PRAISE FOR
From Fatigued to Fantastic!
“From Fatigued to Fantastic! is not just a title, it’s a promise. And this is one promise backed by an empathetic, innovative practitioner whose focus is always on getting his patients well. Jacob Teitelbaum has single-handedly revolutionized the way fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and thyroid disease are diagnosed and treated.”
—MARY SHOMON
Author of The Thyroid Diet and Living Well with Hypothyroidism
“First published in 1995, From Fatigued to Fantastic! has continued to be at the top of the fibromyalgia patient’s ‘favorite books’ list. The newest edition of Dr. Teitelbaum’s book will provide you with practical information and new and easy-to-understand insights on how to better manage and improve how you feel despite fibromyalgia.”
—LYNNE MATALLANA
Founder of the National Fibromyalgia Association
“Jacob Teitelbaum’s newest edition of From Fatigued to Fantastic! is a must-read for all those suffering from chronic illness, as well as those treating patients with chronic illness. I use the information presented in this book every day in my practice with great success. I highly recommend this book for all to read and learn.”
—DAVID BROWNSTEIN, M. D.
Author of The Miracle of Natural Hormones, 3rd edition
“An absolute classic in the field…. As a practicing doctor-nurse team, we encourage all people with fatigue to read this book thoroughly. It is a timeless contribution and provides crucial information for everyone.”
—RICHARD L. SHAMES, M. D., AND KARILEE H. SHAMES, PH. D., R. N.
Creators of the health education Web site www.feelingfff.com and authors of Feeling Fat, Fuzzy, or Frazzled?
“Jacob Teitelbaum is an outstanding and compassionate patient advocate. If you read just one book on CFS and fibromyalgia, this is absolutely the one I’d recommend!”
—HYLA CASS, M. D.
Author of 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health
“This book is five stars! The protocol is indispensable for any physician treating CFIDS. The text is a godsend for patients—giving them hope and a means for educating themselves and, hopefully, their doctors.”
—BILL DEAN
Author of The Immune System
“I provide all my patients with From Fatigued to Fantastic! and find it a wonderful tool to open dialogue between the patient and myself. It is critical that the patient play a major role in his or her own healing. This book provides that bridge. I could not practice as effectively without this book.”
—TERENCE COLLINS, M. D., MPH, MPS
Chairman, program director of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, University of Kentucky
“Practical, evidence-based, and easy to read, From Fatigued to Fantastic! offers hope and guidance for millions of CFIDS and fibromyalgia sufferers.”
—MARK W. MCCLURE, M. D., FACS
Author of Smart Medicine for a Healthy Prostate
“Dr. Teitelbaum’s book is a must-read for all health-care professionals who want to understand a truly holistic method to help patients with CFS. No longer do we have to be frustrated with inadequate treatments and unscientific evidence. He gives real answers to what before were unsolvable issues.”
—E. J. (LEV) LINKNER, M. D.
Clinical Instructor, University of Michigan Medical School, and Founding Diplomat, American Board of Holistic Medicine
“The first edition has already helped so many who have been unable to find help elsewhere. This edition brings us up to date with exciting new information, including new clinical research. Reading this book is a must!”
—JAMES H. BRODSKY, M. D.
Former Instructor, Georgetown University Medical School
“Dr. Teitelbaum’s From Fatigued to Fantastic! is a must-read for CFS patients and health-care providers alike. There are few physicians in this country who have the scope of research and clinical experience in chronic fatigue as Dr. Teitelbaum and who have such extraordinary ability to communicate what he knows so well. He takes the reader on a friendly yet extremely comprehensive journey into the whys and hows of this disease and its treatment, weaving in and out of the alternative, conventional, and psychological/emotional approaches, which are part of his successful program.”
—RALPH GOLAN, M. D.
Author of Optimal Wellness
“I am grateful for Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum’s great work on FMS and CFS. His well-done, published research validates what many of us working in the trenches know: this works!”
—MARK HOCH, M. D.
Past President, American Holistic Medical Association
“[This] research and carefully designed program for patients suffering from CFS and fibromyalgia has given my patients relief from symptoms, improved sense of well-being, hope, and in many cases has facilitated a path to optimal health and full recovery.”
—NANCY RUSSELL, M. D.
Medical Director, Combined Health Care Professionals, and Founding Diplomat, American Board of Holistic Medicine
“As a psychiatrist and acupuncturist, I frequently see patients with chronic fatigue and soft-tissue pain. Dr. Teitelbaum’s book From Fatigued to Fantastic! has been a fantastic resource for these individuals. They uniformly report to me that they found it helpful to them on many different levels. This book has clear benefit for anyone dealing with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia.”
—SCOTT SHANNON, M. D.
Past President, American Holistic Medical Association
“Dr. Teitelbaum’s work and studies show us the way forward in treating this group of illnesses. They are a major advance on what we have here at present.”
—ANDREW WRIGHT, M. D.
Editor, Chronobiology (UK)
“In the management of chronic fatigue syndrome, Dr. Teitelbaum’s comprehensive approach is the most successful program available today. Practitioners and patients alike will find within the pages of From Fatigued to Fantastic! the rudiments of recovery, which offer hope to those afflicted with this disease.”
—ROBERT A. ANDERSON, M. D.
Former President, American Board of Holistic Medicine
From Fatigued to Fantastic!
From Fatigued to Fantastic!
A Clinically Proven Program to Regain Vibrant Health and Overcome Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia
THIRD EDITION
Jacob Teitelbaum, M. D.
Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA • Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) • Penguin Books Ltd, 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England • Penguin Ireland, 25 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd) • Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) • Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd, 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi–110 017, India • Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, North Shore 0632, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd) • Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa
Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
Copyright © 2007 by Jacob Teitelbaum, M. D.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions. Published simultaneously in Canada
“Effective Trea
tment of Severe Chronic Fatigue: A Report of a Series of 64 Patients” on pages 279–280 originally appeared in the Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain 3 (1995). Used courtesy Haworth Press. “Effective Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled, Intent to Treat Study” originally appeared in the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 8 (2) (2001). Appendix F is used with permission of Steven Krafchick, J. D.
Most Avery books are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchase for sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising, and educational needs. Special books or book excerpts can be created for specific needs. For details, write Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Special Markets, 375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Teitelbaum, Jacob.
From fatigued to fantastic!: a clinically proven program to regain vibrant health and overcome chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia / Jacob Teitelbaum.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN: 1-4295-5420-7
1. Chronic fatigue syndrome—Popular works. 2. Fibromyalgia—Popular works. I. Title.
RB150.F37T45 2007 2007028118
616'.0478—dc22
Neither the publisher nor the author is engaged in rendering professional advice or services to individual readers. Ideas, procedures, and suggestions in this book are not intended to substitute consulting with a physician. All matters regarding health require medical supervision. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion in this book.
While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers and Internet addresses at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors, or for changes that occur after publication. Further, the publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
To Laurie, my beautiful lady, my wife, and the love of my life;
my children, David, Amy, Shannon, Brittany, and Kelly, who already seem to know so much of what I’m trying to learn; my beautiful grandchildren, Payton and Bryce; my mother, Sabina, and father, David, whose unconditional love made this book possible;
The memories of Drs. Janet Travell, Hugh Riordan, and Billie Crook, who were the pioneers in this field; And to my patients, who have taught me more than I can ever hope to teach them.
Acknowledgments
So many special people helped make this book possible that I cannot possibly list them all. In truth, I have created nothing new; I have simply synthesized the wonderful work done by an army of hardworking and courageous physicians and healers.
I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to:
First and foremost, my staff. Their hard work, compassion, and dedication (and, I must admit, patience with me) are what made my work possible.
My research partner, Birdie (Barbara Bird). Her sense of humor and encouragement kept me going when I got tired. Her dedication to quality shines in every facet of her work. Cheryl Alberto, Denise Haire, Angie Borlik, Sue Marston, Amy Podd, and Mary Groom make everything run smoothly, no matter how much chaos I create.
The Anne Arundel Medical Center librarian, Joyce Miller. Over the last twenty-six years, I have often wondered when she would politely tell me to stop asking for so many studies. So far, she has not. In fact, she always smiles when I ask her for more.
Rev. Bren Jacobson and Dr. Alan Weiss, who keep me intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually honest while reminding me to reclaim my sense of humor.
My wonderful and dedicated publicists, Dean Draznin and Terri Slater, who are my teammates in making effective treatment and health available to everyone.
Bob Baurys and Sue Hrim, who took Bob’s suffering and recovering from CFS as an opportunity to make effective treatment available for everyone by creating the Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Centers nationally (www.fibroandfatigue.com).
The publishers at Avery/Penguin books and my editor, Rebecca Behan.
My many teachers, the real heroes and heroines in their fields, whose names could fill this book. They include William Crook, Max Boverman, Brugh Joy, Janet Travell, William Jefferies, Hal Blatman, Jay Goldstein, Paul Levine, Leo Galland, Leonard Jason, George Mitchell, Lloyd Lewis, Michael Rosenbaum, Murray Susser, Charles Lapp, Paul Cheney, James Brodsky, Melvyn Werbach, Sherry Rogers, Sheri Lieberman, Robert Ivker, Tony Lebro, and Alan Gaby.
The many chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia support groups. These are easily the best patient support groups I have ever seen.
And finally, God and the universe, for the guidance and infinite blessings I have been given and for using me as an instrument for healing.
Contents
Introduction
PART 1. Your Body’s Energy Crisis
CHAPTER 1
What Are Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia?
CHAPTER 2
Create Your Individual Treatment Protocol—Beginning with Ribose for Energy Production
PART 2. Restore Energy Production with the SHIN Protocol
CHAPTER 3
S—Sleep: The Foundation of Getting Well
CHAPTER 4
H—Hormonal Support: Optimizing Adrenal, Thyroid, Testosterone, and Estrogen Function
CHAPTER 5
I—Infections: Destroy Your Body’s Hidden Invaders
CHAPTER 6
N—Nutrition: Optimizing Your Body’s Ability to Heal
PART 3. Pain Relief and Other Health Issues
CHAPTER 7
Natural and Prescription Pain Relief for Fibromyalgia
CHAPTER 8
More Natural Remedies
CHAPTER 9
Other Areas to Explore
CHAPTER 10
Am I Crazy? Understanding the Mind-Body Connection
CHAPTER 11
Losing Weight with CFS and FMS
CHAPTER 12
Finding a Physician
CONCLUSION
APPENDIX A
Study Abstracts
APPENDIX B
The SHIN Treatment Worksheet
APPENDIX C
Lab Testing
APPENDIX D
Recommended Reading
APPENDIX E
Resources
APPENDIX F
Surviving the Disability Insurance Process
APPENDIX G
For Physicians
Notes
Index
Introduction
I remember 1975. I was in my third year of medical school, doing my pediatrics rotation. I had always excelled, having finished college in three years. Now I was the second-youngest in a class of more than two hundred students, and I was continuing to perform well. My approach to life was to move quickly—“full speed ahead.” But then, a nasty viral illness hit me and made it hard for me to even get out of bed for my morning pediatrics lecture. I cannot forget walking into an auditorium full of medical students, the professor saying, “Teitelbaum, why are you…” As he said “late?” I just about collapsed on the steps.
Although I was barely able to function, I spent the next four weeks working in the electron microscopy and research labs. The work I performed there was considered low-key—good tasks for a medical student trying to recuperate. But my brain fog made even these duties impossible, and by the end of the month, I was finding it impossible to even get out of bed before noon. I wanted to push forward and try harder. Though it was not what I wanted to hear, one wise professor advised me that this was not a time to push forward but rather a time to take a leave of absence and “regroup.” I am still thankful for this teacher’s guidance.
My illness seemed to close a door to one chapter of my life and open other doors to whole new possibilities of self-exploration. As I had to drop out of medical school and had no more scholarship or work-study, and was t
oo ill to work, I was also homeless. Taking off in my ’65 Dodge Dart, I had the novel experience of having no agenda, no plans. I was to meet many teachers on my journey. Most important, I was taking time to get to know myself.
With my family’s and friends’ help and support and my own inner work, as well as what I learned from people I met while I was homeless, I recovered my energy and strength and went on to finish medical school and residency. Though I did well, I continued to intermittently suffer the many diverse symptoms seen in fibromyalgia. My experiences with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia left me with an appreciation of the impact of these illnesses. The symptoms that persisted—such as fatigue, achiness, poor sleep, and bowel problems—acted as the arena in which I learned how to help other people overcome these illnesses. It also taught me that it helps to have a sense of humor to survive this illness.
If you have chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), or another disabling chronic fatigue state, you have been through a difficult journey. I remember being told that I was depressed. I was depressed. I was unable to function. Most people with chronic fatigue syndrome have to struggle just to get compassion and understanding.
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