"All there, all the time." - Rich van Konynenburg

It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Rich van Konynenburg. Rich did a tremendous amount of good for patients with neuro-immune illness. He was a beloved figure.

Rich's background was in engineering. He was retired from a job at Lawrence Livermore Laboratories when he got hooked, through chance, into applying his intellect and fine mind to the complexities of ME/CFS. He stumbled into the field as many do - through having a friend with ME/CFS. What a wonder and a delight this chance happening was for the rest of us!

Rich van Konynenburg - an independent, non-medical, unaffiliated researcher - has done a tremendous amount to "get at" this illness. The operative words here are independent and unaffiliated. Bringing betterment to this patient population became his life. He connected to the patients and felt their isolation and frustration.

It was said about the painter Georges Braque that he was "all there, all the time". Well Rich too was "all there, all the time".

About ten years ago Rich formed an idea about this illness - the essentials borrowed from an Autism treatment of Jill St. James and Amy Yasko. Rich transferred this Autism treatment, with adjustments, to ME/CFS, developing, through analysis, the idea that glutathione depletion was a critical problem in this illness. Applied to ME/CFS, the idea was a good one, it had legs, and the theory put into practice has brought a great deal of betterment to many ME/CFS patients. Over the years, Rich elaborated, researched and promoted his concept of a methylation block/glutathione depletion as a central, perhaps the central, feature with these neuro-immune illnesses. Once in, he displayed perseverance, love, support, empathy, resolve, intelligence and an astonishing array of other wonderful human qualities. As far as I could see, this fellow had no downside.

Rich van Konynenburg will not be replaced. He is truly irreplaceable.

For a number of years, Rich was a member of the Ratna Ligne group, a privately financed alliance of clinicians and researchers. It was here that he was able to present his big picture concepts of the working of this illness. It was here that he forged long-term relationships with other thinkers.

I first heard of Rich van Konynenburg from Dr. Karen Vrchota of Winona, MN. Dr. Vrchota was an early believer in Rich's ideas of methylation blockage, with accompanying glutathione depletion. Dr. Vrchota introduced my daughter to the protocol and over time, it has benefited her. A number of years ago, Rich wrote an analysis on my daughter. He was interested in her case as it was so well documented. What did I learn from reading this analysis? I learned that this is a complex multi-faceted illness that has to be taken apart and attacked in pieces. I learned that there are existing therapies that can help with this illness. I learned that certain things need to be done for other things to be added.

In time, Rich built a relationship with Dr. Tapan Audhya at Vitamin Diagnostics and asked Dr. Audhya to construct a test or series of tests that accurately measures reduced glutathione and various components in the methylation cycle. With these tests patients were able to identify the problem - and more importantly were able to track progress. These few simple supplements supporting the therapy remains one of the essential actionable treatments for this illness. A great many people have experienced positive benefit with the methylation protocol and testing.

In 2009, Rich did a privately funded treatment study with Dr. Neil Nathan. The study can be found here. The positive study results warranted further controlled study, which has not been done.

I first encountered Rich van Konynenburg in January 2007 in Fort Lauderdale at the IACFSME conference. Rich presented a "poster paper" on the methylation blockage concept. This meant that he  "posted" a visual display of his research ideas (for selected hours).

At this conference, after each series of lectures, there was an "open microphone" question period. Rich was quick on his feet, always first to the microphone, waiting to ask his question. At the end of his question time, he would move to the end of the line, hoping to ask another question. His questions were always articulate, specific, challenging, thoughtful and respectful. Always they connected his theory to the existing, mostly abstract, dogma being presented at the conference. One looked at this situation and wondered, what is wrong with this picture?

Why is this fellow Rich asking the questions? Why is he not up front, on the lectern, giving a lecture and presenting his ideas? It made no sense to the perceptive viewer. After all, Rich had a thoroughly constructed theory, a practical and researched idea, an idea that was actionable, and one that could be studied and tested. All this was too much for the powers that be.

The response from the dias to his politely framed clarifications were always the same - a lackluster indifference. What did they ultimately think of Rich voicing his ideas publicly? At the next conference it became clear. At the 2009 Reno conference they canceled the open microphone and took questions through writing, enforcing a situation where they could control the flow.

In Reno, I asked Rich about this change of format. He just looked at me and smiled that wonderful wry smile of his - and said nothing. My conclusion was that he "had seen it before". Rich's response was to move on, to give renewed effort to the avenues afforded to him - the poster paper presentations.

I saw Rich in Reno in 2009, in Ottawa in 2011, in Bethesda at the NIH and in NY at the Mt. Sinai ME/CFS Center conference in 2011. Rich was always the same, engaging anyone who would listen to his ideas. At conferences he could be seen standing from the beginning of the day to the end conversing with anyone from Dr. Cheney to the newest patient or advocate. Rich had a passion for the subject and no bias. One never got the sense that he was talking down to you. He was fascinating.

More recently, and to our collective good fortune, Rich van Konynenburg reached a broader audience in the presentations of his work. He gave a comprehensive three-hour lecture on his theories in Sweden a year ago, which can be viewed here. He also made a shorter version of this lecture at the Mt. Sinai ME/CFS conference in New York in November 2011. This conference was organized by Dr. Derek Enlander. Video footage was made of this lecture and will be available online. There is a blog post on his presentation at this conference here.

Rich was scheduled to speak at the November 2-4 ILADS Lyme conference in Boston. This lecture will now be given by his friend and research colleague Dr. Neil Nathan. Rich was also scheduled to talk in Belfast on Novermber 11, again at the invitation of Dr. Enlander.

Perhaps now the NIH will pick up on his research idea and run studies to conclude what the rest of us already know: Rich's protocol brings benefit to a large number of patients.

The death of Rich van Konynenburg is a devastating loss to the ME/CFS community. Patients all across the world are crying because of this very sad news.

Mt. Sinai conference - Rich van Konynenburg

The upcoming conference at Mt. Sinai (on Sunday November 20, 2011) is a step in the right direction. This conference, the first of the new Mt. Sinai ME/CFS treatment and research center, embraces the serious exchange of treatment and research ideas in ME/CFS. There are some new names here, and we look forward to hearing from them. There are also some more familiar figures. The interaction should be illuminating.

The conference will start at 11 and will feature five half-hour presentations by Dr. Derek Enlander, Dr. Kenny De Meirleir, Dr. Eric Schadt, Rich van Konenynburg and Dr. Merriam Merad. After a lunch break there will be a panel discussion with the participants. (Judy Mikovits was scheduled to join the panel discussion, but will be "unable to make it" as she was arrested on Friday, November 18th in her hometown in CA on a fugitive from justice charge.)

I was pleased to see the name of Rich van Konynenburg among the speakers. Rich is an "independent operator" in the ME/CFS world - and one of the best. Over the years, he has developed a very convincing biochemical explanation for the part that methylation blockage and glutathione depletion play in ME/CFS. Rich has existed on the periphery for too long. He needs to be brought into the discussion. Rich is a welcome addition to this list of speakers, and perhaps this exposure will get some traction for his ideas.

I have followed closely the work of Rich for a good number of years now. Rich has presented poster papers at each of the major ME/CFS conferences (and at various other conferences). Once in a blue moon, he is actually invited to speak, and to present his thesis on the connection of the methylation blockage and glutathione depletion in ME/CFS. His ideas are firmly based in biochemistry and very well might play an important part in understanding and penetrating this illness. Certainly Dr. Enlander believes in the reality of methylation blockage, and his formula for treatment involves elements either borrowed from Rich's theory or coincident with it. Other clinicians also are paying more attention.

Rich's presence at the recent IACFS/ME conference was very noticeable, as he seems willing and able to talk individually with people without prejudice. He is on his feet all day of the poster conferences, presenting in a nutshell his complex set of ideas. Why he has never been given a time slot to directly address a conference session I will never know. His ideas need further exposure.

Here is a article by Rich van Konynenburg on Phoenix Rising. A revision of the original simplified protocol and a discussion can be found here. Discussions of the methylation protocol can also be found on various ME/CFS forums.

The first time I observed Rich van Konynenburg in action was at the 2007 IACFS/ME in Ft. Lauderdale. At that point, attendees to the conference could come to an open microphone and ask questions directly to the panels. In general the panel members "froze up" with the clarity and persistence of Rich's (and others) questioning. It was obvious that the "ability" of the panel members to engage unfamiliar territory was limited. Rather than trying to come to terms with what Rich was suggesting, they changed the format at the next conference to written questions - and in this way the organizers could control (and eliminate) the questions that were more penetrating or "difficult". This "technique" is used more and more today by important people who are averse to things "entering in". My response has always been, "Let's hear more from this fellow".

Recently, Rich gave a three-hour long lecture at a conference in Sweden. It is available online in three sections and they can be accessed in the following videos. I recommend viewing it in parts, as it is well worth watching.

Treatment for this complex, yet measurable, dysfunction is relatively simple, and can be found in various places on the internet. Rich himself engages on various forums, discussing with patients and advocates the specifics of his ideas, disassociating himself from giving medical advice.

It becomes obvious that his interest in ME/CFS is a labor of love. Certainly he cannot be accused of making money off of his idea, as he is always "on his own dime". Instead we find that his motivation to "get involved" is similar to many others in this field. He has a friend who has the illness.

Rich also is free of the usual entanglements - as he is neither an academic researcher nor an ME/CFS clinician. Instead his background is in electrical engineering. In his retirement, he has turned his fine mind onto the problem of solving or getting to the source of ME/CFS. Actually, like other important contributors to the mechanisms of ME/CFS (Dr. John Chia comes to mind here with his revisiting of older UK research of enteroviral involvement in ME/CFS), these ideas on glutathione depletion are not new, but borrowed from practitioners in autism. Rich had the insight to see the connection. We will all benefit from his insights.

Mitochondria

Recent events have gotten me to focus again on mitochondria and its relation to ME. None of the following is presented as medical advice or guidance. I am not a doctor and I do not want to be one. On the other hand, it is worth noting that those with ME are "on their own" when it

comes to medical diagnosis and treatment. The situation for ME sufferers is worse than the 19th century, when physicians at least would ply their trade.

Dr. Sarah Myhill's website, perhaps the most extensive ME website on the internet, has ample information on the critical role that mitochondria play in ME. It is a great starting point. Another informative article is by Dr. David Bell, and can be found in his Lyndonville News here. Dr Bell, an excellent clinician trying to find answers, has had a long-standing interest in the role of mitochondria in ME.

Various clinicians - Dr Joseph Brewer, Dr Sarah Myhill, Dr Paul Cheney - believe that mitochondrial irregularities play a part - perhaps a very large part - in ME/CFS. You can read an article by Dr. Myhill here. In this article Dr. Myhill outlines how mitochondrial failure plays such a very big role in ME. (Incidentally not everyone has caught on to this idea.)

Dr. Myhill collaborated with Dr. John McLaren Howard and Dr. Norman Booth in an important study published in January 2009. This paper, which can be viewed here, was presented by Dr. Booth at the IACFS conference in Reno, NV in 2009. A short article on these three researchers is available here.

Dr. John McLaren Howard is a real unsung hero in ME research. Dr. Howard co-founded Biolab in London (with Dr. Stephen Davies). Prior to retiring from Biolab a few years ago, Dr. Howard pioneered some very important testing in the area of mitochondria and ME. He has continued to do these tests at Acumen lab in Cornwall. His son Mark continues to work as Manager of Biolab.

Dr Myhill's website gives a good explanation of what Acumen is looking for in their testing.

The test itself is relatively easy to do. I believe my daughter was the first person from the US to do this test, back in 2007. In crude terms the test measures ATP function (the rate at which it is recycled into cells) and the efficiency with which ATP is made from ADP. Further testing looks at various blockages to the transport of ATP and ADP. Here is an example of an ATP results page:

The blood test requires one heparanised and one EDTA tube, shipped ambient via Fedex to Acumen lab in the UK. USA Fedex shipments have to be sent to Acumen labs, c/o Cameras Plus, 17A Gold Street, Tiverton, Devon UK EX16 6QB. The samples have to be shipped "international priority" which will get them to Dr. Howard in 48 hours. They need to be shipped in an insulated pack with the proper paperwork. Fedex will help with the international shipping label. They will not help with the packaging in any way. A triplicate copy of an international waybill needs to be filled out in a specific way, the process of which can also be learned through the Fedex site. If the blood is drawn into the correct tubes, if the shipment is packed according to international Fedex procedures, if the paperwork is filled out properly, the sample will breeze through customs to Acumen labs in a timely fashion. Some care has to be taken in these matters.

The test can be done through Dr. Myhill. She will write a particularized summary that is very useful. She has seen hundreds of these tests and works closely with Dr. Howard.

Rich van Konynenburg's thoughts (always welcome) on mitochondria and ME can be seen on the Phoenix Rising forum. This ME/CFS information site was founded by Cort Johnson. This website provides us all with much needed information and connections - and is an ongoing, necessary resource. Not a day goes by that I do not read it.

The big question is, once the specific mitochondria problems are identified, can these deficiencies be rectified? As with all matters with ME, the proof is in the pudding. It is trial and error - but at least the patient has a target, and a means of measurement and tracking. Many people have been helped by this test and its targeted treatment.

Is it possible that such sharp and diverse minds as Myhill, Cheney, Howard, Booth, Bell, and Brewer can be gathered around a subject - mitochondrial failure - and that there be nothing there? No, I do not think so.

The interesting thing about mitochondria dysfunction or illness in general is that it is viewed as a disease - as opposed to ME, which is viewed as nothing. At the moment there is broad attention being paid to mitochondrial diseases and mitochondrial dysfunction, and this reality opens up an entire area on to which ME might be able to piggyback. One of the greatest hopes for ME patients is that something will slop over from another research area - HIV, cancer, mitochondria, MS, stem cell - and inadvertantly land in the lap of ME.

Several national mitochondrial disease websites can be viewed here and here.

The proposed intervention, tailored by the physician to the particular needs of the patient, revolve around what is know as the "mitochondria cocktail". Dr. Myhill stumbled upon mitochondria support through the research of Dr. Stephen Sinatra, the American metabolic cardiologist. The mitochondrial cocktail consists of various supplements. These include NAD, Co-Q10, d-ribose, carnitine, Idebenone, b2 (riboflavin), b1 (thiamine), creatine, and magnesium and b12 injections. A good webpage that covers some of these supplements is this Medscape article. Each patient's cocktail is particularized - either by a physician or by trial and error. The experienced patient, whether with lyme or ME or both, will be able to tell what works for them, and what doesn't, thus devising their own balanced protocol.