Do you find that hunger makes your symptoms worse?

[phlebo123]

It appears to me that when I am feeling hungry that my symptoms are worse. I find if I eat frequent small snacks or small meals that I feel better. If I go too long without food then I feel awful. Does anyone else experience this? Need to go get some chocolate now !!!

[ladymoth]

It is always comforting to have a snack - everything seems worse when you are hungry!

Sugar cravings seem to be common in people with chronic pain syndromes, tho' evidence has shown that moderate fasting can actually improve symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis. I'm not sure why this is - must do some research.

Personally, I find that I am better if I eat frequent small meals, just as you say, but I try to avoid sugar as much as possible, for two reasons:

1. Sugar is great for gaining weight - staying on the lean side is best if you have sore joints and mobility problems.

2. Too much sugar can upset the delicate balance of your blood glucose and give you mood swings and energy dips which can be severe and unpleasant, and lead to more sugar cravings.

I'm not saying that the odd choccy bar or cream cake will hurt you, but if you indulge too regularly you could aggravate the exhaustion of fibro - I certainly find this to be the case.

Try snacking on oatcakes and cheese, fresh fruit and salads, baked potatoes and beans, or a chicken sarnie. If you give up sugar, you will feel terrible for 3-4 days, then suddenly you will feel much, much better. Try it if you can bear to - it works for me, though I do have lapses!

Munchy hugs ... Moffy x

[jacksie]

I don't believe it,i thought i was imagining it.Yes i feel the same thankyou for that,i thought i was the only one,when i'm hungry my body tenses up i feel knotted,i also feel very low.When i feel hungry, it's a feeling like i haven't eaten in months,i go shaky also a little disentoriated.loads of thanks jacksiex

[Mrscats]

When I've left it too long to eat I get tearful and moody and sometimes fall asleep and can't concentrate. I shake and feel faint and go quite cold and pale. Sometimes I also get very clammy and sweaty too. I struggle with my weight because I crave....literally crave sugar like cigarettes. Oddly since this flare I have been craving carbs like potatoes etc more and my sugary treats have been making me nauseous and given me upset stomach. Very confusing!

[Hidden]

yes, I get the shakes too when I'm hungry and migraines. and oh, so very grumpy!

sometimes I will realise that i've forgotten to eat a meal, and it's the shakes and oncoming headache that make me realise that well, you know, it's been about 8 or 9 hours since I ate.

I've had my bloods checked and I'm not diabetic, as that was my first worry, as it seems to be a blood sugar level issue. but no, apparently not.

[Hidden]

Hi Phlebo

Yes it the same for me.... The symptoms for me are about dropping blood sugar so I get shaky, light-headed, possibly feeling faint, sweaty. I've managed to stabelise mine by having a slow release carb in the morning or before I go out.... Ready brek or porridge is good.

The cravings mentioned are interesting.... potato, tobacco, tomato, peppers are all nightshades which is a lectin family. Cutting out nightshades might help....

whfoods.com/genpage.php?tna...

The Lectin Story (which does google) is an interesting read.

The blood sugar dropping often has nothing to do with diabetes and more to do with the adrenals.When we get stressed or exhausted....if the adrenals aren't functioning well.....blood sugar will drop. Having sugar or caffiene stimulates the body putting the adrenals under more stress and therefore makes it worse.

holistichelp.net/adrenal-fa...

This link is also really useful.

Small meals often is good....things like celery and humous are good. Having protien rather than carb is good even though the body feels like its craving carbs and sugar. Sugar is quick relief, but makes the blood sugar yoyo....

Drinking lots of water is good. We should never feel thirsty.....

Hope this helps x Just my learning over time x

[Mrscats]

I wish I wasn't such a faddy eater. My GP really wants me on a gluten free diet as my bowels are indicative of intolerance. I'm just so naughty for sweets...and cakes....Oooo and crisps...

Argh! Lol my own worst enemy.

The thought of celery makes me shudder and I don't even know what hummus is lol. I've seen lots of fibro diet books etc...what's the basis - holistic?

Sorry to ramble...tired and can't sleep x

[kasp767982 in reply to Mrscats]

Hi,

You sat that your Dr suggests your bowels are indicative of gluten intolerance, doe he/she say in what way?

The only reason I would dare to ask you is because Iritable Bowel Syndrome aka IBS is a common secondary condition with Fibromyalgia & I am wondering if this what you have .... Having said that though, IBS can be sparked off with certain foods,for me is was fatty, spicy or heavily sitting foods. Stress or the slightest upset would turn my bowels to liquid too, I used to get so upset that if I went out for a meal or other things out of the norm it would start off a bout ...I can honestly say that I was ruled by this miserable condition.

I remember one particular time when my partner took me for a lovely mea before going to the theatrel, I chose my preferences from the menu carefully, avoiding anything that I knew could set me off. It still set me off, when in the theatre I was back & forward to the loo so much that I actually missed the 1st half of the performance, I was so embarrassed, other people must have thought I was crackers LOL.

I do hope that you get to the bottom (pardon the pun) of what your intolerance problem soon & get the help you need

Hugs

Jane xx

[Ozzygirl64]

I do not think being hungry makes me feel worse, but in saying that I have probably just got used to it after 26 years so do not notice it anymore. xxxxx

[Mrscats]

I do have signs of both gluten intolerance and ibs...6 of one and half a dozen of the other really. However I have a high prevelance genetically of celiac disease and although nothing on this scale, she believes my symptoms may be less seeing asi am completely unable to tolerate barley anyway and therefore am predisposed.

If accidentally to eat barley I have unimaginable stomach cramps, diahorea and projective vomiting (sorry tmi!) and will have for up to 2 days with or without migrane. It makes me very very wary of foods that I haven't thoroguhly analysed first!

I would love help with my diet in general though as it is cramp and fullof comfort foods lol xx