Fibromyalgia Support Group
You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.
There has been some discussion of alternative pain relief and diets recently, so once again I am posting the diet that my doctor gave me some years ago, for anyone who is interested
Of course, I am not totally pain-free, but after starting this diet, I have had a vast improvement and have cut out most of my medications. Perhaps it will help you also.
------------
Here is my cocktail for managing my pain. I hope that it helps someone else.
=6,000 IU of Vitamin D3..... (if you are low in Vitamin D, like many of us are, use D3, not just Vitamin D. Vitamin D3 is stored in the body and slowly released throughout a day. Vitamin D alone does not store or slowly release.
=100 mg of Vitamin B6 = for mental concentration
= 100 mg of Alpha-Lipoic Acid = for muscle and tissue elasticity
******All of those can be found in any drug store or health food store
=15 mg of Mobic ONCE A DAY, ONLY IF I AM IN A FLARE = this is an anti-inflammatory
=40 mg of Nexium = for acid reflux and GERD
Each night at bedtime, I take:
25 mg of Nortriptyline HCL = for Migraines and neck pain
-------------------------------
I GOT THIS PAIN KILLING DIET FROM MY DOCTOR:
NATURAL PAIN KILLING FOODS:
IF YOU ARE MOTIVATED, IT IS THE EASIEST DIET IN THE WORLD. THE RESULTS ARE
EVIDENT IN A VERY SHORT TIME.
THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT YOU MUST EAT OR AVOID AND CERTAIN THINGS THAT ARE RECOMMENDED
BEAR IN MIND THAT NO ONE IS EVER ABLE TO STICK TO THESE RESTRICTIONS COMPLETELY OR FOREVER...THE DIET IS A LIFESTYLE CHANGE AND THEREFORE, IT IS EXPECTED THAT YOU WILL CHEAT FROM TIME TO TIME.
ONCE YOUR SYSTEM IS CLEANSED OF MANY OF THE TOXINS WE CARRY AROUND WITH US, YOU WILL KNOW IMMEDIATELY AFTER EATING SOMETHING, IF IT IS GOOD FOR YOU OR BAD FOR YOU. YOU WILL FEEL SLUGGISH OR BLOATED WHEN SOMETHING IS BAD FOR YOU. YOU WILL ACTUALLY FEEL LIGHTER AND IN HARMONY WHEN SOMETHING IS GOOD FOR YOU.
1. USE AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN IN COOKING OR AS TOPPINGS TO FOOD:
-allspice=natural anesthetic
ginger=ati-inflammatory
red pepper=analgesic, stops nerves sending pain messge to brain
garlic=reduces inflammation in tissue and cartlidge
fennel=anti-spasmodic
celery seed=weight loss, or weight maintenance
cinnamon=pain reliever, lowers blood pressure
dill=increases circulation by opening blood vessels, reduces blood pressure,
reduces inflammation in joints
basil=stimulates immune system and releases natural endorphins
bay=anti-inflammatory
2. EAT OR DRINK TEAS WITH THESE THINGS OFTEN:
licorice-natural pain reliever, great for headaches also
echinacia#####1 time a week for the first month, then at least once every 2
months lubricates joints
ginger=fresh or in canisters
valerian=anti-inflammatory (can be found in Sleepy Time Tea)
Broccoli******eat a few sections once a day for the first month, after that eat
it 3 times a week, cooked, steamed, Raw.....NEVER FROZEN OR CANNED Natural pain
killer
apples=#####eat at least 2 times a week the first month, then at least once
every 3 months=anti-oxident, anti-inflammatory, and source of fiber
celery###eat 3 stalks at least once every 2 weeks=anti-inflammatory and diuretic
Papaya####disolves cellular debris between disks and ribs
chamomile=natural muscle relaxant, anti-toxin
cauliflower ###eat 2 times a week, cooked, steamed, or raw NOT FROZEN OR CANNED
Natural pain reliever
spinache###RAW ONLY...eat once a week for the first month in place of lettuce in
salads after eat at least 4 times a month=reduces inflammation in disks and rib
cage
chicken=eat as often as you like
turkey=eat as often as you like
fish=eat 2 times a week until you are pain free, then at least once a month
***best are Sole, Salmon, Tuna, Flounder, lobster....avoid crabs
pasta=eat 2 times a week=anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic.......avoid heavy
cheese fillings or heavy tomato sauces with high sugar content (make your own)
extra virgin olive oil
canola oil
safflower oil
green olives (without pimento)
squash
cucumbers=anti-toxin
1% or 2% or Skim milk
Silk or soy based coffee creamers
Sharp cheddar cheese***really the only cheese you will tolerate after a while
and the others will make you sluggish
popcorn=NOT BUTTERED or heavily salted=eat as often as you like=natural pain
killer
black tea
green tea
french bread
whole wheat bread
rye bread
3. AVOID IF POSSIBLE
sugar=inflames joints, organs, weakens muscles that support skeleton
ketchup
mayo
vegetable oil
corn oil
any oil except Extra Virgin Oilive, Safflower, or Cannola
whole milk
coke
sprite
any diet sodas
chocolate=use only Dark and sparingly
white bread=I do eat this, but it is suggested that you do not
red meat=###maximum amount allowed is 3 ounces a week
pork=contains a lot of salt that causes inflammation in joints and supportive tissue....eat this only once a week, if necessary
cream, heavy cream, light cream, whipped cream
packaged american cheese
lunch meats
read ingredients labels....you may be surprised that you are eating things you
are not aware of ---------
Of course, I am not totally pain-free, but after starting this diet, I have had a vast improvement and have cut out most of my medications. Perhaps it will help you also.
------------
Here is my cocktail for managing my pain. I hope that it helps someone else.
=6,000 IU of Vitamin D3..... (if you are low in Vitamin D, like many of us are, use D3, not just Vitamin D. Vitamin D3 is stored in the body and slowly released throughout a day. Vitamin D alone does not store or slowly release.
=100 mg of Vitamin B6 = for mental concentration
= 100 mg of Alpha-Lipoic Acid = for muscle and tissue elasticity
******All of those can be found in any drug store or health food store
=15 mg of Mobic ONCE A DAY, ONLY IF I AM IN A FLARE = this is an anti-inflammatory
=40 mg of Nexium = for acid reflux and GERD
Each night at bedtime, I take:
25 mg of Nortriptyline HCL = for Migraines and neck pain
-------------------------------
I GOT THIS PAIN KILLING DIET FROM MY DOCTOR:
NATURAL PAIN KILLING FOODS:
IF YOU ARE MOTIVATED, IT IS THE EASIEST DIET IN THE WORLD. THE RESULTS ARE
EVIDENT IN A VERY SHORT TIME.
THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT YOU MUST EAT OR AVOID AND CERTAIN THINGS THAT ARE RECOMMENDED
BEAR IN MIND THAT NO ONE IS EVER ABLE TO STICK TO THESE RESTRICTIONS COMPLETELY OR FOREVER...THE DIET IS A LIFESTYLE CHANGE AND THEREFORE, IT IS EXPECTED THAT YOU WILL CHEAT FROM TIME TO TIME.
ONCE YOUR SYSTEM IS CLEANSED OF MANY OF THE TOXINS WE CARRY AROUND WITH US, YOU WILL KNOW IMMEDIATELY AFTER EATING SOMETHING, IF IT IS GOOD FOR YOU OR BAD FOR YOU. YOU WILL FEEL SLUGGISH OR BLOATED WHEN SOMETHING IS BAD FOR YOU. YOU WILL ACTUALLY FEEL LIGHTER AND IN HARMONY WHEN SOMETHING IS GOOD FOR YOU.
1. USE AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN IN COOKING OR AS TOPPINGS TO FOOD:
-allspice=natural anesthetic
ginger=ati-inflammatory
red pepper=analgesic, stops nerves sending pain messge to brain
garlic=reduces inflammation in tissue and cartlidge
fennel=anti-spasmodic
celery seed=weight loss, or weight maintenance
cinnamon=pain reliever, lowers blood pressure
dill=increases circulation by opening blood vessels, reduces blood pressure,
reduces inflammation in joints
basil=stimulates immune system and releases natural endorphins
bay=anti-inflammatory
2. EAT OR DRINK TEAS WITH THESE THINGS OFTEN:
licorice-natural pain reliever, great for headaches also
echinacia#####1 time a week for the first month, then at least once every 2
months lubricates joints
ginger=fresh or in canisters
valerian=anti-inflammatory (can be found in Sleepy Time Tea)
Broccoli******eat a few sections once a day for the first month, after that eat
it 3 times a week, cooked, steamed, Raw.....NEVER FROZEN OR CANNED Natural pain
killer
apples=#####eat at least 2 times a week the first month, then at least once
every 3 months=anti-oxident, anti-inflammatory, and source of fiber
celery###eat 3 stalks at least once every 2 weeks=anti-inflammatory and diuretic
Papaya####disolves cellular debris between disks and ribs
chamomile=natural muscle relaxant, anti-toxin
cauliflower ###eat 2 times a week, cooked, steamed, or raw NOT FROZEN OR CANNED
Natural pain reliever
spinache###RAW ONLY...eat once a week for the first month in place of lettuce in
salads after eat at least 4 times a month=reduces inflammation in disks and rib
cage
chicken=eat as often as you like
turkey=eat as often as you like
fish=eat 2 times a week until you are pain free, then at least once a month
***best are Sole, Salmon, Tuna, Flounder, lobster....avoid crabs
pasta=eat 2 times a week=anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic.......avoid heavy
cheese fillings or heavy tomato sauces with high sugar content (make your own)
extra virgin olive oil
canola oil
safflower oil
green olives (without pimento)
squash
cucumbers=anti-toxin
1% or 2% or Skim milk
Silk or soy based coffee creamers
Sharp cheddar cheese***really the only cheese you will tolerate after a while
and the others will make you sluggish
popcorn=NOT BUTTERED or heavily salted=eat as often as you like=natural pain
killer
black tea
green tea
french bread
whole wheat bread
rye bread
3. AVOID IF POSSIBLE
sugar=inflames joints, organs, weakens muscles that support skeleton
ketchup
mayo
vegetable oil
corn oil
any oil except Extra Virgin Oilive, Safflower, or Cannola
whole milk
coke
sprite
any diet sodas
chocolate=use only Dark and sparingly
white bread=I do eat this, but it is suggested that you do not
red meat=###maximum amount allowed is 3 ounces a week
pork=contains a lot of salt that causes inflammation in joints and supportive tissue....eat this only once a week, if necessary
cream, heavy cream, light cream, whipped cream
packaged american cheese
lunch meats
read ingredients labels....you may be surprised that you are eating things you
are not aware of ---------
-
No sleep till 3 AM. Why? Peri-menopause (pre-menopause). Turns out it does make us insane, give us senseless insomnia, and pile onto our existing issues, and it's not just me feeling that way. It's real.So is this: Sunrise at the beach this morning, sent by my hubs, and I have no idea why it's on an angle, but then, he did take it at an hour when he is usually ont yet awake!
-
Well, my wi-fi is acting up (or DS will once again tell me to clear my cache,w hich I do every evening, so how can this be *my* problem)....So: Let's leave it at this: In Iceland, people are hurrying to get married with the volcanic eruption in the background.Yep.A destination wedding to have spurting lava in the background. Or, y'know... PHOTOSHOP?!HUGS TO ALL
Thanks for the diet the B's and D's I have been taking but will try the Alpha-Lipoic Acid. One thing at a time is how I go, if I see or notice a improvement, then I can add something more...I copied pasted the list of haves and have nots most I have been doing thus far but it is alway better to see it in hand and have as a referrance tool.
Hugs
Sue Bee
I am low on VIT D but when I take the capsules they cause muscle spasms in the bottom of my feet but now since the sun is shining I can get good old natural Vit D.
I take supplements that help me also.
Once again thank you again. Its nice when we all can help each other and post things that we know to hep each other,
The more good info the better.
I like the suggested foods to eat on a weekly basis. I actually like those foods.
Thanks for sharing your diet. I am glad it has been helpful for you.
BTW, Cinnamon is also used to help regulate blood sugars.....with in regular range.
I'll keep ya posted!! HUGS from down south :)
Now I am inspired to make some yummy Indian food tonight.
I have tried alpha-Lipoic, but it bugs my stomach. Mom swears by it, however, so perhaps i'll try again!
I will say I have cut out a lot of the items listed on the "things to avoid" list already and have found it beneficial.
Less swelling and bloated feeling for me at least
Thanks again for posting and sending this to me earlier.
Anniemae, you are right and I am sorry that things went down so quickly. Stick with us though and help turn things back to the positive again.
Dr. Care, I know what you mean. I feel a lot less bloated than before and get bloated quickly when I eat something that I am not supposed to. I wonder if a lot of people are like this.
Gili, you are quite welcome. I hope some part of it help you out. White, refined Sugar is the devil for me. Funny thing is that I did not realize it until I cut it out of my diet. Now I don't even like the taste of it.....unless it is in chocolate that is LOL
Great job folks!
I can't even begin to share how modifying my dietary intake and changing that old lifestyle has helped me.
Sugars...instant migrane. Cajun posted something a few months ago about how sugar really does have an impact on our bodies. I really wish I could recall all of the details now, but it's a biggie that I avoid like the plague.
Caffeine....I'm not gonna share because this one is common sense and I'm so happy I got rid of it years ago when I was pregnant. I know it's hard to give up, but if the MT Dew queen here could give it up...I believe in you when you give it a try.
Red meats....(eggs are included for me on this one) really irritate my IBS.
One more thing to add to this, is that a lot of this information also mimics the arthritic diets out there. And for me, any kind of reduction of inflammation is a good thing as my joints hurt enough already.
My advice to anyone who has read this down to my post here, is try this for yourself. I encourage you to test your body and dietary intake. Give each item a good run. 2-3 weeks off...1 week back on. And trust me, you will see the difference. And if you don't, then the only thing you have given up is your time invested.
For me, it was worth the 2 yrs of trial and error. Do I claim that this is a healthy lifestyle? NO. This was all about figuring out what worked for me. Ironically...the same thing has worked for several others here too. But hey, I know I have several twins out there in the world.
As I'm not on any of those other message boards I wouldn't have read any of that information so it doesn't change how I feel.
The 145 posts I was referring to were posted here on the Fibro site. They were up for about a week until they were removed.