Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) describes a sense of exhaustion and post-exertion malaise, even when you have gotten enough rest and sleep. The disease is characterized by six months of incapacitating fatigue experienced as profound exhaustion and extremely poor stamina, and problems with concentration and short-term memory. The cause is unknown, but it is a...

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Food Allergy

butterflii410
butterflii410

I've read and heard that food allergies can possibly be the cause of CFS.  I tried going gluten free but it was hard.  Right now, I just found out that I may be lactose intolerant.  I've quit all straight dairy but my dr. said I can eat things with milk in them; she prefers that I do this.  Anyway, I feel awful.  My stomach and back itch, I'm bloated and uncomfortable, I am more tired then usual, and am just plain miserable.  Anyone else go through this?


Also when researching the link, I found this website about food allergies causing CFS:


https://www.foodintol.com/what-causes-chronic-fatigue


Anyone find any truth to it?

cmiat
cmiat
I have a self diagnosed mild lactose intolerance and from talking to naturopaths and dietitians, my understanding is that cream and cheese have very low levels of lactose. Thus I use cheese as my dairy for calcium and limit the amount of foods with milk in them to when I have an occasional craving. We also have lactose free milk available in the supermarkets over here. It's not as nice as the ordinary stuff, but if you're using it for cooking, you can barely notice the difference.
Star_gazer
Star_gazer
There's an ongoing debate whether food allergies cause CFS or food allergies are a symptom of CFS. But yes according to statistics a high percentage of CFS patients have food intolerances and allergies or acid reflux. Like you I found that cutting all dairy helped tremendously, as well as limiting the amount of pasta,processed food and sugar. The most difficult part for me though was reducing the amount of coffee that I drink,still not managed too eliminate it completely but it had a huge impact on me(I occasionaly substitute it with yerba tea or lemon,ginger and hot water). It is a process of trial and error.
mamie1890
mamie1890
Hi
I have found that during the pollen season my food allergies act up and I become depression and anxious. Personally I feel that the food and other allergies are a part of the FM/CFS vs. the cause of it. I also stay away from dairy as much as possible and try to avoid gluten.
Recently I have noticed that coffee is a trigger also; I sweat, my heart pounds and my GI tract suffers. I will have to gradually cut down because I currently need it to function. Food allergists can sometimes help with food allergies, but over the years, I've found that it's really rotating foods and eliminating the ones that obviously give you symptoms. It's one extra thing that we have to deal with.
triunfadora
triunfadora
Well, I can say that food allergies certainly contribute to CFS. Whether they are the cause is probably still being researched. I got CFS after a viral infection (mono), but I can say that I am highly sensitive to certain foods. So, yeah, I think there is a connection there on some level. I know how hard gluten free is. I tried it for 2 weeks and gave up, but in that 2 weeks, I didn't really feel any better. I have a friend who said it would take more than 2 weeks to really know. Oops. Anyway, I'm with you. Keep looking for ways to feel better. We're in your corner.