Myer's Cocktail IV Infusions

Myers' Cocktail IV Infusions

for Chronic Fatigue and Chronic Illness

After two years after being diaged with chronic fatigue syndrome, I had made slow progress, but then in November of 2011,  I began to go backwards. This was very frightening to me having been bed-fast for the beginning of the illness. I was terrified of going all the way back to being housebound and completely unable to function.

I sought out treatment from a clinic that specialized in treating chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. I found help in Denver, Colorado at a clinic called Chronicity. Part of that treatment was alternative medicine. I began getting Myers' Cocktail IV infusions on Halloween day, October 31, 2011. I will never forget it because my BFFs from Colorado took me there dressed as a 'She-Devil and Harry Potter'... this really made my day !

Part of my treatment at Chronicity was Myers' Cocktail intravenous infusions.

Myers' Cocktail IV infusions were formulated more than thirty years ago by a doctor named John Myers MD of Baltimore Maryland. It is basically a vitamin intravenous therapy made up of magnesium, calcium, vitamin B-5 (dexpanthenol), vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B-12 (hydroxycobalamin), vitamin B complex, and an average of 25 grams of Vitamin C. Infusions can vary from clinic to clinic.

These therapies are not cheap. They are about $95 a treatment and they are not covered by insurance because they are "vitamins".  But this I do not consider "expensive" because just getting a basic vitamin B12 shot at my local doctor's office cost $165 (if I see the doctor), $65 if I only got the shot. The thirty dollar difference makes a lot more sense to me because I am getting much more bang for my bucks.
I received 12 treatments the first year and am continuing getting them today.

The treatments have not been a magic wand. They have not miraculously made me able to go back to work full-time, run 10Ks on the weekends, and accomplish DIY bathroom and bedroom make-overs ... BUT they have given me more stamina, a faster recovery time when I am exhausted, and I have seen great progress in the time period that I have received them (which has been more than a year now). They have given me about 40% of my life back... which is well worth it to me!~! The quality of life for me at the time of beginning Myers' cocktails was at about a 20% on the CFS scale. But now I have even contemplated trying to go back to teaching part time at the local community college.

I no longer attend the specialty clinic in Denver, Colorado which got me off to a good start. To find a similar clinic in my vicinity, I googled "alternative treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome" in my area. A few clinics resulted from the search. I then made phone calls to each one asking them if they administered the Myers' Cocktail. I found one within 100 miles of my hometown, which was much closer than driving to Denver. 

I continue to get Myers' Cocktails on a regular basis. I at least know they are there when I am having a hard time pulling out of a crash. Like I said, I know they are not enchanted wands or cure all... but they have helped my body to deal with the chronic fatigue, as well as the rheumatoid arthritis which is an autoimmune disease. I am very thankful that I have found this alternative treatment and my rheumy is very pleased with the results. He now does not want me to be on DMARDs for RA, which was awesome !

I still deal with pain and fatigue... but just not on the level that I did before I began. It has given me hope and relief !~!

Housebound

A Life in Chains???
or Chains of Hope???

For the first year of chronic fatigue syndrome, I was housebound... chained to a recliner, bed, or a couch. For one whole year I did not go to a movie, go out to eat in a restaurant, sweep a kitchen floor, make a bed, change sheets on a bed, wash a car, walk around the block with the dogs, go to a family function, go to church, go to a social gathering, vacuum a carpet, shop for more than ten minutes in a grocery store, go to a clothing store, ... The list goes ON... I am not saying this because I want pity. It's just the reality that I was living in at the time. To not be able to walk to the back fence and take out the trash is devastating to the mind, emotions, and heart.... not to even mention the body. It's beyond comprehension to those that have never experienced it.

It was the most horrific experience of my life. It's not like being "sent to bed" due to pregnancy. That story ends in hope (usually) and one's friends willingly visit and come over to support because the "story" is not something of illness or catastrophe.

Others do NOT like visiting sick people. Illness is very difficult to look at.. very hard to see. Especially when they saw you up and active, working side by side with them, and once living a very productive life. It is scary to them... bc they are afraid to admit how easily this (or something LIKE this) could happen to THEM. It brings up a lot of fear in others for loved ones to be seriously ill. So, it is easy to avoid and go into denial... and just go on with life without you.... leaving life with chronic fatigue very secluded and isolated.

A year and a half after being diaged w/ rheumatoid arthritis and severe chronic fatigue, I felt like I was going to go bonkers. The four walls of my home had become a prison no matter how hard I tried to keep distracted with movies, books, and small projects. I needed a fresh, new perspective on life. At that point I was able to do activities that were small; like going to the grocery store and to the coffee shop for an hour or so... as long as I did not walk much or stay out of the house for more than a couple of hours.  I could do laundry and cook for myself... AND I knew I needed a change of scenery.

I made a phone call to some people I knew in Colorado. They owned ten cabins in a small town outside of Denver that were located right on the side of  Chicago Creek... a beautiful wooded get-away... with much nature, solitude, peacefulness, and beauty. They had an opening. I took it... packed up some kitchen items, mountain clothing, a mattress, dresser, small tv and vcr... and with my brother's help and his trusty pickup... I made the 550 mile trek out of the desert and north into a cottage in the woods... Picturesque!~!~!

I stayed for 8 months. I can NOT emphasis how much this time in paradise helped me. I spent that time reading mostly spiritual books by Wayne Dyer, Louis L. Hays, and Iyanla Vanzant. I prayed for "Divine Connections" and within two days I met Sam and Angie,... two beautiful, spiritual people that are ordained ministers and live their life journeys very connected to God. They were defiantly God Sends to me... !!! I didn't watch television during that time.. only watched movies. Commercials to me now are EXHAUSTING... I did yoga, meditated, journaled, prayed and laughed with new friends, marveled at nature, and breathed in every second that I could while visiting there.

My respite there was Life Giving...a lifeline towards Hope and Inner Light Even though I could not hike or bike and do very many "outdoorsy" activities... I felt the presence of God and His healing power daily during my time there. I grew beyond belief... and was greatly helped thru my two wonderful friends Ang and Sam... who still help me to this day, by bringing clarity and understanding even on days that are 'struggle".  I began to gain a new perspective on life... 

I also found a new friend named Paco. He came from the animal shelter in Clear Creek County. He was in Denver on the list to be put down... when CCC animal shelter brought him to the mountains and into my life. He is a great companion (part chihuahua and terrier) ! He loves the desert now and gets on well with his two new friends here at home.

I am very thankful that I had this opportunity. It was a Divine Stepping Stone in the path of  my healing journey. My hubby thinks that I still need to go to that area and spend a month each summer... he could be right! I know that visiting my friends there is a MUST ~! It was heart-breaking to leave them behind.

It just went to show me that this journey... to healing and becoming my True Self... may include unpleasant things (being housebound) that can lead to very pleasant things  such as finding a place in the mountains and Divine Connections and Wisdom and Peace....and blessings beyond comprehension.... If I will just OPEN my eyes to the blessings that come with illness.. I will see them... they will present themselves. Life lessons may sometimes take "chains of burden"... And we sometimes heal inwardly while grasping onto the chains of Hope we are given each day. Healing our Inner Spirit is sometimes so muhch more rewarding and fruitful  than healing outwardly.

Paco

Meditation

Meditation

for RA, CFS, and Fibromyalgia

Meditation Stones

I had heard about "meditation" for many years... especially since I have done yoga for  more than 30 years, but I really did not practice meditation, nor did I know HOW. I began researching and even asking people about meditation. My questions were somewhat like:

"Is it important that I use a certain kind of pose?"

"Do I have to meditate for a LONG time?"

"How do I breath during meditation?"

"What if I do it wrong?"

"How do I know if I am doing it correctly?"

"What is walking meditation?"

"Can I lie down and meditate?"
"What if I can't keep my mind still?"
"How do I make my mind thing about 'nothing'?"
"Can I use music or do I have to do silent meditation?"

The more I asked and the more I researched, the more confused I became. It appeared that there were many ways to meditate. So , I concluded that I would make meditation MY OWN, and use what worked for me.

The best explanation and answer that I found and that seemed best for me was that meditation is listening (to God) while prayer is talking (to God).  This made a lot of sense to me and I even began to realize the balance of the two (speaking and listening) were to go hand in hand in order to bring balance into my life. I knew how to talk. That part wasn't hard. But I was going to have to learn how to make my mind and thoughts quiet and still, and stop thinking 90 mph.

I have found that meditation works best for me in the evening, at the end of the day right before I retire for the night. I like to go into my room early and set a tone/ mood for meditation.

Meditation Music:

I enjoy Snatum Kaur, Diva Primal, and sounds for meditation (singing bowls for example), but there are many types of meditation music on youtube from which to choose. There is instrumental music w/ nature sounds that work wonderfully if you connect with nature. The variety is endless and therefore, never gets routine or boring. I have found for ME that I do NOT like silent meditation. It is too distracting and I have a hard time focusing without music and I do not enjoy it. So I don't do it that way.

Lighting:

I use candles to set a tone of serenity, softness, and peacefulness. I close the door to whatever room I am in to let others know that I am spending time alone. I turn off all lights, electronics, tv, computer (unless I'm using youtube for music), radios, etc. I even turn on a fan for 'white noise' so that I do not hear what is going on in the rest of the house. I keep the candle sometimes in front of me and watch the flicker of the flame.

Position:
I do whatever is comfortable for me at the time. Sometimes I am dealing w/ pain.. so I lie down. Sometimes I sit on a pillow in 'easy pose' . Other times I sit up in my bed. Whatever I do, I make sure it is comfortable and that I can breath easily. There is no wrong way.

Mood:

Sometimes I take time to devote to a spiritual reading before entering into meditation. There are many selections of spiritual readings. I select something that inspires me, frees me from the troubles of the day, and helps me to release worry and fear. Sometimes I use angel cards  and select one theme to meditate on. For example: I may select healing as a theme. I then meditate on all the areas of my life I would like to have healing in and release those areas for healing. I call healing into all areas of my life including financial, relationships, health, etc.

Scents:

I also use sage. I like to burn sage and deeply breathe in the scent while meditating. This aroma is very calming to me and one of signifigance because I do not use it many other times. Sometimes I use essential oils by putting oils on a cotton ball or using a diffuser. Certain oils represent certain moods. (U can research essential oils and their affects on the mood and body)

Meditation Stones:

I have a number of stones that I use while meditating. Some are the size of my palm and some are smaller. I select 2 or 3 stones and place them either on chakra points or in my hands. They bring me much comfort and represent different things to me in life. I have a turtle carved out of stone. This turtle represents that sometimes illness and Life  is a journey that is walked out slowly, but is always a winner in the end, and never gives up.

Prayer Beads:
Many religions use prayer beads. I did not grow up using the practice of prayer with beads, but I now sometimes use prayer beads during meditation. I have several sets of beads that I use. They are both necklaces made of stones / glass. They are long enough to fit around my neck and do not have a clasp. There are several ways that I use them. I may feel led to give 'thanksgiving'.  I say 'thank you' on each bead for something that I am grateful for as I go around the string of beads. This gives me a deep sense of appreciation and peace. I also use it to pray for others. There are limitless ways that one could use meditation beads.

Singing:

Sometimes I sing during meditation. This is very calming to me bc I like to sing and I find spiritual songs that bring me deep peace.

Time:

How long do I meditate? It is different each time and I do not even go by a clock. I meditate for as long as I feel like I need to and then I retire for bed. Usually I like to meditate until I feel a deep sense of peace and serenity.

Breathing:
It is important to try to remember to breath deeply, but not to the point of 'distraction'. In past times, I would become so concerned about whether I was breathing correctly or not that it kept my mind from becoming clear or cleansed of negative thoughts. So, I breath at the beginning and then let myself relax.

I now look forward to meditation because I do not go by any "set" rules that are set for someone else. I basically did research, chose what worked best for me and forgot about rote rules to follow.

I also do not have any hard and fast rules about what time to meditate. I do not feel GUILTY if I do NOT meditate. This is not the purpose of meditation. In other words... it is something to serve me and benefit my life whether I use it daily or one time a year.



Magnesium and Calcium for CFS

Magnesium and Calcium Benefits

For symptoms of CFS, I now currently take magnesium and calcium. I can honestly say that I sleep better now and do not get as "tense" and have near as many muscle spasms in my neck and shoulders. I also do not fatigue as easily and recover faster from exhaustion. I also do not have near as much nervous energy and feel calmer. I found this article written by Dr. Natasha Turner and copied excerpts pertaining to CFS .

Magnesium Reduces Fatigue

(by Dr. Natasha Turner)

For a long time now it has been suggested that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is related to persistent magnesium deficiency, which may improve with magnesium supplements. Magnesium is a wonderful mineral that is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. When we are magnesium deficient, our bodily functions slow down at the cellular level, causing everything to become sluggish until physical or mental fatigue eventually ensues.

 

Magnesium eases anxiety, improves sleep and stabilizes mood!

Individuals with anxiety have been found to have lower levels of magnesium. This may be linked to the fact that a magnesium deficiency causes the release of adrenalin. Also, other studies have found that magnesium supplements reduce the release and effect of stress hormones on the heart, which is an indirect measure of the mineral's effect on the brain.

In the elderly, magnesium supplements were found to improve sleep by decreasing the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which is known to cause sleep disruption. Magnesium glycinate (400 to 600mg) at bedtime is my favourite starting place for most cases of sleep disruption, for all ages.

 

Magnesium reduces muscle cramping !!!

 

Ever get those irritating little twitches in your eyelid? Or maybe painful muscle cramping, waking you at night or ruining your workout? These are both possible signs of magnesium deficiency since it is closely involved in proper muscle relaxation and contraction. Try taking 200 to 600mg of magnesium at bedtime and you may be surprised at how quickly these symptoms may respond to your efforts.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. Supplementing with calcium helps the body in many ways. Calcium builds and maintains bones and teeth. It regulates the rhythm of the heart, eases insomnia, helps regulate the passage of nutrients in and out of cellular membranes, and assists in blood clotting. Calcium is also very valuable in maintaining proper nerve and muscle function, as well as normal kidney function. Current scientific research shows that it reduces the occurrence of colon cancer and reduces blood cholesterol levels. Calcium deficiency can result in arm and leg muscle spasms, softening of bones, leg and back cramps, brittle bones, rickets, poor growth, osteoporosis, tooth decay, and depression.

My suggestion is that you see your doctor or  nutritionist concerning the level or amount your body needs at this time! I am not a doctor or nutritionist~ I am simply sharing what supplements have been suggested to me by my doctor/nutritionist for chronic fatigue and adrenal burnout!

The Things People Say
When You are Ill ...

Having been diagnosed with a disease such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA~an autoimmune disease), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and extreme adrenal fatigue was bad enough but when I actually told people that I had been diagnosed, I was completely astonished by their responses. I really did believe that people that knew me and "loved" me would respond with support and interest (or at least ask me questions about the situation) but I was never SO wrong! 

Many people have been down~right thoughtless and casual in their remarks about the diagnosis of RA, CFS, and adrenal fatigue It was as if I had told them I had stumped my big toe. (Like I could just put a band~aid on it! LOL) While I am personally realing in the devastation and changes are happening in my body and in my LIFE.

 The first experience with this kind of dismal scenario was one week after the dx. I was at the restaurant with a group of family members and I told a relative I had been dxed w/ the autoimmune disease (RA) and had been prescribed chemotherapy (MTX). She said, "Oh," and immediately continue a conversation with another relative... I had been completely dismissed! I couldn't believe it! I felt like I had been slapped!!! But that was only the beginning of  MANY ignorant, degrading, and inappropriate comments that would come from relatives, friends, and people that I thought loved and supported me.

I will preface this by saying not ALL people have responded this way... but the people that have been supportive have been few and far between.

For nearly a year I have listened to comments such as "You need to just get out and get the blood flowing" ~"You need to take honey" ~ "You should drink green tea" ~ "The magic of dealing w/ RA is to JUST PUSH THRU IT" ~ "Oh, I have that in my elbow" ~ "You are not EVEN trying to get well" ~ "At least you don't have cancer!" ... (the list goes on....)

These flippant, waggish remarks have left me bawling, angry, degraded, and down~right steaming!

What's worse is that these "ignoramus, unintelligent remarks have come from people who do NOT have an autoimmune disease, RA, CFS, or adrenal fatigue. But for some reason they feel that they have the "right" or "position" to give me advice. Hmmm.... and usually that advice is NOT based on research, experience, or knowledge. It's just an "off the cuff" opinion. And as we all know, opinions are like armpits. Everyone has a couple and usually they both stink!

I have made a simple decision.

Out of respect for MYSELF, I will no longer tolerate impish, ignorant, degrading, ill~informed remarks from people that have stinky armpits! I finally confronted  someone who made a remark to me not long ago. The remark was "The magic of dealing w/ RA is to JUST PUSH THRU IT."

The next morning, I made a phone call to this person after prayer and making sure that my attitude was in check. I was not angry when confronting or stating my feelings. I asked if I could have a moment of his time. I explained (in a very calm and nonthreatening tone and voice) that the remark that he made had insulted me. Even though I figured he did not mean for it to be demeaning, I told him I still felt belittled. I stated of all the many hours of research that I had done on the Internet, of the six doctors that I had seen for my health condition, of all my personal friends that have RA and CFS, not anywhere had I read or been given the information of dealing with RA/CFS  by "just pushing thru it."

He did apologize and I accepted his apology kindly. He stated that maybe he should be more careful about how he says things and says he didn't even understand my condition. I stated, "Exactly!".... and I told him it would be wise for him to consider his words before speaking about a condition he has not diligently studied or experienced personally.

The scene did not turn ugly, nor did it leave a friendship marred. But I have decided that I will no longer go home angry and cry about something that someone has said to me out of sheer stupidity or ignorance. I will confront them kindly and tell them that I will receive medical advice only from my doctor, nutritionist, and  those that are suffering the same tribulations.... !

I am learning that speaking my mind in love is empowerment and even courtesy toward others!

Speaking my mind does not have to mean I hit them with a car or run over them w/ a bus to get my point across! It simply means I can state my feelings (in love and respect) and ask for them to kindly consider their words before giving advice! For when information is exchanged in kindness and not in a way of demeaning another, knowledge advances and can benefit everyone!

Rate Your CFS

Keeping a Journal of Activities

The severity of CFS varies greatly. Some people’s lives are touched lightly, while others have their lives disrupted moderately and still others are housebound or even bed bound. The bottom line: each person's illness is different. To treat your condition effectively, you need to understand the severity of your CFS.

Rate yourself on the CFS (below). Your rating gives you an idea of the severity of your illness and of the activity level your body can tolerate at present.

Your rating also gives you a baseline you can use to compare with later on.

100 Fully recovered. Normal activity level with no symptoms.

90 Normal activity level with mild symptoms at times.

80 Near normal activity level with some symptoms.

70 Able to work full time but with difficulty. Mostly mild symptoms.

60 Able to do about 6-7 hours of work a day. Mostly mild to moderate symptoms.

50 Able to do about 4-5 hours a day of work or similar activity at home. Daily rests required. Symptoms mostly moderate.

40 Able to leave house every day. Moderate symptoms on average. Able to do about 3-4 hours a day of work or activity like housework, shopping, using computer.

30 Able to leave house several times a week. Moderate to severe symptoms much of the time. Able to do about 2 hours a day of work at home or activity like housework, shopping, using computer.

20 Able to leave house once or twice a week. Moderate to severe symptoms. Able to concentrate for 1 hour or less per day.

10 Mostly bedridden. Severe symptoms.

0 Bedridden constantly. Unable to care for self

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga

for RA, CFS and Fibromyalgia

A friend in Colorado introduced me to Kundalini Yoga October of 2011. The DVD that was recommended to me was "Kundalini Yoga -detox & amp; destress with Maya Fiennes" for better adrenal gland function.

Knowing that my adrenal glands were functioning at a low level, I knew that limited amouts of Kundalini yoga could be helpful. I have found that it does help, but my body must be well-rested, and sometimes I am not able to do this much. Sometimes just regular stretching or yoga is the answer for that day. It's always a balance.

Wikipedia describes Kundalini Yoga as a physical, mental and spiritual discipline for developing strength, awareness, character, and consciousness. Practitioners call Kundalini yoga the yoga of awareness because it focuses primarily on practices that expand sensory awareness and intuition in order to raise individual consciousness and merge it with the Infinite consciousness. Considered an advanced form of yoga and meditation, its purpose is to cultivate the creative spiritual potential of a human to uphold values, speak truth, and focus on the compassion and consciousness needed to serve and heal others.

I have enjoyed learning Kundalini Yoga because it offers more vigorous movement than yoga alone and helps with fatigue, stiff joints, and soreness. But I have to use caution... and in other words, know when my body is and is NOT able to handle this form of exercise.

To learn more about Kundalini Yoga, click on the links below:

Maya Fiennes / Be Happy