…article continued.
Another remarkable herbal development has also recently come available: Ginseng – the Asian Miracle Recovers. For over a millennium, ginseng has been the most popular herb in China and much of Asia. Unfortunately, the overharvesting of wild ginseng led to its becoming insanely expensive. The newer farmed ginsengs often just didn’t work as well, so its popularity started to wane.
Old wild ginseng produces over 50 different ginsenosides, as a protective response to the insect attacks and difficult weather. But these are usually not found in most farmed ginseng. But now, a unique new hydroponic farming technique that reproduces the plant’s challenges faced in the wild has allowed grown ginseng to have the same active component profile as the old wild plants, creating new health possibilities, including in this situation.
The key active ginsenosides are found in red ginseng, which is made from the whole root and then steamed. But these then need to be converted to what are called “rare (or noble) ginsenosides” to be able to be absorbed and active. Unfortunately, the levels of these in current farmed ginseng is very low. So, they can be helpful, but nowhere near as much as the old popular wild ginseng.
But I was astounded at the effectiveness of this new form of HRG80™ red ginseng (available as Red Ginseng Energy –from EuroMedica and sold at Emerson Ecologics and Fullscript). I tried one of the capsules myself and I could feel the effectiveness within minutes. In fact, even though I feel great, I take it myself on days that my schedule is very busy. It keeps my energy and mental clarity very solid, with no waning. I recommend that you get a bottle yourself and try it! The people I treat routinely found the same effect, so I recently completed a third study, looking at its use in individuals dealing with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, or persistent post-viral exhaustion.
Sixty percent of the CFS and fibromyalgia population in our study improved with the HRG80 red ginseng. Here’s what the findings showed. In our recent study25 of 188 people, about 40% had onset of symptoms post-viral infection. About 60% improved showing an average (p <.0001 for each outcome measure):
- 67 % increase in energy
- 44 % increase in overall well-being
- 48 % improvement in mental clarity
- 58 % composite improvement in the above 3 (primary outcome measure)
- 46 % improvement in sleep
- 33 % decrease in pain
- 72 % increase in stamina
The HRG80 red ginseng (Red Ginseng Energy from EuroMedica – Emerson Ecologics and Fullscript) is the form I recommend. One or two capsules in the morning. May repeat a second dose at lunch.
I am completing a fourth study looking at a mix of six nutrients/herbs which has also been very helpful. But that data is still being analyzed, so I will save that discussion for a future article.
When emailing me at FatigueDoc@gmail.com for the free treatment tools, I can also send you the study reports for the above.
Two other medical treatments out of the Stanford CFS clinic are also showing a lot of promise. The first would be low doses of the anti-schizophrenia medication Abilify, using just 1/8 to 2 milligrams a day instead of the 15-30 mg dosing used for psychosis. More details can be found in their study26 and feel free to email me and request an article I wrote on ultra-low dose Abilify as well.
For stubborn cases, including cases where people developed debilitation from the vaccine itself, we are starting to see benefits from a three-drug combination (Ivermectin, a statin and an AIDS medication) being researched at Stanford. This is too new to be discussed here, as the data is very early. But it is promising, and by the time this article is published, I should have more data to share.
The bottom line? A comprehensive treatment approach helps most people with persistent post-COVID symptoms improve dramatically, and they can often recover full health.
Addressing the Individual Key Organs – Heart, Lungs, and Brain
People are understandably frightened. They have shortness of breath and presume their lungs are damaged beyond repair. They have palpitations with the shortness of breath and are convinced they have heart failure. Meanwhile, given the “brain fog” common with post-viral CFS/fibromyalgia, many are convinced they have permanent brain damage as well.
What I’m finding is that, by and large, they don’t. It is important that people be assessed, and then be given accurate information. This usually turns out to calm them considerably—especially as they improve with treatment.
One of the most important tools you can recommend for people with these symptoms is a simple $20 pulse oximeter available on Amazon. Quality varies, and I have found the ZacVrate brand to be helpful and reliable for home use.
Let people know to simply check the oxygen saturation using the pulse oximeter when they are short of breath. If it is over 95%, especially if oxygen saturation increases with walking, it is not likely to be coming from severe heart or lung damage. Most often it is coming from anxiety. In addition, breathlessness is a common non-heart/lung symptom of fibromyalgia. Interestingly, an old study by the Korean acupuncturist Neoh Aum Chu found that stimulating three acupuncture points on the back of the skull could make the breathlessness in fibromyalgia go away. So can the pulse oximeter and its reassurance.
But many do have significant post-COVID organ involvement. When this is present and significant, here’s how to help it.
Cardiac Involvement
In a cohort of 100 German patients recently recovered from infection, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) revealed cardiac involvement in 78% and ongoing myocardial inflammation in 60%. Cardiac involvement occurred irrespective of infection severity.27
But again, this does not mean that the cardiac involvement is causing their symptoms. If their oxygen saturation goes over 95% and increases with exercise while the breathlessness is worsening, it is unlikely that the shortness of breath is cardiac. Palpitations are also routine in fibromyalgia despite healthy cardiac function, and usually are PVC’s or a pounding heart from excess adrenaline tone. Both of which are usually benign (although they should be evaluated) and resolve with treatment.
But for those who do have a decreased ejection fraction or symptoms of heart failure (from most causes), here is a simple recipe that can leave them feeling dramatically better in six weeks. It increases cardiac muscle efficiency:
- Ribose, 5 g of the powder three times a day;
- Coenzyme Q 10 (ubiquinol or ubiquinone) 200+ milligrams daily;
- B Complex 50 mg;
- Magnesium, 150+ milligrams (if kidney function is okay);
- Also consider acetyl l-carnitine, one thousand milligrams twice a day.
If evidence of decreased cardiac function or the need to increase efficiency persists despite these, see other recommendations under “Heart” in the Cures A-Z Phone App
Persistent Lung Damage Improves Gradually After COVID-19
Fortunately, lung damage with ARDS, including post-SARS, tends to improve and often resolves after two years.28 So often, all that is needed is reassurance and the pulse oximeter so they can see improvement over time. Several treatments may help to speed this lung healing along. I usually simply begin with the Curaphen (2 caps three times a day) plus Clinical Glutathione (1 cap twice a day) discussed above. In more severe cases, I consider colchicine (6 mg twice a day) and other anti-fibrotic agents.29
Post-Viral Brain Involvement
Given what we are seeing from numerous other forms of post-viral CFS/fibromyalgia, the brain fog does not likely represent long-term brain injury. Rather it represents the decreased blood flow in the brain from the orthostatic intolerance discussed above, microglial activation, persistent free radical irritation, and alterations in temporal blood flow (contributing to the difficulty with word finding and substitution). But people with the condition are understandably afraid that they have suffered permanent brain damage. You can reassure them that with a high probability their cognitive function will recover with the protocol.
We routinely find that the brain fog resolves with the SHINE Protocol, using the Recovery Factors and HRG80 Red Ginseng, addressing the immune and free radical activation, and settling down the microglial activation with low-dose naltrexone (3–4.5 mg at bedtime) or other nonprescription alternatives.
A Few Other Persistent Problems
Although there are countless other problems and symptoms which may persist, most are treatable. Loss of taste and smell seems to be the hardest to eliminate currently. But a few considerations follow.
COVID-19 may reduce fertility in men.30 Increasing both male and female fertility can be done naturally and very effectively. Although beyond the scope of this article, simply email me (FatigueDoc@gmail.com) for the free “Infertility Information Sheet.”
Although there does tend to be persistent loss of some taste and smell, over time, these do usually improve quite a bit. An analysis showed that at five months, average smell ratings were 8.98 before infection, 2.85 during the acute phase, and 7.41 after five months.31 I add 50 mg of zinc a day for three months. In men, I add 25,000 units of the retinol form of vitamin A. (CAUTION: doses of vitamin A over 8000 units a day can cause birth defects in pregnant women!)
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may occur in up to a third of patients who recover from severe COVID-19 infection,32 as can other severe emotional traumas. Although beyond the scope of this article, the new fourth edition of From Fatigued to Fantastic discusses how to heal emotional trauma, including PTSD, at length.
Hyperthyroidism is sometimes present with elevated free T4’s and decreased thyroid scan uptake in 15% post-COVID.33
Conclusion
CFS and fibromyalgia, especially following COVID, can be very frightening to the people affected and challenging for the practitioners treating them. The good news? Although complex conditions, they can be effectively treated and often eliminated.
Some Common Post-COVID Symptoms
Symptoms are not limited to cough, fever, and shortness of breath:
Other widely reported symptoms span neurological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and other systems, and include the following15:
- Fatigue (reported by 81.3% of respondents);
- Chills/sweats (75.9%);
- Body aches (73.9%);
- Headache (72.2%);
- Brain fog and concentration issues (68.6%);
- Gastrointestinal issues (66.9%);
- Trouble sleeping (66.1%);
- Dizziness (60.6%).
References
1. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/415378
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33367564/
3. Shelokov A, et al. Epidemic neuromyasthenia: an outbreak of poliomyelitislike illness in student nurses. N Engl J Med. 1957;257: 345-355.
4. Poskanzer DC, et al. Epidemic neuromyasthenia: an outbreak in Punta Gorda, Florida. N Engl J Med. 1957;257: 356-364.
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6. Moldofsky H, Patcai J. Chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, depression and disordered sleep in chronic post-SARS syndrome; a case-controlled study. BMC Neurol. 2011;11:37.
7. Sejvar JJ, et al. Neurocognitive and functional outcomes in persons recovering from West Nile virus illness. J Neuropsychol. 2008; 2: 477-99.
8. Seet RC, Quek,AM, Lim EC. Post-infectious fatigue syndrome in dengue infection. J Clin Virol. 2007; 38: 1-6.
9. Epstein L, et al. Post-Ebola signs and symptoms in U.S. survivors. N Engl J Med. 2015;373: 2483-4.
10. Hickie I, et al. Post-infective and chronic fatigue syndromes precipitated by viral and non-viral pathogens: prospective cohort study. BMJ. 2006;333: 575-8.
12. Persistent fatigue following SARS-CoV-2 infection is common and independent of severity of initial infection. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.07.29.20164293v1
14. https://report.nih.gov/funding/categorical-spending#/
15. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EPU9DAc6HhVUrdvjWuSRVmAkEiOagyUV/view
16. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2020.606824/full?s=03
17. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
18. https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20210426/nba-study-shows-persistent-positive-cases-do-not-transmit-covid19-after-recovery?utm_source=selligent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news&M_BT=4145820660340
19. Long COVID Brings Welcome Attention to POTS. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/948174?src=mkm_covid_update_210326_MSCPEDIT&uac=326215CX&impID=3274951&faf=1#vp_1
20. Tachycardia Syndrome May Be a Distinct Marker for Long COVID. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/956553 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/948174?src=mkm_covid_update_210326_MSCPEDIT&uac=326215CX&impID=3274951&faf=1#vp_1
21. Teitelbaum JE and Bird B, Effective Treatment of Severe Chronic Fatigue: A Report of a Series of 64 Patients. Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain. 1995;3 (4): 91–110. http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J094v03n04_11
22. Teitelbaum JE, et al. Effective Treatment of CFS and FMS: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Study. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 2001;8(2):3-28.
23. Teitelbaum J, Morello G, Goudie S. Nutritional Intervention in Post viral Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia (CFS/FMS). A Unique Porcine Serum Polypeptide Nutritional Supplement. Submitted for publication.
24. Teitelbaum J, Morello G, Goudie S. Nutritional Intervention in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia (CFS/FMS) A Unique Porcine Serum Polypeptide Nutritional Supplement. The Open Pain Journal, December 31, 2020, Volume 13:52.
25. Teitelbaum J, Goudie S. HRG80™ Red Ginseng – An Effective Intervention for Energy, Using CFS, Fibromyalgia, and Post Viral Fatigue as a Model. Study submitted for publication
26. https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-021-02721-9
27. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/fullarticle/2768916
28. Persistent Lung Damage Improves Gradually After COVID-19 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/937263?src=mkm_covid_update_200911_mscpedit_&uac=326215CX&impID=2560532&faf=1#vp_1
29. Chaudhary S, et al. Antifibrotics in COVID-19 Lung Disease: Let Us Stay Focused. Front. Med., 09 September 2020 https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2020.00539
30. https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20210129/covid19-reduces-fertility-in-men-study-suggests
31. Loss of Smell Lingers Post COVID. Https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/946283?src=mkm_covid_update_210223_MSCPEDIT&uac=326215CX&impID=3209315&faf=1
32. PTSD Prevalent in Survivors of Severe COVID-19 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/946456?src=mkm_covid_update_210225_MSCPEDIT&uac=326215CX&impID=3214071&faf=1
33. COVID-19 Can Cause Atypical Thyroid Inflammation https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/947824
BIO:
Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, is one of the most frequently quoted integrative, pain and fibromyalgia medical authorities in the world. He is the author of 10 books, including the best-selling From Fatigued to Fantastic! (Penguin/Avery 2021) . He is the lead author of seven studies on effective treatment for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, and several textbook chapters. Dr. Teitelbaum appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide, including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and FoxNewsHealth. Learn more at www.Vitality101.com.
