Nonfiction research- Fibromyalgia (CFS/other) treatment book?

Not sure if this should be here or perhaps CCs or ?

There are an increasing number of books on fibromyalgia out there, and some related disorders, and some overlapping symptoms (IBS being a big one), but I'm seeing a lack of in depth treatment strategies (or even a discussion of how to even begin to afford it).

I am learning veterinary acupuncture and starting to research how fibromyalgia is classified and treated in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Many books discuss alternative treatments but don't always go in depth or explain how the treatment might help or the range of expected results beyond 'it can reduce the pain.'

So I've thought about writing a book covering acupuncture, in depth acupressure methods to do at home, trigger point therapy, tai chi, yoga, and various food therapies (food therapy is something I'm seeing as quite overlooked beyond the basics and rather important from my experience). Certain types of massage would also be covered, particularly in regards to trigger points.

If anyone has experience with fibromyalgia, or a related disease, I have questions for you:

1) What are some important pieces of information you wished you knew earlier.
2) What alternative therapies have you tried? What are you considering trying? What has been your experience with alternative therapies?
3) What about the disease or the possible treatments would you like to know more about.
4) Are there any resources you found useful (books, forums, support groups, etc)
5) Can I PM or email you with future questions as this book (or possible books on other illnesses) takes form?

I'm thinking I could start seriously focusing on this project this fall or winter, but want to get some basic ideas and research started now.

Good to know. Are there specific guidelines for this? I know some treatment discussion in books exists.

I have experience being treated for fibro fwiw.

I could also look into editing the book and have more detailed chapters written by various OMDs... (Oriental Medical Doctors).

GeorgeK said:

I suggest looking at physician level CME courses.

20 years ago it was taught that people with this affliction were malingering. However texts from the late 1800's said the same about diabetes.

There are a variety of theorized inciting factors from Ebstein Barr Virus to food allergens. Gradually the coalescence of thought about it is that it is probably an autoimmune problem triggered and or worsened by food chemicals. If the majority of symptoms revolve around the urinary bladder then it might be called interstitial cystitis.

If I were still practicing, I'd have the patients try plaquenil. Technically it's an antibiotic but started out life as an immune suppressant. It didn't pan out as an immune suppressant because it appears to only suppress hyperactive immune systems which weren't really in the literature much at the time that people were writing about it

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Wow, you MDs have way more available online than we vets do. Thank you for suggesting CE (continuing education).

Eastern medicine talks about imbalances in the body, and fibro certainly is a major imbalance on many levels. As I learn about acupuncture, what it has been proven to have effects on, and what it theoretically treats, I'm amazed by how comprehensive it is. Add to that other modalities and I am very interested in learning more and sharing the info.

veinglory said:

There is a lot of stuff out there that technically contravenes FDA requirements but enforcement is patchy and they tends to focus on particular issues/campaigns rather than cover everything. If you write by proposal the publisher could probably help with establishing the things you can an cannot say or whether you can assume your book will not get targeted. You might consider a non-US publisher as other countries (e.g. UK) are much less restrictive.

Treatment in this areas is seriously in flux with a bunch of drug and non-drug treatments that seem to help some people and not others. It is fascinating to the extent that they are just beginning to work out what the organic cause of fibro is. But frustrating in that there is still a tendency to imply malingering because it is currently a subjective experience that is hard to demonstrate objectively.

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fMRI is showing interesting data, but how that can be applied is still up in the air afaik. Maybe researchers are making some headway.

Thanks Orianna and Miranda.

And yeah, it's a syndrome and no one can figure out if there's a viral or other disease triggering it. Oi.

all around.

My fibro started with gi pain. Long before the pain there was indigestion every night.

Western and Eastern medicine have their strengths. I'm glad the integrative approach is taking hold more and more.