid relief of some of the fatigue, anxiety, insomnia and pain.
Clinical testing of fibromyalgia patients, at Florida Detox, has confirmed many of the hormonal and nutritional deficiencies, hypercoagulopathies, allergies, and infections causing fibromyalgia, including viruses, fungal overgrowths, and Lymes Disease, which are discussed in this book.
The exceptions I would take to this book concern use of Xanax, Klonopin, Gabatril and Ultram. From our perspective treating chemical dependency, of patients thoughout the United States, it appears these addictions are more frequent than they may appear. Ultram, in particular, appears to be far more addictive than published literature indicates and Ultram withdrawal is severe. Xanax is one of most difficult addictions treated by Florida Detox. Klonopin is one of the three most difficult addictions treated by Florida Detox. With skilled use of Jacob Teitelbaum's protocols, almost all insomnia should be treatable, without using Klonopin or Xanax. In patients with anxiety disorders, Xanax does not appear to offer any advantage over longer half life benzodiazepines, including Klonopin and Valium, while it does allow anxiety to peak, two to four times daily, due to the short half life.
Although Gabatril is very effective for anxiety and insomnia, the slight risk of seizures prevents us from prescribing Gabatril to anyone who operates a motor vehicle or is alone, for more than a few minutes.
Steven Sponaugle
Research Director, Florida Detox
Book Review: The Definitive Book on Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia
Summary: 5 Stars
From Fatigued to Fantastic by Jacob Teitelbaum MD, Third Edition.
Most doctors are familiar with Dr. Teitelbaum featured as an eloquent keynote speaker on the medical lecture circuit, dazzling the audience with his encyclopedic knowledge of both conventional and natural medicine. Trained in internal medicine, Jacob Teitelbaum, is a gifted and brilliant medical researcher and clinician. He is also a model for ethical business conduct, because unlike other crass, commercially oriented docs who hide their knowledge or charge for it, Teitelbaum openly shares his medical knowledge with the public and other doctors. All of Teitelbaum's treatment protocols are listed in Appendix G of the book, and are posted on his web site. In addition, all profits from books and nutritional supplements are donated to charity.
The 400 page book is lengthy, and is actually four books in one. Where previous authors have written entire books on each of the four main topics, with the acronym SHIN for Sleep, Hormones, Infections and Nutrition, Teitelbaum combines them all into one large volume which can be used as desk reference on chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.
In addition, the book can serve as an introductory text for the open minded MD interested in integrating natural medicine into a conventional medical practice, since sleep disorders, hormonal imbalance, chronic or hidden infections, and nutritional deficiencies are some of the more common reasons to seek medical attention.
This is the third edition of his book, and Teitelbaum has managed to make a great book even better. Those familiar with the work of the Connecticut cardiologist, Steven Sinatra MD, will recognize the triad of D-Ribose, L-carnitine and Co-Enzyme Q-10 mentioned by Teitelbaum to jump start energy in the chronicly fatigued.
Insomnia or poor quality sleep is a major issue for many chronic fatigue sufferers, creating a vicious cycle which perpetuates the disorder. Teitelbaum provides a long list of natural remedies such as L-theanine 5-HTP, L-Tryptophan, Melatonin, and Magnesium, as well as today's prescription drugs for sleep heavily advertised on television.
The Hormonal Support chapter is the meat of the book, with Teitelbaum crediting the landmark work, the Safe Use of Cortisol, by McK Jefferies, and Broda Barnes' work on natural thyroid. To these medical greats, Teitelbaum adds his own unique insights gleaned from years of clinical practice. For example, Teitelbaum finds that most patients need only 5 to 12.5 mg of cortisol, and recommends keeping cortisol dosage below 20 mg per day to avoid adrenal suppression.
Like many other natural medicine docs, Teitelbaum finds bio-identical hormone supplementation important for a successful outcome, and asserts that bio-identicals are safe, a conclusion based on his own clinical experience and medical literature reviews by Kent Holtorf, MD, posted on Teitelbaum's website.
Teitelbaum found that many of his patients had chronic infections of sinuses, urinary tract, prostate, and respiratory system, and had taken multiple courses of antibiotics leading to kill-off of the friendly bacteria in the colon, as well as fungal overgrowth, also called Candidiasis. Teitelbaum credits The Yeast Connection by William Crooks for much of this information which includes a lengthy discussion of anti-fungal drugs and natural remedies for Candidiasis.
The Nutrition chapter covers a detailed program with a complete vitamin, mineral program with recommended dosages, and discusses dietary avoidance of caffeine, alcohol, sugar, white flour and other practical considerations.
My hat is off in admiration and thanks to Jacob Teitelbaum MD, for this third edition of an important book, the definitive work on chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. No doubt, many have benefitted and will continue to benefit from the medical insights in this book. We expect and look forward to a continuing stream of valuable insights in future works as his medical career continues.
Other books recommended are Pain Free 1,2,3 by Jacob Teitelbaum MD, The Safe Use of Cortisol by McK Jefferies, and Adrenal Fatigue by Wilson.
Jeffrey Dach MD
Book Review: I can function like a normal human being again (most of the time)
Summary: 5 Stars
THIS IS A GOOD START: I have been fatigued for 3 years, and doctors cannot find nothing wrong with me (I am convinced I have CFS), I was doing most of what the book said, but between "Clean" and this book, I found the perfect balance, I still go down but not as often and not as long periods of time.
1) DETOX first, use any product (I particularly like the one you can keep eating, there are some supplements out there).
2) LOG, LOG, LOG. I did not believe it at first but if you log, you will find what makes you flare up. I discovered (after 1K hypothesis) that no matter what I do, I flare up during ovulation and before getting my periods. Some friends at the office helped to find patterns! this was helpful because I always thought it was activity or food related.
I also learned that all the other weird symptoms and pain were not but a way of my body to tell me to stop and rest, when I listened to my body at the first symptoms and stop and rest for 10 min, I do not get as much wierd and scary stuff happen to me.
3)The Energy rev system powder was the second best thing that ever happened to me. I prefer mixed in Yogurt, I threw out a lot of tries before I found something I could live with, I actually enjoy it now.
4)CQ-10 Well this was the best that ever happen to me. My brain fog is so bad, Once I stared at a red light while driving and thought "look the light is red, cool" and just kept going. SCARY, forgot to eat a few times and basic daily functions. After I took the first 400mg of CQ-10 I was almost my old self, I do 800 on my flare up days to keep the fog out and is working grate, The ubiqunol form did not work for me.
5)D-Ribose: I followed the instructions to keep it for a month to see results and I am glad I kept it. I am doing 15m a day.
6)Juicing: I drink fresh fruit and vegetable juice and feel like I am drinking live. Will never stop. Buy a good juicer Beeville $99 so you don't spend all your time cutting vegies.
7) Excerise as fatigue permits. I do 45min in elliptical.
8) Massages every day or when in pain.
Here is my main symptoms:
1) Insomnia: (I got a sleep study so I am sure is not sleep apnea)
I take medication to sleep but I am going to stop and see if I can do it by myself.
2) Hypothyroid: My lab is in range. Taking synthroid.
3)Brain Fog: CQ-10 400 mg a day is working, 800 during ovul and periods.
4)FATIGUE: debilitating to the point I don't feel like talking, While I am in this state, I feel like a hmmmmmmm buz in my head kinda like after one has an "O".
5)PAIN PAIN PAIN: the pain is like when you lift more weights than you should or when you start weights after a while. I bought A massager in the airport. AWSOME stuff helps a lot and I can get a massage every time it hurts. It cost about $300 but 3 year warranty, and doing the math is already paid for.
6) Acid reflux: I got cough and did not know it was acid reflux, the doctor found it because i could not swallow.
7) Other symptoms when I kept pushing my body: Numbness, sound or ring in my ear, COLD or HOT to the extreme, Pains most muscular and moved around, Feel like my hart will give out (not pain just a feeling of I am done).
The symptoms were not at the same time and most will go away and change by month.
8) Doctor tried antidresent but did not do any good. He actually said I was not depressed but needed to see if the side effect of it would help.
I actually have tones of plans and looking forward to get better so I can travel and do stuff, I do get down and despaired some times because I wonder Why I got this awfal thing happened to me, but I have adapted and hoping to get well.
Book Review: You GOTTA love this book!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. I am also testing on a 3 month basis for lupus and other autoimmune disorders. This book gave me so much strength as the author himself had once suffered from fibro and through his and a colleagues research found something of a "cure". This book is filled with hope and is not a downer like so many of these types of books are. It makes you feel good that maybe you wont be stuck in your bed all your life. After reading this book I went to Dr. T's website and I filled out the questionaire, I am now waiting for my test results to come in so that I can do the rest of the online diagnosis tool. He has already provided me with many recommended meds to try and deal with the problems I am having. As he is a bonafide doctor who is the leading fibromyalgia researcher and founder of the fibro centers in America I feel I can trust him 100%. That has been hard to do on the internet because of all the scams I have run into. This man makes many of his own supplements that help one to feel better and yet he makes no profit out of it, it goes to help those who have these problems. He truly is interested in helping people. He is also trying hard to get fibro clinics set up all over America so that other people can get help for their pain and fatigue. All one has to do is look at the picture of the man who wrote this book and watch the video of him on his website. Right away you can see straight through him to his big heart which he is not trying to hide at all. Besides the terrific website and the fibro centers one can attend there are also many other things in the book that suggest ways of relief. It is a very well-rounded book and I have actually read it twice, something I never do when it is a book like this. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is experienceing fatigue or who has been diagnosed with fibro or CFS. Believe me it is worth the money and thats the wonderful part to, it is not that much money to start with! cuddle up and enjoy your reading! irishbookfairy