Many physicians are frustrated by fibromyalgia because they do not
know what causes it, there are no diagnostic tests for it, and it is
difficult and time consuming to treat. At AFWC, we take a special
interest in fibromyalgia patients and believe that fibromyalgia is
real. We also understand that there is no cookbook approach to
treating patients. What works for one patient may not be helpful for
another.
One interesting theory of fibromyalgia is that it may be a
phosphate retention disorder. It is believed that there is a defective
kidney enzyme in the patient with fibromyalgia, which causes excess
phosphate to accumulate within the cells. This interferes with energy
formation in the mitochondria, leading to fatigue. Excess phosphate
also causes calcium retention. Together, they cause all the
manifestations of fibromyalgia.
If phosphate retention were a cause of fibromyalgia, then removing
these excess phosphate deposits would be beneficial. Treatment is a
medication that is more potent than all of the other drugs that have
been used for treating fibromyalgia. It is both cheap and extremely
safe. It causes the kidneys to excrete phosphates, pulling it from
tissues and cells where it has accumulated. This leads to a reversal
of symptoms and it is estimated that one to two months of treatment
reverses one year of fibromyalgia.
As regression occurs, the cycles of good and bad days slowly
reverse themselves. As phosphates are removed from the tissues,
symptoms reoccur that were felt when these abnormal accumulations were
first deposited, but in reverse order. During treatment, good days
appear and, eventually over time, become more frequent as symptoms
lessen. Eventually, many patients report having more energy and fewer
symptoms as the time between flares gets longer. When patients become
symptom free they may need to go on a maintenance regimen to prevent
the reaccumulation of phosphates.
The phosphate retention theory is only one of many theories of what
causes fibromyalgia. The actual cause is probably an interaction of
many processes involving viral action and neurohormonal conditions
that affect blood flow, sleep, muscle use and brain function, as well
as transmission of pain.
Whatever the cause of fibromyalgia, there are multiple factors that
often need to be addressed when treating it. These involve pain
control, improving sleep, specific exercise programs, evaluating and
improving endocrine and hormonal functioning, physical therapies
addressing the myofascial system, stress management, and nutritional
therapies to improve functioning at the cellular level.
In my experience, working with fibromyalgia patients can be
challenging and very rewarding. Like other chronic diseases in which
there is no miracle cure, helping a patient regain control over their
disease and improve the quality of their life is a very satisfying
experience.
