Chronic pain issues - suggestions for coping with flares/brain fog

start slow. realize that you might feel like you can do more till the next day.
i find mint helps clear my brain. or spicy food.

for me, i decided i can either hurt and be unhealthy or hurt and healthy. I also know i have to take rest days sometimes. sometimes, my brain is too foggy. sometimes, my balance is off, sometimes, my joints hurt too much.

StacyChrz wrote: »

While I commend you for making most of your meals at home I have to wonder if it's still something that you're eating. I suffered from migraines, joint pain, fatigue, brain fog and severe daily heartburn. My elbows hurt so much that I could barely lift anything that required me to grasp and hold. I cut gluten from my diet and these things cleared up within about a week. I can tell when I've had something with gluten because I'll be headachy and have heartburn the next day (so I know I'm going to be miserable tomorrow, lol). It takes repeated exposure to bring back the joint pain. I feel like there are so many gluten free whole foods out there that you could just do a short test and see if it works for you. Give it a week and if you don't notice an improvement you can tell me I'm wrong.

In the meantime drink plenty of water, make sure you're getting the right electrolytes and get plenty of rest. Good luck!!

You're not a doctor, you shouldn't be giving advice as to what it could or couldn't be.

I get migraines 2-3 times a week during bad spells, more like 1 a week on a good week. I feel you.
I try to be kind to myself in ways other than food during those times. I won't do any chores that require me to drive in bad traffic, for instance. I have the built-in excuse that my vision can be disrupted, but it's also something I hate to do so I give myself the day off from things like that.
Another thing I'll do on those days is take the extra time to give myself a face massage and put a mask on my face and soak in the tub.
Things like that.

StacyChrz wrote: »

Colorscheme wrote: »

StacyChrz wrote: »

While I commend you for making most of your meals at home I have to wonder if it's still something that you're eating. I suffered from migraines, joint pain, fatigue, brain fog and severe daily heartburn. My elbows hurt so much that I could barely lift anything that required me to grasp and hold. I cut gluten from my diet and these things cleared up within about a week. I can tell when I've had something with gluten because I'll be headachy and have heartburn the next day (so I know I'm going to be miserable tomorrow, lol). It takes repeated exposure to bring back the joint pain. I feel like there are so many gluten free whole foods out there that you could just do a short test and see if it works for you. Give it a week and if you don't notice an improvement you can tell me I'm wrong.

In the meantime drink plenty of water, make sure you're getting the right electrolytes and get plenty of rest. Good luck!!

You're not a doctor, you shouldn't be giving advice as to what it could or couldn't be.

While I'm not a doctor I have suffered from very similar symptoms and found that removing gluten made a huge difference for me. I simply suggested she try eliminating gluten to see if she had an improvement, and if not to go back to what she was doing. She asked for suggestions.

Well not everything has a cause. I have fibro too and POTS, and joint pain but that's from a car accident i had 3 years ago. I actually feel better the more active I am so I started with Leslie Sansone's walking videos on YT and built up over months. Now I can walk 5-7 miles a day with some breaks in between.

I hear so many people here say "oh all I had to do was cut out so and so food and I was fine!"

Ok, great it worked for some people but that doesn't mean it's the answer to everything. I mean, it's not even known how fibromyalgia even happens and it's also tied up with other existing conditions.

Colorscheme wrote: »

StacyChrz wrote: »

Colorscheme wrote: »

StacyChrz wrote: »

While I commend you for making most of your meals at home I have to wonder if it's still something that you're eating. I suffered from migraines, joint pain, fatigue, brain fog and severe daily heartburn. My elbows hurt so much that I could barely lift anything that required me to grasp and hold. I cut gluten from my diet and these things cleared up within about a week. I can tell when I've had something with gluten because I'll be headachy and have heartburn the next day (so I know I'm going to be miserable tomorrow, lol). It takes repeated exposure to bring back the joint pain. I feel like there are so many gluten free whole foods out there that you could just do a short test and see if it works for you. Give it a week and if you don't notice an improvement you can tell me I'm wrong.

In the meantime drink plenty of water, make sure you're getting the right electrolytes and get plenty of rest. Good luck!!

You're not a doctor, you shouldn't be giving advice as to what it could or couldn't be.

While I'm not a doctor I have suffered from very similar symptoms and found that removing gluten made a huge difference for me. I simply suggested she try eliminating gluten to see if she had an improvement, and if not to go back to what she was doing. She asked for suggestions.

Well not everything has a cause. I have fibro too and POTS, and joint pain but that's from a car accident i had 3 years ago. I actually feel better the more active I am so I started with Leslie Sansone's walking videos on YT and built up over months. Now I can walk 5-7 miles a day with some breaks in between.

I hear so many people here say "oh all I had to do was cut out so and so food and I was fine!"

Ok, great it worked for some people but that doesn't mean it's the answer to everything. I mean, it's not even known how fibromyalgia even happens and it's also tied up with other existing conditions.

A food elimination diet is a really easy thing to try and preliminary studies show it can be effective for at least half of the people who try it.

https://www.verywell.com/the-elimination-diet-for-fibromyalgia-cfs-715721

...Research shows that at least half of the people with FMS or ME/CFS get significant relief from symptoms - including pain, fatigue, headaches, bloating and breathing difficulties - by eliminating certain foods. The most common problem foods are corn, wheat, dairy, citrus and sugar, but it varies from person to person.

http://www.celiac.com/articles/118/1/Elimination-Diet-May-Ease-Fibromyalgia/Page1.html

...After the elimination of the foods, nearly half of the patients reported a significant reduction of pain, and 76% reported a reduction in other symptoms such as bloating, heartburn, headache, fatigue, and breathing difficulties. Two patients, however, reported an increase in symptoms.

After the two-week period the patients were re-introduced to the foods one at a time every 2-3 days, and many of their symptoms returned. The most common problem-causing foods for the patients in the study were corn, wheat, dairy, citrus and sugar. Dr. Edman emphasized that the findings of the study are preliminary and more research in this area needs to be done.

Hi! I have chronic pain plus a chronic illness (gastroparesis... Which causes further pain). In general, I find I have less brain fog when I can go for a walk or something each day. Moving seems to keep me mentally sharper although I am restricted to low impact and have had to limit weights due to increased nerve damage in my hand. Perhaps trying some light low impact stuff like walking, swimming, etc. To deal with pain (other than my tray full of meds)... I personally find heat really helpful. I used to get a lot of migraines as well and found that they are sometimes food related (red dye for me is an absolute no no as a tiny amount is a trigger) or weather related. Staying on top of my neck pain also helps. Then again, these things may all be different for you. Are you hooked up to a pain clinic? They may be able to help further.

In terms of losing weight when all you want to do is curl up, try pre-logging your food and allow yourself one small treat a day (log it before you eat so you know if it can fit... I find allowing myself a treat each day helps me still enjoy life). Otherwise it truly is just a matter of wanting it and being persistent. If you want non- food rewards for losing weight, then make a chart (ie: lose 5 lb= get nails done, lose 10 lb= get new top, etc.). Fill it with things you enjoy!

Being able to hit the easy button when I am not feeling well is key for me. For example, meals prepared when you feel well that you can freeze and just take out and microwave. A list on the refrigerator of easy to make foods that you might not remember you have the ingredients for in the midst of a 5 day migraine. Perhaps try to create a healthy habit that feels comforting without the extra calories like a fancy tea you only drink when not feeling well.

On the exercise front, if the weather and migraine are not extreme maybe just try to get outside and sit on the porch (in the shade or after dark if you are light sensitive with migraines). Maybe you will then feel inspired to walk to the mailbox, maybe around the block, or maybe you will just get benefit of listening to birds chirp and feel the wind for a bit without pushing yourself too hard.

I have FMS as well. The key for me has been finding a terrific doctor and getting it under control. This is pain management, good sleep, and making the most out of the time you do have energy. I don't want to discuss meds and more personal medical stuff on an open thread, but feel free to message me and/or add me as a friend.

I'm going on record saying I have not been diagnosed with fibromyalgia however a friend who has been suffering with it for years is convinced I've had it for years and found a way to beat it or shall we say manage it.

I used to suffer horribly with what I thought was nerve damage related to a car accident. On top of that was stomach bloating, lots of aches and pains and so many sleepless nights. For many of you I don't need to continue with all the "other" issues associated. I thought I was crazy for the smell issue but I see someone else has it too.

I'm blown away that you found garlic can be an issue for you, it's one for me as well and since you're vegetarian my other trigger won't matter but it's beef/red meat. I also found I could eat garlic if minced (in jar) or dried/powdered but fresh garlic is more damaging and any of these items mixed with mushrooms can trigger a negative reaction.
I also avoid excess sodium, don't drink soda, caffeine limited to 1 cup a day and have found the biggest trigger of all is stress!

Someone mentioned yoga, I agree completely even if all you do is stretch but I warn you I had some bad nights if I did it too close to bedtime, about 2-3 hours before sleeping I'm fine. The meal planning and preparing meals ahead of time is big too for when you really just don't have the energy to deal.

For a while I slept with one of those neck roll pillows filled with buckwheat and that seemed to help some.

A friend of mine just had that middle part of the ear pierced a few months ago to stop migraines and it's been like a miracle for her so that might be worth looking into.

I can honestly say I don't remember when the "nerve damage" stopped but I can say I know it was after I lost a huge chunk of weight. On the days you can do, on the days you can't just simply try, call a friend, reach out for help, remember you aren't alone.

You're welcome to add me as a friend, my diary is open, don't always enter as I'm in maintenance now but I'm honest with it.

Hiya, i have fibro as well and migraines. Lyrica keeps the pain mostly around a 4, but stress or b overdoing it causes intense flares spiking the pain to the point i can barely move.....i have been tested for diet triggers and have none. I have seen a nutritionist and done elimiation diets nothing helped.

That said i have almost completely stopped flareups (except from major unexpected stressors) by.... making my own smoothies in the morning using a frozen fruit mix from walmart, yogurt, kale and some orange juice. Pineapple contains an anti inflammatory thats been found to reduce fibro pain. That sets my day off right and clears my fibro fog!!!!

The second key.....is move! And move hard! When i workout hard i feel so much relief afterwards!!!! Its true that getting theu the workouts at times makes me cry from the pain, but to know that relief is coming makes it worth it. I highly suggest piyo, and zumba. I spent a lot of time packing on the weight cuz it just hurt too bad to move, i went to soooo many docs but nothing really helped. So i just thought about how good i used to feel (3 kids ago, four stomach surgeries, a bout with ovarian cancer, and forced medical menopause, all before my 30th birthday) and i remembered how active i was with sports and other intense physical activities and i decided to give intense exercise a try.

So far the intense workouts coupled with a few small diet tweaks its been great!. So nice to live without as many flareups and fog! Give it a try. Not gonna lie the working out can be excruciating but the relief afterwards is incredible!
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