with Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.
My mother has MAI [Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare], which is a bacterial infection of her lungs. After being misdiagnosed and not given the proper medication to fight and kill this infection she was treated by other doctors. Now the problem is her severe under weight problem. She use to be 100-110 pounds. Now she is barely 80 pounds with an appetite that varies. How can I supplement her diet with nutrients and vitamins to help her out so she can get better, get her appetite back and gain some of her weight back? Vitamin pills bother her stomach. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Dr. Teitelbaum’s response:
I would use high fat (not high sugar) foods – eggs, pastas, chocolate, bread, etc. – to help her gain weight. A medication called periactin can also act as an appetite stimulant. Her doctor should also look for other causes of weight loss. MAI can be hard to eradicate, and I would want a second opinion from a university based infectious disease doctor given the continued weight loss. Seeing a nutritionist is also helpful. I would recommend 1/4 – 1/2 scoop of the Energy Revitalization System vitamin powder (available at endfatigue.com) as tolerated 1-2 x day. Powders can be easily adjusted and are better tolerated than pills. You can mix it in yogurt or make a smoothie with it as well.
SHINE represents four areas of health issues that need to be addressed when creating a treatment program. These health issues and their roles in treating CFS/FM are as follows:
S = SLEEP: Get adequate sleep, preferably eight to nine hours a night. Sleep replenishes the body's energy and heals its muscles. Inadequate sleep will leave you exhausted and in pain.
H = HORMONES: Get tested for hormone deficiency and treated if needed. Hormone deficiencies can contribute to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
I = INFECTIONS: Get treatment when symptoms of infections occur. The lack of restorative sleep in CFS/FM leads to dysfunctional immune systems. Underlying viral, bacterial, bowel, sinus and yeast infections are common and can be a contributing cause or result of CFS/FM.
N = NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Optimal nutritional supplementation is essential. Many nutrients can be depleted as a result of CFS/FM. B-12, magnesium, Acetyl L Carnitine and glutathione, as well as your basic A, B, C and D vitamins need to be supplemented at a level that your average over the counter multivitamin cannot provide.
E = EXERCISE: Exercise as able. After 10 weeks on the 4 steps above, you will be able to slowly increase your exercise—without being wiped out the next day!
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posted on January 23, 2008 | 833 views | tags: CFS, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, FMS, MAI, mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, periactin
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