Allergies and Fibromyalgia

[Sally444]

I don't know if this well help anybody but even if it helps one person, then that would be great.

I haven't posted on here for a very long time but feel I have to today as I recently went to a private doctor for a burst ear drum. He did lots of blood tests and it turns out I have (and have had for a long time) severe allergies to dust mites, grass and dairy. My partner was shocked as I am generally a clean freak, the house is always clean (as excess dust gives me dermatitis) and I haven't eaten dairy for years as I thought I was just intolerant. I do however have indoor animals so there is hay everywhere!!!

I was advised to take antihistamines so I did that and steam cleaned everything I could to get rid of dust mites. (Steam cleaner only cost £40 and weighs next to nothing.) Well since doing this, within a few days, I have realised that I can now move so much more easily, I can get off the sofa without feeling like I'm 400 years old and I can use a duvet in bed without feeling like I'm on fire! The night sweats are nowhere near as bad and I can put my feet on the floor without the shooting pains. I was so surprised.

So I googled whether allergies can cause joint pain and sure enough, every website said it can cause joint pain, night sweats, inability to control body temperature and Fibromyalgia as the immune system is working in overdrive and causing inflammation!!

I would not recommend people going to one of those allergy testing shops as they are super expensive and I don't think they are genuine but I would definitely recommend getting some proper tests done, maybe on the NHS if they'll do it. I would also not recommend taking antihistamines unless you have confirmed allergies as unnecessary drugs cause even more side effects.

However, after 20 years of struggling, I feel soooo much better and am not anywhere near as exhausted as I used to be so I'm hoping maybe some others could benefit from this as well. I know allergies aren't often tested for but maybe it could help.

Wishing you all a good day.

Sally.

[Just-keep-swimming]

Hi Sally, I have recently had something similar happen to me. I couldn't walk to the end of my drive and was in bed feeling really unwell a few days every week. Then I tried going Vegan and suddenly I could walk around the block and felt less unwell! It felt like a miracle. I then went back downhill again because something I hadn't been eating much of before going vegan, I was eating much more of. That was yeast. After going to a Kinesiologist I found that I had many different food intolerances and had Candidiasis, which is way too much yeast in my body and in particular in my gut. I truly believe that fibromyalgia is related to allergies and intolerances. To the environment and the food we eat. Don't get me wrong my health is not excellent now. I still have some pain and my mobility isn't back to normal but I do feel so much better in myself and can walk further than I have in years. There's hope. x

[KB08 in reply to Just-keep-swimming]

Hi. Sorry to jump on this. But iv looked in to candida overgrowth and feel like I have every symptom going! Had loads of tests done and found nothing. Just wondered how you got diagnosed with candidiasis and if you could offer any help please as to how I get tested for it. Thankyou

[Just-keep-swimming in reply to KB08]

Hi KBOB. I didn't go through a GP. I went to a Kinesiologist (which a fellow sufferer told me about) and she diagnosed it. It's not an exact science and there were a few things that I reacted badly to that I tested ok for (like Coffee) but she really did help. She has a MSc (Science), BSc (Life Sciences), Dip AT, MRAT and is really brilliant at knowing what foods do what to your body. When I first saw her I could only manage to eat chicken and rice and drink warm water. I was in a bad way. She determined that I had a massive about of yeast in my body so eating something like a mushroom, would send me back to bed. Watch a few videos on youtube and you'll see how it works and then Google Kinesiologists in your area. I really would give it a shot. It can't do any harm. Good luck! x

[Kitkat15]

Hi Sally, I’m so happy you’ve found something that’s working. 8 years ago I gave up gluten, at that point I’d been diagnosed with fibromyalgia for 3 years. In desperation I’d listened to doctor Google and figured it couldn’t hurt to try. Within a week I felt like a new person and 8 years on I’m still gluten free. Since then I’ve discovered anything grape related affects it, dioxins and oranges! It’s not a magic cure and I still have to manage it. I still have bad weeks especially when I’m stressed (or eat something I shouldn’t). I have a life now, admittedly carefully managed but it’s so much better than before.

Now that you have improved it may be easier to notice if there are any more triggers in your environment that weren’t picked up with the test.

Good luck and may your health continue to improve.

[10x10]

Hi Sally

This is great news I’m so happy it’s making you feel better

I had a allergy test done it came back I’m allergic to dust dirt red grape trees olive oil all things dairy

I’ve tried to cut most out but recently last few days my breathing is really bad just trying to get out of bed to walk the loo and the pain

I’ve realised I’ve used dairy the passed few days plus had a good day last week not had much pain so took the grandkids with family on a nature walk

Well I say I walked I did my best but through dust dirt and trees

Thanks for this post and I’m so happy for you and it’s made me realise why my breathing is bad again

[marguLIS]

Glad you're feeling so much better. I also have allergies including dust mites, so have taken daily antihistamines for years and they do help.

Also, as a sufferer of night sweats I was at my wits end. Duvet on, duvet off, ad infinitem. I tried light weight, anti allergy, feather and all sorts of duvets, blankets, huge bath towels, you name it, still sweating gallons.

I discovered an all cotton duvet that comes in a few togs. The King size I bought comes in 6 tog but you can join 2 together. Life changing! Cool in summer, (still a little warm for me at times)and I've never needed to join them even in the winter. No dust from them, don't clump and wash well. They don't guarantee a great nights sleep, but definately an improvement.

Sweet dreams everyone.😴

[Sally444 in reply to marguLIS]

Hi Margu15

I haven't seen cotton duvets but will definitely be looking for one now.

The night sweats are awful. I am either boiling hot and sweating or freezing cold....from sweating. I bought cotton sheets etc. but will go online and see if I can find the cotton duvet as well. You just can't beat natural materials.

Thank you for the advice.

Sally.

[KimiJay]

Genius! Will look into this small steam gadget because it is to much of a palaver to use the carpet cleaner and we now have a cat. Thanks and keep getting better.

[Bmw640]

Hi Sally,

I’m so so glad & grateful to you for writing this post on allergies. I’ve had grass rash, tree pollen and some other allergies all my life and a couple of times candida & dust allergies as well but it never occurred to me to connect this with my fibro. It makes complete sense and I’m going to start looking into it tomorrow so thanks a zillion and to all the other contributors as well, I’ve learnt so much in the space of a few minutes!

Thanks again

Rosy