Treatments That Fixed My Digestion

Much of the immune system lives in the gut, so treating the digestive symptoms of my ME/CFS probably aided my overall improvement. The three most helpful treatments were D-Ribose, digestive enzymes, and acupuncture.
 
D-Ribose, a special sugar, was originally recommended to me to boost my energy, but every time I’ve tried weaning off it, I’ve had loose stool. I read about digestive enzymes in Dr. Roger Murphree’s book on beating fibro and CFS. I take a capsule before my biggest meal of the day and two if I’m eating a rich restaurant meal.
 
The third treatment, acupuncture, has proved its benefits for many symptoms besides pain. There are reasons it has remained in use in both the Western and Eastern hemispheres for centuries. It took longer than D-Ribose to begin working, but it definitely helped once I felt the effects. These days I consult my doctor of Chinese medicine maybe once per year.
 
I still have trouble with digestive symptoms now and then, but it’s usually when I’m eating rich foods or under great stress. It’s not like the days when I lost 10 pounds in two weeks and spent an hour a day in the bathroom. I have found these three treatments much more helpful than any diet I’ve tried.

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Darla Nagel is an editor and writing tutor who has an invisible chronic illness. She wants to educate health care professionals about patients’ experiences. To receive quarterly updates from her, email darla.nagel {a} gmail.com.