I have Sjogrens, Lupus, Fibromyalgia & Raynauds. When I first contacted you I was desperate for relief. My pains were almost completely gone after one month of using Banjo, and only came back (rather quickly) in a very “muted” state after I stopped using it. Meaning to say, that I know they are there but…
Growth hormone in fibromyalgia. Growth hormone is one of the numerous chemical mediators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA,) a very complex system that governs many functions, including the immune response to stress. Various abnormalities of the HPAA have been implicated in fibromyalgia, including abnormalities in the production and release of growth hormone. Some research has…
It is hard to describe a possible cause for all of the diverse symptoms of fibromyalgia without making reference to cytokines, especially the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8. Only pro-inflammatory cytokine excess offers a single, reasonable explanation for fatigue, sleep impairment, cognitive impairment (fibro-fog,) autonomic dysfunction (e.g.postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome – POTS,) depression, anxiety,…
Determining the minimum significant change in the FIQ score. The data from three clinical trials of pregabalin (Lyrica) in the treatment of fibromyalgia were analyzed. These trials involved over 2,200 patients. Because these trials assessed each patient using multiple tests, analysis of the data allowed for the comparison of FIQ score changes with other…
Cymbalta modestly improves total FIQ scores. Just over 200 subjects were enrolled in a 12 week placebo-controlled trial of Cymbalta (duloxetine.) Just under 90% were female and 38% had a concurrent diagnosis of major depression. Approximately half the trial participants received a placebo, while the remaining half received duloxetine 60 mg twice a day….
Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) appears superior to current FDA approved medications. An 8 week trial of sodium oxybate in the treatment of fibromyalgia resulted in a significant decrease in fibromyalgia impairment as measured by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ.) Among those receiving sodium oxybate, the 4.5 gm dose resulted in a 20.4 point reduction in…
Growth hormone deficiency in fibromyalgia. Growth hormone is one of the many chemical mediators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA,) a very complex regulatory system affecting nearly every bodily function but especially critical in homeostatic regulation of the stress response. Is growth hormone low in fibromyalgia? Some studies (including the second study referenced below) have shown…
I suffered with fibromyalgia for the past more than eight years; my doctor prescribed various medications which helped only minimally. Immediately after beginning to take Banjo (within 1-2 days) I noticed I no longer had the over-all pain and the burning and painful skin I had been experiencing. Within a few days I realized the IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) was almost entirely gone. Also, I no longer had a constant feeling of fatigue, and, miracle of miracles, I was able to go to sleep at night without taking any kind of a sleep-aid!
All in all I feel that Banjo has been very effective on my symptoms.
Within 10 days of starting Banjo I could feel more energy, and the pain was not as widespread. However, I continued to have sleep issues for the entire first month.
During the second month my pain and fatigue were much further reduced. Even my sleep improved quite a bit.
Thank you so much Dr. Steve!
Jo Ann McFarland
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that affects approximately 5 million individuals in the United States. These individuals comprise an estimated 5%–6% of all patients in primary care clinics and 10%–20% of all rheumatology outpatients. Those with fibromyalgia experience significant impairment in quality of life, disability, and incur total health care costs that are three…
Elevation of cytokines in fibromyalgia, including IL-8, provides evidence in support of an inflammatory hypothesis. With exercise, the level of circulating markers of inflammation, including IL-8, are shown to decrease in fibromyalgia. It is well established that exercise reduces inflammation generally. Fibromyalgia symptom response to exercise is consistent with, and supports, the inflammatory hypothesis in…
Substantial evidence has accumulated that cytokines, especially IL-8, may play an important role in the initiation and progression of fibromyalgia.
Cytokines are small molecules that serve as inter-cellular messengers. There are many different types, each with multiple, diverse and sometimes overlapping functions. Understanding of cytokine function is limited, but cytokines are known to play an important role in regulating the immune system.
Alterations in cytokine levels (cytokine dysregulation) has been linked to sleep disorders, hyperalgesia (excess sensitivity to pain signals), stress, ‘aching’, anxiety and cognitive difficulties (e.g. such as with “fibro fog”.)
On investigation, the level of IL-8 in fibromyalgia patients was 300% of that found in healthy controls. Furthermore, only IL-8 levels were shown to increase over time.
Yes, Yes, Thank you so much! I had immediate improvement and within 2 days back to being able to do what I did while on banjo before and no more naps!!!!!! God bless for the extra supply and I will be going back to the Banjo website and order when my supply runs out this…
Fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome frequently occur together (they are frequently “co-morbid”.) Up to around 40% of those with fibromyalgia have irritable bowel syndrome (reported figures vary from around 30% to around 60% or even higher.) And up to around 30% of those with irritable bowel syndrome have fibromyalgia.
What might account for this frequent association?
Banjo has given me hope again.
Because of Banjo I can be the momma I want to be without the pain that comes with fibromyalgia.
Thank you Dr Steve for giving me my life back!!!!
- Julie M.
Two months have passed since Banjo came into my life.
Overall my experience with banjo has been very good. I feel like I have my life back. Also, I have found that most of the time I only need to use one Banjo each day, using more when I have a flare, very infrequent now.
Thanks, Dr Steve, for giving me my life back. Before you introduced me to Banjo, life was full of pain and hopeless. Now I’m even considering having one more child (My fiancee’s first) thanks to the fact that I’m feeling so much better.
The answer is simple. A lot of men actually do have fibromyalgia – but technically, officially, many don’t. At least not according to the most widely recognized diagnostic criteria, which defines fibromyalgia in such a way that few men qualify (official diagnosis) but a lot of men almost qualify (they have the same condition, but…
I am now 55 years old and was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia when I was 50. I have had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since I was 45 and for the last three years have dealt with chronic pressure headaches of which took a year to find a medication that would help (not alleviate) the pain and pressure.
I now have only mild pain, whereas I used to have daily severe pain. I also have a lot more energy and a lot less fatigue. Finally, I’ve noticed a big improvement in my sleep since starting Banjo.
IL-8 may be significant in the pathology of fibromyalgia as a mediator of sympathetic pain.
The hyperalgesic effect of IL-8 was measured, and was shown to result in a dose-dependent hyperalgesia that was not reduced by the COX inhibitor indomethacin.
Therefore a new activity of IL-8 is described which is the ability of IL-8 to generate hyperalgesia through a prostaglandin-independent pathway. IL-8 is therefore shown to cause hyperalgesia that involves the sympathetic nervous system. IL-8 may be the link between tissue injury and sympathetic hyperalgesia.
Levels of IL-8 are high, and correlate with pain intensity, in those with fibromyalgia.
The study referenced below looked at cytokine levels in the blood of 32 healthy volunteers and compared findings with those from 81 fibromyalgia patients.
The most noteworthy finding was that IL-8 levels were found to be elevated in those with fibromyalgia. Furthermore, there was a direct correlation between IL-8 level and pain intensity, suggesting that IL-8 may play a key role in the pathology of fibromyalgia, and especially in the pain of fibromyalgia.
I started using Banjo because I have bad fibromyalgia and have had constant pain for over 15 years, starting in 1993, and my life since that time has been constantly limited by chronic, daily pain. It’s been a long time of suffering. Before starting Banjo I was also getting 2-4 migraines per month and had sciatica. I’ve been using Banjo for about 7 weeks. During that time I have not had a migraine…
This is an essential publication because it:
* Demonstrates excess NF-kB activation in muscles of fibromyalgia patients;
* Provides a possible explanation for connective tissue changes in fibromyalgia; and,
* Suggests one means by which local pain and inflammation might become self-perpetuating in fibromyalgia.
Inflammation initiated by nerve endings (neurogenic inflammation) can be observed on skin biopsy of those with fibromyalgia. It is now apparent that the role of peripheral nerve endings in fibromyalgia is much greater than previously thought.
Blocking NF-kB in this model of neuropathic pain eliminated the pain stimulus.
