Totally confused

[thespianglobe]

I have had fibro for about ten years as far as I can determine, I cope without drugs as I am retired and can take it easy if necessary but it is still a pain and affects my life a great deal. For the last 50 years I have also had a gastric problem which afflicted my lovely father but which I put down to my stressful upbringing in a dysfunctional household with a seriously mentally ill mother, this has blighted my life and with fibro on top things are not always rosy. However my gastric condition has been very bad recently and I have limited my diet a great deal and ( drum roll) my fibro flared up but has now disappeared, I can't believe it! The joy of being able to move without pain and sleep the night through. I can't hope that this will continue but I wonder if diet has played a part. Anyone had similar experiences?😊

[CheetieCat]

Unfortunately not, but so happy for you! 😊

Was just talking about the gut connection in so many illnesses so diet most definitely must play a big part.

Sincerely hope this continues for you, got everything crossed, it's so lovely to read a positive post. 🍀

ps. diet tips? 😁

[saluhouse]

Hello. I couldn’t agree with you more. Since I changed my diet to an additive free, natural, organic (as best I can afford) one - I have been so much better. All the horrible fibro symptoms have practically disappeared.

However, if I deviate from the wholesome diet (it sometimes happens if I eat with the family or we go to a restaurant) all the nasty symptoms return.

Through trial and error I have narrowed the main culprits down to sulfite/sulfates. They are so difficult to avoid - they are a preservative so turn up everywhere and in everything. Basically - they prolong shelf life of most manufactured food/drink/toiletries/medicine.

Trying to avoid them is extremely difficult, time consuming and expensive (organic food is so expensive). However I feel it is all worth it to get my life back on track (mostly!)

Best wishes Dianne xxx

[thespianglobe in reply to saluhouse]

Thanks for the good wishes. My gastric problem is on course for a short hospital stay but my fibro symptoms are much better, not cured but no longer ruling my life. I will look to my diet and long may it continue.

[thespianglobe in reply to saluhouse]

Do you have any recommendations for books or websites which might help with diet tips. My husband is a very fussy eater which is not helpful

[MaggieSylvie]

My fibromyalgia has eased off considerably since losing weight. I have lost height now, so I need to lose more weight - probably another stone would do it. It makes sense, doesn't it? You've only got to carry something heavy to replicate how you felt when you weighed more.

[saluhouse]

He

[saluhouse]

Hello thespianglobe. I’m afraid I can’t really recommend a diet book because I don’t think there is one eliminating sulfite/sulfates!

But after lots (and lots!) of research into food and how it affects my fibromyalgia, I have come to the conclusion that a ‘caveman’ diet works best for me. If a caveman ate it - its probably ok. Natural unadulterated food and drink with no E numbers or additives eliminates the sulfite/sulfates. Organic is good.

It’s best to read the labels and if there are ingredients that you don’t recognise (and don’t have in your kitchen cupboards) don’t buy/eat it.

Of course I appreciate it is extremely difficult to follow such a restricted diet - especially if you are also cooking for a fussy eater.

Because I now don’t eat snack foods/cakes/biscuits/soft drinks I have lost weight. But - more important - I don’t have the constant pain, bone crushing fatigue or brain fog I used to suffer.

However - if I deviate and eat processed food (it sometimes happens if I visit family or we go to a restaurant) all the nasty symptoms come back.

Good luck. Best wishes Dianne xxx

[saluhouse]

Hi. There is a book I can recommend. It is fairly new:

Ultra Processed People: Why Do We All Eat Stuff That Isn’t Food …and Why Can’t We Stop

By Chris van Tulleken

It’s on Amazon for about £12

It’s a very interesting read - but no recipes.

He is a very reputable Professor - so knows his subject - but the book is easy to read. He and his twin brother, Xand, are often on tv talking about health diet and related subjects.

I really gained a lot from reading this book.

Best wishes Dianne xxx