OS ways and Poor Health

Wednesday2000 wrote: »

I have been reading this thread for a while now as I have had a lot of symptoms like joint pain and tiredness and I've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I've not had much help from my GP so far apart from antidepressants to help me sleep so I have read a few books on the subject. I'm taking lots of supplements like vitamin D, B12, magnesium and calcium and zinc.

Does anyone else on here have this condition? Any tips?

I called up about my state pension forecast the other day as I need to make National Insurance Contributions for a few years I missed and the woman on the phone was generally chatting to me and said I could claim PIP (I think that was the name of the benefit?) for fibromyalgia.

MoneySavingExpert Insert:

Thanks for your experience lessonlearned. Anyone reading this please ensure you visit your GP first to discuss your symptoms before taking any action.

Back to the original post..

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I have fibro and osteoarthritis and also, stomach issues, namely GERD and IBS and also thyroid and adrenal gland problems. I had a duodenal ulcer when I was 17.

We are not supposed to give medical advice so I won't, I will just outline my history and some of the self help measures which have made a difference to me.

I do not and cannot take any prescribed meds for fibro so I have done loads of research myself. My GP admitted that because my stomach just will not tolerate the usual meds I was on my own. Because of the previous ulcer I can't risk a stomach bleed. Well I could but it would be pretty stupid........

I have done a lot of reading and I have come to the conclusion that these conditions are all interrelated. It's very much a vicious circle, with one condition pretty much leading to another.

I think there are also a great many other linked conditions.......namely anything that is due to inflammation or which triggers the auto immune response. The only way to deal with it all is to somehow break the circle. Easier said than done. It takes time and the average GP just doesn't have that kind of time to devote to a patient.

I have been forced to look elsewhere in order to manage my symptoms. So I looked to complementary medicines and natural healing and pain relief.

Whilst all this was going on.....I lost my husband and both my parents within a two and half year time frame, had a serious car crash suffering whiplash, so my stress levels were through the roof. At the same time I discovered.I also was just over the "pre-diabetic" range and on the cusp of full blown Type II diabetes, and my cholesterol levels were creeping up.

Given that my GP had already admitted that there was little he could do for me It was time to take action. So I started experimenting.

I initially just cut out wheat and all convenience foods. Immediately my stomach improved and I was able to drop all my stomach medications. The IBS and the GERD cleared up, and apart from the odd flare up when I eat the wrong foods or if I am undergoing a lot of stress I have been symptom free for a couple of years now.

Although my stomach was much better I was still experiencing joint and muscle pain and I also knew my adrenal glands were shot and that my thyroid wasn't functioning properly. My reading had led me to the conclusion that in addition to all the stress I was under my diet probably wasnt helping so I saw a nutritionist about 18 months ago.

She advocated a complete ban on all grains (including rice and oatmeal), most nightshade plants .....so potatoes, tomatoes, aubergines, etc. And no dairy or caffeine.

Well I did what I could although I refused to give up coffee....(life just wouldn't be worth living:rotfl:) and I do think we do need some dairy if we are to get enough calcium to protect our bones as we age so I cut down on dairy rather than eliminating it completely.

I adopted what is usually referred to as the Paleo diet, namely meat, poultry, game, fish, eggs, vegetables, salads, nuts, seeds and just a little fruit....I still had to tackle the blood sugar levels so kept fruit to just one portion a day.

She also advocated a regime of supplements such as the Ones you mention because my body had been depleted of essential vitamins and nutrients. Magnesium, Vit C, Vit D, Vit B complex. She also advocated a good probiotic to ensure good gut health because obviously that is my weak spot. I also added omega 3 capsules for good measure. I have also just started taking glucosamine.

Well the results were astonishing. My digestive system is great, my adrenal glands are working again and my thyroid function is improving. I am no longer diabetic, my cholesterol is down to normal, no headaches and both the fibro and arthritis pain are much improved.

I am definitely on the right track.

As for managing fibro pain and joint problems.....Again I looked to alternative methods rather than masking the pain with pills. I find warmth helps, so warm baths with Epsom salts, massages, exercise such as stretches, Pilates, yoga and walking.

I know some people baulk at the idea of exercise but I'm not talking running marathons here......just gentle movement. You must move or the muscles get weaker and stiffer, you must move to get the blood flowing to the joints.

If you feel you are in too much pain to exercise then take some pain relief first and then just do a few simple stretches or armchair yoga moves.

I think The more inactive we are then the more inactive we will become and the pain will just get worse.

At first glance my diet does seem horribly restrictive but with a bit of imagination, and using loads of herbs and spices it's possible to ring the changes. And anyway because I feel so much better there is no way I'm even tempted to go back to my old bad habits.

Yes I eat the odd ready meal if I'm really pushed and yes I indulge in the odd piece of cake but by and large I eat only good nutritious "real" food. I have completely cut out all the sugar and salt laden empty carbs laden with chemicals, preservatives and E numbers.

I don't even miss them. I walk past the bread and cake aisles in the supermarket and the smell makes me almost gag.

I now find I can eat tomatoes with no ill effect and as long as I don't overdo it then I can eat potatoes now and again and even, shock horror, some "real" bread. I still can't manage pasta or rice but that's no real hardship. Pizzas will have me practically writhing in agony so I just don't touch them.

One thing that I have learned is that it's all trial and error. What suits one person doesn't necessarily suit another.

For example I swear by my copper bangle which helps my hand, and the copper insoles which help my feet. Some people say wearing copper is an old wives tale with no benefit but I think they help me. They certainly don't do any harm, unlike pumping myself full of drugs which make me ill.

I am currently experimenting with thyme tea which someone recommended to me.....it tastes quite pleasant so again no hardship. I also am trying out spices like tumeric and ginger. I have also bought some boswelia to try. I did try cider vinegar but It upset my stomach.

Hope the above isn't classed as "medical advice" and isn't pulled. And hopefully some of the tips might help some of you.

It would be nice if there was a magic pill or potion but as yet there isn't one so we have to do what we can to help ourselves.

maddiemay wrote: »

Yes, about 10 years ago I started to struggle about 6 weeks before my 12 weekly injection, after a lot of moaning to my then GP he agreed to let me have 8 weekly (I think he was feeling a bit guilty because he missed a very low iron marker on a blood test a while before this). When I moved north 6 years I was terrified that new practice would not continue with this, but they did and still do. I take a shed load of supplements to help with the PA and the PID, sometimes add in sublinguals of 2 types of B12 too. I also resort to "other measures" which I do not wish to discuss on an open forum (all legal), but will PM you at some stage if you would like to know more;);)[/QUOT
I think I might know what you are referring to lol Feel free to pm me anytime x;)

Thyroid testing is a bit hit and miss. And most of the time they only do partial testing so you can get false readings...

I suggest you read up on that. Basically your thyroid won't function properly if your
Adrenal glands are struggling. You have to support the adrenals first. If you get them working properly then the thyroid often sorts itself out.

To help my adrenal glands I just made sure I got lots of rest, even when I couldn't sleep. If I needed a day time nap then I had one. Although if you are looking after your husband who is ill I appreciate that napping may not be an option.

You can take an adrenal support supplement but I haven't so far because I was taking all the other supplements I mentioned earlier and didn't want to overload my system.

It does sound like you are suffering from stress overload,,,.,,,I looked after my husband for 9 years so I understand just how hard it is. My heart goes out to you.

Everyone says "oh the careers need to care for themselves too" but often it's just not possible......you are sometimes forced to carry on, no matter what, even when you are under par yourself,

In the end this leads to burn out......you live on adrenaline for so long that your adrenal system is shot and you run on empty.

If you diet is poor or you are eating things that don't suit you, then because your system is under such stress you become malnourished and you don't get the essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients your body needs to repair itself.

This is when conditions like fibro take hold. Essentially your body is screaming saying "no more".

All I can say is keep researching and learning. Think about your diet, take supplements, exercise gently when you can and try and rest.

Adjusting your thyroid function is difficult and even if your doctor did prescribe meds getting them right is notoriously problematic. Too much iodine is as bad as too little and can lead to goitres so do be careful if you decide to take thyroid meds or supplements.

If you like Japanese food, try miso soup and some "sea vegetables". You will get sufficient iodine without risking overdosing on it. I found it a bit salty but pleasant enough. Most supermarkets have a Japenese section now.

As for the night sweats.......well you could be perimenpausal......the period leading up to the actual menopause. This is when hormones start to get erratic but we still produce enough oestrogen for our bodies to continue with their ."womanly functions". :rotfl:

There was a menopause thread on here some time ago. Lots of useful tips on there.

But then again it could be stress. Stress does odd things to us, especially when it is prolonged.....it can really take its toll on our health and wellbeing.

Good luck, hope you can get some answers and find a way to help yourself a bit. Self help really seems to be the best way forward.