I'm curious as to whether anyone has ever suggested a nutritional cause for pain? I know nutrition isn't necessarily the 'one size fits all' answer, but I just wondered if anyone has helped their pain with supplements and/or dietary changes?
I basically found someone who said they had cured their pain condition (which was the same as mine) by taking a calcium supplement and adopting a low oxalate diet. In some ways it sounds sensible to me, I'm allergic to milk and I don't necessarily eat calcium containing foods on a daily basis. Like with most thing, I figure it's worth trying; at £5 a bottle of vitamins, I don't see the harm, but at this stage I know not to pin all my hopes on it either. Has anyone else tried it?
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Cooper27
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Yeah, I've been wondering about this too; pretty desperate, and if vitamins cured me, I would consider it wonderful and miraculous. Personally, I don't know; I did get given vitamin D tablets for being deficient a year or so ago, and I have to say, that definitely improved my mood, though I can't say that fixed my pain. I've heard various stuff about vit. D, B12, Iodine and Magnesium deficiencies causing pain, but I guess it depends on the individual. If your pain is because of a deficiency, it stands to reason that replenishing that supply would help the problem, though if the pain is caused by something else, who knows? Though I agree, taking some vitamins has to be worth a shot. Maybe get blood tests to see if you're lacking anything? Good luck! Would love to hear if you have positive results with this.
Yeah, I did wonder about blood tests, but not sure if my dr would indulge me! I know there are dieticians out there who can run nutritional analyses though...
What I learned about calcium deficiency is that it can go hand in hand with vit D - you need vit D to absorb calcium, so I'm taking both. On the flip side, too much calcium going to the brain causes pain too - no winning huh?
I was once told by an alternative therapist, you body is like an engine, put in the wrong fuel and it breaks down. I have been on a low carb high protein diet for 3 years with good results, I was recommended the Zoe Harcombe diet and have followed this. I drink herbal teas, cut out gluten and have very little sugar. Not mixing carbs with protein at the same meal. Simply cooked fish and meat lots of veg, I have many conditions, so still take my meds. Also have a b12 deficiency, so have 3 monthly injections and prescribed Vit D tabs. It's about balance as well.
I have been on a very strict endo diet for the last 6 months. I dont consume gluten, milk, caffeine, sugar, alcohol, meat or soy (at all). I know it sounds very restrictive but since i was a vegetarian to begin with and very rarely drank alcohol, it wasnt such a big deal for me. In any case my endo pain is so bad that i would happily exist on boiled vegetables for the rest of my life if it means i can be pain free. I consume lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, and try to eat organic as much as i can. It has helped a bit but it hasnt been a magical cure by any means. When i am in pain it seems like it hasnt helped at all but when i look at my pain days and symptoms objectively, i know that it has helped to some extent. Also, i read somewhere that it can take up to an year to notice any real benefits of the nutritional approach so i am holding on to that. I used to consume a lot of supplements initially but i have reduced it to just 2 supplements lately after i noticed side effects like extreme hairfall etc which can apparenly happen if you overstuff yourself with supplements.. I would say that nutrition can be a tool in your arsenal against disease, a good tool, but its not a magical cure (unless your symptoms are relatively mild to begin with). Do try it, it will probably help you, maybe it will help you a lot if you are lucky but dont go in expecting miracles bcoz then you will probably give up if you dont see instant results.
Wow that sounds tough to me, but I do sympathise - some days I think I could do a juice diet forever more if it meant being normal again, and other times I think how much I hate juice! But if it helps you, then that's the most important thing.
Try lacto free milk as I can take this milk but not others, a wheat and gluten free diet helps a lot plus iron and vitamins without citrus fruits, I stopped methotrexate and take a Boswella natural pain reducer daily and when I get a flare up (when having a very busy day) I take Ibuprophen 2 x 500mg every 4/5 hour until the flare up stops which is usually just the 1 day.
Unfortunately it's not the lactose I'm allergic to, but I've gone so long without milk, I just can't stand the stuff now! Baked into cake is the only way I take the stuff
It's really interesting to hear that diet has helped you though, it makes me hopeful I'm on the right track.
I urge those with a serious illness to seek out a specialist... There are Registered Dieticians and many specialize. I know of one in New England who specializes in inflammatory diseases. Individuals can have unique food allergies and sensitivities. The right RD will pinpoint those specific foods and explain how they effect the persons illness and health. For example, my friend with MS discovered tomatoes can irritate her illness (among much more info). She is making several dietary adjustments, and over the next year she should notice the benefits.
It takes time and commitment. Some find considerable improvement in chronic pain. For myself, the pain didn't necessarily decrease, but my mobility has significantly improved. This has made exercise possible, resulting in a stronger core--which helps my back pain.
It frightens me to think of people using food restrictions and herbal supplements with a serious illness. I have seen people self treat depression with herbal supplements and have horrific outcomes. For major changes at least let your physician know in case of possible drug interactions .
Absolutely - I'm definitely not using this as an alternative to medication, it's definitely a supplement. Really interesting to hear there are dieticians specialising in inflammatory pain though, I didn't think they specialised in such ways.
Diet makes a huge difference to my Fibromyalgia. If I avoid meat, nightshades, dairy, caffeine, yeast, gluten, sugar and include blueberries, cinnamon, butternut squash, tumeric, pickles etc then my pain levels go right down and my energy levels are normal.
Gosh, this sounds like a difficult diet. It sounds like you are including some good anti-inflammatories though, I should probably have a bit more turmeric! I'm so fascinated by the number of people who find food and nutrition help in this way though - of the long, long, looong list of gps, specialists, nurses and ' official' online resources I've looked at over the years, not one has suggested dietary changes - it seems like such a shame!
Yeah - I make a reasonable bread and I'm happy with oatcakes but it's not the same I'm trying to go until Christmas without any bread and may allow myself some then. Kind of hoping the same happens as happened with the other foods - I don't like them anymore.
I have been following a book by Mgt Hills for arthritis for over a year now. At the same time I have been going through all sorts of Rheumy testing to name what is causing all my pain. I definitely think we need to understand what our bodies are telling us in relation to good and bad days-although flare-ups don't act like that. Cider vinegar is very much part of my diet , taken 3 times a day. Honey being the other. One breaks down the buildup of uric acid which is found in a lot of fruit and tomatoes and eventually ends up stored as painful crystals, and honey being a natural antioxidant. Fructose /sucrose is known to inhibit the elimination of uric acid.
Is anyone else trying to cope without medication? Paracetamol is all I will reach for even though I am in acute pain and stiff all over. It comes on every night and much less if not totally gone in morning. So far they can't decide if it's Fibromyalgia, Polymyalgia, Rheumatoid arthritis, Gout, Diabetes or the last suggestion was Lupus. My good days I can walk my dog, play table tennis and all normal things. Bad days can't lift a kettle, get undressed, turn in bed or pull covers up. I have AF and have been so messed around with GPs guessing dosage of medicine to suit me and giving me horrific side effects that I have been off all for years except Dabigatran for blood thinner. Hence my study of nutrition as an aid to improving health.
I think this forum is what is really needed as words can't describe PAIN. Sharing and caring can open up the support we have to have in order to keep positive.
This is funny, as it was one of my grans old home remedies for arthritis - she'd mix up honey and apple cider vinegar each week and take two spoonfuls a day, with a daily aspirin and a daily cod liver oil. I love hearing this is an actual THING thing and not just a quirky gran thing.... We always thought it was gross as kids...
I'm reluctant to suggest anything much to you, as my pain is different to yours. I know a friend had the same run of tests, and ended up being vitamin D deficient, although the vit D o my helped, it didn't cure. My mum also found a book called 'eat right for your type', which she used to prevent arthritic flare-ups. According to her blood type, she should have eaten less flour and more green leafies, and every time after, she'd find her arthritis would flare up if she had bread.
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I'm trying to go until Christmas without any bread and may allow myself some then. Kind of hoping the same happens as happened with the other foods - I don't like them anymore. 
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