Thanks for sharing your story. A “white free” diet makes a lot of sense. There are many approaches, but most of them share a least a few “must avoid” foods – like sugar & flour.

I think you will find that many of us with FM have control issues – that is we like to always have it! I have had the same issues and I see it over and over with members of my support group. FM strips us of control. I had never considered that by changing to a gluten free diet I was actually regaining some control in my life, but you are absolutely right!

I am a huge advocate of baby steps. I think it is the best approach to use when beginning any change. I can’t tell you how many times in the past I took on too much and failed. Failure is not an option when it comes to regaining our health, so baby steps it is!

I am absolutely lovin’ your blog! Great writing! Great PASSION!

A few years back after being diagnosed with FM, I removed all the “white stuff” from my diet ~ white four, white rice, white sugar, etc. To be honest with you, it was more an attempt to lose some weight then out of a belief that I could really live without the painful symptoms associated with FM/CF. However, I quickly realised that there was a direct relationship between what I ate and how I felt. (They told me that when I was diagnosed LOL, but it took a while to get it, ya now what I mean:)

I don’t know about you, but I HATE that I can not control every aspect of my life! Totally HATE that something like FM can come in a wreak havoc in every part of me. And when I realised that DIET (which is something I CAN control) could make a difference in how I feel…well I was on that! It was really hard at first! And I am still not perfect at it.

I took baby steps…and still am taking baby steps. It has become, over the years, a “lifestyle” rather than a diet for me.

I’ll be honest with you! I topple over into a piece of…ok a couple of pieces….ooookaaay, maybe sometimes – every now and then – it is the whole damn chocolate on chocolate – made with all the wrong ingredients – simply bad for me CAKE!! And darn it if it doesn’t taste delicious for a moment or two. But then the sharp decline into FIBRO-HELL begins! And after I feel like crud for just a few days, I have no choice but to get back up – wash the chocolate out of the corners of my mouth and get back to what I KNOW makes me feel better. Sometimes I feel almost immediate relief..but most of the time it takes days and even weeks to get back to feel the FIBRO-GOOD that I know is possible.

You see I just know too much today. I know that eating holistic healthy, even ORGANIC foods and EXERCISE make a huge difference for me…it’s not a CURE…but it is a heck of a lot better than living in a black hole wracked with pain and feeling sorry for myself. So I can’t hide there. I gotta get back up.

Thanks for great info on Gluten-Free. It’s my next step – baby step.

So I am thinking I need to do some research on Candida. It is certainly something I have heard referenced before but never really paid much attention to (there are so many theories out there). This is all really beneficial & timely information now that I am paying such close attention to how what I eat relates to how I feel.

I actually just picked up some probiotics last night. Do you know how long before I start feeling the benefits?

I agree with you, one step at a time! I always say to take baby step to avoid those painful leaps.

I know I’ve been miles better since I’ve eliminated dairy products and bread from my diet. I take a probiotic as well to help my gut heal. I’m thinking about chucking gluten altogether, but one step at a time.

Just discovered your blog. I’m following!

I had never considered yeast, but I think I need to pay attention to how it makes me feel. I assumed if bread was gluten free that would be enough, but thinking about it now, the rice based products I have eaten may be affecting me as well. Thanks for pointing that out. You have been very helpful! FH

Haven’t done a mood diary but certainly have huge effects from food. Corn…even the smallest amount of cornstarch in baking powder…causes me to swell up but I have also noticed that afterward I will struggle with feelings of depression. Wheat and yeast also have cause foghead, and aching all over. Yeast can increase my pain level in a few minutes and intense fibrofog all on its’ own even in rice bread. Milk…in any form and minute quantities will cause aching in my muscles and a lack of energy and low feelings…nearly all antibiotics, thyroid medication and many other pills use lactose as a filler…just had a terrible reaction in October. There are other things but not as severe…hope that gives some help!

Kathy

I checked out your Etsy shop. I love your concept of “earth friendly” weddings. Well done! I wish you much success. FH