CFS started in 1994 (age 28), followed by various conditions since then. I've seen about 40 main stream doctors for my conditions, but they've never been able to help me. In 2007 I finally went to a naturopathic doctor. I've gained more mentally and physically with a naturopathic approach than I dreamed possible! My quality of life is so much better than it was previously, even with the disabilities I still experience. My biggest delimmas are heat intolerance & dehydration (which might actually be an electrolyte imbalance(and/or low thyroid?) as mentioned in Long bio (a 10 min read).

1994: age 28: CFS (fatigue, colds) - fatigue severe 6 mnths, tapered in 2yrs. Colds severe 1-2yr, vulnerable another 3yrs. NOTE: Within yr previous to onset, I'd lived in Phoenix, AZ (hot & humid)-swamp cooling used inappropriately; created excessive humidity.  Maybe I was exposed to molds.  I was treated w/antibiotics multiple times yrly a couple yrs by internal med doc. NOTE2: family history: depression, stress, ocd (severe depression 85-87, 90-91).

1999: age 33: IBS (Soft Stools): (onset - stress): some things have helped: (1) magnesium changed from oxide to citrate in 2007, since then, (2) digestive enzyme beano, or other brand, which also digests fat & protein, (3) probiotics periodically, (4) redmond clay 1T daily in 8oz water 2/2012- has cured problem w/no side effect. NOTE: IBS worsens from heat & cold intolerance, stress, food sensativities, & when eat more than 25grm fiber. NOTE2: I've omitted magnesium & calcium supplementation from my diet several months to determine if these supplements are causing the problem, but they are not.

1999: age 33: Muscle weakness - severe (onset stress) - successfully treated ongoing w/plant based testosterone in 2007: 1mg. NOTE: must exercise so this hormone doesn't transform into a different hormone, which is always a challenge due to heat intolerance & dehydration. NOTE2: before I took testosterone, I often struggled w/carpal tunnel from as little as 10min. of data entry. Now, I don't have carpel tunnel. (detailed in my 10/10/10 post).

1999: age 33: Stiffness: Muscle/Tendon/Ligament/other tissue, often resulting in pain, strains, spasms, and tendonitis. (onset stress) - having great success  since 2009 using Concentrace (trace mineral drops); 40 drops in 10cups water daily, a sugarfree electrolyte supplement); has been LIFE changing for me. I don't leave home without it! Another helpful product by same company I've used during exercise; ENDURE (electrolyte replacement drops), not without side-effects for me). But without it, I've often felt dehydrated & stiff enough from exercise to merit chiropractic visits for back & hips. I've eliminated need for chiropractic since use of these two products by Trace Minerals Research! (detailed in my 10/10/10 post).

1999: age 33: Cognitive issues (short term memory-severe, slow thinking-severe, med & long term memory - somewhat effected): (onset - severe stress): successfully treated in 2000 w/b12 shot wkly, problems went away after 8wks. (diagnosis: pernicious anemia, b12 levels were 400, lowest that doctor had ever seen). I still take just in case. (detailed in my 10/10/10 post).

2000: age 34: Osteopenia found - worsening even with calcium/magnesium/d3. Maybe I'm taking wrong ratios - so many opinions makes my head spin. Even when I've had times of regular exercise, my test results keep climbing.

2001: age 34: Heat Intolerance (onset - after 6 months on Paxil 20mg for stress). diminished much after discontining Paxil in 2003, but, has continued to be severely disabling: my comfort range is 3-6 degrees; I prefer 74-76 degrees & for exercise 50-65 (pools 75-78). My helpful treatments: (I don't need ice now due to other treatments below, but in a pinch: Polar Ice (flexible ice pack 6"x12"). Since 2007: (1) vitamin D3 @ 2000mg daily, (2) bella donna 12c; also helps me sweat when I'd been unable to, (3) omit sugar, caffeine, foods I'm sensative to, (4) magnesium changed from oxide to citrate, (5) b12 injection changed from 1x mnthly to 1x wkly, (6) since 2009: Concentrace (trace mineral drops), (7) Endure (trace mineral drops) only for exercise, but not w/out side effects for me, (8) since 2007, testosterone 1mg; has had an effect (which I did not notice until recent change in dosage for 1mnth, which reduced some of my other treatment successes shown here; I've since gone back to 1mg dose a wk ago).(more detail in my 9/19/10 & 9/24/10 posts).

2001: Age 34: Urination frequency: No matter how much water I drink (which is my only beverage), I'm unable to eliminate dehydration I get from heat & cold intolerance, but I do reduce headaches & cramps w/such.  Frequent urination (unless I use Concentrace). NOTE: if I don't drink water for 3-6hrs, dehydration increases, often leading to rapid onset of yeast & bladder infections, narrowing my temperature comfort zone, & worsening my symptoms of heat & cold intolerance.

2001: Age 35: Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome found - heart condition (mild); (onset-unknown): Symptoms: infrequent dizziness, heart palpitations 5-10 min., jaw pain, sometimes nausia. NOTE: I've had these symptoms 1-2 times yearly.  Triggers: caffeine, sugar, or w/in 2 hrs of exercise. My successful treatment: omit caffeine & sugar. Once symptoms emerge, always successful for me, luckily: lie down & do deep breathing 5 min.; often 1st deep breath cycle resets my heart (i.e., inhale 4 counts, hold 7 counts, exhale 8 counts = 1 cycle).

2004: Age 38: Noise Sensativity (also known as hyperacusis): (onset - loud music, 1 month following father's death). Severe 6 months, tapered a bit in 2yrs. Still disabling, but have reduced severity, w/bella donna 12c daily or 2x wkly), omitting caffeine & sugar. NOTE: Hyperacusis.net members mention many successful treatments avail.; the site is liberating, & overwhelming. I almost tried a treatment recommended there=$10,000, but since my condition seems organic origin, this fact may reduce efficacy of that treatment. Currenty, the site boasts a $250. pinknoise therapy too; I might try some day.

2005: Age 38: TMJ: (onset-chiropractic adjustment w/ metal vibration tool to side of neck (referred to as the 'activator method' < of which I'm strongly opposed to now); other contributors: 4 mnths prior, rear ended at about 15-20mph, muscle weakness, body stiffness, dehydration, stress from family death 6 mnths prior. TMJ Severe 4 mnths, tapered after. Flares when dehydrated, stressed, pms, or food sensativities (i.e., sugar, caffeine, other). (detailed in my 10/10/10 post)

2005: Age 39: Dehydration (may be an electrolyte imbalance): (onset - after 6 mnths American Heart Assoc. Diet to lose 60 lbs. Perhaps fiber 40-60grms daily was too much for me, as I've had IBS 5yrs.  NOTE: 1st symptom was poor skin turgor (hands & face). Later noticed cold intolerance. My successful treatments (if I'm in temperature comfort zone): 2007: magnesium changed from oxide to citrate, and most helpful: 2009: Concentrace (trace mineral drops), 40 drops in10gls water. (detailed in my 9/19/10 & 9/24/10 posts).

2005: Age 39: Cold Intolerance: (onset-after 6 mnths American Heart Assoc. Diet): My successful treatment: Concentrace (trace mineral drops: 40 drops in 10 gls water), & omitting sugar, caffeine, foods I'm sensative or allergic to.

DOCTOR ASSESSMENTS: 2000-pernicious anemia; 2006-possible early coilloid goiter; 2007-exhausted adrenals

MY ASSESSMENTS: Since I tried ENDURE (electrolyte replacement for exercise), & Concentrace (trace mineral drops) used daily, I'm confident I suffer an electrolyte imbalance, perhaps caused by intermitent vitamin &/or mineral deficiencies, &/or hormone imbalance. I think I may have hypothyroidism per ohiorican's post re: this doctor's assessment:  http://www.holtorfmed.com/index.php?section=downloads&file_id=55, and that this condition, & a few others above can be linked to CFS per definition of CFS at research institution: Whittemore Peterson Intitute for Neuro-Immune Disease: http://www.wpinstitute.org/patient/patient_faqs.html.  NOTE: although my labs don't indicate hypothyroidism at this time, under doctor care I tried thyroid med low dose twice: 9/2011 & 1/2012, but due to significant adverse reactionm, I discontinued.

My muscle/tendon/ligament/other tissue stiffness and injury suseptibility, heat & cold intolerance, & dehydration all relate to eachother.  It is night & day for my body with & without Concentrace. (I just wish I could take more Concentrace without laxative side effect) due to increased hydration needs of exercise.

Due to health problems above, I have GREAT respect for mental health care supplementation, although I didn't address this fact with oral medications until 2000. While talk therapy & Paxil excasperated my stress, 5-HTP has been gold for me, and w/out side effects, although it has been known to cause some. I have interest in Holy Basil & SAMe as replacements to 5-HTP due to liver protection. My naturopath thinks Holy Basil might not be effective for those w/history of chronic severe stress.

It would bring me GREAT joy if my sharing what has helped me, could help one of you!