Hi and Happy New Year, I have been a diagnosed Celiac for 10 years now, and have followed a strict gluten free diet all this time. I also have asthma, multiple allergies (including meds) and angioedema. I have been following a healthy diet, consisting of meats, vegs, fruits, and as few additives as I can get away with.

I have found that when I go off the wagon, ie, too many sweets and Christmas yummies, the Mestinon dose does needs a bit of an increase. Since I have a history of rather unpleasant reactions to meds,and the doctors reluctance to put me on any of the other meds for MG, my internist was pretty clear that I stick to a healthy diet with no additives, no processed foods and no sugar if possible.

So far, so good. Oh, that and decreasing my stress levels both physical and emotional.

Funny how they say that like it is so easy to do. I do my best and have a very supportive family. That also helps.

Also, eating healthy takes stress off the body, but be sure to do your research as to what is a good healthy diet. There are a lot of diets out there that are all hype and could do more damage than good. I try to cook with fresh foods and stay clear of packages with additives. I also do well with brown rice and the odd potatoe or yam.

Thanks for your reply ( and all of your your replies :) ) Bless you - it sounds like you've had a rough ride! Gluten free seems to be the favorite recommendation along with organic, natural fruit/veg, good proteins and some herbs, spices. I think I will try to eat along those lines (as best I can - I am dreading giving up bread....but do like rice cakes so at least I have a substitute to get me started!) and then read what else this book has to offer.

I'm really pleased that Gluten - free eating helps you to keep your symptoms in check a little :)

Thanks again, Eve. x

following a good diet is the best choice I ever made.
Gluten free
dairy free
is the best I have ever done
leaving out beef helps too
no sugar
no artificial sweetners
recently I leave out egg yokes and I fell better doing that too.
It is crazy
But it works.
If you feel sick ...it will be withdrawal from all the junk and toxins leaving your body.
I have lost 30 lbs since going on prednisone. I am headed for another 30. I figure the less I carry the better off I will be.
I guarantee you will be absolutely amazed at how good you will feel.
Ann

It is easier knowing what you can eat
lean meats
fruits
veggies
proteins
nuts
soy or almond milk
brown rice
sweet potatoes

awesome breakfast is
egg white omelet with spinach (I do feta cheese on this)
I gave up dairy but cant do without blue cheese crumbles and feta crumbles.

In the past couple of months, my diet has changed dramatically. I used to eat whatever, whenever. It was totally unhealthy, not so much in junk food, but meat and potatoes, hot dogs, fast food, soda and stuff like that. But now I eat 75% vegetables, more fish and chicken, a little red meat. No processed food at all. From what I understand about diet and autoimmune is you have to fit the diet to the disease. Sure, organic is the way to go, no chemicals, pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics, or what have you, but if your buying it because it says it's organic on the label, it's probably not. I talked to a farmer a few weeks ago about organic farming, and he explained the process. It takes so long, they would go out of business. So these organic farms are not big business producers, more like local family run farms that you personally have to visit to buy directly from them.
My results are good with the diet change. I know where I stood with the meds, but I try to push the limit on everything that involves this disease. Let me explain. The meds control the sysmptoms... to an extent. I had 5 rounds of IVIg, and it lasted 3 weeks, still had symptoms throughout, but 3 good weeks compared to what I have been through. The next IVIg couldn't come fast enough. Again, 3 good weeks. But then I started eating healthy over those few months so I pushed the IVIg to 5 weeks to see if I could do it. I did. Toward the end, it started wearing down, but nothing like before. I'm sure the meds have something to do with it too, but I'll do what ever I can do to make things easier. I follow a what works for me diet. Raw vegetables, I can't get enough of. I never was a big bread and pasta person, but I will occasionally eat it. Experiment and you'll find what works. Oh and I eat almonds, walnuts, and cashews a few times a week also, no peanuts though. I'll let you know if it does anything in a few weeks when I get more blood work.

I am mostly gluten free. I cannot eat a plate of regular pasta or good home made bread without feeling terrible. I love the rice pastas to take its place. With me, it makes fibromyalgia flare. If I have too many carbs even if it's gluten free it makes me crash and burn. A couple of weeks ago, I made gluten free pancakes and I ate way too many. Listen to your body. I have to have lots of protein and veggies. The original v8 juice is now a staple in my diet. I also drink a lot of protein drinks. I plan to look at the health food store for a good vitamin soon. Some groceries have a gluten free section. Once you start looking you will find things to supplement your gluten favorites. There as lots of gluten free websites. I eat corn and rice cereals instead of the others. Good luck.

Lifestyle changes can be difficult! I cut out a great deal of fast food but sugar is still a nasty little vice that I have.

I did, however, discover this gluten- and rice-free pasta from Andean Dream and it tastes amazing! It tastes just like regular white pasta but it's made from quinoa (which is a grain). Sometimes it just takes a little research to find things that will help make the transition easier. Good luck :-)

Thanks everyone for your replies and advice, I really appreciate it, and the fact so many of you have modified your diets with positive improvements spurs me on to try the same. When my symptoms started 9 years ago, I saw a Dr who put me on a Stone Age diet and I did get much better - although, at the time, I didn't know it was MG and had no idea why I improved! But over the years I have slipped back into a diet of predominantly cereal and bread based meals!! I will definitely start making changes and keep you posted on the results!!

If any of you are interested - this is the book that promises immune system recovery, I meant to post the link at the top!! I will see what advice it has and if I find there is anything different to the things you are already doing I'll put a post on incase it helps anyone here :)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Immune-System-Recovery-Plan-Autoimmune/dp/1451694970/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388593824&sr=1-6&keywords=anti+inflammatory+foods

Thanks again everyone!! Eve.x

My daughter is a licensed dietician. She had me do an elimination diet, where you basically eliminate all gluten ,dairy, nuts, soy , beans, corn,sugar ( more , but I forget). After 2 weeks you slowly introduce one food group at a time. I found my main problem was with sugar. No allergies to gluten or dairy. Because I'm lazy when it comes to this, She has set up a meal plan for me. 3 small meals a day and 2-3 snacks. Lot's of veggies, protein( beans tuna , eggs fish, peanut butter.
I, ve pretty much always ate this way, with slips of course. Now, I am more aware of what I am eating. I have a smoothie every morning( used to skip breakfast) almond or coconut milk, whatever frozen organic fruits I have, and whatever veggies(re: kale carrots, cucs,etc. And then a protein(ground flax seed, peanut butter, or protein powder.
Not everyone has problems with gluten and or dairy, so there is no need to avoid it.
Judith

Honestly, there are so many variables that I cannot sort out symptoms from side effects half the time, much less tell what my diet is doing to me, except in the case of alcohol, which immediately causes weakness and ptosis. My friend and fellow runner, who happens to be a world renowned physician and researcher, subscribes to a vegan diet and tried to sell it to me for my asthma before I understood all the things that were going on with my body. I have made no successful efforts to change my diet and have largely decided that, since I am sick no matter how many steroids I take, I might as well enjoy foods I love. If I felt I were on the verge of controlled symptoms, I would probably overcome my sugar demon and give healthier eating a shot. Look at the MS community to get info about diet and symptom control, since there is a lot of information there, which is probably transferable. Good luck!

I am in less pain from arthritis and have more energy since going gluten free about six months ago.

The diet is a complex issue as I have been told that if you have an autoimmune problem that you should have dairy - full fat - not low fat, to get the blood cells well rounded. But who knows? There is so much contradictory information out there.

I have been eating a lot of fruit and veg, lots of smoothies, very little meat and if I do it is chicken and fish. I eat gluten free bread and just try to avoid all other gluten rather then replace it as I think gluten free taste terrible. I have always used corn flour for all my sauces. I avoid hot spices and use a lots of herbs to add flavour. I use extra virgin olive oil. I have always avoided sugar but lately have been craving something sweet.

Best tip I found was go for brightly coloured fruit and veg. Beetroot, Brocolli, spinach, carrot, plums, peaches, berries,,, I guess banana doesn't fit give the part you eat is white but thats my sugar hit.

The healthier your diet, the better you'll feel overall. If you have an actual allergy or intolerance to gluten, that healthy diet may include gluten-free living, but if you're like me and do not have an allergy, cutting gluten is not likely to make any true difference unless it is an impetus to eat more whole, nutritious foods.

Personally, I've noticed zero change between being on a vegan diet, vegetarian diet, or a diet including chicken and fish, and no difference between dairy free and dairy inclusive diets. Staying away from sugar and alcohol is the only thing I've noticed actually helps.

Sorry to read that you are struggling a bit. Hope 2014 is a kind year for you, and all of us. Thank you for the tip about the book, I'll see if I can order it on Amazon. I buy gluten-free bread at the health food store, and have seen "organic scones" there, although I'm not sure what that means. Please let us know if you find any more books that may help treat our MG. Best of luck going forward.