April 2005 Message from Dr. Murphree

Sleepless in Birmingham Alabama

I’m happy to announce the arrival of my second child who was born on Easter Sunday. It will be easy to remember his birthday. The last couple of weeks have been filled with endless tasks, cleaning up after a 2 week old baby, washing piles of clothes (where do they come from), diaper changes at 2 in the morning, and spit-up sheet changes in the middle of the night. Morning arrives at 6:30 A.M. when I begin making my daughter’s breakfast, packing her lunch, reviewing homework, and practicing spelling words, feeding  the dogs and cats, scooping the litter box, and backyard, while carrying on a conversation with my daughter. Then it’s “Starsky and Hutch” time as I race to get my daughter to school.

Do men experience the phenomenon of nesting? Evidently so, because despite all I have going on, finishing 2 books, seeing patients in clinic, preparing lectures for upcoming presentations, consulting with other doctors, and of course all the added responsibility at home, I still make time to scrub hidden corners of dirt and dust, organize the basement and attic, and generally get the house in shape for all the visitors who come to see the “little Prince.”

After a few days of endless activity, “type A” behavior, and very little sleep, I started noticing that my early morning runs became walks that seemed as daunting as climbing Mt. Everest. I started noticing little aches and pains in my arms, elbows, feet and most of all my low back. The low back pain I knew was from sleeping on an air mattress (I gave up on sleeping in my bed - now inhabited by the “little Prince”), however I couldn’t understand where the other assorted aches and pains came from. I didn’t remember any physical activity that would have left me feeling so sore. I felt like I had just finished the World’s Strongest Man competition. I hurt in places I had forgotten about. I even started craving ice cream. Oops I slipped on this one. Of course not used to eating so much sugar and it kept me up and in the bathroom for extended periods the following day.

Then I remembered that I hadn’t had enough sleep. The lack of sleep also explained my fuzzy thinking, fatigue, and daily headaches. I was running low on serotonin.

I’ve written and lectured at length about the importance of sleep. I now remember why it took 8 years to have another child. The lack of sleep is worse than any of the hang-overs I had in my college days. Fortunately for me, a good night’s sleep and a dose of sunshine and I’ll be back to my healthy self.

Lack of sleep is the root of many illnesses including the inability to lose weight.

Lose Weight While You Sleep?

An article that appeared in the May 2005 edition of Prevention Magazine reports that a study conducted at Columbia University reveals that the fewer Zzzzz’s you get the more likely you are to be overweight. Researchers studied the sleep habits of 18,000 people and found that those who sleep 4 or less hours a night are 73% more likely to be obese than individuals who sleep 7-9 hours a night. Those who only got 6 hours of sleep were 23% more likely to be obese.

Six hours of uninterrupted sleep sounds like Nirvana to me. I guess I'd better start taking my Slim N Trim and CLA weight loss products. By the way, they are still on sale this month. I decided to add another month on to those specials since last month's newsletter came out near the end of the month.

The March newsletter goes into more detail about Slim N Trim and CLA and has a sample chapter on sleep from The Patient Self-Help Manual for Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome


BEXTRA HAS BEEN TAKEN OFF THE MARKET

You may remember that I warned about Bextra and all the Cox-2 drugs being pulled from the market, even before Vioxx was withdrawn. It appears that there is an increased risk of heart attack and stroke from taking any of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs).

As you’ll see in the link below there are several alternatives to living on NSAID medications. NSAIDs can be effective in reducing inflammation and pain. However, they were never intended to be used long term. Long term use of these medications is associated with 10,000-20,000 deaths from gastric bleeding. Vioxx alone has been linked to over 27,000 heart attack deaths according to Dr. Graham of the FDA.

Wouldn’t you like to get off potentially dangerous medications that only cover-up the symptoms and start correcting the causes(s) of your pain? I have helped thousands of patients get their life back. I’d like to help you as well.

Individuals with fibromyalgia and or CFS are medical misfits and traditional medicine has little if anything to offer in the way of relief. The only way to beat these illnesses is to get healthy from the inside out.

Here is one last FREE chapter from my new book The Patient's Self-Help Manual for Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The link below should interest anyone who is taking pain medications, antidepressants, beta blockers, Lipitor, or other commonly prescribed drugs.

If you suffer from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or chronic pain, please consider ordering my 2 hour talk on CD entitled "Beating Pain." It is on sale until May 1st. Normally it's $29.95 but this month it's only $17 - you save almost $13.

Chapter 9 of my new patient's self-help book provides a step-by-step "how-to" approach for beating chronic pain disorders.

OK, here is one more attempt to get you buy my new book, “The Patient's Self-Help Manual for Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

I wrote this book so that those suffering with FMS and CFS could experience the same information that my patient’s receive when I actually interact with them here in my office. I really believe that if individuals with FMS and CFS would read and implement the protocols which I lay out in easy to understand terms, they could become another success story.

I have patients from all over the country using my protocols. I get testimonials everyday from people around the world including the Caribbean (I plan to make a house call next winter) who share that they are feeling better than they have in years. The protocols work, but only if a person understands how to use them. I have a busy practice where patients pay $150 for a first visit appointment and $46-$90 for follow-up visits. Because they pay for my time they are able to get my undivided attention for 30-60 minutes at time. Their questions are answered and any problems that come up while on my protocols are addressed. Unfortunately not everyone can come to Birmingham Alabama or spend the money for weekly or bi-weekly consults. This is where The Patient's Self-Help Manual comes in. It helps answer all the usual questions that may arise when working through my protocols.

I know $39.95 seems a bit pricey for a book. However, if you could get one bit of information from this book that would result in you feeling even 30% better (sleeping through the night, less pain, no IBS, more energy, happier, less anxious, taking less potentially harmful medications, etc.) it would be priceless, right? Many people have probably spent more on fad supplements, zappers, magnets for their shoes, pillows, and other things that may not of helped one bit. Information and knowledge are priceless. Information allows you to take control of your health. Instead of searching the internet at all hours of the night, why not use a blueprint that has worked for thousands?

OK, sorry, I’m a little passionate about this book. I really do want you to get healthier, feel better, and hopefully get your life back. The information that I share with you in the Patient's Self-Help Manual works, but only if you read it.

 I really want you to read this book so if I must bribe you, I will.

I want to help you feel like you got your money’s worth. Here's my special offer. Buy my new book “The Patient's Self-Help Manual” before the end of April and I’ll include my first book Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome” (a $19.95 value), a one hour cassette of me explaining how to beat fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (a $12.95 value) free!

Simply purchase The Patient Self-help Manual before May 1st and you’ll receive these free gifts;

 1. My first book, "Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome” which normally sells for $19.95 - yours free.

2. A one-hour cassette of me explaining how to beat fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome normally $12.00 yours free.

 You’ll be receiving $31.95 worth of products for free!

For those who have already purchased The Patient Self-Help Manual, don’t worry, we are sending you these 2 free gifts as well.


Dr. Rodger Murphree
3401 Independence Drive
Suite 121
Homewood, AL 35209
Toll Free Phone:
1-888-884-9577