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How do you work out what foods effect Fibromyalgia?

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Fibromyalgia
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Jacaranda
New Member
Joined : Mar 2013
Posts : 5
Posted 3/10/2013 10:19 PM (GMT -7)
I understand everyone is different and what effects one may not effect another sufferer, but can anyone suggest a system for working out what foods, chemicals etc should be avoided?

I have discovered salt is not good for me by chance but don't know where to begin working out if there are other foods making me worse.

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Recoveryme2day
Regular Member
Joined : Jul 2012
Posts : 335
Posted 3/11/2013 1:16 AM (GMT -7)
The best way I have heard of is to keep a food journal, you can start with what and when you usually eat for a week and then stop one food or spice at a time then write down your reactions or non-reactions in the journal. After about a month, try adding everything back in one at a time. I have gluten/dairy/wheat allergies and believe me you will know which ones to avoid by the time your done.
Hope this helps.
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Southern cross
New Member
Joined : Mar 2013
Posts : 2
Posted 3/11/2013 5:35 AM (GMT -7)
My husband has suffered from fibro for a very long time and we discovered a book called "The sulphite connection" which talks about hidden and undeclared sulphites, so when you ask what foods can affect fibro I say a variety of them, major things to avoid are foods with maize flour, corn starch, glucose syrup as they all contain undeclared sulphites
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almost medfree
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Joined : Jan 2004
Posts : 2570
Posted 3/11/2013 6:52 AM (GMT -7)
Research, how about starting with websites that mention which foods should be avoided with fibro. Here's one:

http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/fibromyalgia-the-diet-connection
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almost medfree
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Joined : Jan 2004
Posts : 2570
Posted 3/11/2013 6:52 AM (GMT -7)
Research, how about starting with websites that mention which foods should be avoided with fibro. Here's two

http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/fibromyalgia-the-diet-connection

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/01/19/Foods-That-Chronic-Pain-Sufferers-Need-to-Avoid--.aspx

Since I get inflammation when I eat the wrong foods, I watch which inflammatory foods make me feel worse.

Since I have been exposed to alot of mold in my lifetime, I watch which foods that aggravate mold exposure make me feel worse.

Since I have been told by a doctor that I have a lot of candida, I watch which foods that are not good for people with candida to eat to see if they make me feel worse.

I know this is a lot to consider and carry out, but I don't mind. I'm proud of myself and am far from perfect in dealing with it.

We have to keep in mind, how we feel and what we might be doing to ourselves is more important than the foods we eat.

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MyselfRedux
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Joined : Dec 2009
Posts : 6231
Posted 3/11/2013 6:56 AM (GMT -7)
Keep a journal for at least a month. You can chart food, medications, events, how you feel, pain, etc.

Eventually, a cause-effect will become clear.
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Sherrine
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Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 18316
Posted 3/11/2013 7:27 AM (GMT -7)
The food journal is a good way to start.  I don't have food allergies so this isn't a real issue.  I do have digestive problems from another illness and I know what foods cause diarrhea and what foods constipate me and I avoid them.  But specific diets have never been proven to help fibromyalgia.  They will help you if you have symptoms of food allergies, though.  If that's the case, you would have these symptoms even if you didn't have fibro.  Some people go into shock by eating peanuts but I've eaten them all my life.

 

If you aren't having symptoms of food allergies or sensitivities, then enjoy good, healthy fruits, veggies, and lean meats.  These all help your body feel better no matter what illness you have.

 

Sherrine

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Snowbunny21
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Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 3557
Posted 3/11/2013 7:29 AM (GMT -7)
It's really best to just work with your Dr. as we are all so different there isn't any just "one" chart, website, suggestion that fits everyone with Fibro.

I don't have any food restrictions as far as any triggers for Fibro. I have made the switch to eating all organic on my own because I wanted to get rid of preservatives and artificial ingredients. The benefits for me has been more energy and better digestion (especially for IBS symptoms). But I eat any type of food I want , it's just all natural or organic. Nothing is off limits as it's all about moderation. If I want a piece of cake, then I eat ONE piece and this satisfies me for a few weeks.

I have always been a water drinker as I dislike sodas....I drink about 12-14 glasses a day because I am on medications for other health issues and this also helps me with energy levels and intestinal issues.

Of course for "regular" good health, most people should avoid extremes with too much salt, sugar, or bad fats....but this is to keep those from developing diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart/kidney issues. It's all about making smart choices....not going on any "fad" diets.

And daily exercise in some form is also good for most everyone, not just for Fibro so you should work out a good program with your Dr. to make sure it is safe for you in case of other health issues you may have.

I walk every day, a 1.4 mile loop with my dog each night. As well as I make sure I get up and stretch and walk around the house a bit (not working right this moment) every hour or so to keep from getting too stiff or getting muscle spasms. I also lift very light weights a few times a week and this is cleared by my Neurosurgeon because of all my spine issues. I do am/pm gentle yoga too!

I see that you have Sleep Apnea as one of your diagnoses....I hope that you are following the Drs. orders each night by using a C-PAP or other type of machine if this is prescribed as that makes all the difference in the world with not just getting sleep but getting the proper oxygen to your brain, heart, and rest of body to function properly.

Because of my other spine issues, surgeries, and pain while sleeping associated with those, I ended up being prescribed Ambien to help my sleep. This, along with my mattress topper, pillows that fully support my spine, going to sleep and waking the same time 7 days a week, and sleeping in a cool room with total darkness, has made a tremendous difference in my pain and energy levels.

As others mentioned, if you feel that certain foods somehow are the sole cause of your pain or flare in symptoms, then keeping a journal to figure this out would be good.

I have just found that eating well, daily exercise, stretching, getting a good night's sleep and finding things that make me laugh and give me joy have helped make my Fibromyalgia be something in the "background" that I don't think of much.
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AustenFan
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2008
Posts : 1776
Posted 3/11/2013 7:36 AM (GMT -7)
There isn't any scientific research that shows a definitive link between fibromyalgia and food consumption. There is only anecdotal evidence; some people say they feel better if they add or avoid certain foods.

I agree with the food journal. If you have a food sensitivity or food allergy, you may feel better as a whole if you are able to identify that food and avoid it.

Also, if you feel you do have a food allergy, allergy testing is a good way to help identify it. Sometimes we think we are having trouble with one food, when it is actually something else.
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Fishchris
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2012
Posts : 446
Posted 3/11/2013 10:02 AM (GMT -7)
I really don't. I mean, I don't eat any fast food, deep fried food, no packaged / highly processed foods... but aside from this, I just try to keep my lean proteins up, my simple carbs down, and my healthy fats reasonable. Typically, I shoot for somewhere around equal 1/3rds for these.

Then I keep my daily cals somewhere close to the "break even" point.

Nowadays, I spend a lot more time thinking > What do I need to eat to lose a couple pounds of fat... and put on some more muscle ? I really don't even think about my Fibro that much, unless I'm here discussing it.

Peace,
Fish
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Southern cross
New Member
Joined : Mar 2013
Posts : 2
Posted 3/11/2013 8:39 PM (GMT -7)
My husband and I tracked his eating habits to try to work out if there was a link, and given we ate what we thought was healthy home cooked organic(where we could afford it) food we really were quite perplexed shocked What the book explained was that sulphites can be hidden and undeclared so we were going from one type of food to another yet he was still eating sulphites cause they were income of the food choices one being the maize flour we used to thicken our gravies. Since he went off ALL sulphites it has been like night and day for him.
I think if you start with the food journal that at least helps you get conscious of what you eat, just remember to look at thickeners, stock powders/cubes. Even the supposed healthy range of gluten free can be loaded with sulphites.
I live with the thought "if you can't read whats on the ingredients then don't eat it"
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linchu13
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2013
Posts : 32
Posted 3/12/2013 3:49 PM (GMT -7)
Hi--I recently bought book "Healing Fibromyalgia" written by Dr. Edelberg. It is now my bible. It is a fantastic book and he goes into every topic from medications, natural supplements, alternative therapies to diet. He also lists many different resources and a six week plan to follow. He goes into detail about food allergies, toxins, pesticides in certain foods. I learned a great deal from this book and I have worked in the medical field for years!
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Jacaranda
New Member
Joined : Mar 2013
Posts : 5
Posted 3/13/2013 2:58 AM (GMT -7)
Hey thanks everyone.

I am feeling a bit daunted today but I will look into all your suggestions.

I know I have found a link with salt and whether it is because of the fibro or something else who knows. I guess any symptoms that can be eliminated is good, regardless of what is causing them.

I think my biggest issue is my job. It is very stressfull as we are seriously understaffed. I moved here to the country three years ago to take a less stressful job but recently due to government funding cuts we have lost 25% of our staff and now we are under so much pressure to manage our workload. I would consider looking for another job but there isn't much work here and I bought a house last year just two weeks before they announced the cut backs. I can't sell the house as nothing is selling and now I feel stuck.

I think I was foolish as I really believed one day I would find a cure for my 'ailments' but now I know otherwise. I think it is just starting to sink in that I wil always be like this. It's amazing how when you have hope you can cope with so much more just by believing one day things will be better.

Oh well I must battle on and try to find some things that will ease the symptoms.
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Sherrine
Forum Moderator
Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 18316
Posted 3/13/2013 4:55 AM (GMT -7)
I have a lot of hope and I've had fibro for decades! Back when I got it it was called fibrositis and most doctors didn't think it was a true illness. Now they know...most of them at least. Fibro now is recognized by the American Medical Association, the American College of Rheumatology, the National Institutes of Health, and the World Health Organization just to name a few. Now there there are things that can help you. Plus researchers and doctors are working hard at finding the cause. Once they do that things will be even better.

So never give up hope. Look forward to each new day with anticipation because it could be a good one.

Sherrine
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