MERIDIAN INSTITUTE NEWS 2-4

 Vol. 2  No. 4   July, 1998
MERIDIAN INSTITUTE NEWS


Chronic Fatigue Research Project

Over the past year, six people have been working with Edgar Cayce’s recommendations in our Chronic Fatigue Research Project. Chronic fatigue (or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)) is a debilitating disorder characterized by profound tiredness or fatigue. The Cayce readings do not specifically refer to chronic fatigue syndrome, since this syndrome has only recently been labeled. In Cayce’s time, the symptoms were typically referred to as neurasthenia, which roughly translates as “nerve exhaustion.” Because of the diverse symptoms, chronic fatigue requires a broadly-based treatment approach.

    We focused on the basics: a cleansing of the system with castor oil packs, colonics, and massages, the mostly-fresh-fruit-and-vegetable diet, and the radial appliance.

    For one person in the project, the Cayce approach was an outstanding success. She had been severely fatigued for years, and had tried various approaches without much success. After a year she wrote to us:

    “The protocol and most especially the diet has been responsible for major breakthroughs in my life.

    “My mainstays have turned out to be THE DIET, meditation, & yoga on a daily basis. I found the diet allowed me to ‘stray’ occasionally with no side effects other than temporary ‘additive’ problems. I have increased my energy, ability to deal with people, exercise, & general alertness of mood by as much as 1000%.

    “This past year has shown me and my husband many miracles not just in my health but our relationship. We both attribute this re-birth (if you will) to the diet, the readings, our old Search for God group in Southern California, [the study group leader] and her vast understanding of the readings, and most of all – all of you at Meridian – you have changed our lives forever. Thank you.

    “In addition to all of these gifts, I’ve lost about a pound a week since we left the beach – 58 to be exact – I’m now at 122 pounds!”

    The other five people in the project had varying degrees of success. Two really never began to work with the protocol. The other three worked with the material, though not with complete compliance.

    One woman reported moderate improvement, and offered the following comments at the one-year follow-up: “I really think the protocols are on target, though sometimes time consuming, which can be hard on the slow moving days, as I include meditation, breathwork and stretches. I pray often for contributors’ gifts to sustain and broaden your experiments. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it.”

    One man made a great deal of effort and was diligent in filling out the data sheets for the project. He had moderate improvement in fatigue symptoms for the first six months, but then he leveled off. He did report continued improvement in attitudes and emotions, however. He made valuable contributions to our understanding of the limitations of this basic protocol.

    While recognizing the limitations of the project with regard to the small number of participants and partial compliance to the treatment plan, we learned a great deal. Chronic fatigue is an especially difficult disorder to work with, because exhaustion and discouragement interfere with the ability to comply with the protocol. The woman with the outstanding improvement had a husband who supported her through the process. On the other hand, one of the people who never really tried to apply the protocol was a single mother with children who had to put her major effort into coping with daily life.  Thus the role of social support during the healing process is particularly important with this illness.

    We also could see from the Cayce readings, that with a disorder that is really a catch-all for a diversity of symptoms and causes, one can’t realistically expect a single treatment plan to work optimally for everyone. The basics are a first step, and as we continue, we will learn more about the principles behind Cayce’s more advanced treatments with regard to tailoring the treatment plan to the  unique needs of each individual.

    Edgar Cayce constantly emphasized the importance of the mental and spiritual.  One very encouraging aspect of the project was that all of the participants reported improvement in attitudes and emotions, even when the physical body was slow in responding, or they were not able to do the physical treatments.

    Thanks to all the participants and support people who are  involved in the chronic fatigue project.  We appreciate your efforts and wish you the best as you each continue your healing journey.
 


Deborah Thompson, R. N.

    Deborah Thompson, R.N. has been hired by the A.R.E. to be a “manager/coordinator” for the Health & Rejuvenation Research Center (HRRC).  Among Deborah’s varied assignments, she will work closely with Meridian Institute in the implementing existing programs and developing new research protocols.  As a link between Meridian Institute and the A.R.E., Deborah will serve as coordinator for the upcoming health research conferences this fall.  As some of you know, Kieth Vonder Ohe did an excellent job as coordinator for six conferences from 1995 to 1997.  Deborah is also directly involved with the creation and implementation of the individual research protocols which are now available (see below).  In addition to her involvement in research, Deborah provides medical consultation and case management services.

    Deborah has already contributed significantly to the research effort of Meridian Institute.   We look forward to working closely with her on future projects.
 


Individual Research Protocols

Meridian Institute has created a number of individual research protocols which may be used by persons who are unable to attend research conferences.  Each protocol is comprehensive and contains:

  • An overview of the disease,
  • A specific treatment plan,
  • Detailed explanations of how to do do each therapy in the treatment plan,
  • Documentation (when available) of how this approach has helped other people,
  • Data collection forms which emphasize the research aspects of the project.

    The format is a simple “pretest/postest” design.  Participants are asked to provide background information and data before they begin the treatments.  After following the protocol for six months, follow up data is collected so that we can assess the effects of treatment.  As an incentive, a rebate coupon  is provided which entitles participants to receive a partial rebate on the price of the protocol when the data is mailed to do us.

    Here is a listing of the protocols which are now available:

Alzheimer’s Dementia
Asthma
Breast Cancer
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Coronary Heart Disease
Crohn’s Disease
Depression
Diabetes (Type II)
Epilepsy
Fibromyalgia
Hypertension
Lung Cancer
Lupus
Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson’s Disease
Prostate Cancer
Prostatitis
Psoriasis
Stroke
Tuberculosis
Ulcerative Colitis

    The cost of protocols varies depending upon the amount of documentation and supplementary resources included with the package.  Research Protocols are available from Deborah Thompson, R. N. at (757) 496-6411.