Investigating Fibromyalgia "Cure"

When we heard that South Lake Tahoe chiropractor Paul Whitcomb was claiming to have discovered the cause of fibromyalgia, a chronic pain syndrome, and was charging patients thousands of dollars for his cure, we wanted a second opinion. So, we called several local experts to find out the facts about this mysterious condition. They did not comment directly on Whitcomb's techniques.

"Absolutely, there is no cure for fibromyalgia," says Dr. Sean Mackey.

Dr. Mackey heads the Stanford University neuroscience and pain laboratory, where he's doing a clinical trial of a drug to treat fibromyalgia. So far, he says, medical researchers have not been able to pinpoint the root cause of the syndrome.

"To date, we have not been able to identify a single, solitary, consistent cause of fibromyalgia."

But when we interviewed Whitcomb at his clinic in South Lake Tahoe last week, he told us he'd figured out the secret while treating two car crash victims in 2001. "I figured out a long time ago what was causing it and how to treat it," he told us.

Whitcomb claims the problem is that the top vertebrae of the spine has been knocked out of alignment with the skull, usually in some kind of accident.

Dr. Paul Davidson disagrees with that theory. He's a rheumatologist who specializes in treating patients with fibromyalgia at the Kentfield Rehabilitation Hospital. And in 1989, he wrote "Chronic Muscle Pain Syndrome", which he says was the first book to explain fibromyalgia to the general public.

"Many people have looked at the spine, they've done MRIs, they've done PET scans, just about every test involving the spinal column, and that does not seem to be the problem," says Dr. Davidson.

Dr. Davidson says no single problem could possibly explain all the many symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, such as anxiety, depression, headaches, chronic muscle pain and fatigue. He uses a multi-pronged approach to treat his patients, including prescription drugs, physical therapy and psychological counseling.

"I've always been skeptical about one single procedure causing tremendous relief, and that's why I came up with the multi-disciplinary therapy."

Then there's the "Whitcomb Method", which consists of a neck manipulation three times a day, five days a week, for at least two months. Several former patients told us that all they got out of Whitcomb's treatment was a stiff neck and an expensive bill.

"My neck started getting sorer and sorer from all that twisting and bending 3 times a day," Henry Badal wrote in an email. "If [Whitcomb] could not hear or get a crack he would do the motion again more aggressively and more aggressively. I had horrible pains in my neck and could not sleep. He kept insisting that we should hang in there, relief will come."

Darden Burns from the Seattle area told us she had the same problem. "I had a sore neck for a year after I was there, and that happened to a lot of people."

We came across some true believers as well. The patients that Whitcomb arranged for us to meet when we visited his clinic last week all seemed convinced his treatment works.

We even tracked down Joan Brownyard of Covina, California -- the woman featured in a video testimonial posted prominently on Whitcomb's Web site under the headline "The Miracle of Joan". The video shows Brownyard undergoing a remarkable transformation, from being barely able to speak and in what appears to be severe pain, to smiling into the camera and talking normally after just six days of treatment.

Brownyard swears by the "Whitcomb Method". She says his treatment has helped get her off all her pain medication. "He changed my life," she says. "I haven't felt so good in the last 16 years since my car accident."

But other patients say any effects the treatment might have are more psychological than medical.

“It's sort of cathartic because you're you know you're interacting with people undergoing a similar experience and you sort of tend to feel better just from that,” Walter Schulte says. “Then, as time wears on, you begin to realize that this isn't really doing anything except maybe making your problem worse.”

Here's the complaint against Whitcomb from the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners and the Attorney General’s office, so you can take a look at the full charges yourself.

Comments

[Darden Burns]

Whitcomb does provide a relief of symptoms for many patients at his clinic. The effects of his treatment are not psychological rather due I believe to a dampening of the nervous system through frequent adjustments to the top of the spine. The problem is that this relief is temporary and the vast majority of patients experience a relapse of their fibromyalgia symptoms after returning home. (The average time of relapse is 6 weeks). This is based on the the 30 people I have personally stayed in touch with since I was at the clinic and others who have contacted me. Last spring I started a blog to expose the "truth" about the Whitcomb method and to share information about treatments that are helpful for those who suffer from fibromyalgia. Read my post "Paul Whitcomb - Friend or Foe" and "Stories from Former Whitcomb Patients" at www.fibrofriends.typepad.com

[Cindie Hicks]

It is a shame in this country that we cannot pursue natural treatments without the threat of having those that are truly successful face such scrutiny and unfairness in reporting. I personally talked with patients who had long term success from Dr. Whitcomb's method of treatment for fibromyalgia. I brought my daughter to his clinic and witnessed first hand many people transform from being in severe pain, even while on heavy medication, to being almost pain free and off most medications. My daughter has transformed before my eyes. We have tried all the conventional methods from all the doctors who claim there is no cure, only drugs, counseling, and physical therapy, and they failed to mention...a whole lot more drugs. The destruction these drugs have upon these patients lives is the true crime here. Every medical treatment has a degree of success and failure and they all have risks. How many people have you heard that have had back surgery and get worse not better. Dr. Whitcomb is an incredible man who wants to help people. The costs are well within the line of any other medical treatment. Losing access to Dr. Whitcomb's treatments means loss of hope to fibromyalgia patients because the mainstream conventional healthcare has nothing to offer these people. I feel we should be able to make our own choices as to what medical treatment we want to pursue. Pesonally, I think Dr. Whitcomb and his staff are some of the rare medical professionals who are in this field for the right reason: they want to help people get well and they are doing a fantastic job!

[Brian Meyer]

If there is not a cure for Fibromyalia, then explain to me why my wife has had such an improvement in her quality of life. I will not go into the details, but I will just say she has experience most if not all of the symptoms of this terrible and “curable” syndrome of Fibromyalia. The only reason other people in the “Medical Community” can claim there is no “Cure” for Fibromyalia is because they can’t prescribe a specific drug as a “Cure All”. They (most Medical Professionals) might give a sufferer “X Drug” for this “Y Drug” for that and “Z Drug” for such and such, but nothing can relieve the all the symptoms in such a way a the “Whitcomb Method”. The “Whitcomb Method” is not a treatment to the cause of Fibromyalia, but is the drug free “Cure”. Any Doctor of Medicine (MD) can prescribe a “Drug” that may relieve the symptoms of Fibromyalia, but if you ask any patient that has suffered from the syndrome called Fibromyalia they do not want just to “treat” the symptoms, but a life relieved of all the symptoms. Treatment of drugs may work for a short term, but they are very harmful to a patient. In the long run, there is a cure than why criticize it. Why criticize someone outside the “medical research” spectrum that has “pinpointed” the method for a cure. I can only hope and pray this investigation and legal action can end on a positive note for any one who suffers and Dr. Whitcomb and his staff.

[Richard LeJeune]

In March 2008 I went for treatment to see Dr. Whitcomb. I had suffered from Fibro for 24 years. I have seen medical doctors and had every test out there that could have been done. No one seemed to fix the problem but just give me more pills to get through every day life. Dr. Whitcomb fixed the problem. I am 100 percent right now. I have never in my life had so much energy. He has given me my life back. It sadens me to know that he is being attacked for all the good he does. No way did he or his staff misrespresent want has gonna happen during the treatment. He is a very Godly man and has a passion for what he does. I will pray for you everyday. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Your Texas Boy

[No name]

I was a patient at Dr. Whitcomb's and had mimimal relief that was gone after a few weeks returning home. I did see many get well, but not 94%. The majority of the ones that did get well did not stay well after returnng home. I don't believe it was psychological when people became better, because it was really major changes to severe problems. It is a shame that Dr. Whitcomb has something that may help the medical community, but may be lost because he lies saying that he "cures" 94% of the people.

[Cowboy]

I was a patient during the summer of 2007. I went there knowing full well the cost, risk and whether or not it would work. I had been told by so called professionals I was beyond help, had ALS and went to the point of a muscle biopsy. If I had to go very far I was in a wheel chair. I had been basically bedfast for over a year. My young son had to do with a foggy brained, disabled half man half zombie father. Within weeks I was walking without a cane and almost pain free. When I left I did what I was told. I did nothing heavy for six months and eased back into life. I was there when one of the patients was there that is at the root of this. She did not follow orders and did other therapies, self diagnosed everything from Wilson Thyroid syndrome to parasites. I wonder how many of the ones who did not stay well went right back to work or did not take the time to recover? Who's fault is that? The Doctor's? If you knew you were going back to work and couldn't take time to recover why did you come out to begin with. I had a totally favorable experience and would recommend anyone to seek Dr. Whitcomb's treatment. We are the ten percent that cannot be helped by conventional medicine and for me to be mostly rid of FMS and am rid of numerous other side effects from it is a testament in itself. I know he went to Missouri to see a patient that couldn't make it out there, paid his way to come out and seek help. That sounds like a money grubber to me. I also know that many patients were not charged if they went past eight weeks. I saw him in Raley's buying groceries for a patient and his family. Terrible man, just terrible. I know from my own experience some of the bad talk comes from people who did not follow orders while there. One carried a backpack with college books and a laptop. One worked at night as a nurse lifting people and moving TV's and not resting. They didn't get better. Duh. But again that's Dr. Whitcombs fault. I was never told he had a cure, only he could help. He did. The news segment was a joke. They showed up under false pretenses and blindsided him. The "tools" he uses are for his hands because they get tired and sore from the test. Would it make anyone feel better if he had them made in china? He used rubber tips on chrome rods. So? There's a problem there? I was there. I saw. I saw some get sent home because he could not help them and by their admission Dr. Whitcomb returned their money. Oh horrors. Has anyone pursued a cancer doctor like this when a loved one passes away? We are imperfect human bodies that "REAL" doctors gave up on. We are head cases and have mental troubles. All of us have been there when a Doctor gave up and sent you down the road. He didn't. I walked for the first time in five years and sat and cried. I have my life back for the most part. I'm not 100 % but accidents and trauma tend to do that to people. But what I am is greatful to a man who endures criticism from people that no one else could help either. Do you demand repayment from the Rheumy's or Neuro's or demand they be investigated? Why not? I went knowing full well the expense, the time and the recovery process. The ones I have recommended have gone through and are continuing to do very well. Funny how I was never called to see how I was. Maybe you don't want to hear from me because I am doing good and don't fit into the plot, which is what it appears to be. I wanted to stay out of this but my conscience wouldn't let me. I saw people leave early against his advice and sure enough they regressed. Again that's Dr. Whitcomb's fault? I for one think you should be ashamed for what you are doing. Tell the little 12 year old who had spasms so bad her parents hung a 20 pound weight from her wrist to keep it from flying uncontrollably and within days that was off. Tell her parents the Doctor was no help. Tell the man who couldn't have relations with his wife that Dr. Whitcomb didn't help. Go on..stand in their face and tell them they are not helped, it's all in their mind. Like I said the media was disgraceful and what you people are doing is too.

[Braided]

I was also a patient of Dr. Whitcomb's. I have been mostly pain free since my treatment in Lake Tahoe 16 months ago. I had suffered from some of my symptoms since being a teen-ager, and others appeared over many years, until, finally, in the '90s, I got a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. By the time I reached Lake Tahoe, I wasn't able to walk the whole way around the block without a lot of discomfort...and stairs looked like mountains to me as I went up just one at time, always having to "lead" with my right foot. When I left, in fact, while I was still there, I began to hike up mountains! At this point, I am able to work a 5 day week, 5 hours a day, and am still relatively pain free. I have some arthritis issues, but I am 58, so expect some problems, but I have no where near the pain I experienced for 20 years before going to Lake Tahoe...and I go up and down stairs just like a "normal" person as much as I want.

While in Lake Tahoe, all the patients were treated very well. Dr. Whitcomb and his whole staff did all they could to make our stay as comfortable as they could, as well as helping anyone who had financial issues. There were even numerous times that the doc himself or a staff member offered rides to me and others who couldn't afford to rent a car while there and wouldn't even listen to an offer to pay them, even after a long day at the office. When I first got there, some of the other patients told me how the Whitcombs had cooked Easter dinner for them and they had heard from others that they had done the same for the group that had been there at Christmas.

I knew before I went how much it would cost and knew that I was taking a chance, but it was worth the risk to me. If I had relapsed, I would have blamed myself, not the treatment...and I would have still considered the trip worth every penny because of the people I met while there and because of the relief I obtained while there. It was so wonderful to be able to walk around a grocery store in comfort or take a walk after so many years!

I spent a full year being really careful what I did, how I slept on my pillow, especially "guarding" my neck, and VERY slowly adjusting medication downward. I also kept doing the stretching exercises that the massage therapists showed us and have continued with some self-massage of areas that were troublesome.

This summer, I was even able to mow the lawn with a push mower and do my own gardening. Right now, I am able to bring in the wood for our woodstove a couple of times a week in addition to having a regular job. THAT is big progress for me!

I am not going to throw stones at other patients who didn't do as well as I have, but I also don't think it's fair for anyone to throw stones at the doctor or anyone who works for him that I got to meet. We all make our own decisions for treatment and live with the results. I have been trying to stay out of all this because of the stress level, but I just couldn't let TV viewers think that there were only bad results from Dr. Whitcomb's treatment.
"Braided"

[mickey mckehan]

I'm sorry to see all the negative publicity from the news stations. I know for a fact that he is on the right track. Is his treatment perfect? No, but without help, support and backing, he will never be able to prove it. My wife and I went to Tahoe in March 08'. My wife was pretty much bed ridden. Is she "cured"? no, is she better? Hell yes. If you don't believe me, she is on the web page, view her video. Look and listen to her voice and the change in it. Does she feel as well as she did when she left Tahoe? Nn-but her symptoms are less severe. Instead of weeks to get over her flares it has turned into a day or two. Dr. Whitcomb and his staff are professional, understanding and caring. If I had to make a choice for her quality of life to be like before Tahoe and I knew that she had to see him everyday for the rest of her life, I would move to Tahoe tomorrow from Tennessee. Dr. Whitcomb and Dr. Bradley deserve respect, not being trashed by people who do not know what they are talking about. This disease is real! So is his "cure", he's not there yet but he is on the right track. People are told before they make the decision to make that trip, that it is NOT a cure or guarantee. It will probably save us money over time due to all of the drugs that patients don't have to take anymore. I do feel sorry for some of the patients who go home and have all of their symptoms come back. It would be tragic, because we did feel this was our last hope. From Mickey in Tennessee. My wifes name is Rhonda, look for her on the web page of the clinic.

[Joyce Bredwell]

On Nov 7, 2008 I was at the Fibromyalgia Relief Center at South Lake Tahoe when this interview took place by Dan Noyes chief investigator for ABC Channel 7 out of San Francisco, Ca. I and eight or nine other people were interview by him and not one of us was even shown in his telecast or review. Only thing that was mentioned in Dan's blog was when he visited the clinic, he believed that there were some true believers at the clinic. The patients that were in Dr. Whitcomb's office for the interview were his patiences that just came out from there adjustment's not arranged by him.As Dan stated in his interview. They gather to visit each other and support those that are not having a good day. I'm a past patient of his and doing well. Dr. Whitcomb treats Fibromyalgia without the use of drugs.

I do believe that this was not a fair and balance interview. There was only negative responses that were totally taken out of continence to make this look like Dr. Whitcomb is not there to help his patient's. I know that to be a fact that he is there just for that reason. It is really wrong that in this country you cannot pursue natural treatments without drugs, without the media and negative people whom don't believe that God has given him a gift. Money is the route of evil in this world today. God will prevail.

I have seen more people getting better and are still better after his treatments. I know that the good things were not reported to the public in this interview. I do believe that they need to do another interview. Maybe with a more fair and balanced reporter. What was so dishearting about the article is that he has discouraged those Fibro patients from coming to the clinic and seeking treatment. I believe, true believers in the Lord will over look this negative article. Along with the other people that cannot come to grips with natural treatment and no drugs.

I know that Dr. Whitcomb has given relief and a more productive life to his patient's. I failed to hear that in the broadcast. I guess you will have to judge for yourself. God will help these people whom are suffering so bad and only want there lives back. You must have a positive attitude for relief and I do know how God plays and awesome part in that. A true believer and supporter of Dr. Paul Whitcomb, Dr Dan Brady and his wife and the complete staff at the RELIEF Center. Thank you for taking the time to read this

[Cari]

I was at Dr. Whitcomb's center for 10 weeks. It has been 7 months since I left, 100 percent PAIN FREE. I went there with severs fibromyalgia, a severe existential tremor, dystonia, and insomnia. After the first adjustment the pain was greatly reduced, the tremor cut in half, and everything else gone. I do not support these biased attacks on Dr. Whitcomb. He does not take advantage of sick people. Once he has helped you as much as possible you gives you the tools to stay as well as you are. You have to take care of yourself for 6 months. He is not a fraud, he is not a scam. He is a kind-hearted, genuine doctor who can, has, and does help people. Also, he never uses the word "cure".

[Jeff]

I am admittedly a very naïve person. I always hold out hope that people do not believe everything they see on the news or the internet, but unfortunately most do. I am also the biggest skeptic you will ever want to meet. My daughter, Cari, who appears on Dr. Whitcomb’s website, has been pain free and symptom free of fibromyalgia for eight months now. How did this happen? Was it through years of taking her to the “best doctors”? Taking her to UC Davis, Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital (Stanford), UCSF Medical Center (University of California San Francisco) to name a few? No, but most of these doctors I believe did their best. There was a doctor that claimed she had ADD and prescribed medication for Restless Leg Syndrome that I don’t remember seeing on any of your ireports. Was it from all the medications that were prescribed that did everything from make her physically ill to turning her into a zombie? No, but the drug companies continue to profit.
I also consider myself a relatively intelligent and pragmatic person. I am continually amazed at the gullibility of people. One of my favorite shows on TV is Penn & Teller’s Bull****. Some of these charlatans are mildly amusing while some are downright scary. Nonetheless, I can now understand the desperation of people looking for a magic pill or searching for that person that can miraculously fix their problems. I pray no one has to watch their child reduced to a spasmodic shell that is constantly writhing in pain and unable to sleep through the night because it can admittedly lead you in any direction.
We heard through a friend of a woman with severe fibromyalgia that had been confined to a wheelchair and was now walking pain free. She told us about Dr. Whitcomb and a lecture he was having in Rancho Cordova, California. I reluctantly went to see this lecture of Dr. Whitcomb’s through the insistence of my wife and daughter in December of 2007. I sat through his lecture occasionally looking around the room for the snake oil or the plate that I was sure was going to be passed around. I went to a chiropractor once with lower back spasms and wasn’t overly impressed (I think a good massage could have done as much good). After listening to his talk and wishing Penn & Teller were here to listen, he “tested” anyone who was willing to give his treatment a try. It was free and I am not one to turn down anything free. After the “test”, my daughter got off of the table and told me she didn’t have any pain. Her tremor had slowed considerably, and she was able to do some deep knee bends. After choking back some tears (it isn’t easy when the snake oil salesman that, a few minutes before, you were wondering if anyone would really be upset if you just leveled him was standing there smiling at you) we went in search of some stairs where she proceeded to walk up and down unassisted. Wait a minute; hadn’t my wife and I just started having a conversation about wheelchairs? Dr. Whitcomb told us the relief was only temporary and the fibro would return in a day or two. It did. He also said that he could help (not cure). At this point, we were taking my daughter to Stanford for treatment and had been to UCSF for further opinions. The treatments at Stanford gave us hope but it became apparent the results were precisely that – hope. Regardless of this magic that had taken place before my eyes, I insisted that my daughter continue with the Stanford treatments and if there was no improvement, we would visit Dr. Whitcomb in the summer when school was out. This seemed totally reasonable to me (I wasn’t the one in pain) however my wife and daughter rebelled and went off to South Lake Tahoe in January. In March my wife returned with this kid that looked a lot like my daughter except she had no tremor, dystonia, or pain. This little girl told me that she had attained her goal of being able to run with her dog. This transformed child (is that better than “cured”?) is now an active teenager (just had her 16th birthday) excelling in school and marching up and down fields in her high school marching band. I still catch myself looking for a tremor, a limp, a grimace of pain, but there is only laughter.
I paid this Dr. Whitcomb nearly $8000 (that included the hotel for 10 weeks) – what was I thinking? Do I feel cheated? You’ve got to be kidding, if I were magically shown a video of my daughter the way she is now back when we were going through this a year ago, I would have gladly signed away the mortgage to the house and the rights to my soul to the good doctor. I consider him now more than a trusted friend. I have recently stood with him at his lectures and told our story (without pay) and I will do it again in a courtroom or before any commission or camera. It’s the least I can do.
By the way, were those drug companies I saw advertising on your news program? And just what does the i in ireport stand for? As for Dan Noyes (what an appropriate surname), some reporters aspire to the greatness of Walter Cronkite and some to Geraldo Rivera. To your credit, I guess Geraldo has made more money.
Thank you Paul Whitcomb for giving us a family with normal problems and let me know when I can return the favor.

[Mary Grace]

Mr. Noyes, when do we get the follow up story to your one-sided broadcast denouncing Dr. Whitcomb's treatment? He and his profession deserve better! His patients obviously are doing better than you showed. Where are the failed testimonials on this blog?

[stacey gagliano]

I was a patient in June of 2008.I tried every pain medicine,chiropractor,physical therapy,acupressure,acupuncture,massage.Not to mention spinal injections paid thousands of dollars for every test known to man only to be told I was crazy,drug addict,or a hypochondriac.Then by the grace of God my husband found Dr Whitcombs website.If he gave me nothing else he gave me hope.When I met with him and the staff at the fibro center i was very depressed,suicidal and skeptical.Imagine my surprise when his claims actually worked.I had the privledge of watching not only my health improve but numerous others just like me.
All in your head you say welcome to the world of a fibromyalgia sufferer.I will not say this has been an easy road your body goes through many changes MOST DIFFUCULT GETTING OFF ALL THE POISON ALL YOU SPECIALIST`S HAND OUT LIKE CANDY.I dont take pain meds and havent since I started the program,no more anxiety,insomnia, depression.
I and my family owe my life to DR Whitcomb and the Fibromyalgia Relief Center.
Stacey

[Nyree]

I find it amazing that after all the garbage spewed in your "news" story that all the comments received are *in support* of Dr. Whitcomb.
I came to his clinic in June of 2008. I was less than 20% well, had already tried all the "Western" Fibro treatment centers and had been down the road of taking up to 86 pills per day to fix my Fibro. I'm surprised I didn't die from the treatments at other clinics.
I came home at 95% wellness and not only did they stop my Fibro they also helped me w/ my range of motion.
These chiropractors are not in it for the $$. Are you kidding me? They are there all hours of the day and they certainly don't make the $$ for the time they put into it. While going through my medication withdrawals (from previous doctors), they kept in contact with my physician at home and would come to the place I was staying and use chiropractic techniques to help--and help they did. They came to my place in the middle of the night, during the day, over a weekend -- you never had to worry that you could not get a hold of the doctors at the clinic -- never!
You want numbers? Here are some: prior to being treated at the Whitcomb clinic I took 5 Lortab daily, 2 Percocet daily, 2-3 Flexeril daily, and was still constantly in pain.
Now, 12+ weeks after I returned home, I take 0 Lortab, 0 Percocet, and 0 Flexeril.
Flying used to be a nightmare for me -- no matter how many drugs I was on the pain of Fibro would not stop. This past week, I had to take a 4 hour plane ride and not once did I feel the horrible twinge of Fibro.
Shame on you for protraying only 1 side of the story. I thought ethical journalists (is that an oxymoron these days?) would at least strive to get some look at each side.
For all of you who did not fare well with Dr. Whitcomb, you have my sincerest sympathy. But that does not mean he is not legitimate and that certainly does not make him a fraud.
For all of you running this smear campaign, I hope each of you can sleep at night. . for all of those would-be patients that you have now scared off. I was suicidal prior to my treatments at Tahoe so Dr. Whitcomb *did* save my life. I hope that none of the would-be patients forgo treatment and decide to end their lives.
Yes -- it is that serious -- and I pray that people will see through this mudslinging and let people make their own choices about Dr. Whitcomb.
I thought witch hunts stopped hundreds of years ago but I must have been mistaken.
Shame on you KGO-TV/DT, for the way you portrayed the clinic and Dr. Whitcomb. I'd be real interested to see who was driving this witch hunt and how your network benefits from all of this.

[Betty Barratt]

This is my 2nd attempt to post to your blog, Mr. Noye's, but worth every second I spend here. I have no idea where post #1 went to.

I believe I had Fibro symptoms going back to my childhood, though I was finally diagnosed about 19 years ago. I'm 49 now and I'm not kidding when I say if I had not had treatment at the Fibro Relief Center, I would not have seen my 49th year on this planet. My prayers were geared towards helping me be strong enough to live another day because I was having true suicidal thoughts. I found I was not alone in this by the time I got to the Center.

I've been home going on my 8th month now and I will tell you that I was not given BACK my life, I was flat out GIVEN life. I say this because I simply existed, somewhat functional, all these years. I can't remember a time I felt this good. I lost decades to Fibro, but I have been saying, even as I was in the Center getting better, that my internal clock was ticking backwards. In my heart and soul, I'm living young.

Those who think they knew me, got to meet someone new when I got home.

The things people take for granted, like walking down their hallway without falling against the wall, or taking a bowl out of your cabinet and immediately forget why you took it out, only to burst into tears moments later when you realize you only wanted a bowl of cereal.

I know what it's like to think you are dumbing down due to lost memory. I know the pain of a never ending headache that could not be diagnosed. I know the misery of IBS and thinking I would go to oldladyhood this way and being terrified. I know what it's like to have nausea hit so fast that I was like a baby spitting up without warning. I know the pain of trying to talk and what I call losing my words. I know the physical pain, the unexplained rashes, the numbness in my hands and in my feet. I know what it's like to feel every ounce of energy that keeps me standing drain out of my body. I know the chest pains that feel like you are having a heart attack. I know the terror of anxiety attacks. I know what it's like to have your neighbors watching as the ambulance takes you away for the up-teenth time. I know what it's like to go without sleeping for days. I know what lack of hygiene feels like and not care. I know what it is to be a recluse, friendless. I know what it's like to truly wish I was dead.

I know what it is to have a literal pharmacy in my kitchen cabinet. I know the endless doctor visits, the physical therapy, the water therapy, the mental therapy, the various CTs and MRI's when a new symptom would come up. I know what it is to have your doctor tell you he can no longer help you.

I know what it is like to give up a career I was no longer effective in.

I know the financial toll it takes on my family and in the end, nothing helped, I only got worse.

I also know that Dr. Whitcomb never claimed to "cure" anyone. I knew ahead of time every cost involved in getting treatment from the Fibro Center before committing to even walk in his door. I know I was cared for from the minute I called their toll free number.

My health improved with every passing day I was in treatment. I had a few days it seemed I had taken a step back, but even those days were nothing like what I experienced before arriving there.

I only take medications for my thyroid and hormones now. I have only gone to my doctors once since being home and I had scheduled those visits ahead of time to check in and get me off those medications safely.

I can hold a conversation now, I can take long walks, kneel down and stand back up, take a lengthy shower, enjoy people and them enjoy me. I can sleep and wake up refreshed. I have no more anxiety attacks, no more spontaenous vomiting, no more IBS (and this one consumed my life as far back as I can recall). No more numbness, no more pain. No more untreatable headaches. No more lab tests (unless something else comes up). No more thoughts of suicide.

Mr. Noyes, I see I'm not alone in seeing your story as one sided. At the end of your "investigation", you indicated you would give us a follow up. I suggest you actually use the footage you shot of the patients currently getting treatment, contact past patients such as myself and the other ones who posted on your blog.

I am left to wonder why the past employee you interviewed was an employee in the first place after her treatment. It makes sense that anyone who chooses to work for them has had a successful story of their own.

I also reviewed your video 3 times and each time it was so obvious to me that you edited the sound to include tree branches breaking. This was evident both in Joan's test and on the patient Dr. Whitcomb was treating.

Also, so what that Dr. Whitcomb figured out how to use common hardware (or auto parts) to fashion a tool that is helpful in our recovery. Would we rather him pay top dollar to have it made for him and then pass the cost on to us? I shook my head on this one. History is full of people figuring out how to use things invented for one purpose to do another.

I was also curious why a retired Oncologist would have an opinion on what Dr. Whitcomb does. Was an OB/GYN not available?

I really do feel bad for those patients who did not respond well. I am hugely grateful that those few did not get to me before I got treatment as I would not be alive today to write this. I'm not being dramatic in this statement.

My biggest concern is for others who viewed or read about your story who will not get treatment because you failed to do what we viewers expect respectable journalists to do, simply report the truth.

Betty

[Sherril Johnson]

Whitcomb has obviously requested that his cult of followers post their long winded comments here. See my URL for other views.

[Betty Barratt]

I want to make this clear, my "long winded" post on this blog was not my "view", it was my EXPERIENCE and I was not asked by him or anyone else to write it.

Betty

[Rene Brewster]

This is certainly a very one sided account of the Fibromyalgia Relief Center. I was at the clinic in June of 08 and was given those after care instruments. I remember Dr. Witcolm joking about them in a talk he gave. He made no bones about the fact that in a pinch he had developed the instruments from parts he found at a auto store. Those instruments allow me to give myself treatment everyday when my husband is not around. After using them I feel immediately better. Why make Dr. Witcolm look like he was trying to pull something over on his patients? He told us exactly what the instruments were and how to make them in case we wanted to make them on our own.

[Marlyne]

It has been quite upsetting to see how words can be twisted around in order to make someone look bad. There is much to say about the report given about the doctor who claims he has found the cure for fibromyalgia. To begin, the ABC report titled , “Investigating Fibromyalgia Cure” reported Dr. Whitcomb arranged for patients to meet with the reporter is not true. All the patients there were waiting for their treatment and the report made it sound like it was all pre-arranged. This comment is misleading.

I was there at the clinic when Dan Noyes was gathering his information. I remember telling him this was an answer to prayer and he asked me, “Why is that?” I answered, “I had been praying for a news station to see what’s been going on here at the center. There are so many people who need to know there is a place where they can get better.” I also told him that I was in and out of a wheel chair for 13 years and it’s been over 2 years now since I’ve used the wheel chair or motorized scooter. I didn’t know at this time he had different intentions. I’m beginning to perceive this negative report as a blessing in disguise since more people are learning of the clinic.

Dan interviewed a room full of patients but not one of them was included in the report. He went around the whole room asked for each patient to say their name. Some of them spelled their names out for him then he started asking questions. While he was asking questions I started to think something wasn’t right because of the way he was asking the questions. I told Dan I’d like to share something too and he said that he would interview me later. Then when he was about to leave, I approached him outside and he told me he got a call from the station and had to leave. I think he just didn’t want to hear what I had to share. He’s so convinced Dr. Whitcomb is scamming people that he’s not willing to listen to people who do have their lives back again. This I don’t understand. You would think that being a news reporter, all of the story would be reported. I told him I was there at the clinic for treatment over 2 years ago, July of 2006. You would think that he would want to talk with someone who had been out of treatment for so long since part of his story indicated the patients didn’t stay well after being out of treatment. I’m proof that the treatment works. There are many people who can vouch for what my life was before I had treatment compared to my life after the treatment. It’s truly a miracle! I also told him that I was there because I accidentally hit my head and I started developing symptoms again. Did he include any of this in his report? No, evidently not! It’s a one-sided report.

I’ve had the privilege to travel across the United States with Dr. Whitcomb, volunteering to speak with as many people as I can in order to bring down the suicide rate. The suicide rate is extremely high. I remember being interviewed in St. Louis earlier this year. I shared about my goal to bring the suicide rate down and that’s exactly what the Fibromyalgia Relief Center is doing. Dr. Whitcomb, his staff of workers and volunteers truly care for the wellness of fibromyalgia sufferers. I’ve witnessed his tears after he’s helped somebody be pain free after years of pain. There are numerous people that he’s helped.

What patients do after the treatment depends upon their continual wellness. I know this by first hand experience of hitting my head and also by keeping in touch with other patients who have done something their not suppose to do whether it was by accident or by doing something and then later realizing what they did. It’s awful patients blame Dr. Whitcomb for something they did to themselves. They should stop pointing the finger at him and take responsibility for their own actions.

Shame on you! The one’s who are lying. You know who you are. I pray God would convict you and have you tell the truth. You know that your jeopardizing millions of patients lives over false accusations. What other doctor do you know who spends Thanksgiving with his patients and shares a dinner with them? What other doctor do you know who will fly out to another state to help you get pain relief? Do you realize that the Fibromyalgia Relief Center is literally saving peoples lives? Are you aware of the suicide rate and how high it is for fibro patients?

Question? Why was it reported that Dr. Whitcomb claims to cure fibromyalgia? For as long as I’ve known Dr. Whitcomb he has never once said he’s discovered the cure for fibromyalgia. As a matter of fact, I remember telling him I felt like I’ve been cured. He told me he can’t say cure because he could lose his license. He has found the root cause of fibromyalgia. I’m only 1 of many who can testify to this.

By God’s grace, Dr. Whitcomb has been given this gift of knowledge of how to treat fibromyalgia. It was a good day if I was able to get dressed. There were many years when I wished somebody could help me. I lived my life around church so I could sing my heart out to God, doing my best to be a blessing to those around me. My hope is still in Christ, my Savior and I always knew someday, if not before I die, that I would no longer have any pain. Then after years of praying I found the website. It’s amazing how much my life has changed. No longer do I have irritable / inflammatory bowel syndrome, acid peptic / GERD, all of my food allergies are GONE, TMJ, dystonia, trigeminal neuralgia (facial pain), wide spread body pain, sore/flu-like feeling and the insomnia is gone too! It’s really a miracle that I’m as well as I am. Because of the treatment I’m able to live life again. It’s so great to participate in life, to laugh with your family and friends. Life is very different when your not hurting all over or so exhausted from not sleeping for days in a row. To live and to give back is such a blessing.

I hope and pray that another interview will be a result from all the bad press. There is good news today! There is hope for people and their families who suffer with fibromyalgia. It’s only right that the truth be made known. Too many lives are a risk because of what has happened. And Dan, if your reading this, I sure hope that you will reconsider and do another interview showing the other side of the story you gave.

Forever I will be grateful to God for leading me to Dr. Whitcomb, his family and the entire staff. Not only is he my doctor, but Dr. Whitcomb and his family are like my own family. They have taken care of me like nobody else ever has. He truly is a caring, loving and a godly man. My family and I can never repay him for what he’s done for us. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you Dr. Whitcomb!

[Kelly Kayden]

You slanderous pigs. I can't believe you posted such a one-sided biased story. It's the most biased story I've seen on the news. This is worse than any smear campaign by a politician because YOU are ruining people's HOPE and a chance a PAIN FREE and NORMAL life which you seem to enjoy so you probably can't relate to my story.

I'm 21-years-old. I became nearly bed-ridden at age 19. Is that a way for a college student to live? No. I lost hope in everything. I was repeatedly hospitalized for hurting myself and suicide because of my hopelessness and I was on way too many drugs. I was out at Dr. Whitcomb's for 13 weeks at it was worth it. I was there with a previous poster named Stacey (she actually lived a room away from me and we became best buds fast despite the age gap because she's awesome).

I actually have had some relapse but that PROBABLY has something to do with falling on my neck the second week I was home. EVEN despite this injury I am 60%-70% better than I was before treatment and I have not restarted any of my pain, insomnia, or blood pressure meds I came off of while there. I just participated in a semester with 17 credit hours without dropping any for the first time in 2 years. And guess what. In two weeks I'm GOING BACK to fix my neck because it WORKS.

Also, I watched my neighbor and other best bud while I was there get up out of a wheelchair and walk. She had previously had NO movement in her legs. She wasn't just wheelchair bound, she was practically useless from the waist down. If that isn't a miracle, I don't know what is. Halfway through my treatment I was climbing rocks and she was walking. By the time I was finished we were diving into lakes and goofing around. If you want a success story, look at her. She came from THAILAND with no money.

So screw you and your destructive journalism habits. Maybe you should go back to school. Apparently you weren't good enough to get a Mizzou journalism education. --school pride--

I hope you have a great time making our lives miserable and blocking the successful treatment of hundreds of other people who can achieve relief no other way.

[Kelly Kayden]

Go to the above link, iTeam. I think you'll find it useful.

[Kelly Kayden]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2n5Kh_bpFk

Sorry, there's the link

[sbaker]

Hello to All!!!!! I saw the interveiw and thought how very Sad what they choose to do to Doc, here goes;It was My choice e calledto go to SLT and get the help I needed and I am glad so glad I did. So heres what happened after I retuned home on June 18 2008 I WAS 90% WELL !!! stared looking for a chiro; found one; she called Dr. Dan I had 3 visits with her ; I became so Sick (Dr. Whitcomb warned us about this happening ; Well it Happened to ME!!!!) This Dr.'s EGO Hurt ME and I did not have money to return for treatment. I was oh goodness what am I going to do???? I called my patient rep Fibro Angel St. Louis Sharon she, Dr. Whitcomb and Myself had a conference call and came up with a treatment plan for Me at home which means Iam still in my 6 months of Healing;( NOW This is because of the chiro dr. with the EGO mentioned earlier;NOT FROM MY CLINIC TREATMENT IN SLT!!!!) Yes Idid everything I was told to do and I still am doing it!! So my recovering will take alittle longer; OH WELL!!! "Life is so Good" I am doing pretty Well. and Believe that I will contine to Get Well!! I am better than when I arrived in SLT April 16 2008. I Will Not Allow Others to Bring Me Down and that Includes other Chiro Drs. OR the MEDIA... I count My Blessings each day !!! And than Twice for ALL of You and the Clinic for being there !!!! Miss,Love,Hugs and Smiles, Shirley B.

[Anna - Fibromyalgia treatment]

Effective and affordable safe natural treatments are available for Fibromyalgia as alternatives to painkillers. You must review the products offered by Biogetica (T24, HMLC, C57), they are the evolutionary result of years of Homeopathic, Chinese, Ayurvedic, Synergetic and Biotech research. They are an excellent assimilation of products that helps to relieve most of the symptoms of fibromyalgia. The patient not only experiences a sense of comfort due to the reduction of pain, but also progresses towards overall good health. The solutions address the root cause and aid in maintaining normalcy of the connective tissues all over the body and strengthen the muscles, ligaments and cartilages of the body.

[knee arthritis]

Three times as many women as men are affected, usually at a fairly young age (between 25 and 50). The disease may come on slowly or appear suddenly.

Rheumatoid arthritis typically affects the small finger joints, wrists, knees and toes. All joints of the body, however, are potential targets.