Category Archives: Conditions

Unknown's avatar lassesen 4:26 pm on January 3, 2014  

Microbiome: Two more members of the CFS Cartel of bacteria?

Another CFS reader forwarded their lab results for bacteria and asked me to comment.

Range: (NG to 4+)

Under Beneficial Bacteria

  • Lactobacillus Species- NG – No growth LOW SHOULD BE 2+
  • Escherichia Coli 4+ HIGH SHOULD BE 2+
  • Bifodobacterium 1+ LOW SHOULD BE 4+

Under Additional Bacteria

  • alpha haemolytic Streptococcus NP 2+ BELOW AVG
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa NP 3+ LISTED AS POSSIBLE PATHOGEN AT THIS LEVEL

Beneficial Bacteria

Two of the three beneficial results matched the study from Australia in 1998. The last one (the high E.Coli) could be a problem with the test classifying Klebsiella/Enterobacter as E.Coli (since that was not listed), or a variation of the cartel of CFS bacteria.

I would suggest Mutaflor still because it is very effective for Crohn’s Disease — which studies has found to be very high E.Coli. Mutaflor is an aggressive good E.Coli that will reduce the E.Coli in this cartel of bacteria we wish to eliminate.

Troublesome Bacteria

The question is what to do about the two trouble some ones. First pass is always PubMed.

Treatment Suggestions

For Streptococcus, the suggestion would be to take some Oral Probiotics Mints containing streptococcus in the hope that the new species will out-compete  (for example Now Foods Oralbiotic Blis[Streptococcus salivarius], Evora Plus Probiotic Mints [streptococcus uberius, streptococcus oralis, streptococcus rattus ]), I would avoid Udo’s Choice Probiotic Blends: Super5 Lozenge which has only 5% being Streptococcus thermophilus. When I have taken a couple of Evora mints in a day, I did notice digestive changes. Again, the more varieties of streptococcus to compete against it, the better.

The other route is kill and then replace. These article are of interest: Antimicrobial activity of Chinese medicine herbs against common bacteria in oral biofilm. A pilot study. [2010], Prophylactic effect of Andrographis paniculata extracts against Streptococcus agalactiae infection in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). [2009]

Antibacterial screening of traditional herbal plants and standard antibiotics against some human bacterial pathogens[2013] found that our old friend turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn) was effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and Clove (S. aromaticum).

In addition to the above, using NAC and/or EDTA in a solution to gargle with (and swallow), should assist in breaking up some of the biofilms that both species use to defend themselves.

As always, consult with your knowledgable medical professional before starting any regime of probiotics or herbs.

Unknown's avatar lassesen 7:23 pm on January 1, 2014  

Model Review: Childhood (and earlier) Stress contribution to susceptibility to CFS

For many years that has been a group of psychologists claiming that childhood abuse was the cause of CFS — and by implication that it was psychological and psychological therapy is what the cure is. This has not been well received by the CFS community. A recent article in New Scientist actually suggests that they be right as to it being a contributor — but at the same time points to their implied therapy as being very wrong.  In other words, their studies showing an association with abuse or other stress factors are likely correct. It is the inferences that these psychologists did from the association that is wrong.

New Scientist, Nov 23rd, 2013, p. 18 “How mum’s stress affects her fetus”, found “bacteria of the stressed mice are remarkably different to those of the unstressed mice… the proportion of one bacteria, Lactobacillus, was notably reduced.”  and then went further on the impact of stress, “pups of stressed mothers showed similar bacterial patterns in their gut.” The author was Tracy Bale. Other works has found that stress impacts epigentics (the DNA genes that are turned on and off)

Low Lactobacillus is a characteristics of CFS and likely a catalyst to onset. Psychological theraphy is unlikely to alter epigentic changes or the gut bacteria. Probiotics, especially Lactobacillus Reuteri — the most common Lactobacillus species in healthy mammals — would likely have much better success.

The next time that some one suggests abuse is the cause of CFS — instead of arguing about it — come back with I can’t help but agree more — recent studies found that the stress that my mother had is the likely cause of my CFS — by modification of epigenetics and gut bacteria that are passed down to me causing CFS …. can you please explain how psycho-therapy would correct the epigentics and gut bacteria alteration?  It sound like you are talking about airy-fairy medical treatment …

P.S. I am trying to arrange a small shipment of a Lactobacillus Reuteri only Probiotic from a supplier in Europe. The cost of this appears significantly lower than what is available in the US as a single species  

Unknown's avatar lassesen 4:53 am on December 26, 2013
Tags: 000999uuquuqyshshshx, utututyyyyyyyy777777   

Celebrex with Valtrex: A PubMed review

Raoul T wrote on Health Rising asked me:

Hi Ken, Maybe I was over reacting but i was intrigued to learn about the feature “Big Antiviral Trial Could Usher in New Treatment Era for FM” on Health Rising a couple of weeks ago discussing the promising use of Celebrex with Valtrex as a new and effective strategy for FM and CFS. I just wondered what you opinion on this might be. Are there significant heath risks associated with Celebrex? If so are there any good alternatives? Has anyone you know tried or had success using this therapy?
 

This is a difficult question to answer well in comments, so I am answering in a post. I am also declaring that I am evaluating it against my current model of CFS is: a stable dysfunction of microbiota.

Celebrex is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID – i.e. acteaminophen like) and selective COX-2 inhibitor.  Valacycloviris an antiviral drug effective against several members of the Herpes family (which is associated with some CFS sub-populations).

To test against the model, I grab my microflora grid:

Antibiotic Family Klebsiella/Enterobacter Enterococcus Streptococcus E.Coli Bifidobacterium Lactobacillus
In CFS Patients HIGH HIGH HIGH low low low
Celebrex N/I INCREASE N/I INCREASE REDUCES (?) N/I
Valacyvlovir N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I
Herpes Virus:
  • N/I – No Information
  • (?) Study is not clear (drug combination involved so uncertainity

On the other side, the presence of the virus does impact the microbiota [2013],[2008], [2013]

For CFS, there are three studies on Valacyclovir – all done by a team lead by AM Lerner:

And one with Fibromyalgia – “No effect of antiviral (valacyclovir) treatment in fibromyalgia: a double blind, randomized study.”[2004] “Valacyclovir cannot be recommended as a therapy for FM at this point.” and none for IBS.

Bottom Line

This treatment appears effective for a minority subset of those matching a research definition of CFS (and likely an even smaller number of the general CFS population). Appropriate testing should occur before the start and if the results of the testing does not match that of the subset, it is best not to proceed with this treatment.  I am opposed to “well, it’s not an exact match — but let us try it anyway” approach of some MDs.

Unknown's avatar lassesen 10:12 pm on December 24, 2013  

Sleep Apnea and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Sleep Apnea is a diagnosis du jour. It occurs in over 30% of the population for one type, Obstructive Sleep Apnea[2008], with a much higher rate for older individuals (at least 44%) and overweight individuals. The incidence for men is almost three times the incidence for women (the opposite ratio seen for CFS). Nose cartilage grows with age which is one factor for the increasing incidence. The article Sleep apnea as the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome [1994] suffers from the title being read and not the content (which speculates that it should be investigated and is not a demonstrated fact).

These common medical conditions have a higher incidence of sleep apnea: type 2 diabetes [68,69], polycystic ovary syndrome [70–72], refractory hypertension [73], coronary artery disease [74–76], congestive heart failure with systolic dysfunction [77–79], and stroke [80–82].  Wait, CFS, IBS and FM are not in this list.

CFS and Sleep Apnea share some common symptoms: fatigue, depression. A health professional can easily mis-conclude that Sleep Apnea is the cause of CFS — because: more than 50% of CFS patients have sleep apnea (the fact that more than 50% of age and weight match healthy population have sleep apnea is ignored).

  • Undiagnosed and comorbid disorders in patients with presumed chronic fatigue syndrome. [2013] found that ~ 30% of patients that met the Fukuda criteria for CFS had any sleep disorders.  This is the same rate reported elsewhere for the general population.
  • Sleep apnea and psychological functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome. [2009] found “Participants (CFS, SAHS, controls) completed questionnaires and were evaluated for SAHS ( sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome ); 68 percent were subsequently diagnosed with SAHS. CFS participants with and without SAHS did not differ”. Again, CFS incidence matches that of the general population
  • Sleep disorders in patients with chronic fatigue. [1994]  “In conclusion, chronically fatigued patients with suggestive symptoms may have potentially treatable coexisting sleep disorders that are not associated with meeting criteria for CFS or a current psychiatric disorder.” This is a round-about way of saying that there is no detectable relationship between the incidence of CFS and the incidence of sleep disorders.

So bottom line:  sleep apnea is independent of having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I know a person that was given a CFS (and a Lyme diagnosis) that recovered when treated for sleep apnea. This is not surprising because most medical professionals (apart from rigorous research professionals) tend not to follow published criteria or do the tests that should show a problem that is CFS, namely:

  • Very high 1,25D levels — this is an autoimmune indicator (does not indicate which one)
  • SPECT scan having major abnormalities (MRI will be normal)
  • Inherited Coagulation Defects and hypercoagulation when the full panel of tests are done (often only one or two are done)

Many of my readers may have sleep apnea, or any one of a dozen treatable conditions that share symptoms with CFS. You may wish to review your medical tests that indicate if you have CFS. If none of the above have been done — approach your MD to order one of them. If the result is negative, you may wish to press for a second one of them. If all three are negative — then you likely have a different condition (which your MD may not like — because he will need to identify it and treat you!)

Unknown's avatar lassesen 8:29 pm on December 22, 2013  

Autoimmune Diseases: Infrared Saunas

During my relapse, Costco had a sale on for Infrared Sauna which triggered a memory of them being significantly helpful for CFS or IBS. After confirming that on PubMed we purchased one as our Christmas present and used it daily (which may have helped with my remission further).  With the Multiple Chemical Sensitivity relapse triggered over Thanksgiving, we have found that it has been very helpful for improving symptoms. In one sense, this should be “common sense” obvious — you sweat out the chemicals that you are sensitive too!

I tend to be very skeptical about “common sense”, especially after hearing all of the common sense cures for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome coming from family, friends and medical professionals. So a review of the current literature on PubMed felt like a good activity to do as a one-year after report to the community. We still use it (although not as frequently as we should — unless there is a flare).

Technically it is called Far Infrared Radiation although the alternative types have been known to use the terms  “biogenetic radiation” and “biogenetic rays”; in Japan as  “Waon therapy”; in Italy, “phytothermotherapeutic treatment”. This radiation have a lot of low level effect on biological organisms and process. There is evidence that it will help some cancers and encourage other cancers [2012].

Studies have shown for human or animal studies that it helps[2012] for following auto-immune (or associated to) conditions:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Diabetes Type II [2010]
  • Ankylosing spondylitis [2009]
  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Fibromyalgia [2009], [2008] “All patients experienced a significant reduction in pain by about half after the first session of Waon therapy “,
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [2007] [2005]
  • Sjögren syndrome [2007]
  • Mild depression [2005]
  • Chronic Pain [2005]

There were no FIR studies located for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBD, UC or Crohn’s — although inference would suggest those would likely also benefit. However we do find some related articles:

I was also surprised to find Behavioral treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a 1-year follow-up study[1986] and then found some 33 articles looking at psychological treatment for  functional gastrointestinal disorders. The studies are likely valid – in that stress chemicals results in the microbiota changing (and thus we would get statistical results saying that it improves it). Not a single study found that it resulted in remission.   This is an important catcha looking at treatments: many treatments may improve most conditions by altering some process that produces a symptom; the treatment may be totally irrelevant to remission of the condition.

What I could not find was any studies on shifts of human microflora (gut bacteria) as a result of the thermal treatment. There was several studies on the successful use of heat (SECCA procedure) for the treatment of fecal incontinence however the latest studies[2009] found that the SECCA procedure had 87% of patients with complications and earlier success was not repeated.