| Fibromyalgia Symptoms... | | | | digestive tract, liver damage and a variety of |
| If you have ever known anyone who had | | | | "less" serious side effects that are similar to |
| fibromyalgia syndrome, you may have thought | | | | fibromyalgia symptoms, for which the ibuprofen |
| that it was "all in their head". For many years | | | | was originally prescribed. These less serious -- |
| people who suffered from fibromyalgia syndrome | | | | though still highly unpleasant -- side effects include |
| had to deal with a relative lack of understanding | | | | dizziness, muscle pain and cramping, depression, |
| by the medical community, friends and family, as | | | | irritable bowel, fatigue and dry mouth. |
| if suffering from the fibromyalgia symptoms | | | | Because fibromyalgia is so difficult to treat, people |
| themselves weren't bad enough. | | | | who suffer from the condition often seek |
| Finally in 1990, the American College of | | | | alternatives. Both of the previously mentioned |
| Rheumatology established guidelines for diagnosing | | | | women were able to get relief from their |
| fibromyalgia and it is now estimated that as many | | | | fibromyalgia symptoms and reduce or eliminate |
| as 5 million Americans or 2% of the population | | | | prescription medications entirely by using a |
| are affected. But, even though diagnosing | | | | product made from the mangosteen. |
| fibromyalgia may be easier, it is still very difficult | | | | The mangosteen is a fruit -- sometimes referred |
| to treat. | | | | to as "Queen of Fruits" -- that grows in the |
| Fibromyalgia symptoms that are used for | | | | rainforests of Southeast Asia and contains more |
| diagnosing the syndrome include widespread pain | | | | natural pain killing and life enhancing |
| on both sides of the body and above and below | | | | phyto-chemicals than anything previously known. |
| the hip, which has been present for at least three | | | | Dr. J. Frederic Templeton, M.D., says: |
| months. | | | | "The mangosteen's benefits spans a wide range |
| While blood tests may be performed to rule out | | | | of effects: |
| other diseases, the test typically used to make | | | | , anti-fatigue...anti-atherosclerotic, antihistamine and |
| the diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome involves | | | | the list goes on!" |
| applying pressure to "tender point" sites | | | | Another practitioner, Dr. Jim Duke lists |
| throughout the body. If the patient feels pain in at | | | | phyto-chemicals that are analgesic, |
| least 11 of the 18 different tender-point sites and, | | | | anti-inflammatory and Cox-2 inhibiting, any one of |
| as previously mentioned, the patient has a history | | | | which could address the pain of fibromyalgia |
| of widespread pain, then the diagnosis of | | | | syndrome. He goes on to list components which |
| fibromyalgia is made. | | | | are anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, anti-diarrhea, |
| Although pain is the most common symptom and | | | | anti-fatigue, anti-vertigo (dizziness), all of which |
| the one used for diagnosis, those who suffer | | | | may help specific fibromyalgia symptoms. |
| from fibromyalgia often experience other | | | | Although no clinical studies have yet proven that |
| problems as well. These may include irritable bowel | | | | mangosteen can relieve fibromyalgia symptoms, |
| syndrome, fatigue, sleep disturbances, headaches | | | | there is a strong degree of anecdotal evidence. |
| (including migraines), and heightened sensitivity to | | | | Dr. Templeman, M.D. states: "Although no other |
| odors, bright lights, noise and touch. | | | | intervention has ever helped even 45% of my |
| Other symptoms that may be present in | | | | patients, in my experience, mangosteen can bring |
| fibromyalgia syndrome include depression, anxiety, | | | | relief, either partial or complete, to over 60% of |
| dizziness, numbness or tingling in the hands and | | | | sufferers." By sufferers, of course, he means |
| feet, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, chest | | | | those afflicted with fibromyalgia. |
| pain, irritable bladder, dry skin, eyes and mouth. It | | | | Laboratory research concerning the components |
| is the combination of symptoms that may be | | | | of the mangosteen has proven that Cox-2 |
| present in fibromyalgia syndrome that make | | | | inhibitors are present, anti-inflammatory agents |
| treatment so difficult. | | | | are present, anti-oxidants -- which many scientists |
| One woman from Atlanta, GA reported taking 13 | | | | believe play anti-aging and anti-fatigue roles -- are |
| different prescription medications to relieve her | | | | present. |
| fibromyalgia symptoms and apparently this is not | | | | All of the phyto-chemicals listed by Dr. Duke have |
| uncommon. This is because doctors do not know | | | | been isolated and identified. The anti-oxidants in |
| what causes fibromyalgia; therefore, they may | | | | mangosteen are so powerful that they are called |
| feel as if they have little choice but to prescribe | | | | Xanthones, and more of these are being found |
| an array of different drugs to treat different | | | | every day, as scientists continue to do research. |
| fibromyalgia symptoms. | | | | In fact, according to PubMed, a service of the |
| So, they prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to | | | | National Library of Medicine and the National |
| treat the pain, anti-depressants for depression, | | | | Institutes of Health, Xanthones are the subject of |
| anxiety and mood changes, sleep aids for sleep | | | | over 1,000 different studies! |
| disturbance, and so on. | | | | Even though are some other natural remedies |
| Another woman, this one from Montana, was | | | | promoted for fibromyalgia syndrome, it seems |
| taking 2200 mg of ibuprofen (a commonly used | | | | their effectiveness for the relief of fibromyalgia |
| anti-inflammatory) every day to control her | | | | symptoms is sketchy at best. |
| fibromyalgia symptoms and still suffered from | | | | And, the truth of the matter is, even |
| fatigue and sleep disturbances. 2200 mg is eleven | | | | mangosteen may not work for you, but if you |
| regular strength tablets. | | | | suffer from numerous fibromyalgia symptoms, it |
| That much ibuprofen taken on a regular basis | | | | seems well worth a try. |
| could cause ulcers, bleeding in the stomach and/or | | | | |