| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| EnchantedWoodsGirl |
Posted - May 21 2006 : 07:00:53 AM
There are many wonderful herbs that help with fibromyalgia. I have had FM for years and only take prescription meds when I absolutely need to. There was a time when the pain was so bad I wore a Fentenol (not sure of spelling) patch that you were supposed to wear for 3 days. Well, I would wear mine for 24 hrs and start vomitting. There are still times, not many - when I do need to take a pain pill, but I have now learned the most important thing you can do with fibro is rest when your body tells you to. So hard to do with 10 dogs, over 10 cats, 2 goats, 23 chickens and two miniature horses running around - opps, toss in one husband lol - but really, when I have relapsed, it has been due to stressing myself out way too much.
Okay - tried and true - Lemon Balm - it is good for so many things. Use it as a tea, as a compress, as a tincture. Lifts the mood. Chamomile for sleeping trouble, Valerian also for sleep troubles and anxiety. Also, passionflower for sleeping difficulties. It is important to let your doctor know of any herbs/supplements you are taking or planning on using, especially if you are taking prescription medications or you are pregnant. Consult your doctor before beginning any herbal treatment please.
Lavendar is wonderful for lifting the spirits - just smell lavendar and try to be unhappy! Get some essential oil - make sure it is pure essential oil from a reputable company Aura Casia makes wonderful oils - mix with grapeseed or other massage oil and massage yourself before bed, better yet, get someone to massage you. Keep a small vial of the essential oil with you and sniff it throughout the day when you feel stressed. Put some drops of essential oil in the tub when you take a bath....pure heaven. Do not use any essential oil full strength on the skin -some can hurt you, although, lavendar is not one of them and originally was used by a scientist for a bad burn.
Ginger root is excellent for your digestion. I keep fresh root in the house all the time. Cut in very thin slices (peel it first) and then mash it in a mortar and pestle and infuse with honey and a few lemon slices - add this mixture to a teapot with a white or green teabag - white and green tea are excellent antioxidants! Ginger just makes you feel warm all over! Add some wild strawberry leaves to your tea, they have the highest vitamin C content in them - if you grow unsprayed raspberry plants, add some raspberry leaves to your tea.
Cayenne - yup, I said cayenne - they use this in many salves and ointment for muscle pain - Do not get in your eyes or on mucus membranes. If you can hack it, eat hot peppers.
Black Cohosh - good for rheumatic and neuro pain - also a hormone balancer.
Supplements that help - Magnesium - take it at dinner time and it will help you sleep through the night.
CoQ10 - great for muscle function -also if you are taking any meds for lowering your cholesterol, taking this with it will help prevent any leg pain - check with your dr.
You need B vitamins desperately - make sure you take folic acid, B12 and B6 - Buy your vitamins from a souce with an excellent reputation.
Ladies, I have done much research on this topic - if you have any questions, please ask me. I do have links to articles I have written regarding essential oils and some specific herbs. I am also a student of Natural Health through Clayton College of Natural Health.
Fibromyalgia is no fun - but I have never let it stop me - and never will. All those wonderful plants are here for a reason!
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Blessed in Colorado |
Posted - Jun 09 2014 : 06:04:50 AM
I too am happy to have found this thread, my hubby has fibro and is learning to live and deal with the pain which is not easy. Thank you for all the wonderful information I have read here, I too have a Dear Farmgirl Friend who has had it for years and she helps and advices us as well.
Take care each of you.
Hugs,
Debbie
"BE KIND TO PEOPLE BECAUSE EVERYBODY YOU KNOW IS ENGAGED IN REALLY TOUGH BATTLES."
www.etsy.com/shop/MountainWingsAntique
http://debbielynnf.blogspot.com
http://myworld.ebay.com/debbt |
| jenne.f |
Posted - Jun 09 2014 : 05:58:50 AM
Since I had a recent flair-up of my own fibro, I did lots of reading online and I found this thread and wanted to add a few remedies of my own and take away many more to try. I learned that fibro often appears or re appears after a bout of illness or stress. I personally have found that cutting back on the acidic foods, for me coffees and cokes, ( my weakness) and orange juice and similar foods helps. I have read that overdoing on Vit D is difficult and I take it daily. 5-10.000 I.U daily. I also take a mild allergy med daily such as benedryl, ( I take Tylenal PM for the benydryl and sleep help) It helps loosen the thick mucus typical of Fibromyalgia. Eliminating flour foods, when I can helps so much too.
Best Wishes to all. I find knowledge helpful and healing. Sometimes it helps to make sense of it all.
~blessings~
Jenne
Farmgirl #4616
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| kymomma4 |
Posted - Mar 28 2014 : 1:32:26 PM
Girls thank you for posting on this. I've shared with one of my friends who has fibro. I hope this helps her bc nothing else has. She's been very depressed lately and she has a young child. You guys are a blessing.
RoDonna
Farmgirl #2361
"Blessed is the farmgirl who helps make the world a better and healthy place" ~ Me
"For she is clothed with dignity and strength and without fear of the future"-Proverbs 31:25
www.marykay.com/rcarson4 |
| Denise Ann |
Posted - Dec 27 2013 : 4:05:54 PM
Hi all,
I just wanted to chime in about Fibro. I have many patients with Fibromyalgia, it is a diagnosis of exclusion, rule out all the bad stuff and whats left?? Unfortunately no blood tests or scans for this and it gets a bum wrap, "its all in your head" mentality if there is not a quantitative way to diagnose something. Regarding prescription medication... Not everyone fits the cookie cutter starting doses for specific medications. Some people are just super sensitive and if that is the case, ask to be started on the lowest dose and work up from that point and go slow. Some times its just a matter if patience on the providers part. I am interested in the more holistic aspect. Exercise and diet are important and continuing to move is key, don't have to run marathons but even a little is better than none....take care
Denise |
| Rosemary |
Posted - Oct 21 2013 : 2:46:29 PM
I've re-encountered this thread thanks to the Farmgirls who posted recently . I read the whole thing again and want to share some love for all of you who've suffered with fibromyalgia. It is real, it hurts like hell, it affects your cognition and I guess what we're learning is that different people respond to a variety of treatments.
Another thing I'd like to say is how sorry I am for the pissy tone of some things I posted. Okay, not gonna dwell on that. The best way to say sorry is to not repeat the offense. I'll try hard not to .
A bit of an update. I had a recurrence of fibro a few years ago triggered by a sciatic nerve injury possibly suffered as the result of sitting for too long on an over-inflated Gaiam ball chair I had just purchased. It got so bad I had to get a disabled sticker for my vehicle. I had to use a cane and couldn't get upstairs at my farmhouse unless I literally crawled. I went through months of physical therapy because the problem appeared yo be arthritis. Then I remembered by bout of fibro a couple of decades ago, and how Zoloft had helped me. I suggested to my doctor that we give that a try again. I also gave up the office space I'd rented for 15 years and that had been a source of financial hardship (equals stress). Long story short, after over two years of being crippled, I was back to normal within a couple of months.
The reason Zoloft or other antidepressants work on the pain of fibromyalgia is that there's apparently some chemical link between fibromyalgia and depression. Whether it's a cause-and-effect thing or just a convenient coincidence, I don't know. Zoloft is an antidepressant. I'm told it's not used much any more but the generic form is cheap and it worked for me -- twice now. In my case, I'm pretty sure the issue was anxiety, a belief that I literally couldn't move (out of my office) which expressed itself in crippling physical mobility problems. Maybe the Zoloft was a placebo for me. Maybe an herbal anti-anxiety treatment would have worked as well.
I'm not here to say anyone with fibro should take prescription drugs instead of herbal remedies, massage and other natural treatments. I believe wholeheartedly in these things. I'm just saying, I guess, that the antidepressant approach has worked for me and maybe it could be helpful to one of you as well. Whatever it takes, I figure. I hope I never experience another flare-up of this chronic condition. To prevent that, it's probably a great idea to eliminate stressors in our lives, avoid inflammatory foods, get regular exercise and get on a regular program of preventive herbal support. I wish I could say I've been taking this advice, but mostly I haven't. I will listen with great interest to the experiences my Farmgirl sisters are having with this horrible condition, and what they find is working for them. |
| Cozynana |
Posted - Oct 21 2013 : 02:54:28 AM
I too suffered with fibro symptoms. My symptoms got worse and was diagnosed with chronic fatigue too. This changed when I finally was diagnosed with Lyme disease. It has all the symptoms of fibro and more. I have been sick for 20 plus years. I am now on treatment for Lyme which is a bit like fibro. B12, vit D, etc are part of the protocol for Lyme. Dr Horowitz is coming out with a new book called Why Can't I Get Well or something like that. This is for,chronically ill people. You can preorder on Amazon. I would suggest we all read it. !You may not agree with all his theories, but will give you a new angle in fibro. My naturopath called fibro a trash can diagnosis, when the docs do not know what it is, they classify it fibro or chronic fatigue. Since starting lyme treatment, chronic fatigue is gone and pain is much, much better., does not move or jump around as much. |
| TexasJo |
Posted - Oct 20 2013 : 10:22:19 PM
I just saw this post and wanted to add my experience with this very painful condition. First I want to say how sorry I am that you all are suffering with fibro and I hope you all are able to find ways to alleviate the pain. I have gone thru one of the worst types of surgery a person can experience and I have to say fibromyalsia is right up there with the post surgery pain I experienced. Last year I went thru a series of injections of a medication called Lupron and up until then i did not have fibro. Within a month I was in horrid pain daily, my blood pressure went nuts and I dont normally have high bp and I felt like I truly was not going to make it much longer. My doc did some research and felt that the lupro had brought on the fibro and due to the pain level probably the high blood pressure also. I was on the lupron for about 7 months. We discovered my body also does not tollerate blood pressure meds or any kind of meds except ibu. Three months after the last lupron injection and within two wks of stopping all blood pressure meds, I felt normal again. It was absolutely amazing! I could not believe how good I felt after being in so much pain. I truly felt as if my body was being poisoned. The fibro symptoms have left and I actually have energy again and can function normally. I hope I never experience that again. I recently signed a petition and wrote a letter to our US President hoping to have Lupron use discontinued. Thru my experience I believe there are probably different things that bring fibro on. Finding what works to fight the pain is tricky because they don't know what causes it. I think its wonderful for you all to share what works for you and i hope it helps others. Lavender and chamomile are the only two herbs I rely on for pain relief and calming effects.
We can do it! |
| Tapestry |
Posted - Sep 15 2013 : 1:55:44 PM
Hi Ladies, Like all of you I have fibromyalgia too. I was diagnosed 18 yrs. ago. Needless to say I've been on about every medicine on the market. I think most fibromites would agree we'd give anything not to have this condition. There are some new studies out that may lead to more treatments or even potentially a cure. There is also now a blood test available in some areas to help with diagnosis. Although my drs. have prescribed a bunch of meds for me I try to keep things to a minimum. #1 is sleep. If I don't sleep well I'm in agony. I drink chamomile tea in the evening if I am feeling a bit tense. I alternate OTC meds including herbals with Zolpidem. I don't take together. As a former LPN for 32 yrs I know safe medication practices. I know we lack certain vitamins however I will caution on taking too much vitamin D. Vit. D is a fat soluble vitamin which is processed and stored in the liver. You can overdose on this vitamin as well as vitamins A, E, and K so please be careful with taking large doses of these vitamins. I had a naturopath tell me years ago to drink pediasure if I was having a bad flare. That has helped me during flares. I recently changed my eating habits and have done away with all bad carbs. Within 3 days I felt a huge difference. HUGE! My muscle pain has become minimal. I still have a couple areas that are bothering me with a nerve type pain but even this has lessened. My energy level has sky rocketed. I have actually felt human this past two weeks. I have been checked for celiac's disease and was negative for gluten intol. I'm taking a multivitamin, effexor XL, zolipidem or other OTC sleeping aid. My drs. have ordered gabapentin but I have found it causes me weight gain and just feel sluggish so I use this very sparingly. This is all I take now for Fibro. I do have other meds I take for blood pressure, cholesterol and GERD however I feel my change to more mindful eating and upping my exercise level will help those conditions in time. I totally agree with an earlier posting that fibromyalgia affects us all differently. When I talk about exercising it may be just a walk around the block. I try very hard not to over do it as yes it will flare me. Gentle stretching helps me also. Stress makes fibro worse so I try to stay on an even keel emotionally and really try to find things every day to be grateful for and to enjoy. Sitting on my front porch watching birds and reading a magazine can give me that mental vacation I need. I love lavender, eucalyptus and menthol essential oils for massage and bath. I have a TENS unit that also helps me when I have a particular muscle group that decides to be especially painful. I think fibro is a process of finding what works for you. Hopefully, one day there will be a cure. Until then being supportive of each other is the very best thing we can do to help. If you decide to "go rogue" and try to figure out your own set of meds you're comfortable with please do talk to your dr. and pharmacist in regards to medication and herbal drug interactions. Above all keep yourself safe. I did a post on my blog several weeks ago on some of the new studies and information coming out. Feel free to check out the link in my post to head over and read up.
Gentle hugs to all.
Cheryl
Happy farmgirl sister #353
Look for rainbows instead of mud puddles 
http://pinterest.com/ctapestry/
http://tapestrysimaginings.blogspot.com/ |
| gspringman |
Posted - Nov 01 2011 : 9:12:59 PM
Casey, I just found this topic and I would love to hear more about your anti inflammatory diet. I've had Fibro for over 13 yrs. Pain is a regular, but I would love to find natural herbs to help with controlling it. I am only taking Ibuprophen when I flair up but once it grabs me for weeks at a time, I sometimes have to get a steroid shot. I am trying to stay away from 'chemical' fixes. I do regular massage which helps a lot. I don't 'exercise' as it flairs me up, but I stay very busy every day. I'm no couch potatoe by any means. I've done the B12 but am told I'm only allowed six a year. Hope to start on a few herbs I've been reading up on such as magnesium, Eveningprimrose and 5HTP. Any info you could share about these or anything else, I'd love to hear from you. You can email me personally if you like. Thank you and everyone who has shared on this topic.
Gail
Farmgirl #486
http://grammasladybug.blogspot.com/
http://klamathfallscharmingchicks.blogspot.com/ |
| blackfell_farmgirl |
Posted - Sep 07 2011 : 11:39:39 AM
Really "Fibromyalgia" is a dumby diagnosis, when the physician doesn't really know what the problem is (no offense to doctors, who are really good for most things!!). Blood tests are often inconclusive. However, there are hundreds of things that one can try. Diet seems to be key in this, along with exercise. Often, people with fibro do not test as possitive for allergies to wheat, but there is an enzymatic reaction to wheat in the gut which affects your entire system, with brain fog, among other things.
Anti Inflammitory diet for a full three months, no cheating at all (which is difficult) often helps. Then sticking to gluten free.
B-12 shots for energy and the minerals, as mentioned by Martha above are also key. Digestive enzymes seem to help the body absorb.
some consistent exercise, but just not as much as everyone else seems to be able to do.
That is just the tip of a very large iceburg! :) Whew! I have a lot of info and experience in dealing with Fibro, so if anyone would like my two cents worth, feel free to ask. :)
blackfell_farmgirl
HorseCrazy! |
| marthajane |
Posted - Sep 05 2011 : 11:05:43 AM
the book costs 4$
Happiness IS being a MoM |
| marthajane |
Posted - Sep 05 2011 : 11:03:57 AM
O k ....
as I was trying to say, there is a chemistry book very small very easy to read sold by 1800 HOMEOPATHY...which may help this condition...they are promoting MINERALS, saying that our chemical and skeletal structures depend on MINERALS for everything they are and do...I just wonder if this being such a generalized condition, maybe its something that is affecting the entire system?
They sell 12 minerals, they each cost about 9$ or you can buy a bottle of a combination of them all for $9...I dont work for them its just that if you get this book called Biochemic Cell Salts, you'll see how interesting this chemical perspective is...hope it helps all.
blessings on all who suffer, may the Good Lord reveal the reasons why
Happiness IS being a MoM |
| marthajane |
Posted - Sep 05 2011 : 10:58:51 AM
Hello All! Since someone mentioned vitamin D, I thought on that note Ill chime in here. I read all the other posts, and I dont know much about the topic of FM but I do know chronic pain.
Happiness IS being a MoM |
| Lieberkim |
Posted - Aug 11 2011 : 8:33:53 PM
I've heard of several people now that have said they had Fibromyalgia and after having bloodwork done discovered a severe lack of Vitamin D. They started taking large doses of vitamin D and the pain of their fibromyalgia diminished or disapeared. I don't know this from experience, just heard it from others that did it, but it might be worth looking into. Vitamin D is actually so essential for a lot of things and most everyone doesn't have enough in their system. |
| Sharon Denise |
Posted - Jul 16 2011 : 07:59:02 AM
Hi June! I tried Savella and on the third day my blood pressure shot so high I passed out...right after I made it home in my car. Back when they thought I was just depressed and making it up, I tried Zoloft, and THAT nearly killed me literally too. I refuse to try Cymbalta and am worried about Lyrica based on my track record. Is your lemon balm easy to grow? I need to research it and see if it will withstand Texas heat. I'm sorry to hear you've had a rough road too. Here's hoping we all start feeling a lot better, and big insurance starts covering more alternative therapies!
"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. Yet that will be the beginning."
~Louis L'Amour |
| RubyJunes |
Posted - Jul 15 2011 : 5:27:13 PM
I'm very interested in following this topic, and appreciate all that you all have to share here! I too have fibromyalgia, and am trying to take as few prescription meds as possible. Cymbalta nearly killed me, literally. I just don't want all of the side effects of the meds. I have an herb garden full of lemon balm, guess I'd better figure out what to do with it to help me? There's a great little herb store nearby, so I need to figure out what supplements are priority, and work at getting them gradually, as they are most likely costly. Again, it's good to find gals with so much in common! Thanks :)
--June
Farmgirl #545
www.RubyJunes.blogspot.com
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| Sharon Denise |
Posted - Jul 15 2011 : 12:20:01 PM
I'm so glad I used the search function rather than starting a new topic!! I was diagnosed with fibro just a few months ago. It makes my entire life make a bit more sense, but I do wish it were something that could be "cured." I've had a terrible reaction to medication, so it's all alternative therapies for me, which of course aren't covered by my insurance. Lovely. I'm going to read each and every post to see what has and hasn't worked for you all. I hope you've all been coping well. I have found that my fatigue has improved since I gave up caffeine, and that my pain/stiffness has lessened somewhat after cutting back on gluten. My husband is a Celiac, so ideally I would cut out all gluten. I do swipe a roll occasionally though! Anyway, I need all the herbal help I can get!
"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. Yet that will be the beginning."
~Louis L'Amour |
| katiedid |
Posted - Sep 09 2006 : 09:54:44 AM
Patricia
Thanks so much for that beautiful and gentle reminder "An attitude of gratitude creates more to be thankful for." I needed that his morning!!
Love to you
Kate
http://theknifemakerswife.blogspot.com/2006/07/knifemakers-wife.html |
| Utahfarmgirl |
Posted - Sep 09 2006 : 08:24:38 AM
Susan, you have it exactly right. This is what I mean when I say, "fake it until you make it". The Universal Law behind this idea is "like attracts like". What that means is, what we think, believe and give energy to is what we manifest. And it's so true - look at the people who say "I'll never lose weight" or "I always attract the wrong guy". This is what they believe and so this is what they manifest. We're not pretending we don't have pain. We are choosing to enjoy life despite it. And enjoyment of life is what we manifest. My neighbor said to me the other day, "You're always happy. You're always smiling." and I said, "I've got a lot to be happy about." and that's true. I thank God every day for what I have - my wonderful husband, my great home, my wonderful children and grandkids, my job that I love, etc. Giving thanks creates abundance. An attitude of grattitude creates more to be thankful for.
Farmgirl hug,
Patricia
Come visit my Etsy store at www.chezPatricia.etsy.com
Farmgirls do it organically! |
| mommom |
Posted - Sep 08 2006 : 5:12:21 PM
The doctors who have helped me and what I have told them about my past think I have had FM since the age of four years young. I will be 54 years young in December. That's 50 years of constant, unyielding, everyday, every night pain. It never stops. But, I think I startled these doctors with my attitude. Please don't think that I'm tooting a horn here because I am not like that. But this story is how I've learned to cope. I very rarely complain about how I feel. I always have a smile on my face. I will try something even if I don't feel like it. I am a productive person who has raised my own five kids and four others who's moms didn't have time for them. I have a job. I am happy. Why? Because I choose to be this way. I choose to get up every morning in total exhaustiion and pain thankful that the Lord has given me this day. It's not my families fault that I feel this way, so why should I treat them badly? Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that even though I am in pain I don't have to be a pain." I am grateful for what I have and for what I can do each and every day. Attitude towards this debilitating disease is the key to survival for most of us who will admit it....and then live it. I do not remember NOT having pain. Therefore, I basically don't know any better! None of us are alone on this trek to find relief. Praise God for that! And because we who are talking to each other in this chatroom have FM, we can believe each other and root for each other to keep on going even when we absolutely have no desire to. I am grateful for those of you who are honest and tell it like it is. This pain is not fun. But, we're not alone. Thank you so much for reminding me of this. Bless you all....and keep your bodies and your minds moving. Don't give in to this horrible weakness. CHOOSE to keep going and to wear a smile. Someone once accused me of being a very good actress. I told her that I choose to be a happy person. And, I'm grateful. Love and happiness to all you wonderful women. Susan |
| bramble |
Posted - Sep 07 2006 : 1:21:18 PM
And hugs back to you Patricia! I will follow your journey with the clinic and hope that it brings you some real solutions and avenues to implement a smoother journey. Seems like this group could almost become a test group, there are so many of us (sadly...) Be well, and don't give up, I'm rooting for all of us.
with a happy heart |
| Utahfarmgirl |
Posted - Sep 07 2006 : 10:27:43 AM
Bramble ~ Thank you for your words and suggestions. Very inspiring. I just want to add one thing regarding medications. Everything God made is good. It is only how things are used that can be damaging. I thank God every day for my pain medication. If I didn't have it I couldn't even walk or use my hands or sleep. I've had FM for over 30 years and have tried everything that's come down the pike. Some helped, some didn't. Doctors are learning more every day and I thank God for their presence in my life, too. I'd also like to add that attitude has a lot to do with FM as with everything else. As I tell my clients - fake it until you make it. Very helpful!
Farmgirl hug,
Patricia
Come visit my Etsy store at www.chezPatricia.etsy.com
Farmgirls do it organically! |
| bramble |
Posted - Sep 06 2006 : 9:38:41 PM
I posted ages ago about being diagnosed with FM and being frustrated that the info is so wide and varied. What is really hard is that this illness comes under the umbrella of this name but affects so many of us in different ways. We all enter the world with the same "equipment" so to speak but each of us is just like a car in many ways. How have we been maintained? What were we driven through and how were we driven? Each of us has had unique exposures, experiences and respond individually. The things that affect me adversely may not bother another and that is medically hard to treat.
I had Lyme disease that went untreated for 6 mths and there is a school of thought that this provokes FM as your body reacts to and attacks itself.
My Dr. has been my advocate and discussed with me options, alternate plans and treatments and has encouraged me to be as involved in discovering my treatment as he is. Only once did he tell me that he didn't recommend something I questioned him about. This is a hard disease to live with and an even harder disease to treat.I understand the frustration I hear because if truth be known none of us want to be in pain and know that someone elses treatment doesn't work for us. So with that being said I will share what has helped
me. Sublingual B vitamin tincture twice a day, plenty of sleep when I can get it, eating small regular meals with rich leafy greens, avoiding beef (I don't seem to digest it very well), avoiding all the nightshade plants (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, etc), regular massages, only organic dairy, no caffeine but the good news is that sugar doesn't seem to bother me. I have tried to switch to as much homemade/homegrown as possible to control the organic factor and shop organic (Whole Foods here) when I can't provide it myself. I also went to a pain management clinic where they suggested a meditation like approach but with a twist. They asked me what I did
to relax and what elevated my mood and I said music. They suggested listening to music I enjoy when I feel a painful episode coming on.
I now use this technique for falling asleep with headphones. I just drift off and have been sleeping more deeply as well. I hate to mention them but WalMart and Target have a section with "mood" type
cds and they are very relaxing. When I am having a protracted period of insomnia which always seems to accompany increased pain I do take pain meds to cope and make no apologies for it. If I were diabetic I would take insulin. My body does not produce enough of the pain management chemicals on it's own any longer. This is what I do that keeps me functioning and until there is a significant cure or absolute treatment, I have to keep sticking my oar back in to see what works for me. I can only hope that there are angels working to help so many of us that suffer with this misunderstood illness.
with a happy heart |
| Buttercup |
Posted - Aug 04 2006 : 11:50:00 PM
Emily,
I do not feel you are a "know it all" And I do not disput that there may be a connection or trigger between FM and artificial sweetner. After all they already found a conection between that and cancer, so why not. The reaction you may feel is not because none of us believe you or think you have flipped but because you seem to be overlooking the fact that many of us may have already thought of such things, or tried such things, or be already health conscience to the point that we do not use such things. I am the later, I have known for years that artificial sweetner is bad, and for that matter anything artificial is. I was never into the "lower caloree so must be better" surge that flooded America. I do not use any perscription or non perscription drugs other then the occasional Motrin when the pain is too hard to bear ...nothing. I do not nor have I ever drunk diet sodas. And I do not use nor buy things with artificial sweetner. I want pure sugar or honey or molasses...but nothing artificial...and I do not have SOME of the points... I have 100%. Every point they check was not just painful but unbarable for the doctor to touch, and this from someone who has a VERY high pain tolerence.
So please do not feel ignored or like we feel badly toward you, just understand that many have "been there done that" when it comes to health and what they do or do not eat, and already have cut that from their diet YEARS ago ...or like me never used it. If your theroy were true, I would have been cured...actually I would have never gotten this horrible disease in the first place. I am glad that for you it was the key and am hopeful it will help others, but unfortunately, it can not help all of us. 
If it were up to me there would not be ANYTHING chemical or artificial in any food anywhere! I believe strongly it is poison to our systems...but for me it is not the cause nor cure.
Hugz Always!!!
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
| lamarguerite farm |
Posted - Aug 04 2006 : 9:24:56 PM
I believe that any time we are excessively exposed to one chemical, our bodies can build a sensetivity to that particular chemical. I agree that the artificial sweeteners can cause or aggravate FM symptoms, but not in every case. You may have developed a sensetivity to the artificial sweeteners and felt better after eliminating it from your diet. I have a lot of chemical sensetivities that stem from leaky gut syndrome which is thought to be caused by an overgrowth of Candida. It's hard to say what has caused my fibromyalgia, but I think in my case there are a lot of different factors. I didn't listen to the warning signs that my body was giving me years ago and I was taking care of everyone except myself. I've had a lot of emotionally tramatic events over my life time. My naturopath told me that food and chemical sensetivities can also be caused from the emotional experiences we have in relation to the food or chemical. I think the list could go on and on. It's kind of the "which comes first, the chicken or the egg?" theory.
Just last week my chiropractor asked if I was using aspartame or msg. They are thought to increase pain in people with FM. I don't use either and try to eat mostly freshly made foods and stay away from refined sugar as much as possible. Processed foods are definately a bad idea for those with FM because of all the chemicals, preservatives and lack of nutritional value. organic,Fresh and locally purchased is best when possible.
I'm sure I'm not saying anything that most of you don't already know, but figured I would share my thoughts on the issue.
Blessings,
Missy
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen
http://18happyhens.blogspot.com
http://LamargueriteFarm.etsy.com |
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