I don't have fibromyalgia exactly, but I have a very close disorder which keto was prescribed to treat. I think it could potentially greatly help with it, as it has helped with my issues. I think the important part is that it reduces inflamation and calms nerves(physical kind). Fibro and my thing are both caused by overactive/over reactive nerves, which keto and lc really do help. My joints are sooo much better, and I don't get nauseated now. I can eat whatever I like, except high carb things. Like octobubbles, I think genetics play a real role here. My mom only made it through her pregnancy with me (horrible joint pain and cramps and all that), by cutting out carbs. I am only making it through my classes because of this diet.

I've had fibromyalgia for 20 years. Doctors have prescribed meds for it that make me feel so groggy I won't take them. I decided I'd rather hunt down natural ways to deal with the pain and exhaustion myself because doctors are clueless and disinterested in trying to help me. Chronic Fatigue and Small Fiber Neuropathy are also part of what I deal with. I can say unequivocally that eating low carb/keto helps! I ditched wheat and most sugar over three years ago and that helped. Beginning keto on March 1 seems to help even more. I'm trying Intermittent Fasting after reading this article http://www.drcourtneycraig.com/blog/intermittentfasting. I started a thread with that article a few days ago.

I don't know that keto will take away my chronic pain and exhaustion, but it is helping and maybe in time it will help even more. If I'm able to lose weight (please, please, please) that will help immensely I'm sure.

Most people with FM, CFS, etc. are discouraged as a result of living in constant pain and exhaustion and have been unable to find a doctor who can/will help them. Food is a comfort and relief. It had to get to the point that I was in enough pain and exhaustion that I was desperate enough to give up carbs, etc. in an attempt to get better. That had to matter more than bread or ice cream. If you have a loved one who isn't ready yet, be patient. Gently inform, but don't badger them. Let them be ready to try dropping harmful foods and then give them all the support you can muster.

Advances are being made regarding these disorders, but most doctors are still very uninformed and treat us like we're just being difficult. Hopefully some day that will change.

Thank you for being interested!

I have CFS and sugar was always my "go to". For two reasons. You feel tired. So, your body naturally thinks "Gee we need more energy". In society that natural go to for energy is high carb. Second part: high carb, in particularly sugar, increases dopamine in the brain. It's like a hit of cocoaine. (only smaller) But consciously or unconsciously your body can feel that it causes the pain to lessen and so it begins a viscious circle. Also in that circle is that (we know) sugar and carbs CAUSE inflammation in the body. So not only do you need your original "hit" incrased, it has to increase even more to compensate for the new inflammation causing more pain.

I could literally feel the pain in my body lessen when I would eat sugar. Problem is, you just need more and more. A bigger and bigger hit, if you will.

So yeah, in my life though I was never officially diagnosed with Fibro,(as others have mentioned, doctors that don't think you're a nut case, are hard to come by) Eliminated starch and sugar helped immensely. It wasn't until I found keto that it actually became feasible and sustainable instead of unworldly torture.

There is a woman who has done some fascinating research into sugar addiction and how it affects the brain. Basically proving it is real. She works with sugar addicts and alcoholics. Shows it is essentially the same thing happening physiologically in the brain. She proposes (and has had amazing results) controlling this through diet. I can't help but wonder if she would have even better results with keto though. I know I did, but she was the first to help me feel like I wasn't going completely crazy! And her diet is a bit less "radical", if you will.

Dr. Kathleen DesMaisons. Her first book was Potatoes not Prozac.

Yep. They had me on prozac for hallucinations and other lovelies. Turns out it was all in the carbs. Yep. Carbs caused me to be violent to the point I was afraid for others. And I saw things that weren't there. It was brutal.

Those who are curious, check out her site for more info. It is NOT keto. But an interesting approach and interesting science none the less.
www.radiantrecovery.com

Anyway, I know I got off topic, but I thought that is something you might also be interested in as Kathleens WOE can be an easier transition to keto. At the very least proposes a way to reduce sugar that doesn't feel overwhelming. Especially the first book, also talks A LOT about symptoms. Your friend might recognize herself in there. Or not. It might not be her thing.

HTH