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People who have Problems with "Bugs" (Microorganisms or Pathogens).

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Bugs, bugs, bugs, the wonderful world of bugs! It is NOT a wonderful world of bugs for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) sufferers afflicted by them. By bugs I mean microorganisms or pathogens.

From the beginning of the investigation into the cause of CFS, microorganisms have been carefully considered. But no real consensus seems to have emerged as yet. Evidence of higher incidences of microorganisms in CFS sufferers has been found, but it has not been clear if this is simply because they are more susceptible to infection than the average person. There is no single pathogen that I know of that has been consistently found in over 90% of CFS sufferers.

One of the problems is that there are so many types, sub-types and sub-sub-types of microorganisms. Another problem is that, as advanced as medicine may be, the regular tests for the presence of microorganisms are seldom near 100% reliability. Further, by conventional means, we can test for only a relatively small number of the endless possibilities.

So, how can we practically tackle this area of pathogens and CFS? In my experience microorganisms are looming larger and larger as a major cause of CFS. But it is not any one specific bug, although there are some that do stand out. It seems that a cocktail of pathogens may be the problem. It may even turn out that it is pathogens that set off the acetaldehyde problem -- by attacking the muscle mitochondria. It may also be a micro-organism that causes the misshaping of red blood cells discussed elsewhere on this web site (Mycoplasma has already been suggested as the cause of this in one article I read). Also bowel dysbiosis , of course, has to do with bugs.

What are some of the nasty critters that could be adding up to cause CFS? I think they may include (in no special order except for Mycoplasma and possibly a modified Brucella):

Mycoplasma (many varieties) - NOT just Mycoplasma pneumoniae. See http://www.nexusmagazine.com/mycoplasma.html for information on the alleged role of engineered Mycoplasma and CFS.
Brucella - modified type. For the alleged role of Brucella/visna virus in Gulf War Syndrome (which is basically the same as CFS in my opinion) please see http://www.cazekiel.org/harbinger/archive/syndrome.htm

Adenovirus
Coxsackie virus
Simian virus 40 (SV 40) which contaminated early batches of polio vaccine.
Rickettsia (several varieties)
Borrelia burgdorferi (the cause of Lyme disease)
Chlamydia
Epstein Barr virus
Plasmodium? (Malaria)
Worms and other parasites.
Toxoplasmosis
Giardia
Candida albicans (See Do I have chronic candidiasis?)
Trichinosis (caught from eating pig)
Amoebiasis (intestinal) eg. Entamoeba histolytica

One organism that has been definitely associated with (at least) regional pain syndrome (head, neck, shoulders, arms) is a toxin producing strain of coagulase negative Staphylococcus aureus (TConS) that inhabits the nose. I am told that the toxin produced by this bug is powerful and can bore holes through cell walls. The work on this has been done by members of the collaborative pain research committee at Newcastle University, Australia. They have a test you can do for this bug (a normal swab is not much good). Treatment involves a special course of different antibiotic creams (eg. tobramycin, mupirocin, bacitracin & neomycin, chloramphenicol) applied in the opening of the nose with a cotton bud. The antibiotic creams usually used for eyes or ears are very useful. I have found that this appears to be a significant microorganism for some of my CFS patients. A good clue that this TConS bug could be a problem is recurrent nasal or sinus symptoms with a preponderance of face, head, neck and shoulder pain. For one of my patients, with quite a lot of sinus problems and who could not afford the test, we just treated them empirically with alternating weeks of different topical antibiotics applied with a cotton bud to about the first half centimeter (1/4 inch) of the nose. She has improved but we are not sure if it was this treatment or some other thing we were doing. The recommendation is to continue the alternating topical cream treatment for four months.

Another point of interest found on urine amino acid analyses is high citrate outputs in CFS patients. High citrate output has been shown to be associated with the leaching of cations from the body. Cations include potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc and others. So supplementing with these can be very helpful. Modern "western" diets tend to be deficient in potassium and magnesium, which would aggravate the problem. Potassium may currently be the most under-rated of these minerals when it come to CFS treatment. High dose potassium supplementation needs to be monitored by blood tests as too high a level in the blood can be dangerous. Potassium supplements (in Australia at least) are relatively cheap if supplied on prescription.

How are we to battle this possible cocktail of bugs, many of which we cannot, by common means, test for accurately? It seems to me that the most effective way may be to make use of a neglected area of medicine known as electromedicine. Since this area is still considered experimental and theoretical, you would be using it at your own risk! Note: I have used on myself the Robert Beck "zapper" and "magnetic pulser" without any problems and personally favor these devices over other more "amazing" devices. I understand the magnetic pulsar has been approved officially in Canada for muscle problem treatment by physiotherapists.

Of course, you will need to also follow the Basics of a Healthy Lifestyle.

Other considerations for treating pathogens:

1. For some infective agents orthodox antimicrobial therapy can be very important. Discuss this with your doctor.

2. For all infections the main aim is to boost in the natural immune system. Again don't forget the Basics of a Healthy Lifestyle. -- this is extremely important. Correct any nutritional deficiencies. Zinc and iron are particularly important.

3. Make sure the bowels are clear of parasites. Consider stool tests but get at least three and remember they may still not pick up a parasite in the system. I suggest using mebendazole if you are not confident that worms are absent. Take the full 100mg twice a day for three days if you have been to the tropics and need to kill worms other than the common threadworm (which is just a single dose). Follow instructions on the packet to avoid reinfection and treat all family members.

4. Olive leaf extract (active ingredient oleuropein). Olive leaf extract is active against a wide array of pathogenic bacteria, viruses and worms. The best product (in my opinion) available in Australia, and the only one I recommend is available from "Olive Leaf Australia" at 07- 5424 6771 in Australia and 0061-7- 5424 6771 from overseas (have your credit card available). Or send an e-mail to oliveleaf@hypermax.net.au. Their product is very reasonably priced, contains no alcohol and is very high in oleuropein. (I am not paid by them for giving this recommendation!). Especially to be recommended with persistent viral infections such as Ebstein Barr (glandular fever) and Ross River.

5. Colloidal silver. You will need your own generator to make enough because you will need to take e.g. a glass twice a day.

6. Astralgus. Standard dose.

7. An extract of American ginseng marketed in Australia by Bioceuticals ( www.fit.net.au ) and called "Cold-FX".

8. The herb Andrographis paniculata.

9. Oral vitamin C (bowel tolerance levels ie. taking increased doses until it causes loose motions and then cutting back a bit) and even intravenous vitamin C may be helpful.

10. Beneficial bowel flora may need replacing after (or while) using some of the above agents. Example are Symbiotique^â and prodofilus^â, from www.fit.net.au.

11. Hydrotherapy fever treatments can be useful in fighting off viral and other infections. Take a bath once a day as hot as you can stand it -- but don't overdo it!. Stay in for several minutes while keeping the head cool with an ice pack on the forehead and ice cubes to suck. Follow the bath with a cool shower. Then dry off and lie down in bed for at least half an hour. You may need an assistant for this especially when you get out of the bath as you can feel very drained with the heat. Viruses do not like the hot temperatures. You must keep the head cool to avoid a depressive feeling and headache afterwards. You must be careful not to overdo this treatment.

12. See also glyco-nutrients page

The general areas to consider are:

1. People that have an already recognized (orthodox) disorder that remains undiagnosed.

2. People that have Aldehyde Dehydrogenase deficiency/malfunction. (rare in my experience).

3. People who have problems with "bugs". (often a periferal matter in my experience)

4. People who have several different problems that all add up to a CFS illness. (rare, I think)

5. People who have a mixture of one or more of the above.

The contents of this web page may be freely copied and distributed on the condition that it is copied and distributed in its entirety. Please ask if you want to use just part of it.

Last modified: 21 Sept 2005

Disclaimer: These notes are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Such advice should be obtained personally from a qualified health professional. If you have fibromyalgia or CFS I do not advise following any of the suggestions contained herein without first consulting a suitably qualified health professional.

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