Fibromyalgia, Fodmaps and Dieting

2

Replies

  • Iron_Pheonix
    Iron_Pheonix Posts: 191 Member
    Your very welcome, tbh it's nice to have people that will listen. I got desperate enough to trial this and was happy to throw it out the window if it didn't work but chemically it made sense. Luckily it made a big difference :)
  • shreck05
    shreck05 Posts: 77
    Your very welcome, tbh it's nice to have people that will listen. I got desperate enough to trial this and was happy to throw it out the window if it didn't work but chemically it made sense. Luckily it made a big difference :)

    Well I will have to admit....I'm not sure if I'm ready for that kind of diet change. That would be a huge step for me. Eliminating chewing gum, artificial sugar, & beans. Plus I'm a big pasta eater and I'm cutting that back as much as I can now. I appreciate your advice but this one isn't for me right now. :ohwell:
  • Iron_Pheonix
    Iron_Pheonix Posts: 191 Member
    I know, it is hard and I understand that. For me I was in so much pain and so exhausted that I was prepared to do anything to get better. My boys had lost their mum, I'd lost my business, my life. I was desperate and no food was worth me being this sick for. I don't miss any of it because I don't miss the endless days in the dark alone.

    Just take it one step at a time- eliminate artificial sweeteners (aspartame is a bigger trigger for a lot of people!) and then once your used to that pick another thing :) each step will help towards recovery.
  • shreck05
    shreck05 Posts: 77
    You're right! Getting my life back and my kids mother back is important. Small changes. Thanks!! :drinker:
  • Iron_Pheonix
    Iron_Pheonix Posts: 191 Member
    I forgot to say...supplement with magnesium! Helps a lot too
  • EpitomeOfSxy
    EpitomeOfSxy Posts: 157 Member
    I have Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue and IBS.

    IDK about others but I have gone against doctors wishes and I work out far more intensely & frequently than they would like me to but now I have reduced my pain, increased flexibility and strength. I am not going to lie the first month or so of exercising after I hadn't in years made me wonder how I was ever going to exercise regularly but now I feel a lot better and do some sort of physical activity daily. I have a bad habit of pretending I am "normal" and living my life like others would. I am aware of my conditions and the consequences and all that, I just refuse to have a reduced quality of life. I may modify what I do versus a "healthy" person but I refuse to think that I can't do it all together. Where there is a will there is a way :)
  • Iron_Pheonix
    Iron_Pheonix Posts: 191 Member
    I tried this approach (I'm a personal trainer so it's in my blood) unfortunately it left me in agonising pain and unable to leave my bed. I'm really glad that this worked for you but it can be very dangerous to exercise for a person with ME/CFS however a person with fibro usually benefits from exercise! So it's definitely about getting correct diagnosis and finding out what you can and can't do. For instance I can walk thirty mins on a good day, If I walk more I crash and end up in bed in the dark because it affects me neurologically as well as physically. However, I started off only being able to walk for ten minutes.
  • EpitomeOfSxy
    EpitomeOfSxy Posts: 157 Member
    I think any progress is progress. I know that for everyone their journey and ways to cope are different. I was diagnosed as a child with RA so I have always known pain, so my tolerance is far higher than anyone else who would have been diagnosed later in life knowing what "pain free" is. I don't. I started out being stiff all day, to doing 10 minutes on the elliptical and slowly building that up to an hour a day. Just recently I started jogging/running on the treadmill doing max at 6.0 mph. I started out slow but I didn't let anyone tell me I can't. I went white water rafting as well, I paid for two days but the first day wore me out so I didn't go the second. I find for myself at least, a lot of it starts out mentally. If you go into it telling yourself you can't - then you can't. At one point a few years ago before I allowed myself to become sedentary again I was leg pressing 450 lbs and my specialist had a freak out about me doing that. Sure enough though, I stuck with body building type routines and my joints were in the best condition they had been in years. I don't like to be defined by a medical textbook or because others with my condition can only do "x y and z" I am just suggesting testing the waters and seeing what you body can do before you allow a doctor or others to tell you, you can't. I respect everyone's choices to do what they want with their bodies. I just want everyone to acknowledge there are always exceptions to the rule and perhaps you're one of them.
  • shreck05
    shreck05 Posts: 77
    Hello All! How is everyone doing today? It's very foggy and dreary here in central PA. Overall I'm feeling well. It's one of my better days so to speak. I've been staying within my calorie range but haven't been exercising. I've had a lot on my plate with my family this week which left me exhausted on top of the pain.

    I hope everyone is doing well too. :heart:
  • Iron_Pheonix
    Iron_Pheonix Posts: 191 Member
    Hey!! I'm doing good considering. Been good with my food and made some great new friends that I'm looking forward to getting to know! Have a great weekend x
  • Barracuda365
    Barracuda365 Posts: 37
    bookmakr as my wife has fybro
  • shellux
    shellux Posts: 164 Member
    I'm having a bad weekend. Having a major flare up and not been able to control it yet with medication. Been working out for the last 5-6 months and have been fine but struggling right now. Can't do anything. I know that this flare will pass in a week or two but hate being in the midst of it.

    I'm amazed at the different ways that this condition affects people and their lives.

    Does it get worse or just controllable?

    How has it affected you all and how do you manage it?
  • shreck05
    shreck05 Posts: 77
    I'm having a bad weekend. Having a major flare up and not been able to control it yet with medication. Been working out for the last 5-6 months and have been fine but struggling right now. Can't do anything. I know that this flare will pass in a week or two but hate being in the midst of it.

    I'm amazed at the different ways that this condition affects people and their lives.

    Does it get worse or just controllable?

    How has it affected you all and how do you manage it?

    I seemed to be doing well with very little pain over the summer months but once my children started back to school the stress of all the homework and sports started to kick up my pain level. Then as the colder months came I became knocked down for days. My pain has been very persistent. I keep telling my husband we need to move to a warmer climate. =}
  • mustex
    mustex Posts: 1
    Hello, I have FM,Trigeminal Neuralgia, and IBS, I was exercising and feeling great up til July 2012 when I had another stroke like episode. My arthritis doc feels I was exercising too much and now I am not up to doing any because of the constant pain from one or the other. I have not gained any weight, but my diet is poor. I would love to loose the weight I have been striving for over the last several years. I no longer can work due to the pain. I am looking forward to communicating with you guys for tips on proper foods to eat and support from others that are going through the same thing.
  • nickymaire
    nickymaire Posts: 138 Member
    I don't have this condition but my family members do as well as IBS and diverticulitis . I have suffered from 11 years of chronic neck pain Soo bad I had to wear a neck brace for years while I was sleeping to stop the uncontrollable muscle spasms.I thought i'd tried everything before this. Any way we changed our diets to primal/paleo with AMAZING results.

    FODMAP diet still contains grains/wheat and artificial sugars. Which still cause inflammation which in turn causes more pain. Also FODMAP is low fat and high carbs. Where as primal/paleo is low carb, high fats (good fats) so your body burns fats instead of carbs... (low fat/ high carbs... burns carbs, not fats) .

    So you lose weight and become pain free ...its a win win... plus there is plenty of info on the web about people with fibro IBS, and so many other health problems changing their diets to primal/paleo saying the same thing.

    It changed my life so I wanna let others know and maybe help them.xx
  • Vawny1818
    Vawny1818 Posts: 10
    I looked at that too and there isn't a lot of conversation. I'll go over and join that group too!
  • Vawny1818
    Vawny1818 Posts: 10
    I'm having a bad weekend. Having a major flare up and not been able to control it yet with medication. Been working out for the last 5-6 months and have been fine but struggling right now. Can't do anything. I know that this flare will pass in a week or two but hate being in the midst of it.

    I'm amazed at the different ways that this condition affects people and their lives.

    Does it get worse or just controllable?

    How has it affected you all and how do you manage it?

    I seemed to be doing well with very little pain over the summer months but once my children started back to school the stress of all the homework and sports started to kick up my pain level. Then as the colder months came I became knocked down for days. My pain has been very persistent. I keep telling my husband we need to move to a warmer climate. =}
  • Vawny1818
    Vawny1818 Posts: 10
    The cold and recent damp weather here in WI really breaks havoc on my pain. I don't eat any aspartame or artificial sweeteners, not good. I've been toying with the idea of going gluten free for a couple weeks..reading up on that. One thing at a time.
  • Iron_Pheonix
    Iron_Pheonix Posts: 191 Member
    I don't have this condition but my family members do as well as IBS and diverticulitis . I have suffered from 11 years of chronic neck pain Soo bad I had to wear a neck brace for years while I was sleeping to stop the uncontrollable muscle spasms.I thought i'd tried everything before this. Any way we changed our diets to primal/paleo with AMAZING results.

    FODMAP diet still contains grains/wheat and artificial sugars. Which still cause inflammation which in turn causes more pain. Also FODMAP is low fat and high carbs. Where as primal/paleo is low carb, high fats (good fats) so your body burns fats instead of carbs... (low fat/ high carbs... burns carbs, not fats) .

    So you lose weight and become pain free ...its a win win... plus there is plenty of info on the web about people with fibro IBS, and so many other health problems changing their diets to primal/paleo saying the same thing.

    It changed my life so I wanna let others know and maybe help them.xx

    Yay! I do have this condition and I have ME. I really believe that Paleo is helping me. Low carb helps the pain massively too.
  • amyllu
    amyllu Posts: 432 Member
    Very interesting points here y'all!
    I have fibromyalgia along with being spinabifida so am disabled. I definitely find that if I get stressed it makes my pain much worse. Also suffer with a whole mound of other things... diverticulitis, high blood pressure, diabetes 2, underactive thyroid, sleep apnea and IBS! I still consider myself to be quite fortunate as at least living in the uk we do have the NHS... a blessing in itself.
    But I do understand what it is like to continually suffer from any malady....:flowerforyou:
  • mvdiz
    mvdiz Posts: 2
    Hey everyone! I have FM too. I slowly lost about 20 lbs, then joined Weight Watchers last year and saw another 30 come off. I have about 30 more to go. Fibro makes it tough, but I do find that eating right (for me, that means a low grain pescetarian diet) and exercising really helps. It can be super frustrating, because I'll be doing well, working out, and eating right, and then a flare up takes me back to square one. I'm also finding that the more weight I lose the better I feel.
  • shreck05
    shreck05 Posts: 77
    The cold and recent damp weather here in WI really breaks havoc on my pain. I don't eat any aspartame or artificial sweeteners, not good. I've been toying with the idea of going gluten free for a couple weeks..reading up on that. One thing at a time.

    This is one of my problem areas, aspartame and artificial sweeteners. I'm addicted to diet soda and I use artificial sweetener in my hot tea or iced tea. I have cut back on my soda because I have noticed that when I do over indulge with it my headaches become worse. I have recently increased my water intake. I need the flavoring but adding plain lemon isn't working for me. I'm trying but my steps are small. I'm open to all suggestions. I can't guarantee I will be able to do them as I am a very weak person right now. I'm trying to get strong again as I once was. Thank you for the support. I need it!! :heart:
  • amyllu
    amyllu Posts: 432 Member

    This is one of my problem areas, aspartame and artificial sweeteners. I'm addicted to diet soda and I use artificial sweetener in my hot tea or iced tea. I have cut back on my soda because I have noticed that when I do over indulge with it my headaches become worse. I have recently increased my water intake. I need the flavoring but adding plain lemon isn't working for me. I'm trying but my steps are small. I'm open to all suggestions. I can't guarantee I will be able to do them as I am a very weak person right now. I'm trying to get strong again as I once was. Thank you for the support. I need it!! :heart:

    Gosh...I wouldn't touch aspartame with a barge pole!!
    As I have often posted on various forums that I watched the documentary on the studies of trials done on this particular sweetener which showed that they were totally falsified. Rats that were used would die but they would just put in another one in it's place and continue as if nothing had happened! I was soo convinced after that showing that it would not be allowed to go on sale but the very next week ..there it was on the shelves of the supermarkets!!!
  • shreck05
    shreck05 Posts: 77

    This is one of my problem areas, aspartame and artificial sweeteners. I'm addicted to diet soda and I use artificial sweetener in my hot tea or iced tea. I have cut back on my soda because I have noticed that when I do over indulge with it my headaches become worse. I have recently increased my water intake. I need the flavoring but adding plain lemon isn't working for me. I'm trying but my steps are small. I'm open to all suggestions. I can't guarantee I will be able to do them as I am a very weak person right now. I'm trying to get strong again as I once was. Thank you for the support. I need it!! :heart:

    Gosh...I wouldn't touch aspartame with a barge pole!!
    As I have often posted on various forums that I watched the documentary on the studies of trials done on this particular sweetener which showed that they were totally falsified. Rats that were used would die but they would just put in another one in it's place and continue as if nothing had happened! I was soo convinced after that showing that it would not be allowed to go on sale but the very next week ..there it was on the shelves of the supermarkets!!!

    Really??? I've never seen or heard that. I wish I could see the documentary. I've heard negative side affects but not where rats would die from using it. FDA shouldn't be selling it or using the product in other products if it was true. I need to do some research. Thanks for bringing it to my attention more closely. :happy:
  • Nana920
    Nana920 Posts: 51 Member
    I too have fibromyalgia, along with chronic migraines, fatigue, IBS, and
    degenerative disk disease in my neck.
    The best exercise I have found for me is walking.
  • shreck05
    shreck05 Posts: 77
    Question?? Does anyone take magnesium supplements for FM? My mom bought me a bottle today. She has been told it is good for our condition. I took my first pill today hoping to make a difference on how I feel. I have been feeling rough these past couple days. The pain level is extremely high. I don't know if its the weather we are having here in PA or what. I've been watching my diet as far as the artifical sweetners. Baby steps. :drinker: Wishing everyone a feel good day.
  • jdoerr1967
    jdoerr1967 Posts: 6 Member
    I also have FM and would love to have some additional friends/support if you would like to join me!
  • jdoerr1967
    jdoerr1967 Posts: 6 Member
    I also have FM and would love to have some additional friends/support if you would like to join me!
  • tisha_rae
    tisha_rae Posts: 216 Member
    I have FM also, feel free to add if you like.
  • tracyann5891004
    tracyann5891004 Posts: 11
    Hello all. Just joined today after needing some motivation. So nice to see lots of FM sufferers with a posiitve attitude. I have FM and ME and find it hard to find the energy to exercise after a day at work and a load of kids to contend with. Not going to let it beat me though so good luck everyone x

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