Supplements are a big part of the treatment regimen for many of us with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. I'm no exception - in fact, I consider my supplements a major reason for my long-term remission.
Among my double handful of supplements, you'll find several of the "usual" suspects for us: 5-HTP, vitamin D, Omega 3, etc. You'll also find some that are less common, including lysine and turmeric.
Lysine helps with cellular repair, and I started taking it to help with my weak, splitting fingernails, fragile hair, and slow-to-heal skin (any scratches I got were taking months to go away.) I recently wrote about a hypothesis one doctor is testing - that fibromyalgia is linked to herpes simplex 1 - and that put lysine front and center in my mind. The amino acid is generally believed to suppress the herpes virus, and I always take extra when I get a cold sore. Some cases of chronic fatigue syndrome may be linked to another herpes virus, HHV-6.
Lysine can also help with several other issues many of of us face. You can learn more about it here:
Turmeric (a.k.a. curcumin) is one I added a few years ago when my liver enzymes were elevated, as it's believed to protect against liver damage. (Because I regularly take NSAIDs, opiates and muscle relaxers, it's essential that I protect my liver!)
I'd also read that it can be effective against some fibromyalgia symptoms as well as several other ailments. You can read more here:
Do you take either of these supplements? Why did you start using them? Do they sound like they could help you? Leave your comments below!
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From the Glossary
- New: Growth Hormone
- HPA Axis (stress-response system)
- Hyperalgesia (pain amplification)
Photo © George Diebold/Getty Images
Cannibus is best but then they couldn’t get anyone to go to their wars if people used the herb God says (in Genesis) to use.
There was talk of T cells which is also in AIDS so in my mind I believed there might be connection which horrified one of my doctors. People with AIDS have same symptoms as we do which was verified by my son
as he lay dying.
I started taking turmeric when I tried the Protandim combination of supplements (altho I purchased each separately, saving almost half the cost.) Altho the full combination did very little, I continued turmeric and Bacopa, giving a slight but definite boost.
I did try lysine previously, but did not notice any improvement, not even in my fingernails, which are brittle and longitudinally ridged (precursor to splitting).
I’ve used both L-Lysine and Turmeric for my Systemic Lupus and Fibromyalgia. The Lysine is a great immune system booster, and I take above the recommended daily amount when having any sort of skin flareup. And Turmeric is great for inflammation
– and memory. Its no wonder Alzheimer’s is virtually unheard of in India (where turmeric is used often). I’ve also had some luck with a tincture called Dong Quai for pain.