Is Fibromyalgia just an alternative name for ME?

[janedyson]

I am a type 1 diabetic with cardiac problems and fibromyalgia as well as retinopathy, neuropathy, severe back damage and circulation problems and PCOS. What is the best weight loss diet to follow for someone who finds exercise both painful and exhausting?

[julieevh]

No Fibro and ME (aka Chronic Fatigue Syndrome aka CFS/ME) are different.

They share many things in common BUT CFS/ME is characterised by totally debilitating tiredness - similar to the worst tiredness you get with flu and also unrefreshing sleep. Fibro, on the other hand is charcterised by pain from a mild ache to exctiating level of pain in the soft tissues eg skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, intestines. Some of us unlucky people get both - I'm one of them and there are lots more on the forum.

Can't help you much with the weight loss (although I am now a size 24 I was a size 32 7 years ago) other than to say try not to eat too much fat,( you are presumably avoiding lots of sugary stuff anyway) and drink lots of water. You might be able to do stretching exercises and muscle clenching exercises .... basically armchair exercises to try to keep as supple and mobile as is possible given the problems you face and burn a few calories as well ... it isn't easy is it?

Can you manage swimming? Even walking through the water burns calories as you are pushing against the resistance of the water ... a pool with a nice relaxing jacuzzi for afterwards is just pure bliss to me

((((( gentle hugs )))))

Julie xx

[irishjools]

Try Slimming world, I joined in January and so far have lost 4st and 8lb. They know all about my illnesses and are so supportive. The social side of it helps too. Good luck x x

[janedyson in reply to irishjools]

Hi Jools is slimming world easy to follow? I have tried one week on it and seemed to put more weight on than I lost, gaining 3lb. I'm also a diabetic so need to be very careful about the diet I try to follow, but if slimming world is only healthy eating I should be able to manage it within my constraints.

[julieevh in reply to janedyson]

My step-daughter was on Slimming World and I used to have to do her diet foods when she stayed over. She didn't loose much weight and the whole thing was so counter-intuative and faddy. My experience would be to give it a wide berth.

Julie xx

[irishjools]

It is so so easy to follow, it used to be tricky cos u had red and green days but now they have an extra easy plan that is so simple to follow. Any questions just ask, I am more than happy to help x x