Anyone out there with Fibromyalgia/Auto-immune issues?

NoExcusesFitnessCoach

Posting on an old thread, but wanted to offer my input. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 8 years ago. I have been symptom free for almost a year. Early 2013, I decided to fight back WITHOUT medication. The first thing I did was take a look at my nutrition. I cleaned up my eating habits, eliminated trigger foods (including coffee, dairy, gluten), and started exercising daily. As soon as I cleaned up my nutrition (I'm vegan now), my symptoms started to go away. With regular exercise, I was able to get rid of fibromyalgia symptoms completely. I started out in severe pain and could barely make it up a flight of stairs. By summer 2013, I was able to hike to the summit of 2 13,000 foot mountains (one of the hikes was 8 hours 19 minutes). So it was clear that things had changed considerably.

It's not easy, but with hard work and a full commitment to clean eating & exercise, it can be done. I'm living proof.

Good luck!

Wendy

snowbear1005

I have Lupus and degenerative disc disease. My lower spine has collapsed and I have 3 bulging discs & 4 pinched nerves in my neck.

I only have some minor aches and stiffness in my neck, but having more problems with my lower back and hip. Exercise helps tremendously as long as I don't over-do it. I'm still figuring out what I can and can't do.

chubbybunnee

Oh yeah. I've got fibromyalgia, eosinophilic esophagitis, gerd and gastritis, degenerative disc and joint disease, knee caps that slide off track, a fusion and multiple herniated discs and spinal stenosis, IBS, Thyroid goiters and allergies to milk and gluten as well as some spices and peppers. It makes it very difficult to get out of bed some days, but the way my rheumatologist explained it is to do a little bit every day. He said if I tend to do my max on the days I feel okay then it will make me even more tired later in the week. It makes sense. Also, for back and knee issues they don't recommend running or jumping, so I do a lot of incline walking, resistance training, yoga, and working with a yoga ball and bands. You just do what you can with what you were given you know. I also found out that many people are diagnosed with fibromyalgia when they actually have other auto immune disorders. It is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions out there and it is very similar to chronic fatigue syndrome. Fibromyalgia actuary has markers such as fibroids in the uterus, sometimes a geographic tongue, pain in pressure points, allergies to food and the environment, and often stomach issues like IBS. I have had friends diagnosed with it when they actually have lupus or other serious conditions, so it is always good to get a second opinion from a rheumatologist as well as blood tests. I have met many people in the pain clinic that are way worse off then myself and yet they are so positive and work so hard every day to achieve what others take for granted. It just inspires me to see why you can accomplish when you put your mind to it and stay positive about what you still have as opposed to why you dont. Good luck with all of your journeys And I am proud that so many can overcome these obstacles with illnesses that others may not even be familiar with.

You should all be very proud of yourselves and remember that you are doing something great

chubbybunnee

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chubbybunnee

I have fibro also as well as herniated discs L4, L5, S1. I was diagnosed with fibro about 5 1/2 years ago. This has been one of the worst years for me so far with my flare ups and all! I have been up and down with my weight all year long. I cannot find enough energy to get my workouts in. I am trying to get some in during my lunch break by walking some, but even during work I am exhausted! Its even harder when I have school work and three kiddos to take care of at night. My hubby works nights, but sometimes I don't think they understand that mommy is tired, all I want to do is sleep! I just want to be able to enjoy my life and my family!!

I am on cymbalta and neurotin which does seem to help me but really only for the pain!

Have you had yourself tested for food allergies? A lot of people with fibro also have food intolerances which can trigger flare ups and make you tired. I used to drink milk or eat cheese almost every day and then found out I was allergic to it. Once I kicked it out of my diet, I started to have more energy and felt better. You would be surprised how much changing your diet can help with the fatigue.

My rheumatologist told me something that was ironically funny to me. I asked him if we had any support groups for fibromyalgia in my town and he replied "well there was a group, but after a few weeks, people stopped showing up because heir flare ups were so bad that no one could make it."

Of course food changes wont help everyone, but it can improve some symptoms I started getting allergy shots as well for environmental allergies and I have been off the gabapentin and cymbala and am almost medication free now except for an inhaler for asthma and a steroid inhaler to swallow for my esophagus issues which are related to my fold allergies. You should really consider a food allergy test if you haven't had one already.

FitFoodieFla

Wendy! I'm on a similar journey and I'm so grateful to see your post here. THANK YOU.