Fatigue/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Fibromyalgia

Why haven’t doctors helped me?

“There’s nothing wrong with you.” “It’s all in your head.” Or so doctors have told you. Meanwhile, you can’t get out of bed in the morning, no matter how much you sleep. Your joints and muscles hurt, and you can’t think straight. Sound familiar?

When faced with patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or fibromyalgia, doctors are often at a loss. In a poorly-informed attempt to relieve symptoms, they might prescribe antidepressants, muscle relaxants, pain pills, or sleep medications. None of these will resolve the condition and side effects may make you feel worse.

Lack of standardized testing for CFS and fibromyalgia is one problem. And another is this: Even when a correct diagnosis is made, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment.

You can get your life back!

These diseases are a blend of malfunctions in the body, much like an orchestra playing so terribly out of tune that the audience begs for ear plugs. To be effective, the treatment must identify which instruments are off-key—the unique situation of each patient—and correct them. We call this a multi-system approach, and it works.

Thousands of patients have improved

At Holtorf Medical Group, we conducted a study with 500 consecutive patients who were treated with our multi-system protocol. It was published in the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Previously, these patients had seen an average of 7.2 other doctors for CFS or fibromyalgia without significant improvement.

In contrast, by our patients’ fourth visit, their average energy level and sense of well-being had doubled. And 94 percent had overall improvement in their symptoms. More than 5,000 other patients, treated by more than 40 other doctors trained in the same protocol, have also experienced significant relief.

What are the symptoms of CFS and fibromyalgia?

Symptoms of CFS and fibromyalgia can be very similar, or even identical, and up to 70 percent of patients suffer from both conditions. Symptoms include:

• Fatigue that doesn’t go away with sleep
• Difficulty getting restful sleep
• Pain, stiffness, or tender spots in muscles and/or joints
• Headaches
• Sore throat
• Flu-like feeling
• Getting tired very easily after minor exertion
• Weight gain
• Digestive problems
• Mental fog or confusion
• Poor concentration

Is it one disease, or two?

Technically, the difference is this: CFS is a malfunction of the pituitary, a pea-sized gland at the base of the skull, which regulates all our hormones. In fibromyalgia, the malfunction is in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that lies just above the pituitary. The hypothalamus also plays a key role in regulating hormones, as well as the nervous system.

Underlying causes

The pituitary and hypothalamus work together and whether one or both are malfunctioning, they share the same underlying problems. Although each situation is unique, patients improve when these common factors are checked for and addressed as needed:

Malfunctioning mitochondria

Each cell in our bodies has tiny components called mitochondria, whose job it is to generate energy. They are often called the “furnaces” within each cell. The hypothalamus and pituitary are especially sensitive to any malfunction and fatigue is one of the symptoms.

Mitochondria can be poisoned by environmental toxins; pesticides; chronic bacterial, viral and fungal infections; and nutritional and hormone deficiencies. These can be identified and corrected.

Hormonal deficiencies

Thyroid and cortisol deficiencies are the most common ones. Cortisol, the fight-or-flight hormone triggered by stress, becomes depleted because the body is no longer able to produce sufficient amounts. Exhaustion is a symptom.

Thyroid hormone is depleted by exposure to toxins and by malfunctions in the hypothalamus and/or pituitary. You can learn more about thyroid here.

Safe forms of these hormones can be prescribed, based on a patient’s needs. Tests may also reveal other hormonal deficiencies.

Infections

Infections can either trigger or contribute to CFS or fibromyalgia. These may include viruses such as Epstein Barr or herpes, or bacterial infections, including Lyme disease. They can be identified and treated.

Other contributing conditions

In response to a chronic infection, the immune system can cause a special type of clotting disorder called “coagulation.” Instead of producing blood clots, it generates a coating on the insides of blood vessels. This coating interferes with delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body, contributing to chronic fatigue. It can be treated with anti-coagulants.

Neurotoxins, such as mercury or other metals lodged in the brain, can also contribute to CFS and fibromyalgia. If suspected, these can be detected by brain scans and treated with chelating agents to eliminate the toxins.

The key to effective treatment

Doctors who are trained in our CFS and fibromyalgia protocol look for and treat all the factors underlying these diseases. This approach relieves symptoms while enabling healing.

Every aspect of our multi-system approach is supported by clinical research. And, thousands of patients have experienced the results.

Handouts

Studies

Testimonials

Tina L.I have complete trust in this group and went for it and that's what really cured me...

Erin S.

• I went to several specialists before finding the Holtorf Medical Group and my symptoms were dismissed as simply “getting older”, “it’s due to stress” or “you must be depressed”...

  Margie W.

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• I want to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Holtorf and Dr. Laufer for their true compassion and understanding that they and the staff have given me...

  Linda C.

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• As your new patient, I can’t begin to thank you enough for your outstanding attention, generosity, care, and thorough explanation of my thyroid condition...

  Elizabeth M.

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• After seeing 3 other doctors (over a 5 year period)for Hashimoto thyroid disease treatment, I finally found Dr. Holtorf (thank God!)...

  Ilene G.

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• Dr. Holtorf was able to improve my thyroid condition even though I had already been treated for this condition for 20+ years. Dr. Holtorf was able to treat my under treated thyroid problem and I have never felt better...

  Myrna M.

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• For the tired and pained...

  Charla C.

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• I would like to tell of my extremely positive experience with Dr. Holtorf. I was diagnosed with hypothyroid about 6 years ago. To make a long story short, I was originally placed on Synthroid and did not feel much better...

  Lynda P.

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• Dr. Holtorf saved me from a life of misery. I was told by my doctor that I had hyperthyroidism based on a low TSH and was sent to an endocrinologist...

  Scott G.

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• Dr. Holtorf looks beyond the typical thyroid blood work. He focuses on your symptoms and looks for other causes that can contribute to thyroid problems...

  Jane D.

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• I am writing to express my sincere thanks to everyone at the offices of Holtorf Medical Group, Inc. Over the past few years, dealing with the consequences of hormonal changes during perimenopause has been quite stressful, and for me life-threatening.

  Carl W. M.D. (Medical Doctor)

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• I am writing to express my sincerest gratitude to you and your team at the Hormone and Longevity Medical Center...

  Charmian P.

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• I had suffered for 7 years with extremely poor health: constant migraines, severe pain throughout my body, extreme fatigue and lack of energy, poor sleep patterns, weight gain, just to name a few...

  Tina L.

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• I have been a patient of Dr. Wightman for about two years now and have always been impressed with his kindness. I feel well taken care of both physically and emotionally...

  Candace P.

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• In 1992, I began having symptoms of overwhelming fatigue, dizziness, muscle stiffness, widespread body pain, mental confusion, flu like feeling, etc., etc. Naturally, I went to the doctor, and then to many doctors...

  Nancy S.

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• I am writing this to express my gratitude for the way I feel. I can’t explain the incredible change I feel since I started with you just two months ago...

  Debra M.

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• For about five years of my life I was exhausted, and everyone blamed it on my erratic sleep patterns due to my business. My father was the only one who said to me, “You’re in your early 20’s, and shouldn’t be this tired.”...

  Katee S.

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• Erin S.

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• I have complete trust in this group and went for it and that's what really cured me...

  Tina L.

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• Thanks for bringing good health to your patients for teaching others to do the same...

  Katheryn M.

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• I have also been seeing Dr. Camilleri and I finally feel like my old self again...

  Karlita W.

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• I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Wightman and the Holtorf staff. They are extremely thorough, each appointment is satisfying (I never have felt rushed)...

  Krystal C.

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• I see Dr. Holtorf at Holtorf Medical Group and I also cannot say enough about them...

  Beth M.

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• I have never had so much hope and promise as I had on the day where I found Dr. Holtorf’s website; I read all of the information, research, and his treatment protocol. I could not believe that I had finally found a doctor that could treat all of my s

  Natalie M.

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• This clinic was able to diagnosis my problem when no one else would dig deep enough...

  Rhonda N.

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• I wish I found you 10 years ago....

  Liza S.

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• I am so grateful to Dr. Holtorf! I have received such exceptional care am so much improved after being through the ringer with so many physicians saying they cannot help me. I recommend the group to everyone I meet.

  Rachel S.

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• I went to several specialists before finding the Holtorf Medical Group and my symptoms were dismissed as simply “getting older”, “it’s due to stress” or “you must be depressed”. I was made to feel I was crazy and offered little more than an antidepre

  Margie W.

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• I got a natural bioidentical serotonin (actual serotonin) shot and then driving home I noticed my eyes seemed “open" and a fog lifted from my brain. But the biggest miracle is that all the pain in the left side of my neck was gone and as of today

  Karen M.

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• Dr. Laufer and the Holtorf Medical team have true compassion and understanding. I have only met one other physician in my life, so far, that has that same attitude toward their patients....

  Cindy L.

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• The Holtorf Group is such a wonderful blessing...

  Sarah L.

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• As a 51 year old Registered Nurse, I thought I had access to the best physicians. In the span of one year, I saw 21 physicians and had to quit nursing. For the next year, I was confided to my apartment due to the symptoms and impairments of CFS. Once

  Demetra W.

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• My doctors practically called me a liar when I told them what I ate. I would lose a little only to gain a lot...

  Darla L.

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• I went through 6 doctors searching for answers...

  Anonymous

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Media

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  Dr. Kent Holtorf: “Fibromyalgia: The Diet Connection”

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  Dr. Kent Holtorf: “Invisible Pain: Special techniques help fibromyalgia and fatigue patients”

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  Dr. Kent Holtorf: “10 Diet Commandments for Pain Patients”

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  Dr. Kent Holtorf: “Steroid for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?”

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  Dr. Kent Holtorf: “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Fighting Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with a Natural Energy Diet”

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  Dr. Kent Holtorf: “XMRV Virus and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome”

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  Dr. Kent Holtorf: Hope for Those Suffering From Fibromyalgia

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  Dr. Kent Holtorf: “Mouse Virus in Some Humans May Be Linked to Chronic Fatigue”

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• 

  Dr. Kent Holtorf: “Why am I so Tired?”

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  Dr. Kent Holtorf: “Confronting Enigma and Stigma of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome”

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• 

  Dr. Kent Holtorf: “Culprit: A Stealth Sickness”

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