Mitochondrial dysfunction has been resurfacing time and time
again among the online groups and discussions with my doctors. What is mitochondria? The mighty mitochondria is the “power house” for our cells, without them our bodies cannot function at its optimum. Mitochondria are organelles in our cells that convert nutrients into energy for our bodies and are responsible for 90% of cellular energy. When they are malfunctioning, they can cause a “brown out” of any or several body systems.
I have avoided being tested for mito dysfunction, because
of the dreaded muscle biopsy. However,
I have continued to research this theory, and several discoveries have made me finally
pursue this possibility:
First, I have had 3 doctors mention mitochondrial dysfunction
to me, and each independently recommended a muscle biopsy. I
certainly have not wanted to undergo something so invasive. So, until now, I have put this request to be
tested on the back burner. It has now
been almost 1 ½ years since my last reaction to Levaquin. My pain has greatly reduced, and I no longer
require anything for pain. It still
resurfaces occasionally, but the pain is bearable without the use of
medication. However, the muscle fatigue,
digestive problems, exercise intolerance, autonomic dysfunction and
fasciculations have started to increase again.
These all still interfere considerably with my quality of life. Multi-system problems, muscle fatigue and
exercise intolerance are the hallmark symptoms for mitochondrial dysfunction.
Second, my family history also has me wanting to research
this further. Disorders that run in my
family (Parkinson’s, epilepsy) have been linked to mitochondrial disorders. I think it is possible for me, that I had
mitochondria that perhaps where not functioning at their optimum, and Levaquin
“did them in”, so to speak.
Third, MitoAction.org has several interesting podcasts that
possibly support this hypothesis. One
titled “Drug Toxicity and Mitochondria” actually discusses Fluoroquinolones
that have been found to cause mito dysfunction.
(Minute mark 52) Trovafloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, was found to
cause mitochondrial damage and was withdrawn from the market. The speaker then proceeds to say, that once
one medication in a drug class has been found to cause mito dysfunction, it is
safe to assume others in the same class will do the same. That is enough for me.
Fourth, I have found that one of the top docs for
mitochondrial dysfunction is very close by; I could not pass this opportunity
up. Dr. Fran Kendall is the medical adviser for
MitoAction.org. She is on the cutting
edge of research and does much of her testing through buccal swabs and blood
tests first. She has found that muscle biopsies
are less than 30% accurate in diagnosing mitochondrial dysfunction; therefore,
muscle biopsies are the last resort for her practice.
Dr. Kendall sent me a packet to complete that wanted
everything, including the kitchen sink.
She wanted a detailed description of family medical history going all
the way back to my grandparents and their siblings, medical records and of
course my own history. I sent the
80-page packet of information to her, which she will review before seeing
me. Despite having an appointment with
her, I am still not certain that I will actually be tested for mitochondrial disease. It depends on a lot of factors: what Dr.
Kendall thinks, how I feel about her after our first meeting, and testing
involved. I do feel it is at least worth
this first step in the investigation.
What happens if I do get a diagnosis for mitochondrial disease? Mito-toxicity from medications is thought to more
than likely improve. I guess the big
question would be, “Do I have both genetic and toxic mitochondrial
disease?” There is no cure for genetic
mitochondrial dysfunction; however there is treatment to allow your body to
function at its optimum. These include
diet, exercise and a “mito cocktail” of supplements. I know this is what many are doing now in the
FQ toxicity world, but for me, I am tired of haphazardly taking supplements
without knowing what will or will not truly help me. Guidance in this area would be greatly
appreciated.
Perhaps, this is the reason some seem to improve after their
adverse reaction. Suppose the theory
that FQs damage mitochondria is true.
Could it be that those with a "pure" toxin induced disorder
are the ones that improve? Could it
also be that those of us that don’t heal, had an unknown subtle dysfunction before,
and this has made it worse? I wonder if
that is the difference between those who get better, and those who don't. Bear in mind this is MY theory, and none of
it is based on fact. I am curious to
hear Dr. Kendall’s views on Fluoroquinolone antibiotics and the mighty
mitochondria.
Thanks for reading!
Coming December….The Mighty Mito (Part 2)
