Lifestyles fibromyalgia

[Meriem]

Hello all, I have fibromyalgia disease and I don't know what to do, I will be grateful if you will give me any advice on what diet to follow that helps patients reduce the pain of fibromyalgia ? and is there a lifestyle to follow ?

[mybehcetsxx]

Morning Meriem,

Hope you are well.

Are you newly diagnosed?

I dont know of any specific diets for fibro if im honest. I tried vegan for a while but I flared up really bad.

Personally I find when I eat rubbish,( especially my favourite chinese,) I feel totally crap! Same with sugar.

Keep well hydrated at least 2 liters of water, or 1 if that's all you can manage, a day. Keep the rubbish to a minium. Develop a good sleep hygiene, 8 hours sleep, pitch black for the melatonin, all mobile WiFi devices off.

Gentle exercise and pick your battles to reduce stress 🙂😘

[DeterminedSilver]

Hello Meriem . I am sorry you have been given this diagnosis but there are lots of things that will Hellas I’m sure many will reply .

This is just my way and appreciate some cost money but over 3years I have improved immensely! I am 71.

I started with a short walk every day .Sleep with an eye mask and have proper bed /wake up routine. Changed diet . Tried never to isolate from family and friends.

Then increased my walks and took up Tai Chi and then aqua very slowly over months and months.

Use the Calm App for meditation every day .

I challenged myself and completed Couch to 5k !

Researched a lot but only took official advice .

I see an osteopath and nutritionist from time to time . I still suffer pain every day but it doesn’t stop me now .

Make your own plan , start small but try to be determined and believe you will improve and you will.

My very best wishes to you .

[Sosbach in reply to DeterminedSilver]

Hey DeterminedSilver, i’m Asking for both Meriem and myself, you mentioned you “changed diet” as part of your healing regime...so, what kind of diet do you follow? I really liked your response btw.

[DeterminedSilver]

Oops “help”

[Midori]

Hi Meriem,

That's a BIg question. Fibro is a condition which is similar to several others, and we are all different in which way it affects us.

For me it is mainly below the waist; hips knees, ankles and feet are the worst parts. My circulation is bad, my breathing is shallow, and I have a gluten intolerance, oesophageal reflux, IBS and other oddities. Also Arthritis starting. I was an active and sporty person and I worked as a nurse.

I don't think there is such a thing as a Fibro lifestyle as such. We are all so different.

Be prepared for friends to fall away when you can no longer keep up the pace of social life, and have to let folk down because you feel so bad that sometimes you can't drag yourself out of bed, and for folk to tell you to your face that you are exaggerating or lying because you look perfectly well.

Fibro is cruel, it steals your joy and your life if you let it, the secret is to tell it to take a hike, and do whatever it was anyway. Even if you suffer for it the next day or two

Many doctors don't believe in Fibro; They don't believe we feel such pain, they will have you on antidepressants in an instant, when a muscle relaxant would be better. Medication is a thorny subject, many of us will not let go of our strong medication, despite the fact that, over time, it becomes less effective as the body gets used to it. If you find a good doctor who understands, hang onto him!

Do something gentle in the way of exercise; swimming is good, Tai Chi or Yoga, or a dance class such as bellydance, (it's low impact and works to make you more flexible.)

I've had Fibro for years, and I have weaned myself off almost all the medication. I still take ibuprofen for general pain, and I have a few Codydramol for when my knee is particularly bad (it is breaking down and will soon need replacing).

When trying to explain Fibro to friends, look up the Spoon Theory. it will help them understand how our energies work (and sometimes don't) and why you find life so exhausting.

That's about all I can think of right now; I hope it is useful.

Cheers, Midori

[Dinkie]

Trial and error I'm afraid. What works for me, avoid all processed foods and refined sugars. Cook in batches on better days and freeze so you are not tempted on bad days to reach for the easy processed stuff. Occasionally I fall off the wagon, after all I am only human, but I know I am going to pay for it for days by feeling really bad. I did try ditching the caffeine too but that was like cutting my arm off as I love a decent cup of coffee so I allow myself that small pleasure. Hope you find what works for you.

[Sosbach]

Hi meriem, when I first got my diagnosis I thought i’d Be able to cure myself if i just found the right diet, eliminations, supplements etc. I think I tried just about everything over a number of years until I ended up concluding this illness really can’t be impacted much by diet (though of course for general health a good diet is important). Determined Silver sounds like they’re on the right track though interestingly they DO say “changed diet”. So let’s ask him/her again...

[DeterminedSilver]

Hello Meriem. My rheumatologist gave me a leaflet on fibromyalgia and on it were several book suggestions.

“Living With Fibromyalgia “ and “The Fibromyalgia Healing Diet” both by Christine Craggs - Hinton - ( also very good information from The Fibromyalgia Association).

Not easy to completely change but I took it slowly and changed in tiny steps .

My best wishes for your future .

[Milynda]

I have found that a vegan diet really helps. Especially if it is combined with water exercise. I love bacon and this was hard for me but it really does help.