Topic: From Fatigued to Fantastic - Jacob Teitelbaun, M.D.
seekhelp
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posted
I forgot I had this book. I bought it several years ago. It was a bit above me at the time, but now it seems like easy reading.
Have any of you went to this Dr. for a consultation? The book is mainly CFIDS/CFS, but I think most LLMDs stole his ideas about non-Lyme issues. Most things I hear on this board, with the exception of specific Abx protocols, were in this book. Of course, that does not include the magical Bionic 880 as maybe it wasn't out when he wrote the book?
Did anyone find this author's protocols to be useful? The amount of supplements recommended is quite overwhelming, but they make sense. I can't afford that level. I do take some of them. So far, I'm not impressed by any supplement and can't say it's making any notable improvement in my health.
My muscles are ALWAYS tight on bad days. My fatigue hits like a truck unexpectedly. I'm wondering if I have CFS and not Lyme. I have all the CFS symptoms. I'm sorry, but I don't buy into Lyme is ALS, MS, CFS, and fifty other things. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems so farfetched.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
This Doc is horribly ignorant. In his entire book about CFS there is not one word about it being potential lyme. Not one word about lyme.
This book made me think of one thousand other problems I had that were creating my chronic Fatigue for many years. He is after supposed to be the "best" Chronic fatigue doctor in the world. J
Posts: 268 | From new york city | Registered: May 2008
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posted
This guy is offensive to the whole CFIDS community. Like a lot of people, he throws around the term "chronic fatigue" (a condition that affects about 25 percent of the population) with "chronic fatigue syndrome" (a devastating chronic illness that is incurable and leaves most victims indefinitely disabled).
He does "studies" on various nutritional products including people with both CFIDS and fibromyalgia and idiopathic fatigue -- totally bad science since these are completely different medical conditions. He bases his efficacy statistics on those who recover -- typically those with idiopathic fatigue, who CAN recover since they don't have the incurable CFIDS (which has a 4 percent recovery rate, for the record). He's a moron.
Posts: 929 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Oct 2007
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lymielauren28
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I've read some of it and i just think it's really outdated.
Lauren
-------------------- "The only way out is through" Posts: 1434 | From mississippi | Registered: Nov 2007
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SForsgren
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He is FAR from ignorant. He no longer sees patients and now lives in Hawaii. He is BRILLIANT in my opinion and does know about Lyme disease. I wrote an article with him awhile back that you can find at publichealthalert.org.
FAR from ignorant...
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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SForsgren
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The book is only outdated if you are reading the outdated version of it. He has released three versions of the book and the latest is in fact very, very current.
Sad to see people jumping all over him here when he is in fact very, very good.
He is now the head of Fibro and Fatigue Centers and serves as their medical director. Many people here will tell you that the care they got at FFC was quite good.
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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kelmo
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A nurse in our local support group found this book years ago, and says she still refers to it.
I have to say, I bought a powedered drink supplement for my daughter when she first got sick that was called From Fatigued to Fantastic, and it tasted so horrific it wasn't worth the effort.
Posts: 2903 | From AZ | Registered: Feb 2006
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randibear
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posted
is this the doctor that sells the vitamins?
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
"He is FAR from ignorant. He no longer sees patients and now lives in Hawaii. He is BRILLIANT in my opinion and does know about Lyme disease. I wrote an article with him awhile back that you can find at publichealthalert.org. "
It is almost criminal that the 2002-2006 editions of this book do not mention Lyme. He knew that lyme was a possibility during those years and choose to convince people that the symptoms of their Fatigue had to be one of those covered in his "most detailed" book. That is a sham. indeed several of the treatments he recommends in his book put me in the ER. this has nothing to do with how many articles you have written with him.
Do you know how many lyme patients i have spoken with who spent 20k at his center and only got sicker? He can sometimes put people on as many as 20 pharmaceuticals at within 6 months. Ego is the 2nd most powerful force on the planet.
Posts: 268 | From new york city | Registered: May 2008
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emla999/Lyme
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In the newer edition of Dr. Teitelbaum's book he talks about Lyme Disease as a cause of CFS. It begins at the bottom of page 144 and continues through to page 147.
Here's the link to google books. You can read Dr. Teitelbaum's comments there about Lyme Disease.
SForsgren
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I've actually found Dr. T. to have very little ego compared to many other doctors I have encountered. I think that he takes a much more holistic view of the illness, which is missing by many doctors that hyperfocus on Lyme. All that ails us is not Lyme alone. There are many problems that go wrong and many things that must be fixed.
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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Carol in PA
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quote:Originally posted by jl123: In his entire book about CFS there is not one word about it being potential lyme.
quote:If a CFS/Fibromyalgia patient's symptoms and history are suggestive of Lyme or other antibiotic sensitive infections, I believe an empiric trial of antibiotics is warranted to see if they help.
As far as I can tell, most of the information in the books is available on the website.
p.s. When I wanted to buy his supplements, I found I could get a better price at iHerb.com .
Sometimes I just looked to see what the ingredients were, and bought that instead.
Posts: 6956 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
I read three editions of his book and none had mention of lyme. So his last one did, where does that leave the tens of thousands of us without long term undiagnosed lyme who haven't bought his latest book? Where was his mind for all these years? JL
Posts: 268 | From new york city | Registered: May 2008
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SForsgren
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His mind seems to have been looking at the bigger picture of illness, and not hyperfocusing on Lyme disease. Many people have done very well with his treatment. In my early years of illness, his book was a godsend. Sure, I wish more had been mentioned about Lyme, but there is a lot more than just Lyme happening to most of us that are ill and his book talks about those - Adrenals, thyroid, HHV-6, etc. All important issues that many LLMDs don't look at.
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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seekhelp
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I personally found the book useful. Yes, I know the Lyme section is weak. If you didn't live in a Lyme world, the book has many, many possibilities that could improve symptoms. I don't know him personally of course.
Also, all products he creates have 100% of the profits donated to charity.
I just gleamed the good parts (natual virus herb treatments, biofilm treatment, sleep remedies, etc.) out of the book. I find them helpful.
I don't know what version I have yet, but I'm assuming it's the newest one. It's pretty up to date.
Another somewhat useful book is: "Your Symptoms are Real" by Benjamin H. Natelson. It has a nice, comprehensive checklist of lab work / tests to suggest to your PCP to rule out organic illnesses. Every book has something to gleam.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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DebAz
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I think it is Dr. T that helped bring to light the many issues that all complicate our overall life and how to look at these various and many things that all need addressing and looking at. I agree with S F on this and that we should not pick it apart based on the lyme or not lyme. There are so MANY infections that rec havic on our bodies and I think that they have not even found them all. I admire all that want to understand it all and treat each found infection with what is supposed to work but I think that overall we need to treat our whole body and understand that there is so much more to find and we do our best with the information we are given ... And I just value all the doctors who spend time trying to help and find answers. It is hard for us patients though to find what works and what doesnt and that answer is obvious that it seems what works for one will not work for another.. Alot of threads including me are looking to see what works for others and what we have in common with others and that gives us leads. But In the end I know we all have to admit we end up finding our own path and what works for us. Each book and each doctor and each article and each of you have helped me try to come to find that combination and path. THANKS to all. Lets stay positive and lets Keep Hope.
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bettyg
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my 2nd llmd was into supplements and gave me his book as this was what she prescribed to me....
22 supplements !! started 10 at once; for others....please start them ONE AT A TIME every 3-4 days so you can see what ones give you bad SIDE EFFECTS.
several were really bad on me, and she wouldn't listen to me of my not being able to sleep and sold me 4 bottles totaling over $125 i could NOT use.
i got fatigue really bad; used up supplements i paid over $1,000 for and QUIT them.
now my fatigue has manifested this past 6-12 months. i'm in bed more than ever and for long periods of time.
hopefully will have ENTEROVIRUS testing done per timaca's recommendation when i can get someone at hospital to tell me if my 3 polyps removed tissue STILL EXIST or gone!
i too read the entire book at that time.
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I attempted to schedule a consultation with this doc, as I live fairly close to his office. The cost was astronomical. I also was a patient of the great Dr. B. The cost for the initial consult with Dr. T. was three times that of the initial consult of Dr.B.
Posts: 366 | From Louisville KY. | Registered: Nov 2003
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I tried his powdered supplement and his multiple pill supplements when I thought I had fibromyalgia. A complete waste of time and money.
Posts: 345 | From East Coast | Registered: Apr 2008
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Years a go when I thought I had chronic fatigue syndrome I looked into seeing him. He was so EXPENSIVE. I compared his rates to other CFS doctors and he was by far the most expensive.
I hope he's helped alot of people, because he sure made enough money off them.
Kathy
-------------------- You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. Posts: 807 | From South Dakota | Registered: Jul 2005
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What am I missing here? Isn't this book about CFS? For lyme info, get a book about lyme, no?
While some people may have both CFS and lyme, isn't it clear by now they are separate illnesses?
Posts: 727 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2006
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jamescase20
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Geez...attacks then kisses.
What gives?
Um, yes CFS is but a symtom but CFS is listed as a real disease in the medical field.
Dr T is right, Dr T is wrong.
One thing I know for certain...CFS treatments generally dont kill bacteria...they TX symtoms of fatigue. CFS TX'es likely kill bacteria/viruses via "incedentally" rather then directly.
Interestingly, I recently discovered that in lyme disease research its believed, or "proven" in research that lyme causes the body to be unable generally to convert some chemical to MALIC ACID.
It turns out malic acid is vital to the body for energy productions in cells.
Guess what Dr T recommends in his books? MALIC ACID!/mag combo, and not just malic acid, but a special form of this. So, Dr T IS right, and he is wrong too.
Its about balance. Oxygen kills pathogens/Oxygen run haywire kills cells. Oxygen is good, oxygen is bad.
Again, BALANCE.
1 small glass of wine used every couple of days reduced heart disease in a study....very heavy alcohol use kills directly...heavy alcohol use fries organs. Tiny amounts of alcohol prevents heart disease...and even has shown extending life!
Alcohol is deadly, alcohol kills, alcohol extends life.
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I took someone to see him several years ago after reading his books and being impressed. The 2-hour consultation was $5,000! It ended up being a total waste. If you're seriously considering seeing him, PM me and I'll provide more details. I do not recommend him at every level, including medically, personally, and financially.
Posts: 31 | From Leesburg, VA | Registered: Apr 2008
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People like this who take that much money from poor sick people are very immoral. This is what is wrong with our society. Capitalists gone mad with greed- I hope most can see this by now.
Chime in the choir now:
"he has every right to charge as much money as he wants because he's a genius"
Posts: 268 | From new york city | Registered: May 2008
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Angelica
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Yeah a genius at robbing other people's money. There should be a law. No wonder he is living in Hawaii he probably has beach front property for his mini mansion.
I don't begrudge doctors decent pay because they have to make a living and have people crying on their shoulder day in and day out but $5,000. for an office visit is out of line.
No wonder when I went to see a CFS MD years ago he did not order any testing for me and told me my finger nails looked too good so I did not have CFS and "you can't afford to have it anyway".
He did diagnose me with a chronic persistent cold. I guess a 20 year long cold I could afford along with some undiagnosed keets.
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DebAz
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So what about the clinics he is supposed to be the Director of all around the US called .. uhmmmmm i forgot.. Something like the Centers for Chronic Fatigue.... There are like 15 or so all in different states that do a wide range of treatments for CFS paitents .. I have heard some good things about the centers....????
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ukcarry
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I too was disappointed by the astronomical cost of an appointment with Dr T; this is unjustifiable.
However, he answered a question of mine within a day on his site and when I replied ,answered again v. promptly, pleasantly and helpfully, giving me an intro. to someone who might be able to help me with my query in UK, sending the UK doc. an email too. He also forwarded my question to Dr Schu and asked him to respond to me too, which he did.
On a subsequent occasion, he gave me good advice about my copper imbalance.
The latest addition of his book has a lot of material that could be useful to individuals with Lyme, although he freely admits that Lyme is not his specialism.
Posts: 1647 | From UK | Registered: Nov 2008
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