Last post Mon, Jul 07 2008 6:19 PM by EmptyChild. 24 replies.
Has anyone else found that changing your diet and eliminating certain foods helps with your symptoms and flare frequency?
I think that personally cutting out artificial sweeteners (aspartame, nutrasweet and saccharine) and MSG really help, and low carb (very little sugar and refined carbs especially) has made a BIG difference.
Here's some info on Diet & Fibromyalgia from once site, but there is a TON of it out there:
Dietary Advice For FibromyalgiaDietary Guidelines For Fibromyalgia (FM)Fibromyalgia Diet: Aspartame And MSG
Of course, a lot of this will help with the weight gain from the meds they give you as well. ;)
I haven't eaten or drank anything with artificial sweetener in it in about 20 years. I avoid MSG and do not knowingly consume it. I eat low carb and about 75% wholesome. Makes no difference in my symptoms but I do not just eat this way to avoid fibro flare ups, I choose to eat this way to avoid poisoning my body with chemicals and an overload of sugar in my system. I have noticed a few times though after eating fast food that the pain set in severely when I had very little before eating. I've kept journals, had myself on a physical fitness program, spent much time in prayer and listened to relaxation cd's while lying down breathing deeply from my abdomen. Nothing I have ever done has made a difference. Though for about 2 months one summer the symptoms disappeared and I had no clue why. I thought I was healed by way of a miracle. Then the relapse left and symptoms returned. Kinda odd.
Sherry
My experience has been the same. I find that anything that is not natural is causing a negative response some way from my body. The sweetners are the worst, and even pop, artificial colors (red), can cause me to feel sick in a short time. I agree with the low carb diet. I have had great success with it. I also have gotten into herbs and suppliments to help with the FMS. I work at exercising frequently. My problem is that I live in Illinois, and deal with the cold. I seem to aleviate so many symptoms in the warm month, but have lost the battle since January.
Leta
Just so you know, you're not alone with losing that battle since January!
I live in Northern Ontario,Canada, and it still hasn't gotten to above 0 yet here. I also live where there is 15 concrete stairs outside to haul my walker up and down, so most of the time I just can't be bothered, especially in the winter. I am trying to get psyched up for spring and to want to get out more, but so far it hasn't hit me yet! LOL
Here's hoping we can "get with it" a little better soon.
Gentle Hugs,
Maggie
OK I wrote "the relapse left"....umm let's attribute that to a fibro fogged mind please. How about the blissful months I spent in remission from Fibro symptoms were oh so wonderful but all symptoms returned to darken my world. lol
Leta do you feel better when on a low carb diet? Cold weather, damp air and changes in barometric pressure cause big pain flare ups in my bod. I take a ton of supplements that I know help with some other conditions in my body. You know the expensive kind but you should be able to feel a difference if a vitamin, mineral or herb supplement is working and with these I do. So I beg, borrow and steal to pay for them. (not really, I don't steal).
The diet does truly help by keeping carbs down, less sugar intake. "That helps keep the weight down. We have problems with sugar, it makes us feel bad. I can't remember the whole breakdown, but I found some great advice on a sight, End Fatigue.com. Tietlebaum is a doctor that has FMS since the 70's. He works as a MD and a natural health pro, too. I've taken alot of his info when making decisions on supplements. Try it out.
Hi Leta,
I've heard of Tietlebaum. Is he the doc that has Fibro and Fatigue Centers? Low carb is excellent for weight loss I've lost weight twice loosely following the South Beach Diet. Lately nothing I do will drop those pounds. Odd as it worked so effectively for me in the past. I take SunChlorella and Osteofx from Youngevity and when there is no money to replenish my supplies I feel it in just a couple days. I need those two supplements. I also take a multi, C-1000 and some others. Just today I began drinking Organic, raw Apple cider Vinegar/honey/water drinks again and am now looking for high quality Cod liver oil to buy. Oh and I drink gelatin water for the Arthritis. Take care Leta and all other readers.
Hi everyone, I live in Iceland and this place is simply too cold for me. I'm moving to Florida next month but I have managed to keep my FM syptoms to a minimum. I just read the Dietary Advice For Fibromyalgia, where they say that it is misleading to say that there is an effective diet to reduce the symptoms. I totally disagree. I speak for myself and several others who have proven otherwise.
My story is pretty much like other's here, as I have been to countless doctors, taken all kinds of prescribed medicine with very little and temporary results and was giving up all hope. I refused to give in though and read somewhere that in order to reduce my symptoms, I needed to completely alter my lifestyle. As I felt sorry for myself and the pain was getting the better of me, it was hard to accept this fact as so much had been taken away already. I mean - I couldn't even stand up without help half the time.
It was either to change or simply give up so I had nothing to lose. This is perhaps the hardest thing I have ever done but I did and I don't regret a single moment. To begin with, I stopped using sugar and anything that had sugar in it, then flour, salt, white rice, MSG and artificial sweeteners. By doing this, I lost 20 pounds and started to feel better but not good enough and started to do some serious research.
As I didn't really want to become a vegetarian, I found out that fish like Salmon and Halibut which are rich of Omega 3 would be very good for me, chicken was OK but I should avoid red meat. Sausages, Salami, Pepperoni are a big no no and similar products. I could however eat vegetables and especially Broccoli as it is an excellent source of antioxidant. I could have as much fruit as I wanted also. Low fat dairy products are also good but I switched more or less to Soy milk. You get used to it...
My calculations showed that I needed more protein to keep my strenght up so I dug deeper and found a company that specializes in high quality supplements and decided to give them a shot. This was a turning point for me and now almost two years later, I hardly ever feel pain unless I dress carelessly in the cold weather or have done something stupid, like carrying heavy things. Today, I don't need or use any painkillers, I never feel depressed, sleep like a baby and live pretty much a normal life. Oh - and I stopped smoking and using alcohol as well. I am able to exercise which is important and as I said in the begining, I'm moving to Florida to get some sunshine and make the whole job perfect. I'm getting married and starting a whole new life over there at the age of 50.
If you feel that this is something you would like to do (I mean the diet hehe) just give me a yell for details.
Remember that the size of your success determines the size of your belief in every field of life.
Peter Skinner
Peter Skinner:
This is the third post from you I've seen and I've had enough.Your anecdotal evidence is NOT PROOF.
"It's not just about Obama is a young black man, and McCain is an old white guy."Shelley!
Sorry I didn't have anything negative to say The best thing we can do for ourselves is to try to be positive - as hard as it may be sometimes.
Like you Sherry, I take supplements, Ambrotose from mannatech and other vitamins, omega 3. I am also seeing an Homeopath at the moment, I have also been to a acupresureist not sure if thats spelt right. I will say I have had some benefits from all of these treatments, I have even adjusted my diet on several ocations.
I think the thing here is there is no cure, all these things do is releave the symtoms. Like most I have good days and bad or is that good periods and bad one's. high's and lows and mood swings that would make you thing i was having problems with PMT, lol, no offence girs.
All I can say is I have a very understanding wife and a couple of great kids.
I have an open mind to natural treatments i will try some and others I will keep clear of, as for Dr's the first Dr I dealt with for my condition had back problems so he was very understanding, some of the others seen my hands when they swelled up like balloons, some had simpitty and some where just rood. But that people in general.
And its the same with diet pills and suppliments, some people will get a greater benefit from them then others, and unfortunitly some wont get anything.
where's the sunshine
mike
Hi terrylynn, I am using the Herbalife products. Have you tried them? If so which products did you use and how?
Peter
Anything can benefit from having regular activity/exercise and a balanced healthy diet.
