FightFM.com

The body’s cortisol feedback system

A study published in the recent edition of the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome suggests that the hormone cortisol may play a significant role in the etiology and symptomatology of Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome (CFIDS) and Fibromyalgia (FM).

Patients who suffer from either syndrome know firsthand how difficult it can be to find effective treatments for the conditions. The new study, conducted by Torrance, CA Dr. Kent Holtorf, states that patients may experience significant relief from symptoms of exhaustion and pain by including little as 5 - 15 mg of cortisol per day in their treatment regimens. A summary on the Occupational Health and Safety website states:

… Kent Holtorf, M.D., medical director of the Torrance, Calif.-based Holtorf Medical Group Center for Endocrine, Neurological and Infection related illness, is advising a simplified treatment process that may help alleviate the diseases’ symptoms. From an extensive review of more than 50 published studies that assessed adrenal function in CFS and FM patients, Holtorf found that the majority of CFS and FM patients displayed abnormal adrenal function due to hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. The comprehensive review also showed that the majority of patients could be treated for this adrenal dysfunction with cortisol, in doses of as little as 5 mg to 15 mg a day, as part of a multi-system treatment.

“This research provides a new understanding that treating the known causes of illness in CFS and FM can improve the symptoms and quality-of-life of patients who suffer from these conditions,” Holtorf says. He adds that his research was confirmed in an observational study following the conditions of 500 patients from his clinic where, of the patients given cortisol as part of their treatment protocol, 94 percent showed improvement by the fourth visit, 75 percent noted significant improvement, and 62 percent reported substantial improvement. In addition, by the fourth visit energy levels and a general sense of well-being for patients doubled, Holtorf says. The effectiveness of this multi-system treatment was further confirmed through the analysis of the cumulative findings of more than 40 independent physicians and more than 5,000 patients, the study says.

Though no specific tests currently exist which can definitively diagnose CFIDS or FM, physicians can perform laboratory tests to determine patients’ cortisol levels. It is unclear whether patients whose levels fall within the normal range might still benefit from additional cortisol treatment.

* Editor’s Note - Several years of personal experience with Dr. Holtorf and his clinic have taught me caution regarding his level of enthusiasm for new treatments. Though we have every reason to hope that this study marks significant progress in the understanding and treatment of these conditions, the urge to believe in a single miraculous cure, while understandable, must be tempered with the acknowledgment that CFIDS and FM are complicated syndromes which require a great deal of further study by the medical community.

Devil Ray Rocco Baldelli is feeling the fatigue.

The Sports Illustrated website expands on a story in their March 24 issue regarding Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ outfielder Rocco Baldelli’s mystery illness, which the baseball player referred to as “metabolic and/or mitochnodrial abnormalities.” Sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome (also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) recognize this as the current leading theory behind the syndrome’s diagnosis.

Baldelli described the same frustration with symptoms and a disappointing medical response felt by many CFIDS sufferers:

“My body is literally spent after a very short amount of time out on the field, which makes it extremely frustrating and difficult,” he said, at times appearing on the verge of tears. “But it’s something that’s kind of a reality right now, something we’re dealing with the best that we can.”

The Rays sent him to several doctors during the offseason, hoping to determine why he has been unable to recover from what they initially believed was a routine hamstring injury. The decision to place him on the DL was made after the experts reached a consensus on Baldelli’s condition.

“It’s one of those things, unfortunately, that they can’t diagnose 100 percent,” Rays executive vice president of baseball operation Andrew Friedman said.

“There’s a high confidence level that it is this. But we’re still dealing with a little bit of an unknown. We’re going to do everything possible from this day forward to continue to dig and figure out and try to identify exactly what it is and also how to treat it.”

The diagnosis comes after several injury-plagued seasons in which Baldelli’s body seemed unable to make the usual recovery after routine injuries. Baldelli, who hit .289 and stole 27 bases in his rookie season, began the season on the disabled list and will likely see his contract bought out in April.

Baldelli’s diagnosis is especially significant to the CFIDS/FM community, members of which face daily disbelief and accusations of laziness regarding their condition. The fact that professional athletes are no more immune to the debilitating symptoms of the condition than the general population might help to combat lack of education about the illness.

Unfortunately the stigma of the term “CFS” remains prominent, as illustrated by S.I.’s failure to actually name the syndrome anywhere in the article. After all, if celebrities with a $4 million bailout can’t say the words, what level of bias must regular sufferers face?

COMING SOON

Welcome to the FightFM.com blog!

We are in the process of creating a comprehensive website for patients who suffer from Fibromyalgia, complete with a regularly updated research blog. Please come back soon to see the latest news about Fibromyalgia.