Promising New Low-Cost Treatment for CFS & Fibromyalgia

Vitality101 Newsletter

Hello Reader,

A recent study by the Stanford University ME/CFS clinical practice is showing remarkable promise in treating chronic fatigue syndrome using the medication Abilify.

At high doses, Abilify blocks the brain transmitter dopamine, and is used as an antipsychotic. But at extremely low doses it actually augments dopamine function. It's reminiscent of the medication low-dose naltrexone. At high doses naltrexone blocks narcotic effects. At low doses it's very effective in treating pain and CFS symptoms.

In the new Stanford study, instead of the usual 15 to 30 mg dose of Abilify, participants were given 1/8 to 2 mg each morning. 75% of the 101 subjects responded well:

• Average fatigue ratings dropped from 5.76 to 2.86 (p<0.001).
• Average brain fog dropped from 4.39 to 2.06 (p<0.001).
• Sleep quality ratings improved from 5.80 to 3.75 (p<0.001).
• Post-exertional malaise (PEM) events became less frequent (from every 4 days to every 8 days) and were typically described as milder and shorter in duration. Eighteen participants reported that PEM disappeared altogether.

Side effects for a study of this size were remarkably low. Of the 101 study participants, five reported headache, four irritability/agitation, and two extreme agitation.

Cort Johnson, my favorite CFS/fibromyalgia medical reporter, wrote an excellent article on this Abilify study. Cort also wrote an uplifting account of how Abilify helped the son of Dr. Ron Davis "awaken" from a lengthy period of being bedridden with severe CFS/FMS. It thrilled me that this medication had such an effect on him, and on his 37th birthday no less :-) Quite a birthday present!

Ready to learn more about this and two other exciting research study results?

Integrative Medicine Summit 2021: Clinical Challenges and Solutions

Virtual 3-Day Conference Hosted by the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

WHEN: May 5-7

I am very honored to be lecturing to hundreds of physicians at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine on how to effectively treat CFS, fibromyalgia, and the Long Hauler symptoms resulting from the pandemic (11:45-12:45 on Thursday, May 6). For those of you who are healthcare providers, or who would like to share this with your healthcare providers, the conference information is below.

Ready to expand your understanding of complementary medicine? Check it out! :-)

Post-Viral Long-Hauler Treatment Mirrors Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Therapy

This interview with Dr. T explores the commonalities among CFS/FMS and Long-Haul Syndrome, and the relapse symptoms seen in patients after viral infection. As described in a recent case study in Clinical Microbial and Infections, persistent symptoms include myalgia, intense fatigue, sensation of fever, shortness of breath, chest tightness, tachycardia, headaches and anxiety.

Shelter in Place – a National Disaster?

Although it was sensible to shelter in place at the beginning of the pandemic when we were just beginning to learn about the risks of the virus and how it spreads, evidence is now mounting that continuing this practice may no longer be beneficial. In fact it may be quite harmful.

Social distancing and masking continue to be the more effective defense against infection, along with common sense. But continuously staying in your home without ever getting out can actually be more deadly than the virus. Why?

The Japanese Way to Multiply Is So Much Cooler Than Ours

Sometimes called "stick multiplication," this is a fascinating trick Japanese sometimes use to multiply two numbers together.