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In 1992, Clarissa Shepherd was stricken ill. Her body ached. She felt exhausted. She had unexplained memory loss, debilitating migraines and nausea. Just getting through the day was a challenge. The diagnosis: Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency [CFID] and Fibromyalgia [FM].
These often paired disease states are characterized by a constellation of symptoms: muscle pain, morning stiffness, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, numbness or tingling of the extremities, restless legs syndrome, painful menstrual periods, temperature sensitivity and cognitive and memory problems (sometimes referred to as “fibro fog”), headaches, tender lymph nodes, sore throat, headache and incapacitating fatigue. Ninety-five percent of FM and CFID sufferers are women between the ages of 35-55.
In her book, Find Your Way - A Guide to Healing While Living With Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, Shepherd shares the steps she took, under the guidance of her health practitioners, to restore her wellbeing.
“There is no cure for CFIDS nor FM, yet there is hope for a brighter future,” she concurs. Some highlights of Clarissa’s’ action plan include:

Remove Chemicals:
“CFID and FM patients are extra sensitive to chemicals. Being ex–posed can cause you to be sick. Exposure can even worsen the symptoms of your illness. These chemicals include, but are not limited to, perfumes, colognes, smelly hair products, air fresheners, cleaning products, laundry detergents and dryer sheets. The things you put on your body, such as shampoo, soap, lotion and deodorant should be gentle and unscented, when possible.“

Change Diet
“As much as is possible for you, remove the following from your diet for three months: milk, wheat, sugar, corn and peanut products. Sometimes these can cause reactions adding to your exhaustion and stomach problems. You can find wheat-free and soy products at some grocery markets and at health food stores. Removing these items for a while will give your system time to take a good breather.”

Drink Water
“You also need to drink eight ten-ounce glasses of water a day. This helps to wash unwanted toxins from the body and is just generally good for us. Just keep water around wherever you are and sip it through the day.”

Suggested Supplementation
Start slowly, under the supervision of your health care provider:
(1) Co-Q-10: Essential to the production of energy by almost every cell in the body.
(2) B-12: Helps with energy and emotional wellbeing.
(3) Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc: Calcium is good for bone health. Magnesium is helpful with inflammation. Zinc is an excellent support for the immune system.
(4) Vitamin C: Supports the immune system and vision.
(5) Vitamin E: A powerful antioxidant and also helps with immune system function.
(6) Vitamin D: Good for long bone pain, vision problems and plays a role in the immune system health.
(7) Ginkgo Biloba: Helps with memory and brain fog.
(8) Garlic: Supports the immune system.
(9) Milk Thistle: Great for eliminating toxins from the liver and also good for liver function.
(10) Probiotic Acidophilus: Promotes healthy function of the intestines.
(11) Omega 3 Salmon Oil: Important for cellular, heart and metabolic health. Helps to balance hormones.

Deep Breathing and Exercise
“When you are ill, you don’t realize that you aren’t breathing all the way into your diaphragm. As you learn to breathe normally, more oxygen reaches your brain. This helps to restore a feeling of well-being and relaxation,” Shepherd says. She also practices Chi Kung. “It is an ancient Chinese exercise used both to relax you and to send good energy or (Chi) throughout your body. There are six groups of breathing exercises contained in this Chi Kung exercise.” Her book contains specific exercises that helped her restore stamina and energy.

Acupuncture
“This ancient Chinese healing technique is of great benefit. It can relieve pain and fatigue, adding to the progression of healing. Acupuncture can work to complement those other changes you’re making for your body and your life.”

Grace
“Be especially kind to yourself. Don’t feel guilty or beat yourself up because you need extra care, naps, or must rest many times throughout the day. Your body needs this as healing time. Your mind needs this as down time. After all, if you don’t do this for yourself, then who will? You deserve the best for your life. Be true to you.”

For more details on each specific step, order a copy of Find your Way - A Guide to Healing While Living With Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome and Fibromyalgia at www.booksurge.com or call (866) 308-6235.