Pat Gurnick, CLC Psychotherapist
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Colorado Psychotherapists

Chronic Illness and Pain Counseling
** Specializing in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

I offer counseling sessions by phone, at my office, or in your home, to help you as you are transitioning through this body/mind/spirit healing process. I am a 'survivor' and recovering person from the CEFCA illnesses. I understand what you are experiencing. From my heart, I want to assist you by providing guidance, support, and encouragement! You are not alone.

Pat's Radio Interview - June 11 2006

Psychotherapy

Pat is a psychotherapist, consultant, lecturer, and support group leader for those with Chronic Illness and Pain, offering Lifestyle Management, counseling, and additional healing modalities IET, EFT, GWP).

These are a few of the techniques she uses: cognitive-behavioral therapy , reality therapy , client-centered therapy Pat understands that "not everyone with a chronic illness has the same symptoms or degree of symptoms. Some have mild complications and with a little adjustment in their diets or schedules, they can lead a pretty "normal" life. Some have to make bigger changes, sacrificing various activities or their work situations in order to contend with their conditions. Others become so ill they are unable to work at all and struggle just to meet life's daily needs. Most chronic conditions cannot be seen with the naked eye, but nevertheless are persistently keeping the person from enjoying life the way they once knew. For instance, a person can battle extreme fatigue and/or cognitive impairments on the inside, even though they may appear healthy and well on the outside. Just the same, a person can have horrible pain and/or dizziness, despite the fact that to the onlooker they may look strong and able. People living with chronic conditions do not want to give up! They make efforts to laugh, smile, look their best and enjoy life, even though they know they will pay dearly for it. Because of this, we should not confuse their endeavors to live life and be positive, with assuming they are feeling well or doing better. Instead, let us commend them for their incredible courage, perseverance and persistence that make their illnesses and injuries seem invisible to us."
Adapted from http://www.myida.org/pubs.htm

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Pat is on the Good Doctor list of the CF-Alliance website which is a patient-recommended list for Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, and Fibromyalgia.
http://cf-alliance.tripod.com

You will also find Pat listed on Dr. Teitelbaum's Good Doctor's list here
http://www.endfatigue.com

Community Service & Free Website Support

It was Ms. Gurnick's quest for healing from the 'CEFCA' disorders (Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, Environmental Illness, Fibromyalgia, Candida, Allergies) that resulted in her founding the free, renown, "CEFCA Support Group". As a hotline contact nationwide, and Director of the Los Angeles based CEFCA support Group from 1993-2003, Pat's dedication and commitment to assist Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction patients has gained her 'Honorary Recognition Award' from the Chronic Fatigue Association of America. She has coupled her experience in facilitating CEFCA, and providing Lifestyle Counseling, with her unique knowledge previously acquired as a Needs Assessment and Referral Counselor for Charter Hospital and as a Chemical Dependency Counselor for Brotman Hospital where she developed their SAMI (Substance Abusing Mentally Ill) Recovery Program.

To continue her commitment to helping those recover from the CEFCA disorders, she offers individual sessions, phone counseling, and free website support which includes referrals and resources to those seeking guidance through the healthcare maze.

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Information and links to the *CEFCA Disorders: Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome

Guidelines for the evaluation and study of CFS, as outlined in CDC's "revised case definition" follow:
A thorough medical history, physical examination, mental status examination and laboratory tests must be conducted to identify underlying or contributing conditions that require treatment. Diagnosis or classification cannot be made without such an evaluation. Clinically evaluated, unexplained chronic fatigue cases can be classified as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome if the patient meets both of the following criteria:
Clinically evaluated, unexplained persistent or relapsing chronic fatigue that is of new or definite onset (i.e., not lifelong), is not the result of ongoing exertion, is not substantially alleviated by rest and results in substantial reduction in previous levels of occupational, educational, social or personal activities. The concurrent occurrence of four or more of the following symptoms:
substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration; sore throat; tender lymph nodes; muscle pain; multi-joint pain without joint swelling or redness; headaches of a new type, pattern or severity; unrefreshing sleep; and post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours. These symptoms must have persisted or recurred during six or more consecutive months of illness and must not have predated the fatigue.

Persons with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome experience symptoms which tend to be individualistic and fluctuate in severity. The primary eight symptoms described in the CDC's revised case definition are listed above. Other symptoms include:
  • Other cognitive function problems such as spatial disorientation and impairment of speech and/or reasoning
  • Visual disturbances (blurring, sensitivity to light, eye pain, frequent prescription changes)
  • Psychological problems (depression, anxiety, panic attacks, personality changes, emotional labiality)
  • Chills and night sweats
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness and balance problems
  • Sensitivity to heat
  • Intolerance of alcohol
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Abdominal pain, diarrhea, irritable bowel, low temperature
  • Numbness of or burning in the face or extremities
  • Dryness of the mouth and eyes (sick syndrome)
  • Hearing disorders or sensitivity
  • Menstrual problems including PMS and Endometriosis
  • Hypersensitivity of the skin
  • Chest pains
  • Rashes
  • Allergies and sensitivities to odors and chemicals and medications, weight changes without changes in diet
  • Hair loss
  • Light-headedness
  • Feeling "in a fog
  • Fainting
  • Muscle twitching
  • Seizures
* Adapted from the Chronic Fatigue Association of America brochure http://www.cfids.org

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Ruling out other illnesses which can cause Fatigue

To help you determine if you suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Pat is on the Good Doctor list of the CF-Alliance website which is a patient-recommended list for Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, and Fibromyalgia.
http://cf-alliance.tripod.com

You will also find Pat listed on Dr. Teitelbaum's Good Doctor's list here:
http://www.endfatigue.com

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Links

Anna Coy, Professional Breathworker
Who healed self from CFIDS
http://www.inspiringyourlife.com
'Co-Cure' - site for CFS/FMS/MCS info
http://www.co-cure.org
CFIDS Association of America
http://www.cfids.org
CF-Alliance: CFS/ME, FM and related illnesses
http://cf-alliance.tripod.com/index.html
Massachusetts CFIDS Association
http://www.masscfids.org
CFIDS Support Information Resource
http://www.cfids-me.org
Keephope Alive Newsletter - for Immune Disorders
http://www.keephopealive.org
The National CFIDS Foundation
http://www.ncf-net.org
Bruce Campbell's 'Recovery from CFIDS' site, which has 'living within the envelope' protocol
http://www.recoveryfromcfs.org
Dr. Neville, ND of Clymer Healing Research Center
http://www.chronicfatigue.org
Gretchen Brooks Nassar, Author, CFIDS 'Survivor'
http://www.callforsoulwork.com
Low Income Co-Housing for CFIDS/FMS/MCS
http://www.pwccohousing.org
CFS & FMS Support of DFW, research and DVD's
http://www.dfwcfids.org
CFS education on 'Centers for Disease Control' Sites
http://www.cdc.gov/cfs and http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/cfstreatment.htm
Phoenix Rising CFS Newsletter
http://www.phoenix-cfs.org>
Dr. Paul Cheney's protocol
http://www.cfsresearch.org/cfs/cheney
Kat Duff's book 'The Alchemy of Illness" (A CFIDS survivor )
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0609899430/104-6545594-5007955?v=glance&n=283155
CFIDS Health, Research, and support issues; great catalog
www.immunesupport.com
International Association for CFS and ME
www.iacfsme.org
Dr. William Collinge’s Meditation CD and Book on CFS
www.collinge.org
Dr Gupta’s CFS Recovery DVD Program
www.cfsrecovery.com
Rocky Mountain CFIDS and FM Association
www.rmcfa.org
Dr. John Graham
http://artemisandco.com/johnweb/johngraham.htm

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Environmental Illness

Persons with EI become ill from eating, breathing, or absorbing small amounts of widely used products containing chemicals that are simply regarded as "safe" chemicals. These chemicals are released to market without adequate information regarding their toxicity. Taken from the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) associated with the chemicals found in analysis of Calvin Klein's "Eternity eau de parfum" in the petition's Analysis Summary of the FDA Citizens' Petition, Docket 99P-1340: "The chemical, physical, and toxicological properties have not been thoroughly investigated."

Reactions may be immediate or delayed, severe or mild. Chemical sensitivities and related disorders include many medical conditions that share this common characteristic.
For more information on FDA Petition, please see the Environmental Health Network at
http://www.ehnca.org/FDApetition/bkgrinfo.htm
or the Fragranced Products Information Network at http://www.fpinva.org
Related disorders include: Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), chemical susceptibilities, environmental or ecological illness (EI), Total Allergy Syndrome, and twentieth century illness.
Exposure to the following common items containing chemicals can make a person with EI sick:
Toxic waste sites, sewage treatment plants, contaminated water; fabric softener, shampoo, hairspray; computers, printers, photocopiers; paint, carpeting, particle board; new cars, new homes, new furniture; fabric stores, department stores, tight buildings; newsprint, pesticides, solvents; cigarette smoke, natural gas, engine exhaust; polyesters, acrylics, leather goods; perfumes, deodorizers, moth balls.

SOME POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS:
Central Nervous System: fatigue, tension headaches, confusion, memory loss, depression, hyperactivity, sleep disturbances, dizziness.
Gastrointestinal: nausea, bloating, constipation, cramps.
Skin: flushing, eczema, rashes
Musculoskeletal: joint pain, muscle spasms, backaches, swollen limbs.
Respiratory: frequent colds, bronchitis, asthma, shortness of breath.
Cardiovascular: rapid heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, hypertension, migraines.
Ear, eye, nose, throat: nasal stuffiness, earaches, watery eyes, sinus infection.

Many chronic illnesses, including autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, can be aggravated by chemicals. People can become so sensitized from a major exposure that small amounts of chemicals in daily life can subsequently provoke symptoms. Even repeated low-dose exposures can cause gradual, subtle, but long-term, damage.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Take responsibility: Identify symptoms. Remove suspected triggering agents one at a time and observe the results. Consult a medical specialist if necessary.
Clean up surroundings: Investigate and reduce sources of indoor air pollution, including those that may come from: scented products, household cleaners, tobacco smoke, gas stoves, heat and ventilation systems, office machines, construction materials.
Reduce stress: Minimize all stresses, emotional and environmental, so that you can cope better with those that are inevitable.
Promote health: Exercise regularly and choose foods wisely. Minimize or eliminate foods containing pesticides and chemicals.
*Adapted from Human Ecology Action League brochure.

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Environmental Illness Links

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity/Environmental Illness:
Diana Meier, CMR
Mold Advocate / Educator
http://www.moldgoddess.com
Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, MD author of "Desperation Medicine"
http://www.chronicneurotoxins.com
Discusses toxicity of CFIDS, FMS, Lyme, EI, and treatment.
TAT Life - Tapas Acupressure Technique
http://www.tat-intl.com

Holistic Dental Association http://www.holisticdental.org
MCS Housing Resources
http://world.std.com/~habib/thegarden/mcs/resources.html
Dental Toxicity Testing
http://www.peakenergy.com
MCSurvivors (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity)
http://www.rohan.sdsu.edu/staff/lhamilto/mcs/
American Academy of Environmental Medicine
http://www.aaem.com
Dental Mercury Information
http://www.sukel.com
American College for Advancement in Medicine
http://www.acam.org
American Environmental Health Foundation
http://aehf.com
Dr. Hal Huggin, MD, specialist on mercury amalgam
http://www.hugnet.com
Mary Codaro, Environmental Specialist, "H3 Environmental"
http://www.h3environmental.com
Needs Catalog
(National Ecological and Environmental Delivery System)
http://www.needs.com
MCS Referral & Resources
http://www.mcsrr.org
DAMS -Dental Amalgam Mercury Syndrome
http://www.dams.cc
Rocky Mountain Environmental Health Association
http://bcn.boulder.co.us/health/rmeha/rmehrsrc.htm

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Fibromyalgia

FMS (fibromyalgia syndrome) is a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder for which the cause is still unknown. Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons; the fibrous tissues in the body. FMS used to be called the Fibrositis Syndrome, implying that there was inflammation in the muscles, but that hasn't been proven out by research.
Most patients with FMS say that they ache all over. Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes the muscles twitch or burn. Symptoms of FMS and other related syndromes are:
pain, fatigue, chronic headaches, sleep disorder, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome (TMJ), and difficulty concentrating.
Other common symptoms that can occur:
premenstrual syndrome and painful periods, chest pain, morning stiffness, cognitive or memory impairment, numbness and tingling sensations, muscle twitching, irritable bladder, the feeling of swollen extremities, skin sensitivities, dry eyes and mouth, frequent changes in eye prescription, dizziness and impaired coordination.
Aggravating factors that can contribute to symptom flare-ups are:
changes in weather, cold or drafty environments, hormonal fluctuations (premenstrual and menopausal states), stress, depression, anxiety and over-exertion. Generally, routine laboratory testing reveals nothing. However, upon physical examination, the patient will be sensitive to pressure in certain areas of the body, called tender points. To meet the diagnostic criteria, patients must have widespread pain in all four quadrants of their body for a minimum duration of three months and at least 11 of the 18 specified tender points. These 18 sites used for diagnosis cluster around the neck, shoulder, chest, hip, knee and elbow regions. Roughly 75of CFS-diagnosed patients will meet the FMS criteria. To see a diagram of the tender points, click here.
While the severity of symptoms fluctuates from person to person, FMS may resemble a post-viral state and this is why several experts in the field of FMS and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) believe that these two syndromes are one and the same.
*Adapted from Fibromyalgia Network brochure.

Fibromyalgia Links
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Candida

Yeasts, single-cell organisms belonging to the vegetable kingdom, live all around you. One family of yeasts, "Candida Albicans"; normally lives in your body and, more especially, in your digestive tract. However, Candida overgrowth and other disturbances in the intestinal tract cause the release of yeast toxins, which weaken your immune system.
Candida irritation may weaken the intestinal membrane, allowing absorption of food allergens which play a role in making you sick. Yeast-related health problems may be suspected if you've taken repeated courses of antibiotic drugs, birth control pills, or steroids and/or if you're bothered by many of the following symptoms:
Fatigue - weakness - the feeling of being drained
Depression
Headache - impaired memory
Digestive problems
Recurrent vaginitis, cystitis, or prostatitis
PMS and / or other menstrual disturbances
Loss of sexual interest and response
8. Nervousness and irritability
Chemical sensitivity
"Sick all over" - yet the cause hasn't been found.

If your physician's check-up shows no other cause for your symptoms and your Candida questionnaire score is high, your health problems may be yeast-connected.
*Adapted from International Health Foundation brochure.

Candida Links
Yeast Consulting Services
www.yeastconsulting.com
Ann Boroch, ND, healed herself from Candida and MS
www.annboroch.com/
Dr. Luc De Schepper, doctor, author, & Candida expert
www.drluc.com
Donna Gate's Candida Diet
www.bodyecology.com

Allergies

A food allergy is the body's abnormal response to a food. The immune system releases histamine and other chemicals causing a reaction, which can occur in several organ systems.

For example: Skin - itchy rash or hives, swelling, eczema, Gastrointestinal tract - itching and/or swelling of the lips, tongue or mouth, itching or tightness in the throat, nausea, cramps, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory tract - watery / itchy eyes, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, dry hacking cough, tightness in the chest or shortness of breath, wheezing. Limbic system - mood swings, headaches, fatigue.

Allergic reactions can occur within minutes, or up to hours, or even days after eating food. In the most severe form, Anaphylaxis, patients may have symptoms in all these organ systems, a drop in blood pressure, unconsciousness, and in some cases die. Extra care should be taken if a child has asthma and food allergies. Seven foods responsible for most food allergic reactions are: milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, shellfish and nuts. It is important to learn the scientific and technical names for foods in ingredient lists and always read all food labels in order to avoid problem foods.
*Adapted from The Food Allergy Network brochure.

For referral to holistic allergy treatment and practitioners in your area CLICK HERE

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Allergies Links

Food Allergies and Related Topics
Radiant Recovery -
Simple solutions for Sugar Sensitivity
http://Radiantrecovery.com/
Eat Right for Your Type
http://www.dadamo.com/
Reactive Hypoglycemia
http://www.fred.net/slowup/hypo.html
NAET - eliminating allergies
http://www.naet.com
Allergy Internet Resources
http://www.immune.com/allergy/allabc.html
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
http://www.niaid.nih.gov
Donna Gates, author of "Body Ecology Diet"
http://www.BodyEcologyDiet.com
(Help with CFIDS detox, lymph node inflammation, gallbladder/liver problems, etc.)
Grain and Salt Society
http://www.celtic-seasalt.com
Goldmine Food Catalog
http://www.goldminenaturalfood.com/
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