Gluten free for fibromyalgia?

[joleen72]

Hi guys after surfing the Internet looking into fibro it has popped up a few times that you should go gluten free as gluten worsens fibro symptoms. Has anyone else heard of this and gone gluten free? Did it help? It sounds like a strange one to me.

[FebruaryStars]

I think the thing with gluten is it is an inflammatory food. I avoid gluten, dairy (I have sensitivities to it) and refined sugar as much as possible. I followed a very restricted elimination diet for 6 months strictly and then began re-introducing foods. Some were okay, but the three above definitely are energy zappers for me and also increase my pain.

I would say it's worth trying but you need to be committed and give it long enough. For me it took around 3 months to really start feeling a difference. I had tried before and gave up after a month and now I know that simply wasn't long enough for me. As well as better energy & less pain, I've also resolved a lot of gut issues I had.

[Glosgran in reply to FebruaryStars]

FebruaryStars: I've always wondered if I may have slight gluten and/or dairy intolerance and I also do my best to avoid refined sugar. Problem is, what do you eat if you cut out all gluten and dairy products? I usually eat porridge made mainly with water & splash of milk at breakfast, lots of fruit with natural yogurt at lunchtime (as I need the calcium for osteoporosis and don't want to take synthetic calcium because of its side effects). Can't seem to get my head around thinking of different foods & recipes but would like to try if I can summon up the energy and motivation. Any ideas or suggestions where I could start?

[joleen72 in reply to Glosgran]

Before I had my ileopouch surgery I used to think I was dairy intolerant also and used soy products. I found they were pretty good substitutes, apart from cheese but found that goats cheese was OK to eat, they even do a cream substitute although not great in tea. Even better they are all available at high street supermarkets or health food stores so not limited to online shopping. These subs also means that with slight changes you can eat normal foods but be careful when eating processed foods as I found they put milk in everything even gravey granules. There is also a wealth of information regards dairy free recipes on the Internet including cases and desserts! Hope this helps

[FebruaryStars in reply to Glosgran]

I have gluten free porridge in the morning with coconut milk. You might find you're okay with regular oats though. I don't eat a lot of fruit (because of the sugar) but I'll have a bowl of soup and then a portion of fruit for lunch. There a lots of dairy free sources of calcium if you have a Google you'll see.

What kind of things do you normally eat for dinner?

[Glosgran in reply to FebruaryStars]

Salmon with salads or stir fried veg & rice, Pasta & Bolognaise, Meat & veg, Omelette & salad, Chicken dishes with veg or salad. However I do like some bread, usually home made wholemeal for beans on toast, cheese or scrambled eggs on toast etc. I try to eat healthily but sometimes succumb to the temptation of a scone, piece of cake or chocolate biscuit.

[FebruaryStars in reply to Glosgran]

It would really just be checking sauces you use. You do get some nice GF breads but tbh I try to avoid GF alternatives as most aren't v healthy anyway. Eating things v occasionally should be okay, but it's more avoiding these things (and processed foods too) on a regular basis. I do feel the difference if I succumb to temptation now though. It's really not worth it but sometimes greed wins

[Glosgran in reply to FebruaryStars]

I know what you mean and can identify with that. It's especially difficult if we go to visit friends and they organise buffet meals which are usually full of carbs such as bread rolls/sandwiches, pastry products or pizza, cakes etc. It's either offend the host & starve or tuck in, enjoy and maybe pay for it afterwards.

[Glosgran in reply to FebruaryStars]

I also make lots of home made soups, especially in the winter, but find it hard not to have some lovely home made crusty bread with it! I also need to prepare meals my husband likes to eat and wouldn't have the time, motivation or energy to make different meals. I could probably do with a 'live in' cook to look after me and change my eating habits for me.

[Louise19691]

Not heard of this one let me know how you get on with it .

[neesey1005]

Hi I have been gluten/wheat free for 3 years and now eat a very clean diet no processed foods , no refined sugar. - I have felt so much better I used to get awful itchiness , high temperature, and sometimes very cold and flu symptoms (runny eyes, splitting headaches ). That has nearly all gone - JUST fibromyalgia now !!!! 😒 good luck x

[TheAuthor]

Hi joleen72

It may help to determine what food stuffs you may have an intolerance too or an allergy too? I have pasted you a link to the NHS Choices entitled: ''Food allergy or food intolerance?'' and I sincerely hope that you find this useful:

nhs.uk/Livewell/Allergies/P...

if you have any allergies or intolerance's you should avoid these foods and try something different? I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Midori]

I'm wondering if I may have a gluten sensitivity, as i get wind problems with cakes, biscuits, pies bread; etc. However, if I get artisan baked products there is less reaction; also with wholemeal products. I also feel that supermarket bread may have something in the flour (preservatives) which cause me bloating. I am planning for us to be making our own bread soon, having just bought a heavy duty mixer. Sourdough breads seem to upset me less than regular as well.

In my family we tend to cook from scratch, avoiding as much as possible in the way of additives and preservatives. We experiment to see what suits us best and batch cook for the freezer.

[Underthesofa]

Hi there, I've gone gluten free and yes it does help. I won't lie and say you feel amazing, but I do feel in not so much pain and a bit clearer headed.