Expert: Heather Vandeburg L.Ac M.S.O.M. dipl.Ac - 1/25/2011

Question
Dear, Ms. Vandeburg,

I wrote to you earlier this month and the subject was about Chinese herbs not working for me.  I saw a new doctor who is fortunately great so far and she believes I have a mild form of fibromyalgia.  The no. 1 problem I'm trying to overcome is fatigue and feeling of muscle weakness (weakness you feel when you have a cold) since working while fatigued equals a low quality of life.  I don't think I have a virus because even though my white blood cell count has been low over the years, it was low before I had my symptoms occur and previous doctors have told me that they consider the counts normal.  I've read that almost all people with fibromyalgia have sleep disorders and many have a disorder called alpha eeg anomaly which prevents the body from falling into a deep sleep.  I believe this is what I have since I hardly feel refreshed when I wake up, no matter how many hours I sleep.  I was wondering if there are Chinese herbal formulas that can help induce deep sleep.  My Japanese acupuncturist said that I have a heart yin deficiency and a problem with my spleen qi.  Unfortunately, she isn't a Chinese herbalist so I can't ask her what she'd recommend I take but there is a Chinatown here with herbalist shops.  I've tried a formula called True Man Peaceful Mind for insomnia before but it didn't do anything for me.  Gui Pi Wan worked very well for falling asleep but made me sleepy in the day (probably best not to take it 3 times a day).

Answer
Hi Sho,
Often Japanese Acupuncturist also are herbalist.  Japanese herbal medicine is similar to Chinese just different names.  Going to a herbalist in Chinatown sounds like a good idea.  Maybe a smaller dose of Gui pi tang or taking it only at bed time may work. Good luck.  Being properly diagnosed is really key.

Heather Vandeburg LAc MSOM DiplAc.