Endometriosis Diet Plan - AIP

[Littlepeax]

After following the AIP diet (thanks to seeing a recommendation on here) I am happy to report that my endo pain with my period is almost pain free this month! I usually have the worst period pains in the world but this month after being on this diet for 4 weeks I have noticed a massive difference so thank you health unlocked! I have had two surgeries to help with my endo pain but unfortunately the pain comes back after several months. The main thing you can do is to control what you put into your body. Certain foods cause inflammation in the body which hugely effects endometriosis. It is not an easy diet to follow, but boy is it worth it! I have not taken any painkillers this month (I usually take so many ibuprofen) I have more energy and I am pain free 😊 for further details please look into the AIP diet (Autoimmune Protocol) unfortunately I have never been told to alter/change my diet by any doctor despite seeing many for my endometriosis. Doctors do not know alot when it comes to diet/nutrition and they usually prefer to go down the medication or surgery route which is a huge shame as I have learnt that your diet can effect so much. Most people just like the easy option which isnt always the best. My stomach is dramatically less bloated, I am pain free for the first time in 15 years and I am also sleeping better. Good luck guys x

[Anastasia17]

Yes Littlepeax, following an anti-inflammatory diet really helps decrease the pain.

I was told I had endo in January this year, but no explanation as to what this disease is about, above all that I had a lap for other problems. Endo was not on our radar. After a nasty flare up in Feb the following day, still in pain and very low, when I could stand up, I went to the GP who toldme that for endo, 'nothing can be done' . The nurse practitioner repeated these exact same words 3 weeks later.

So, that was me set up!

Completely lost and confused! And unwell.

No help, no support. I turned to the highly competent Dr Internet and found this site that educated me and some kind ladies advised me on diet and a lot of other tips. I was so lost. This site was a real lifesaver. I followed their advice.

Since May, I am gluten, dairy, soya, dry beans, caffeine, chocolate (only very dark chocolate) free and due to a decade of repeated cystitis, tomato puree, citrus and hot spices free. It seems a lot, but it's actually perfectly manageable. Ihave also reacted to brown rice as I have IBS associated with endo.

I have reduced red meat but still have chicken.

I also supplement with magnesium chelate, vitamin D, iron (due to a decade, if not more, of anaemia) vitamin B12 and also unorthodox, spices from my kitchen cupboard to stop the night sweats which works.

I sometimes miss the yummy chocolate and/or caramel creams, mousse, but my tummy reacts badly and it's so sore and draining, so just the thought of being in pain is enough to keep the envy at bay.

I am in much less pain, particularly the flare ups. I still have flare ups, get very tired with them, but at least I don't have the acute pain.

Also, it puts me in a better physical shape for the rest of my life.

I am convinced that diet is one of the main culprit for this condition and there are so many chemicals added to our food that , in my humble opinion, explains the rise in a lot of inflammatory illnesses, most of them called 'invisible'. How convenient for the food industry.

I dream of the day when a woman is diagnosed with endo that:

1. She is clearly explained what this illness is about.

2. That either she receives advice on the same day from a competent specialist nurse, doctor, who explains about diet, lifestyle, stress and what she can do to empower her to help herself about this condition, reducing the pain and feel more in control; or

3. At least hand her a leaflet explaining about the suggestions explained above in item 2.

I did not understand why I was in so much pain after my lap in September 2018. If I had been informed at that time, I would have put in place the necessary steps to at least reduce the inflammation and subsequent pain. 4 months of not knowing, not understanding is a very, very long time. My brain was having suicidal thoughts that left me bewildered as I could not find any good reason to act upon those thoughts, even the cat was not misbehaving!

Followed by a complete disinterest from medical professionals was beyond appalling. And still is.

My husband has been a star over the past 14 months, my main support and, now, certainly much more qualified than the GPs.

I have been left hanging for months. I took charge of the situation in May once I started emerging from depression and implemented my care and diet. It has worked. I was prescribed antidepressants to which I reacted and I also react to NSAID. I am still waiting for treatment, but at least I know what is going on and I hope to receive the treatment that my body needs.

My family also needs to have my previous energetic, happy self back as they, too, are also waiting for me to get better.

To be in control of this illness is being on the path to recovery. It doesn't solve everything but it helps a lot.

Good luck with your diet!

[Littlepeax]

Very interesting to read. Diet can help massively. I eat bad over the weekend (fried chicken and bread) and already my stomach is bloated and painful. My endo has really flared up. So interesting to notice this after eating well with no pain for weeks. Back to healthy eating again now. Eating pizza isnt worth the endo pain! Best of luck to you x