touched or stimulated.
In order to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a doctor or medical professional will usually take into consideration a range of symptoms, especially the report of widespread pain, that lasts for at least three months.
The most common symptoms include:
- Widespread physical pain
- Pain that occurs in the same spot, on both sides of the body
- Fatigue
- Difficulty falling asleep
- The inability to focus, also known as “fibro fog”
- Frequent headaches
- Abdominal cramping
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Paresthesia (tingling)
- Irritable Bowl Syndrome
- Heightened sensitivity to bright lights, noise and smells.
- Dizziness
- Hemorrhoids
- Dry eyes
- Pelvic pain
- Numbness
- Chemical sensitivities
- Multiple allergies
- Weight gain
- In addition, fibromyalgia causes the pain from any given cause to be worse.
The last few are from a different website. The last one is both true and not at all true. The fact is little things hurt a lot, like a hair getting pulled, but, I have had some bad things happen to me that would have incapacitated many other people and they didn't hardly phase me, because, they weren't that much worse than getting patted on the back or hugged. And, despite the pain, I like being hugged! So ...
A balanced diet should consist of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole-grains, nuts, seeds and legumes.(Except, for me, for now, legumes should be avoided like the plague they are!) Include lean meats, fish, chicken and eggs and eat foods as close to nature as possible. Avoid unhealthy foods such as processed foods, foods high in sugars, salts and unsaturated fats.
There are certain foods that are known to trigger the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. These include: caffeine, aspartame, sugar, MSG, sodium nitrite, dairy, gluten
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Which means, what? They just told us to eat whole-grains and then proceeded to say that gluten (which is in most whole-grains) is a trigger.
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Turmeric has been used for centuries in some traditional medicine to relieve pain associated with arthritis and other common conditions. The spice is known to help fight inflammation and has an analgesic effect in the body.
Onto a different website:
“It’s a chicken-and-egg situation,” says Kent Holtorf, M.D., a leading fibromyalgia specialist and founder of Holtorf Medical Group, San Francisco. “We don’t know if the fibromyalgia causes weight gain or vice versa.”
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Oh, well, then: let me enlighten you, Kent Holtorf, M.D., who shouldn't be a leading fibromyalgia anything if he doesn't know the answer to that yet, because leading fibromyalgia specialists should be LISTENING to persons with Fibromyalgia! : I was stressed out, chock full of pain and allergies, and, generally miserable all my life. It wasn't until very extra-stressful events, such as people trying to gang rape me or my husband hiring people to try to off me that I had a weight problem. Before that, I was quite active and had a great muscle mass and bone mass, so I was no lightweight even when a size 5 -7, but, I was active and intelligent and doing well. Then, the added stress tore all that apart and I was in so much more pain that I could barely think or move, and, then, you see, with the additional allergies piling on too, I gained weight.
Hope that helps you to know!
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Oh, well, then: let me enlighten you, Kent Holtorf, M.D., who shouldn't be a leading fibromyalgia anything if he doesn't know the answer to that yet, because leading fibromyalgia specialists should be LISTENING to persons with Fibromyalgia! : I was stressed out, chock full of pain and allergies, and, generally miserable all my life. It wasn't until very extra-stressful events, such as people trying to gang rape me or my husband hiring people to try to off me that I had a weight problem. Before that, I was quite active and had a great muscle mass and bone mass, so I was no lightweight even when a size 5 -7, but, I was active and intelligent and doing well. Then, the added stress tore all that apart and I was in so much more pain that I could barely think or move, and, then, you see, with the additional allergies piling on too, I gained weight.
Hope that helps you to know!
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When you have fibromyalgia, the appetite-signaling hormone leptin may be out of sync. That sends inaccurate hunger messages to the brain, making you eat more, says Dr. Holtorf.
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I will pray for you, Dr. Holtorf. It takes a lot to make me want to hate someone. But, I want to hate you. So, I will pray for you and me, both.
I DO NOT eat more than the people in my family who do not have Fibromyalgia. In fact, left to my own devices, I would have mostly eaten nothing, most days of my life, but, really stupid medical doctors kept insisting I eat things that I am fast learning I should never have gone near. Including the cruciferous veggies and soy milk combo that shot my weight up from something a little below 180 lbs. to an undisclosed amount over 335 lbs. I don't know how much it was, but, enough to make a nurse cry.
I have a much harder time digesting things. I am allergic to a lot of things. Allergies can make you gain weight. Please read Dr. Mandell's book, which I have been and will be posting about, until your brain fog clears. Thank you!
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I DO NOT eat more than the people in my family who do not have Fibromyalgia. In fact, left to my own devices, I would have mostly eaten nothing, most days of my life, but, really stupid medical doctors kept insisting I eat things that I am fast learning I should never have gone near. Including the cruciferous veggies and soy milk combo that shot my weight up from something a little below 180 lbs. to an undisclosed amount over 335 lbs. I don't know how much it was, but, enough to make a nurse cry.
I have a much harder time digesting things. I am allergic to a lot of things. Allergies can make you gain weight. Please read Dr. Mandell's book, which I have been and will be posting about, until your brain fog clears. Thank you!
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When your whole body hurts, it’s hard to believe you’ll feel less pain if you’re more active. But it’s true.
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I'm not sure which person said this one. So, I will pray for you all, generally. (And, I did). But, guess what?
When your leg muscles have been eaten away by Cortisol, plus, you can barely breathe due to allergies and due to your swollen intestines pushing on your lungs and your heart , and, your sinuses are bleeding, and, your leg muscles and foot muscles, and, sometimes back and arm and pelvic floor muscles and any other muscle that you have, even your eye muscles and the muscles around your mouth, start cramping up if you accidentally forget and move them just a mere fraction of an inch without assessing and planning every last gesture made .... it does not hurt you less to exercise. It really just does not.
I am done with that particular site. I've come to the realization that they are talking to/about beginning sufferers who may, indeed, benefit from this namby-pamby advice, because, they are just at the point of being a little fatigued and a little sore and they, like their doctors, have no freaking idea how bad it can get.
Well, I hope they never find out. But, I hope the people like me, who long for the restful (for us) days that beginning sufferers have, avoid those doctors and find some who understand the deeper, darker world of Fibromyallgia. And, whom remember to capitalize it, as if it is a scary thing that really happens and demands respect, instead of just some slang term for lazy.
As you can see, I am a little annoyed. This is NOT the sort of information I was looking for. I was looking for real information that can help.
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When your leg muscles have been eaten away by Cortisol, plus, you can barely breathe due to allergies and due to your swollen intestines pushing on your lungs and your heart , and, your sinuses are bleeding, and, your leg muscles and foot muscles, and, sometimes back and arm and pelvic floor muscles and any other muscle that you have, even your eye muscles and the muscles around your mouth, start cramping up if you accidentally forget and move them just a mere fraction of an inch without assessing and planning every last gesture made .... it does not hurt you less to exercise. It really just does not.
I am done with that particular site. I've come to the realization that they are talking to/about beginning sufferers who may, indeed, benefit from this namby-pamby advice, because, they are just at the point of being a little fatigued and a little sore and they, like their doctors, have no freaking idea how bad it can get.
Well, I hope they never find out. But, I hope the people like me, who long for the restful (for us) days that beginning sufferers have, avoid those doctors and find some who understand the deeper, darker world of Fibromyallgia. And, whom remember to capitalize it, as if it is a scary thing that really happens and demands respect, instead of just some slang term for lazy.
As you can see, I am a little annoyed. This is NOT the sort of information I was looking for. I was looking for real information that can help.
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On to Pro Health, which starts out well by saying this: A common problem observed in Fibromyalgia is weight gain. Many patients complain to me that weight gain became a major problem once Fibromyalgia established itself.
Contrary to the popular myth that obesity is a result of eating too much fatty foods, obesity is usually the result of eating too many carbohydrates. A carbohydrate rich diet causes weight gain by converting the extra glucose into fat and, if Fibromyalgia causes more insulin activity and sensitivity, then the weight gain can be even greater.
Another myth is that most overweight people overeat. Actually, most overweight people do not overeat. They may have a craving for carbs, and the carbs are easily converted to fat. Fibromyalgia facilitates this process. A diet modified in protein and lower in carbs may help.
People with Fibromyalgia hurt more and are not as active because activity increases pain. Thus, it is difficult to increase the energy expenditure or calorie burning related to exercise and activity. Less calories burned can mean weight gain. Any treatment program in Fibromyalgia must include attempts at increasing overall activity level.
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This is about the exact opposite of what that leading Dr. H. said, and, strangely enough, just about spot on with what I observed in my own life.
Then, the site went on to recommend a diet that would destroy me. But, it started out well.
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This is about the exact opposite of what that leading Dr. H. said, and, strangely enough, just about spot on with what I observed in my own life.
Then, the site went on to recommend a diet that would destroy me. But, it started out well.
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On to a different site:
1. All refined carbohydrates, including the sports bars and fat-free foods her dietitian had advised to "lose weight" were eliminated. These were replaced by fresh vegetables, raw nuts, modest amounts of fish, brown rice and millet. A moderate amount of fresh fruit was also allowed. She was to eat slowly and to chew her food well. Allergens she tested sensitive to were eliminated.
2. Bed time was set at 10 p.m., with no television to precede or accompany it.
3. Coffee was eliminated. The patient was instructed to drink water.4. A program of light swimming was implemented.
5. I advised the patient not to focus on her symptoms and to get busy with activities that she enjoyed doing.
7. Periodic office visits included dietary reviews, stress reduction, counseling and gentle massage and trigger point therapy.
8. A program to regain normal flora/intestinal balance was initiated including a short liquid diet and appropriate flora replacement.
9. We discussed her marital situation and the need to resolve the disharmonious situation through appropriate counseling.
During the first 10 days, the patient felt worse as withdrawal from the caffeine and junk food took place, but by the second week a significant improvement occurred. By the end of the sixth week, her pains had diminished by 80 percent and she had become more receptive to communicating and being physical with her husband. As she felt better she was better able to relate to her husband and became emotionally warmer which he responded to favorably. Further counseling was not required.
She has become a swimming devotee and lost 20 pounds without any special "fat-free foods" or special reducing plans. She sleeps soundly, has noted much improved digestion by the altering of her diet and by changing her habits. She describes her mood as being much more upbeat. Her menstrual discomforts have lessened.
The patient recovered her health, not by "treating" her fibromyalgia, but by a comprehensive health program directed at her specific health picture. After several months of monitoring, the patient was dismissed from care with the knowledge and tools necessary to maintain herself in a good state of health for the present and to prevent health problems in the future.
Each patient is different and therefore the program for each patient must differ as well. Once, however, the causes of ill health / fibromyalgia are identified and addressed, the symptoms of Fibromyalgia can be ended and good health can be restored.
And, we are back to the first site:
And, we are back to the first site:
Many people with fibromyalgia are very sensitive to refined sugar. Unfortunately, many people with fibromyalgia eat high-GI carbohydrates and sugar to boost energy levels. While this provides a short-term boost, too much sugar will lead to too much insulin and eventually blood sugar becomes abnormally low, called hypoglycemia, and stress hormones are released.
Learning about and eating low-GI carbohydrates will prevent the roller coaster ride caused by high-GI carbohydrates. The elimination of refined sugar from the diet enables the body to better manage blood glucose levels, when carbohydrates are eaten.
More than 75% of people with fibromyalgia have some type of sleep disturbance. A good night’s sleep most nights is essential for the body to repair and restore, which is particularly important for a person with chronic aches and pains. A person with fibromyalgia should avoid or reduce stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, and refined sugar as these foods can interfere with normal sleep patterns, and enhance fatigue.
Increasing the intake of green leafy vegetables will provide optimal nutrition. When it comes to quantity, these foods offer so much benefit, eat as much as you desire, within reason. In general, try to eat at least five servings of vegetables each day (excluding potato chips or other deep fried vegetable).
The vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting phytochemicals in leafy greens keep pain and inflammation under control and the fibre lowers cholesterol, controls blood pressure, balances glucose levels, and aids digestive health. A variety of leafy green vegetables can provide calcium, potassium, beta-carotene, folate, and vitamins A, C, E and K.
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Pretty good. Then, they go on to say rather insane things about whey protein.
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An elimination diet is used to systematically evaluate whether a certain food causes or worsens symptoms.
Eating a diet of mainly raw or lightly cooked fruits and vegetables, with far less high-fat meat and more fish or lean poultry, promotes better health in general.
A vegan, gluten-free diet has been shown to help relieve pain, improve quality of sleep, and enhance overall health in fibromyalgia patients. This type of diet reduces the intake of foods known to promote inflammation due to oxidative stress and favours foods with anti-inflammatory properties that lessen free radical production and enable oxidation.
These nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:
- Eliminate potential food allergens – dairy, wheat (gluten), corn, soy, preservatives, food additives
- Get tested for food allergies and intolerances
- Eat antioxidant foods – fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes) and vegetables (such as kale, spinach, and capsicum)
- Avoid refined foods – white breads, pastas, sugar
- Eat less red meat and more lean meat, fish, tofu, or beans for protein
- Use healthy cooking oils – such as olive oil or coconut oil
- Reduce or eliminate trans fatty acids, found in commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, margarine
- Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine
- Limit foods high in sugar, salt, fat, and
- Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
None of this, directly above, is either against or for Natural Hygiene approaches, but, it would work well with the Natural Hygiene approach, up to an extent, and, then have to be taken further.
How far do I want to go? Do I want to go? Sometimes, I want to get rid of the refrigerator, get an ice chest to keep my food and some water in, get rid of my pans and all the other things related to the preparation of food and just go completely raw vegan. Mostly whole foods, just wash it up and eat it or chop it to blend it (in the case of greens), maybe even mono foods and eat the organic peels, vegan.
And, some days, I want to be able to eat with other humans.
Hmm.....
How far do I want to go? Do I want to go? Sometimes, I want to get rid of the refrigerator, get an ice chest to keep my food and some water in, get rid of my pans and all the other things related to the preparation of food and just go completely raw vegan. Mostly whole foods, just wash it up and eat it or chop it to blend it (in the case of greens), maybe even mono foods and eat the organic peels, vegan.
And, some days, I want to be able to eat with other humans.
Hmm.....
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