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Speakers - Cheney

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Paul R. Cheney, PhD, MD
The Cheney Clinic
Asheville, NC

Dr. Cheney photo


About Paul R Cheney, MD, PhD

The Cheney Clinic
1 Vanderbilt Park Dr Ste 230
Asheville, NC
(828) 274-6665

Dr. Cheney has been interested in many aspects of ME/CFS for more than 20 years. He was a founding Director of the American Association of CFS (now the International Association for CFS/ME).

Most recently, following a successful heart transplant in 2003, Dr. Cheney has been engaged in investigating the cardiac function of CFS patients, using Impedance Cardiography and Doppler Echocardiography. According to his paper presented at the 2007 IACFS/ME conference, "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients exhibit evidence of diastolic dysfunction at a level well above that reported for control populations of the same age. Energy dependent diastolic dysfunction would appear to be a hallmark of CFS and supports the hypothesis that CFS is a syndrome of cellular energy deficiency."

Introducing Dr. Cheney, April 25, 2009:

While our attendees are usually excited to meet and listen to speakers, those special practitioners who make time for us who share their unique views about our conditions, there is an extra special buzz in the air tonight.

Our guest is legendary CFS expert, physician and physicist, Paul Cheney.

For over twenty years, Dr. Cheney has been a pioneering clinical researcher in the field of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).  He has published numerous articles and lectured around the world on chronic fatigue syndrome. 
   
Dr. Cheney holds a PhD in Physics from Duke University in Durham, NC and is a graduate (MD) of Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA where he also completed his internal medicine residency.  He is a board certified internist.

Since 1990, Dr. Cheney has headed the Cheney Clinic, presently located in Asheville, NC.  The Cheney Clinic specializes in evaluating CFS patients and has expertise in diagnosis, disability support for and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. No single clinic has drawn as many CFS patients (currently over 5,000) from as many states (48) and foreign countries (22) as has the Cheney Clinic.

Tonight’s presentation is entitled
“Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Is Oxygen the Problem and Why?”

Please welcome Dr. Cheney.


by
event hostess Elly Brosius
Northern VA CFS/ME, FMS, and OI Support Group
Fairfax, VA


 
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome(CFS):
Is Oxygen the Problem and Why?
A Four-part Treatment Protocol

Paul Cheney, MD, PhD

Photo Collage of Oxygen Toxicity Seminar

Photo Collage of Oxygen Toxicity Seminar
by Bob Busby for Ann
Click photo for larger image

April 25, 2009 Seminar
to the
Northern VA CFS/ME, FM, and OI Support Group
Fairfax County Governmental Center
Board Auditorium
12000 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax VA 22035

Down View

Event co-sponsored and video recorded by the
CFS & FM Support Group of Dallas/ Fort Worth, TX
Jump down to How to Order the DVD

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oxygen Toxicity Seminar


What was new in this 2009 Seminar?
Why did people travel hundreds of miles to hear it?

Step four of Dr. Cheney's protocol, which not all patients would require, is stem cell transfusions. The stems cells used are legal and from afterbirth sources. The American company trading on the NYSE offering them has a clinic in Panama for this treatment mainly to reduce costs for patients seeking this step. Two patients recently completed step four and they are already showing improvement in their test results.

Overview

In addition to a broad overview of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome including case definition, clinical findings, and key medical literature, Dr. Cheney presented on oxygen toxicity in CFS, evidence of diastolic dysfunction and heart failure, evidence of an association of CFS with PFO’s (Patent Foramen Ovales), as well as his current four-part treatment protocol.


Oxygen Toxicity as a Controlling Factor for CFS

One section of the presentation focused on the research finding of nearly 100% toxicity in CFS patients when oxygen is administered.  Dr. Cheney presented evidence that patients given various treatments were transformed to an increasingly oxygen tolerant state. The most powerful treatment protocol was also associated with significant overall clinical improvement. Dr. Cheney drew conclusions from his data: CFS is an oxygen toxic state, oxygen toxicity status appears to determine outcome in therapeutic trials, and oxygen toxicity is key to this illness.


Cell Associated Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Is this the Next Frontier?

Dr. Cheney explained the use of low molecular weight (LMW), mammalian tissue derived peptides as therapeutic agents when applied to the skin using novel transdermal gels. These LMW peptides are known to control gene expression and can shift organ function toward normal. Data was presented in using these LMW peptides in CFS which produced significant improvement in function. Therapy with LMW peptides from cell associated, mammalian tissue homogenates therefore appears to offer a significant benefit in CFS, especially where it counts the most, namely, the functioning of the patient.

Testing

Bicycle Ergometry was mentioned again as the best test for convincing the Social Security Adminstration of disability status. Oxygen plays a key role in energy production, so exercise physiologists use oxygen consumption during exercise to tell how much energy a person’s body is capable of producing. Having people pedal a stationary bicycle until they can pedal no more tells researchers how much air their lungs can take in (Ventilation Max) and therefore how much oxygen they use to produce energy (VO2 Max) at their peak level of effort. Bicycle Ergometry effectively tells researchers how much energy is being produced. There are places in CA and in NY that do this testing. [Article at Phoenix Rising.]

Dr. Cheney uses an echocardiagram machine for hours with patients measuring how their Isovolumic Relaxation Time (IVRT) changes in response to various treaments. IVRT is the time from aortic valve closure to mitral valve opening. The isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) is an important noninvasive index of left ventricular diastolic function. His patient data was presented in detailed "Echo Terrain Maps."

Treatment

Dr. Cheney and others believe that phenotypic changes (altered gene expression) must be corrected before making genotypic changes (changes to the genetic blueprint) such as those made with the stem cells. What has been putting patients into a low oxygen state vulnerable to the push - crash experience must first be addressed in steps 1-3.  A redox shift is done with Artesunate. A gut modification program includes a modified elimination diet, using anti-microbials, repairing the gut with a colostrum/ glutamine source, and adding in probiotics. Pretreatment along with Artesunate may include DHEA, Glucose, and Inosine. Then Cell Signaling Factors (CSF's) are considered, and if needed stem cell infusions.

Artesunate is in the class of medications known as artemesinins, which are derivatives from the "quinghaosu" or sweet wormwood plant (Artemisia annua). It is used often for the treatment of malaria. Inosine is a compound that is an intermediate in the metabolism of purine.

One of the cell signaling factors (CSF's) is the transdermal gel prescription Nexavir, formerly known as kutapressin. It is a porcine liver factor. [See the Phoenix Rising website and Nexcopharma for more info.] The heart factor was the one he highlighted as the most effective.

It seems neither the heart CSF gel nor Artesunate are currently available in the U.S.A. (except perhaps through Dr. Cheney).

Magnesium was praised as very helpful for the heart and one of the audience members was seen using Magnesium sulfate cream on his carotid artery throughout the evening to keep up with the body's demands for the mineral. This cream was mentioned on Dr. Cheney's 2006 video. The positive effects from the cream last about an hour.

Fructose, the sugar in fruit and honey, is still considered something to be avoided, something that makes CFS worse in Dr. Cheney's view. D-Ribose was also not recommended.

Dr. Cheney likens the order of the steps in the treatment protocol to correcting software or functional problems before putting in a new hard drive. Corrupt software, or improper functioning, installed on a new hard drive will corrupt the new system and produce bad results. Stem cells are the last step, a metaphorical new hard drive if one is needed.

Many patients, especially younger ones and/or those who haven't been ill for years and years,
may not need stem cells at all. Dr. Cheney has had several younger patients resume normal function with just the first three steps of his protocol.

Consider this

CFS is not a disease. It is an adaptive state. Your body is trying to save your life.

Dr. Cheney also discussed some facinating work by a scientist who used urinary markers to show that when people do recover, they are moved not back to a normal state of a person who never had illness, but to a new expression of good health. You cannot go back to what you were, you can only become a new kind of normal.


For More Information

Two websites for information about the stem cells:

Medistem in the USA
www.medisteminc.com 

and

Cell Medicine in Panama
www.cellmedicine.com 



For more information from Dr. Cheney as it becomes available:



Photos of a few slides from April 2009....



Title SlideOxygen Toxicity
Oxygen Toxicity - Part III of TreatmentCFS: Key Ideas




Keys Ideas

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome -- An Oxygen Toxic Stae
  • Echocardiographic Parameter -- IVRT as Energy
  • Cell Signaling Factors (CSF's) -- as Therapy
  • G = H - TS -- The Energy Guiding Light  (G = Gibbs Free Energy)
  • The Human Being as a Symbiote  (We're only 10% Human!)
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as Redox Compensation

A Sampler of Attendee Comments

My mom called 3 times during the event (break times) and i think she got a lot out of it! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ORGANIZING THIS. i know how much work these things can take.


We need a meeting just to discuss what we heard, to compare what parts we understood.


Does anyone understand what he is saying? Layman's terms, please!


I am more scared now than ever. I'm so afraid for my heart.


If what he said is true in part 1 about congestive heart failure, why haven't more of us died already? Some of us have been in this group for 15 years, have had symptoms all of our lives. We're still here.


Are the transdermal gels prescription?


Hello Elly,
    I am back home in Ohio safe.  I want to thank you for all your work.  It was wonderful that you and your group were able to put all of it together.  Dr. Cheney and his seminar were great and far better than I expected.
    It was very exciting to see Dr. Cheney in person and be able to hear the results of his latest medical research and treaments.   Dr. Cheney has been one of the foremost world leaders in CFS research for the past 25 years.   It was a wonderful opportunity for us with CFS and associated illnesses to hear about his findings firsthand.  It really meant lot to me.  Thank you.!!!
    My own story is similar to others with this illness.  Over the years, I read everything I could about CFS.  After years of reading and listening to Dr Cheney's recordings, his explaination of the illness enabled me to have an understanding of it.  Before Dr. Cheney, I had no idea what was going "wrong" with so many parts of my body and brain.  Once I understood the illness, I could start to try to improve.
     Even though Dr Cheney never had me as a patient, I owe most of my improvement to him and his research.
      Dr. Cheney has dedicated his life to treating those with CFS and developing better treatments.  He has further developed his treatments for each patent's functional improvement and cure in some cases, and has developed a system to measure the progress of his treatments of each individual. Dr. Cheney's presentation was very impressive and the positive results for his patients are very encouraging.   
     Thank you again,
     Blessing to you and everyone in your CFS/FM Group,
--Gary Machin



We enjoyed the CFS overview last night, it was long but there was some good information near the end.


A very successful evening - congratulations and thanks! I am sending in some photos.


I am grateful that I was able to make it to the Dr Cheney meeting tonight even though I forgot to factor in what a sudden arrival of 87 degree heat does to slow down my get-ready routine. I didn't connect the dots even though Elly copiously warned us of the anticipated high temps.  I'm also grateful the meeting was a night one so I had a few extra hours to compensate. I am grateful that I got to meet people I've emailed with in person tonight at the meeting.  It may seem silly, but it was very exciting to me to get to meet them, and to see Toni and Elly again.  I am grateful for all of the immeasurably hard work and incredible attention to detail that Elly put into making this event happen, and to Toni and everyone else that helped to make it happen.


I have to go home and think.


WOW!

Where do I get the DVD?
Where do I get the DVD?
Where do I get the DVD?


Attendee Comments / Other Related Cheney Seminars discussion elsewhere on the Web

Thread title: Paul Cheney talk, Fairfax, VA, April 25, 2009
ProHealth ME/CFS & FM Message Board


Thread Title: Injectable Magnesium?
ProHealth ME/CFS & FM Message Board 1/30/08




(While Dr. Cheney presented impressive data to support the successes of patients able to return to work after even years and years of illness, he presented little information about those who respond poorly to his various protocols. CFSupport has group members and recent contacts who felt their worsening was not adequately addressed when a patient of the clinic.)

Top

DVD Ordering Information and Donations
DVDs

DVDs will be ready no sooner than the end of May.

The DVD of the April 2009 Cheney Seminar "CFS: Is Oxygen the Problem and Why?" at the Northern VA CFS/FM/OI Support Group in Fairfax, VA, was arranged for by the  CFS and FM Support Group of DFW.

Ordering information and price will be available at the DFW group website as soon as possible, repeated on this NOVA CFS/Fibro/OI Support Group Speaker - Cheney page, and posted to major CFS e-lists and forums as well.

The support group will be using a fulfillment company to take and fill orders. Details are not yet available. Stay tuned.




Donations

To make a general tax-deductible charitable donation to sponsor CFS/FM Support Group of DFW, use the new PayPal donation icon on their website homepage or send a check to
CFS/FM Support Group of DFW
513 Janann St
Euless, TX 76039

To make a NON deductible gift to the Northern VA Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia Syndrome, & Orthostatic Intolerance Support Group,
send a check to
Northern VA CFS Support Group
14404 Brookmere Dr   
Centreville, VA 20120-4107


Thank you.

Web Links for Paul R. Cheney MD, PhD


Dr. Cheney's sites:
Webpages dedicated to, quoting, mentioning, interviewing, Dr. Cheney:
 Articles by Paul R Cheney, PhD, MD:
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Updated April 30, 2009
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