Having battled Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FMS) firsthand, and experiencing a healthcare system that had no clear solutions, I truly understand what you’re going through. However, I also know that recovery is possible!

In 1975, during medical school, I was struck with what I call the “Drop Dead Flu,” which triggered my CFS/FMS. As I was working to pay my own way through school, the illness led to homelessness, and I ended up sleeping in parks in Oklahoma. Despite this, life brought me exactly what I needed. While homeless, I encountered many natural health practitioners who shared key pieces of knowledge that helped me recover—and I did!

Sadly, about 90% of people with chronic fatigue syndrome go undiagnosed, despite living with the condition.

After returning to medical school, I spent over 30 years researching and treating chronic fatigue and chronic pain, particularly CFS and fibromyalgia. Our published research on the “SHINE Protocol” shows a 91% improvement rate, with hundreds of thousands of people benefiting from it.

You can be one of them!

Ready to Get Well?

Our study, “Effective Treatment of CFS and Fibromyalgia,” published in the Journal of CFS, revealed that 91% of patients improved, with an average quality of life increase of 90%. Many patients no longer met the criteria for CFS or fibromyalgia after treatment.

In an editorial from the Journal of the American Academy of Pain Management—the largest multidisciplinary pain specialists society in the U.S.—they praised the “comprehensive and aggressive metabolic approaches” detailed in the Teitelbaum study, noting how successful they are in treating fibromyalgia. The editorial emphasized that this approach should be part of the standard treatment for fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.

These same principles can also significantly improve daily energy levels for those dealing with everyday fatigue.

What Causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FMS)?

CFS/FMS acts like a “circuit breaker” in the body, where the hypothalamus reduces its function in response to overwhelming stress, similar to how a fuse blows to protect a house. This part of the brain controls essential functions like sleep, hormones, temperature, blood flow, and sweating. When muscles lack enough energy, they can get stuck in a contracted state, causing pain (similar to rigor mortis). This “energy crisis” can stem from infections, stress, or injuries.

Five Main Categories to Address: The SHINE Protocol

To reset this “circuit breaker” and alleviate fatigue and pain, five key areas need treatment:

1. Sleep: The hypothalamus controls sleep, so patients often need a combination of natural and prescription sleep aids. Getting 8–9 hours of restorative sleep is critical for recovery. Begin with natural therapies and supplements.
2. Hormonal Deficiencies: Since the hypothalamus regulates hormones, treating these deficiencies is vital. Often, standard blood tests do not reflect hypothalamic suppression, so treatments with natural thyroid, adrenal, ovarian, and testicular hormones might be necessary even when blood tests are normal. Low thyroid is particularly common and should be treated if symptoms suggest it.
3. Infections: Immune system dysfunction in CFS/FMS may lead to unusual infections, including viruses, parasites, antibiotic-sensitive bacteria, and fungal/Candida infections. Identifying and treating these infections is crucial for recovery.
4. Nutritional Supplementation: Nutrient deficiencies are widespread in people with CFS/FMS. A daily multivitamin and ribose supplementation can significantly improve energy levels. Ribose has been shown to boost energy by 45% in just three weeks, with a larger study reporting a 59% energy increase.
5. Exercise: Start with light walking, even if it’s only for a couple of minutes. Gradually increase the time as you feel able. After 10 weeks of treatment, aim to walk up to one hour daily, and then begin to increase the intensity of your exercise routine.

Additional Resources for Support

• The Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers, located across the U.S., specialize in treating CFS/FMS and can connect you with trained physicians.
• The Online Symptom Analysis Program, a free tool I developed, can analyze your symptoms and provide a personalized SHINE treatment protocol to support your recovery.

We wish you all the best and many blessings on your healing journey!